Elaine's POV;

"What? Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?" My mother asked

"Mom. This is so sudden. You know my answer. It's a no. It will always be a no." I said as I emphasised on the word no.

"I know dear, but your father is really happy with this proposal. In fact he is already planning your engagement." My mom replied as she looked at me with pity. She knew how I felt but still she didn't even try to convince dad.

"What the hell! Engagement?! I haven't even agreed to this. I told you I'm not getting married to John! Just please try to convince dad for me. Please mom. You know me. You know that John is like a brother to me." I pleaded to her hoping that she'd try to convince my dad.

"Elaine. I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry. Actually I lied. The proposal came two weeks ago. And I didn't tell you about it because I was trying to convince your father to say no. I tried really hard. But he said that with the way you are going, you will never get married. He asked me if there's someone else you liked. And I told him I didn't know. Which then made him say that it's decided then." My mother explained

"It's not decided mom. I'll talk to John. I'm sure he was also pressurised by his father." I said as I took another sip of my coffee

"Actually he was the one who made the proposal." My mother said in reply to which I chocked on my coffee. I coughed as I tried to take a breath. What the hell. He sent a proposal?! That jerk! He didn't even tell me anything like this. Does he even like me? What the hell is he thinking? I'm gonna have a serious talk with that guy!

"Anyhow dear, take all the time you want to think about it. In the meantime, I'll try and convince your dad." My mom replied sweetly. I knew she'd always take my side.

"I don't need time to think as I've already said no. And I'll even talk to John and tell him no. Thanks for your help." I said as my phone ringed and I answered it. It was Claire.

"Hey. Are you free now? Jackson wants to talk. It's an emergency he says. He wants us all at the conference room now." She said

"Okay sure. I'm on my way." I said as I put the phone in my bag and got up.

"Where are you going?" My mother asked as she got up too

"I'm sorry. But there's an emergency at the office. I have to go." I said as I took the last sip of my coffee and called the waitress to bring the bill.

She came with the bill and asked if I'd like to pay with cash or card. I told her cash. I've always wanted to pay by a card. But I never had any. My life is still not that great.

"I'll go home too." My mother said as she grabbed her purse

"Don't you want to eat anything? I'll pay for it so just order." I said as I finally paid the bill and the waitress was gone.

"No. I didn't come here to eat. I just wanted to talk. Oh by the way. I gave your file to the marriage centre they have. I hope you don't mind." My mother said

"What? Why? Are there even marriage centres these days? And what file? Mom!" I said as I didn't like what she just said. How could she do that. I already have to deal with John and now this.

"I'm sorry dear, but I thought you'd find someone this way. I just want you to find someone and be happy." My mother replied

"I can take care of myself. Thank you. Anyhow, I have to go. Bye. Take care. Love you." I said as I kissed her cheek and then went out.

I took a taxi and came back to the office. Everyone was at the conference room. All the staff was there. The meeting had just begun as I walked in.

"I'm happy you're here. Now let's start." Jackson said as he stood at the front. While I went and stood along Claire and Tyler at the back.

"Now, I know all of you have probably read the news about how the bank has decided to close down our company." Jackson said

"What! I didn't know this. The company is closing?!" Tyler said as he was surprised and worried

"Yeah. Now listen. The only way out is to give back the money back. And that would mean to get more loan. But instead of that, I made a decision. I know it's going to affect all of you. And I'm deeply sorry for this. I truly am. But I've sold the company. They've given us a month to clear out all our current projects and finish them. I know it'll be hard. But I'm sure we can get through this-...." Jackson said until he was cut off by Tyler who said, "You sold the company?!" And then he felt dizzy and fell down. Claire quickly got him water and helped him stand up again.

"I'm sorry for being this weak. But that news was so shocking." Tyler said to Claire

"I don't care. You're my husband. I married you knowing you were weak." Claire replied as she smiled

Tyler has been like that. Even though he is a man and should act like man. But despite how sensitive he is, he is still the best friend and I'm not gonna judge. See now these two, are high school sweethearts and are now married. That's what I envy about them. They have such strong bond, friendship and love. I wish I had that with someone. I always wanted to have something like this. A special unbroken bond.

"I'm sorry for this, really. But you all understand right?" Jackson said

"Who did you sell it too?" I asked.

"Umm...I sold it to the Zen Company." Jackson replied

"THE ZEN COMPANY?!" Claire exclaimed. Almost all of the people in the room said it at once. What is it with this company?

"Is it some famous company?" I asked Claire

"You don't know about it? It's the number one international company. It's responsible for all the main construction all throughout the world. It also has side companies that deals with steel, iron, metal and etc. And many more factories. It also has hotels and restaurants all throughout the world. It's like...I don't know how to explain. You do know the MakeBuild Steel company right?" Claire answered

"Yeah. We buy steel from them for our project." I replied. How was someone able to build so many companies in so many different fields? He must be one hell of a busy guy. Although I must say. The steel we buy from them is the best.

"Well that company is basically owned by the Zen Company." Claire said.
I now understood why it was such a big deal. We are their clients so that's why the Zen Company might have bought this. Oh shit! I still have to finish that project. Well, I had done all of it. Only a few details were left. It'll be finished in a week. I thought as I looked up and saw Jackson talking to the rest of the staff. We all knew Jackson was a nice man and even though he gets into loan trouble, he does makes the best decision for the company. And for me, I think he made the best decision that could be made. But wait a second, what will happen to our jobs?

"Hey Jackson!" I said

"Yeah." He answered

"What will happen to our jobs?" I asked

"I just told you guys. I don't know what the Zen Company is deciding to do with this company. So I can't say what will happen to your jobs." Jackson replied

"What will you be doing after this?" Tyler asked

"I've decided to start new. I'll build up a new business from scratch." Jackson replied

"Hey. You could've just merged with them right? That might've helped." I said

"I could've but that guy just said if you'll be interested in selling the company." Jackson replied

"Well we all have decided to start looking for other jobs." Claire said as she finished talking to everyone.

"Looks like we will have to look for another job now." I said. This day couldn't get any worse. 

After over working till like 11:30 at night. I head back to my house after saying goodbye to Claire and Tyler. As soon as I reached my building. I went to the first floor and went into my apartment. Ah! My apartment. I loved it so much. It wasn't that cheap nor that expensive. It wasn't that huge and not that small. It was just perfect.

After taking a shower and changing my clothes, there was a loud knock on the door. I went to check who it was and it was my landlord. And he was angry. Of course he would be angry. I hadn't paid him rent for three months.

"Oh Mr. Ray! It's so nice to see you. What brings you here?" I said as I smiled.

"Cut the crap little lady. You have only until tomorrow to get the hell out of here! I'm sorry, but we need to earn money from somewhere too!" He said angrily as he handed me a paper and then went away. I'd never seen him that angry before.

I looked at the paper and it was a warning. If I didn't leave by tomorrow, he'd take me to court. Okay now this was getting messed up. My savings aren't enough to pay for the rent. I quickly called Claire and told her all about this.

"Why don't you come stay with us?" Claire asked

"Thanks for the offer. But no. I think I'll go back home." I replied

"But you're being kicked out of your home." Claire said

"Not this home. By home I meant my parents house. I will go back there. I'll have to call mom. Talk to you later." I said as I end the call. I took one look at my apartment. It wasn't fair. But for some reason, I felt that it wasn't fair to Mr. Ray either. He deserved all his money. I then started packing everything. It wasn't that much but I still managed to pack everything. It was now around 2:30. Everyone must've been sleeping by now. But I still called my mother.
After the fourth bell she picked up the phone.

"Hello, Elaine. Is everything alright?" She asked

"Everything's fine. Remember how you always wanted me to move back home?" I said as I bit my lower lip. I just hoped she'd agree without asking much questions.

"Yeah." She replied. She was getting worried and anxious.

"Well I'm coming back home tomorrow, mom." I said.
I didn't want to leave my apartment. I didn't even want to leave my job. Everything was falling apart. First that stupid marriage proposal, and then the company being sold and then me having to leave my job and finally when I thought I could get peace, I ended up being kicked out of my apartment. Everything that I had worked so hard in building over the past few years were now taken from me in an instance.

Please vote and comment! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I spent a lot of time thinking on this chapter because I couldn't figure out some things. Does marriage centres sound weird? I don't even know if things like that even exist. Well it is a fictional world. So please don't judge and just enjoy reading! Thanks!