TINA
“I don’t think so.” – he said
But I was pretty sure my application to the company wasn’t the first time I met him. I just couldn’t remember when or where. He looked utterly familiar. As the car traversed the busy highway, my gaze found the window and focused my attention in there, or what it offers. The life that goes on outside. Whatever made me so sure this wasn’t the first time I met him, that could wait. As of now, I have to focus on the more important thing: my first day of work. I thought of that and my heart did a backflip.
Expectedly, the highway was busy. Commuters crowd bus stops, private cars and motorcycles fill the two lanes of the highway easily and people walking here and there to reach their workplaces in due time. The sun was up, it wasn’t even 8 in the morning but the city life was vigorous.
Mr. Sy didn’t speak of anything else the rest of the ride. He only did again when we reached the building. The driver got out and opened the door to Mr. Sy’s side. I didn’t wait to be escorted and got out by myself. A morning chill blew, causing goosebumps on my bare arms.
“Tina, there’s a folder at the car trunk. Please be a dear and bring it.” – Mr. Sy said, rolling up the sleeves of his polo to his elbows. A scene which made him look ho-
I nodded and asked the driver’s help to open the trunk. Indeed, there was a thick folder with compiled documents in there. I got it and followed Mr. Sy as he walked towards the building. A lot of greetings everywhere welcomed him and eyes followed me. I caught up with him to the elevator.
“nervous?” – he asked.
“no, sir. just a little.”
“it’s fine. This is your first work experience, right?”
“it is, sir.”
“loosen up a little. Once you’re done with this day, everything else will feel better. It’s only the first day that gets on our nerves.”
I kind of felt comforted with what he said. After a few minutes, the elevator door opened and he stepped out to a wide and busy floor. On our right were arrays of cubicles where few employees are now occupying. A cleaner was sweeping the floors. Two men were at the corner replacing the empty water container of the dispenser. The early birds were on their cubicles, one was holding a coffee mug with both hands as he faces the computer screen. He saw Mr. Sy and almost spilled his coffee. What’s up with that?
“good morning, everyone. Let’s have a productive day today.” – Mr. Sy responded to the greetings.
Then, a woman in brunette hair and wide-rimmed square glasses approached. She walked like a model, her eyes piercing through the glasses’ lens.
“Good morning, sir… and I believe this is Ms. Fuego, the new secretary?”
I gave her a wide smile. She looked at me up and down. which I didn’t like.
“yes, Nora. This is Tina. Tina, this is Nora. Our legal consultant.”
The woman named Nora extended her slender arms and I shook it. Her hand felt cold.
“nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“same here. Good luck on your first day… anyway, the meeting starts at 9:00, right sir?”
She let go of my hand and matched Mr. Sy’s pace as the three of us headed to the door at the left side. I looked up and there was the name CEO posted overhead. This wasn’t the office I had my interview before, I noted. How many private offices does he have in this building?
We got in and Mr. Sy pointed a table with a computer set and some empty papers at the side.
“Tina, that will be your corner.”
Okay. I gave him a nod and placed my bag on the chair. It was pretty spacious, if you ask me. He and Nora proceeded to an enclosed office which I believe was his private table. I followed them.
“… and make sure of the food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long meeting. I don’t want our investors to be bored. Thank you, Nora.”
And then Nora head out.
Mr. Sy sighed. I stood there like an idiot. Weren’t there supposed to be someone to orient me with what I will be tasked of? I mean I know I’m only in charge of secretarial works but I have a lot of questions. I just hope I have a senior to ask those questions to, not to Mr. Sy himself.
“you will be joining the meeting half an hour from now, Tina. I need you there to observe the proceedings as well as to record minutes.”
“I got it, sir.”
“okay, now please let me prepare for that meeting. You can stay at your table and organize your stuff.”
“thank you, sir.”
I was out of his sight as well. On my table, I sat down and placed the pens I bought to the vase-like pen stand. The computer set at the side was taking almost half of the space so I only have a few room left for my notes and books. The telephone was also there and I know I cannot just stow that to the side. I checked the drawers of the table and found other office essentials like clipboards, sticky notes, tapes, highlighters and a face mirror. I arranged them properly, maximizing the remaining space. On the bottom drawer I found a small desk clock and I placed it right next to the computer. I already consumed 7 minutes of the time just cleaning and organizing the table. The meeting shall start soon.
“Tina…”
I jumped. I was too focused on my stuff that I didn’t hear Mr. Sy coming out of his private office. I didn’t hear his footsteps as well. I turned and saw him with a white box. He handed it to me and with no question, I gladly accepted it. I looked down and the center of the box was transparent. It was a red bento cake with a short dedication that says, “Welcome to the company.” I smiled. It was a sweet gesture.
I looked up and saw that Mr. Sy looked a little shy. He didn’t look at me. He was avoiding eye contact. It was cute… somehow.
“thank you, sir. I… I really appreciate this.”
“you’re welcome. I’ll…. Be back in there.”- he said, pointing to his private office. I flashed a smile and he walked back to his place.
I was still smiling when he left. I placed the cake down on the table, opened the box to have a better view and took a quick picture. It looked cute so I sent it to Julia, who responded almost immediately.
“what is this?” – she asked
“Mr. Sy gave me a welcome cake. Isn’t it cute?”
“what?! woah, you’re one lucky girl!”
“lucky? No. I’m sure every new employee gets a welcome cake.”
“nah. I doubt. I think he has the hots for you, Tina!”
I chuckled and rolled my eyes when I got what she meant. Of course not. I can almost guarantee her with that. Mr. Sy’s just a cool boss and a good person.
“something funny about the cake?”
I almost jumped again. Mr. Sy was now standing in front of me with his laptop bag on hand. I placed the cellphone behind me. I don’t know about the company’s protocols yet but I guess cellphones are a no.
“no, sir. it’s kind of cute actually.”
“good. We need to go to the meeting hall now.”
“of course, sir.”
I placed the phone in my pocket and grabbed a clipboard and some blank newsprint. He was observing my every move and I was rattling a little. I picked a pen and followed him to the door. I opened it and let him pass first. I was only a few steps behind him as we walked towards the elevator, Nora met us halfway. The sounds of her heels on the floor sounded like a drumroll which matched the beating of my chest.
Inside the elevator, Mr. Sy received a call and moved a little forward. Nora and I were at the back where she said something to me. Few words, but they were words that stuck up to my mind the entire day.
“who are you? Why did Mr. Sy custom a cake for you? He’s never done that before.”
I heard Julia’s voice in my head. But I shook it away. Nope.