I read slowly through the document. The terms of employment are clearly stipulated at the top of the page in simple enough English. I have no cause to misunderstand anything. I gasp loudly as my eye catch sight of the number of zeros at the bottom of the page, just before the line where I have to place my signature.
“This...,” I say, looking up at Mandy as if to verify if my eyes are working correctly. “Fifteen thousand dollars...Is that for real?”
“As you can see,” Mandy says with a tight smile. “You will be paid an advance of five thousand dollars, and you’ll get the balance as soon as your work is done.”
My heart picks up speed at the thought of what I could do with that much money. I don’t have to think twice about it. My family needs this. And without bothering to read the rest of the contract, I pick up a pen from the table and quickly sign my name.
I don’t care what I have to do in the next three months, as long as my account balance reflects the number of zeros on that paper.
“Great,” Mandy says with a satisfied smirk that raises my hackles. “Now that you’ve signed the contract, I must tell you that your decision is irreversible. Backing out will have a heavy penalty. I’m sure you read it all in there.”
I missed that part, but I nod my head with a tight smile. “Of course. I’ll do my best.”
“I hope you do. For your sake,” Mandy says ominously. She pulls out another file from the stack on the table and hands it to me. “The person you will be taking care of is the CEO of Diamond Investments; therefore, you’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement. You will say nothing of what you see or do in his home for the duration of your stay. You will not cross any boundaries set and will stay in your quarters at all times. You’ll....”
“What do you mean stay in my quarters?” I ask, my brows pulling together in confusion.
“You read the contract, didn’t you?” Mandy asks, looking at me like a nitwit whom she can’t wait to get out of her hair. “It’s clearly stated there.”
Beth has always berated me for my impulsive tendencies, but it’s at this moment that I begin to feel the irresponsibility of my actions. I’d been so blinded by the pay that I refused to read fully through the contract.
I swallow hard and chuckle awkwardly. “Of course! I totally read that...It’s in there, of course.”
Mandy sighs like she’s tired of dealing with me already. “If you flip to the next page, you will see the patient’s records and medical history. Look through and let me know if you have any questions.”
I flip the page that she indicated and let my eyes scroll down the patient’s medical history. I flip to the next page and freeze in shock as the patient’s picture jumps out at me.
I glance at the name just to confirm my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me and let out an unconscious gasp. The page trembles slightly as my hands begin to shake.
My breath quickens, and I can feel a panic setting in.
Mandy’s brow knots in a frown as she looks at my face. “Miss Smith? Are you alright?”
I slam the file closed and throw it on the table like it’s on fire. I stand up jerkily, nervously twisting my fingers. “I...Um...I need to go. I mean, I need to go to the restroom. Please?”
“Down the hallway to your left,” Mandy says, looking at me like I’m crazy.
I turn around and run out of the room like a demon’s hot on my heels.
“Please, pick up. Pick up, Beth....” I mutter to myself, chewing desperately on my fingernails. I feel like I’m going to faint if Beth doesn’t pick up the phone soon. She’s the only one that can make sense of the mess I’ve gotten myself into.
“Hi, sis!”
My heart swells with relief as Beth’s always optimistic voice comes through the line.
“Hey?” I say in a shaky voice, pressing the phone closer to my ear. “Beth, I think I’m in trouble. I...I was so blinded by the pay that I just went right ahead and signed the contract. I should have known that it was too good to be true. Fifteen thousand dollars in three months just to attend to a sick man. What do I do, Beth? Please tell me what to do?”
“What are you talking about, Abby?” Betty asks. She sounds as confused as I feel at the moment. “Calm down and talk to me slowly.”
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I...I got the job.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it,” Beth asks, sounding elated yet confused. “Shouldn’t you be glad, sis?”