Chapter 6 The Janitor Offer

• "What! I should work for Benjamin?” Chris barked, shooting a hard glare at Karen like she’d just insulted his ancestors.
• Karen folded her arms, lips twitching into a smug smile. “Of course! You should be happy that Mr. Burton is generous enough to offer you a job after the way you humiliated him.”
• Chris opened his mouth to protest, but she was already steamrolling ahead.
• “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Chris!” she snapped, jabbing a finger at his chest. “This family has stood by you since you were a boy. But now that you’re a grown man, you think it’s okay to keep feeding off our daughter’s salary? Never again.”
• She turned slightly, her eyes cold. “So make your decision, Chris. Either you work for Mr. Burton or pack your bags and walk out of this house like the stray dog you pretend not to be.”
• Chris stiffened. Karen was the boss of the house—everyone knew it. Whether her husband liked it or not, she called the shots. He had no choice but to nod in submission.
• “Fine,” he muttered, jaw clenched.
• “Good,” Karen said briskly, already turning her back to him. “Get yourself ready. First thing tomorrow morning, we’re heading to Benjamin’s office. You’re not about to embarrass us again.”
• She and Josh walked off like royalty. Left alone, Chris exhaled heavily. He had no strength left to argue. Instead, he turned to Ava, who was lingering nearby, watching quietly.
• They sat together on the front porch later that evening. Chris took his time explaining, apologizing over and over for not listening to her five years ago—when she begged him not to take the fall for Alice. He told her how much he regretted it.
• Ava smiled, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. “I’m just glad you finally moved on from that walking red flag.”
• Chris chuckled. “Took me jail time and a broken ego to realize she was never worth it.”
• Their friendship felt whole again—raw, maybe, but real. They both agreed to meet up the next day at Benjamin’s company. It was time Chris got a fresh start.
• ---
• 7:45 AM
• Karen was already dressed like she was attending a board meeting, heels clicking as she stormed down the hallway.
• “Chris!” she called, her voice echoing.
• No answer.
• Ava appeared from her room, fully dressed and clutching a leather file. Karen turned to her immediately.
• “Have you seen that boy?”
• Ava opened her mouth, but Karen raised a hand.
• “Don’t bother. I knew it—sleeping like a log while the world moves on!”
• A voice floated from the staircase. “I’m not asleep, Aunt.”
• Chris descended the stairs slowly, tugging on his wristwatch as he spoke. “I’ve been up since six.”
• Karen’s face switched so fast it could’ve won an Oscar. “Well then, let’s go! Mr. Burton’s time isn’t something we can waste.”
• They headed outside to the driveway where the family’s sleek black SUV waited, polished and smug. Ava offered to drive. Chris, naturally, moved toward the front passenger seat.
• But Karen blocked him, slamming the door shut in his face.
• “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked coolly.
• Chris blinked. “Getting into the car… since we’re all headed to Benjamin’s company?”
• Karen scoffed. “This car isn’t for freeloaders. You’re not worthy of sitting inside this vehicle.”
• Chris stepped back, blinking twice. “Wait, what?”
• “You heard me. If you want that job so bad, you better start earning it with your legs. Walk there. That’s what you’re good at, isn’t it?” She spun on her heel and got into the front seat.
• Ava hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. But Karen was already adjusting her seatbelt like she hadn’t just verbally bodyslammed a human being. It wasn’t the first time she’d barred Chris from riding with them.
• Josh leaned out of the back seat, pulling out a few crumpled notes. “Here,” he whispered, “for transport.”
• Chris looked at the money, then at Josh, then at Karen through the tinted window. He smiled—thin, sarcastic, but polite.
• “No thanks. I’ll manage.”
• Before the car even rolled out of the driveway, Chris had already turned the corner and vanished.
• ****
• By the time the SUV pulled into the compound of Benji’s Corp, Chris was there—standing near the front entrance, arms crossed, looking fresh like he hadn’t just taken public transport in Lagos traffic.
• Ava stepped out first, shocked. “Chris? What… How did you—?”
• She trailed off, too stunned to finish.
• Karen stared like she’d seen a ghost. Her eyes flicked to her watch, then back to Chris. It didn’t make sense. He had nothing. No money. No car. No connections. Yet somehow, he got there before them.
• Chris smiled calmly, wiping a speck of imaginary dust from his shirt. “Good morning,” he said.
• Karen said nothing. She just stared at him like he was an unsolved riddle.
• Ava tried not to laugh.
• Chris stood calmly in front of the building, a smug grin creeping up his face. His hands were buried deep in his pockets, and sweat dotted his forehead, though he didn’t look the least bit tired.
• He had arrived at Benji’s Corp almost thirty minutes ago, thanks to one trick up his sleeve—his ridiculous, borderline superhuman speed. He chuckled to himself. Ten seconds flat from the estate to here. Usain Bolt could never.
• Just then, a stern-looking security officer approached with a polite bow.
• “Missus, the boss wishes to see you now.”
• Karen adjusted her blouse with grace like she was heading to meet the president. The whole group followed the guard into the building and straight to Benjamin Burton’s office—only to be met with silence and an empty chair.
• Karen frowned immediately. “Where is he?”
• They waited. Five minutes turned to fifteen. Fifteen stretched into thirty. Chris sat back, arms folded, an amused smirk dancing on his lips.
• He’s doing this on purpose.
• That much was obvious. Benjamin was never one for coincidences.
• “Where the hell could he be?” Chris finally asked out loud, his voice laced with suspicion.
• Right on cue, Benjamin strolled in like he owned the universe. No rush. No apology in his body language.
• “Apologies for the wait…” he said, settling behind his massive desk with exaggerated ease.
• Chris let out a sarcastic scoff. “Seriously?”
• Benjamin’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me, did you just say something?”
• Chris stood his ground. “Relax. I wasn’t referring to you. But we’ve been waiting for a damn while. Can we get on with the interview already?”
• Benjamin raised a brow, lips twitching. “Interview?” He chuckled and leaned back. “I offered you a job, yes. But I never said anything about an interview.”
• Chris blinked twice. “So what kind of job skips interviews and CVs? Since when did handing out jobs become a charity event?”
• Benjamin stood up slowly, stepping around his desk like he was about to announce an award.
• “People who deserve interviews are graduates, Chris. Not ex-convicts who thought taking the fall for a lying girlfriend was a good idea.”
• Chris's jaw tightened. His fists clenched, but he didn’t move. Their eyes locked—fire against fire.
• Benjamin smirked. He was enjoying this.
• Then, without breaking eye contact, Benjamin picked up his phone, dialed, and said, “You may come in now.”
• A moment later, the door swung open. Two men in dull blue janitor uniforms entered, caps pulled low and brooms in hand.
• Chris arched a brow. “Who are these guys?”
• Benjamin grinned, walking to stand beside them. “Your new colleagues. Congratulations, Chris. You’re officially a janitor at Benji’s Corp.”
• Chris’s silence was deafening.
• “Your starting pay is $300 a month,” Benjamin added. “If you work hard enough, I might throw in a bonus. Like a bottle of air freshener or something.”
• Karen’s face lit up like it was Christmas morning. She practically danced over to Benjamin.
• “Thank you so much, Mr. Burton. We’re truly grateful.”
• But Benjamin wasn’t satisfied with just her gratitude. His gaze locked on Chris again.
• “I don’t need your appreciation, Mrs. Josh. I need it from him.”
• He stepped closer. “I want to hear him call me his Divine Helper.”
• Chris looked at him like he had grown two horns.
• Karen turned with that familiar scowl. “You heard him, Chris. Say it! Thank Mr. Burton properly!”
• Chris didn’t move. His stare was blank, but behind it, a storm brewed.
• Karen raised her voice. “Are you deaf? Show some gratitude! This man just saved your worthless life!”
• Chris finally replied, voice sharp and cold. “Why should I thank him for offering me a job that’s barely fit for someone with a pulse?”
• Alice stepped forward cautiously, whispering, “Chris… please.”
• He ignored her.
• “You’re not embarrassed, Benjamin Burton? With all your flashy suits and smug talks, this is the best you can offer me? A mop and a broom?”
• Benjamin chuckled bitterly. “What else do you expect, Chris? You think I’d let a jailbird sit in my boardroom? You’re not even good enough to wipe my shoes.”
• Chris took a step forward, eyes burning. “The worst mistake you can ever make… is underestimating me.”
• Benjamin scoffed. “Your capabilities? Please enlighten me. The only thing you were ever good at was taking the fall like a fool for a girl who never loved you.”
• Chris smiled—dark, slow, dangerous.
• “I’m not that man anymore.”
• Benjamin leaned in with mock interest. “And what exactly are you going to do? Cry into the mop bucket?”
• Chris didn’t flinch. “What if I already cut off your ego… and your empire along with it?”
• Benjamin laughed so hard he held his stomach. “Oh, Chris. You’ve always been hilarious.”
• Alice gave Chris a pleading look. “Don’t do this…”
• Chris ignored her too.
• Benjamin finally wiped his eyes. “You think you can bring down Benji’s Corp? Let me educate you. We have five running contracts with the Dragon Group, the most powerful conglomerate in the world. And just last night, we signed a $1 billion deal. Your threats are a mosquito bite.”
• Chris smiled wider. “You’re right. A nobody like me can’t destroy you…”
• Benjamin folded his arms, smug.
• “…But a nobody like me already did.”
• A heavy silence filled the room.
• Benjamin’s smirk wavered.
• “What the hell are you talking about?”
• Chris tilted his head toward the table. “Check your phone. Notifications should be flooding in.”
• Benjamin yanked out his phone, eyes scanning the screen.
• First came a notification from Dragon Group:
• “CONTRACT TERMINATED.”
• Then another from the World Commerce Network:
• “Benji’s Corp declared under mortgage investigation: $7 Trillion debt.”
• More emails followed. His face turned pale. His lips trembled. His hands went weak.
• “What… what is this?” he stammered.
• Chris took a step forward. “I told you, didn’t I? Don’t ever underestimate me.”