The help
Martina pov
After my mother and my grandmother's funeral, I decided to focus on my brothers and my little sister. We have formed a family cocoon. Now no one else exists in my life. Tania will pass the baccalaureate this year. I fight as little as I can to be able to bring money home. I do almost everything, offering my services from home. I wash clothes, cook and do many other household chores in return for money. It's already been a month since we buried mum and grandma and the house has become dull and gloomy. There is no noise, nor conviviality. Right now all I'm thinking about is how I'm going to get revenge. I don't know how to do it, but I will. I saw Paula and Steve's wedding on Facebook. I bend my fingers, they pay nothing to wait. One Friday at noon, while I was getting ready to go to work as usual, I received a call from an unknown number. I hesitate for a moment, but finally pick up on the second ring.
"Hello !" I said while taking the phone to my ear.
"Mrs. Mballa, Mboue is the secretary of Miss Lorenzo, CEO of the LEEZ." Replied the voice from the phone.
"Ah, OK." I said, curious about the reason for her call.
"Could you come at the company in half an hour?" She questions.
"Okay." I respond to her without thinking.
About 30 minutes later, I arrived at the Society and the secretary ushered me in, leering at me in a strange way. Was I managing then. I find Mr. Lorenzo enjoying tea and he asks me to take a seat.
"Thank you", I say sitting down.
"How are you ? Shall I serve you some tea?" He asks me, lifting the teapot next to him.
"No thanks!"
"I have the impression that something is wrong... I find you... how shall I put it..." He said thinking as if he were looking for words. "I feel like you've changed... Your haggard look, your facial expression... What's wrong with you Martina?" His voice was filled with gentleness and concern. He was staring me straight in the eye. I'm also surprised that he calls me by my first name.
"People Mr. Lorenzo. People changed me." I say in a neutral tone while staring at a point behind him without looking at him.
"I see! My secretary told me that you looked for me during my holidays?!" he asks, changing our discussion topic.
"Yes, but it's fine now." I replied with the same tone as before.
"Martina, what's going on? What happened to you ? I could help you." I intended to be closed to him, but I realize that this opportunity could be a boon for me. Why not enjoy it ?
"I came to see you because my mother was sick and she had to be operated on urgently. I did not have the required sum. Now it doesn't matter because mom is dead and grandma died too." He listened to me with great attention and his gaze was full of sympathy.
"I'm sorry Martina ! But why didn't my secretary give you my number?" He said furiously. She'll hear me this one.
"No Everything is already fine, don't worry." I hasten ti'o answer to him.
"What can I do to help you?"
"Thank you for your concern and I would be grateful if you would help me find work." I told him in a pleading voice.
"Where is your father? And the rest of the family?" he asks without paying attention to my request. I change my gaze and he notices.
"You can trust me Martina! I want to help you. But I want to understand why, at your age, you take on so much responsibility." I hesitate for a moment, but I go for it. If it can get him to help me, all the better to hire me. I tell him about my life how everything was going well, until the day when everything changed with the rape and I end up with our life in the village until the death of my mother and grandmother. Surprisingly, I felt no emotion, on the contrary, it was Mr. Lorenzo who had tears in his eyes.
"What cruelty of the man! Sorry you went through all of this!" He said all moved.
"WOh... It's nothing! I already forgot, don't worry." I say naturally and calmly.
"I really want to help you Martina ! Already, I would like you and your brothers to move in with me next week. I will repair your house if you want it. You won't have to worry about food and other needs. I live alone and my home is very large. I will be delighted to welcome you."
"Thank you Mr. Lorenzo! I do not know what to say! I say satisfied with this tempting offer.
"So don't say anything. He answers smiling. I take leave of him and go home. In the evening after we have had dinner, I announce the news to Tania and the boys. They jumped for joy and kissed me. I too was happy, but I had always remained zen, unable to express this happiness