Sam had just entered the workforce, and his first job hit him with the harsh realities of life. He worked at a small advertising company, where every task felt menial and endless—organizing files, running errands, even cleaning the toilets, tasks no one else wanted to do. As a newcomer, he had no experience, contract, or protection. Everything depended on his careful effort, fearing that one mistake could cost him his job.
He endured it all because any income was better than none. But now, he carried an extra responsibility—rent, utilities, and taking care of Valerie. Almost every paycheck was swallowed up by living expenses. Despite working tirelessly, he barely managed to save a cent. Occasionally, his manager would deduct pay for no reason, but Sam dared not complain, afraid of losing even this job.
Coworkers were equally harsh—picking on him, criticizing him, and nitpicking over minor mistakes. One coworker, clearly hostile, didn't want Sam in the same office space and reported to the boss, saying, "Sam often arrives late and spends time doing irrelevant tasks."
One day, the boss looked at him coldly and said, "You won't be needed next month."The words hit Sam like a block of ice. Anxiety and helplessness flooded his mind: How would he pay next month's rent? Would Valerie have to suffer along with him? Had he made the right choices?
On the way home, Sam allowed a few quiet tears to fall. But before returning to the apartment, he wiped them away and forced a smile. He didn't want Valerie to worry. That evening, he shared stories about his day at work, laughed with her, but never mentioned the devastating news.Deep down, he knew that for Valerie, money mattered more than pride, and he had to remain strong.