Chapter 1

"What's wrong with me, why am I not fit for this job?"

John grunted, wanting to hit his boss' office table in frustration. He placed his left hand on the side of his hip while he used his other hand to massage his temple.

There was no way this could happen to him, at least not now that he was desperately in need of money.

His eyes flickered as he stared at his boss, he had shown nothing but loyalty and dedication, even as a personal assistant, then why should this befall him?

John frowned and turned his gaze over to his close associate, Alex, who was ready to defend him and then, he turned his gaze back to his boss. "Mr. Balowe, what about those things that you said about my hard work, are you going to throw all that away?"

Mr. Balowe sighed. He wished to tell John why he was getting fired but he just couldn't. He was scared, scared of the consequences that would follow suit. All he needed to do was to fire John and be free from the threats that had been directed at his company.

"There's nothing wrong with you John. It’s just that your services are no more needed in this institution. I will advise that you leave immediately."

There, it goes again, those words that were like weapons of mass destruction. There was no other institution out there that was willing to take him in as a staff, not even as a cleaner. Then, he managed to get this one but couldn't even keep it for more than a month.

No way, this wasn't happening. No! It can't.

"If it's about his pay, sir, then he is ready to wait until –" Alex tried to speak up but his words were greatly cut short by Mr. Balowe's next statement

"There's no pay, John, the institution has agreed that your services don't deserve a reward."

Was this even possible? Could they do that? Isn't that against the employee's rights? But it seems the company owners will go scott-free with their act of cruelty.

They were just wretched peasants who would always have to wait for the month to end before they could feed but unlike his friend, John wouldn't get anything for this month. He was going to leave empty-handed just like he came.

If only his boss knew how much he couldn't afford to miss this money, he could even consider himself dead if he missed this pay. What would he tell his mother? What would he feed her?

But at the same time, he refused to show weakness in the presence of another man. There was only one thing, or one person that could cause this. He understood why his boss had behaved this way but that could not justify the fact that he was going to be sacked empty-handed even after working for a month.

"This is the work of The Kendricks and Mrs. Grey, right?"

No answer was given to John but the leg tapping and the sudden avoidance of gaze was all he needed to get his answer. He realized that there was no way this issue could be resolved as long his mother-in-law and the supposed wife purser were involved.

"See, John, just leave. My organization was threatened, I can't risk anything because of you. The Kendricks are a powerful family in the country, with just a snap, my institute will be taken down."

John could only sigh as he walked over to the door.

"... and John." The boss called before he could touch the doorknob which was enough for John to halt at his steps but he didn't bother to turn to face his boss. "Be careful out there, there are people who would do anything to harm you."

Again, John sighed and walked out of the room with his associate. He needed not to be told twice. He knew the people after him and their reasons but there was no way he would let go of his wife for another man.

"What next, John? This was literally the last company that was willing to accept you. Where will you go from here?" Alex asked while directing a pitiful stare at John

John could let out a loud frustrated growl as he face-palmed himself. After a moment of silence, he removed his hands from his face.

"I don't know, Alex, my wife's mother is doing all she can so I leave her daughter. She had deemed it necessary to ruin my life even when she knew the state of my mother. How would I pay my mother's hospital bills if this keeps going on?" John said with a slightly raised voice as if pushing his frustration to his friend.

But Alex wasn't bothered by John's frustration. He was happy John had poured out his frustration instead of wallowing in depression.

"I will be in search of another job for you but in the meantime…" Alex stopped at his words as he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out its content.

"This is £40, please, take this from me, at least for your mother's feeding." John zeroed his eyes on the cash being handed over to him. He had wanted to reject the money since Alex's monthly pay was just £10 more than what he was handing off.

"But… but this money is way too much to give out, I can't take it away from you, your family needs it more," John uttered with his intense gaze at the smooth cash he could really use.

"No, John. Take this, don't let that woman die of malnutrition. This would be enough to provide for her supplements, at least, for three days ." With that plea, John hesitantly took the money away from Alex.

"Three days? This is not even enough for a day. How will I face the hospital and my mother? I promised to deposit £100 today with the thought that I will get paid but again, luck has turned against me. Thanks for the money, I will never forget this."

Alex smiled on hearing John's words but he couldn't be with John for long since he was still an employee. He excused himself and got back to his daily task.

Taking his phone out from his breast pocket, John dialed his wife's number on his phone, wanting to tell her of the bad news, that's if she would ever pick up.

As expected, his calls were left unanswered after numerous attempts, he chose to shove his phone back into his pocket.

One thing was to get fired and another was to break the news to his demanding wife who had done nothing but threaten him with divorce.

Letting out another sigh, John decided to visit his home, at least to explain things to his wife but before he could take a step, a call came through.

Surprised by the thought that his wife would actually call back, he grabbed the phone from his pocket in an instant but his smile was immediately cut short when he gazed at the caller's ID.

"Mother-in-law." He muttered with a creased eyebrow.