“You can’t be my delivery boy looking all unkempt, scraggly and barefooted. Here you are,” he picked up a pair of new slippers and tossed at me, “This is for you, Brian Patrick.”
He was Hoffers Greenfield CEO of Hoffers Intercontinental Foods. He was in his early thirties, burly bald-head, charismatic and a mogul of chains of food industries. He was going to be the only CEO that accepted to employ me based on my experience as a delivery boy at Morgan Group.
“Thank you, boss! Thank you boss,” I appreciated repeatedly and swam out of my gloom as I was ready to have a fresh start, I bowed my head gratefully as I couldn’t stop glaring at this blue slippers which I never thought of buying after I lost my previous one.
He took out a pair of white overall which had, HOFFERS FOOD DELIVERY inscribed at the back, and tossed at it at me. “Hence forth that will be your uniform,” he said yet further, “You see, Brian Patrick, I don’t usually employ ex convict. We have our policies. I don’t usually employ ex convict. We have our policy when it comes to employment and we don’t break them. But for your enthusiasm and work experience at Morgan Harris, I am breaking my employment policy.”
I bowed gratefully, “Thank you very much, boss. You are far too kind. I appreciate for going out of your way to employ me as your garbage boy. This job means a lot to me as your delivery boy. This job means a lot to me, especially after I got stigmatized by many employees.”
He interrupted me, “Please Brian Patrick, I don’t want to regret my benevolence. On no account should I look for my money. My staff doesn’t steal and I don’t want you to break that legacy.”
I shook my head abruptly, “hell no, sir!” I snapped, “Is it because of the fifteen billion dollars fraud I was accused of? I never siphoned that money and I will, never do such a thing. My former boss Morgan Harris accused me falsely. He siphoned that money not me…”
A strange colossal, frown pulled across his face and I wondered if it was for my ruin or my gain. N o one seemed to believe me when I told them I was innocent of the fraud.
“Brian Patrick,” Hoffers called in a bizarre disturbing tone, “Whatever may be your stance is okay by me. We are not in the court of law after all; I don’t expect you to argue with me. This is Hoffers Foods. We are the best you can find around I am warning you sternly. Money has not been missing before you came. It shouldn’t start now. No customer must cry over his stolen money.”
I bowed my head submissively, “I promise not to steal your money, my boss. I am Brian Patrick .my word is my bond. I don’t take what is mine.”
“Here at Hoffers Food we pay salary according to your tier of duty. The salary is not much but I believe it will go a long way to keep your head up. Your salary is ten dollars per week and if you work over time you can earn extra ten dollars.”
I lowered my gaze , and bit my lower lip in loss. For an intercontinental restaurant like Hoffers, I expected something appreciable than ten dollars. How long am I going to work to be able to save half a million dollars for my mother’ hospital bills, and five hundred for our house rent?
Hoffers peered at me, “You don’t seem to be happy over your salary. Or is there any other thing bothering you. A problem shared is a problem halved…”
I raised my gaze at him, “My mother is down with a chronic kidney disease. The doctor says half a million dollars will be needed to for her hospital bills. Our house rent is due. It is five hundred dollars. With a salary of ten dollars, how am I going to pay these bills? I thought you were going to pay higher
Hoofers dragged a frown which almost convinced me about losing the job, “Can you listen to yourself, Brain Patrick. What is your duty?” he asked and I pressed my lips tightly before he asked yet again. “What is your duty for us? Answer me, Brian Patrick!” he beamed.
I lowered my gaze as I frowned at my scaly dusty feet in the pair of slippers, “A delivery boy ,” I replied coldly.
“No, no, you are an ex convict that is trying to pick up pieces of his broken self together, I thought you were going to do the job free of charge considering your history of fraud…”
“Oh no, boss, don’t do this to me. Pay me what is due me as delivery boy. Do not consider a crime I didn’t commit. I am innocent of Morgan Harris’s allegation. If there is more I could earn as your delivery boy, please do it, please.”
“Brian Patrick !” he interrupted me with a groaning , “Are you resuming the job or not? I have hundreds of people vying for the job. The moment you walk out that door another applicant will scramble for it.”
“Sorry boss,” I replied, bowed my head and added, “I need the job. I stole a glance at him and left his office.
Ten dollars per week? I may have to work out my brains especially over time before I realize a manageable savings
A day after I was busy gathering the food at Hoffers Foods and dedicatedly piling the packaged foods which were orders to be delivered when Hoffers appeared at my side. “Brian Patrick,” he called and I flinched, “Get ready in two weeks our services will be needed as the wedding ceremony of Melissa Fanny and Zion Don, son to the world richest man.”
I stared gaping thoughtfully at him and felt so much hurt in my head over what he just told me
“Brian Patrick!” he called me and nudged my shoulders, “Are you ok?”
“I …I am boss, I am…um ok,” I stuttered and couldn’t wait for him to go so I could tuck away at the corner and wail…