Kate
Scrutiny.
I don't know if that's the right word, but after Sophia and I talked for the past three days about the job offer, I knew I had to do some research. I did accept the job. I mean, I accepted the offer, but I wanted to know more about the company. Outside the news headlines and a few tabloids, I think surfing the internet is more convenient nowadays and very updated too.
In fact, they offer more than just being a secretary or work between offices and cubicles. This is Des Company for pete's sake and it's a lot more than just that, and I can't even tell them one by one how wide and open the company is. Des Company is very versatile. Des Company is indeed one of the successful companies, and I just learned yesterday that Des Company is actually based in Singapore.
At the age of 26, I'm sure Des Company would be a good start for my first job. I filled out the form that Sophia gave me; it was a link. Who knew applying for a job could be that high-tech too? Or maybe there are a lot of companies that do the same thing, and I just lived under a rock for god knows how long. But then again, Sophia said that Des Company has a love-hate relationship with paper forms; they believe it is more neat if it is arranged through the system. But isn't that a 50/50 risk too?
I can't blame them; technology today is very convenient.
Des Company also has a job for journalists, but sadly there are no slots open; it was closed three days ago. And I took that as a sign that maybe, just maybe, being a journalist as my first job will not be possible, even though I have dreamed about it since high school.
Make a good start to leap, like being a secretary or an editor, for example. Baby steps.
If I become a secretary, does that mean I'll give coffee and donuts to my other employees? Dang, I cringed at that thought. I don't think Des Company will ever do that kind of stuff. This isn't some kind of weird fiction, right?
And about the job application form, I'm still waiting for their email. I've been very impatient lately, and I want to know if I'll be given a priority card and number for the interview. I can't wait to tell my mom if I get in.
"Lily?" I said in surprise as my cat Lily rubbed her purring body against my warm feet. The weather still feels cold after the heavy rain last night. I like this kind of weather. It's so nice to cuddle with someone in this weather, but I have no one to cuddle with except my cat Lily, and I'm not complaining about it.
I picked up Lily and sat her on my lap. I love it when she does the little biscuit on my lap, even though her little paws and nails dig into my skin. I like the little pain. It hurts, don't get me wrong, but I love looking at her getting cozy. She must have put a lot of faith and trust in me after I removed her from the streets.
"It's already time for lunch. Is that why you come and disturb me with my daily scrutiny at Des Company?" I giggled, but Lily didn't say a word of course. I put her down slowly and walked towards the kitchen cabinet to bring her another food.
I should probably give her proper cat food sometimes; I think giving her sardines all the time is not good. Speaking of which, the sardines are already out, and I have to buy something for her.
"Sorry, Lily. I'm afraid, I have to go and pick up some good food for you." I said to a nun in human form as if she could understand me completely, but she just said meow in return. "Stay right here, and I'll be back."
Judging from the weather outside, it's going to be cold still, so I have to have a lot of layers of clothing underneath me; pants are not included; that's just weird. I grabbed a few sweatshirts, socks, and mittens. I think Lily would look good with a mitten, but since she lives inside my apartment, where the heater exists, I might say that she's really lucky to live like this, unlike on the street.
"Goodbye, Lily. I'll be back in a few minutes." I said and waved my hand at her, but she didn't say anything; she just stared at me with her lazy judgy eyes like I had done a lot of bad things in my life. Do cats always love to give you that judgmental stare? Or was it just Lily being mean to me for leaving? ...
Cats are scary like that; they judge you without even trying.
I called a taxi and asked for the nearest pet store I could find on my phone and stopped. I paid and got inside the pet store.
It was so cozy, and everyone brought their own pet. Now, I want to go back home and bring Lily back so I can let her choose what she likes for her dinner and for the next day. Cats were playing on a fur ball, a fake mouse, and so much more. They even have a dog over, and I believe it's a husky. They can stand cold weather, so it's okay to bring them over. I don't know about the cat though. Do they have or need a specific carriage?
"Hello!" Someone greeted me, making me jump in surprise.
I put my hand on my chest. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry." I said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you." She apologized as I look at her big oceanic blue eyes.
"I'm sorry too. I know you're just doing your job." I said, "You have very lovely eyes. Does everybody say that a lot?"
She rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Yes, everybody does say that a lot, but I always take it as a compliment, even though they're just normal blue eyes." She clasped her hands together, "So? Is there anything I can do to help and show you around?"
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. I ran out of cat food. Do you have cat food in here?" I said while scanning my eyes around the store. "I'm a new fur parent, and I really need some help because, honestly, I don't know what I'm doing."
The lady laughed and led the way, saying, "Oh, don't worry. I can help you with that, but before that, are you here just for the cat food and not anything else? Like litter boxes and potty training and claw scratches or anything?"
I nodded my head and said, "I'll just be here for the cat food. I have no money to buy such things; I'm still looking for a job. Well, correction, I did apply for a job, but I'm still hoping I could get in." I said this while walking with her.
"Good luck on your job; I hope you will get it so your cat will be happy with the little presents you will get her soon." She said. "Its so nice to think that there are people like you who's willing to spend money on their pet like it's your own child. Some people are just cruel, you know?"
And I couldn't agree more. Seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into hours. Which had me worried because I told Lily I'll only be gone for a minute but it's been an hour but I've learned a few things here and there, Lily should be thanking me. Since I have no litter box. I just have to let her train her to do her business somewhere in the house so it'll be marked as her business place. But I'll need some boxes and sand to do that.I can't let her do her business on my carpet.
I never knew being a fur parent could be so hard. All the maintenance and vitamins, and also vaccine shots. Wow. I never knew that.
I was always lonely and took care of nobody else but myself. I mean, I do take care of my mom, but y'all know what I specifically mean, right?
"Why do you have so much cat food?". A man spoke beside me, making me turn around. He looked more decent than I thought.
I just smiled at him and looked at my bag full of cat food. "I have a cat in my apartment; she ran out of food, so I just have a few."
"Is it the same food she ate a few days ago?"
"Well, no, why does it concern you?" I asked.
"Well, whatever advice they gave you in this particular shop is full of shit." He said and walked away, making my jaw drop open.
Well, that was very rude!
That lady was very nice and gave such wonderful advice.
Letting it go, I grabbed a taxi and went home.