At school, Julia refused to speak to anyone, not to talk of engage in class discussion. She was in her world thinking of the topmost issue on her mind. Ever since Raymond slumped at work due to his boss overworking him, that was two months ago, Julia had been mapping out ways how to get him out of his workplace. She wanted him to work somewhere that his health issue would be placed into consideration and not the other way around. If anything happens to him, the company he works for would only send a condolence letter and some amount of money, and that was all. Julia didn't want that to happen. Even if he had barely a year to live, she didn't want his workplace to fast-forward his death. Unknowingly to him, she had visited several companies and firms to seek a good job for him but had found none. All seemed stressful to her and hence was not different from his former work. The previous night, when he had returned late from work, she tried to speak to him but when she
With a racing heart, Julia got into the cab she had flagged down. Raymond was at work; hence there was no point telling him her whereabouts, in fact, that was a bonus because she didn't want him to know what she was up to. She was going to be snappy with the conversation with her father so that she would return before he did. To keep her mind alert, she began to think about the kind of job Raymond engages in. “What kind of job requires a man to wear tuxedos and blazers every day? Receptionist, PA, Banker, Doctor…” she thought When she couldn't take it anymore, she said, “What if he's just dressing that way so that he won't be mocked by his peers and most, especially my family? Who knows if he is a mechanic or a bricklayer?” She scoffed as she snapped her fingers in anger. “Are you speaking to me?” The driver asked as he peered at the rear mirror. “I didn't pay for a ride to engage you in a conversation” she retorted angrily The driver just sighed, then returned his gaze
The footsteps ceased seconds later and the owner cleared his throat. Recognizing her father's voice, she relaxed, then released the breath she had been holding. A few seconds later, she began to hear another footstep, thinking it was Stella, she hissed but to her charging, it was her mom. “I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a business deal to wrap” her father said as he helped his wife to sit before taking the spot beside her. “It's okay” Julia replied monotone She wished it were only her father who was in the living room with her because she feared her mom would pose a challenge to her. “I got worried when you said you wanted to see me last night, is everything alright?” Her father asked. “Yes father…” she was still speaking when her mom cut in “Then why did you text him? You are married now and so you have to express your worries to your husband and not your father” Swallowing her spittle, Julia propped herself up and maintained strong eye contact with her. If
For the next five minutes or so, Raymond was looking around her room hoping to see a clue to her whereabouts, but he found none. He was in dire need of the same piece of paper carrying a message about her whereabouts to be attached. somewhere in her room. Slipping his phone from his pocket, he checked his message box to see if he had missed her text. “What's going on?” He muttered as he ran his eyes through the room once more. Dejected, he returned to the kitchen to have his meal. As he ate, he was wondering where she must have gone. They were not really close, but he felt he had the right to know her whereabouts, moreover they were couple. After picking his food, he was able to finish eating about thirty minutes later. As he washed the bowl he had used, he began to wonder where she must have gone and haven't returned. When he was done, he wiped his hand on the napkin before picking up his phone that was lying on the island table. During the day, Raymond had formed t
Julia looked on as her family made a mockery of her. For the hundredth time, she reviewed her words in her head to be certain she hadn't said anything funny, and it turns out she hadn't done that. “Is it because I challenged them, and now they are mocking me because I still went on my knees to beg them?” She wondered as she glared at the trio. The laughter was soul-piercing. Walking out of them was the next option, but she stayed put. She had to endure it for the sake of her husband and nothing else. “I hope they give me what I want after their laughter,” she muttered, casting them a glance. All she wanted was for Raymond should be given a job in the family company. She couldn't bear the thought of having him work his butt off in a ghost company. She just wanted a chance for her husband and as a result, she endured everything that was happening. “Did you see any vacant posts on the website?” Stella was the first to speak as she ran her eyes through Julia's figure. “
The only person who seemed to be unaffected by his presence was Julia. She was just staring at him as if he were a new toy she wanted to acquire from the mall. After allowing him to torment her family with his presence for more than ten minutes, she grabbed her purse and phone, then walked across the room. Everyone used their eyes to follow her until she came to a halt right in front of Raymond. She engaged him in an eye contest before grabbing his hand, then led him out of the living room. Stella was the first to release the breath, she had been holding. With her heart in her mouth, she rose as she stared at her mom, who was visibly shaken by Raymond's appearance. She looked in her father's direction and it was still the same thing. “What just happened?” She asked no one in particular with her fingers pointed at the door which they had walked out from. “I'm still confused here. Did he eavesdrop on our conversation?” Mr. Brooks asked. “Of course he did. When he got tired,
Raymond tried to turn his face aside, but Julia was quick to grab his face. “Say something” she snapped “What job offer does your family have?” He asked. “I don't know yet but trust me, it's going to be good” she said and at the same time she was trying to believe her word. Since Julia had no idea on the kind of work her family was offering, Raymond began to brainstorm on all the possible job offers a company could offer. It became more difficult for him when he realized that he had no idea what kind of company her family operated and the services they rendered. He brainstormed for a long time before coming up with the least job he could think of. “What if I'm assigned to work in the lavatory?” He asked. Julia cast him a glare, then whacked him hard across his shoulder. Raymond wasn't hurt, so she whacked him again with all the energy she could muster. “That was hard,” he groaned as he rubbed his aching shoulder. “Really?” “Of course. Moreover, it was just a simpl
After changing into her night clothes, Julia flopped on her bed and within a few minutes she was fast asleep, but that was not the case with Raymond. He was throwing tantrums as he paced around his bedroom. He had no idea that something like this would happen someday, so he wasn't prepared for it.Just when he thought he would take a break from work to spend time with Julia as he had planned earlier, she suddenly came up with a decision of seeking employment in her father's company for him.He was beyond pissed and there was nothing he could vent his anger on.Time was far spent, calling Niko or Adam meant disturbance, so he tossed the phone he was gripping aside and then flipped on the edge of his bed.He remained in that position for a while before sitting up and then falling back again. This routine went on for a while before he decided to watch Netflix to take his mind away. With this decision taken, he groped his way to the living, then turned on the TV.“It's almost dawn. I