Chapter 4 Weeds

I hobble across the road and press the buzzer because I'm not giving up on this opportunity, even though my body is singing in pain. I can do this, I need to do this!

"Hey, John, I'm back for another day of work."

The leaves shake as the fence opens, revealing the chaos unfolding in the garden.

"Switch the plants around because the height order looks wrong," John instructs.

The man grumbles but complies. John nods, and the man removes the lavender from the pot and places it in the hole. He covers it with dirt and moves to the next one.

Most of the lavenders and hedging have been planted, the bricks are paved, and the fishpond is being installed. It's just the rolls of grass and pond plants that need to go in next.

I stand beside John and beam with forced happiness. The garden looks amazing, but my stomach knots because it means I'm out of a job.

"The garden looks good."

"Your designs are great! What do you think about a fountain piece for the pond?"

"Sure, it'll look awesome."

"Oi, Voss, get me a water feature."

One man stops working and walks out through the gate.

"How long have you been at it?"

"Two hours?" He shrugs. "The boss wants it done sooner."

"All right, what can I do?"

"He wants to speak with you."

"Crap! Am I in trouble? He wasn't happy yesterday, but I swear I only stopped to look at the garden for a minute to see what to do next." I bite my lower lip and sigh.

"You'll be fine unless you keep him waiting. He's around the back."

"Okay." I nod.

"Good luck, kid."

Even though he means well, I need more than luck to pull me through this.

I hurry around the corner and frown.

"Oh, shoot," I grumble.

There's nobody here. Maybe he had to leave? I hope John isn't pulling a prank because I got him into trouble yesterday. I should have kept my mouth shut.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

There's a lavender plant in the corner which hasn't been planted, so I cross the yard and struggle with it. I yank it out of the pot and into the hole already dug.

Since I haven't been fired and this could be a prank to show the boss I'm not a hard worker, I hope the pair will be surprised when they see me.

I adjust the plant and flatten the soil around the base so it's secure. I brush the dirt off and take a step back to admire it. Even though it's just a plant, it looks good.

The warm breeze carries through the yard, and the smell of lavender is thick but pleasant. I like the smell, but to have this many plants, I would grow to hate it.

I take the shovel, leaning on the fence, and press it into the dirt. My foot aches, but I press harder, determined to dig a hole and show my worth.

"Daniela." His voice booms.

I drop the shovel and turn around.

The mysterious door is open, and the boss is poking his head out.

"Come here." He beckons with a flick of his finger.

"I'm sorry. John just said that you were around the back, but I couldn't see you." My heart races and my stomach churns. I think I will be sick.

"Climb down the ladder. We need to talk."

"Alright."

He wedges a pole between the door and the ground and looks at me.

"Are you coming?"

"Yes." I nod.

He climbs down the ladder while I look around the yard for help. My stomach drops when the realisation kicks in. There's nobody here to save me.

As I stand beside the hole, the stench hits me with an aftertaste of lavender. It's dark and resembles a pit of death-my death. I hate that I'm desperate for money.

I soak up the sun on my cheeks as I lower myself in.

'Just breathe' circles around in my head, but it's hard to concentrate with the stench of weed all around me.

When I hit the bottom, I jump as John closes the door.

'You can do this, Daniela, don't be scared!'

I don't have a choice because I might be locked in, and the yard has at least five large men who could tackle me to the ground.

Taking a deep breath, I turn around.

Nothing about this is legal, including the plants.

"We're not going to die here, right?"

"I've spent good money constructing this."

"Please tell me you hired an expert, not someone from Rooted."

The boss shakes his head, but a glow of humour lingers in his blue eyes.

"I assure you, it's safe. I would never place an expensive product down here otherwise."

"Hm, alright." I sigh.

Perhaps this used to be a basement because there's a concrete section with a bench. It expands to the large rectangle covered in marijuana plants. However, there's earth flooring.

"What do you want to talk about, or is this the part where you kill me? I'd at least like to see the complete version of the garden because I put a lot of effort into designing it."

"You are not going to die." He chuckles. "You passed the test."

"Wait, what? That was a test?" I frown.

"Yes." He nods. "You turned up despite the demands on the job, you were honest, and you got to work instead of waiting for me."

"Well, when you-"

"And you are desperate, which makes you the perfect worker."

In one short sentence, he's dashed my ego.

"What am I supposed to do? I have no idea how to grow plants, let alone weeds."

"You don't have to worry about that. I need someone to ensure there is no theft, the hydroponic system works, and the lights go on."

"Theft? I'm not a scary person." I frown.

"The premise is secured and monitored except for here. Someone is stealing my produce, and I need a fresh set of eyes to ensure no more goes missing. You only need to report what you see."

"Reporting theft and babysitting some plants? That sounds alright. What will happen to the person who is stealing?"

"Do you plan on stealing from me?" He squints.

"No, it's just that..." I sigh.

"Everyone makes their own choices, and the consequences of their actions will not fall on you unless you turn a blind eye. Then I'd have to remove them from your pretty face, and that would be a shame." He winks.

"No blind eyes will be turned because I like my eyes where they are." My hands shake, but I smile because of the compliment.

"John will explain how everything works and provide you with a schedule. Next time, you can bring something like a book to read. Do you have questions?" He shoves a hand into his pocket.

"Uh, should I have questions?"

"Should you?" He tilts his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I guess not then."

"I'll leave you be."

John jumps down and steps to the side to allow the boss to leave.

"Welcome to the business." He smiles. "You could be charged with possession and intention to sell if you're caught down here."

"Um, next time, maybe leave that last part out."

"Alright." He chuckles.

"What's the chance of being arrested down here?"

"Very unlikely, does that help?"

"Hm, maybe."

"He's been in the industry for years, and the boss has never been caught. These plants are worth millions because of his expertise in growing quality produce."

"Now that makes me feel a little better."

"Are you ready for the tour?"

"Do you know why he picked me? He said I could be trusted, but he doesn't know me. I'm just a random person looking for a job. Does he need a babysitter for a bunch of plants in a hole?"

"You're not the first person I would pick for the role, but the boss knows what he's doing. The hydroponic system isn't fail-proof, and these plants are worth a lot."

"I'm going to stop asking questions because I'm scared."

"You're also desperate for a job, and sometimes those people are the best workers."

"Can we drop the desperate part?" I groan.

"Just make sure the water and lights turn on when they're scheduled, and you'll be fine."

"What's with 'the boss'? What's his name?"

"Just stick with 'the boss', kid."

"Is his name something funny?" I smirk.

"I don't know what his real name is."

"Oh." I frown. "What do I need to know about all of this?"

"There's a sheet which tells you the times the lights and water system turn on and off. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the view."

Even though it's dark and smells gross, it's better than dragging plans under the hot sun.

"This sounds too good to be true."

"Wait until you see the living quarters, there's a bed and a toilet."

"Wait, why are there living quarters? You're not locking me down here, are you?"

I glance at the ladder and frown. If I kick John in the balls, I might be able to escape.

"No, but you're allowed to sleep between watering cycles. Plus, there's nowhere else to sit unless you count the wooden stool by the bench."

"How long is the night shift?"

"Twelve hours."

"I should have asked more questions." I sigh.

"If you're confused, you can ask questions."

"Okay." I nod.

"Let's begin the tour." He waves his hands towards the plants.

John walks deeper into the hole, and stupidly, I follow despite the gnawing feeling pulling me back to the surface.