"Diamond Job Agency" I stare at the sign hung on the front door of the glass office with my file in my hands. I have no idea why, but I suddenly feel sacred. Hish, if only the factory I was going to work to didn't close down. Then I'd not be looking for other jobs like I am right now.
"What are you staring at? Here is the office. My friend Shin Ah used to come here to look for work. She got it on the same day. Okay, come on. Go, go." Li Manfei literally pushed me inside to glass office and followed behind me.
We were greeted by a lady around 40 years old. While saying welcome she escorted us to the counter and we just followed.
"Can I help you?" the lady asked after Li Manfei and I sit in front of her.
"My friend here would like your help to find her a job." Li Manfei said to the lady who taking out a form and a pen.
"Okay, please fill this form first. While you fill that up, can I take a look at your documents?" she said while looking at the file in my hand.
"Ah, yes of course." I put the blue file on the table and pushed it towards her. One by one she looked through my documents and then my certificates.
I gave the form back to the lady after I finish filling them all.
"So you'd like to apply as a maid?" asked the lady whose name was Ashley. I know from the name tag on her right chest.
"Yes, I am." I answered smiling.
"If there is a vacancy for this job when can you start working?" she asked again.
"Now." I said smiling again. Li Manfei just quietly listened to our conversation while scrolling through her phone.
"I'm sorry, Miss. The position of maids is not a lot to begin with, and they are mostly filled with foreigners who accept low wages." said Ashley again after looking through the file in her hand. Ah, I knew it. Another fail. My God, where am I gonna find a job.
"Please, Ma'am. I really need this job. I promise I will give my best service. I can do everything. Wash the dishes, clean the house, cook, do the laundry, and.."
"One minute, Miss. Let me check in our system first." the lady said probably bored hearing my rambling before I even finish my whole list of what I could do.
"Hmm, there is one maid position in a penthouse in Milennium Tower, Gurney. But there is no transportation or accommodation given. The only good thing is that the salary is slightly higher than the rest. 2000 dollar. Are you interested?"
"Yes! Very interested!" Wah, who else is gonna give me 2000 dollar during this time. I can't wait to put and end to this endless job searching.
"I have my own place and transportation. Besides, the place is quite close to where I live, only 15 minutes away. No problem." I continued. Yeah, that's right Fu Weina, that's not a problem. The problem is do you even know how to cook or clean the house? That's okay. We'll leave that for later.
"Erm, from the requirement given here, it seems that your future boss is quite a fussy person. I think it's better if I explain everything to you first so as to avoid any problem later on." said Ashley genuinely to me. Fussy? Oh god, trouble trouble. I continued to listen to Ashley as she listed all the details and requirements, which is quite a lot, to me.
"your future boss is a single man aged 28 years old and ins an engineer. He wants someone who is good at housework and not lazy. He said here that he doesn't like his maid to talk to him about anything other than work or important matter. Besides you cannot arrive late to his penthouse. Not even a second." oh my God, so arrogant. It's not like I want to talk to him that much. If I'm going there it would be for the 2000 dollars okay! Even just hearing about him already makes me mad, how crazy would I be when I meet him later.
"You understand what I'm saying as of now, right?" Ashley asked me. Maybe because I didn't give a response to her explanation earlier.
"Yes, Ma'am. I understand." I said looking at her.
"About your schedule, you need to be in front of his penthouse by 8 am and you have to work until 6 pm. You might not meet him often but if he knows that you're late to his house, he will fire you immediately. Saturday and Sunday are off days for you." the lady explained about my work schedule. Manman who were not interested earlier is now also listening to Ashley.
" I understand. Hmm.." I said while nodding my head. I don't have a choice anymore. If I don't tale this chance. Who knows when will I ever get a job again.
"okay, besides that,the work that you have to do is the same as other maids only you don't have to cook for lunch. Just cook enough for yourself to eat. And you must finish making dinner before he comes home." I nodded my head again when Ashley finished her sentence.
"Don't worry. I will print all of this and give it to you." Ashley must have read the uneasiness in my face.
"Thank you, Ashley. When can I start working?" I asked all the details that I should know. I can't wait to start working. More like, I can't wait to start getting my pay.
"Tomorrow. You may start work tomorrow." Ashley said while giving me all the details she just printed. Tomorrow? Can I manage to learn how to cook in one night?
After my fingerprint was recorded by Ashley and after signing the contract, my status officially changed. I am no longer unemployed and I'm very happy. Li Manfei smiled meaningfully to me. I hope everything will be fine. That's my only pray at the moment.