FIRST DAY

Ann wandered how Daniel got her number then she remembered her number was included in her application letter.

"What are you wearing?" Daniel asked.

"Why would you ask such a thing."

He chuckled then kept quiet. On his end he could hear Ann breathing loudly. He picked up his wine glass from his bed table.

"Why? Can't I ask my employee questions?" he asked sinisterly.

He heard her gasp and he chuckled. She was lovely. He had never met a woman as beautiful as her but she seemed uncomfortable around him. He wanted to make sure she liked him by the end of the week. His charm had never failed him before.

"What are you doing up at this hour, anyways?" he asked.

"I was ironing my clothes so I don't have to wake up too early."

"Aren't you already up early Ann?"

He heard her grant and he laughed again.

"Relax Ann, just joking." he laughed.

"I can't hear you, Dan." Ann lied.

"Wait..."

"You're breaking, Dan....I can't..." she hang up.

Ann sighed loudly after she managed to get rid of Baby. She checked her phone and saw the message she hadn't read last night. It was from her mother.

'I took granny to the hospital. She fell down the stairs in the afternoon. She's better so don't worry about her. Lots of love.'

What? She was speaking to her grandson just yesterday night and now her mother was saying she was in the hospital. She called her mom but there was no answer. She called again and this time she answered.

"Mom, what happened? Why didn't she tell me when she called?" Ann asked as soon as the line was secure.

"She didn't want you to worry just after getting the job. She's asleep right now and she doesn't know that you know about her condition. Don't tell her otherwise she'll start worrying about you.'

"Did she get hurt? I mean at her age, she would....Is she fine?"

"She's better for now. She broke a rib."

Ann's heart stopped beating when she heard her mother's words. All the oxygen left in her lungs was rapidly used up and she started gasping for air.

"....Ann? Ann, are you still there?"

Ann finally took a deep breath and patted her bossom.

"Yeah... I'm here. Did she hurt something else or break anything else?"

"No. Her blood pressure is high though."

"I have to start looking for money then. The bills won't pay themselves." she said sighing.

"Don't sweat it love. One of her highschool friends paid the bill and he even got her a VIP room."

"Highschool friend?"

"Yeah. Some man named Tiger Brown."

"Tiger Brown?!" Ann repeated almost dropping her phone,"The founder of Tiger's Company? That Tiger?"

"Whoa, I'm not sure....The company you're working for? I will ask her when she's awake. I need to hang up now. Bye."

"Bye and don't forget, okay?"

"Sure, love."

The line went cold and Ann pulled the phone away from her ear. Tiger Brown was her grandmother's friend? Why had he only shown up now. He was obviously swimming in money but he let his friend suffer so much. He would have at least helped her pay her granddaughter's tuition fees. She felt helpless and soon fell asleep next to the ironing board.

Ann woke up to the sound of her alarm. She got up and rubbed her eyes while the alarm still made a sharp noise. She picked up her phone and dismissed the alarm. Her eyes widened when she saw what time it was; 5:30 am. Her day was already beginning on a bad note. She had missed three alarms already and she cursed her luck.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry..." she mumbled.

She ran to the bathroom and turned on the shower and got undressed while the cold water drenched her clothing. She got naked and scrubbed herself in a hurry. Blood slid down from between her thighs and she screamed in frustration. Why now?

When she finished bathing, she looked for her sanitary towels and put one on immediately. She packed ten spare ones because she felt like her flow would be heavy that day. She wore a white short sleeved blouse with a black skirt that reached below her knees. The outfit was comfortable and classy and it made her hips look wider. The skirt had some buttons on the left side for decor and it made her feel more feminine. She packed her phone along with some painkillers that she would take when she got to work.

On the bus she saw Bryce's car by the road. He must have been waiting for her because she used to jog early in the morning.

'Sorry Bry but the healthy Ann is long gone.' she said to herself with a victory smile on her face.

The first person she saw was Lawrence. He was carrying a few folders in his right hand so he waved at her with his left hand. She waved back at him and he wished her a productive first day. He jogged inside as Ann walked the few last steps to get into the cool building. It was particularly hot that morning and she mentally thanked the inventor of the air con. She saw Lawrence's white shirt disappear into an elevator on the far left side of the room. He was a kind man so far and she could see why Sera liked him so much.

The reception area was very large and had all the comforts a guest would require. There were some seats, large TVs on the left, right and front walls, vending machines close to the seats, water dispensers and had two elevators on either side of the reception desk that was at the center. On the left side of the large room was the men's room and on the right was the ladies room. The place was quite empty unlike yesterday when there had been a lot of interviewees. To think that all those better qualified men and women had been left behind because she was appealing to the interviewers.

She took the elevator on the left and went to the third floor to see Sera. She looked at the open office area when she got off the elevator. A few heads turned in her direction and she walked to the closest one to ask where Sera's seat was. The woman looked her up and down first before pointing at Sera who was already waving at her.

Ann thanked the woman who rolled her eyes and said nothing. Ann did the same and a man who had noticed this laughed. She shyly smiled at him and made her way to Sera. The two embraced and Sera settled back into her seat.

"Take that seat. Ben isn't here yet so it's alright." Sera suggested.

"Who is that lady?" Ann asked pointing at the woman whom she had asked for help from.

"Ohh, that's Sally. She's like that to everyone, hun."

"Why not call her Sassy instead, it suits her."

"We already do, love." said an older lady who was sitting behind Sera.

Ann was a little startled but she smiled at the woman.

"My name's Lily." she introduced herself.

"Ann."

"Nice to meet you Ann. You're welcome to our cramped working area where gossiping is impossible!"

The three women laughed and this earned them a glare from a man sitting in front of Lily.