Sofia.

I brought out the 300 dollars I came with. Holding it in my right hand.

"Here is 300 dollars that I was able to raise. Please, Doctor, do well to commence with the treatment. I don't want to lose my mom!"

Fear gripped my whole body as I gazed in, waiting to get his response.

His face paled with a faint smile. As soon as the amount filtered through to his ear, the faint smile suddenly disappeared. His face blurred.

I offered the money to him. I stretched my hand towards him.

"No, no," he repeated.

Payment is not made here; you have to go and deposit it at the appropriate unit," he voiced discreetly with his right hand pointing towards the direction where deposits are made.

I felt a bit relieved, believing he had accepted the amount mentioned.

"You are to deposit half the total amount you have on the receipt, which is 1,500 dollars, before treatment can commence; that is the standard here!" Dr. Davi poured.

Snapping his eyes across my chest like someone who noticed something peculiar.

"How do I plead for his understanding?"

Such a question crossed my mind, but the seriousness he wore on his face wouldn't let me voice out. I held back my peace.

I became so deeply disturbed and troubled, drowning in a sea of pain. Not knowing what to do next. I became so downwhelming.

"Dr., please help to save my mom's life. This is all I have, I promise to go and get the remaining balance, yes, I promise!"

I pleaded calmly.

Rolling my eyeballs to the edge to picture his reaction.

"This is not a matter of pleading!" He raised his voice a bit aggressively.

"There's nothing I can do; this is the standard here. Your mom's case is never minor. You are to deposit half the amount you have on the receipt urgently."

He altered, flicking his eyes across.

The statement struck hard on me!

The echo made my heart skip.

The popped-up light, accompanied by vibration, caught my attention as calls flooded into Davis' phone. When he hung up the call, he told me he just had an emergency call.

Without allowing a second to strike, I stood up immediately from the swivel, went straight to my knees, pleading. Tiny tears leaked out from the edges of my eyes.

"It's okay, rise. You have to go and get the money. Your mom's illness is not beyond control. She would be fine. We need money to commence with the treatment."

He tendered warmly while he ogle at me

"As you can see, I am about to leave!" He pouted tenderly. He was already in a hurry.

I never stopped pleading. That was my only option.

I'll grant your request, but on one condition! He muttered, staring directly into my eyes. As he stretches his right hand to pick up the stethoscope.

I breathed out heavily, still wrapped in shock!

"What condition is that doctor?" I asked curiously

He stood up from the swivel chair, nodding his head gently, with his eyes fixed on me while he moved sluggishly towards where I kneeled and whispered into my ear.

With a shocking surprise, I flickered through his face,

I couldn't believe what I just heard.

He appeared so defiant and was busy trying to untie the twisted stethoscope. When he got it done, he placed it around his neck.

"Think about it, Sofia, that is all I have to say, the ball is now on your court. Whatever you decide stands! Dr. Davi, hoarse.

Preparing for the emergency call he got. He left my presence and was picking up some stuff, probably what he would likely need.

Without saying a word, I stood up immediately from the floor, hopelessly. I was totally dazed in shock. I picked up my bag angrily, carried the money and placed it inside the bag.

You mean you can't take the 300 dollars and commence with the treatment unless you have your way true? I'm so appalled and heartbroken. Dr. Davi, you are such an evil man! I coded silently within my mind.

Staring directly at him in dismay.

"I'm willing to help you if you are ready to do your share!" Davi, pour tenderly!

With bleeding hearts and disappointment, I left his office!

I became so inclined to sell off that minibus. But no buyer could be seen.

This is never the time for me to put into consideration or jerk to Lizzy's opinion. I must act very fast. It doesn't matter whose OX is gored. The chips are down already!

My head is full!

I was making an effort to manage and be in control of the thousands of thoughts flooding in at random, when suddenly the message of our late father surfaced.

His voice echoed tenderly as though he were standing beside me.

"If I can't make it through, make sure you take good care of my sweetheart, as he often refers to our Mom. And also your junior sister. Support her through her academy when you finally secure a good job. Live always in harmony."

My heart melted, and I became so tender. As his demeanor voice keeps echoing afresh. I blink my eyes continuously, trying to prevent tears from leaking out.

Every second, Mom's condition grew worse. Not enough money for her to be given proper attention. Her condition kept deteriorating.

"Nothing will happen to her!" I muttered courageously, as I snapped out of my reverie.

I realized I was actually standing in front of the hospital gate. Like someone who has missed the way, not knowing what to do.

Different people and cars were driving in and out of the hospital. Beautiful ornamental trees fill the perimeter fence. Swinging in the direction of the wind.

A friend of mine had suggested to me how I should go and meet with an automobile dealer. In such a way, I can easily sell the bus off. Provided the documents are intact.

I turned and went back inside the hospital.

When I got inside, Doctor Davi was standing very close to the life-supporting machine, making some adjustments to it.

When Lizzy saw me, she moved towards me, looking sad.

"Doctor Davi complained about not receiving any money to commence with the treatment. Weren't you able to get the loan?" Lizzy calmly questioned.

"He rejected the 300 dollars I brought. Insisting I pay half the total amount of the bill before he could commence. I winced. Staring in surprise if Davi has changed his mind.

Filled with inclination, Lizzy turned and went to speak with Davi..

7:00 am, Monday morning. I just arrived at my workplace. Heading straight to my department. Other staff have arrived too. Everyone is going to their place of assignment.

"Hi Sofia." A voice echoed. I quickly turned to my right as Jessica, my colleague in the office, hollered again enthusiastically.

When I got closer, we embraced each other excitedly. Other staff were just eyeing us with smiles on their faces as they walked through to their various departments.

"How have you been, Sofia? I have made so much effort to get in touch with you, but each time I dial, it proves abortive." Jessica voiced, with a glaring look.

"It could be a poor network," I responded.

The smile I put on didn't let her notice the agony and pain bleeding through my heart.

"Was there any complaint about me from Mr. Charles?"

I threw up the question, trying to prevent her from asking me about my wedding with her questioning attitude.

"Not really". She responded.

"Let's get inside Sofio, I can't wait to glance through your wedding pictures." She spoke eagerly.

I feel so pained. I almost lost control of my mind hearing that from her. Tears threatened to leak out of my eyes. I made every effort to be in control of my emotions

I no longer feel secure with friends. Considering Linda's brutal betrayal.

How she snatched away my world from me.

But then, I can't hide it from her. If I decide to keep it to myself, she will definitely hear about it one day.

I couldn't, at the moment, dictate the exact thoughts I am dealing with.

I don't know the drama Mr. Charles could come up with. However, my mind is very much prepared for any eventuality.

Charles, is too pompous of himself. His condescending attitude stinks!

If he decides to fire me for not resuming earlier, it is perfectly okay.

Jessica has been a very nice colleague.

Very jovial. You could hardly notice when she is angry. Always wearing a smiling face. Dark in complexion with glaring teeth and charming structure.

She is loved by almost all the staff. Her smile and charming look will always force a smile from you. She always appears hot and s*xy.

Always in a short skirt and top, which kept part of her hairy chest open.

She couldn't make it to my wedding. Because she was newly employed to be my assistant in the recording department.

She holds my bag as we walk into the department. She can't just hide how she feels. The ecstasies surround her whole body.

"Gist me, Sofia, how was everything? Oh, sorry, Mrs. Sofia, I meant to say. Excuse my French." She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

My heart skipped. I felt my heartbeat go from 0 to 100 just by hearing Mrs. Being mentioned.

My response will certainly dismiss all smiles on her face. Such is never what she would expect to hear from me.

"As I couldn't make it to your wedding, can I take a look at some beautiful pictures on your phone?" She asked tenderly, looking directly at my face. While thrusting out her right hand. We are already seated in the office.

"Jessica, I don't know how it is going to sound to you. The truth remains, I'm not married. The wedding was cancelled under weighty circumstances."

As if I knew, her facial expression reduced drastically. The little smile on her face is now mixed with a touch of shock! She still couldn't believe what echoed out of my mouth.

"Did I hear you correctly? What did you just say?" she asked, shockingly!

There was no atom of a smile on her face again this time around.

"Jessica, you heard me right.

The man who kept my hope high above the earth. A man I so much cherished and loved. All my body and soul were upon him.

A day without a hug and kiss from him is a total starvation to me. A night without his love text keeps me awake all through the night, like a watchman at the security post!

A man highly loved and respected by my parents.

A groom sent from celestial glory to come and shape my future finally dumped me for another woman!

I don't want to start reminiscing about my past ordeal, Jessica!

Miguel really dealt with me. He held my emotion and smashed it on the ground, he crushed my feelings and even trampled upon it when I least expected it."

Jessica was just staring at me in utmost shock. Still having some doubt, as though I am trying to play with her intelligence.

"Are you serious about what you are telling me?" She asked curiously.

"Sofia, come on! Be serious!" her tone rose above usual.

"Did you see any wedding ring on my finger?"

I lifted my two hands and projected them to her face. She was rolling her eyes across my fingers. Not knowing what to say next.

We were busy discussing things as though we were not in the office.

"Jessica, let's end this discussion. It's too early for this! Tell me how the office has been since my absence." She was still wrapped up in shock, staring at me in surprise.

From where I sat, my eyes flicker through the window. Lo and behold, Mr. Charles was driving in. At once, I started hearing the sound of my heartbeat. As I watch him trying to park at the car lot.

I started putting myself together for whatever outcome.

As soon as he walked past, heading to his office, Jessica echoed out morning greetings to him. Immediately, I offered mine. He didn't say a word. He only lifted his left hand and waved. With his black suit across his right hand.

He was so mean, without a trace of a smile on his face, like someone being provoked by his wife at home.

"Someone might have triggered his anger while coming to the office this morning." I guess.

Jessica had already turned on the system in front of her. I moved and sat in my own position and turned on the system in front of me.

After the system booted, thousands of unfinished tasks popped up. I went through the information one by one, and I realized that Mr. Charles has been the one forwarding that information even when I am not around.

"I hope this is not a format he will like to hold onto and fire me? He is fully aware that I am not around. What stops him from forwarding that data to Jessica to process?" I spoke silently.

"Sofia, Mr. Charles is requesting your presence in his office!" I held my breath, which almost carted away from my body when I heard such information from the security man.

A crushing weight coming from my chest threatens to suffocate me!

I quickly release a weighty breath and balance my emotions.

Still, fear gripped me. For I know for sure the hour of reality has come. Either I face a query or am fired.

Whatever the outcome, my mind is very much ready for it!

Jessica was busy on the computer, not knowing the emotional battle I was going through.

I stood up immediately from my bench.

"Jessica, let me go and answer Mr. Charles!"

"Alright, dear," she responded, as I left her presence..

As soon as I got to the office of Mr. Charles, I started imagining what his facial reaction would be.

I stood at the entrance door for some minutes rehearsing what to say. A section of my mind keeps telling me this could be my last day in this company.

To knock at the door seems like a suicide mission. I attempted to hold the doorknob, I felt some changes in my system, and my blood pressure rose.

My heartbeat keeps increasing uncontrollably.

I summoned courage at once and knocked at the door.

"Come in, please." The echo of Mr. Charles' voice hit directly to my chest. I gripped the knob at once and pushed in the door. His eyes flicked and clashed with my eyes. He quickly returned it to the system in front of him.

"Good morning, sir." I greeted. He was busy moving the mouse around the table. His eyeball moving randomly on the screen. I stood quietly and patiently waiting for his response.

"Sofia, the company granted you a week's break. With respect to your wedding ceremony, now, you decided to resume at your convenience!

Do you actually realize the damage you have caused the company?" Charles muttered aggressively.

He never bothered to ask me how my wedding went. He just moved straight to a query.

"I'm sorry, sir. I have been having some personal issues and challenges since I left for my wedding, but I'm working on putting everything together." I spoke calmly; my voice was barely above a whisper.

"Challenges?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I apologize, sir. I never thought it would happen this way. The wedding couldn't be held. As I speak, my mom is seriously sick. Not enough money to foot her medical bills. And her condition keeps deteriorating."

Mr. Charles leaned back in his chair, and his eyes narrowed.

"I understand how you feel. It is such a very sad experience. Nevertheless, you must look for a way to finish up the tasks you have there on your system. Otherwise, it is going to affect your salary for the month!"

"It does not stop at that. Of course, you know the implications that follow. Following the company's policies.

All your assessments must be up to date. Before you could be promoted at the forthcoming annual conference. You have to maintain a clean sheet."

Charles spilled out. Flicking his eyes across my chest while nodding his head gently.

"I will do my best to finish up with the task," I spoke sternly.

"You can return to your duty post." He ended the discussion.

"Thank you, sir." I turned and left the office.

As I went back to the office, Jessica was busy with the system. I went and sat in my position, staring at the pile of files on my table and the ones Charles sent directly into the system.

I sighed and brought out my phone.

I was just scrolling through social media. Just to go and numb my nerves a bit.

The information circulating throughout the entire space caught my attention. A wedding IV was just on every blogger's page I scrolled to. I zoomed in on one of the IVs. It read, Philomena to wed Donal. The CEO of Ocean Group Of Companies.

Different opinions from people filled the comment section. "He must be a notable individual," I guess silently.

That name, Donald, sounds somewhat familiar but I can't just recall. The tasks before me on my table are too much for me to start disturbing my brain trying to recall such a name.

I quickly went offline and resumed my full attention to the reality before me. I have limited time to accomplish this enormous task! And I have to meet up, otherwise I lose my chances of being promoted.

"You have been sulking, Sofia! I hope you are not troubled?" Jessica let out her voice tenderly. She turned her swivel chair to face me directly.

Yeah.. yeah.. I'm fine." I responded. Nodding my head simultaneously

"But you look troubled, Sofia!"

"Jessica, you know the annual conference/promotion is just around the corner, and here I am faced with this kind of enormous task."

"If I fail to complete the task before then, I stand the chance of risking my promotion! And I wouldn't want to risk that, Jessica!"

I decided to open up to her about my worries.

"This shouldn't trouble you, Sofia. I am here. I will assist you in any way I can.

Just cheer up!" she spoke calmly.

I feel encouraged by her demeanor. Her words really pierce deep into me. Her calm eloquence inspired hope in me and dismissed every doubt and fear I had.

"Thank you, Jessica, for your kindheartedness and concern.

Let me start sorting out things."

I gripped the mouse as I began to access the data. My eyes are directly fixed on the monitor.

An hour later, we went for lunch. When we returned, I continued arranging the data accordingly. Jessica's fingers were just moving up and down as she struck the keyboard.

My phone rang. I quickly reached out to it, and it was none other than Mr. Charles. My heart skipped a beat. Going against its beating arrangements.

"Jessica, let me rush, boss just called me."

She only nodded her head without saying a word. Her attention was directly on the monitor.

When I entered his office, I greeted him as usual.

"Sofia, you complained about your mom's health and the challenges surrounding her medical bills?"

Yes, sir, I responded calmly.

"How much is the total bill?" He asked, staring directly at my face. I can't imagine where exactly this question is coming from or heading to. But I follow him in the conversation accordingly.

"The total amount is 3,000 dollars, sir. The Doctor requested half of the total amount before he could commence with the treatment." I succinctly gave him the rundown.

"Okay, I'll give it to you. I mean 3,000 dollars."

The weight I never knew I was holding left my chest. I became so light when I heard that from him. A sensational joy ran through my mind. Tears of pure sensation leaked out of my eyes as I went to my knees, appreciating him for coming to my rescue.

"But on one condition!" he added.

I couldn't get it. He fixed his eyes on my face. As the excitement on my face suddenly disappeared.

"We will have some dinner tonight, where you will grant me access to your garden for me to plough just for a night!" He cooed. Dimming his eyes on me.

I became so shocked beyond words.

"What is he talking about? He wants to get down on me?" I murmured surprisingly.

"Mr. Charles, did I really understand you well? What garden are you talking about? You mean you want to have s*x with me? I thought you invited me into your office for a solemn discussion?"

I stood up immediately from where I was kneeling. "Please, sir, I'm not in any way interested in this kind of conversation. Here is an office for goodness sake!" I muttered bitterly.

"Do you realize you are before your boss?" He ranged venomously. His eyes paled

"Then my boss should behave like a man of honor!" I pout. He was still looking at me in shock. I threw a tantrum. Immediately as I turned to leave, he thundered..