When I arrived home Jessica wasn't around. I thought she went out to get something, hence I didn't bother. I sat on one of the chairs in the sitting room and heaved a sigh before taking the remote from the center table to turn on the television.
There was nothing much to watch at the hour from the local television stations, only reputation of yesterday's program and headlines that had been watched already. For that reason, I continued chatting while glancing at the television whenever I could.
How I missed Aunt Vicky, if she was still around the house would have been lit but now, it felt empty even with Jessica around and now a good girl. But I hope she gets better soon because, I was also tired of staying at home. I wanted to return to work as soon as possible.
Frank had given me enough time to stay at home, he told me to stay for as long as I wanted, until Aunt Vicky recovered. Therefore, I didn't want to resume before she recovered but if unfortunately she didn't recover this week, then I would be going to work next week. I had missed work, you know?
Although I had only been there twice, or wasn't thrice? Well, I had a lot running on my mind that I was already beginning to forget things, but nevertheless I knew I needed to return back to work soon otherwise I might have to re-introduce myself to my junior staff later.
They might as well have to do the same the fact I was already forgetting them one after the other. By the way, who did Frank assigned to take my position before I returned? Did he invited Stephanie back or was it someone else from our department? If it was someone from our department, that wouldn't be a problem.
However, if the person he assigned to replace me was Stephanie, then there would be problem because her stepping down would create a lot of drama... just like before. She was greedy for power and didn't want to be humiliated the same way she humiliated those under her in the past, hence she couldn't handover the position to me in peace or allow me to replace her peacefully.
She also didn't want to end up as a junior staff working together with the junior staff she once treated badly. That's one thing about leadership, when you are the one in charge you should know that God is the One who put you there even if you had went through hell to get the position. Just acknowledge the fact that if it weren't for God, you wouldn't be there and your efforts to get there would totally be in vain.
And if God happened to place you above others, be kind to them. Don't treat them bad and never despise them or look down at them in disdain. Chances are, you may lose your power one day and they might be the ones to takeover from you. Or you may find yourself in a very bad shape or situation that only them can help you. That's why, it is good to be good... and avoid treating people unjustly.
Sadly, Stephanie wasn't the type that was raised with morals. She didn't know what's good and what's bad. She couldn't even discharge her duty well, and since she had thr support of the head of the department, she thought there was nothing that could be done to her. Yes, she thought she was unstoppable. Mike had made her his speaker, he was only a mouthpiece. She said and he does.
All the work I came and met were supposed to be done by her long ago. The signings, the statements, the stamps, all were weeks old. I wonder what she had been doing throughout those weeks that she couldn't discharge her duties as she was supposed to. And Mike never say a word to her.
I wasn't really happy, not at all. I mean, wasn't she paid already? I bet she was paid, but for a work she never did or even cared to do? That was absurd and I didn't expect Frank to take it likely. If I were him or if I was to be in his position, I would definitely sue her for breaching our contact. As for Mike, he would have to be demoted and transfered to another department. That way, he would learn how to be honest and how to be a good employee.
As a staff, no matter how much you love someone working at the same place with you; you shouldn't let your love or whatever affair you have in-between you to affect your work. You were paid to work not to fall in love or express your love to someone. Love affairs would be the last thing to be practiced at work by workers. With the exception of the Chief Executive Officers though. I mean, after all they owned the establishment, right? Unlike someone that was hired to work for them.
But even so, as a staff I believed it would be better if you don't let love or your feelings for someone distract you from discharging your duties as you should. That includes my relationship with Frank. I would make sure I am not distracted, I would do my work as I should. Whenever I step into my department, it's all going to be about work. However, when I step out, I wouldn't mind if he cuddle me or have me sit on his lap. I thought to myself.
But sit on his lap? Was that even a good idea? I had never done that before, or I might have done that but now forgotten. I mean, on a boyfriend's lap. Ahh, I couldn't even imagine myself on Frank's lap. It wasn't as if I was a child to begin with, why would he keep me on his life? Because others are doing it with their women? Well, I find the whole thing weird.
I kept on thinking until I heard a siren in front of our house, accompanied by the sound of engine. Just then the siren went off, and so did the engine seconds later. Who could that be? I wondered imagining if it was Lorraine, if she had came to check on Jessica. She had warned me to not allow her to go out, wouldn't she be angry with me if she finds out Jessica isn't in the house? I gulped hard and kept thinking about what exactly to do.
I didn't even mind checking the window to see if really she was the one. I had already made up my mind in despair and had began thinking about how to serve whatever punishment she prescribed for me. Is it community service or long run? No, no... I don't wish for community service. I wouldn't like to be tasked to do that because I would lose my mind. I would prefer long run or even being locked in the cell as punishment than community service.
When I was a child my mom used to gist me about her home country, how they would be subjected to community service by the central police and sometimes the national guards. They would be watched throughout and anybody that messed up would be flogged or kicked hard that he or she would feel the pain they had never felt before in their life. You know, the government was handled by the military then and then paramilitary. Hence, they often did whatever they like.
Human rights dare not question them as they might be imprisoned or murdered by kill quads. That was one of the reasons why my mom and her younger sister, Aunt Vicky left their homd country. It was tragic, so tragic. But they were lucky despite the hard labour, none had been reported to have been violated by the guards or security personnel. There was a strict rule against that and the punishment was more severe than any other punishment. The wife of the head of state personally assured her fellow women that she would never open eyes and watch them being violated.
Anyways, that was before democracy had a sturdy ground in the country. Now I heard the country had become a center of attraction and one of the best examples of a good democratic nation. Now talking about democracy, the States was built on a sturdy democratic foundation. But does that mean I shouldn't expect community service? Well, maybe I was exaggerating things but on a second thought, that would never happen unless if the court mandated it.
Just as the siren and the engine of the vehicle that seemingly parked in our premise stopped, I heard the sound of the door opened and then shut some seconds later. After that, I began hearing footsteps. All that while I stayed quiet in my chair and waited patiently for Lorraine to come. I had broad assurance that she was the one, but as soon as I heard few knocks on the door I gave the thought a second thought. If she was the one, she would talk while she knocked. Or wasn't she in the mood to talk?
"Yes?" I sluggishly stood to my feet and heaved a worrisome sigh, "I am coming please" I gulped and gently began walking towards the door. It was as if I was placed in a bathtub with ice water as my body suddenly began shaking in fear. Why would Jessica do this to me, and where did she even went to? I wondered as I gently got hold of the door knob. It was heavier than it had ever been.
As fear continued to constrain me, I huffed for the umpteenth time and motivated myself to just let things be. If I had failed to keep Jessica around, it wasn't my fault. Besides, there was no way I could stop her from going out, it was their house and that means she could go out and come back whenever she desired.
Even when her mother was healthy and at home, she used to do as she pleased. If she could do whatever she likes before her mother's eyes, who am I to stop her now that her mother isn't around? Lorraine shouldn't have tasked me with keeping an adult like Jessica at home knowing how troublesome she could be. The task itself wouldn't be easy for me, she should have just told her not to go out herself.
Now I know she would blame me for not telling Jessica not to go out. She would definitely do that, I was supposed to apprise Jessica too but I had forgotten. But hopefully, she would understand if I explain everything to her.
I heaved a sigh again, lowering my gaze as I gently opened the door. Just then, I found a strange boot and uniform trousers, that wasn't the outfit of Cornfield Sheriffs. I looked up and surprisingly, I found Officer Trevor smiling at me. He was from the Mainland and he came with his patrol vehicle. "Trevor?" I was shocked, "How... how...?" I wanted asking how he was able to get my address but then I remembered I was the one that give him that day, the day we met in Mainland.
"You are surprised, huh?" he giggled.
"Yes, of course. Please come in" I said as I shifted, allowing him to come in.
"Thank you" he said as he gently walked in.
"You are welcome!" I shut the door the moment he was finally into the house, "Come please," I ushered him into the sitting room, "have a seat" I beamed at him.
"Alright" he did as told and then heaved a sigh staring at me, "Won't you settle down too?"
"No... I mean, let me get you something first. What should I get you please?" I politely asked, "There is coffee if you want, and are different kinds of beverages in the refrigerator but no wines or alcoholic drinks..." I said as he cut in,
"Coffee will do" he uttered with a smile.
