That's when I looked up at him. "Po?! What you are deducting from my salary is not enough? What if I report you to the DOLE?!"
Then he laughed. My boss is really crazy.
"Just kidding! You're high-blooded! And I'll be honest with you. What you've said right now was quite disappointing. But I cannot force you to work for us forever," he laughed softly. "So I want you to know that it's okay for you to go. And if you want to work here again, please do so. Because I would gladly accept you. Your new boss is lucky."
My eyes watered because of what he said. Just kidding, we only worked together for a few years....he has this much attachment and trust in me.
Brother Mark is a good person, even if sometimes he is grumpy and strict
. "Thank you very much. I will definitely come back here. Not as a worker, but as a customer. Maybe I will buy your ramen house," I said.
"Just don't come back. Yes, that's right, don't."
We talked again, boss M talked. Before we closed the ramen house. After that, I went home.
When I arrived at the apartment, I told Wella and Cali. Their feedback was good and they also supported me in my plan.
That same night, I texted sister Mary to meet tomorrow before I went to work. He immediately agreed and gave us an address where we could meet.
***
I'm already in front of the apartment, waiting for the jeep. Going to our meeting place with sister Mary.
A black SUV parked in front of me, instead of a jeep.
I stepped back when I saw it come down.
Mama and I immediately met our eyes. I can see the sadness in his eyes. I looked away and looked for a jeep coming.
"Son."
My chest started to tighten when I heard that voice.
I felt him walk closer to me so I immediately walked away.
"Iris son!
I didn't pay attention to that, I just continued walking. I didn't even realize that I was crying.
While walking, I was also wiping the tears that were falling.
"Son! Iris child!"
"Iris! Don't be rude and talk to your mom!"
Ha.
I stopped walking because my ears felt like they were ringing when I heard that voice.
I faced them with tears in my eyes. Mama did the same thing and took careHenry.
"What did you say? Rude?" I said almost sarcastically. "I'm still the rude one? But as far as I know....that's you, isn't it? So why are you throwing the words you deserve?"
"Iris! "Don't talk to your uncle Henry like that," said Mama.
Oh, isn't it? There he is again.
That's why I don't want to face him and talk to him. He won't listen to me and defend Henry.
Because of t As far as Henry is concerned, I'm always wrong. I'm always bad. I'm always at fault. I'm the rude son
. me. I've been telling you that over and over again. Please, just listen to me," I said while looking directly into Mama's eyes. "I told you to show me when you are ready to listen and believe me."
I was just dumbfounded inside. of the coffee shop where sister Mary and I were going to meet. I only realized when my cellphone vibrated because of the call.
Sister Mary calling...
"Hello?"
"Hija! I'm sorry I'm a little late. I'm still taking care of something, but it's almost finished. Can I just wait? Doncha wuri, I'll come."
"It's fine. I'm still not at the meeting place. Take your time," I lied because I've been waiting for him here for five minutes. I had
already ordered for us. But I didn't serve it yet and said I'll just serve it when sister Mary is here.
"Thatwhat? Oh come on, don't forget the requirement I'm sending, right?"
"Yes, it's already in my bag."
"Oh he's alright, hija. Sey you leytir," he answered before hanging up.
I got up to go to the rest room. I need to get ready because I feel like my face still has traces of what happened earlier.
I went to the rest room and washed my hands before washing up. . Then I put a little foundation on my face to cover my paleness. I
also applied lip tint and combed my hair.
back to my table and just looked outside.
inside me seems to miss this scenario in my life.' When I go to coffee shops after school or to do a review. Sometimes when I'm waiting for my driver. I
stopped looking back when someone sat in front of me.
"Sorry hija, I was also taking care of a client because there was still traffic! Just when will the traffic be smooth here in the Philippines? Anyway, let's start."
Before I gave him my folder, the waiters served what I ordered. Two slices of cake, an iced coffee, a macchiato because that's what sister Mary ordered from our first meeting and a pasta.
"Oh!already ordered," he said.
"Yes, I'll make it up to you,"
"You're so thoughtful hija. Thank you."
I just smiled at him.
"So these are the requirements you told me to bring," I handed him the folder I brought to the job fair.
He took it and read it carefully. I, on the other hand, drank I iced my coffee.
Then he returned the other papers and separated one.
"I'm sorry hija, I sent a lot but all I need is your birth certificate."
"Po? Why is it just like that? Don't you need a resume and—"
"The only important thing is the birth certificate. Because this is what our editors do."
"Editors? What will you imitate?"
"Shoot. Okay so first, let's talk about where you will work. So for sure you know HBLE? That big entertainment company here in our country?"
"Yes," I answered.
Don't tell me that's where I work?!
"Yes hija, you will work there," said sister Mary as if she read my mind. "
Ah, is it a janitress? That's okay with me. But what does the salary for a janitress look like?" I asked.
Sister Mary laughed at what I said.
"Silly, you're not going to be a janitress."
"So what?"
"Before we jump the conversation there. I haven't formally introduced myself to you yet. Marybeth Soriano is my name. I am 32 years old, married and I have a daughter. I work in a recruiting agency. We help people to get a job from local jobs to international jobs," he said at length. "And now, we are looking for people who need works ages from 23-35 years old."
"23 to 35 po? How about that, I'm only 19."
"I know hija. That's why we have editors in our company. We'll just fake your birth year and your relationship status..."
"Come on, isn't that illegal? Besides, I might end up in jail?" I asked a little nervously.
"No no hija, besides that's all the gossip about yourself." Something is
whispering in my mind to back off. Because I might get hurt here. I want more graduate.
"Wouldn't that also harm me?"
sister Mary took a drink from her macchiato before answering me.
"Yes hija this is safe and legal. The company will answer if there is a problem. 'Do not worry. And I understand your reaction. The reaction was the same when my client was going to work with you earlier. And guess what? She still accepted the job. Because she wants to provide her brother's needs."
'It's like your studies, Lily Iris. You won't be harmed,' I said to myself.
"Are you sure it's safe? I just want to be able to study."
"You're one hundred percent safe here hija," he said with a smile and took a bite of a slice of cake.
"That's the change in my relationship status. What do you mean?"
"Actually, we have two problems that need to be processed and trained for one week so that you are fit to work. Yes, just one week is that easy. The first one is your age. You should be at least 22 or 23 years old before you get the job. The next one is your relationship status which I've already mentioned."
"Yes. What is this for," I said, unable to wait.
"Because...." he came to the table and motioned for me to come. "Only few people know this. Before you work at HBLE...you should be married or at least had a kid or children."
Mary's words literally made my mouth
n't know there was such a policy at HBLE. Besides security of their company, which is very strict, it's the same with working there.
Sister Mary and I arranged a seat. I drank and drank more because of what I found out.
"So...I'm going to pretend to have a wife and a child ?"
"You can choose which one you prefer. Either you're married or you have a child."
I thought. If I pretend to have a child, what if they look for my child? Our pictures? Who can I borrow a child from?
"Just get married. But what if they look for wedding pictures? Who is my husband? What is his job?"
"Hija.... I already said we have editors for that. And the company will be responsible for this. So I want to know is are you willing to take this job?"
Sister Mary and I looked at each other. Her eyes are also very beautiful. I also saw beautiful eyes. I can't remember her face anymore. Those eyes are hers.'s all I remembered.
Crescent-shaped eyes.
"But Sister Mary, you still didn't tell me what my job would be. How can I answer that?"
Sister Mary laughed. It was so fun. She probably didn't have a problem thinking about it. She was probably just thinking about what gold ring would fit her thumb finger.
"Yes, by the way. Basically your job here is a production staff of HBLE. And their prod team is divided into five or ten teams. But the most important is the technical prod, cameraman and script writers prod, planners and the one who creates schedule for their concerts and any other events to attend, music and dance prod, stylists, and their make-up artist prod. You see, it's just like school clubs that you join."
"In the prod teams, where can I get into that?"
"In HBLE you can be transferred to different prods every three months. That's because, they want all the employees to explore and experience each work on the prod team. So now you are qualified for the planners and scheduler prod team. And then after three months, you can be assigned to another prod team. That's why we also provide one week training because of that. Sometimes the management chooses where they will transfer you. But sometimes, they let the employee choose," sister Mary explained.
Because of that, I was even more intrigued to try working with sister Mary.
"Okay. I agree," I said.
"Really? Are you sure about that?"
I nodded. "Yes. But once I get hurt or something I don't like....I'll leave right away."
"Hmm okay sure, so let's discuss more. It's like you know everything and you can be reassured."
"Sure," I replied.
"Next is, their employees also have privileged or benefits. Aside from the high salary, the company also offers free mini apartments. It is the employees' choice if they stay in using the company's free mini apartment or go home to their respective homes. Mostly their stay in workers are those who already have children."
"There are many benefits of working at HBLE. Their CEO must be very rich," I said laughing in amazement.
"What do you expect? Two of their group artists are famous and three are soloists. Everyone was nominated and won national and international awards."
It's great. HBLE is really a very big company. Can I afford
to work there? I nodded. I've made up my mind. I'll accept it.
"Alright. Please do what needs to be changed or added."
"Okay then. It's a closed deal. After this, I will work on your papers. Then you'll have your training. The training will also discuss the other things you need to know," said sister Mary.
"Okay. Just call or text. I'll wait for that."
"Yes hija, and I almost forgot to mention this. Why is HBLE still looking for workers when they already have a lot of employees there?"
Yes, no? What is going on and why are they still looking.
"We heard that HBLE is going to launch a survival talent show so they are looking for workers. And I guess you will be assigned there before their main company. It'll launch to the public on September 9 and the show will start on September 17."
Sister Mary and I talked to finalize everything. But I'm still a little nervous that I don't know. But sister Mary gave a great assuranceI
'm afraid of is what if they catch me or find out that everything about me is fake?
's a big company, I'm sure I'll be in jail right away.
How is my education going?
Sister Mary and I stood up and shook hands.
"Thankyou for accepting this job offer. Thank you for the trust on me and on our agency. We promised to give you a pleasant and comfortable job," he said, waking up.
"Thank you too. Maybe when I have saved up, I can get you back too. Thank you very much."
"You don't have to but thank you. I hope this job will help you to finish your education. I'm sorry for pulling you then."
I laughed.
"No, that's not the case, maybe if you didn't pull me I wouldn't be able to find a job that would help me go back to school."
The response was just a smile with sister Mary. Then we walked out of the coffee shop.
"Thank you very much," I finally said.
I turned around and was ready to walk away when he called me again.
"Miss Lily Iris," he called.
turnedme again. "Po?"
"Happy birthday," then he turned his back on me and walked away.
I just watched sister Mary's back as she was walking away from me. Then she took a deep breath.
my birthday.
Maybe that's why she came in the apartment. To congratulate me. It
's my birthday but the gift to me was too bad just this morning.
* * *
I quickly got ready in the staff room because I was late. I didn't have a ride earlier.
I was in the middle of punching the order of a student when the telephone rang.
I looked at it and saw that boss M was no longer there. Where is he? that?
Later I will say that when he leaves his table, he should put a staff there.
"157 pesos," I said to the student.
He reached 200 pesos and was immediately repaid because no one answered the telephone.
I put the sign "Next Counter Please" and went to the noisy telephone.
But before I could answer that, the call died.
Then immediately it rang.
"Moshi-moshi! Jutsiken Ramen House! Good afternoon, Ma'am/Sir, what's your order?"
"Is this Lily?"
Huh? Who is this?
"Yes, speaking. Do I know who this is?"
"Really? Do you still work there? Because every time I order for delivery, you're not the one who answers the call and delivers."
He is in tears. Who is this?
Is this my stalker? Charing.
"Yes sir, I'm still working here. I'm not the one assigned for deliveries. Again, who is this? Are you ordering?" I will ask.
"Ah, that's right. But why did you answer and deliver last time?"
What a skin it is.
I took a deep breath. Patience Lily, that's a customer. Customer's always right, right?
But that's a lot to say. Only order should be said but what nonsense is being said.
"Excuse me sir ha—"
"Why would you excuse yourself, eh I am not blocking your way?"
Well, still philosophizing. I suddenly remembered our customer's attitude.
The one with beautiful eyes, but attitude and feeling close!