Chapter 2

I faced my head down right away. Heat flushed through my cheeks, without even looking I knew my whole face turned red. What kind of misfortune is this ?! With so many people I can talk to, why did I shared my nonsense secret to my boss?! 

Was he still my boss? He would probably fire me right away from his company! You fool, Iris!

I peeked slightly, his eyes still on me so I looked down. I feel embarrassed of what I did. I don't know either. I just thought I had a handsome guy in the elevator that I could work with. Why didn't I think of that? Damn this hangover!

I couldn't read his expression on his face. Was he having second thought? No! I would do anything for him to forgive me. I desperately needed this job. I needed money for my family. They would be disappointed after asking why they'd fired me, what would I say? I told my boss every lies I said in my interview?!

"I've received a news that someone here lied on their interview."

His voice was real serious, like we never had that friendly conversation in the elevator. Lord, why did you do this to me? If only possible to disappear now, I would. I just wanted to be swallowed down below. I wanted to move at the back to lose his attention but I did not have the courage to move my legs.

I could hear everyone murmuring from one another. I know I can do this. I can survive this. Just go with the flow or beg if there's no option left. I thought to myself.

I sat still, trying to pay attention and act as if I didn't know who it was.

"We've to re-run the interview result and will do a strict background check once we sort it out," Zach announced.

My heart skipped a beat. The blood in my ear was trumping so bad it's like everyone was slowly being muted and all I could hear was his voice.

"You are here with one reason; We are entrusting our company to you. Each of you are part of it, so I expect everyone's honesty. Integrity is a must all the time," he said then raised his brow to my direction.

I nodded silently, smiling awkwardly.

"I don't want the opportunities we granted turn into waste because this company invest on their people as well. I encourage you to think outside of the box, exceed my expectation and do hard work as it pays off."

"Sir?" asked one behind me.

Romeo and that one woman looked at Zach first. He nodded but his face was still serious.

"If you don't mind, how will we know if we still passed?"

"My assistant, Mira, will check throughly your informations. You have to wait for the call again for the the second result. That's it. Have a good day, everyone."

I unconsciously clapped my hands. Everyone freezed and stared in my direction, shocked. I stopped what I was doing. Sometimes when I'm really nervous I do things unconsciously . I looked at Romeo for help but he looked so scared too.

"You have anything to say?" asked Zach, his face intimidating me.

"I've a question."

"A question, 'he repeated in between his lips." Say it. "

I bit my lip and looked around. "Hmm ... C-can I say it outside?" I said, my voice trembling. "Just us two?"

I heard Romeo coughed. "Iris, you can ask your question here. Mr. Esqueza's time is important. Let's not waste it."

"Just a minute, promise."

Zach's bodygurad were about to halt me ​​when Zach raised his hand. "I'd like to hear what's bugging her, shall we?"

I stood up nervously. Romeo's eyes widened even more, I know he wanted to put a tape on my mouth already. But this was my only hope, I needed to try. Everyone was still looking at us, the others are gaping in shock. I followed him outside and stopped walking when we were far enough from the orientation room.

He turned to me and I stopped. My knees were shaking.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Esqueza." The first word came out of my mouth. "I'm sorry, really. I didn't mean it, that was my lie before. Believe me, that's all I really said."

He raised his brow, studying me. "Lying is a foul to me. I've trust issue, Ms. Villafuente."

Ms. Villafuente ... My chest throbbed even more when he mentioned my last name.

"I'll do everything. Please forgive me. I can show that I'm worth it here, that the chance you gave me won't be wasted. I only did it because I'm so desperate. I really really need this job."

He was silent. He was still eyeing me, weighing my words. His eyes danced with amusement but that also disappeared immediately. Will he give me another chance?

"Mr. Esqueza, please?" I pled again.

"I'll call," he cut me off.

"Call?"

"Yes, a call, from me," he said seriously. "I've to think about it and set my terms once I've decided. For now you have to push your luck and pray more."

He then left me speechless.

All my life I hated waiting. That's why I'm always late when going out with my friends, they were not on time, too. I didn't have the patience to wait for them. And this, waiting for his call, for the result was like a suspense part in a movie for me. I kept praying each day that he would let me work in his company.

It had been two weeks, no call nor text from him. Even Romeo could not believe what had happened. He scolded me several times because he thought they would fire him, Zach's assistant talked to him several times about me. But good thing they didn't remove him and proved them that it was my fault alone.

"If it weren't for your negligence, we wouldn't have lost that business, Romy!" I heard mama shout.

I sighed deeply. Daddy and her are fighting again because of our business. It went bankrupt a few months ago. I wanted to help but when I asked what the problem is or what I can do, daddy doesn't tell me.

"We'd better sell it than be in total debt, Joy."

"We've been in debt for a long time because of you! I already told you, didn't I? Stop gambling! See what happened!"

"I'm sorry again, you don't have to remind me of my mistake over and over again."

"I will never forget this, Romy!"

"Sorry, sweetheart..."

My dad's voice broke. I wanted to cover my ears and tears started falling from. my eyes. I couldn't do anything to help them. I was in a hopeless situation too. I was just barely making my way to get my dreams and help them but this happened. If only I foresee this, I would have spent less on useless things before.

"Someone's calling you, Iris." Anya threw my cellphone on my bed just next to hers.

"Who's calling, Sister Anya?" I asked her sarcastically.

"That's not mine, why are you asking me?" she rolled her eyes.

"That's so nice of you."

I got up and picked up the cellphone. I went to the bathroom to cancel all the noise from other room.

"Hello?" I answered the phone.

"Hi."

"Irisian Marie Villafuente."

"Wow. Why on earth you know my full name. Who are you? I didn't order online."

I heard the other line chuckled. "You're hired."

"Hired? Don't prank me."

"I'm not," was the short reply of the other line.

Gradually I became nervous. "Is this ..."

"Your boss, Zach," he answered.

I covered my mouth to stop screaming. I was jumping in the bathroom. Shit. I already have a job. This is good news to my parents! Finally. Thank you, Lord! I put the cellphone back to my ear.

"Mr. Esqueza, thank you so much!"

"You'll start this Monday."

He then hangs up. Okay, I don't care anymore as long as I already have a job, I don't care! I ran towards Anya, I was hugging her but she kept on shooing me.

"I have a job, girl!"

"What do you want me to do?"

I slapped her gently and stared. She just stared back and started scrolling on her phone. I rolled my eyes and went to my parent's room. Maybe the tension between them would ease when they heard this news. I knocked, I entered when they didn't answer. Mama was sewing clothes while daddy was arranging the papers on the table.

"Yes, daughter?" Daddy forced a smile.

I smiled at him. "I already have a job."

"Wow. My baby girl has a job now! Great! Where did you pass again?"

"Esqueza's Corporation, Daddy."

Daddy stopped for awhile. He and mama looked at each other. There were hope in their eyes. Having said that, I could somehow make them feel better with my news.

"Congratulations, my child!" Dad kissed my hair.

"Do we still need to celebrate?" Mom asked.

I shook my head and approached to give her a hug. Her eyes were still puffy. "No nee for that, Mama. I know we're going through something right now. Don't worry, I can now finally help you with this problem."

Mom took a deep breath. She caressed my hand. "Iris, we have something to tell you..."

"Yes?"

"We decided to sell the house and live in Daddy's province ..."

My world stopped. Just when I thought I've somehow figure out some things, life had a unique way to turned you down.

"You need to learn to live alone first, we need to leave you... I'm sorry..."