I was laying on the bed while thinking about what Ali told me last night. I am still in the house and I don't think I will be coming back anytime soon because I don't want to drive 10 hours back to the orphanage and come back again to apply for work.
I really want to come back right now after taking pictures of all the paintings in our house. I have sold a lot but it's just day one so I think I would be getting more in the next few days and that is another reason why I have to stay because I have to be there to deliver those paintings to their new owners.
Tomorrow, I will be taking these paintings out together with my driver. I don't drive and that is why I need someone. But I want to thank them personally for buying my paintings and also, some people want to talk to me about the donations personally. I'd take those I guess.
I rolled over and went to check my phone again. When I opened the messages, I received more but some of them were already sold out. And with that, another 2 of my paintings were sold. It's just been the first day and I think I had sold 11 of them. I didn't expect to sell it this fast but I think the reason why I sold my paintings made more buyers.
3 different persons were asking about the painting that I had posted from Zach's house but it was such a shame I don't have it with me right now. I left it at his house. They were asking for it and is ready to buy it for a high price but since I don't have it with me, all I could say is that the painting wasn't available.
I had more time in the afternoon so I started painting again. I painted the orphanage building this time that my mind has memorized each corner throughout the years. As I was painting, I was thinking about getting a job or not.
I don't need it for myself. I am not planning to be independent and live in a house by myself. Since I am single and wasn't really looking for a partner, I am not planning to leave this house. I don't have to pay for food, electricity, and other bills. I want it for the orphanage but I am thinking if the pay is worth it for me to stop coming to the orphanage.
It took me hours and still didn't finish the painting but has decided to call Ali and ask what Team was it and where can I find their office. "I'll make my secretary email you the link for their hiring. You can fill it up online, you don't need to come to their office for applying. But for the interview, I think it's the best way to come. You can apply today," he said.
I waited for the email to be sent and opened it on my computer and checked the website. I can already see that they were a group of graphical organizers and graphic designers when I first clicked on the link.
I read everything on the website before I started filling up the information system. That includes the name of course, and a lot more. It took me minutes to fill it up before I clicked apply and kept my computer open just in case they reply fast.
While I was waiting, I forgot to turn it off when I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, there was paint on my face and I had to take a bath to take it all off. I thought I had turned the computer off because the screen was black at that time. I had dinner and hang out with Ali before I came to check it and that was when I found out they messaged me back a few hours ago. An hour after I applied.
[ From GP _TEAM@gmail.com]
[ Hello good day, we are from GP Team and we would like to tell you that your application was accepted by our head office. We would like to welcome you to our office Monday next week Date *, **, *** . For your interview. ]
They had more to say and even sent the link to the map to find their office. The date was probably a week from now because today was Monday so I replied 'Thank you ' to the message and turned my computer off.
I suddenly felt excited about getting a job. This was my first time applying for a job and it didn't make me feel nervous when I applied earlier but I didn't know it was this exciting to come to your first job interview. I glanced at the map on my phone and went outside to tell Ali that my application was accepted.
The next week was really a busy week for me. I call the orphanage every morning but I didn't tell them about my paintings yet. I catch up with Lila before getting ready to deliver all the paintings to places where the buyers want to meet.
After a week of personally delivering the paintings to their new owners, I got donations from 6 different people and that made me very happy because they all gave a huge amount and I know that with that much money, we could possibly keep the orphanage running for a year.
It was Sunday and I decided to take a break from delivering. There were fewer orders so the last few days were kind of easy for me. My phone reminded me to get ready for my job interview. I chose formal clothes to wear tomorrow and I got my papers ready. I asked for everything from Ali. I also got tips on how to impress an employer.
I got everything ready because the interview is happening tomorrow morning.
The next day was exciting. I got ready very early because I barely had any sleep because I was just so excited. I did everything and made it look better. My hair, my makeup and my clothes. I want to look very presentable when I meet my hopefully new workmates and boss.
Ali left so I had to call a driver to drive me to the location. I sent the link to his GPS so he could drive it himself because I also don't know where it is. I only glanced at it a week ago, I have no need to memorize it since my driver drives for me. I waited for us to arrive and I almost fell down to my knees when I realized where we were going. I immediately opened the linkagain to confirm it and I was right.
It's Zach's building!
I looked at the building wishing that I was wrong but after looking at the design and how the building was built, I realized that I was wrong
I looked at what floor it is in the 12th floor. As far as I know, that is not occupied by his employees, meaning, I didn't apply to his company. That thought made me feel better. A little at least.
I was shaking when I stepped inside. I stayed outside for about 30 minutes. thank God, I got ready earlier. I stepped inside and looked around. There is no way I am going to meet him right now. As far as I can remember, he comes to work early. And it's way past 10 am already so I might not see him today.
I wanted to stop coming and just head back home but I couldn't. This was very exciting for them to cancel just because I stepped into his building. There's no way an executive like him in this place would ever take notice of a woman like me in this huge building.
I knew executives come to the elevator so I used the stairs to come to the 12th floor and realized that it was unnecessary because executives and regular employees use different elevators. I was panting when I got to the 12th floor and I ask the floor's front desk. "Excuse me, can I ask where the GP team was located?" I asked the cute front desk clerk as politely as possible.
"Good morning, ma'am. The GP team is inside the last door on the right side ma'am," she answered using a sweet tone.
There are 2 double doors that are visible. And I opened 2 at first and like what she said, I went to the last door from the right. I knocked first and waited for them to notice me outside. A few moments later, a lady opened the door with a smiling face. "Good morning, how may I help you?" she asked me.
"I am here for a job interview, is this GP team?" I asked them trying to watch how I talk and act to make a good first impression.
"I see, please come in,' she said. We walked across the whole room and I can already see the people inside who will be my co-workers if I could get in. The place was divided into office stations for the employees each has a computer and the tables were customized by the employees themselves which I find very exciting.
She knocked on the door 3 times and opened it. It leads to another office. it was huge and I can already know who occupies the room. It was the head of the team. 'Good morning," I greeted.
"Is this the possible new employee?" she asked. She's a middle-aged woman but she looks hot. She was wearing eyeglasses and her hair was braided loosely and is resting on one side of her shoulder. She was wearing a shirt and women's slacks and black corporate heels. She went to me with a huge smile on her face.
"My name is Leslie," she said and offered me her hand, "Leslie Lim,"
"My name is Xhyrah," I am hesitant to say my name but I had no choice, "Xhyrah Jimenez," we shook hands and the girl left us in a room. She made me sit in front of her office table and she sat back to her seat.
"I don't like job interviews, do you?" she asked me while she was reading a paper in front of her.
"This is my first time,' I said and it made her surprised.
"Oh well, I'm sorry but this is going to be boring," she said and I laughed a little. "So, do you know anything about animations, graphic designing, web designing, and art?" she asked me.
"Y-yeah, I graduated in fine arts," I answered.
"Then you're employed," she said as quick as that and she leaned back to her seat. I was surprised because it was too quick for me to process and I prepared so hard and didn't expect this to happen.
There is only one thing that I could say before leaving the building. My boss is crazy. She's so quick to judge people and when I asked her why it took her 2 minutes to employ me, she just said, "Because you were pretty at first glance,"
I didn't get to tell her about my previous works and my knowledge about my degree which I was expecting in a job interview but I felt relieved that I was. It seemed very unusual too but I asked her how much she pays her employees and when she whispered to me the amount, I said this is it!
I have a well-paying job and a great unexpected boss but I still have a problem. I might run across Zach at this place. I walked as fast as I could out of the building and went inside the car and we drove home. Even my driver was surprised because of how fast I got to come back.
I told Ali everything and he said he knew the woman. And he agreed with me. I had fun talking with him about everything about my first job and the office, the desks, and especially the fact that it was in Zach's building. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me?' I asked him.
"What? I didn't know," he said playing innocent.
"You didn't?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I didn't," he said with finality. "So what are you going to do? Are you still going to take it?"
"Yeah, it has a very nice offer. "
"I might be able to donate next year so you don't really have to do this much. you have sold almost all of your paintings already,"
"I know you've donated to a lot of groups and schools, Ali. I can do this, don't worry, I got donations through my paintings too so I think we'll be fine," I scoffed.
"No, I was talking about risking the chances of running across your ex-husband,"
I paused for a moment. "I'll be fine," I said trying to pretend that I don't mind seeing him at all. But for me, it was the scariest thing that might happen. Getting to see that face again after 2 years. i still couldn't remember how he sent me off with a hug and the words 'take care. That was past 2 years ago and yet I still cannot bring myself to face him again.
If I would, I think I might just melt on the ground as well.