Opting not to bring his car along, he adhered to the agreement he had made with Sense, who would pick him up instead. As he stepped out of the grand mansion, his eyes immediately fell upon Sense's familiar vehicle, impeccably parked just outside their gated entrance.
"Why did it take you so long?" Sense complained as he settled into the passenger seat.
Letting out a deep sigh, he exhaled, "Dad was the one who vehemently objected." With a sense of resignation, he fastened his seatbelt. "It's the same old scene."
Sense, always the optimist, reassured him, "Take a deep breath. Remember, today is our crucial interview. Trust me, we can overcome any obstacle."
Feeling a wave of apprehension, he couldn't help but inquire, "If the hiring manager questions you about your prior experience, what will your response be?" Reluctantly, he directed the question to Sense. As Sense brought his car to life, the engine humming softly, they embarked on their journey.
Sense pondered for a moment before responding, "Ah, yes, what should I say?"
Amusement danced in his eyes as he chuckled, "It's quite obvious that you have no practical experience aside from what you gleaned during your internship."
"Who owns PPB?" Sense pondered, deciding to ask the question.
"Who indeed?" Theron replied, attempting to recall his previous conversations with his father in hopes of any mention of the owner of PPB. But there was none.
He knew that his father had been a partner of PPB, but he had no idea who actually owned the company. He had no interest in his father's business affairs. The company was well-known in General Santos City for its excellent services.
In truth, PPB was among the top three renowned engineering service companies in the entire Philippines and ranked among the top twenty best engineering companies in the world. Yet, despite PPB's fame, he had no clue about the founder and owner of the company.
"Hold on a moment," Sense interjected. He glanced at what he was doing and began researching PPB. "Prime Probuild was founded by Miguel Prime."
"Miguel?" Theron questioned.
"What did I say? Nathaniel? Gabriel, Ismael."
"Do you have a talent for comedy?" Theron asked with a chuckle.
"I have a talent for making people cry," Sense replied, still laughing.
Theron shot back, "What if I punched you in the face?"
"Take it easy, Theron. I'm just trying to calm my nerves and answer some lingering questions in my mind. It's all in an effort to ensure that I don't stumble during our upcoming interview," Sense reassured him, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Like what? What's your sex? And I bet you'll answer four times," Theron retorted.
"Foolish," Sense replied, dismissing the comment.
Theron fell silent, his gaze fixed on the outside world. He couldn't quite explain the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat, the palpitation that seemed to reverberate in his ears. He whispered to himself, contemplating the unpredictable path of fate.
If only their business hadn't collapsed, he would have taken charge and managed it himself. Since the passing of his mother, his father's life took a drastic turn. His father squandered the partnership he had with PPB. Instead of repaying the substantial debts, he wasted the money in various casinos, indulging in reckless behavior.
"We have arrived," announced Sense.
Theron jolted as Sense's palm suddenly landed with a thud on his shoulder. He turned to face his friend, who had an enigmatic smile on his face. Theron couldn't fathom the reason behind it.
"We have arrived," Sense repeated, revealing that it took them nearly forty minutes of driving to reach their destination.
Theron swiftly unbuckled his seatbelt, following in Sense's footsteps as they stepped out of the vehicle. Even as he stood outside, the palpitations in his chest refused to subside. He cautiously trailed behind Sense, entering the premises. The place was bustling with people, fellow applicants like themselves.
"Good morning, Sir. Welcome to Prime Probuild," greeted a woman whose alluring figure commanded attention. Her smile, sugary sweet, gave off an air of seduction. Theron reciprocated with his own smile, wordlessly acknowledging her before turning away, his thoughts elsewhere.
They found themselves going in different directions as Sense decided to apply to a different department. As a result, Theron's heart raced when he realized his application letter had most likely ended up in the executive office. The mere thought of being interviewed by the CEO, CFO, or COO, if they were available, sent his pulse into overdrive.
How did this happen? That was a question he couldn't answer. The secretary of the chief executive department had inquired about his ongoing interview, throwing Theron off guard.
As he rode the elevator towards the executive office, which was located on the impressive 150th floor of the towering building, Theron couldn't help but ponder his fate. His father's whispered words echoing in his mind, fueling his hopes and nerves simultaneously.