New Environment

"Where are you going Officer Ynares?"

Jacob looked away from the source of Zannie's voice. He stopped tying his boots when the girl approached him.

"How come, when you're dressed like that without a uniform, you're definitely going somewhere." Zannie still smiled.

"Yes. I'll fetch Mr. Fontafella first." Jacob zipped the bag he was carrying behind his back.

"Who is that?" Zannie asked curiously.

"He will come here to undergo an evaluation. He needs it for his father's own company," Jacob said.

"Ah. Is he and the man you were referring to the other day the same?"

"Yes Zannie. Case I have a problem, I had a hard time rejecting her dad as her evaluator. Looks like I can't evaluate what he's going to do here. You know, I still have to participate in other activities for a chance to have a rank and pass the next exams." There is sadness and regret in Jacob's voice. Zannie already knows him, when that's the tone of his speech, for sure he will ask for something in favor of a friend that she just can't help not to do for his sake.

Zannie raised an eyebrow as she shot Jacob a meaningful look. "You want me to just evaluate him?"

Jacob grinned with both hands on his head. "It seems like that. If only you could. If only you were okay with it, Zannie."

"All right. Just show me my guidelines for evaluation. What is he? Student?"

"No. He's CEO."

"CEO? In that case, he's smart. But why does he have to undergo evaluation? That was odd and fresh to me, Jacob."

"His dad said he had an attitude problem so here's a lesson for him. Actually, he doesn't know what his setup will be here. All he knows is that he's going on vacation."

"He's going to have a hard time here. He's the son of a rich man and has an attitude problem? Looks like I'm going to win the bet."

Jacob sneezed with a mixed grin. "Really huh? Maybe when you see that man, you'll fall in love and lose your anger with men. I knew you, you cursed everyone who flirted with you."

"Whatever Jacob!"

Zannie's eyes rolled in disapproval of what Jacob had told her. The only reason he shows hatred towards men is also because of Jacob, if not Jacob, why would he go astray?

"That's all I said but you look like you're in a commotion like the Mayon volcano. All right, I'm leaving Zannie. There's no ration of goods later. You should spare your free time to rest. Okay?"

Jacob ruffled Zannie's hair. He used to do it every time his friend was not in a good mood. It's also one of the ways he teases more.

Zannie smiled hard but somehow, she was still secretly thrilled because of Jacob's sweetness to her.

***

It has been an hour since Howard arrived at the national airport of Trias but the person to pick him up is still not coming. This is what he hated the most, those people who are not punctual or always late. As a CEO — before, his arrival was even sharper on time to meet SLI's business partners. As well as gatherings and office entrances, he was always early.

For him, there is no ascension in life for the person who is late because there is no appreciation of time. In the corporate world, time is the enemy and time is important to use properly for the continuous flow of transactions as the company grows. But he didn't realize, it was just the company he thought was important that he later realized wasn't right. How about the sake of all employees?

He was mentally depressed, only now did he realize the mistake. He still remembers the former SLI employee Robert, who told him to leave for his son's birthday but he did not agree even though he knew that Robert had not been able to leave during his five years of service with the company.

Well, there is no remorse ahead. If there is repentance, there will also be conscience. But no, he won't be able to say sorry because the other employees he abused have resigned.

"And why should I be sorry?"

He shrugged all thoughts that could totally ruin the day. He is no longer in a good mood with the idea of ​​staying in Trias, especially since he is reminiscing about the employees at SLI.

"Mr. Howard Fontafella?"

In his peripheral vision, a man with a muscular physique and a little taller than him was approaching. Its stance is like that of Mr. Universe, there is also no denying its good looking brown skin color, he can't help but admire it even if it's a man like him. How come, he's just handsome but he hasn't achieved the physique like this man. Well as of this moment, it is proven that the man also has insecurities with his fellow man.

"I'm Jacob Ynares, who will take you to Trias. I'm glad to meet you!" he greeted her before holding out his palm to shake hands but he also withdrew immediately because Howie ignored it.

"Why are you late? Did you know that late people are kind of disrespectful to others? Look! I waited for you for more than an hour!" Howard's growl caused Jacob to frown. He suddenly smirked. That's exactly what Mr. Fontabella told him that his bossy and antipathetic son will always be talking in a very straightforward manner.

"I'm sorry Mr. Howard. In the matter of time management, sometimes it depends on priorities," Jacob sarcastically explained and apologized.

"Lame reasoning. Which hotel will I stay at?"

Frowned at Howard's question, Jacob answered with a hesitant smile. "Actually, there is no hotel but there are barracks."

"Barracks? What do you think of me? A normal worker? I'm here for vacation!" Howard met Jacob's gaze. But his insult to her had no effect because he just kept smiling so he was even more indignant with annoyance.

"Okay. But let's go to the barracks first I'm saying," Jacob shrugged then started walking for Howard to follow him.

"Wait, are you going to make me walk? Won't you just help me carry my other luggage?" he asked, annoyed.

Jacob sighed. "Why Sir? Are you a disabled person?"

"What? Are you like that when you talk to me? Don't you know me?"

His annoyance with that man in front of him intensified. For the first time, someone answered him sarcastically and he was not used to it so his head quickly heated up like that.

"You don't know me either Sir. It's getting dark. It's hard to travel to our accommodation. Just follow me." Jacob even gave a thumbs up and smiled so he was even more annoyed with the antipathetic Howard who was unaware of his real setup in Trias.