CHAPTER 101: HOPE FOR SURVIVAL

I’ve already made up my mind even before Pamela concludes her explanation. There was no way in hell I would risk my beloved daughter’s life just to have my revenge on my former wife. No decent parent would do such a thing, only desperate ones perhaps, but as much as I wanted to avenge what Penelope did to me, I wouldn’t agree with Pamela’s ideas. That absurdness, which doesn’t require thorough thinking.


There would be other ways to inflict damage to Penelope, which doesn’t require Michelle’s involvement. I am fully aware that it was more difficult now to get even with her, especially that she was now extremely high and mighty after her biological father’s death, but I am certain that in time Pamela and I could still avenge everything that she did to us.


Pamela had been buzzing in my ears while I was preparing for work. She kept rambling about the money and making me see how that huge amount would benefit us, which for me was such a pathetic idea. I also kept on declining her words that eventually led us arguing up to the time I was about to leave home.


“Be rational, Michael! Don’t think negatively, because we won’t let something bad happen to Michelle! Don’t you wish to be rich? Don’t you desire to live an extravagant life and be with Michelle again? We can achieve that all if you simply agree with my ideas!” She continued ranting while following me in the hallway.


“Stop it, Pamela! I will never agree with you, end of discussion! There’s other ways to have our revenge on Penelope without putting my daughter’s life in danger!”


“Other ways? Tell me! What other ways? This is our only chance, Michael! Stop being unreasonable and consider what I am telling you!”


My patience was growing thin on her as I opened the front door and walked out of the house. I was about to hop in the car when she abruptly pulled my arm and angrily stared at me.


“Please, Pamela, let’s not argue about this. I am already late for work and we have a very important meeting this morning.”


“Why can’t you see it my way, Michael? I don’t get it! It’s not like we will risk your daughter’s life here! We will just use this opportunity to finally ruin Penelope’s life!”


“Quit it! I’m leaving!”


“Fuck you, Michael! If you think this topic was done, then you are mistaken, because I will not stop until you agree with me!”


I let her continue her rants while I got inside the car. If I continued listening to her, I would definitely be late for our meeting. It’s rare that the president of the company I am working at himself would hold a meeting, so I couldn’t afford to be late. My department boss would certainly be nailing me for the entire week if my ass wouldn’t be at the office before the meeting commenced.


Good thing I arrived just in time, just a few minutes before the said meeting started. Every employee gathered inside the conference room and waited for a few more minutes for the president to arrive. None of us knew what the meeting was all about and several assumptions roamed in the air as we awaited. Silence reigned just when the president entered and stood in the front. I was assessing his facial features to somehow have a hint of what he was about to say, but he remained expressionless.


“As much as I wished to greet each and everyone a pleasant morning, it seems I couldn’t gather my strength to do so, because of what our company was facing at the moment. I didn’t wish to sugar-coat what I am about to say, because however I address it, it would still come out unpleasant to almost everyone here” He paused. I am on the edge from where I was rooted after hearing his prelude. I didn’t like the sound of his foreword, which started to make me worry and I knew that the rest of the crowd did too. “I am not certain if most of you heard about the economic crisis that is currently occurring in different states, but that is sadly my topic now in this meeting.”


“I heard about that. Some of the small companies near Victoria closed because of the sudden downturn in economic activity. I don’t like the sound of it, please God not us” Someone behind me whispered, which elevated my anxiety.


“We have a major problem, not just in our company, but for the rest as well. There is a widespread and prolonged downturn in economic activity. A period of economic declination, which makes trade and industrial activities reduce and fall. We have a recession, folks. And it deeply saddens me to announce that starting tomorrow, Luther Holdings will stop its operation until further notice. Only those who were at the upper management would be retained, but for the rest… I sincerely apologize and wish you all the best of luck.”


He kept on speaking in front, but my mind was clouded with the thought of what he just announced. Deep worry filled me as I thought of all expenses and loans I have, which now bore even heavier on my shoulders. None of us present today expected this abrupt news, which I believe saddened mostly everyone.


And just like that, I was jobless in just a blink of an eye, which terribly frightened me and extremely bothered me. If only I knew that this would happen to me, I would have not asked for Pamela to quit her job. But since I didn’t see this coming, I am now facing one of the most difficult stages in my life, which I am fully aware would take time before I surpass.


Just like almost everyone in my department, I heartbrokenly collect my things silently. My mind was in a turmoil thinking of what I must do to surpass this recession. Although I have savings in the bank, I know it wouldn’t suffice all of our expenses and daily needs. I rode back home feeling bad and heavily burdened. My mind was in such distress, which made me angrily slammed the front door behind me and absent-mindedly walked towards the living room before slumping frustratedly on the sofa.


“Fuck!” I shouted loudly before aggressively gripping my hair out of helplessness.


“It seems you have been hit by a trailer truck.”


I didn’t notice Pamela’s presence, but she was sitting on one cushion with a magazine on her lap and looking at me with utmost confusion. She must be wondering why I came home earlier than I was supposed to.


“I had been laid-off at work due to the recession.”


A mocking and sarcastic laugh escaped from her mouth, which heightened my irritation. “So what now? What will happen to us now that you are jobless and so am I?”


“I still have savings in the bank, we can use that while I figure this out. I will also look for a job that could…”


“Michael, it’s a recession. No one will hire anyone at this point in time” She sarcastically interrupted me and I knew she was right, which made me even more frustrated.


“Fuck! Why does it have to happen to us?”


“We have no other option left, Michael. The way I see it, either you see it my way or we both die in starvation and debts. I don’t wish to argue with you anymore, figure it out yourself” She uttered concludingly before standing and walking out of my sight.


My mind thinks endlessly, finding ways on how we can surpass this crisis. I had been sitting for hours now, but couldn’t think of anything that could help us at this uproar stage we are into. As much as I hated Pamela’s idea and strived hard not to agree with her, I was left without a choice and admittedly gave in to her ridiculous concept, knowing it was our only hope for survival.