Chapter 5 Contract signing

"Dear Lilliana Rivers, after reviewing your grant proposal, we have decided to offer you a job as a paid Research and Development intern. We are looking for active young people to participate in our programs. Please report to company headquarters as soon as possible.

Abigail Land

Riverdon Pharmaceutical Company."

"Wow," I said after reading the letter that had been sent to my apartment.

"Are you going to accept it?" Leleti asked. She placed two glasses of juice on the table. I picked up one and started drinking immediately.

"Of course not," I told her. "I don't want to work under a man like that. Besides he and Ronnie are close friends. I can't do this. I'll just apply for another job."

"You have one week to find a job, you said. I don't think it will be easy to find a job that can pay as much as I imagine this one will. In addition to the money, you'll be getting experience and contacts of people in the medical world. You'll need that because you are studying to be a nurse. Besides, I don't think a CEO even spends time with interns. The job description attached says you'll spend most of your time in the field not in the HQ."

She made some good points. I thought about it. "Don't be a coward. Why are you letting fear get in your way to success?" I imagined that was what my grandmother would say to me if she was still alive. "I'm going to Riverdon."

"That's the spirit."

Thirty minutes later, I was inside Abigail Land's office. She was the Human Resources Manager, a tall woman with a stern face. She looked very professional and strict. After her mini-interview, she told me to go with her to the CEO's office and pick up my contract which had been taken for signing.

"Isn't it the HR manager's job to coordinate that?"

Abigail glared at me. "You'll do as the CEO says. If you don't want the job, feel free to walk out. This is a great opportunity and there are many people who'd love it."

I had not come this far to give up. "Let's go."

My heart was pounding against my chest as we rode the elevator to Edward Carrington's office. I was scared but felt some comfort in knowing that there was a third person Abigail with me. When we reached the floor, I saw another young woman. "Mary is also here for her contract. Mary, this is Lilliana. You'll be working together."

"Nice to meet you, Lilliana." Mary smiled.

"Nice to meet you. I'm glad we'll be working together."

With the added company, my anxiety reduced and I felt calmer. When I thought it was only me getting mine from the CEO, I had been scared he might be up to something sinister. In most big companies people pick contracts and appointment letters from the HR not the CEO's office. Riverdon probably just had different ways of doing things.

After getting permission, we entered, led by the CEO's secretary a bombshell blonde beauty called Cara.

"Welcome," Edward Carrington said. "The new interns can take seats. Cara, give them their contracts to read through and sign."

We sat on the couch and Cara gave us a stapled document each. I had never seen such a heavy contracts with lots of pages. I had mostly signed contracts of one or two pages. But then again I had never worked for a big corporation. They probably had to include everything so as to avoid getting sued. I read through the first three pages and saw nothing to worry about. Then I went to the last three pages. Before I was done, Mary was already signing hers as Abigail helped open the pages that needed signatures. I was about to open the middle pages when Mary spoke excitedly. "I'm don't. Is there anything else to sign?"

"No dear, just wait for Lilliana to finish and I'll give you appointment letters."

"Hurry up, Lilliana." Mary said.

I looked up and saw Edward staring intently at his phone. I wondered why I had been worried about being near him when he could mind his own business.

"One has to read carefully," I said, turning to the last page. Then my phone started ringing. Oh no. I had not put in on silent. What were they going to think of me? I fished for it in my purse and silenced it.

"It's your mother," Abigail said. "Why don't you first answer it."

"But-"

"I don't mind," Edward spoke. "I don't want you rushing to sign when you have to call your mother back."

"Excuse me," I said, rushing out. "Yes mum."

"What's wrong dear? You sound stressed."

"In the middle of something. What's it?"

"It's Henry. He is getting worse and doctors have recommended surgery. They need to do some kind of chemotherapy to first to reduce the tumor and prepare him for surgery. I don't know where I'll get the money. I was thinking of mortgaging the house. I don't know what to do. Wait, you first go and finish what you're doing. Let's talk later."

"Okay, mum."

I had no choice now so I returned the room ready to sign the contract. We needed all the money we could get. The salary Abigail had promised me would be a lot more than I could expect to earn anywhere. If mom mortgaged the house and failed to pay for it, we would be doomed. We would be homeless on top of being poor.

"Where do I sign?" I asked, holding back tears. I had to do it. For Henry, my mother and I.

Abigail kept opening pages while I signed on every part. When it was done, Abigail led us out of the office into the secretary's office. "Cara will bring your appointment letters to you."

A few minutes later, Cara came into her office. She smiled at me. "Here's your copy of the contract and appointment letter."

"What about Mary's?" I asked as I held out my hand for the documents. The contract was lighter so I assumed they removed company copies and left only mine. The two women started laughing out loud and I frowned, wondering what was wrong with them.

And then I read the appointment letter. Maid to Mr. Edward Carrington. "What the hell is this?" I turned to the contract. It said the same thing in two pages and my signature was right at the bottom. My heartbeat shot up to the sky and my breathing quickened. "How?"

"What's wrong, Lilliana?" Cara mocked, with her ugly plastic lips. "Or should I say, little maid?"

They broke into laughter again and I stood up, furious. They had tricked me. Without bothering to knock, I pushed open the door to the CEO's office. "You bastard. What is this?" I asked while waving the papers at him.

"Your signed contract and appointment letter. I know you've not yet started studies so work starts at 8am tomorrow. When you start school, it will be 4pm. My address is in the appointment letter."

"I'm not going to work as your maid you bastard," I yelled, hoping the whole headquarters could hear me.

"It's a good thing my office is sound proof," he chuckled. "Be there or face the consequences of breaching a contract. Now get out."

"You tricked me by adding extra papers to the contract," I accused. "You knew I couldn't read every page."

"I did not stop you from reading. In case you're thinking of suing me, I have a video showing you signed the contract willingly and no one forced you. Also, there are witnesses who will testify in my favor."

My head was starting to ache and anger increasing with every word he spoke. I never knew anger could give a person headache. "I did not know I was signing up to be a maid."

"It's not my fault that you weren't careful. Make sure to report to work tomorrow."

Suddenly losing control, I leaned over and pushed his iPad off the table with the strength I could master. It fell on the floor with shattering noises. I regretted instantly.

"What have you done?" he barked, standing up with a death glare on his face.

I stepped back, trembling in fear, scared by the murderous glare on his face. I had messed up again and he was going to make me pay for it.