Conflicted Emotions

"Mom, what is going on? Why am I not receiving any communication? Now I'm slowly losing it." Amanda cried.

Joshua was also hesitant to reveal. He could not even handle the situation.

He stayed silent and deliberated over his words to avoid upsetting Amanda further.

"It is alright. I will speak." Joshua broke the silence.

Taking Amanda's hands and staring into her eyes, Joshua leaned forward and said, "I do not think your mum would be inclined to admit to what she did."

"Oh! How can I explain this to you? I don't want you to feel sad," Josh halted and faced the ground.

Amanda is his favorite colleague at Lead way Gold Mine.

He did not want her heart to be broken by telling her about the disastrous event.

"What do you mean? Say something, please? I am going crazy." The voice faded as she pleaded.

Her face was slowly flushed, and her ears were widening to make sure she did not miss anything Joshua might reveal.

Megan saved Joshua from the stress just as he was about to tell everything. "I stole a one million dollar check out of his pocket."

"I would act as though I had not heard that. This is a crazy joke.

Mom, tell me you did not do it." Amanda was taken aback and questioned her mother's admission.

"I also do not feel guilty about what I did. I had no other choice.

I did it to keep a roof over our heads," Megan said, denying any regret for what she had done.

"You do not even feel regret for your actions. You realize you run the risk of going to jail?" Amanda wondered if she had convinced her mother to make such an absurd admission.

"I know I should have mentioned this earlier, but your dad took out a massive loan from the bank when he was alive.

He was unable to repay it.

The bank has returned to seize the home.

I had to take action because I could not bear to see us end up homeless.

Before Josh entered the bank, I overheard him talking on the phone.

I purposely ran into him to make my plans flawless. I do not fear going to jail." Megan confessed with an open heart.

She did not cry or feel depressed about what had happened. Amanda was at a loss for words.

She was completely unaware of her late father's loan application.

Her current predicament appears to be one that she will never be able to escape.

"Now what are we going to do? Are all the charges against her being dropped?" Amanda turned to Joshua.

She was hoping he would comfort her, but he ignored her and said nothing.

"Please do something," she said, dropping to her knees and clutching Josh's trousers.

"Arise! Others are observing. You are making me look foolish," Joshua tried to get her to get up.

She refused and stayed on the ground, begging him to not charge her mother with anything.

"I am unable to! I have outgrown it now. The Boss is already aware of this.

I would rather not tell him."

Joshua crushed her heart and dashed her dreams of ever seeing her mother out of prison alive.

Amanda understands the challenges of working for Maxwell, even without a criminal case like this.

"You have always struck me as a clown. I asked you to do just this, but you decided to ruin my life instead.

I believed that we were the best of friends." Amanda expressed her disappointment at Joshua.

She thought he'd be her mother's easiest route to freedom.

"I would like to.

He has no idea that you are involved in this. You ought to go speak with him.

Excuse me, but I would rather not get involved.

I am leaving this place," Joshua left Amanda alone to confront her fears.

"Are you pleased now? Your attempt to drag me into your mess has been successful." Amanda narrowed her eyes on her mother.

"I apologize for involving you in my personal affairs.

I was unaware of the involvement of your boss.

What can I do to fix it? I genuinely want to make things right." Megan finally realized her mistakes and felt bad about it.

"I am returning to the organization to speak with Maxwell. I hope he hears me. But if he doesn't..." She paused and reprimanded her mother before leaving the station.

**********

Amanda was shivering when she got to the company.

She has worked for Maxwell for more than five years, but she still does not get along with him.

There appears to be no affection between these two.

He was too egotistical and cruel for her.

Before gently knocking on the door, she made a cross sign and gestured to his office.

"Enter," he said from within.

She discovered some men inside whom she assumed were business associates.

"Well, I apologize. I was unaware that you were hosting guests.

When your associates have left, I will return." Amanda turned around to return.

"No, it is all right.

The discussion is over.

Just as they were about to leave the office, you knocked.

Come sit down," Maxwell said, preventing her from leaving.

He made Amanda participate in the already-concluded meeting.

Shortly after she arrived, the business associates began leaving the office a few minutes later.

"I do not remember requesting your presence. Why did you come to my office?" Almost immediately after his colleagues left, Maxwell turned his attention to Amanda.

"Oh, sir. How do I say this?"

Her voice trailed back.

"I have a lot of work to do today. If you are at a loss for words, I would suggest that you leave my office right away." He was getting impatient.

She sank to the ground on both knees at full speed.

"You must be aware that earlier this morning, a certain woman stole your check.

That was my mother.

I assure you, she is not a thief. Rather, she's a good woman.

All she had to do was pay back the loan my father had taken before he passed away, using our house as a collateral.

She did not wish for us to become homeless.

I am confident that you can drop all charges against her because you are a good man.

The bank has returned to seize our home," Amanda explained, caressing her shirt as if she were a child.

"I have been eagerly awaiting this day.

You remember that I am a good man, and now you need my help." Maxwell giggled.

"I have no animosity towards your mother. The fact that I received my check back is what counts.

But I am not going to let your mum survive this.

She needs some torture to clear her mind," Maxwell declared. Amanda's tears meant nothing to him.

"Please, sir." You are now my best chance.

For my previous unruly behavior towards you, I sincerely apologize.

This is a serious condition, and I cannot stand by and watch my mother go to jail," Amanda sobbed uncontrollably.

She continued to beg Maxwell to give her request another chance.

After letting out a long sigh, he turned to face Amanda and commanded her to rise.

"Take a seat. I want to give you a better choice than what you are asking me right now."

"And what is it about?" She raised her eyebrows and asked confused.

"If I understand you correctly, you said that your mother stole the check because she needed the money to pay off the 500 thousand dollars bank loan?"

"Yes, but what significance does that have in this context?"

"What if I dismiss all the charges and offset the $500k loan?"

"You are kidding? Tell me this is a joke, please," Amanda gasped for Joy.

"Avoid becoming overly enthusiastic. There is a cost associated with it.

Are you prepared for the task ahead of you?"

"What is that?" Amanda asked, still looking clueless.

"The company is about to close a deal with a top company. All they need is to see my son, the managing director of Lead way Gold mine get married," Maxwell divulged.

Despite Maxwell's explanation, she remained perplexed.

She merely sat there, dummy-like, in front of him.

"I have yet to understand.

Why do you tell me this? Go get a wife for your son." Amanda became extremely agitated.

"You are the answer to that.

Only three years will be covered by the contract.

You have the option to file for divorce once the agreement is off." Maxwell added.

Instantly, Amanda refused Maxwell's request, indicating that she was not even interested.

"Even when it comes to your mother's liberty?

I am sure you would rather not end up homeless on the streets after your home is being confiscated by the bank?

The loan can be repaid, and all charges against your mother will be dropped.

You ought to be glad that I am ready to help.x

"Never! Good luck finding your son a wife." She slammed the door in the exit.