CHAPTER 3 - HER OFFER

A brighter morning again, a new day to conquer, and thanks God it’s Sunday.

She’s going to church with her mother, the girl slowly got up went to her bathroom to clean up.

After she freshened up and dressed for the church, the girl exited her room.

Descending the stairs she heard laughter, it’s unusual because she knows they are not expecting any guest.

The young lady hurriedly descends the stairs, to know what the commotion all about is.

When she’s at the end of the steps, she was surprised by what she saw……………it was Aunt Clara, talking to her mother animatedly.

She can't figure out how the Howell matriarch found out where she lives ……...then suddenly her question was also answered… 'hey, Althea you’re getting old really, isn't the Mrs. sending you to her driver when you are getting home from their house….…...you really need to get hold of yourself'. She unconsciously berated herself. Shaking her head for her dumbness sometimes, walking to the two women she adores greatly.

“Ow, Althea is here now Clara.” Informed her mother of the woman she’s talking to when she saw her daughter approaching them.

Mrs. Howell turned her head to look in the direction where the woman is looking, suddenly she was surprise and wide eye at what she was seeing.

She could not believe how beautiful the young girl is, this is her first time seeing Althea without a cover on her face and wearing a flowery dress above her knee that complements her perfectly.

The young lady immediately runs towards the Mrs. and hugs her excitedly who still mesmerized by her beauty.

"Aunt Clara, thank you for visiting us." Uttered the young lady happily, while letting go of her embrace to the woman.

"Aunt? Are you all right? She asked the Mrs. anxiously, as the former couldn't speak and her startled face was still staring at her amicably.

“Ow……I’m….I’m so…sorry dear my apology, I was just so surprised how you look so different, I could not believe how gorgeous you are….really…really stunning.” Incoherently stated Mrs. Howell, you could see the joy on her face.

“Of course I’m not aunty, but still thank you for your kind words.” Awkwardness is evident in the young lady’s face.

The girl is not really used to praising her beauty.

If she looks at herself in the mirror, she doesn't look any different from the girls who live in their area.

Althea could not comprehend as well, why the Mrs. reactions are the same reaction she gets from their neighbor. That’s how naïve Althea is when it comes to herself.

Even at the university she attended, the same amazement could be seen on the students' faces, but the young lady just shrugs it off.

Thinking in the long run they will get used to her face and leaving her be.

“Anyways auntie, what brought you here?” Asked the young lady.

"What can we do for your surprise visit, auntie?" The young woman, who was smiling sweetly at the Mrs. in front of her, continued to ask.

Before the rich woman could speak, she sighed to relieve her shock at the beauty of the girl, and at the same time smiled sweetly.

“Because my dear…....wait are you leaving now? You two are all dressed up. I came in the wrong time then, you are going out today?” There is a little concern with her tone.

"Actually we are going to church Clara, but it's okay, we will just attend the second Mass instead." Soothingly replied Kristy to their rich guest, when she noticed the disappointment in her voice.

“Are you sure Kristy that it’s okay, I can come back later if that’s okay with you?” Surely asked the rich woman to her now newfound friend.

The two women nodded a sign that it was really okay.

"Because Kristy and dear, I have a proposition to propose if you may consider, I would like to hire Althea ………Kristy, to work for our company, if you will allow it of course." Narrated the rich woman.

“What auntie?!” Suddenly the girl asked until now she had been trying to make herself understand what the rich woman was suggesting.

“To my knowledge, you are looking for work right dear? And you just finished Business Management at the University. That’s why I seldom seeing you dropping in our house these past days.” Explained Mrs. Howell.

“My apology auntie for not saying goodbye to you personally, I was just caught up with my job hunting." The young lady apologized to the rich woman.

“What are you talking about dear, it’s okay I understand. You already informed my driver about your reason so don’t apologize, no worries at all.” Sincerely uttered the woman.

“Thank you auntie for your understanding, by the way, tita what work are you offering? If you don't mind me asking?” Curiously asked Althea to Mrs. Howell.

“Well since you ask, I want you to be my daughter’s Personal Assistant, I mean if you want?” The Mrs. asked so hopefully.

Her daughter really needs a personal assistant, her daughter is loaded with work in their company and it irks her knowing she can’t do anything about it. Sometimes her daughter forgot how to take care of herself may it be mentally or physically.

That’s why Mrs. Howell needs to do something about it, she hates seeing her daughter miserable.

Her daughter is not just busy with their company but also with her business, which is not only one but several businesses.

“Isn't that a very high position for me auntie? I just graduated and I don't have experience yet. You might be embarrassed to appoint me as your daughter’s personal assistant.” Worried etched in Althea’s face.

“I know you can do it dear, you are a smart lady you can handle it easily beside I have confidence in you learning things without trouble at all.

Don’t worry dearie you will undergo training until you can be familiar with your work.” Assured Mrs. Howell to her.

After a long discussion and convincing, Althea end up saying yes, she has no choice but oblige to the request of Mrs. Howell

To the young lady’s surprise, she has to start tomorrow, this is overwhelming for her.

Althea is kind of nervous but yet again she is happy because this will be a great help for her especially for her mom.

If her boss will like her performance and hopefully she will be permanent on her job, she can save more and with a bit of luck, she can very well support her mom’s expenses for her surgery. They have been mending her mom’s condition by buying medicine for now that being prescribes by the doctor since she could not afford such an operation.

She just hopes and prays that Mrs. Howell’s daughter will accept her to be her PA.

.

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‘May God Almighty bless her.’ She thought.