MA'S ADVICE AND WARNING

The day went on and I was in a haze during the induction and the office setup. Grace took me through the do's and don't and by the time it clocked five p.m., I was exhausted. At last, I picked up my phone from the desk plus the documents I came with, passed by the washrooms and while I was locked in a cubicle two men walked in a conversation.

"Max, why did my brother hire that illegitimate son of Gregory Marks?" The man spoke up.

"I have no idea, Mark. "The other guy responded.

"You are not betraying Armand by telling me why he hired him "The man he called Mark responded.

By now I guessed that the man was Mark James, Chairman Armand's brother and the other was Maximillian Theo the head of Security for Armand Inc.

"You need to ask the Chairman yourself "Max responded.

"Armand is a private person and is ever tight-lipped. "Mark complained. "Keep an eye on Eli Marks. I have a feeling that weasel Gregory sent him here to be a spy."

"The Chairman is not a fool "Max chuckled.

"I truly hope" Mark responded as I heard the tap open and then close. They walked out of the washrooms while I stood inside the cubicle in frustration.

I had walked into the lion's den expecting to escape but now I was tangled in deeper. I needed to find a workaround and expedite my plan of leaving Utah for good. I left the washroom and the Armand Inc. offices ten minutes later, got in my car, and drove off from the basement parking lot like a madman, heading for home.

I made a stop at a liquor store, picked up a drink, and sat in my car, sipping the drink slowly. I took out my phone and the messages from Pa and Ma were comical.

"I hope you made it, if not, you are dead meat. "Pa's text message made me huff in annoyance.

"Call me son. "Ma's last message sounded desperate.

I pressed dial on Ma's number, and she picked up on the second wring and gently spoke "Eli, I have been looking for you "

"I was busy Ma and just left the office a few minutes ago. "I explained.

"Pass by before you go home. I will be waiting for you "She responded and disconnected the call.

I put the cap back on the bottle of liquor and placed it in the glove compartment. I switched on the car, drove to the outskirts of Utah, and arrived at Ma's home an hour later. She was already peeking by the window and smiled when she saw my car rushed out and was in my arms by the time I got out of the car.

"Thank you for coming "She smiled up at me.

My mother, Milan Edin had been a secretary at Pa's Mark & Will's Foundation and when she got pregnant, everything changed in her life. She exuded a grace that defied her years, her beauty a blend of youthful vibrancy and serene elegance. Her skin, radiant and glowing, had a warmth to it that reflected the very essence of her nurturing spirit. Her eyes, large and expressive, held a gentle sparkle that hinted at both joy and wisdom beyond her years. They were the kind of eyes that could effortlessly convey a world of love with just a glance even though Pa had cheated her off her youth, seduced her, and promised her heaven but what he delivered was hell.

"You look so beautiful Ma" I smiled back and rubbed her face affectionately.

Her hair, cascading in soft, effortless waves, framed her face with an enchanting naturalness, often adorned with a playful, yet elegant, touch and she was dressed in casual, yet stylish attire that suited her youthful energy and graceful poise, she managed to blend comfort with a touch of sophistication.

"Come on, I made dinner "She pulled me into the house, and in ten minutes we were seated on the little kitchen table where she had arranged the pots and plates for dinner.

"How is Uncle Sean?' I asked Ma. Uncle Sean Edin was my mother's brother and the head of the Automobile Industry in Utah.

"He was here last for dinner and left quite late after a drink "Ma chuckled.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the kitchen window, she sat across from me, her eyes reflecting both concern and resolve.

"Speak your mind Ma" I encouraged her.

"Listen to me, dear," she began, her voice steady but laced with a tremor of worry. "I know you've been offered a position at Armand Inc., but I need you to understand what that means. This isn't just about a job—it's about walking into a battlefield." Her gaze locked with his, her expression firm yet tender. "They've always been rivals, and you know it. Working for them isn't just a career move; it's like stepping into the lion's den. You'll be under constant scrutiny, surrounded by people who might view you as the enemy. It could be a hostile environment, where every action you take will be measured and possibly used against you."

She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a softer, more personal tone. "I'm worried about what this could do to you—not just professionally, but personally. It's one thing to be caught in the crossfire of competition, but quite another to be directly involved in a setting that's designed to challenge and undermine you. Think about whether it's worth the risk to your peace of mind and your safety." Her hand reached out, resting gently on his. "I trust you to make the right choice, but please consider this warning carefully. Sometimes, the battle we fight isn't worth the cost we pay."

"Ma, Pa is the one who sent my papers to Armand Inc. without my knowledge. This is all his plan. What can I do? I have no choice, "I explained.

"I know. I just wanted to give you my piece of advice" Her eyes teared up and she looked away.

"Warning is my like it" I chuckled, and she could not resist but smiled.

"You are a wonderful son Eli; I just chose the wrong man "She huffed.

"Come on, the food will get cold, let us eat "I smiled warmly at her.

After dinner, I left Ma's place and drove home, dreading the rebuke and scolding I was about to get. Once I packed the car, I walked into the house, and true to my gut senses Pa, my stepmother, and my sister were seated by the living room and their discerning gazes were locked at me.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Laurine asked.

"I had dinner with Ma" I responded, and she snickered while Salome's chuckle was cynical.

"You know what I want to hear "Pa spoke up.

"I got the job Pa" I announced.

He beamed leaned back on the couch and said "You are not useless "

"He got the job. "Salome seemed surprised, and Laurine's face was filled with displeasure.

"Of course, that fool Armand James saved him two years ago and from then on, I have been planning for Eli to join the goddam company "Pa laughed.

"If that will be all, I am going to rest "I spoke up.

"How is your mother?" Pa asked with sarcasm.

"Still beautiful. She looked exceptional today "I responded, and Laurine picked a pillow and hit me with it.

"Shut your fucking mouth "She yelled in anger and her nostrils flared.

"You did that on purpose just to annoy my mother" Salome yelled too.

"I am off to bed" I stated and left the living room and once I got to my room and closed the door, I burst into fits of laughter. "That felt good," I murmured to myself as I got ready to go to bed with a smile for the first time in so long.