Chapter 03.02: Another Way Around

"Hi, mom!"

"Addie, my darling. I'm so happy that you called me." 

"I've been ringing you a few, but I think you don't have that much time to answer because of work." Adeline rolled over on the other side of her bed.

"I'm sorry. It has been a hard past few days for me. Papa- I mean your grandfather, wants me to sell our family business and help him with his." Her mother explained, and from her breathing, Adeline can hear tiredness.

"What's your decision?"

"I don't know. I can't think of anything else to reason out to him so that he won't insist on that matter." 

Adeline might know nothing about their family business's history, but she knows she's trying her best to think of a solution that would benefit both sides.

"Have you eaten dinner already?" her mother asked.

"Yes, I already did. With my… friends." 

"I would be happy to meet them if given a chance." 

Adeline couldn't help but smile, "You will."

The silence went in between their call, for Adeline doesn't know if she should tell her mother about her work experience and the treatment of her co-workers since the first day she began working with them. She knew she didn't want to give her mother an additional burden and make her overthink her situation in New York.

"How is it going at work? I just wonder, since you already mentioned about your friends." her mother continued.

She gently bit her lip, "I-uh, I want to tell you the truth but please, don't worry about me."

Adeline heard a background noise from which she could tell that her mother gets up from lying on the bed.

"What's wrong? Tell me what happened."

"I expected so much from them, that they would be friendly to me because I am a new employee," she said while playing with her toes. "But I was wrong. It’s just sad that they make me feel like they can’t accept me as their teammate in the department to which I got assigned."

It took her mother a few seconds to answer, and she began with a deep sigh.

"The world there has been cruel to you, huh?" she asked Adeline.

Adeline pouted before nodding, even though her mother couldn't see her response.

"Adeline, life may be hard and challenging for some of us. It may give you the idea of surrendering. But, no matter what happens, giving up is not the answer. Do you understand?" she said.

"As you always tell me, mom. I have to find another way because there will be an alternative path that will open when the other one closes. There's no dead end in life." Adeline stated based on what her mother used to tell her, even when she's still young.

"That's my girl."

A notification has interrupted their conversation after Adeline suddenly received an email. So, she opened the email and couldn't believe what she read. She re-dialed her mother's number to tell her the good news.

"Mom! I'm going to be promoted!" she said happily.

"Really? That's really quick. Congratulations, I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you. I just can't believe everything turned around so fast," Adeline looked at her email again. "My department manager just emailed me the requirements I need to complete, so that I would get the promotion."

"Good luck. I know you can do it." her mother said happily.

"I should go now and prepare for tomorrow. I'm sorry for making this just a quick chat, mom. I will make it up to you next time."

"It's no problem. As long as you call me, anytime will be fine. I love you." her mother said.

"I love you too. Bye, mom!"

"Bye."

As soon as they hung up the call, Adeline went to take her laptop and printed out her copy of the email sent to her. She couldn’t fully express the joy she felt because in her mindset she had to do everything to achieve the promotion that fate has brought to her.

A few weeks passed, Shirley had Adeline under training and helped her complete her requirements. Shirley noticed that the newbie really had potential in almost everything she taught her, which she feared. Because it might also lead to the decision of the eminent authorities to replace Shirley with Adeline as the new department manager.

The last day of Adeline's training for the promotion has arrived, and the next day is the day of her presentation in front of the so-called second-level authorities. It assigned the authorities to evaluate all the company employees in order for them to know if some of them are effectively gaining experiences and having improvements, or if they are just all doing the job.

Adeline laid her head down flat above her desk after a very tiring day. Sandra placed another Starbucks frappe cup above her desk, which Adeline immediately looked at.

"Thanks." Adeline smiled at her friend.

Sandra went to check Adeline's hard copy of the presentation she will present for tomorrow while Adeline went for her drink.

"You seemed to work a lot for this presentation." Sandra smiled at her before continuing to look at the papers.

"I hope it pays off tomorrow."

"What are you feeling right now?" 

Adeline sipped from her drink, "Nervous and excited. Is that even possible?"

Sandra put down the papers back on the desk and looked at Adeline.

"I hope when you're promoted, you won't stop considering me your friend." she pouted sadly.

Adeline put down her drink and held Sandra's hands. She smiled at her in assurance.

"The workload and the job position will change, but not my friendship and treatment with you." she told Sandra.

Sandra smiled, "I hope you're not lying."

"Why would I lie to you? Remember that you're the first person to greet me on my first day and you're also my first friend here." Adeline reminisced.

Sandra remained to stare at her, that's why Adeline went for a hug.

"Don't be sad, Sandra. Please…" she said.

Sandra's face remained straight, "I can't help being sad."

"Alright," Adeline let go of her and looked at her friend's sad pouty face. "If I get that promotion, we will have a celebration. Exclusive for the two of us.”

Sandra smiled happily at what Adeline had said. Even though she’s irritated with her, it was inevitable for her not to be carried away by the genuine kindness of the person she hated the most shows.

During their quick break, Sandra coincidentally met Shirley at the ladies’ restroom, but they maintained their connivance oblivious. Shirley got out of the cubicle and went to the sink, right next to Sandra. They looked into each other’s eyes while washing their hands with soap and water. They maintained a slow-paced movement, not trying to rush, and waited until they were the only people left inside the restroom.

“What are you going to do? The promotional presentation will be tomorrow, and I tell you I can see the success rate to a hundred percent. Your friend will get that promotion, for sure.” Shirley continued washing off the soapsuds from her hands.

Sandra ignored what she said and went to take some paper towels from the tissue dispenser, before wiping dry her hands.

“If you’re waiting for me to do something about it, I’m telling you right now that I cannot do anything. For dealing with the higher authorities’ decision, it’s a no for me-”

Sandra laughed at her with a mock, “What a pussy.”

Shirley glanced at her, frowning. 

“What the fuck did you just call me?” she questioned her.

“You heard me. There’s no need for me to repeat my words.” Sandra looked back at her with a smirk on her face.

“Just a piece of advice, you sneaky bitch,” Shirley’s teeth gritted as she closed her face to Sandra's face. “If you have a plan, I suggest you do it as soon as possible."

Sandra remained in her stance as she glared at Shirley.

"Because no matter how villainous you are in someone’s story, if you’re walking with a turtle’s shell on your back or a snail slime under your feet, everything will be too late for you." Shirley continued her warning.

Sandra clenched her jaw, "She's not my friend."

"Then, stop acting like you are." Shirley gave her a last glance before passing by her, hitting her on her shoulder, and leaving the restroom.