Chapter 3 - Accidentally Seen

I listen at the other cubicle when it got quiet. Looks like they're finally done. Haiz.... Thank goodness, I'll pee when I got home.

I heard the door open, maybe they have gone out. I slowly opened the cubicle door and peeked out. When I saw that there was no one else, I went out.

When I came out of the restroom, I saw the woman I bumped into earlier near the restroom door. When she turned to me, her eyes widened as if she was surprised to see me.

The woman snorted and returned to her old impoverished expression, then walked away while swaying her hips. Tsk. yeah, she's sexy, but....

When I got home, I immediately called my mom and told her the good news that I had been accepted to the position I was hoping for.

The next day I went shopping for some daily necessities because my stock was running out. While in the grocery, my phone suddenly rang. I thought It's probably mom, so I immediately answered it without looking on it.

I was surprised when I heard a male voice, it was jonas. "Hi, Marigold. How are you? What are you doing today?"

Though i felt awkward, I just said hello to him and I also asked about C.A Incorporated because I don't know what else can I say to him.

Jonas laughed. "Because you have a concern for the company and because you seem to have proven that you are a good employee..."

He interrupted for a moment before he said something that almost made me jump with joy. "You can come in tomorrow and start as an Executive Secretary of the CEO."

I restraint myself from jumping because people might think there is a crazy someone here. I said a many thanks to jonas before we cut the line.

.......

I hitted the alarm clock in shock when it suddenly rang. I don't usually set an alarm because I'm used to waking up early in Antique, but since today is my first day at work, I want to make sure I'm not gonna be late.

I opened my small closet that only contained women's polos, polo shirts and long skirts. Despite of that, I was still happy to chose something to wear as if I just go for a date.

When I arrived in C.A, I went straight to the CHRO office. I saw my crumpled requirements on the table that had been thrown in the trash the other day.

I was nervous when I noticed the unpleasant gaze of the chro at me. Did I do anything wrong? But this is my first day at work.

I coughed to cover my nervousness and uneasiness I felt. "Um... Excuse me sir, Im here to report - "

"I know. Follow me." He grumpily cut me in then he stood up.

He took me to the executive assistant office. He look in a bad mood before leaving. Is he has a problem with me? I feel that he doesn't like me.

"Ms. Marigold Magbanua, right? I'm Jonathan Javier, the executive assistant of the CEO. I will teach you what you should know: regarding your job, role and task. I hope, we can get along."

I was taught by Mr. Javier of what I have to do until lunch. We only stopped when my stomach suddenly rumbled. He laughed a little while I blushed in embarrassment.

"Okay let's stop for now. If you don't mind, can we have lunch together?"

Even though I was a little shy, I agreed. Mr. Javier is middle-aged man so I thought there may be no malice if we have lunch together. I think he thought the same.

When we went to the canteen and ordered food, those in the front line let Mr. Xavier to line first before them. He seems to be famous here, huh. Well, Its no wonder, I think Mr.Javier is kind and a good person, maybe that's why.

When we were eating, the women at the table next to us were constantly gossiping. It's not that I want to listen, it's just that I could just hear them.

"Have you heard? They say the executive secretary position is no longer vacant. Because, someone has already been hired... someone has already won!"

"Really‽ How did you know?"

"By Tina. She came from the HR office and that's when she found out... And you know what? Ms. Vivian seems to be very angry. Doesn't she always wanted to take the Executive secretary eversince?"

"Hmp! She wants to be the Executive secretary? as if we don't know what's going on on her mind. But the truth is, she have a plan with papa Ceo, that's why she insisted in E.S position."

"Shhh... Lower your voice, she might hear you. Maybe she's around and will suddenly rush over here."

I couldn't help but tilt my head and ears in their direction, especially since I knew they were talking about me as the newly hired executive secretary. But, who is Vivian?

"Ahem"

I sat up straight when I heard Mr. Xavier. I continued eating but my ears were still alert at the next table.

After lunch, Mr. Javier and I returned immediately in our own place. My office is close to Mr. Javier's and I can see from here the people going in and out to the CEO office.

"What?"

"Yes, Mr. Villaflores. It's about one week before Mr. Atanante returns. Sorry for the short notice."

I heard Mr. Javier and Jonas conversation While coming from the opposite direction.

Jonas and I looked at each other when he looked at my place. My office has no door so I can easily see people outside, so do they.

He bid goodbye to Mr. Javier and came to me. "I thought we could introduce you to Mr. no-sympathy as his new executive secretary, but not expected to be procastinated." Jonas said while pouted as he sat at my table.

"And why are you so eager to introduce him to a new secretary? Do you have a bet with him again?"

That is Jonas uncle, Mr. Delphin Villaflores, the COO or the vice president of C.A. It peeked through the door while his eyebrows slightly raise.

"And what are you doing here in Ms. Magbanua's office? and you're sitting at the table? Go to your own office, now!"

"We're talking about her boss, okay?... Jonathan answered lazily. "It's about one week before he returns from his vacation in Brazil, with his new girlfriend."

Girlfriend? Mr. Atanante is not yet married? Maybe because he is too busy. It is said that after graduating from college, he immediately set up and established this company. I think only a genius can do that. But I've also heard that he is harsh and strict. Come to think of it, as from what I read on the C.A website, maybe Mr. Atanante is an old man with a beer belly.

Before going home, I went to restroom first. When I entered, I saw a lot of people standing in line and putting on makeup. I stood on the side and waited.

"Miss, i think it's my first time to saw you. Are you new here?" A woman asked when she noticed me.

"Y-yeah, I'm new."

"Which department are you in? I don't see you among the interns."

"Um..." I was a little hesitant to say my position, but maybe there is nothing wrong if they know about it.

"I-I'm not an intern... I'm the newly hired executive secretary."

The people in the restroom were stunned and were surprised. They started to looked at me up and down.

"You?"

"So, it's you."

"For real?"

I can't help but became conscious of the way they looking at me, because I know that even if they don't speak, they criticize me inside.

In an instant, they ignore me as we didn't talk earlier. What's up to them?

.

.

.

The next day, Mr. Javier taught me again, because there is something I still can't get. Mr. Javier said it was confusing at first but he said I was a fast-learner and maybe within a week, I would get used to it.

I will eat alone at the canteen today because Mr. Javier will meet his wife outside. Anyway, he is not obligated to always accompanies me.

While walking to an empty table with my tray of food, I noticed that the female employees looked at me strangely as if I had stolen something from them.

I'ts not a surprise. It probably has something to do with when I said I was the newly hired E.S. According to Mr. Javier there are many female employees who want to apply for that position, but they are just not qualified.

While eating, someone approached me. "Hi, isn't your office near the top floor? Maybe you can take it to the CHRO office, to Mr. Malibo.... Please?"

Since the woman was pregnant and begged me, I agreed. I took the plastic the she was holding, but I'm wondering, what does it possibly contain?

When I delivered whatever that thing was to Mr. Malibo's office, I vaguely heard what sounded like an angry woman inside. I don't know if I should knock or not.

I put my ear to the door to find out if there was a ceasefire.

"What happened‽ You said you would do something, you're just taking time. Why did I just find out that an executive secretary has already been hired‽"

I stunned from where i stood. This's might be Ms. Vivian who wants to be an executive secretary, and it seems there is something between her and the CHRO.

"I'm telling you, I don't know anything about that too, because even I was surprised. I already threw away her requirements, but I didn't thought that Mr. Villaflores would hire her."

I recoiled at what I heard. It turns out that he really had no intention of hiring me that day. Because..... he was reserving the E.S position for Ms. Vivian?

I quickly put the plastic bag on the floor and quickly left.

I stopped running when I heard the door open, so I hide.

When I peeked out, I saw the woman who came out of the office angrily kicked the plastic on the floor. Then she quickly left.

.......

The day of Mr. Atanante's return has arrived. Coincidentally, I'm late today.

"Manong, to the C.A company, please hurry!" I demanded the taxi driver.

While at the taxi, I was combing my hair which was still dripping. I enjoyed browsing online shopping last night because my mom's birthday is coming, so I'm looking for something nice to give her. So here I am, I woke up at noon and now I'm late.

When I got off from the taxi, I ran to enter C.A. I even almost forgot to pay the cab.

When I came to my office, Mr. Javier was there and seems to be waiting for me.

"Marigold, it's good that you finally here. Get ready. I'm going to introduce you to Mr. Atanante."

I looked at myself. Because I was in a hurry, I didn't look at what I was going to wear, I just picked it up from the closet.

I'm wearing a white long skirt and a gray polo-shirt that I don't know if it's mine because it's too loose.

When we're arrived at the door of Ceo's office, Mr. Javier suddenly remembered the important document he left on his desk, so he went back first to pick it up.

While waiting for Mr. Javier, a woman suddenly appeared next to me. If I'm not mistaken, this is the angry woman who came out of the CHRO office–Ms. Vivian.

"Mr. Javier said, you go ahead inside. You don't need to knock because Mr. Atanante has been waiting for you. He might get angry if you let him wait a little longer."

"O-oh, is that so?.... all right." Mr. Atanante have been waiting for me?.... I suddenly felt nervous.

Ms. Vivian scrutinized me first before quickly leaving as if she just sneaked here. But, why's she smirking at me? I just shrugged it off and opened the Ceo's office door.

But when I get in, I was stunned by what I saw.

There, in the office chair, I saw a beautiful and mestiza woman sitting on the lap of Adonis-like man I saw in the lobby, with her legs spread open..... The woman move up and down at the man while moaning.

My heart beat faster when the man suddenly turned and looked at me.