The New Job

Katarina’s POV

“Daphne, Dion, breakfast is ready,” I shouted at the foot of the stairs that bright early Monday morning.

It was my first day at my new job. It was also a school day for my adolescents.

“Coming, Mom." They shot back.

Not long after, the sounds of doors opening and closing upstairs perked my ears, and my two teenagers garbed in their school uniforms playfully bounded down the stairs.

I smiled peacefully at this scene.

They had a mini race going downstairs. The first one to reach me was Dion, my youngest. His eyes held mischief when he looked at me. At 13, Dion stands taller than me by a good two inches. I had to look up so we could see eye-to-eye. Then he enthusiastically pulled me to him and kissed my cheeks soundly.

“Good morning, mom!” He greeted cheerfully. I could smell the fresh smell of bath soap and shampoo from him.  

I smiled to myself. My son, now a certified teenager, showed signs of growing up too fast.

Then he jumped the rest of the stairs to make room for his sister, Daphne. When it was Daphne’s turn, my elder daughter reached out to me and gave me a hug and a cheek-to-cheek kiss. I sniffed to inhale her scent. She wore the Dior fragrance I bought her last year.

“Morning, ‘my” She greeted before she clung to my arm as we walked side-by-side. There was a lightness to both our steps. It warmed my heart.

When we entered the dining room, we found Dion seated on one of the high-backed Narra dining chairs, waiting impatiently for us. He held a spoon and a fork in each hand.

I inhaled sharply at this welcomed sight.  

“Hurry up, I am hungry!” Dion called out to us. Daphne and I shared an indulgent smile before we took our places at the table.

While my children took turns serving each other and then my hotdogs, bacon, and egg from the serving platter, I could not help the smile that flitted across my face.

I never thought that this day would come- that someday, we will all be happy again.  

“Hey, leave some more bacon for me,” Dion said when his sister got another serving of their favorite.

“I only got two strips.” Daphne pouted as she put the slice straight to her mouth.

“Well, I am going to be too hungry this morning. We got basketball practice.” 

“Isn’t it too early for practice?” I asked.

“Mommy, the intramurals will be next week. The coach said we have to do our best so we could win again this year.”

“Just don’t forget that studies will always be your priority. ” I reminded him.

“I know, Mom. I will be the best like Dad.” 

“Me, too!” Daphne piped in.

That made me tear up.

Right that moment, my heart swelled with pride and with joy for my kids.

“Aw, Mom!” Daphne said before I heard the shuffling of chairs.

Daphne embraced me while Dion continued eating. “I’m sorry kids. I just missed Dad. He would have been so proud to know that you are both growing up to be responsible people.”  

It was Daphne who consoled me.  

“It’s okay to miss Dad, Mom. Besides, tomorrow is his birthday.” 

I cleared my throat and tried to make for a cheerful tone. “So what do we do?”

“Pizza and movies,” They both exclaimed in delight.

It has been a tradition for us three to celebrate Lester’s birthday with pizza and movies.

“I bet Dad misses us, too. If only he could come back from heaven, right?” 

Dion’s innocent question made me smile wistfully.  

Lester was my second husband. We lost him from a fatal heart attack six years ago.  

I was inconsolable at that time. The loss left a gaping hole in my life.

He was my second chance at love, my last romance.

I just came out of bitter divorce  when Lester came into my life.  

He saw through my brokenness - he understood my pain. He loved me and my daughter, Daphne, without any qualms.

I consider the day we lost Lester as the darkest days of our lives. We got stuck in reverse for a long time. I thought nothing could get us out.  

But the time they say heals all wounds. I could not say that we healed entirely. Somewhere in our hearts, I know that there is a space that only Lester can fill. Still, I am grateful that we were moving on.  

I mentally shook my head out of my maudlin thoughts before I turned my attention back to my kids.

“We better hurry, kids. I need to report early for my new job.” I told them, my tone becoming business-like. It broke the unhappy atmosphere on the table.

“What is your new job again?” Dion asked while he gulped down his drink. I wiped the corners of his mouth with a table napkin.

“I am the new chief executive assistant to our President,” I announced proudly.

Dion double-looked on me, 

"The President?" He asked incredulously. 

At my nod, Dion’s eyes abruptly widened in awe.  

“Wow, Mommy, you are so smart!” He exclaimed. His tone laced surprisingly with admiration.

“Of course.” I happily shot back, raising my right fist, much like how the Koreans in the 

movies do when they say ‘fighting’.

My two kids clapped their hands. They seem as excited as I am with my new post.  

“Wait, mom! You mean to tell me that you will be working closely with the President?” Daphne shrieked as an after-thought.

“Of course.”  

“Oh my! I wish I could meet him in person. Is it true that he is gorgeous and hot?” She asked excitedly.

I was immediately alarmed and scandalized. My 16-year old Senior High School seemed to be having a crush on a 40-year-old man.

“Daphne!” I reproved.

“What? Everybody in school said he was dreamy,” she explained and pouted her lips.

Well, I could not agree with her more. Regor Aldeguer is a fine specimen of a man in his prime. He has very striking features owing to his Hispanic heritage - round, dark, deep-set eyes, black hair, and straight high-edged nose. He also has dark skin completed with a tall, slender body with wide-shoulders and tapered hips.

I admit that the first time I saw him, I gawked at the man. He had this imposing air around him that would make anyone swoon, I included. I shuddered in recollection at how my body reacted when he took my hand for a simple handshake.

“Hey, Mom! You are spacing out.” Dion nudged me while Daphne was giving me teasing looks. They were already done eating and were ready to go.

Flustered, I picked my plate up and put it in the sink. Our maid, Rosa, will wash them later.

When the car stopped at the entrance to their school, Daphne and Dion alternately kissed my cheeks before they both got out.  

“Bye, Mom.” They said in unison.  

Daphne cheekily added in a whisper, “Goodluck with the hunk President, Mom,” which brought a blush to my cheeks.

She deftly avoided my hands when I playfully swatted her. She was laughing when she slid out of the car and waved her goodbye.

I chuckled as I watched them from my side-view mirror get past the school gate. I realized I am excited about stepping into this new job.

A month ago, I thought I would be joining the ranks of the unemployed after my previous employer announced his return to the private sector.

I worried about how I could send my children to school and pay off our bills.

Lester's pension was not much.

Then out of the blue, like a “manna from heaven”, I got shortlisted to replace the President's outgoing Chief EA. The selection was conducted by the party that launched the President’s political career to the highest office in the land.

I could not believe it! Their offer comes with a salary triple than what I received previously.  

When I finish my specific task, a generous compensation package, plus a big fat reward awaits me. I could use it to fund my children's college education. 

And now, after a month of undergoing countless interviews, background checks, meetings, and orientations, I am officially working for the President of the country.