There was chaos in the office, and there was an air of depression everywhere, especially amongst the junior staff. The senior staff had nothing to worry about, but they were concerned as they thought the tide could also turn against them in a split second. When Michael got the letter on his table, he immediately released his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He went ahead to open his office blinds, even with the air conditioner on, as sweat balls had formed on his forehead, on his palm, and his legs. He was devastated. He got the job, because he needed to be close to his niece, but what was his fate now, as she also would be out of work soon. He didn’t have the money to send her to a university, the little knowledge she has, she learnt from watching YouTube videos, and learning on the job.
Hadassah on the other hand had no idea what was happening.
She was always in one conference or the other on behalf of her boss if he
couldn’t make it down there. She was more than a PA because she learnt very fast,
and the boss just happened to trust her. At this time, she had also enrolled in
an online course in order to advance her knowledge. She wasn’t in the office
when the letter went round. She got to find out from one of the senior staff
who had called her, and who knew she had a relationship with one of the junior
staff. She became perplexed and immediately called up her mentor, Mr Michael,
who also happened to be her dad’s brother.
“Yes,
Hadassah. How are you?” he tried to sound very fine over the phone.
“Sir, I
should be asking you that. I just found about out the news going around in the
office. Is it true?” she asked consumed with emotions.
“It is.
I won’t have a job by the end of the month, and I’ll be back to where I
started. I haven’t even been on this job for 2 years!” he lamented, as he
couldn’t hide his frustration any longer.
Hadassah went quiet on the other end. Then she asked, “How
are you though?”
“What
do you think?”
“Really, this is devastating, and really, I wish I could do something
about it. However, from the information I got, it is said that it spans through
all the company’s branches as well. Even sister companies are planning to join
in the madness”
“Hmm.
Do you think you’ll be spared?” he asked, this time, calmly.
“What
do you mean sir?”
“It’s
not like you exactly have a university degree”
“But
I’m the boss’ personal assistant, and I am taking an online course, and will
have a certificate soon”
“Girl,
the letter reads that so long you don’t have a university certificate, for some
positions, even a Masters degree is required, for other positions, if you have
anything less than a second class, you’ll also be thrown out”
“What?!”
“Literally.”
“I know
I am the boss’ PA and all, but I have my limits. When it comes to the
managerial affairs of the company, I’m not permitted to contribute. I only deal
with what Mr Adrien wants me to deal with”
“If
there’s something I strongly believe, it’s that God put you in this company at
this time. I mean, how would you explain your being chosen and preferred to a
Masters Degree holder. Think of how many people’s lives lay on your shoulders.
Thousands! Who knows? Just a word from you can turn everything around.
Breadwinners will stop winning their bread. Mothers will sit home in
depression. Some of the young ones might end up in depression, frustration, and
end up killing themselves if the situation doesn’t kill them”
“This
is really difficult. I do not want to cross my boundary with the boss”
“I know
what you’re thinking. It’s that you might be saved because you work directly
with the boss. Let me put it to you that these people’s lives and jobs rest on
your shoulders. That includes yours and mine. You can choose not to speak to
the boss on our behalf and live in regret that you could have done something
about the situation. On the other hand, you can just go ahead to talk to the
boss and damn the consequences. At least, you know you tried.”
Hadassah sighed deeply and couldn’t find her words.
“You
should brood on it. Take your time, but do not forget the time is ticking as
well. We have just 10 days left this month. Goodnight Hadassah” he said and cut
the call.
“He is
right. There’s a ninety percent chance I won’t be spared. But Mr Adrien shut me
up and frankly warned me not to meddle in the company’s affairs except what he
has placed in my hands. I handle his itinerary, his schedules, meetings,
and all. He has specifically warned me not to go out of the lines of my work. I
will however not be passing my boundaries by my being involved in this matter,
because already, I am involved. I mean, like my uncle said, damn the
consequences. The most he’d do is lay me off. If I lose my job, I lose my job!”
she thought within herself as she took deep breaths. She checked through her
calendar. She had six more days to spend at the conference she attended with
her boss. She knew that would be the wrongest of times to bring up the topic,
so she decided to wait until the conference was over.
Hadassah didn’t let each day slip without praying about the
issue and committing her boss’ heart in God’s hands. She prayed with Proverbs
21:1, which says, “The King’s heart is in the hand of the LORD. As the
watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills” (AMP)
The six days passed, and she felt the nudge to speak to Mr
Adrien whilst on the plane on the way back home. He was on his phone surfing
the internet. She was in doubt as to whether she should speak or not. He didn’t
like to be disturbed for whatever reason except it was business-related. Even
at that, he doesn’t permit anyone to speak to him, except he asks them to. She
was very restless where she sat right beside him. She kept adjusting herself on
her seat and he didn’t seem to pay her the slightest attention.
“What
is it?” He asked, looking away from his phone.
“Sir?”
she jolted, as she had no idea he noticed her being restless.
“I said
what is it? Are you uncomfortable where you are or is it what you ate?”
“N… No
sir. It’s not that sir”
“Then
what is it?”
She went mute and looked down at her feet.
“I know
I can be uptight sometimes, or even all of the time. However, this one time
that I choose to know what is going on with you, I suggest you speak up while
the offer is still open.”
She then sat up in such a way that she faced him.
“Sir, I
want to suggest we have a private meeting, more like a get together with the
MD, Mr Hank when we get back to the office, you know, just to talk about how to
better S & S, and then, I have some things to tell about Mr Hank, but I
only intend to speak in his presence sir”
“Set up
the meeting then. Make it immediately we get back to the office so we can get
it done and over with as soon as we can”
“Yes
sir,” She smiled.
“Is
that all?”
“Yes,
sir” she beamed with joy as she sat back and heaved a sigh of relief.
“Pass
the message across to him right now so he can be aware and make plans as well.
That should be tomorrow, right?”
“Yes
sir. That would happen first thing tomorrow when we get to the office sir,” she
replied as she operated her tablet trying to include the meeting in his
schedule, and sent a message to Hank in Mr Adrien’s name informing him about
the meeting.
*****
Read: Hadassah (Episode 5)
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