Chapter 688 - New Boss in Sierra Leone (3) (1/2)

After they came up with a plan for the mine, Sarah and Aiden shared with miners that going forward, there will be two shifts, eight hours each, with one hour lunch break and two more shorter breaks in-between. Also, they clarified that will be no physical punishment for workers. It is a job, so they either do their work properly or they will get fired.

Miners cheered when they heard that Sarah and Aiden brought with them some food supplies and shortly will send more.

Ten armed men will be left behind in order to ensure safety of the mine and miners from potential bandits. And three more men will be left to help with management.

Besides increasing their ridiculously low wages, Sarah also noticed lack of any medical staff and promised that they will take care of that as well.

Miners were very happy, and they vowed to give their best work going forward.

”Good! With this we can go back home. We will have spare time before Charlie meets with Anna.” Sarah smiled while talking to Aiden. ”Where are the kids?”

Aiden grimaced for a split second before forcing a straight face and gestured behind one of the buildings.

Sarah was confused by his expression changes and swiftly went there to investigate. She was surprised to see their seven kids talk to more than dozen other kids, all boys.

Just by glancing at them, Sarah can tell that the boys are below fifteen years old.

”Why are they still here?”, Sarah asked her seven kids who were supposed to give to these boys six months' worth of salary and to send them home.

”Boss, hear them out…”, Ade pleaded, and Sarah can see that her other six kids are giving her puppy-eyed looks as well.

Sarah narrowed her eyes. ”What is going on?” She can sense that whatever is coming is not pleasant.

Some of the kids glanced at Aiden, as if they are asking for his assistance. But he shamelessly pointed at Sarah. ”She is the Boss.”

Sarah looked at the total of twenty-something kids in front of her, and no one spoke for a while.

”Well, will someone tell me what is going on?”, Sarah was losing her patience.

Ade looked at one boy in the group and gestured with his eyes toward Sarah. It seems that he is the leader of the boys. Sarah looked at the boy and saw that he is uncomfortable. She guessed that it must be because of her expression. Sarah took a deep breath to calm down and did her best to smile. ”Come on, tell me what is on your mind.”

”Boss, we want to come with you.”, the boy said in a week voice.

Any smile that Sarah managed to summon, disappeared in an instant. ”What?”

”We don't have anywhere to go. Here, we will give you money.” He extended arm with a one hundred dollar bill, it's the money they got as a six months' salary. It's actually much more than they would earn in six months, but Sarah and Aiden felt weird giving them less.

Another boy spoke. ”We all speak English and want to learn things… we will be useful.”

Sarah thought that the only thing missing is the boys to cling onto her limbs and she will have a full blown déjà vu. Her brows were furrowed while her eyes darted over faces of kids in front of her.