Leina's Disastrous Afternoon

Life sometimes test us. Life gives us problems to solve to make us stronger. Be it financial problem, family problem or work related problems, life throws it at people challenging them and helping them to be strong and resilient.

But for Leina Davis, life has been unfair.

"Leina!"

Leina felt her heart jump out of her body when she heard her manager's shout. She quickly stand up and in no more than three steps, she reached her manager's office. She saw her boss' nostrils flaring from anger.

Her manager, Mrs. Emma Wilson, looked at her and she can feel sharp daggers flying to her. The woman who is sitting in front is noticeably older. Mrs. Wilson has wrinkles all over her face but she goes to the dermatologist weekly in hope of fixing the lines on her face. The woman's black hair with a streak of grays tightly bun.

"You called for me Ma'am Wilson?" Leina asked, almost whispering. "Do you want your coffee now?"

Mrs. Wilson looked at her before sighing. With that, Leina confirms that she did something wrong. Again. The woman showed her a green folder and Leina's eyes widened when she saw what it was. Mrs. Wilson looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

Leina quickly stepped forward and snatched the folder from her boss' desk. She checked the inside and her eyes grew big with disbelief. Now, she can feel her heart beating faster and harder against her chest.

She glanced at her manager with a pleading eyes. "I'm sorry Ma'am, I must have switched it with the folder you asked me." She reasoned out. Lately her brain has been scattered, she makes mistake a lot and it had been affecting her job performance.

Her manager shook her head as she clicked her tongue.

"How can you have switched it with the file that I asked you to give me? There is a big sign written at the front page of that folder. It says Finance." Mrs. Wilson scolded her. "Do I look like the Finance department head to you?"

Leina quickly shook her head hard and fast that she thinks it might break soon.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, I'll go get the folder from Cheska. I'm sure it's still with her."

Mrs. Wilson sighed.

"Are you okay Leina? Lately you've been distracted a lot. Is there something bothering you? You see, your job is really important. You handle documents that are classified and if that documents get into the wrong hands, then we'll have a problem later on."

Leina nodded, "I understand Ma'am."

"Do you?" Her manger stood up and looked at the window. "You see Leina, we can't afford someone from our department to make the same mistake over and over again. Now, with regards to your contract-"

"Ma'am please! Please don't do this!"

Leina kneel and tears started to stream her eyes. When her manager mentioned the word 'contract', she felt a heavy weigh put in her chest and it's making hard for her to breath. Mrs. Wilson looked at her with a pair of sorry eyes.

"Ma'am please I badly need this job. Please give me another chance. Please I'll swear I will try my best to not make anymore mistakes. Just please. . ." Leina pleaded with all her heart, she does not care if the carpet's dust cling to her knee of skirt. She does not care if kneeling's already hurting her feet. She just badly wants to stay in that company. Even though she always feel underappreciated.

Mrs. Wilson went quiet but then sat down on her chair. She looked at her one more time before nodding gently. Leina felt a huge thorn was lifted in her heart.

"Okay I'll give you another chance. But this will be the final one, understand?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good. Now get my files and bring me a coffee, the President of Hayes Corp. will be here any moment."

Leina nodded and quickly wiped her tears. She went to the Finance Department as fast as she could, good thing that Cheska hasn't handed the papers yet to her boss.

When she already got what her manager wants, Leina went to the pantry to fix the coffee Mrs. Wilson asked for. She has been working for that Law Firm for three years. Although she felt undervalued, she do not plan to leave yet. She's after the salary as the firm pays generously. If she would to resign, then her family will be doomed.

"Leina, hi." A colleague enters the pantry. "Mrs. Wilson made you cry again?"

"No Jenna," She answered and gave her friend a sweet smile. "I just watched something earlier and it was a real tear-jerker."

Jenna shrugged at her. "Whatever you say, Leina. Anyway Mrs. Wilson's client is already in the elevator so you should probably hurry. She requested the coffee before the guest arrive right?"

Leina looked at her wristwatch and almost cuss aloud. Her manager would kill her if she is a second late. Mrs. Wilson has a habit of drinking her coffee before any meeting, she always tell her that caffeine boosts her memory and alertness during the discussion.

She put the hot coffee on the dish and juggled her way out of the pantry. Holding the folder on her right and the hot coffee on her left, she balanced herself while trying to run.

Just as when she was about to pass the elevator, it went open and came out a man. Leina could not stop herself from sprinting until it was too late. The coffee that she was holding flew into the man's coat. And the room was filled with gasps from her colleagues and the agonizing shouts and curses from the man.

Leina just stood there frozen. She does know what to do. When she was about to approach the man, she saw her manager coming out of the office.

--

A call woke Leina from her daydream. She was currently seating at the bench near the firm she used to work. With the incident that happened earlier, she just expected the consequence.

Her manager was really angry at her and fired her on the spot. Even she's angry at herself for being so clumsy. Of all the days she could have spilled the coffee, it's when the important visitor arrived.

Leina closed her eyes tight as she reach for her phone in her pocket. Disappointment and sadness rush to her when she saw who were calling her.

Leina took a sharp breath before forcing a smile and answering the call.

"Mom!" Leina greeted merrily.

The other line was quiet for a moment until she heard a machine beeping. "Leina dear, have you eaten lunch yet?" Her mother asked. She just sound so weak.

"Yes Mom, what about you? Are you getting enough rest?"

"Don't worry about me my child, worry more about yourself."

Leina smiled at her mother's care. "Mom you know I can't help but to worry, specially if involves you and my brother."

There was a pause in the other line until she heard sobbing. Leina's heart was filled with sadness when she heard her mother's cries. Nothing hurts a child more than to see his parents suffering. It's like a million of tiny needles poking through her internal organs.

"Mom what's wrong?" She asked.

"It's your brother. He needed another blood transfusion and therapy but we do not have enough money for any." Her mother sobbed.

Hurting so bad, Leina could not help her tears.

"Don't worry Mom, I will send the money later and try to find some more." Leina comforted her mother, trying her best to hide her sobs. She should not let her mother know that it's hard for her to find money.

"Do you think you can ask your boss for a raise? Or you can get your salary in advance?"

Without a heart to tell her mother that she just got fired from her job, Leina just agreed. "Okay Mom, I will try." She told her mother. A few more minutes of talk before they disconnect.

Leina could not help but to feel sorry for herself, she could not even help her mother. She felt useless. She went to the City to find a decent job and to earn a lot of money but instead, she got pain and broken dreams. She could not bring herself to go home without proving that she can reach her dreams and she can provide a life for her family that they well deserve.

Rain started to pour down on her. Leina did not want to leave the place but she was afraid to catch a cold. If she do, then hunting for a job will be delayed.

She stood up and was about to leave the bench with a heavy heart when she felt a gentle tug from the side of her skirt. She looked around to see who it was when she saw a darling little girl. Wearing a pink tutu skirt and a unicorn printed top. The little girl's black hair was curled.

Leina bent down a little to face the little girl.

"Hello, are you lost? What's your name?" She asked the little girl sweetly. Leina felt something bothersome by the little girl's reaction.

Now that she can finally see the little girl's face, Leina can tell that the girl has an angelic features. Her little black eyes that shine and turns brown when the sun reflects on it, her cute button nose and a well defined lips.

The little girl smiled at her. Leina was shock when the girl jumped in front of her and hugged her so tight.

"Mommy!" A cute voice came from the little girl and Leina was dumbfounded.

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