"I'm so sorry to call you at this hour, Ericka," officer Ijaldo apologized.
We meet in an old restaurant that is kind of far already from the main city. Since is already late at night, there's only few people around the area and within the restaurant.
I smiled at him, "It's okay, officer. How did you manage to find the place?" I asked.
"Ah, my old man owns this," he answered so I just nod at him. "Here's what I want to give you," he added and then placed a brown envelope on the table.
I reached it and open. I saw a black folder so I took it out and started reading it. It's Nathan Al Shin's profile, contains his both public and private backgrounds.
"I heard that he came home last two months, I wanna know if it's true or not," I stated, looking at him.
He both placed his hands with intertwined fingers on the table like he's about to spill something huge to me. "As for that, it's true," he answered that made my eyes go larger.
I unintentionally dropped the folder I'm holding due to shock. "W-why? I mean, so w-what's the reason why he came here?" I asked in stutter.
"I'm still looking for answered about that don't worry," he replied and gave me an assurance smile.
"Thank you so much, officer. If my hunch is right about him being here before is related to my sister, I'm really going to suspect him a lot," I stated.
"Ericka, even if we prove that you're correct he'll fall to one of the suspects, remember that there are a lot of them," he countered while tapping the folder in the desk.
"Y-yeah, I never thought about it," I commented.
"By the way, how was in there? How was Nathan Shin?" he asked.
I started explaining to him what happened and he laughs at me from time to time because almost all of it is my complaints about the whole party. But he was amazed by how did I managed to get there.
"Really thanks to Nico!" I exclaimed.
"That Nico, did you just meet him?" he asked.
"Yeah I just did."
"That's good because he helped you but still, be careful okay? It's really hard to trust someone," he reminded.
"Don't worry about it, he's a good kid," I replied and smiles.
"So, did you manage to get a job in there?" he asked.
"I'm going to try tomorrow and I really hope they will accept me because I really did something embarrassing before," I said then laugh awkwardly.
I just want to vanish right now as I remember my complain about that oven!
"If they won't accept you when you're really qualified, ask for their reason or make a fuss about it. As much as possible you can take it way higher and talk to the CEO," he advised.
"Why is that?" I asked, confusedly.
"Because there must be something wrong. As a huge company, they will run background check that will be checked by the higher ups. If they know you are connected to your sister, they will really never allow you to be in their turf," he explained.
I gasp by the way he think and concluded things. "Aren't you just overthinking, officer?" I asked.
He chuckles, "No, I was just thinking of possible reasons," he answered that made me nod.
Our conversation ended at midnight that time and shared lots of information he knew about the family. He said, he's also eyeing his seniors who are the dogs of Shin family. He gave me a lift that night and I went to bed to sleep immediately.
The next day I decided to process my job application and the HR team gave me requirements that need to be passed in two days then an interview. Fortunately, I aced them all and now I'm on my final interview.
"Good morning Ms. Ericka Villaruel, as a young woman, you already have some minor experience, right? You shared it during your first interview," the head of the HR team speaks.
I nods and nervously smile. "Yes sir," I agreed.
"You are good and I think you are really skillful but the company thinks, you aren't still enough for the job," he stated.
My smile fades and I clenched my fists. So, officer Ijaldo was right? These evils. I know they are all connected to my sister's death! I don't need to act and create a scene because I'm really getting mad right now.
I stood up from where I'm sitting and looked at the three personnel that are in front of me. "Why?" I asked.
"Uhm, w-what do you mean why? Ms. Vilalruel, other company will gladly hire you but Shin Tech is thoroughly checking every new applicants. I am really sorry but—"
"No, I don't think that's you're only reason. I'm so sorry too but I need to get a job in here," I countered and went of the room.
"Hey! Ms.! Where are you going?" I heard them calling me but I just continued walking away.
I enter the elevator and immediately closed it. I pressed the button where the executive members in. I know they are trying to catch me below but I need to talk to that Nathan.
I need convince him. I need to be in here.
I reached the floor and right after the elevator opened, some men in suit stopped me. "You're not wearing your uniform Ms., please present your ID," he requested.
I smiled, "I'm so sorry but I forget it downstairs in my cubicle," I lied.
"Please get it first and come back here. We can't let anyone enter the executive floor," he replied.
I closed my eyes in frustration. "Please, just let me talk to your CEO," I pleaded, controlling my anger.
"I'm sorry but we can't allow you," he firmly stated.
"Hey! Just let me in!" I shouted in rage.
They both held my arms and the other one pressed the elevator. "Please go back to your department," he instructed.
"I don't want to! Let me go!" I insisted and started pushing myself against them.
Of course they are strong! I'm thin and don't really have the strength to fight them.
"Please! Just let me f***ing go in there!"
"What's happening in here?"
We all stopped when we heard that deep voice. We looked at the direction where he is standing. He's looking fine in his dark suit and judgingly looking the situation infront of him.
"Ms. Villaruel!" I heard from my back where the elevator is.
Oh shoot!
"Sir Shin," the HR head greeted the CEO and bows a bit. "We're really sorry about the ruckus, we'll handle this so you can go back to your office," he stated.
Contrary to what the HR head said, the CEO walks towards us and we all looked at him. "Did you get the job?" he asks.
"No," I replied that made the others behind me gasped.
"Why?" he asked again.
"I don't know," I answered. "Why do you think?" I asked him back.
"Let's talk inside," he stated and turns his back that made me really shock.
"But sir—" he didn't finish what he is about to say when the CEO looked at him with such a strong gaze that is enough to make him shut up.
The authority he has is incredible.
We both walked together towards his office and I'm following his back. His secretary that is right outside his door opened the door for us so I thanked him and he just bowed at me.
This Nathan takes a seat on the center sofa while I'm just standing far across him, waiting for him to speak. I'm suddenly getting nervous.
"So, what department did you applied to?" he asked.
"PR department," I replied. "Since I took marketing in college and already proved my skills in promotions," I reasoned out.
"Then why did they reject you?" he asked again.
"Your employee said, this company thinks I'm not enough," I replied.
He nods, "I see. Then maybe you really aren't?"
My brows knitted. "W-what?"
"Do you think Shin Tech is just a small company to you that will just hire you because you are really qualified?" he asked.
"Then why the hell did you even put qualifications?" I shootback.
"Shin Tech doesn't just look at the qualifications and complete requirements," he countered.
The last time we meet, he was smiling and really has a good aura but now he really looks so intimidating. I can feel my cold sweats already and I'm getting dizzy already because of heavy pressure.
Yet I need to do this.
"Just hire me," I demanded.
"Why do you really want to be in here?" he asked leaning closer.
"I need a job, I need money for living," I reasoned.
He stood up and walks closer to his desk then he looked at me. "Fine since you really wanted to be in here, I'll give you a job," he stated.
"R-really!?"
He didn't reply and just pick up the phone then pressed a number in it. "Tell manager Salazar to come inside," he instructed over the phone, I guess his secretary.
The door opened and that HR head manager comes inside. "Yes sir?" he started.
"I'll her and put her in the janitorial services."