Jane’s employers planned a lavish holiday and included her to care for their children. They assured her that all expenses were covered, but upon returning home, they demanded Jane repay the cost of her plane tickets. However, Jane wasn’t going to back down easily.
“Jane, can you come into the living room?” Mrs.
Smith called, her teaspoon clinking as she stirred her tea.
I was tidying up the playroom. “Now, please,” she added.
Something felt off. I walked into the living room, trying to stay calm.
“Sure, Mrs. Smith. What’s up?” I replied, wiping disinfectant on my jeans.
She sat on the couch, perfectly poised. Mr. Smith, with his phone in hand, gave me a tight smile.
“Jane, we need to talk about the vacation.”
I nodded, curious.
We had been home for two days from our trip to a seaside resort. Despite the luxurious setting, I had the Smiths’ three children and the Johnsons’ two sons to care for.
“Of course,” I said. “It was a lovely trip.
Thank you again for inviting me.”
“Yes, well,” Mrs. Smith started. “We need to discuss the plane tickets.
When will you be able to return the $1000?”
I blinked, sure I misheard her. “Sorry, $1000? For the tickets?
What?”
“Yes, Jane,” she spoke slowly, as if I was stupid. “We thought you’d be grateful enough to pay us back.”
My heart raced. I didn’t have that kind of money.
“But you told me everything was sorted. You said, ‘Don’t worry about it, Jane. We’ve got it all covered.’”
Mrs.
Smith’s expression hardened. Mr. Smith gazed at me.
“That was before the Johnsons refused a business deal. We needed to woo them. So, there’s no need to seem generous now, Jane.
You have one week to return the money, or it will be taken from your pay.”
I was stunned. “But I can’t afford that, Mrs. Smith.
Most of my salary goes to my rent and my mother’s medication. And you didn’t mention paying you back!”
“That’s not our problem, Jane. One week,” Mr.
Smith reiterated, signaling the end of the discussion.
That night, in my tiny room near the Smiths’ house, I seethed. How could they do this? I needed a plan.
Then it hit me: the Smiths cared deeply about their social standing and reputation.
“Of course, that’s all they care about,” I muttered, brushing my teeth before bed. “But I can use that to my advantage.”
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