Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Ch 226: Strike while it’s hot
*Ring*

As soon as she left the clinic, Rika’s phone buzzed. The caller ID showed up as her mother’s, making Rika suspicious that her mother was spying on her.

The call went to voice mail before her phone began ringing again.

Rika felt it would continue to ring until she picked it up, so she decided to get this over with and pick up her mother’s call.

“I have a proposal for you. Before you turn me down, know this is important, and I am doing this for your good.”

Those opening words from her mother did not invoke any sense of relief in Rika’s heart.

If anything, she felt even more afraid and agitated when she heard her mother speak. She was not sure what her mother was about to say.

“Rika, how about an internship at our company this next month? You can pause your school and let me take care of it. I want you to come in and see how work is being done here-”

“Mom, ask Suzie to do this. I do not have time for your company.”

Rika cut the phone off, not hearing what her mother said adequately. She figured that if it was something important, her mother could call her again…

*Ringgggg*

‘It’s not even been a minute. Shit! I think Mom is serious this time. I must find a way to turn her down more firmly this time.’

Rika sighed and picked up the phone.

Before she could even get a word out, her mother cleared Rika’s doubts regarding the post she was offering.

“I am not asking you to come and work for the company forever. I want you in for this one-month paid internship. If you are worried about your university, I will handle it. As for your part-time job, I will ask Rocxx to arrange something.”

Rika had to admit that her mother was good at this.

Not only did she pinpoint most of Rika’s worries, but she also offered to take care of them for her. It was a nice gesture from her side.

Anyone else would have given in at this point and agreed with her mother’s suggestion.

However, Rika could not help but feel suspicious when her mother behaved this way. It meant that her mother had something planned out for her.

“Mom, what are you planning? You do realise that we did not part on good terms. It will be too awkward for me to come and work for you. And what about Mark and Suzie? Did you talk to them? Don’t they have something to say about me working at your company?”

Since her mother had personally called Rika for this post, Rika felt it was not a tiny post.

That also meant that it had many implications that would make her the centre of attention. Rika wanted to avoid being considered a candidate for succession along with Suzie and Mark.

She just wanted to live a quiet life.

“Rika, it has to be you. Mark is too temperamental, and Suzie is…let’s not talk about her now. She’s grounded and will likely remain that way until she realises her mistakes have consequences.”

“For now, could you accept this post from me? I promise it is not a post with much fanfare or responsibility. It will also look good on your future resume.”

When her mother put it like that, Rika knew she had a point. Rika’s portfolio was a mess, but this was her first year.

‘No, maybe the mother has a point. I should get this all over before I get super busy with my studies and other things. Knowing Mother, she will not give up until she gets what she wants anyway,’

Rika sighed before deciding to let things happen.

“Fine! You do not leave me with any choice but to accept your offer. So, when do I show up at your office, and what is the dress code?”

Rika asked with a tired sigh.

She instantly regretted asking that question and could feel her mother’s giddiness even through her phone.

“Oh! Just show up anytime tomorrow. I will take care of anything else that needs to be done. As for the dress code? There is none. Now, I will see you tomorrow.”

Her mother cut the phone off, and Rika sighed one last time that night.

“Looks like I cannot escape Mother’s clutches no matter what I do. Thankfully, it seems she will give up on me if I suck it up this last time and do as she wants me to do.”

Shuu replied with a cheerful bark, and he jumped around Rika to show his happiness after hearing these words.

It made Rika feel better, but she knew she would regret her actions soon.

After all, her life was a constant cycle of disappointment for her. There was no escaping this feeling for as long as she was alive.

…

“Honey, you seem to be in a good mood today. Did something nice happen at your office today?”

Miss Ford asked her husband as she watched him hum and eat his food. She had never seen this man look this satisfied before.

“A lot of nice things happened today, but the most important one to notice is the nice opportunity I am about to create for our Luna. Our bright daughter deserved everything in the world.”

“Luna, make me proud tomorrow. I will be taking you to the office so that you can get more experience. You must work hard and secure an early post, alright?”

Mister Ford looked at his daughter with a proud look on his face. He looked confident in her abilities, but the daughter did not respond to her father’s words.

She rolled her eyes and continued to eat her food.

The family was happy that night, their minds at peace because they were unaware of the future.

But little did they know that this small opportunity Mister Ford was thinking of snatching would become the cornerstone of their future.