~ Melis ~
As I walked out of the building, all I wanted was for this endless search to be over. But for that to happen, I first had to find a woman who met the specific conditions!
Exhausted, I spotted a bench nearby and sat down. I placed the file next to me and took off my sunglasses, setting them on top of the folder. A small voice made me turn my head.
A boy, about eight or nine years old, was standing there. He looked at me with terrified eyes.
"Ma'am, I'm lost. I can't find my aunt!"
I screamed internally. Great. Just what I needed! As if I didn't have enough problems, now I was attracting bad luck.
"Who let you in here?" I asked, my voice sharp.
The boy took two steps back, frightened by my tone. His eyes darted around. Suddenly, footsteps approached from my right. I turned to see a young woman running toward the child. From the uniform she was wearing, it was obvious she was the company's cleaner.
She reached the boy, hugged him tightly, and frantically asked where he had been. Then, realizing I was watching, she stood up and looked at me with fearful eyes.
"Miss Melis!" she stammered.
"Since when has this company become a playground!?" I snapped.
The child hid behind the woman's legs.
"I'm so sorry, but I had no one to leave him with, so I had to bring him to work," she explained, her voice trembling.
"Go to Human Resources and sign your resignation papers!" I said coldly.
I turned my back to leave, but a hand grabbed my arm. My anger spiked.
"Miss Melis, please don't!"
I spun around, glaring at her hand. She immediately pulled back and clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
"I need this job!" she begged.
"There are plenty of people who need jobs!" I retorted, dismissing her tears.
She lowered her head in defeat. I turned back to grab my sunglasses and the file. Just then, the little boy spoke up, tears streaming down his face.
"Ma'am, please don't fire my aunt! If you do, we won't have money for the bad men."
I froze.
Bad men? Money?
The woman quickly pulled the child close. "Umut, what did I tell you!" she warned him through her tears. Then she took his hand and looked at me again, desperation written all over her face.
"Miss Melis, please give me one last chance. I promise it won't happen again."
I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing.
"Do you have debt?" I asked directly.
She avoided my gaze, looking down at the ground.
"I asked you a question!"
She nodded slowly. "Yes."
A small, hidden smile formed inside me. Bingo.
"What is your name?"
"Zeynep... Zeynep EMEK," she said, her voice shaking.
I put my sunglasses back on.
"You will find out tomorrow whether you are fired or not! Now, get back to work!"
A look of relief washed over her face. "Thank you so much!" she cried out gratefully.
"You weren't fired today! There is no guarantee you won't be fired tomorrow!" I reminded her sharply.
Her smile faded instantly.
I clutched the file tightly in my hands and turned to look at Zeynep one last time as she walked away.
I hope I'm not wrong this time...