CHAPTER 2: FIRST DAY HIGH

CHAPTER 2: FIRST DAY HIGH

JEWELLE.

It’s my first day in my new work. I feel high. Why not, I’ve been offered this job. I didn’t hesitate to grab the opportunity because, one, they offered twice my salary in my previous company. And two, there was no love lost between me and my previous boss. We were not close. *bitchy laughter*

Because it is my first day today, I wanted to look really presentable, so I made some effort on my make-up and clothing. Sometimes, when I’m in a mood, I can be very good at make up to. Just that, when laziness catch up, I just do with a powder and a lip gloss.

To be honest, the rational part of me could understand why that stupid guy from some time ago thought that I was Alexa’s mother, because that night, when we got home, I looked at the mirror and saw how my face is shining with excess oil. I also recalled that I put on face powder only once that day, and that was still in the morning. The lip gloss I used was also long gone by the time the guy saw me. I didn’t bother putting on blush on or eyeshadow that day. And my hair. My hair, I just twisted it in a bun on top of my head and secured it with a pencil, which I forgot to remove before I left the office.

But because I didn’t want to give in to my rationality, I am still hating on that stupid guy up to this day. I cannot forgive his rudeness! Yes, to be honest is rudeness! Jk.

Well, it really hurt my ego. I am still fuming whenever I recall it.

Ugh! I’m getting so worked up this early in the morning. I should maintain the good vibes and keep my first day high.

‘Whew! Relax, you shouldn’t let the memory of that beast bother you, Mheg Jewelle.’

“Ma’m, please follow me. I will endorse you to your boss now,” the recruitment supervisor, Donna, interrupted my train of thoughts.

I gathered my things and stood up. I like the feeling of the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Exciting.

I followed Donna, who oriented me earlier and is now bringing me to where my boss would be. I will be an Executive Secretary to the COO. Sounds lucrative, right? The good thing is, my compensations is also lucrative. Yay!

My previous job as a Secretary to the President sounded better, but my salary was not as rewarding, that even now, after years of working there, I am unable to buy a car for myself.

Based on Donna’s orientation, this Company sometimes award a car plan to regular employees, depending on their job performance. Also, if an employee did well during probationary period, the President sometimes approve immediate regularization of the employee. Although the prerogative to recommend the employee for regularization lies on the direct superior.

In other words, I have to please the Chief Operations Officer. A certain Harley Alvarez, whom everyone talked about with matching giggles.

We entered a door with the word OPERATIONS written in bold letters. Then we passed several cubicles. Everyone inside the room turned and stared at me as we walked towards the inner office. I almost felt conscious if not for the fact that it is against my principle to feel conscious. So I just gave them a detached, formal smile and passed by, hips swaying. It is not that I am too proud, we are just not yet close.

A little further inside the department, there is a semi-secluded cubicle surrounded by glass panel that serves as its division from the whole operations team. A few steps away, there is a door that is slightly ajar and when I looked at it, it appears to be a tiny pantry. In another side of the cubicle, in a much more accessible area is an imposing door and I didn’t need anyone to tell me that it is my boss’ office.

“Hi Desiree,” Donna greeted the girl inside the cubicle and sat down on the chair in front of her desk. The lady who was called looked up from whatever she was doing.

She looked like a doll with a lovely tan and a twist of Kdrama, if that makes any sense. Her hair was made blonde, too blonde that it just screams ‘I am a fake blonde!’ In fairness, her lips looked naturally full. Pouty lips, but not Angelina Jollie pouty. More like.. Betty Boop! Yes, that is more like it. Then she is sporting a pair of dark contact lenses that obviously aims to make her iris look bigger. She draw a thick liquid eyeliners on her eyelids and made sure to add extra curve at the corner. The classic winged-eyeliner.

Her overall look does not seem so bad, though it is far from my taste.

“Is she my replacement?” Desiree asked, raising one of her thinly drawn brows. And I mean, it literally looks drawn. And using a fine-point pen at that. I almost told her that trend these days is more into thicker brows. But what the heck, to each her own, right?

“Yes, it’s her. She is Mheg Jewelle Alcantara. Ms. Mheg, this is Desiree Kim. You will be replacing her as Mr. Alvarez’ secretary. She will relinquish all her duties to you today,” Donna explained as she introduced us to each other.

Desiree does not seem willing to relinquish her position, so I asked her once Donna left.

“Why did you resign?”

“I did not. I am being transferred to a different boss.”

‘Ooh! Maybe she is not efficient?’ I thought. What a bitch I am becoming.

I just closed my lips to prevent me from voicing out side comments while she orients me with my job. She handed over an internal phone directory and a copy of the organizational chart with photos of people that I should know. In fairness to her, she acted professionally during the orientation. She shared whatever information she thinks I need. Maybe she was just really upset with her transfer that is why she did not smile at me even once since we were introduced.

I can see that she’s not inefficient, that’s why it was a mystery why she was transferred, especially because it was a lateral transfer and not a promotion nor a demotion.

“You can use this table now, the cabinets, the tray, the space. I have already moved my things to my new post yesterday, so I will just endorse you to Sir Harley before I leave you on your own.”

As if on cue, the phone on her table rang.

“Miss Kim, is the new secretary here now?”

The voice I heard is baritone, very pleasant to the ears. The kind of voice that will make you think that the person behind it is handsome. Well, my boss is probably really handsome, based on Donna’s blushing face whenever she mentions his name earlier.

“Yes, Sir. I also already oriented her,” Desiree answered.

“Didn’t I tell you to send her to me the moment she arrives?”

‘Oh! He sounded ill-tempered. What if he is just as grumpy as my toxic previous boss?’

“Sorry Sir, I’m bringing her in now.”

“No, just send her in. Go to your new post now.”

‘Gah! He’s really harsh!'

Desiree looked unaffected, though. She’s probably used to him. I heard she’s been his secretary ever since she started working with the company.

“Yes sir. Copy.”

Desiree dropped the call and faced me. “You should go in. Sir Harley doesn’t like it when someone makes him wait. His words may sound mean or harsh at times, but do not take it personally. I have to go now. Let me know if there is still something you need my help with, you got my local number.”

I nodded in understanding.

“Ciao!” she said and smiled for the first time.

I approached the imposing door leading to my boss’ office. Then I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

HARLEY.

My heart skipped a beat and almost choked me the moment the door to my office opened and she stepped inside, her eyes closed as if she’s opening a gift and wanted to be surprised.

Her name suits her. Mheg Jewelle Alcantara. At last, you’re within my clout. I admit I feel a bit guilty having to transfer my efficient secretary to Mr. Hermosa. But I’m a single minded man. Once I set out to do something, I cannot rest until I am done.

She looked at me quizzically without any trace of being intimidated. That familiar proud chin lifted defiantly while she watches me surveying her. Can anyone possibly intimidate this hard-headed woman?

“Good morning, Sir,” she greeted. Her voice detached and professional. If she remembered me, she showed no sign of recognition. Seems like I’ve found a worthy opponent. This game will surely be fun.

“G-Good morning, Ms. Alcantara.” Good grief! Why am I stammering? I’m the game master here!

I groped for words and couldn’t find any. I couldn’t even think of anything I can make her do.

For the first time, seeing the company President walking in is a relief. The old man walked directly to me and, with his hands on his hips, he talked to me.

“Have you talked to Mr. Alejandro yet?”

I scratched my nape. I totally forgot about Mr. Alejandro.

“Not yet Sir. His schedule is full, but I asked her secretary to find me some time in his calendar.”

“That will not do! It was your fault that we lost him, do something about it before the other party got his signature! You’re being inefficient these days.”

“Don’t worry, Sir. I can fix that.”

“Don’t tell me to not worry. The only way for me not to worry is for you to resolve this issue. And fast!”

Did he really need to shout at me? In front of my brand new secretary?

Before I can even answer to redeem myself in front of her, the President turned around and walked out.

What was that, even? He just came here to embarrass me? I dropped my head on my hands in frustration.

“Is there anything I can do for you Sir?” she suddenly asked.

“How should I call you?”

“It’s in your discretion, Sir.”

My lips twisted and I arched my left brow.

“Then, is it okay if I call you Mine?”

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw a trace of supressed smile. She was having a hard time hiding it so she resorted to giving me a pointed look. And boy was she sexy! She looked like a charmer when she smiled that unassuming, childlike and bedimpled smile of hers.

“My friends call me MJ, but Ms. Alcantara would be fine,” she said after a while.

I nodded. I don’t want to be her ‘friend’.

“Can you make me a cup of coffee?”

“Okay Sir.”

I watched as her hips swayed when she walk out of my office. Shit, my body is responding!

JEWELLE.

I couldn’t read him. He looked a bit distracted a while ago.

I must have been too absorbed with my thoughts that I almost bumped with the guy who is heading towards my desk. I looked at him.

“Mheg?? You’re here?”

My brow arched when I saw James.

“Oh, I am not here! I am just an apparition!” I answered with sarcasm.

“Tch! My ex is really hopelessly stupid.

And maybe I am more stupid, because once upon a time, I fell in love with this stupid guy.

And such a small world it is.

“Mheg? Why are you calling her Mheg? Do you know my secretary, Mr. Vicencio?”

James and I both turned around to see the frowning face of the Stupid Jerk- I mean my boss, Sir Harley. Apparently, between the moment I left his room a few seconds ago and now, he received some bad news because he looked like he’s in a sour mood now.

“Miss Alcantara, where’s my coffee??”

Damn mood swings! ‘Excuse me Sir, even a coffee machine couldn’t prepare a cup of coffee that fast,’ I almost retorted.

“I am about to prepare it Sir,” I answered instead and turned to the pantry.

“Why are you here, Mr. Vicencio?” I heard Sir Harley ask James in an irritated voice, but I couldn’t hear clearly what James said in response. I just saw the two of them heading inside my boss’ office.