The Woman He Broke

PABLO

Shit! I kicked at my car's tyre, I honestly have no idea what sort of bad luck might have befallen me.

What was I going to do? The same car which I drove last night and a few minutes ago to get gas at the station has abruptly refused to make a sound nor move and by what it seems, I was already running late for my interview.

This interview was my sixth in a space of two months and it seems someone somewhere has sworn that my life was going to be miserable till the end. I didn't want to keep counting my bad luck since according to my dear friend, Miguel, it was a bad omen to talk about ones ill lucks on a Monday morning but with what was going on, I couldn't keep up with that positive vibe.

"Maybe you should try it one more time," Miguel said and I shook my head before folding my hand in front of me.

"This is the hundredth time I have done that and there's still no difference, what do I do?" I asked in utter confusion while tapping my index finger on my lip repeatedly, thinking of what it is I could do.

"You could use my car then." He replied, wiggling the keys of his brand new convertible in the air so that the sound was audible," Or you can be late to your interview and make a perfect first impression." He sassed.

"There is no way I'm launching your car," I told him in a voice that showed I wasn't going to talk about the same thing a second time. He has just bought that car two days ago and hasn't even driven it, it'll kill me to take that from him.

"Not if I drive you there," He winked and I raised my eyes to meet his gaze and a smile played on his lips while he brushed his hair in style, "Let's go then."

"What about you, won't that make you late to work?" I asked him but he narrowed his eyes and raised a brow.

"What am I thinking? Let's go." I said and picking up my CV from the driver's seat of my car and following him to his.

"You know, if you don't get this job, there's always a vacancy in my firm for you anytime, any day." He reminded me and I sighed before nodding. We've had this conversation so many times before and he still doesn't seem to give up on his idea. What was I going to do in a construction company? It just doesn't work that way and besides, I love cooking so much. It keeps me going and even more than that, there's this satisfaction that comes with being able to put a smile on a person's face when they taste your meal.

After we got into the car, he began to drive while I looked through my resumé just in case I'm asked to explain something, "What's the name of that company again?" He asked

"Lidam's Cuisine and Decor," I said without lifting my head from what I was doing.

"Wow, I've heard so much about that place. I hear they deliver top-notch services and they are never behind schedule. Hope you can keep up with that?" He asked.

"Why not?" I shrugged.

My phone blew off and pulling it out of my pocket, I saw that it was Jenny. I've been very bad at maintaining friendships especially if that friend wants something more than it is.

"Who's that?" Miguel asked after noticing that I ignored the call.

"Jenny," I replied in a dry tone while focusing my attention on my resume. I didn't want him to lecture me, and nor did I want him to say anything about it.

"You can just tell her you're no longer interested that should be much more mature than ignoring her calls." He lectured and I hummed a reply, putting the topic to an abrupt end.

After spending a few more minutes on the road, we finally arrived at the premises of the huge company, it was very neat and well decorated with stylishly pruned flowers that spelt 'Lidam' in capital letters.

I gathered my stuff in the car and breathed deeply to help me relax before opening the car's door.

"Hey, whatever happens, always remember that you're the best Chef there is and if they don't see that well-"

"Screw them," we chorused while laughing before giving each other a fist bump. After that was done, I brushed my hand over my suit -one and only out of two- and walked confidently towards the entrance of the building.

Upon entering the building, I found five people already seated on a long sit, neatly dressed and upon enquiry, I discovered they were all there for the interview as well so I joined them.

I watched how most of those who entered the office which was meant for the interview wearing a confident smile on their way in and come out with a grown, looking dejected with sagged shoulders and it bothered me.

"Hi, I'm Alex." The young man sitting right next to me greeted

"Pablo," I responded while extending my hand at him but he just looked at my hand as though they were dirty and then at my face, smiling for what only he knew. I slowly retrieved my hand hoping no one saw what just happened.

"Pablo as in Pablo Picasso or..." he said, making a quotation sign in the air

"No, simply Pablo." I breathed, taking out my phone from my breast pocket. I was already tired of talking and wished he could just stop talking and it seemed my prayer was being answered.

I was about to sigh in relief when he spoke, "I need this job but I honestly just came here for formality's sake because the job is already mine." He said in a confident voice and I smiled.

"That's the spirit, my friend. Stay positive." I told him

"Stay positive?" He scoffed, "It seems you don't get it." He stated and I shook my head, "My brother is the manager at this company and he has already put in a word for me." He said, in a voice filled with pride.

"You can't be so su-"

"Alex Wilberforce!" Someone called through the intercom

"That's me." He winked before leaving the seat and walking to the door ahead of us. So much pride and pomposity in one person.

I thought a little about what he said and was almost going to let it eat me up when I decided to divert my attention to something else.

I continued going through my phone for new cuisines I need to try out or manipulate its recipe with something else. One can never get tired of food, good food, I must say and to keep this age-long need feel new every day, different styles of presentation are used.

Some of the pictures I saw made me salivate and I quickly took a screenshot while making up my mind to try them out before the end of this week. I was going to take pictures of each dish I make and upload them on my Instagram page. It's been a while since the last time I did that.

I was going to take another screenshot when I heard my name through the intercom I calmly got up and took in a long breath before walking to the door but before I could get close, Alex was out of the office wearing a long face and his shoulders sagged.

"Behind that door is Jezebel." He whispered and walked away before I could say anything.

PABLO

"Mr Pablo, I'd like to know where you live currently." The blonde lady, who I met in the office when I stepped in for the interview asked. I racked my brain for what I was going to say to her which made me scrunch my eyebrows. "Oh, it's necessary for the position you're about to occupy just in case of climate-related obstacles." She explained and I nodded in understanding.

"So, the closer you live to the company, the wider your chances of getting the job." She told me and I pondered on her words.

"I live just a few blocks away," I lied but why won't I? I've been dependent on Miguel for far too long and even if he doesn't complain, I'm bothered for my own good.

"Oh, that's fine." She said and made a tick on a sheet of paper she was holding.

"What do you think we should know about you apart from being a chef?" She asked.

How sure am I that what I was going to say is what she wants to hear? Alex's face crossed my mind that instant and I breathed deeply.

"I'm an only child and I grew up in a beautiful family filled with people related to me by anything but blood. I've been their cook since my days in high school. I started out by helping my friend's mom, who I also call Mum, in the kitchen and also proceeded to create an Instagram account where I post most of my cooking." I said in a confident voice but she just took off her glasses and placed them on the table before folding her hands in front of her.

I was expecting rage and some hurtful words from her or demeaning questions so I braced myself for whatever she was going to say to me.

"Have you heard of something called social life?" She asked but I remained quiet because it seems she wasn't done talking, "I want to know something you do for fun if you're married, kids, just something off your resume." She explained, sliding her hand in the air with every word she said.

"I was married, I guess that makes me a divorcee and I have two beautiful children from that marriage," I informed her but those words opened wounds that I thought had healed already; however, I think I did beautifully well in hiding it and manning up.

"I see." She said and opened a folder which was lying in front of her on the desk while I watched her, patiently waiting for her to speak, "I'm going to read the rules and regulations to you now, seeing that you, my friend, have gotten yourself a job." She announced but I looked at her confused.

"I... I got the job." I asked as my voice dripped with excitement and surprise as well.

"Yes, isn't that what you expected?" She asked while looking at me like I was being stupid and I just looked away, "Here are the rules," she began and I listened, "Every employee is expected to be at work by 8 am you can't be any later than five minutes." She read and I nodded, "No noise on the premises, you must be at your duty post on time, on the 29th of April, the CEO's office is out of bounds for every employee except me of course." She said with a light blush on her face, "No birthday celebrations of any kind during work hours."

"Wait, you mean you're not the boss?" I asked and she shook her head.

"I'm not," she sighed, "If I was, trust me you wouldn't get this job." She heaved and rolled her eyes before blowing air out through her mouth.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She brought her face back up, "My boss is a little misunderstood but she's a nice person. She just wants the best for her company and so far, I feel you could do it but the truth is, I'm tired of sending people out on her behalf." She stated, "You're very lucky, she left just before you came in."

"Ohh," I whispered, nodding lightly.

"To the rules," she said in a higher tone she was using for the first time, "No gathering of any sort, no loitering, and on the 29th of April th-"

"The CEO's office is out of bounds." I said in a sing-song and she smiled, "but don't these rules -some of them- seem too hard like I'm joining a fraternity, no birthdays? Who the hell is your boss?" I asked her and she bit her lower lip.

"Shh, I was just joking," she breathed, "You should watch your language, Mister." She whispered and looked around in suspicion before bringing her eyes back to me, "The walls are listeners that's why they are quiet," she hushed, placing her index finger on her lip.

"Has anyone ever broken these rules, especially that of her office?" I asked in a voice that showed that I was being very serious.

She looked around the office, tilting her head at every turn before bringing it back to me but for all I could see and know, we were alone in this office.

"Only two staff and they didn't live to tell the story," she whispered, raising her hand beside her mouth.

"What! She killed them," I shrieked in sheer horror and she wore an emotionless face for a split second before bursting out in a peal of wild laughter.

"Geez, No, No, I was only joking with you," she informed me after her laughter had subsided and I shot a very hard glare at her.

"Seems you joke with your job as well. You joke too much." I groaned and she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she shrugged, "The real news is those who went into her office lost their jobs and they said something about her eyes being red and fangs hanging out but I haven't met her that way," She informed me and looked away with her eyes narrowed in deep thoughts.

I also wondered what she meant but since she said that they said 'something like,' it was only but a rumour and who knows? She might be joking with this as well. Pathetic!

" I think it's because she's always the one who sends for me on those days." She replied herself before

"However," she began and I listened, I was too tired for all her jumbles, "the pay here is great. We are given free medical checkups and treatment too, courtesy of our boss and she doesn't withhold or delay salary." She explained, "So, I like it here and so do my colleagues. She isn't always so cold, she's just Uhm... What's the word?" She asked, wiggling her index finger in a circular motion.

"Misunderstood? Yeah, you've said that before. Just keep faking to be the ideal employee that you're not." I said but mumbled the last part and thankfully she didn't catch what I said.

"You just made a perfect description of a vampire, if you don't know and that's not a good description of a boss by a personal assistant," I said before taking my file from the desk.

"When do I resume?" I asked, visibly exhausted from all the questions and waiting.

"Tomorrow's perfect." She smiled but not at me, as she still had her eyes buried in the rules she had just read and I immediately grabbed my bag from the chair beside me and walked towards the exit door.

I couldn't wait to go home and tell Miguel everything from scratch, especially how dark the rules are. I just hope I remember them. I have no problem staying off the CEO'S office because why would I even want to see her? Her rules are scary enough to keep me out of her sight.

Anyways, there's a reason why rules are made and so often, they are broken

Lilibeth pov.

"How qualified is he?" I asked my P.a, Vivienne, over the phone after she informed me that she has gotten someone to occupy the vacancy in my firm.

"He's very qualified and a father as well." She said,

"Brilliant! I just hope he's a responsible one anyway." I said and she affirmed, "That's alright then. I need to attend to other things now." I said to her before ending the call and looking at the vase on my left which was surprisingly filled with flowers.

"This flower vase must be on the right-hand side of the wall," I said in an authoritative voice and my maids scribbled around behind me to place the vase in its right position," Why are there so many flowers in it by the way?" I asked in annoyance.

It was Saturday and I was having a routine inspection in my home with my maids. I found it necessary to check their work right after the normal Saturday cleanup.

I was currently in the living room and although they are doing a great job which I must admit, It often gets me annoyed when I have to work so hard at my company only to come home and see them misplacing items in my home. What is too hard in keeping a home neat and just leaving everything as they were, instead of carrying out stupid arrangements.

"The three flowers in it are significant! Dammit!" I yelled. I always left just three flowers in the vase to represent me and my kids. It's like we had just us for everything against the world and whatever it brought.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I thought having that little number of flowers was too small seeing that the vase was large so I got more at the flower store." One of my maids explained but I didn't know who it was since they were behind me so I tilted my head to my right but didn't turn.

"Who just spoke?" I asked and I saw a hand up from the side of my eyes, stretching my eyes a little, I saw that she had her head low so I turned.

"Your face!' I ordered and she gasped before raising her eyes to meet mine, "You're the one who kept the throw pillows for the daybed on the couch last week Wednesday?" I asked in a disgusted voice and she nodded.

"It seems you'd be taking a break if you make this mistake once more," I warned her before continuing on my way to the other rooms while they followed.

I rubbed my index finger on the stairs handrail and looked at it to check for dust and to my dismay, there was. This isn't healthy, especially when there's a child in the house.

Glaring at them, I brought my index finger to them, "Do I owe any of you?" I asked them in annoyance, "Don't I pay you well enough? I feed you, don't I?" And they nodded.

"Why then is there dirt on the rail and you said you were done cleaning?" I asked them but shook my head when I saw Gladys, my chief maid cleaning it with a towel.

"Mum," I heard my son, Daniel, call me from the dining area and rushed to tender to him, "Mummy!" he called again but a little louder this time and I hurried in my steps.

"Yes, love?" I replied. I rubbed my hand over his face, brushing his thick black hair which was trailing over his forehead to the back but it fell back again. That often amused me. It was one of the traits he got from his dad.

"Can we go to Blissful scoops today?" He asked but unfortunately, I had no idea where or what it was so I turned to my maids for help. I know it makes me seem like a bad mother but I try, I really try to make time for my son but since I wasn't always around, I got him a nanny.

"Ice cream," one of the maids mouthed and I nodded before staring back into his pretty brown eyes which thankfully is like mine.

"We would go some other day, honey," I tried to assure him but how well can you fool a seven-year-old, "Mum is busy right now," I whispered and he turned back to his food with an undisputed look of disappointment written on his face.

"He'd get over it," I whispered to myself while staring at the oats in his place.

"He seems to be putting on weight," I said to my maids, "He should be on a diet." I said in a firm voice and brought my hand to his chubby cheeks but he swooned his head away from my touch, "Can't you see he is getting fat? I do not want anyone bullying him for his weight." I told them.

"He's only seven," One of the maids dared to say but she sounded more frustrated than she was trying to just remind me.

"Not another word!" I hissed, "He should have a healthy weight, not th-"

"Ma, he's actually on a diet but as a child, it's only normal to have this much weight." An average brunette said and it aggravated me the more.

"Who said that?" I asked and her hand went up, "You're fired!" I breathed and she stared at me in shock.

"Mum!" Daniel screamed and I turned to him. "Why'd you send her away?" He asked me but I didn't have to explain everything to him.

"Go to your room," I ordered him but he shook his head,

"You're being wicked!" He screamed and my breath hitched.

"You will not use that tone of voice on me, young man," I warned him while gritting my teeth. "To your room, now! Daniel." I said a little louder and he left the dining chair. He raised his eyes to meet mine and they had a teary glitter but that isn't what I wanted him to always do whenever he wasn't happy about something. He needs to understand that I just wanted the best for him and getting body shamed isn't in the picture.

Folding my hands in front of me and putting my right foot out, I looked away from him afraid that I might cave. After he passed and I noticed that he was in the hall, I brought my hand down, "Gladys?" I called my chief maid and she walked to me, "get a replacement," I said under my breath and she nodded.

"That would be all," I announced and they moved in different directions while I dropped to the couch and breathed a deep sigh.

I know that Daniel, my dear son may not understand what I'm doing but I hope that with time, he will. I hope he understands that I do not hate him, rather I just don't want him to face most of what I encountered. My biggest fear is that he will become like his father but I'll make sure it never happens

That's my fear and it's the reason I'm pulling all the strings within and out of my reach to give him a better future. A future his sister would have shared as well.

What's your opinion on the relationship she shares with her son?