Chapter 6 On Suspension

• 6..
• On suspension
• Getting sacked has been all I'd been avoiding since I began working with Sarah. Even during the days I was so indisposed, my work had always been a priority simply because I believed it was one of the highest paying jobs in town and the only way I could give my son the best life I dreamed of..
• But now?..
• Fired?..
• Sarah had never uttered those words to me. She was either going to say ‘Do you want to get fired' or ‘Have you found yourself a new job already?..’
• But today was different and I knew she wasn't joking.
• I didn't hesitate falling on my knees.. Where was I supposed to go from here?..
• Getting fired literally means losing my official car and house. Oh damn, I wasn't ready to be homeless, not even in a thousand years to come.
• I'd used the incomes I got in the last few years to cater for myself and my son, as well as covering the costs of renewing my stay in this country since my stay was no longer tied to my employment at the museum so I had little savings to depend on.. just little!
• And that won't even be enough to cover up the expenses of a rented apartment for a week, talk less of a month.
• “You can't do this to me” I begged breathlessly, resisting the urge to hold her legs while begging.
• Of course, I wasn't ready for a kick. I had enough already.
• “Get out of my office now!”
• It was as if my pleas worsened her mood and now she was looking so merciless.
• I remained on my knees, begging like my life depended on it but not for once did she say something pleasing.
• In the next minute, I was on my way back to the exit with my bag, which contained all my belongings I'd packed, clutched to my arms.
• She wasn't changing her mind, I was really no longer a secretary to Sarah Donalds.
• I was teary-eyed and my heart ache seemed to be worsening as seconds went by..
• “Do you think you can just go? Just like that?!” she suddenly said, stopping me in my tracks.
• With raised brows, I turned to her, battling my wet lashes.
• “You just asked me to --” I paused on my own.
• What was going on?..
• “It's been five years! Five years of working with you, do you think it's that easy to let you go?. What happens to the projects, the consultations, your ideas, everything!” she was literally screaming at this point.
• Honestly, if I wasn't close to Sarah, I would have concluded that she was a drug addict and it was beginning to destabilise her brain..
• I mean, what the hell was she saying now?.
• “You just asked me to leave your office, I didn't choose to go myself” I reminded.
• “Oh really?..” she smirked.
• “Okay then. Now get out!” her last words came in a yell.
• I rushed out of the office immediately, realising she was about to throw her heels at me.
• I heaved a sigh, walking through the lobby while trying to feign a straight face. I was in no room for questions from my colleagues so I knew better than letting my tears out...
• As expected, precious and Reid were at the reception and I really didn't know which expression to keep up with.
• A sad one? Pissed one? Or just a straight face
• “Why bring him to the office when you can actually remain here, huh!” I reprimanded and the poor nanny kept her gaze glued to her phone.
• “You just made me lo--”
• My phone beeped, interrupting my words and I took a pause to check it out.
• It was a message from Sarah with no subject and for a second, I wondered what she was up to this time.
• I left her office just now!
• ‘It's a three-week suspension!’
• That was how brief the message was. I scoffed, remembering her statements before I'd left the office.
• “She really doesn't want to let me go" I thought, feeling quite relieved also.
• “He said he's no longer interested in going to the mall ma'am” precious words made me divert my attention to her.
• “Who?.. Reid?” I landed my gaze on the little boy.
• “What's wrong?..” I bent over to his level and though he wasn't sharing a striking resemblance with his father, I could actually see Alex's image in him and that didn't only make me wonder if it's because I'd seen Alex just a few moments ago, it also aroused my emotions.
• My mind worsened matters by echoing Alex's words of denial and a tear slipped from my eyes before I could notice.
• Reid's mood was totally down, It was obvious and I knew Sarah's yell was a major reason. No one had yelled at Reid that way before..
• “Will you tell mum why you don't want to go shopping anymore?” I raised my hand to his chin.
• “Who is dad?” he questioned back.
• “I'd only go on a shopping with him” he added
• “No..” I got up, standing tall above him.
• “You will not bring this up, you won't!” I said firmly.
• “I already told you what you need to know about your father. Stop going around to call every amber-eyed brown headed man dad!" I reprimanded softly.
• “If you won't be going shopping on your birthday, then mummy will be taking you home now” I continued.
• “I am --”
• “You will not dictate for me” I interrupted him.
• “Meet me in the car” I walked away immediately. I was trying hard to fight back my emotions so I was so intentional in trying to avoid such talks and he was just pissing me off by bringing it up again..
• Reid isn't difficult to apologise to, so I was just going to do that later.
• I settled behind the steering wheel on getting to the car, awaiting precious and my son while being deep in thoughts..
• Nothing could be more painful than realising that your son's father is now engaged to your worst nightmare..
• How do I even start my life?..
• Would I even cope seeing him around her when my own son is dying to know his father and when he's suddenly seeming so attractive to me?..
• Oh heavens...
• “My heart bleeds..”