Chapter 6: Welcome to Drifida
I and Megan were roommates. The dorm was big enough for the two of us. There is a two-bedroom and Megan already occupied the corner room that has a lot more windows. There is a small kitchen and a shared bathroom that has a shower with a heater. There was no dining table but there is a breakfast nook where we can eat our meals. Megan managed to fit a small couch in the corner and small tv just beside the window that acts as our living room. It is more like an apartment than a dorm.
The interior was old just as I was expecting from the look of the building outside. Despite it looking old it still looks sturdy and beautiful inside and out. My favorite part is the exposed bricks. I didn't know they would be this beautiful in a building. The city really doesn't compare to this.
I was a fan of old things. I often steal old CDs and old clothes from my grandmother whenever I had the chance to visit them. I have an old heart—which my grandmother called me when she saw a collection of old items in my room. I guess loving the bricks was me loving the old.
"So who was your roommate before?" I asked Megan as she helped me unpack.
"It's Susan. The secretary that you're replacing."
"I bet she resigned because she was sick of you." I joked as I placed my clothes in the closet.
"She loved me. She actually wants to take me with her. She loves everyone and everyone was just sad when she left." She said that in her flat voice.
Is she sincere? No one will know.
"Oh well, I hope I make everyone love me too." I sighed as I started to realize how much pressure I am facing.
"They will. I know that they will. You just got really unlucky with your previous bosses but I know that you'll do a great job." Megan patted the teddy bear that I brought with me.
I snatched the teddy bear from Megan and laid down on the bed. "I hope I don't get a stomachache tomorrow," I muttered and hugged the bear close to my stomach.
For some reason, my reaction to nerves is stomachache. It isn't the most convenient respond
"Don't be nervous! Everything will be alright!" Megan tried to assure me.
I had a stomachache that night.
~~◇◇◇~~
Megan's assurance did not help me in front of my boss. I felt my stomach doing aerobics as I tried not to wobble. I felt like I could use the restroom anytime as I felt five pairs of intimidating eyes gaze at me.
We were in the lobby of the Ayers building. It was the tallest building that I've seen in town. Everything was glass outside and the design was very modern which makes it stand out from the rest of the old buildings around.
Isn't the company breaking the law by building a modern company in the middle of an old town? Won't this destroy the architecture of the town?
Beside me, Megan is relaxed and smiling—the complete opposite of my sweaty and pale face.
"Good morning Ms. Summer and Ms. Loera." The man—whose face is too familiar said.
I knew them. I just met them recently. It was not a very pleasant meeting though. I can still remember their perfect faces as they sat beside me looking so perfect and nonchalant even though I was being the most clumsy human on earth at that moment.
Fate has a way to make a person's life miserable, I thought as I stared at my bosses.
I wished they did not remember my face or my voice—I wished they did not remember me at all. I can just make new memories with them as the new passionate, kind, and elegant employee that deserves the employee award. And not the clumsy jobless lady beside them as they eat.
All of my dreams were crushed— pulverized like the sand on the beach when the cheerful man with light brown hair grinned at me with his wide sparkling eyes—Mr. Jareth Hargraves.
He raised his arm and waved at me.
I awkwardly smiled and waved back.
"It's you! I knew you were gonna apply!" He said as he walked toward me.
I unknowingly took a step back as he got closer to me.
"I'm Jareth! It's so nice to meet you again!" He beamed at me.
I blinked rapidly, it felt like my eyes were blinded by the glowing ball of sunshine in front of me.
Is this really one of my bosses? It feels like he just wants us to be friends.
"It's nice to meet you too sir. I'm Irene Loera, the new secretary of Mr. Celestino Ayers." I smiled at the excited man in front of me.
"I told you C! We're gonna find an awesome human like her!" He beamed at Mr. Ayers who was watching us as if we were a tv show.
"Welcome to the company Ms. Loera." The man with his shoulder-length hair greeted me with a warm smile.
"Thanks for giving me a chance Mr. Willards." I smiled at him.
I hoped I got his name right. Megan briefed me about the higher-ups when they were having breakfast. I almost choked on my food when Megan showed me their profiles.
They somehow managed to always make me choke on my food whenever they are around me. That wasn't good because I will always be around them from now on—I do not want to choke on my food every day.
Who would want that?
"Why don't we go to your offices' sirs?" Megan asked.
"Let's go. We don't want Ms. Loera to get uncomfortable on her first day." Mr. Celestino said with a smile as he started to walk towards the elevator.
Everyone followed him towards the huge elevator. We managed to squeeze ourselves in without leaving anyone behind.
Sir Killian and Ms. Alderei did not greet me in the lobby but they smiled at me. I was thankful. I do not want to get any more attention to myself on my first day. I hoped for a quiet first day. To not get all the attention that I did not want.
They all rode the elevator. Sir Killian was behind me throughout the ride. I can hear him sighing now and then as he shifts around.
With his massive body of his, he will really be uncomfortable in the elevator.
'Having a nice body has its downfall too huh?' I thought to myself as I hummed and nod my head.