My name is Audrey and after savoring seven sweet years in college shifting from one course to another, I am finally a graduate.
My family can stop nagging at me for staying in college longer than they thought I should.
However, a day after my graduation, they start telling me to review for the licensure examination. My family seems to have a problem relaxing. They always have something to do or work on every single time.
“I’ve got so much on my plate. Can you let me breathe for a second?” I told my older sister Ally.
“That’s because you haven’t completed enough so you think you still have a lot to do,” she said.
“All I want is a break,” I said.
“You’re procrastinating. You’re delaying things for what? You better think of what’s best for your life before you realize that your niece is already in college and accomplishing more than you did,” she continued.
“I don’t know but I have a feeling that I don’t have to compete and work really hard. I feel that I am destined to meet someone filthy rich who falls in love with me and tells me that I don’t have to work for the rest of my life,” I said.
Ally sighed. She thinks my dreams are just fantasies.
“Well, you already met a lot of rich kids in your life and most them probably do not have any idea how to earn money,” she said.
“I’ll look for a job first so I can save and pay for my review,” I told her. I thought that was enough assurance to stop her nagging.
“That sounds like an amazing plan but if it comes from you, then it’s more of a drawing,” Ally said. She just couldn’t stop making me feel bad.
It’s me who stopped talking because she’s already got on my nerve.
“Alright, baby sister. I did your resume and sent it to your email address. I now pray that it gets forwarded to other companies’ email addresses,” she said as her final act of annoyance for the day.
As her way of making up for being so hard on me, she invited me to go to a mall to shop and eat. I was ready to forgive her but good thing I hadn’t.
The moment we stepped foot on the mall’s grounds, she told me that we should check out the new stores located near the activity area only to see the big job expo happening there.
I rolled my eyes and I made sure she saw it.
“What a coincidence!” Ally said like it wasn’t her intention.
“Coincidence?” I asked her.
“Aren’t you looking for a job? I thought you said you were. This is perfect. You can apply for jobs, then we shop and eat all in one place and in one day only,” she said.
“What kind of companies still do job fairs these days? Anyone can apply online,” I asked.
“You can at least try looking while we are here,” she asked in a more convincing tone.
“Alright. I’ll check later. I am hungry right now,” I told her.
I could be persuaded in that manner.
I chose an expensive restaurant to get my revenge. On the table across ours, a well-off looking group of friends dines.
“So, what do you intend to do after your wedding? I don’t mean the honeymoon but the real thing,” one of the ladies said to another.
“Well, he doesn’t want me to work but I refused. I don’t want to become a housewife waiting for my husband and depending on him for money,” someone said. I assume she’s the one getting married soon.
“Your husband is soon to become a billionaire, dear. You can’t avoid that kind of life,” another lady said.
“I know so it’s either I put up my own business or I work for him,” the bride-to-be said.
“Work for him? You mean like an assistant?” someone asked.
“Yes. That way, I can monitor his expenses, his calls, his activities – everything. I am his boss without him knowing it,” the bride-to-be said.
I was enjoying the conversation but too bad my sister had to interfere and remind me of my manners.
“Stop that. You’re eavesdropping and you’re even smiling,” she said.
“You heard that, right?” I asked her.
“Yes but I guess, there’s not much billionaires in the world, let alone here in this country so you better work hard because most likely, that’s your only option to become rich. Sorry to burst your bubbles,” Ally said.
“Sorry to burst your bubble,” I murmured imitating my non-believer sister.
I discreetly looked at the bride-to-be one more time as they’re leaving the restaurant. Surely, she’s pretty but I am thinking or perhaps judging that she got an almost-billionaire groom because of her connection not her looks. I guess, my sister is right. I have to work hard but not to earn and save money but to gain connections.
“Oh my goodness, you haven’t stopped,” she said.
I ordered a lot in the restaurant and convinced my sister that we should check out more shops – all because I’ve been trying to avoid going back to the job fair at the activity area. I am still considering her advice to get a job I don’t feel like starting that today.
“Let’s check out the clothes here. The displays look amazing,” I told my sister one more time as we passed by another new shop that looks high end.
“I know what you’re doing,” she told me.
My scheme is busted but I don’t care.
“Thanks for shopping, Sir. We’ll see you again,” the saleslady said to a male customer who’s exiting the expensive shop that we are entering.
The male customer smiled and for a very few moment, my sister and I are in-synched. He’s not just a window shopper of the expensive shop. He’s got five paper bags in his hands. He is gorgeous. The scent of his perfume is rich and it lingers. He is no doubt a rich man!
“Who could that be?” Ally asked.
“You’re married with a kid,” I said to remind her of her sad status.
The expensive shop is at the second level and facing the activity center at the ground floor.
“Oh, that’s him, right?” Ally noticed.
My eyes grew bigger instantly. The gorgeous, rich looking guy went straight to a booth in the activity area and from where we stand we watch what’s happening down there. All the staff of the booth stopped what they’re doing to greet him. He certainly commands authority in the way he carries himself.
It’s almost 5PM and the job fair is ending soon. It’s now safe to go there pretending to check out vacancies, which for sure by now have more than enough number of applicants.
Needless to say, we went straight to the gorgeous guy’s booth. We learned it’s an IT and software company.
“I’ll go now. I’ll take this,” someone behind us said.
“See you, Sir. Thanks for dropping by,” one of the staff said.
I turned around and bumped into that gorgeous guy unintentionally. Honestly, that’s never planned so fate must have made that happen. He still smells good.
“I’m sorry,” the gorgeous guy quickly apologized with a cute smile and sincere look in his eyes. I swear, I melted instantly.
I declare this day a very productive one. I was able to do everything that’s important to me such as eating and shopping plus one big bonus in the form of a gorgeous, rich looking guy who also smells good and probably owns the company.
“I’m sorry, Miss, but the selection process for the jobs that we posted today is over. We’re done for today,” one of the staff told my sister.
“Ally, it’s 5PM. They’re done,” I told her.
She’s really annoyed realizing that I succeeded in delaying my job search.
“When is your next job fair?” Ally asked. She’s not giving up easily.
“We don’t know yet. For now, we have enough shortlisted candidates for all vacancies that we posted today,” the staff said.
“Oh, you already did the shortlisting here?” Ally asked.
“Yes, Miss. That’s the reason we set up our booth here. This way, we could interview candidates right away and give them the results on the same day,” the staff answered.
As my sister and the staff continue to engage in what to me is a nonsense conversation, I stand here looking content and happy. The only thing I kind of regret this day is not knowing who that gorgeous guy was but that’s okay. He’s a consolation and it won’t kill me if I don’t know him.
“Excuse me, can I have a minute?” a girl asked the staff my sister is talking to.
I try to avoid my sister’s sharp gaze but I surely don’t know how to tell her that we should go now. It’s one of those moments when she got really mad at me.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll do it next time. I promise,” I told her.
We were about to leave the area when the staff from the IT and software company came rushing to us.
“Excuse me, Miss. Would you like to apply for the role of an assistant?” she asked my sister.
“Assistant?” Ally asked. I almost burst into laughter seeing my sister’s face. She herself is a boss with people under her management.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How about her?” the staff asked if I could be the one to apply.
“What kind of assistant?” Ally asked.
“It’s actually someone who will be reporting directly to our CEO. It’s like an executive assistant role but a little toned down,” the staff briefly explained.
“I don’t have my resume right now so I can’t apply. Sorry,” I said quickly.
“It’s fine. You can just email us your resume,” the staff said.
“What’s your email address?” Ally asked.
The staff dictated the email address to my sister who seems to be interested.
“Wonderful. I’ll send my resume later when we get home,” I told both of them.
“No worries. I sent it already,” Ally said. I forgot that she’s the originator of my resume.
“Alright. I’ll just note that we haven’t interviewed her thoroughly,” the staff said.
“Just like that, you did your first job application ever. I’m happy for you,” Ally said.
I must admit I am having cold feet as early as now. The role requires the person to work closely with the CEO. Is that person better or worse than anyone in my family who tells me what to do?
I didn’t expect job hunting to be this difficult in real life. I realized it’s not easy to be noticed. I received invites to become salesperson, which I don’t consider a job. My idea of a job is something that puts me in a 9-5 schedule with desk, computer, and phone, with salary paid twice a month.I feel sad about being unemployed but I still don’t want to start reviewing for the licensure either. All the more I need to get connections. But where do I get them when I can’t even land my first job?My phone rang and it’s probably another invite to attend a seminar. I answered it because I have no one to talk to. I should’ve really stayed in college one more year.“Hello, this is Dorothy from IT&S. We received your resume last month. Can I invite you for an interview tomorrow? I’ll text you the details,” she said.I got the text containing the details of the interview. I am confused because it’s not the address I was expecting.“Are you sure this is the place? It’s a high-end
I look at those warm, loving eyes for God-knows-how long. They’re very mesmerizing. And to have them look back at me is heaven.“Are you sure you’re okay?” Bobby asked. I’m sure, he already asked me more than once before I came to my senses. This trip to Joaquim’s mansion made my mind wander a few times and Bobby witnessed all instances.He turned to the driver. “Jorge, make sure you show me the result of her pre-employment medical exam before you give it to Recruitment. I’m going to work closely with her so I need to know,” he joked. He did that in a way that’s not offensive. Perhaps, I am really crushing on him so I forgave him instantly.“Seriously, how did you find going to our boss’ place and meet him personally?” he asked.“To be honest, I wasn’t prepared meeting someone of that status,” I said.“But he’s so casual, wasn’t he?” he asked referring to Joaquim's get up.“Still, in my mind he’s the boss and that’s his house. It’s a totally brand new experience for a newbie l
I woke up in the middle of my sleep and realized it’s a minute before my clock alarms. This only means that I will go to the office. “I was going to wake you up but I saw that you were awake already. You must be excited to go to work,” my mother said. I don’t feel like putting a happy face when I see those few people in the office except of course for Bobby who is definitely the only one that can make me want to step foot in this place like now. I gave him a wonderful smile when he greeted me. “I was about to call you but you’re here now,” he said. I couldn’t believe he’s waiting for me. “Let’s go inside,” he said while leading me to the conference room. I couldn’t remember being invited to a meeting today. My curiosity was answered when I saw this figure I never expected here. “Hello, Audrey,” Quim greeted me. Quim looks different in his corporate attire. Although Bobby still looks better than him, I must admit that he carries his outfit well. “We received a short n
I was finally in the car that’s taking me home only to find out that it brought me back to the big house because it was nothing but a dream. I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. Someone was pressing it non-stop. My phone is full of messages and call notifications from my family, Bobby, and Quim. I checked time and it’s already 8AM. I overslept on the cozy bed.Not in my wildest dream or even in reality that I would find myself waking up one day and the first face I would see while still in my oversized robe was Quim. He stands a few meters away from the door and looks so concerned.“Are you sick?” he asked me. I immediately realized that he’s concerned about me getting the virus that can kill in a matter of hours. He might have thought that I died overnight.“I’m okay. I just overslept. I’m really sorry,” I said.“There’s a thermometer in the medicine cabinet. Check your temperature,” he ordered me and I couldn’t complain.My temperature is 36 degrees Celsius. I showed it to
Today is Saturday, which means today is the third day that I’m putting on the clothes I have been wearing since Thursday. I woke up early today to exercise and do other stuff to add more activities to my suddenly boring life but realizing this made me want to stay inside the guesthouse longer. I have already memorized everything there is to know about my life inside Quim’s compound. There’s not much of it, actually. So, to make sure he wouldn’t worry if I didn’t go out of the guesthouse, I texted him saying I would be staying in my room this morning and even sent him my temperature. Of course, receiving a response from him for matters like this is never to be expected.As I began to sulk in sadness, something told me, it wasn’t just me that needed to be checked. What if something happened to Quim overnight and I didn’t know?I immediately put on my office clothes and rushed to the big house. It’s open so that means he’s up. I went to the kitchen, which has become my go to plac
Mass online – check. Call parents – check. Talk to sister – ongoing.“Are you being honest with us? Does your female cook really stay there with you?” my sister asked.“I don’t why it is a priority to you. Just make sure to check on Mom and Dad while I am away but I’ll be home soon,” I told her.“C’mon, tell me because I have a strong suspicion you’re alone in that place with your boss,” she said.“You’re free to think of whatever you want. You’re the one who put me here in the first place. You played like a fairy godmother finding me a job and now you’re suspicious and worried as hell,” I told her.“I was just after your future and I still am,” she continued.“Alright. Oh, call time is over. Need to do other things. Bye,” I ended the call.I thought I missed that thing with my sister but no. Somehow I’m glad that I’m away from her. This place is perfect except for my situation with Quim who I should always remember as my boss and never my friend.Just the same, it wears me down
Today’s my first working day since the pandemic hit everyone differently. Most employees are now working from home while I work from someone’s home – my boss’ home. It’s like my second first day at work and I hope this reset leads to something good.I put my laptop on the conference table. It’s going to be my station for the rest of my stay in this compound. Ironically, the one thing I hated even before I accepted this job offer is exactly the one I am in right now and I don’t know for how long I will be stuck here.“Good morning, Quim,” I greeted him as he enters the door. Again, there’s no expectation for his response but I’m glad that he smiled even a little, it’s almost nothing.“I brewed coffee,” I told him and he just looked at the coffee table where the coffeemaker is.“Remember the report I asked you to do last week? I want to ask more data for that,” he started saying.I instantly felt pain in my stomach. I knew it’s stress. I thought the report was already cleared and
It’s almost dinner time but I spend it jogging around the poolside. I don’t want to eat and I need to find a new activity for the sake of my sanity in this compound.“My gosh, I thought that meeting would never end. What’s wrong with your boss?” I asked in a low voice.Bobby can’t stop laughing at my disappointment over that long meeting with Quim.“You’re so cute,” he said. I thought he flirted when he said that. I stopped running. “You’re cuter!” I retaliated. Office hours are over so I can do or say crazy things like this.He became quiet for a moment.“I’m sorry. Sometimes, I still feel and think like a teenager,” I apologized.“Don’t be. You’re still in transition from school to work,” he said.“Yeah, I wish my family thinks that way too. For them, it’s been long overdue and that I should catch up,” I told him.“Stay with us and I’m sure you’ll be able to catch up and even shine,” he encouraged me.“Oh, with that, I’m not sure. You know my stand, right?” I said.“Perhaps,