"Where is Miss Alcantara?" this will probably the most intimidating question that Officer Liao needs to answer coming from the Director's line.
"Good morning, Officer Alcantara was on leave today as she was not feeling well this morning. May I know if there is an urgent matter?" "Is that so? No thanks." Nickel on the other line hung the phone after Officer Liao clear his query.
As far as he remembers, he saw Zoey coming out of his unit. He thought that she was off to go to the office, but how come she isn't feeling well?
And with that, his mood for today becomes spoiled for not seeing the girl.
Later that afternoon, Nickel received an email from the main office and Orb, saying that one representative from their collaborator is going to be relocated to their building. For their convenience, the management from the head office approved the proposal of an Orb employee to accommodate their queries as soon as possible.
Despite his spoiled mood, Nickel tried to flash a bright persona to his former supervisor from Montana office.
"Is there really a need for us to have a representative here?"
"I don't know, but it's the higher management's approval, so we cannot say otherwise, Nickel."
Before leaving her unit, Zoey dialed Alfie's number and asked if his busy today? Although Alfie as a life of his own, whenever Zoey asked for him, he couldn't say no to her. "No, I'm not. Why?" he asked.
"Mom wants me to accompany her to her monthly check up but I haven't renewed my driving license. So would it be a buried to you to drive us back and forth? Don't worry I'll treat you a meal today to pay my gratitude. Hahaha!"
Alfie didn't need any payment from Zoey. He also wants to help her and her mom. "There's no need to treat me, but if you really insist why I would say no, right? Okay, I'll meet you after 5 minutes."
"Wait, Alfie, I forgot to mention I'm already staying to my company provided unit in the metro. I'll send you the address."
"Okay then, see you later."
Zoey waited a few minutes before Alfie arrived and then they went to her parents' residence to pick up her mom.
The three arrived at the hospital and proceed to Mrs. Alcantara's physical examination. The health exam lasted for an hour. After that, they decided to return home at the Alcantara Residence. Mrs. Alcantara promised Alfie that she will cook his favorite dish for coming with them.
Zoey stayed at their home residence after her mom's appointment. She planned to spend the rest of the day in their house, away from the stress of all her financial statements.
While watching the Christmas episode of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Zoey remembered she hasn't checked her phone since yesterday, except the fact she is making phone calls for Officer Liao, Alfie, and her mom.
She paused the show then picked up her phone from the coffee table.
"Wow! Nine messages?" Zoey can live without opening her phone. There are times before that she left her phone for a month in her Aunt's home and didn't notice that until she returned to spend the holiday with her family in Montana.
She opened the oldest unread message.
From: Satan
Message: Z looks like we gonna be seeing each other every day starting tomorrow. Hope to share meals with you then. See you soon my love.
It seems like Satan has back again to disturb her. But Zoey was confused by his message 'seeing each other every day'? Does it mean that he decided to resign and apply for their company? If that so, Zoey didn't think that Director Fuentes would allow it to happen. Whatever the matter will be she didn't care. Everything about him is a waste of her time.
The second and third message
From: Liao
Message: Girl, I don't know what's the matter but Director Fuentes is looking for you. Have you informed him about your absence?
Message: I know you're sick but if you see my message please update me and inform Director Fuentes. Okay? Get well soon girl.
All of a sudden, Zoey felt guilty for lying to her friend, although they are entitled to use their leaves within a year, she still lies to her because she knew she will never ever going to use her sick leaves because never ever since her school days she fell into an extreme illness such as flu, fever, etc.
Zoey sends a reply to her saying that she will message Nickel regarding her state.
But before opening a new message for him, Zoey noticed that the fourth message onwards comes from the person she will sending SMS.
From: Nicanor
Message: You're late. I saw you out this morning.
Zoey registered his phone number into her phone and named it as Nicanor; she really fancied his name ever since the day she learned about it. Sometimes if Nickel called her his 'babe', she will return to him but calling NICANOR in full intonation.
Although Nickel hates it whenever his real name rolls over Zoey's mouth it somehow gives him pleasure.
Message: Officer Liao said that you weren't feeling well, did you returned back home? Do you have any medicine with you?
Message: Have you eaten?
Message: Are you still sleeping? In case you see my message, can you please send me any reply?
Message: Do you want me to come over?
Message: Zoey?
Message: Alcantara?
Message: If you will not return any of my messages within five minutes I will call your father to tell him that you're sick.