Profession Revealed

"It's fun to watch the clouds, isn't it Howard? It's proof that the storm is over, because the sun is peeking out. At least, we all can feel at ease."

Zannie could not hear the conversation between Nurse Andrea and Howard. As usual, the woman was like a lizard again. What she sees can ruin a good mood ahead of her..

'Obviously she likes Howard, but she should just at least act like she’s hard to get,’ said one side of her brain while simply stealing a look at the two.

"Hey hey hey! You look cute. No jokes, you look like lovers." 

She heard the words of a medtech staff member who is with them now, referring to Howard and the pretty nurse who seemed to be agreed by others.

"Ms. Andrea is single, eh you Mr. Howard, do you have a girlfriend?" insert another of their fellow medtech staff.

Howard shook her head and laughed. "No, I only have a profession to take care of once this volunteerism is over.”

"So nothing? We're the same." Nurse Andrea couldn't help but laugh at Howard's indirect answer. 

“Maybe you’re really a workaholic Howard that you don't have enough time for dating,” she added.

Howard shook his head slightly and glanced at Zannie. He seemed to be reading what was running through the brain of the girl who couldn't paint her face while she was also watching him.

"Let's go to work, we need these emergency kits," Howard said to stop that conversation. This is quite awkward for him. 

Nurse Andrea was about to get busy so she agreed on Howard's suggestion. “Alright. Let's chat later. Okay?”

Howard, on the other hand, seemed to have been pulled by a thorn and was breathing easily because the woman had left.

'Why does that woman have to follow me?'

He had the urge to approach Zannie. She is also currently busy packing emergency kits and other relief goods to be taken to the other camp. 

"Is my evaluation over? Am I allowed to go back to where I really belong?"

Zannie automatically let go of the other belongings she was holding because she didn't immediately notice Howard behind her. She knew in herself that his presence caused something different. It's like the unknown feeling when Jacob is around her. And it was annoying for her to think that it didn't really make any difference how she felt when Howard was near her. She becomes self conscious and does not know what to do.

"Not yet. Why? Are you ready to leave here? I haven't even seen your improvement yet." She glared at Howie and resumed what she was doing. 

"Is that how you talk to the person who asks a good question? Did you enter school? Where are your manners?" Not trying to be rude, but Howard did not intend to insult Zannie. It's just the kind of joke for him, it's like there's just a sarcastic remark that he doesn't want to reveal. He got Zannie's habit—she's stubborn but that's one of the habits he likes about her. Though Zannie may not be a typical girl like the 'It Girl' or girly type that he met before, he admits that Zannie has her own charm and she can get anyone's attention. 

He doesn't say that Zannie is ugly, in fact, her beauty will be shed if she just has a good fashion sense. It's understandable for a girl like her to be simple because of their current environment. Howard knows that Zannie doesn't need to put on makeup in the middle of a dangerous situation.

"Eh, how about you? Did you study to have good manners? I think you only study to exploit other people! Because if you have studied, you shouldn't be exiled here!" Zannie couldn't help but raise her voice. Howard's words sounded different, as if judgmental. 

She knew this man's arrogance from the beginning. She can feel the fire starting to burn the gap between them. She noticed that the two of them were looking at each other in the barracks.

"Are you starting a fight huh?" Howard asked again. 

"Excuse me huh? Don't reverse the situation. You started it, not me! You're implying that I'm being rude!"

"Wow! I just asked if the evaluation was over, is that bad? I have a right to know that so I can get back with you. My dad needs me now." Howard still remained calm. In fairness, he couldn't be like that in front of his female secretaries, but surprisingly he was still calm in front of Zannie. He's afraid in front of a woman and this is only the first time. 

"Are you begging me to pass it quickly when you haven't really improved yourself? All I know is that you're a strongman in your company! You underestimate the ability of employees even less than you because you're the CEO of SLI!"

Everyone was shocked by what Zannie revealed. 

Lucille suddenly approached her friend. "Zannie? Is that true? He's the CEO of a top company in the Philippines?"

Zannie covered her own mouth and bowed. Her mouth didn't move. Now that everyone knows Howard's true profession, what will be the feedback of her revelation to Jacob?

“No. We're just joking around. Get back to work, Lucille,” Zannie denied and shyly looked at Howard.

“Aha! I guessed it right from the start. Howard doesn't look like he came from a middle class family though. And he looked classy and intelligent despite his simplicity here,” Joel commented as he came closer to Howard and got quite impressed with the young man's look.

“Zannie was right. We're just kidding here. We're not fighting and we're doing our work here,” Howard explained. He gritted his teeth upon stealing glances at Zannie. If ever they have time, he will confront her and will try to talk to her in a calm manner.

After the whole day of repacking goods in the evacuation center, Howard was determined to talk to Zannie. He found her alone in her barracks and writing something on the paper above her table.

“I won't ask for your permission. I'd like to talk to you formally about the fuss you made earlier.”

Howard's passive voice was enough to get Zannie's attention diverted easily on him.

“Now you're trying to prove that among us, you're the mannerless instead of me,” Zannie grumbled and stood up from her chair. She quickly hid the evaluation sheet by covering it with a large cardboard on top of it.

“Your attitude sucks. I only asked you about the evaluation—”

“But you talked arrogantly.” Zannie's tone was calm unlike before. That's all her words to make Howard shut his mouth.

“I thought you really changed. But it turns out that I was wrong. You're still domineering and maybe what you are showing in front of them were all insincere. I detested your attitude for not being able to wait for the right time. And I'd like to remind you one thing, the 90 days aren't over,” Zannie explained her side thoroughly.

“But I heard from them that the mission was about to end. We have to wait for about a few days or weeks and after this, we're about to go back to our lives in Manila or wherever you are living,” Howard emphasized. He overheard those rumors that this place is slowly getting better. The troops are slowly gaining the peace in this province. 

Zannie didn't say a word. But Howard was quick to see the paper that was hidden on the cardboard. He quickly took away the paper and read what's written on a piece of paper.

“Hey! What are you doing? Return it to me!” Zannie ordered in a shuddering voice. 

Howard acted like he didn't hear Zannie's request. He stepped back and read the important remarks written for about 10 seconds. He only read a few words and then he handed back the paper to Zannie.

“Now I feel relieved because you took care of this paper. Now I can sleep without having heavy thoughts. Thank you,” Howard earnestly said and walked out of the barracks where Zannie was staying.