Plans
1195 Words
We all take a seat at the table. I put on my poker face as we are being served our food. I must not look eager to eat. I actually just have to work on being as invisible as possible. I cut my chicken as slow and softly as I can. I chew with my mouth closed and eat slowly. I don’t dare say anything during their conversation. This food is so good and I didn’t even have to cook it. Mr. Carlos was getting to know the family and talking about his own family. He was actually pretty nice for one of those top corporate workers. Of course, I only have Bob to compare him to.
“Jan you have been as quiet as a mouse. Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself.”
I pat my mouth down with my napkin, trying to think of what to say.
“What would you like to know, sir?”
“Anything, what are your hobbies? How is school going for you? What are your plans for college?”
I have no idea what to say. I can’t tell the truth without being killed. All I can do is look at him with a blank expression.
“She loves to do charity work.” Nancy speaks up.
“Charity work that is real noble of you, Jane.”
“It is going to help her get into the best at online college, right Jane!”
“Yes mother, I am looking forward to it. I hope I get in.”
Mr. Carlos seems to be eating up all of our lies.
“Have you decided on a major?”
“I haven’t decided fully, but I am thinking of going for general studies.”
“Ahh well I of course, would suggest getting a business degree like your father and I. It would serve you well, and many companies are looking to add more business women to their teams.”
“I will give it some consideration, Thank you, sir.”
“Well now that I got to know you all, I should get to the purpose of my visit.”
He grabs his brief case and is grabbing papers out of it. I honestly didn’t think about why he actually came over.
“I have an invite for your entire family to the company’s annual ball. It is different this year because the owner has selected a few special workers to bring their families.” He stands up and leans in over the table a little.
“Word has it that the owner is ready to settle down and is looking for his bride to be.”
Of course, Nancy is delighted hearing this. Her eyes flick to Shelly and back to Bob. “Is that so!” She says delicious.
“Yes, and whoever the lucky woman is, she will surely bring wealth and prestige to her family, seeing as the owner is a famous billionaire. “
At this point, Nancy is planning her daughters wedding in her head. I bit down on my lips to hold back my laughter. Her daughter might have a fake tan and expensive clothes, but she is no beauty. I know we are all beautiful in our own way, but her mean attitude and lack of character certainly does not help her case. She spent so much time overeating to make jealous that she is very overweight. Her hair is fried from her styling it. Worst of all is her frozen facial expression. She always has her nose turned up at people, and it looks like she is smelling poo from her upper lip.
“It says here the ball is tomorrow night!” Nancy says in a panic.
“I do apologize, but I had 29 other families to get to, and your last name landed you at the bottom of the list.”
“It is fine, Mr. Carlos, I was just surprised that’s all. Now that I think about it, Jan won’t be able to make it. You see, she has a charity event for cancer that night.” Mr. Carlos looked extremely mad at this, making Nancy and Bob uneasy.
“You must all come at all costs, or it would be a great insult to the company. I have you all down and your seats reserved. Can I count on you all to make it, or will there be a problem?”
“No problem at all. You can reschedule right, Jan?”
“Yes Mother.”
“Good!, now take these coupons over to the dress shop, and it should help you pay for your ball gowns and tuxedos.”
“Thank you so much. We will head down first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you all for the delicious dinner. I will see myself out now.”
“Please come again, Mr. Carlos. It had been a great honor having you as our guest.”
He got up and shook Bob’s hand and left. As soon as we heard the door close Nancy’s kind face melted right off, and her angry face came back.
“You two get cleaned up and straight to bed. You need your beauty sleep.” She points up the stairs, and the twins leave without a word.
“Jan clean up the dishes and come to Bob’s study. we need to talk to you.”
“Yes mam.” I get up and collect the remaining glasses from the table. I go into the kitchen and see that the catering crew did up all the dishes. I start cleaning up the last of them. Part of me is happy. I honestly dread doing dishes. The other part of me wants a reason to take longer. Who knows what they want to talk to me about. Probably rules for the ball. Part of me wonders if I could run away during the ball. Maybe I could secretly beg someone to take me home with them or something. It's not like I can pack anything, or they will call the cops and say I stole their stuff. I must be dreaming. No one will help me. I don't even have a penny to my name to help myself. The only way out is if I can talk them into letting me have a job or I will have to stay on the streets with no money or food. Maybe I can ask to get a job for my birthday.
I clean up the last dish and decide to just rip the Band-Aid off as they say. I head down to Bob’s study. It isn’t very large, just a small office, really. No one is allowed in there unless he says so. I am not allowed to even clean in there. I knocked a couple of times and waited.
“Come in, Jan.”
I open the door, and Nancy is sitting at the desk. I take a few steps in, and Bob shuts the door and locks it.
“Jan we have a surprise for you.” She says in a fake nice voice.
- Writer
