Chapter 1: The Unexpected Job Opportunity

My name is Audrey and after savoring seven sweet years in college shifting from one course to another, I am finally a graduate. 

My family can stop nagging at me for staying in college longer than they thought I should. 

However, a day after my graduation, they start telling me to review for the licensure examination.  My family seems to have a problem relaxing.  They always have something to do or work on every single time.

“I’ve got so much on my plate.  Can you let me breathe for a second?” I told my older sister Ally. 

“That’s because you haven’t completed enough so you think you still have a lot to do,” she said.

“All I want is a break,” I said.

“You’re procrastinating. You’re delaying things for what?  You better think of what’s best for your life before you realize that your niece is already in college and accomplishing more than you did,” she continued.

“I don’t know but I have a feeling that I don’t have to compete and work really hard.  I feel that I am destined to meet someone filthy rich who falls in love with me and tells me that I don’t have to work for the rest of my life,” I said.

Ally sighed.  She thinks my dreams are just fantasies.

“Well, you already met a lot of rich kids in your life and most them probably do not have any idea how to earn money,” she said. 

“I’ll look for a job first so I can save and pay for my review,” I told her.  I thought that was enough assurance to stop her nagging.

“That sounds like an amazing plan but if it comes from you, then it’s more of a drawing,” Ally said.  She just couldn’t stop making me feel bad.

It’s me who stopped talking because she’s already got on my nerve. 

“Alright, baby sister.  I did your resume and sent it to your email address.  I now pray that it gets forwarded to other companies’ email addresses,” she said as her final act of annoyance for the day.

As her way of making up for being so hard on me, she invited me to go to a mall to shop and eat.  I was ready to forgive her but good thing I hadn’t.

The moment we stepped foot on the mall’s grounds, she told me that we should check out the new stores located near the activity area only to see the big job expo happening there.

I rolled my eyes and I made sure she saw it.

“What a coincidence!” Ally said like it wasn’t her intention.

“Coincidence?” I asked her.

“Aren’t you looking for a job?  I thought you said you were.  This is perfect. You can apply for jobs, then we shop and eat all in one place and in one day only,” she said.

“What kind of companies still do job fairs these days? Anyone can apply online,” I asked. 

“You can at least try looking while we are here,” she asked in a more convincing tone.

“Alright.  I’ll check later.  I am hungry right now,” I told her. 

I could be persuaded in that manner.

I chose an expensive restaurant to get my revenge. On the table across ours, a well-off looking group of friends dines. 

“So, what do you intend to do after your wedding?  I don’t mean the honeymoon but the real thing,” one of the ladies said to another.

“Well, he doesn’t want me to work but I refused.  I don’t want to become a housewife waiting for my husband and depending on him for money,” someone said.  I assume she’s the one getting married soon.

“Your husband is soon to become a billionaire, dear.  You can’t avoid that kind of life,” another lady said.

“I know so it’s either I put up my own business or I work for him,” the bride-to-be said.

“Work for him? You mean like an assistant?” someone asked.

“Yes.  That way, I can monitor his expenses, his calls, his activities – everything.  I am his boss without him knowing it,” the bride-to-be said.

I was enjoying the conversation but too bad my sister had to interfere and remind me of my manners.

“Stop that.  You’re eavesdropping and you’re even smiling,” she said.

“You heard that, right?” I asked her.

“Yes but I guess, there’s not much billionaires in the world, let alone here in this country so you better work hard because most likely, that’s your only option to become rich.  Sorry to burst your bubbles,” Ally said.

“Sorry to burst your bubble,” I murmured imitating my non-believer sister.

I discreetly looked at the bride-to-be one more time as they’re leaving the restaurant. Surely, she’s pretty but I am thinking or perhaps judging that she got an almost-billionaire groom because of her connection not her looks.  I guess, my sister is right.  I have to work hard but not to earn and save money but to gain connections.

“Oh my goodness, you haven’t stopped,” she said.

I ordered a lot in the restaurant and convinced my sister that we should check out more shops – all because I’ve been trying to avoid going back to the job fair at the activity area.  I am still considering her advice to get a job I don’t feel like starting that today.

“Let’s check out the clothes here.  The displays look amazing,” I told my sister one more time as we passed by another new shop that looks high end.

“I know what you’re doing,” she told me. 

My scheme is busted but I don’t care.

“Thanks for shopping, Sir. We’ll see you again,” the saleslady said to a male customer who’s exiting the expensive shop that we are entering.

The male customer smiled and for a very few moment, my sister and I are in-synched.  He’s not just a window shopper of the expensive shop.  He’s got five paper bags in his hands.  He is gorgeous.  The scent of his perfume is rich and it lingers.  He is no doubt a rich man!

“Who could that be?” Ally asked.

“You’re married with a kid,” I said to remind her of her sad status.

The expensive shop is at the second level and facing the activity center at the ground floor.

“Oh, that’s him, right?” Ally noticed.

My eyes grew bigger instantly.  The gorgeous, rich looking guy went straight to a booth in the activity area and from where we stand we watch what’s happening down there.  All the staff of the booth stopped what they’re doing to greet him.  He certainly commands authority in the way he carries himself. 

It’s almost 5PM and the job fair is ending soon.  It’s now safe to go there pretending to check out vacancies, which for sure by now have more than enough number of applicants.

Needless to say, we went straight to the gorgeous guy’s booth.  We learned it’s an IT and software company. 

“I’ll go now.  I’ll take this,” someone behind us said.

“See you, Sir.  Thanks for dropping by,” one of the staff said.

I turned around and bumped into that gorgeous guy unintentionally. Honestly, that’s never planned so fate must have made that happen.  He still smells good.

“I’m sorry,” the gorgeous guy quickly apologized with a cute smile and sincere look in his eyes.  I swear, I melted instantly.

I declare this day a very productive one.  I was able to do everything that’s important to me such as eating and shopping plus one big bonus in the form of a gorgeous, rich looking guy who also smells good and probably owns the company.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but the selection process for the jobs that we posted today is over.  We’re done for today,” one of the staff told my sister. 

“Ally, it’s 5PM.  They’re done,” I told her. 

She’s really annoyed realizing that I succeeded in delaying my job search.

“When is your next job fair?” Ally asked. She’s not giving up easily.

“We don’t know yet.  For now, we have enough shortlisted candidates for all vacancies that we posted today,” the staff said.

“Oh, you already did the shortlisting here?” Ally asked.

“Yes, Miss.  That’s the reason we set up our booth here. This way, we could interview candidates right away and give them the results on the same day,” the staff answered.

As my sister and the staff continue to engage in what to me is a nonsense conversation, I stand here looking content and happy.  The only thing I kind of regret this day is not knowing who that gorgeous guy was but that’s okay.  He’s a consolation and it won’t kill me if I don’t know him.

“Excuse me, can I have a minute?” a girl asked the staff my sister is talking to.

I try to avoid my sister’s sharp gaze but I surely don’t know how to tell her that we should go now.  It’s one of those moments when she got really mad at me.

“Okay, I’m sorry.  I’ll do it next time. I promise,” I told her.

We were about to leave the area when the staff from the IT and software company came rushing to us.

“Excuse me, Miss.  Would you like to apply for the role of an assistant?” she asked my sister.

“Assistant?” Ally asked.  I almost burst into laughter seeing my sister’s face.  She herself is a boss with people under her management.

“Oh, I’m sorry.  How about her?” the staff asked if I could be the one to apply.

“What kind of assistant?” Ally asked.

“It’s actually someone who will be reporting directly to our CEO. It’s like an executive assistant role but a little toned down,” the staff briefly explained.

“I don’t have my resume right now so I can’t apply. Sorry,” I said quickly.

“It’s fine.  You can just email us your resume,” the staff said.

“What’s your email address?” Ally asked.

The staff dictated the email address to my sister who seems to be interested.

“Wonderful. I’ll send my resume later when we get home,” I told both of them.

“No worries.  I sent it already,” Ally said.  I forgot that she’s the originator of my resume. 

“Alright. I’ll just note that we haven’t interviewed her thoroughly,” the staff said. 

“Just like that, you did your first job application ever.  I’m happy for you,” Ally said.

I must admit I am having cold feet as early as now. The role requires the person to work closely with the CEO.  Is that person better or worse than anyone in my family who tells me what to do?