The Wolf Among Us

When I started working at salvation academy, I only had Peter as a friend, we knew each other right from secondary school and he was the one that got me the job.

But there is something beautiful about the teaching job; it is one big family. The day you become a part of the school, everyone becomes your friend.

I noticed something, although I always mind my business and barely interact with other staff, I realized that the teachers are overly nice.

The way they greeted me with smiles on their faces was so welcoming, I felt nothing but love.

After spending some time in the school, I started mingling with other teachers, and work started making sense.

I later discovered that Peter was close to Hassan and Juliet.

Two of our staff who were known for dedication and hard work.

Oftentimes, when they are free, they talk about different things, such as education, life, their challenges, progress, and so on.

I joined them along the line, and the four of us became friends. They became one of the best things that has happened to me in the school.

We gossip, encourage, and support each other like a family.

But something strange used to happen, whenever we talked about something, after a while, we heard it from other staff.

At first, it was about Juliet's cheating boyfriend who deceived her that he was going to marry her, even engaged her, but ended up marrying another woman.

This was something only the four of us discussed and promised to keep a secret, but the whole school knew about it and we don't know how it came about.

After managing to tackle the issue and tendering so many apologies to Juliet, she eventually forgave us, and everything got back to normal.

In those days, the school owed me, the proprietress only gave me half of my salary and pleaded that she would complete it when school fees were paid. I didn't argue, I accepted.

The following week, the proprietress announced that the school closing time had been extended and that there would be extra lessons after school.

It was hard on us, imagine working for a small pay, receiving part payment, and having a lot of work. We all murmured, but no one stood against it in her presence.

That day, when we were interacting with my friends, I brought the issue up.

“Guys, what do you think about this extra class? I am not okay with it at all.”

Hmm, Juliet sighed, it's not only you, but you know the proprietress, if you oppose her, it will result in something catastrophic.

Peter laughed and hissed, shaking his head, “Since none of you objected, we just have to take it that way.”

“Tor, it is well we hope for better days,” I replied.

Ehen, “Emreal, how far about your payment, has she done justice?” Hassan inquired.

“Bro, she only gave me half of it, promising to complete it when school fees are paid,” I replied.

“This thing is getting out of hand. Salaries ought to be set before school resumes. This school management needs to start planning honestly,” Hassan answered.

“That's true,” Peter added.

We talked for some time before the break time was over, and went to our respective classes.

The next day, when I came to school, I was informed that the proprietress wanted to see me.

“What could be wrong?” I asked myself as I dropped my bag on the table and rushed to her office.

Getting there, I saw Peter, Hassan, and Juliet, seated on the couch, looking anxious.

“Good morning, ma,” I greeted.

“Morning, please have a seat,” she instructed.

My heart began to beat strongly, and my legs shook while I sat.

“Hi, guys,” I shook Peter, Hassan, and Juliet, my hand shaking.

“Have I offended any of you in any way?” the proprietress asked.

“No, Ma,” we replied in one voice.

Her face furrowed, “Then why would you go about saying bad things about this school and its management? You Emreal, you even have the guts to say you are managing this place? Why don't you leave if you are not okay working here?”

“My jaw dropped, my intestines tightened, it was as if something pierced through my heart. I didn't know when tears began to fall from my eyes.

None of us could even talk; my head remained lowered till she finished talking.

She said a lot of things that left us devastated. At the end, we apologized and left the office full of shame and anger. We all thought we would be suspended, but mercy found us.

It surprised us how the proprietress heard about our conversation, but what offended us was the fact that some of the things she was told weren't true.

Mysteriously, after that experience, Hassan began avoiding us; he stopped mingling with us.

It was not long before rumours spread in the school that he was the one who told the proprietress that we were gossiping about her and the school.

It was such a shock to all of us. We all know that he was the proprietress’s favourite, but none of us thought that Hassan, as calm as he is, could be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

We were so disappointed in him. The proprietress later called the four of us for a meeting, and we explained what had happened in detail to her. She accepted her mistake and apologized and we also apologized.

She promised to increase salaries and make prompt payment in full but she didn't change her mind concerning the extra lessons.

However, things never went back to normal between us and Hassan; it became even worse when he admitted that he reported us to the proprietress, after pressuring him consistently.

We couldn't trust him anymore and he didn't even show any sign of remorse. That got us thinking, he was also responsible for leaking our conversation about Juliet's ex boyfriend. He later got a job at another place and left the school.

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