Chapter 03

When I got back in line, I was disheartened to find the woman who was behind me in line was gone. She’d already gone in for her interview, while me? I had no choice but to be last in line. I couldn’t fight with the person next to me earlier, I might get kicked out of the building, and my face would end up in a tabloid with the caption, “Fights During Job Interview.”

This face is for acting, not jail, so I need to be careful with my actions. I need to be demure and not have a voice or demeanor that could shatter dishes.

It was a shame because that was my chance to finish and go home, even if I didn’t get lucky in the interview.

I’ll just endure it because, who knows, the real laughter might be at the end of the line.

“Unique Mahinhin?” I heard a woman who had just finished her interview laugh when the lady called my name. What’s the problem with my last name? Even I’m sometimes embarrassed by it because it means “demure,” but my actions are almost like shattering dishes.

“Yes, Miss?” I immediately stood up and approached her.

“It’s your turn. Good luck!” she said with a smile. She was nice. I smiled back.

“Thank you, Miss.” I said and went to the door she pointed to. I looked for the office room where they were interviewing applicants, according to the lady or their staff. Even though I was nervous, I remained positive that I would do well in my interview. I prepared for this, so I should answer well.

“I can do this,” I whispered to myself. I turned the knob on the door in front of me, but when I entered, there was no one there except an office table. They said there were many people inside. Where were the two handsome guys they mentioned? Did they leave because I was the last one to be interviewed? They didn’t even wait for me because they knew how beautiful I was.

Sigh.

Holding my resume, I looked around for the owner of this office. Why wasn’t he here? Did I enter the wrong office? Goodness.

I was about to leave the office to ask the staff why she said I should enter this office. Maybe I’d be late for my interview. It would be a waste of Budang’s makeup if I didn’t pass, even if it was just for cleaning their restroom. That’s better than nothing.

I was about to leave when I suddenly bumped into something hard—stone? Metal? A wall, no? OMG…a chest? I looked up to see whose chest I’d bumped into, and to my surprise, it was that pervert from the restroom.

“You!” I pointed at him, my right hand on my hip.

“What are you doing here? Are you following me? I’ll really have you arrested! Come closer, and you’ll see stars!” I threatened him.

It seemed like I was unlucky today, and now this rude man was in front of me. He raised an eyebrow as he looked down at me and slowly approached, while I kept backing away so my face wouldn’t hit his chest, which I thought was yummy because it was firm.

“How did you get in here?” he asked.

“And why do you care how I got into this office? Do you think I stole something here, so you’ll report me to the building owner? Try it, because I know I came here for a job interview with clean intentions.” I said angrily.

“You applied for work, but you’re sneaking around, huh?”

“What? No, I didn’t. I just got lost when I opened the door. Report me to the owner, and you’ll really see double. You think I’m demure? No, I’m not. I’m tough in my barangay, even the captain is afraid of me.” I bragged, even though it wasn’t true. I was just scaring him so he wouldn’t report me.

“I think you’re in the wrong office because, as far as I know, the interview room you’re looking for is in the other room, Miss. Since you’re tough, I hope you get the job.” He said, so I rolled my eyes and walked back to the door to look for the door he mentioned.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Watch me, Mr. Watch me! I’ll pass the interview, did you hear me? If our paths cross again, you’re nothing to me. I swear.” I boasted.

I saw a smile play on the corner of his lips at what I said. I rolled my eyes and slammed the door.

Goodness, my blood pressure suddenly spiked this early because of that rude man I met earlier. As if he was so great. He’s not.

I almost opened every door on the floor I’d gone up to, and thankfully, after a second, I found the sign that said, “For Applicants Only.”

I knocked, and a sexy woman opened the door. I smiled at her.

“Is this where the interviewer is who’s looking for a new secretary? Or other work, if there is any?” I asked her.

“Goodness, Miss! Where have you been? A staff member said you were coming, but why are you only here now?” This woman had so many questions.

I sighed and answered her.

“I’m sorry, Miss, I got lost earlier, so I didn’t know where I was going inside the office. There was no lock, so I went in because I thought that was it, but it wasn’t, and this is where I should’ve gone. Sorry.” I explained.

“But the interviewers for the applicants have already gone home, Miss, and they’ll just call those who got hired.”

“Goodness! Is that so? That’s a shame. Is there nothing else I can apply for?” I asked.

“Yes, there is a cleaner position.” That’s what it was.

“That’s okay, Miss. What matters is that I can brag to my gossipy neighbor who doesn’t believe I got a job in a building. If I get hired, I’ll definitely do my best.” I explained without thinking. There’s no take two, and if she didn’t want to hear my complaints, I’ll just say it all.

I saw the corner of her lips curve up. Yes, please…please.

“Okay, I’ll tell the big boss that we have a restroom cleaner.” She said, laughing with her co-staff. What’s so funny about being a restroom cleaner? It’s even better because their restroom will be clean every time they come in. I rolled my eyes in my mind and smiled.

“Did you get hired or fired?” Budang excitedly asked when I got home.

“You’re so dramatic. I haven’t even started yet. Well…it’s not confirmed, bes.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s a shame. Don’t worry, just keep trying, and maybe you’ll get hired eventually.” My friend comforted me.

“That’s what I said. I even hoped for a restroom cleaner position, but they said that those who passed the interview evaluation would be called regarding the secretary position, and hopefully, mine was included. Any job will do. I’ll accept it.” I said, returning the beautiful earrings and necklace she’d lent me.

“What are you planning to do while waiting for the results?”

“Well, as usual, I’ll sell balut at night, then become a laundress for our neighbor.”

“Maybe you should stop selling balut at night; I’m worried about you.” I smiled at Budang’s words. She’s always concerned about me.

“Don’t worry, didn’t I tell you I’m a tough one in our barangay? Don’t worry, I can handle those bad guys. Especially if someone tries to take my goods, I’ll just pray to them, and maybe they’ll meet Satan early.”

“You always joke about what you tell me, but I know you, really know you. I can see in your eyes that you’re also having a hard time with your job. Especially selling balut at night. If someone saved you the two times someone grabbed your goods, next time, they might have many accomplices to gang up on you. I hope that doesn’t happen. I’m worried about you, Unique.”

“That was before, but I think I can handle them. I feel like I have superpowers, so no one ruins my night anymore. And you know what? Many people have been buying my goods since I moved my stall to where I applied for a job earlier.” I proudly told my friend.

“Just good luck. Just come home immediately if you’ve finished selling. Or be home before nine because there are many loafers and bad guys around that time until dawn.” She added, making me love my friend even more. She’s so kind to me.

I said goodbye to her to go home and prepare my balut for tonight.