Chapter 1 MOM'S ILLNESS

Why is my life this way?

Why does other people have a better life than I do?

What is my crime in life?

These questions and many more, were exactly what has been in my mind this few weeks.

My mum's life was at jeopardy, and I couldn't even do anything to save her. The most annoying part of this whole drama, was that I was likely going to watch her pass away.

"No!" I muttered under my breath. It can't happen.

Pardon my long stories. My name is Valerie White, and I am just in my mid twenties. I am the only child of my mum, and that obviously makes my life even more miserable.

About my dad, he was the biggest wine distributor in the whole of the United States, until his sudden demise.

After his death, his younger brother and some of his colleagues, to conspire and took over all his properties leaving my mum and i with nothing.

Just as I was still engulfed in my pool of thoughts, I felt a forceful jerk on my right arm.

"Why are you not working?" It was the voice of my mean supervisor. Everyone knows how savage she can be.

"I'm... I'm... I'm sorry, ma'am... I was just..." I was still trying to explain myself, when she cut me short with her loud voice.

"Shut up your mouth, and save yourself that explanation. If I catch you slacking off again, I wouldn't hesitate to fire you." She barked at me with so much meanness.

One of my biggest fears, was being sacked from work. It was just my biggest fear. I really needed to fend for my mother and also sort out some of our bills.

"Help me, God..." I muttered weakly.

"This place is a bar, and not some therapy center." I heard the supervisor say these words as she left the wine unit. I didn't need anyone to tell me that she was referring to me.

Now, I really needed to be careful.

The major issue that bothered me the most, was the best possible way that I could come up with mum's hospital bills before the end month .

Soon, my shift was over, and it was time to go home. I hurriedly cleaned my shoes, and bought fruits for my mum in the grocery store nearby.

Since I didn't have a lot of money on me, I decided to trek to the hospital. After all, it wasn't that far. It was just a thirty minutes walk from my work place.

After walking for almost thirty minutes, I finally got to the hospital, and I made my way to my mother's ward. To say that she was happy to see me, would be a very big understatement.

"Hello, momma..." I greeted her with a warm smile, as I walked towards her with so much excitement.

"How're you doing, my queen?" She asked with a broad smile.

"I'm great. It's just that I'm looking for a better job that can pay me better than what being paid, currently." I replied her with a frowned face.

Even though that I knew that she was going to ask me to stop stressing myself, I still knew that this woman deserved the best part of life.

I couldn't imagine what would be going through her mind, since my father died. I knew that one of the major cause of her deteriorating health is the absence of my dad.

"I've said it countlessly, and I'd say it again. Save yourself the stress of trying to save me, and prepare for your future. I've lived my life, and I have no regrets..." Mum said, trying very hard to hold back her tears.

To be honest, I hated to seeing her this way. I mean, who love to see their mum cry?

"Stop all these talks, mom. I've told you that no one is going to die, and if you die now, then it means that I'd join you as well." I cried out in tears, and mum carefully touched my cheeks.

We were both getting very emotional.

"Don't say that again, my darling. You're not going to die." She remarked.

"You're also not going to die. Stop being negative, ma'am." I reminded her.

Needless to ask her, I didn't need anyone to tell me that she was hungry. I had read my mum so much, that I knew her like the back of my palms.

Right from time, she had been this kind of independent woman, that would rather do her own things, than to ask someone else to help her.

Just as I was bringing out the groceries, I got a call on my cell phone. I was even worried because I thought that it was from the supervisor.

That woman was really a thorn on the flesh.

As I checked my phone, it wasn't her or anyone that I was familiar with. It was a private number.

Who could be calling me with a private number?

I excused myself from the ward, and went outside to pick the call.

"Hello, who is on the line?" I asked with a stern voice.

"Hello, ma'am. Am I speaking with Valerie White?" The voice asked from the other end.

At this point, I was becoming skeptical in answering the questions, but I didn't have a choice other than to forge ahead.

"Yes, you are. Who are you?" I asked in a polite manner.

The voice paused for a while, before replying me.

"I'm the acting secretary of the recent job you applied for." She responded.

Now, I had a lot on my head. The last time that I checked, I had applied for a job in different companies and organizations, that I had even lost count.

"Please, which company is that?" I asked. Mere listening to myself, I knew that I was even sounding stupid.

"Mark's Incorporation..." She announced, and I shouted in shock.

This was a shocker.

"Is everything alright, ma'am?" She asked me.

"Yes... Oh yes..." I replied in excitement.

"Great. After going through your curriculum vitae, you were selected as the most suitable candidate for the role. We ask that you come over to the office, tomorrow." She explained further, and I almost screamed in excitement.

"Sure, I'll." I responded.

This was really a dream come through for me.