You Broke Me

“Keep on driving now!” Lawrence ordered, trying to snap him out of his shock.

What?! Why was Lawrence advising him to flee the crime scene? The child was gonna die.

“Lawrence, we cannot just leave them here” He refused, still looking shocked at the whole situation. This was the first time in a long time he was stranded in the middle of such an emotional trauma. He found it difficult to think of the smartest move to make. He was often smarter than this. He was often reckless and crafty. He often had a way…all the time. What the heck was wrong now?

“You have to drive Seb! Drive now! She will get help from some other vehicle” He was urged by Lawrence who had turned on the car engine himself forcefully. Seb said nothing more. Lawrence might be right. There were lots of vehicles always plying that road at night. He couldn’t take the risk of getting caught by the police or losing his new promotion as a Manager. He had achieved this position of his after so much effort from his end. Without thinking deeper about this, he raced off leaving the young mother and her daughter in the middle of the road in the pool of her blood. His hands trembled uncontrollably as his breathing got heavier and heavier. His heart was beating faster and faster. Staring at the rear mirror of his vehicle to catch sight of the woman one more time, he watched her pressing her young child against her bosom, crying really hard. This shattered him into a thousand pieces. He had a mother and a young sister. He couldn’t do this. Why wasn’t any car showing up behind him yet? Why was the road so dead silent with just a woman and her child in the middle of the highway? Why wasn’t anyone helping out? Should he call the ambulance for her?

He had had enough of asking his mind questions at that moment. He had to take a step now. It was better late than never. Stopping the car beside the road, he grabbed hold of his phone from his dashboard in order to call the nearest ambulance.

“I knew you would do this” Lawrence nagged in anger, seizing the phone from him. Seb gazed at him wondering what he meant with a confused look. The next thing he had felt was a very hard hit behind his head causing him to fall unconscious. He couldn’t recall what happened next after that. Everything was all black and quiet, at least for a short while. Why the heck had Lawrence hit him though?

6 HOURS AGO (KIN AND DAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY)

“How many more vehicles are yet to be imported to Toronto port?” Sebestian asked Lola, his petite looking secretary who walked in with some documents in her hands. Her well ironed Armani Collezioni gray suit attracted his attention at first just like the other days in the past because he hadn’t seen many female employees in his company put on something so good looking and expensive. Her beautiful nice hour glass shape came later. Being used to the sight of that, he barely cared much about it anymore.

“There are 20 vehicles imported so far. All are in good shape” She responded to his question, adjusting her medical recommended glasses and staring into his eyes with her upturned eye structure..

He had nodded at every word she said tapping his pen on the table like a bored schooler waiting patiently for recess period.

“I love your suit by the way. How many sets do you own?” He asked, drawing his laptop closer to him and dropping his pen softly, having in mind to proceed with his duties as an assistant Manager of a very prestigious company in the United States.

“I have 8 of them. Two were given to me by my fiance during my 23rd birthday party while 6 were ordered from Buy.com” She replied with a slight smile as if proud of her statement.

“These suits are one the greatest of its kind. I barely see ladies wearing them in this office. Maybe because perhaps it’s too expensive for them. You chose to embrace it and not mind the cost. That’s a good thing” He praised with a wink. She nodded like a child.

“So, what do you have for me today Miss Lola?” He asked, diving into the business of the day. Realizing she had brought some documents with her and hadn’t come empty handed, she hurriedly placed the documents and a brown envelope on his table, explaining they had all come from the head office. As she explained this, she spoke pretty quickly causing him to find it difficult to make out what she was saying exactly. He wondered if she was nervous or had something going on in her head.

“I couldn’t hear what you said. Please calm down and speak more slowly” He had brought that to her notice. She apologized.

“I am sorry. There was just lots of information sent to me through the mail regarding the documents sent to me” She explained fondling with her engagement ring. Seb seemed to understand the situation now. There was definitely going to be a layoff.

“They are thinking of laying off more workers aren’t they?” He asked, rubbing his forehead with no surprise stare. She nodded.

“The list of the workers to be laid off are in the brown envelope at the left” He gazed at the envelope she had pointed out. “The rest of the documents contain the reason why they are going to be laid off. The industry has a new plan of rescheduling a date for another recruitment. It should be the beginning of next month. The exact date is still yet to be concluded on”

Seb groaned.

“This is bullshit. They laid off 30 workers 2 months ago. Do they wanna make it a habit now to be laying off workers?” He asked in frustration, giving the envelope a hateful look. Lola said nothing. Her eyes were peering down to the floor as if feeling concerned about something. He wouldn’t be surprised if she was worried about her job. She had been one of the few workers retained in the past 6 months. If there was going to be a mass layoff,there was a huge chance she might be a part of them.

“Lola, you will not be terminated. I promise you that” He gave her his word, hoping he was right about his assumption. She stared up at him with tears filled eyes, trying so hard to appear strong. He was right. She was getting worked out by the whole situation.

“I do not wish to get fired, Sebestian” She pleaded as if her pleading would change anything. At least it was worth trying.

“We are not sure if your name is in this list yet but i will try my best. You need to understand though that this list is from the Head office and their statement always stamps as the end. I have no connections with the bosses. I cannot…”

“Your dad is a politician. He can help out” She cut in immediately clearing her tears. He scoffs.

“I do not get help from my dad. I am sorry Lola. My dad and i don't always get along. It will take a lot for me to plead to him on your behalf” He told her with a reluctant look. She accepted helplessly.

“Be positive, your name might not be in this list…and if by chance it is, i will link you with an even better company. I give you my word”

“You will?” she asked with a hopeful stare.

“I always do that Lola. I do that to my dedicated employees”

Lola's mood brightened up. She thanked him and walked out feeling much more optimistic than before. This happiness he had caused in her sent a rush of adrenaline in him. He couldn't help but smile at himself because he’d know how much he deprived happiness from making others happy. That was what he wanted. To radiate happiness all around him and not be in the middle of a chaos. That was what he despised so much. Unnecessary chaos. His brain couldn’t handle that. Grabbing hold of the documents, he glanced through each and everyone of them and hissed realizing the reason for firing the workers were always the same every time. They were either slacking off, coming late to work or not working as efficiently. Didn’t they keep them in their jobs for a great reason 2 months ago? A reason which ought to be beneficial to the company’s growth. Was he trying to be told now, that the workers retained in their jobs 2 months ago had gotten lazy and less efficient, just enough to be laid off. Fuming, he had grabbed hold of the brown envelope and walked out of his office hurrying towards the manager cabin. The office walkway had employees trooping around with files minding their own business, having no clue some of them would be laid off by mid day. This wasn’t fair. Definitely not fair at all.

“What the bullshit is this?” He asked, throwing the brown envelope on the manager’s desk forgetting his position in the company. The manager stared at it in confusion wondering what the cause of his anger was. The balding middle aged man shrugged his shoulders seeking more details on why he was acting like a spoiled toddler. “They are laying off more workers, Henry. They are! Again!”

Henry didn’t seem surprised hearing that.

“Okay…so…why are you pissed off? You aren’t part of them. Did you even get all the details in the envelope yet?” The man asked in amusement.

“What other details am I to know? There is nothing more important than the partial treatment in this office. All that matters is the unfair treatment of the workers”

“As if you will care about the unfair treatment of the workers when you learn what else is in that envelope” Henry told him with a laugh. Sebestian went from a roaring Lion to a curious puppy in a flash. He gave Henry a curious gaze as he proceeded to sit wondering what other news Lola hadn’t informed him yet.

“What else is going on?” he asked.

“This information ought to be confdential but since you’re one of the top runners of this company, I am gonna tell you. You’re right about the workers being laid off. It’s a step the industry had to take due to the decline in the workforce and the need for new fresh employees. You know, more talented young minds. Aside from that though, the company will also be promoting some workers who had been considered efficient and helpful enough to be upgraded to a higher rank. My friend, there is a chance, you are gonna take my place here in this luxurious office and there is also a chance i would be moved over to the head office” Henry explained with an enthusiastic tone.

There was a smile on Sebestian lips. He hadn’t expected that.

“That means there is a chance Lola could be promoted” He said to himself feeling relieved the percentage for her to be laid off was low.

“Yes, Exactly. But looking away from Lola, I do not think you get this. You are going to be promoted as a manager. I do not understand why you put others before yourself sometimes. You will be a manager and earn ten times your regular pay. Isn’t that one thing to be happy about? Let us imagine others do not exist at the moment…not even Lola…” In Seb’s mind, Henry was obviously wondering what kind of guy he was to spend his whole time thinking about the well being of a low ranking employee rather than thinking about his own promotion. Seb smiled.

“I am glad about my promotion as well. I just couldn’t help it. So when will the board meeting be called?” he gazed at his watch.

“It will begin in 30 minutes time. I will be opening up the envelope then” The manager informed him, giving the envelope a pat. He imagined the envelope being the Manager’s new treasured item for the next 30 minutes…at least, so that no one opens it up and reads the head office confidential information. Try to be his lovely baby for this short period of time, envelope. Enjoy the privilege while it lasts.

***

The outcome of the board meeting was not a good time for some employees because some had hurried out immediately in tears unable to control their emotion. Seb suppressed his guilt as much as he could. It was really a lot for him to see. While some employees laughed it off and packed their items with an optimistic look condemning the industry anyway, others could barely make it back to their desk without breaking down cursing both the owners of the companies and the managers who did nothing to talk this out…this included him. There were a total of 30 workers laid off that day and a total of 20 workers promoted to higher positions. Luckily, Lola had been upgraded to being the head of the sales department since she was highly knowledgeable about vehicle SEO and was very amazing in marketing. Her smile and the sight of seeing her on the phone having a long conversation with her fiance regarding this good news caused him to feel good. Why was he glad? He could not understand. He couldn’t just help it.

“This isn’t gonna be your office anymore Seb. Get going” Becky, the new assistant manager in his place, had informed him as she walked in with her cartons of items ready to move in. Seb ignored her time conscious habit. He was upgraded to a higher ranking and that was what mattered.

Later that evening, he pulled his car over at the Sober bar having a plan in mind to drink to stupor since it was one thing he loved to do when he was too excited to keep in his emotions. His friends had agreed to meet him up at the bar, bringing up the idea of discussing his plans once he got his first pay and the country he would love to visit for his vacations.

“I have visited almost every place.. My dad spoiled me as a child. I do not think traveling with my first pay will be anything new to me. It is obviously not a great a good idea” He informed Lawrence who immediately gave him a slap on the back.

“Come on! Budapest isn’t bad. You haven’t gone there yet” The guy suggested. Seb felt the tingling pain of the slap on his back but preferred to ignore it.

“Or you could just go to Dubia. I heard that place is a site to see” Alfred added.

“I will do my research and decide for myself for now, i will love as many shots of Tequila i can get” He had waved forward the bartender who smiled knowing his regular.

“One shot of Tequila it is”

The more he drank, the more he felt his mind get light and his weight lifted off him. Luckily, the place was a combination of a bar and a small club which only operated at night, so once the DJ started off the music and the ladies came over, he had danced the night away with them, rocking his body on theirs being the life of the occasion. Since he was a good looking rich young man, so many ladies swam around him acting seductive in so many ways. Some had carrassed their hands all about his skin trying to turn him on while others had grinded him with their butts. This would have ended up as a successful one night stand for him. He’d almost given in to a pretty blonde haired lady who had buried her lips in his while on the dance floor and ran her hands all over his back trying to get to his weak points. Luckily, his friends had pulled him off her just in time informing him it was time to leave.

“One more shot please! One more shot!” He ordered the bartender who didn’t care about his drunken state. All he wanted was the fund. Whenever he was held for someone's reckless state, the bolded writing “DRINK RESPONSIBLY” sign he had pasted on the bar counter was ready to back him up. He was holding no responsibility for anyone's careless action.

“Stop this one Seb! You are so drunk. You have to go home” Alfred informed him, helping him up.

“I just want one more shot. i promise” Seb gave his word grabbing hold of the glass of drink. The drink sharply retreated back from him.

“No more drink. You have to go home now. You mum has called me up so many times asking me where you are. I couldn’t even tell her you are in a bar”

Seb groaned.

“Fine! I will drive” At these words, he pulled out his car keys and hurried out of the bar.

“No. You cannot drive in your drunken state” Lawrence stopped him with shock wondering why he wanted to get himself into trouble so badly.

“Just let me drive, Law! '' Seb pushed him off and hurried into the driver’s seat. Lawrence watched him in frustration. Was he gonna watch him drive home in a drunken state like that? He could barely keep his eyes open not to talk about making out where the steering wheel was.

“Go with him. we cannot leave him all by himself” Alfred suggested to Lawrence as they both watched Seb struggle to start the engine. Lawrence nodded in agreement and hurried off toward the car.

“I swear, if you do anything stupid. You are out” He threatened watching the poor guy struggle to move the gear as he got in.

“I am fine” The guy assured him, putting on a really loud music which blasted from the car stereo. His friend groaned.

***

Seb woke up the next morning with a very splitting headache. He was barely able to keep his eyes open due to the bright sunlight that flooded into his room through his open window. Who the heck opened the window and what the heck was going on with him? He could barely remember what happened the previous night. At least, not just yet.

His mum walked into his room with a glass of lemon juice looking concerned for him. She offered him the drink and stroked his silky blonde soft hair wondering why he got so drunk. After he was done with the drink, he got more conscious of his environment and recalled clearly that his mum was not in his home the previous day.

“When did you arrive here?” he asked as he tried sitting comfortably, resting his back on the bed headboard.

“I got here yesterday afternoon. I came to see you but you weren’t home. Luckily, your maid was able to recognize me and let me in. What is going on with you my boy? Why did you get so drunk like this?” She asked with concern.

“I think I got a promotion or something. I do not know. So much happened yesterday” He informed her still feeling the headache. She smiled.

“There are other ways to celebrate an achievement other than getting drunk. Your health will be at risk my love” His mum advised him, dropping the empty glass on his side stool. He knew she was right.

“I know. That is why I barely do this all the time. Have you eaten?” he asked her, holding her hands in his.

“Silly boy, I am concerned for you and you are reversing the topic to me.Your maid prepared me something nice. Yes I have” She responded, nodding. “I had to thank Lawrence for getting you here safely yesterday. He was looking so concerned for you. You were totally blacked out when he brought you here. I barely recognized you”

“Lawrence brought me home?” he was clueless on what she was talking about.

“It’s normal not to understand at first Honey. Your temporary Amnesia will be gone soon" His mum comforted. She seems to avoid putting pressure on him. He didn’t need her to do that. He was already doing that himself. What the heck happened the previous day? His phone rang interrupting his thoughts. Grabbing hold of it, Lawrence's name flashed on the caller’s id.

“Are you fine?” Lawrence asked. He mumbled a yes. He wasn’t sure he had heard him well but if he had then it was great because he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. “Seb, yesterday was bad. Really bad. The young girl died due to blood loss. Her mum has filed a report against you through your number plate. She was able to get your car number plate Seb”

Lawrence informed him with a panicked tone.

“What young girl?” He asked, perplexed, still trying to get his memory back. Suddenly, the whole incident flooded back into his memory, getting him to recall each and every event that occurred the previous night. The young woman wails striked deeply into his ears. He could remember the young child bleeding. He recalled trying to call the ambulance but Lawrence stopped him. Why did that idiot do that?! Now the young woman was going to fire a report against him and send him behind bars…because of his mistake. He had killed the girl. He had killed the young girl. He was a murderer. At these thoughts, his face got frozen. He felt his mum tap him continuously trying to figure out what was going on with him. He paid no attention to her.

“How…how old was the child?” He asked, still unable to control his emotions.

“She was just four years old. According to the news, her mother is a single mother. A rape victim to be precise. She was raped during her teen years and dropped out of school due to lack of funds. She doesn’t have enough influence to send you behind bars and nevertheless, no one knows it’s you yet. Your plate number is difficult to track down. Even if by chance, they track you down…your dad will help you out of this. I am very sure you will be fine”

Sebastian said nothing. He hung up immediately and hurried out of his bed into the washroom, ignoring his mum’s questions on what was going on. Turning on his tap, he washed his face with the clean sparkling water wondering what to do. What step was he to take now? She was a single mother…she was rape victim…she had no influence…she only had her child…what the heck was he going to do? How would he prevent this case from escalating?