Depend On Me, Mr CEO

Kissing her mom's cheeks and saying goodbye to her, Roxanne Hart shut the door and began running down the streets. Getting to a particular spot, she stopped to catch her breath.

Checking the time, she brought out an old wrist watch and was shocked to see that it was 30mins to the interview. She had been working part-time to assist her mother who worked so hard to provide for her.

She saw a job advert in a newspaper a customer was reading at the café she worked at and took it when he left.

Hiltons Company was looking for cleaners to hire. So she wished she could be lucky to be hired.

Immediately after checking the time, she decided to use her last penny which she had saved for transport. She had no time to use the bus or train which was cheaper, so she waved down a cab. After giving the necessary information on where she was going, she opened the door, got in and closed it.

Throughout the drive, she kept bringing out her wrist watch to check the time. She was so nervous and kept patting her cheeks.

When the cab arrived at the famous company, the driver asked her what was going on, she hurriedly told him about the advert for cleaners.

She got into the company and was surprised at how large and beautiful the building was. It looked like a magnificent castle. She had never seen such before in her entire life.

She could not help but be awed by how great it looked. She wondered what it felt like to work in such an environment and wished desperately to work there so as to help her mum.

With that, she was determined to work hard in this interview. She walked into the main building and found a young lady at the reception. She greeted the lady and asked for directions to the office for the interview.

Looking at Roxanne with disgust, the receptionist scorned and sighed and finally answered, "it is at the first floor, the second door by your right, can you operate the elevator doors, I hope you do not get too scared".

Roxy was so ashamed, even though she did not know how to operate the elevator and wanted to ask, she just kept mute after everything that just happened. She was determined to operate the elevator by herself.

So she walked away from the crowd at the reception that was laughing at her. She walked to the corner where the elevator was and stood for a while. After sometime, a young man walked towards the elevator and she watched his every move till he got in and the doors shut.

Immediately, she went to the elevator and tried opening it, after a while, it opened up. She was surprised but happy. She went in, and remembered the man pressed a button before he left.

She wondered what the button was and what it was for. She remembered the rude receptionist who said the interview was on the first floor. So she pressed 1 and it began moving. She was grateful and happy that she did it by herself.

She was terrified as it began moving. Holding on to the walls, she clutched her clothes and bag closely.

When it finally stopped, she finally breathed, she had been holding her breath for so long. She quickly rushed to the door of the elevators.

She was so afraid and scared. She immediately ran out but mistakenly bumped into a young, handsome man who smelled billions.

"I'm so sorry, I'm almost late", she said and rushed out leaving the stranger speechless.

She got to the office and met lots of people waiting. Luckily , immediately she got there, and the interview began.

When some had done the interview and left, she finally saw a place to sit. After a while, she was the only one left, and she entered the office.

Standing at the door, Roxy could feel how fast her heart pounced. She was so nervous and unsure.

"Control yourself Roxy, you've got to do your best. Don't be intimidated. Fighting!", She assured herself.

With that, she took long strides towards the interviewers who were keenly watching her. But she wasn't intimidated, she held her head high.

When she was very close, she greeted me and took her seat. Her interview officially began.

When she was done answering all the questions asked, she could see slight smiles on their faces. She was so glad, she impressed them.

After that, she left, after dropping her email. She left the Hilton company with a broad smile on her face.

She decided to take a walk in the neighborhood. She got to a park, sat down to rest for a while, got out a pen and began scribbling on her diary.

That was a habit, Roxy learned from a girl she met at a café and grandma. Thinking about her grandmother, brought a bigger and brighter smile on her oval face, her dark brown eyes shone brighter.

She wished she could provide for her mom and she secretly said a prayer to the God her grandmother always prayed to.

God always helped grandmother, so she prayed for the first time by herself. She hoped he listened to her too.

She imagined her grandmother's wide grin across her lips, and smiled. After some time, she got up ready to go back to her town.

She kept staring around, wondering the road to help her go home. She stood there for a few minutes, she was lost.

She saw a woman with her child and approached them, hoping to find her way.

"Good day ma, please how do I get to the nearest bus station?", She said.

"It's quite a distance. I think you should take a cab. But the bus station is 8 streets away.

"City Bus Station".

"Thank you very much. I'm so grateful", she said with a smile.

She stood waiting for a cab but couldn't get one, so she decided to go to the bus station.

Unknown to her, a black tinted car was trailing behind her.

She got to the bus station and was lucky to board the last bus of the day. After 45 minutes, she got to her destination. She alighted and walked home.

She met her mother, holding a picture of her grandma. Grandma Belle was her favorite person in the world but death had to take her away.

Her demise was still so fresh to both mother and daughter. They've lived for more than 20 years together.

She hugged her mother tightly and led her into the house.

"Mother, grandma wouldn't want us to continue this way", she said.

"I know, my dear but I miss her so much", she said sobbing.

"I miss her too. I know she wouldn't want us to waste our lives over her. We would never forget her ", Roxy replied.

"Okay ", her mom said.

"So, how did the interview go?" Her mom continued.

"Well, it was fine. I'd tell you all about it later. But first, we need to eat", Roxy said.

"Oh, that's true. I'm sorry I forgot. What would you like to eat? I'd make it for you," she said and got up.

"Don't worry mum. I feel like making dinner. Spaghetti?", Roxy replied.

"Sure. I'd help you", her mum said.

"No mum, Maybe next time but for today, please rest", Roxy replied.

She began preparing their dinner. When she was done, she served her mom and ate.

Laura turned to her daughter and said;

"Roxy, this is delicious".

Roxy mumbled a thanks because of the big chunk in her mouth.

"Well, how was the interview?Hope it went great !"

"Yeah, I did my best. I hope God answers my prayers. I love the building, I really want to work there", she said happily.

Seeing the excitement on her daughter's face, Laura could only hope everything works out, so that Roxy doesn't get hurt.

After a while, they retired to their rooms.

*****

The following day, she checked her email but didn't see anything. She went with her mom to her boutique.

Slowly, the business went. But the Anna Collection was their only hope. Some days, it was extremely slow or nothing. Other days, the business was good .

Throughout the week, Roxy kept spacing out. She was hoping for a reply from Hilton Company.

Laura has been watching her daughter since. After a customer left, she walked up to Roxy.

She gently placed a hand on shoulder and tapped her. Shocked by the sudden interruption in her thoughts, Roxy jerked up.

Turning to see who it was, her heart gradually calmed, after seeing Laura's warm smile.

"My dear, why don't you go back home to rest. You look so stressed", she suggested.

"Don't worry mom, I'm fine. I'm sorry", she replied.

"It's alright. I understand. But I insist you go home to rest"

"Alright mom, I will. But is there anything I can do here?"

"Nothing dear, go and rest. Please don't overthink".

"I'd try. See you later, mom"

*****

On her way home, she felt like she was being followed. On several occasions, she kept looking back but couldn't find anyone.

Once more it happened, she felt like the person was so close. She felt her skin crawling in, in fear. She began running. She ran past her home.

After a while, she ran home.

That feeling suddenly came back. Roxy shuffled her bag, looking for her keys. Every minute that passed, scared her.

Finally, she opened the door, taking one last quick look behind her, she dashed inside. She quickly locked the door. She couldn't move for a while. Breathing heavily, she stood at the door, panting, holding her chest.

She was scared beyond her wits. She quickly dialed her mom's number to inform her she was home.

After about two unanswered calls, Roxy began panicking. She kept calling her mom's number but it wasn't connecting. Pacing around, she began feeling dizzy.

Roxy fainted..

Few minutes later, a young man entered the house and found Roxy on the floor. He quietly picked her up from the floor and took her to a couch. He got a bowl filled with water from the kitchen and a napkin. He walked up to the sleeping figure on the couch and cleaned her face.

He stayed for a while, watching over Roxy. When he saw her stirring in her sleep, he knew that she was about to wake up. He quietly sneaked out.

He disappeared like he had never been there.

Roxy woke up and found herself lying on the couch. She was confused . Slowly she remembered how crazy her day was.

"How did I end up on the couch, when I was on the floor?"

Immediately, she ran to the door. Checking the door, she realized that it was still locked. She walked round the house, there was no break in.

"What's going on? Am I hallucinating? Is it stress?"

She quietly went to her room, called her mom.

"Mom, are you okay?", Roxy said.

"Yes dear, I'm alright. I've been waiting for your call. Hope you're okay!", Laura said worriedly.

"Mom, I called but it wasn't connecting. Hope nothing happened to you?", she asked.

"No, my child. Did something happen to you?", she replied.

"Well, ... no. Nothing happened", Roxy lied.

After a while, the call ended. Roxy heaved a sigh of relief and said "I'd handle this myself. I shouldn't make her worry, she has a lot on her mind".

She couldn't close her eyes to sleep and rest but kept thinking about the afternoon.

Later, her mom returned home, they had their dinner and retired to bed.

"Good night mom", she said and kissed her cheeks.

"Good night, my child. Sleep well", Laura replied.

Roxy couldn't sleep. She walked out of her room to use the old computer in the living room to check her emails. Sitting behind the table, she scrolled through the messages. The recent events made her forget about the interview result.

When she was about to log out, her eyes widened as she saw a new email from Hilton Company .

She was happy, the results were out but wished her fate was bright. With shaking hands, she finally clicked on the email.

She was overjoyed to see "Congratulations!"

Roxy opened her mouth to scream when she remembered her mom was sleeping. She held a palm against her mouth. She quietly danced happily.

"I had a weird day but this email just made my day", she said grinning.

She quietly walked to her room but overheard noise coming from her mom's room. She walked closer to inform her about the result when she heard her mom saying

"Tell me, what you did. I hope he didn't hurt her. Roxy was alone".

Roxy stood still, she was shocked her mom knew about what happened. She immediately turned around and went to her room angrily.

"How could she do that?"she asked, disappointed at her mom.

"Who is she talking to?", she said curiously.

After a while of thinking, she slept off.

*****

The next morning, she stayed in bed. She couldn't face her lying mom, she couldn't hide what she just heard.

"What's your plan for this weekend?", Laura asked from the door.

"I'm not sure. Let's see how it goes. I'd prepare for my work", Roxy replied.

"Work, which one? Did you pass the interview?", Laura asked excitedly.

"Yes, I just checked. I got an email", she said.

"That's wonderful dear. I'm so happy! Why don't we celebrate together?", Laura said.

Having no way out of avoiding her mom, she agreed.

After a while, she dressed up and left her room. She met her mom in the kitchen. .

"Hey mom, what are you baking?"Roxy asked.

"I'm baking some strawberry cookies. Your favorites. I'm almost done!", Laura said.

"Okay, is there anything I can help you with?"Roxy asked.

"No dear, I'm about to put them in the oven", she answered.

"Alright", she replied.

When Laura had placed them in the oven, Roxy decided to confront her mom about what she heard last night.

"Um... mom, can we talk please", she asked.

"Sure dear, what's going on?"Laura asked, cleaning her hands on her apron.

Laura walked to her daughter and sat beside her.

"Okay, I'm here. What's wrong?", she said.

"Well, I don't know how to say this", Roxy stated.

"My dear, you know that you can always tell me anything. What's bothering you?", she said, reassuring her.

"Mom, I heard your conversation. Your ... conversation last night. You were on the phone, right?", she said.

"Yes, I was. Did you eavesdrop? Young Lady, how dare you eavesdrop on me? I'm your mother!!!", she screamed.

"Well, I didn't mean to. I just overheard it. I was going to tell you about the result when I heard it".

"What did you hear?", Laura asked in a whisper.

"Mom, tell me the truth, please. Is it true? What do you have with those dangerous people?"Roxy pleaded .

"It's nothing to worry about. Mom, can handle it", she said.

"Really, how?"Roxy asked.

"Somehow, things will work out. They said, prepared to hear it.

"I don't want you to know anything about them because they're very dangerous. I want you safe. You are all I have, Roxy ", she said.

"They are Russians. They have no feelings at all", Laura said.

"Okay...."

"Your father worked with them. He tried to leave but couldn't . They killed him, so that no one will know the truth", she said crying.

"Really? Is that the reason you refused to talk to me at the dinner?", Roxy asked curiously.

"Yes, I had to protect you. Now, they've found you. I don't know what to do? I promise to keep you safe".

"How did you know about them? Did you work for them?"

"Actually, I didn't work for them. I borrowed money for your college from them. I don't have the money to pay back".

"What? That's dangerously crazy. How could you do that?"

"I'm sorry Roxy. I didn't think twice".

Roxy didn't know what to say and more importantly, what to do next. She stared into the night sky through the kitchen window. Her mind was filled with different thoughts but none were plausible.

Few minutes later, she got up and left. Halfway to her room, she turned and returned to her mom. She hugged her tightly.

"We will get through this together", she whispered consolingly.

"Let's forget about all these.... Let's celebrate your success"

They spent the whole day, talking and laughing, trying to forget everything. Roxy got a bit dizzy and decided to rest.

Her weekend was packed up with activities and thinking. Despite everything, she couldn't take her mind off her new job. She prepared her clothes for the week.

*****

The next Monday, Roxy ate and left for work. Her new job made her super excited. She didn't know who to share her joy with. She kept it plastered on her face.

She got to the entrance of Hilton Company. She had a few minutes, so she stood in front of the building, just staring. Her thoughts were disturbed by a loud horn behind her. This brought her back to reality, she quickly turned back to see a black SUV.

She quickly got in, went through all the processes by the Team manager.

"You, No. 8, you're assigned to the CEO office", she said bitterly.

Roxy was surprised but got her cleaning items ready and made her way to her duty. She got in without knocking. She saw the empty room, she was so excited.

When she was done cleaning, on her way out, she bumped into a young man wearing a blue suit. The items spilled all over, even ruining his suit.

"Can't you watch where you're going?"