June sat at a table with a distraught Lucy seated before her.
After meeting her former colleague in front of the restaurant, she expertly handled the situation and they all made their way to another restaurant where she took a separate table to discuss with her.
“What happened?” June asked after they had been served. “How did you end up here?”
The woman could barely speak with the amount of tears that dripped from her eyes. “I was fired from the company.” She managed to say between the tears.
June’s heart broke at her words. “Why would he fire you? You are the best at what you do.” She spoke with confusion written on her face.
The woman seated before her was one of the best closers she had ever encountered. She was the head of project management at her ex-husband’s firm and for the three years she worked at LT Constructions, Lucy had won over clienteles and projects that raked millions and billions into the company.
Why the hell would she suddenly get fired?
“I don’t know.” Lucy’s voice broke as she explained how she was fired. “He didn’t even give me a chance to explain and kicked me out without a dime.”
“I have tried my best to secure another employment but for some reason, no one wants to work with me. They all run for the hills at the thought of employing someone that has been laid off from LT Constructions.”
“I can’t even file a suit because the contract I signed makes me unable to drag them to court and demand for my rights and compensation. Everything is falling apart.”
“My father needs chemotherapy and I am running out of money to keep his treatments going. Debts are piling up and the bank is threatening to take the house. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
By now, she was full on crying. The strong and confident woman who June knew had been reduced to a pile of whims and sobs.
“It’s okay. You will be fine.” She said from her end, raking her brains on the best way to provide help for the woman in front of her.
Although they weren’t best of friends, they had a good rapport and working relationship during her time at LT Constructions. Thanks to the fact that her husband concealed the fact she was his wife in the office, she was able to build a good working relationship with the workers who took her as a fellow colleague.
“How will I fix things when no one wants to employ me?” She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “If I can’t get a proper job and a decent flow of income soon, then I will be ruined for sure.”
June thought carefully as she took on the woman in front of her. A woman that had enough experience in the Construction business that she was over qualified for the position of being a project manager in any company she choose.
It was no surprise that she couldn’t get a job because it was in the nature of LT Constructions to blacklist people who had left the company, thus making it almost impossible to be employed into the field.
When she confronted her then-husband about it, he made a fleeting comment, stating that was a way to ensure they are in check and not doing what they weren’t supposed to.
Apparently, it meant making them unable to have a source of income so they are too busy trying to make ends meet than thinking of fighting for their rights.
June felt a fresh wave of anger at her ex-husband and the thought of how many people that had been laid off and made to face a similar situation.
“It’s okay. You will get through this.” June opened her bag and took out a complimentary card. She handed it over to her. “I am starting a company, and although it is not in the same level as what you are used to and I will probably would be peanuts compared to what you used to earn, seeing the company is still under-”
“I’ll take it! Thank you very much-” Lucy said excitedly, only then realizing that she didn’t know her name.
June smiled in understanding. “June. June Ambrose.” She said,
Lucy narrowed her brows as she thought on why the name sounded familiar. Nevertheless, she expressed her hearty appreciation.
“Thank you! Thank you Ma’am! I promise to give my best in whatever job you have for me. You will not regret this!”
The change in Lucy’s countenance was contagious.
“Although I know that you are the best at what you do, the only position I have at the moment is the position of an assistant.” She informed, “With the company yet to launch, I can’t offer anything more, but as we proceed-”
“This is the best offer I have received in the two weeks I left the company!” Lucy meant every word. “I will be the best assistant in South City.”
“I know you will.” June said with a smile then looked at her watch. “I have to leave now.” A sigh, “I think my search for an office space would end here. I don’t think I am ready for one more viewing.”
“You are looking for an office space?” Lucy asked, suddenly interested.
“Yes. Who would have known that searching for a place to plant a company could be this hard?”
Lucy hesitated for a while, getting to business mode. “I know of a building that you might fancy. Not too big but enough to start up.”
“I could show you the way if you are up for it.”
June smiled, “I just got you on board and you are already contributing to the success of JL Architectures.” She teased.
“JL?”
“That’s the name of our new company.” She said.
“You plan to open an architectural and construction company?”
June nodded. “And you are my first recruit.” She got on her feet. “I think I can fit in one more viewing. Hopefully the last. Afterwards we can discuss more on the intricate details of your employment.”
“Thank you.” Lucy said with a grateful look on her face.
“It’s alright. Let’s hit the road.”
Soon enough, June dismissed the agent in a polite way and together with her men, they drove to the place while Lucy gave directions. It was pretty close to the heart of the City and a few minutes drive from the mansion.
Things were already looking promising with the location. When they finally got to the place, it was a newly built office building with two floors.
As they stepped out of the car and proceeded into the space, June observed the building with care. “This place was newly renovated. It used to be the start up of a shoe design company that expanded when they took off.” Lucy explained.
“The ground floor was a walk in store where customers viewed the latest designs while the inside work was done upstairs.”
June nodded, liking the feel of the place. The space was decent enough to serve as an office. As she stood in the empty room, not too big and not quite small, she could visualise the lobby, a spot for the receptionist.
She could easily create a demarcation that would fit in an office or two. The place was Ideal. June didn’t realise a smile had blossomed on her face until her security turned brother spoke.
“This seems to be the one.”
June nodded enthusiastically. “This is amazing! I think we could work with this.”
Happy that her boss was pleased with the work, Lucy smiled. “I will get around the paperworks for the property. I’m happy you like it.”
“Like it? I freaking love it!”
That marked the end of June’s hunt for a place. They rounded up their journey and at the end of the day, June paid the rent that confirmed her the new owner of the place for the next two years.