A Good Name Is Better Than Riches

Author's note

Hooray! Another dedication to you, the readers. This will be my second story that I will get to share on Writing Plus. As always, I loved writing this one too. If you notice, one of the characters was named after me. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Arnold had two young daughters, Marcela and Maria. His wife had passed away. He had decided not to remarry and raise his daughters singlehandedly. They lived with Glenda 's sister. Marcela and Maria's aunt. Maria was older than Marcela. One day, at home Marcela got an attack. Read On...........

The good thing, Maria was in the living room with her sister so she ran and called their Dad. They rushed Marcela to the hospital. While in the hospital, everyone was very worried. After a while, a nurse came out of the room where Marcela was taken. "How is she?" Arnold asked. "Well, the doctor is still treating her and he had also taken some tests, we are going to get the results hopefully it's not something terrible". Replied the nurse then she left. The doctor came and told them that Marcela was improving but unfortunately she had a weak heart and they had to make sure that she takes her medicine without skipping any day. "Yes doctor. Thank you." Arnold replied. "Is it possible to see her now?" Arnold asked. "Yes, please go ahead". Said the doctor. They went to Marcela's room and found her asleep. Soon she woke up. "Where am I?" Marcela kept asking. Aunt Glenda approached her and told her the whole story. Maria talked to my young sister and so did her dad. After two days, Marcela was discharged. Maria was so happy because her and Marcela have been close childhood. Even at school. That time when Marcela was in the hospital, Maria her sister missed her so much. Eight years later, Marcela graduated from college. Two years later, Maria also graduated. Obviously, Arnold, their dad and Aunt Glenda attended both graduations. One beautiful evening, Patrick and Aunt Glenda were watching a movie in the living room. Marcela joined them, she wanted to tell them something regarding getting a job. "Dad and Aunt Glenda, so sorry for interrupting may I talk to you?" said Marcela. "Of course darling, anytime." replied Arnold. "Is there any problem?" Asked Aunt Glenda. "No, not at all. I only wanted to tell you that I'm going to look for a job with effect from tomorrow". Replied Marcela. "That's a very brilliant idea." Replied Arnold. "Absolutely, I agree!" Replied Aunt Glenda.

Marcela went to her bedroom. She was happy. The next day, Maria told Marcela about everything regarding her new job. Of course, she was so happy for her sister. There and then, Maria knew what she had to do in order to prepare for her new job. She had always had a passion for style. She always picked her own clothes to wear since she was still little. She would design herself and blend colors on her own. She got her computer and started looking up jobs in the fashion industry. Thank God, she was able to land one. They wanted an assistant to work in a company and one of the requirements was the applicant should have very good vision. They shouldn't be color blind in other words". said Maria jokingly. Maria knew that she was the right fit for the job. So went on and completed her application after she submitted it. She also told her Dad and Aunt Glenda after. The next day, Maria woke up early and got ready for her interview. The company CEO had given her a call. Truth be told, she was very anxious. Soon, the rest of the family had woken up. She bade farewell and she left. Maria arrived on time and found many people waiting in line. One by one was going in the office. It was her turn now. She gave herself a small pep talk, "Breathe, you are going to make it." After the interview was over. The CEO had called Maria in the office and told her that she was hired. Happily, Maria wanted to shout for joy but she didn't. She only thanked the CEO and went back home. Maria and her family celebrated after she had shared the news. Everyone was overjoyed. Maria had a lot of wine that she forgot to prepare for work the next day. She went straight to bed. Aunt Glenda went in Maria's room and set the alarm for her twenty minutes earlier after noticing that Maria had not done it.

The next day, after the alarm. Maria woke up. She really wanted to know who had helped her with the alarm since she had forgot to set it the previous day. "It's very caring" She said. Maria was ready then soon she left. Her first day at work was about orientation, how to use the machines in case she had to add designs on the clothes. She was also introduced to her colleagues. By the time everything was finished, she was very exhausted. On her way back home, she went to the market and bought food. Then, she drove home. Soon Maria arrived. "Who set the alarm for me yesterday". Maria asked. "Me". Replied Aunt Glenda. "Thanks a lot dear Aunty". said Maria. She had a knock at the door of her room, only to open, it was her sister, Marcela. She looked very happy. "Wow, Marcela. You look very happy, tell me what's going on". said Maria. "I got a job too". replied Marcela "Well done, Marcela. I'm so proud of you". said Maria. She also gave her sister a hug. Marcela got a job as a hotel receptionist. Everyone including Maria were very happy for her. The Benson household was not rich but that didn't mean that they couldn't afford to buy things. Mr. Patrick used to request for loans in the bank in order for his family to survive. When Maria had started working, she also had decided to help her dad pay back the bank. Now that Marcela had started working too, she also decided to help her dad pay off the loans since Mr. Benson and Aunt Glenda never worked so that meant that Maria and her sister are the ones supporting the family. Nine months had passed. Everything seemed to move well. Marcela was doing well at her job. Soon, all the bank loans were paid off. One evening at home, Mr. Benson called for a meeting in the sitting room. "How is everybody doing? I only wanted to catch up with everyone and see how everyone is doing since I barely see Maria and Marcela." he said. "We have been good, dad. Thanks for checking in". replied Maria "That's good, I'm very glad. Also, thank you for helping out with the loans". said Mr. Benson "Thank you, girls, we really appreciate the effort". added Aunt Glenda ." We got you dad, you can count on us." replied Maria The next day, at work. Maria was making dresses with designs. It was not easy since she since she had to sew as well but she managed to finish since she was very careful.

Aden, who worked with Maria on the designs of the dresses helped her too. The truth was, he was talented. He had a twin brother called Amos. He didn't work with them. He had another profession. Amos would come and visit his brother sometimes. One day, Aden introduced his brother to Maria. Amos seemed to be a good person. "Amos, meet my colleague, Maria" Aden said. "Nice to meet you, Maria and I must say that I like your name." Said Amos Maria smiled. "Nice to meet you too and thank you" replied Maria "Please take the threads to the next room." Said Aden to Maria. "Oh, yes. sure". Maria replied. Soon, it was time to go home and Amos had also left. Maria and Marcela went home too. Upon there arrival, they found their father sleeping. They put some money for him on his table. Marcela prepared dinner for both her sister and their Aunt Glenda. Everyone ate and they went to sleep. The next day at work, Maria's phone was ringing during her break. She checked to see who was calling and it was her dad. "Good morning, Dad, How are you"? said Maria "I'm good, thanks my dear." replied Mr. Benson. "How is work, today?" He asked. "It's going well, dad. Thanks for asking". replied Maria "That's great. I wanted to thank you for the money that you had given me yesterday" said Mr. Benson "It's alright Dad, don't even worry, like me and Marcela like to say, we got you". replied Maria "I love you, both and enjoy the day, Maria. replied Mr. Benson "We love you too, dad". replied Maria Maria was called to the office. She was told by one of the directors that she had been promoted. She was extremely happy and thanked her boss. She went ahead to share the good news with Amos. They were both happy. After work, Maria drove home. On her way, she thought about the promotion, about how she deserved it since she was fully committed to her job. At home, everyone knew about the news and they celebrated. Maria was now a manager. She would work the entire week but not on the weekends. Marcela on the other hand, worked both the week days and the weekends.

After one year. Aunt Glenda eventually got a job at a palm oil processing company. Mr. Benson went back to school. His birthday was also approaching. It was the following day. Maria, Marcela and Aunt Glenda were planning a surprise party at home. That day, they went to church. They returned home and started decorating the sitting room. Marcela had bought the cake and decorations while Maria bought the drinks. Mr. Benson had gone to his room. Later, Aunt Glenda went to his room and wished him a Happy Birthday. Marcela and Maria also sang the happy birthday song for their dad. Mr. Benson was very happy. Aden and Amos were also invited. "Hello everyone, you are all welcome, come in." said Maria "Thanks" replied Aden. "I also got some presents for your dad". said Aden "How nice of you". said Maria "Where is he?" asked Amos "Come with me, please". said Maria "Alright, then." Aden replied Mr. Benson, Marcela and Aunt Glenda were in the kitchen. Maria introduced Aden and Amos to the rest of her family. Aden gave Mr. Benson his presents. He was very happy and thanked him. Soon the party began. Everyone had a blast. Later, all the guests including Aden and Amos bade farewell and went home. After two weeks, Mr. Benson graduated and got a job, Aunt Glenda got married, Marcela moved. Her and Amos became close and her heart grew stronger and got better. Maria moved too. Her and Aden bought and owned a huge boutique and named it A and M. They became business partners. Everybody lived happily. Nothing better than faith, hope and hard work combined.

THE END