1O

"Where do you see yourself in the next five years?" The Human resource guy implores.

This isn't going how I expected. I thought it would be the C.E.O, my uncle, that will be interviewing me.

I square my shoulders and confidently talk about how I predict my career will grow in the next five years and my contribution to the organization.

The HR listens to me with indifference. I can hardly tell how this is going.

After I have answered his questions he speaks.

"How soon can you start?" He asks.

"Tomorrow, " I answer.

"Okay. You are supposed to be here by five thirty the hotel opens at seven and everything ought to be ready. You will start out as a cleaner then from your performance we shall see how it goes."

My head is turning, what is he talking about?

"uh...i had applied for an assistant accountant trainee position." I remind him. What did he smoke?

"Yes. You did. Did you not read the entire job description?" His tone is disapproving.

No, I did not. But that is not a thing you tell your potential employer. It will only paint a picture of someone who isn't detailed and can't follow simple instructions.

I nod, "I read but what I didn't understand is when will be able to use my accounting and finance skills." I need to access their records, that is my main reason here.

"Since you are yet to graduate and until you do you will work in the kitchen. We shall evaluate your work and after you graduate you can start in the accounting department. And we may consider hiring you permanently. We offer our employees, the best salary and allowance."

The stipend the quoted on their website for trainees was very attractive so i am confused if i will still be paid the same amount now that I will be a cleaner.

"And the stipend?"

"The same as we stated." He answers.

I sign a contract and leave. I came here thinking i will be an accountant but i end up being a cleaner. It is a small price to pay.

I exit the Cooper Tower. It is the administrative building for all my father's businesses. My father was jack of all trades. He started with food trucks later to hotels which spread across the country and beyond. He invested in real estate, motor vehicle industry and clothing stores. The later two were run by mother while he held dear to his babies, the hotels, because it is them that build him.

Just across the tower there is a hotel where i am supposed to start working tomorrow. I stand for a while eyeing it. I can't believe I am back here again. I remember running in the lobby, my father shouting at me to stop causing commotion to the hotel geust. He would later bribe me with a extravagant shopping for anything I wanted. I sigh, I miss him dearly.

I am about to get into my car when I spot my aunt. She is carrying a pink princess backpack. A small girl in school uniform is jumping beside her. I watch with intense interest as her pigtail bounce off her back. It is like I am looking at Oliver's female version. She is adorable, I can't take my eyes off her. They are unaware of my creepy stare. I don't look away until they disappear into the tower.

My hand fly to my chest when I unexpectedly find Andre leaning on my car. How did he get there?

"You startled me." I say

"Sorry, but I couldn't believe it when Oliver told me where you went." He walks towards me. "You can't work here." He orders.

"I already signed a contract."

"Contracts can be terminated."

"I want to work here." I clarify and walk past him.

"Come work for me if it is a job and money you need."

"I don't want to work for your father."

"It is not my father's company. I am starting mine."

I stop and turn to him. I am impressed by his move. Andre has always been defiant, he goes against the standards a society accords to someone. At the age of fifteen he had already graduated from high school. He joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which he dropped out after two weeks. He said he was too smart for school. He is.

"Congrats." I smile at him. "What I want it is what is rightfully mine. And I can only get it through working here."

"I am just looking out for you. You do know what these people are capable of. They attempted to kill you twice." Andre reminds me.

They first tried to kill us when our house went down in flames taking away my mother. The second time was two days later when I anonymously contacted my uncle telling him we were alive. Only for armed men to show up where I had told him we were hiding and fill the air with bullets.

"Not this time. They won't see me coming."

"I thought my plan was going on well, if you do this, it changes the outcome of everything."

"It was a great plan but so far other than exposing the Nickel's auditing firm. I did get my revenge nor anything that was taken from us. And for me those two are what matters the most."

"You should be at least patient. We are almost there."

On the contrary, I feel like over the years I drifted away from my goal.

"I need to be here."

"This things never end well."

Do they ever? I think and reply, "I don't intend them to."

"You aren't thinking clearly, these people will swallow you alive." Andre says full of concern. I know he is just looking out for me.

"It is a risk I am willing to take." I open my car door and get in.