2

It's crazy.

"Okay sir, thanks for calling," I said and hung up on him.

I know that's rude. But he's annoying. Repetitive and pointless talk.

Or maybe it's just a joke. We have encountered such customers several times. You order a lot and it turns out to be a scam.

Sometimes those 'vloggers' turn to prank fast foods into the content.

Honestly, it's not funny at all. Poor people even if they say it's just a prank. Because, aside from pranking them, they are also used for money and fame.

I just went back to the counter to take orders again. There are many customers because it's lunch break. They are poor Dayan if there are only two of them taking orders.

"Good afternoon, Sir. May I take your-"

What I was going to say hung in the air because the telephone rang again.

I smiled at the customer. "Just a minute, Sir."

"Moshi-"

"Oh, why did you call me? I was still saying something, eh? That's rude. But anyway-"

I cut him off as well.

"Hello again, sir. If you don't intend to order, then please stop calling, is that okay? Good day."

I approached the counter again to take the customer's order and apologized for the interruption.

Less than a minute later the telephone rang again. And even now boss M is not in his place.

I saw Anj who had just returned from serving the order so I called her so she answered the call.

I continued typing orders when I heard Anj's giggles behind me.

Who called for him to giggle like that? It's impossible for Jowa to call because that's not possible.

"Thank you, sir. Here's your waiting number," I handed the number to the woman in front of me.

I turned my head because I was nauseous. Even my feet. Five more minutes before I can break.

"Sister Lily! Help here," Anj said from behind.

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. That's why he did it. But maybe there were many orders so he got confused in the listing.

"Why?" I asked as I got closer. I also looked to see if he had written an order on the paper but there was none.

Anj smiled sweetly at him. He covered the telephone speaker and came closer to whisper.

"Sister Lily, why did you hide the fact that you already have a boyfriend? Maybe if it hadn't been your last day today, I wouldn't have known that you had a boyfriend. This boyfriend of yours made an effort to call our landline because you didn't answer the call I said you are still on duty so you can't answer," he whispered.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I want to ask.

"Asus, don't deny me anything. Besides, I'm not going to tell you. And say goodbye, right? Because it's hard to sleep at night when you have a fight or a fight with the person you love. You're only torturing yourself, " Then he handed me the phone. "Let's keep this a secret from boss M."

Then he left me. What is he saying? To answer my question, I put the telephone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello baby," answered the person on the other line.

"What baby? You called the wrong landline, sir. It's a fast-food landline."

"I called the right landline because you were on the other line."

Maybe he can't do anything in his life so he just goes on a trip. Why doesn't he just sleep? He still grew up.

"What's your problem? You've been a vlogger for a while now, ah? Are you a vlogger who likes to play pranks? Stop it. You're already disturbing work. Even what you said to my co-worker, stop it, okay?"

"I'm not a vlogger, because I'm a singer okay? I can be a dancer too. And definitely....I can be your boyfriend," he said and laughed softly.

"No sir, it looks like you need to go to the hospital. Your brain is getting worse."

"Yes lods, eh. I think it's too bad. I've always been scolded here. It's your fault so accompany me to the hospital," he said.

"Why would I go with you? It's your fault."

"It's your fault. You don't want to leave my mind. Aren't you tired yet? You've been running around in my head for months, Lily."

"And you still really know me, right? Well sir, I still want to talk to you. But I am a very obedient child to my parents. They said, don't talk to strangers. So, bye I hope you won' Don't bug us here anymore. Thank you, good bye and have a nice day."

* * *

Time flies fast. We will be closing in a few minutes. You crazy caller didn't even call anymore.

And in just a few minutes I'll be leaving here...

I'm wiping the tables and arranging the chairs. I'm the only one here while the others are in the kitchen cleaning up

"Lily call you at the office," said Kelian.

I nodded and left what I was doing.

I knocked and opened the door. I was about to be attacked when it exploded and lit up around me.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!!!"

I held my chest before finally entering and approaching them. I watched boss M's entire office filled with bandiritas, balloons, and other decorations.

Then behind me were the balloon letters that formed what they shouted earlier.

Then on the side there are foods and drinks.

All the crew is here. But I didn't see Cali, maybe she was absent and went to one of her bosses.

Boss M was the one I approached because he was the one holding the pacylinder cake.

"Happy birthday, Lily..." boss M greeted

"Thank you. I didn't expect this. It's just sad that when it's my last day, you prepared me," I said laughing.

Everyone joined in with my laughter.

"What are you doing? I only did this because you might change your mind."

"Ser is terrible!"

"Wish that Lily is ready to go!"

I closed my eyes and prayed before blowing out the candle on the cake.

"I hope...the ramen house will be successful," I asked.

After clapping and they sang me the happy birthday song again. Then the little party started.

A sad farewell ended our happy celebration. I even teared up a bit when boss M and I were the only ones left.

I thanked him and apologized too. But he said that's fine and if I want to work at the ramen house again, I'm still welcome.

While in the jeep going home, I checked my phone to see if I had any texts from the two of them. But I will be disappointed because I have not received any message from them. I

still intend to take them to the favorite food place of the three of us. When I got to my unit, I still didn't receive a birthday message from them.

Aling Injang is also not downstairs so I can ask where Wella is. And he didn't even greet me yet.

I'm a little sullen. But I just understood. Maybe they are busy that day. I can just ask them out tomorrow. It's like there's no school, they're free.

I put three candles on the cake I bought earlier. Ever since I left home, I used to celebrate my birthday alone on the rooftop of the apartment.

After I celebrated that with my two friends, I went up to the rooftop at 11pm and there I celebrated my birthday alone.

This year is different. Because I haven't been with Wella. Then at 8:44 in the evening I will go up to the rooftop.

I arranged the things I would take to the rooftop and then went out.

Because I was on the second floor, I was out of breath when I was in front of the door leading to the rooftop.

Using one hand because I was holding the cake box on the other hand, I opened it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRIS!!!"

When I opened it, I saw Wella, Cali, which Injang and other neighbors and they were still holding balloons, tarpaulins, and cakes.

I stepped closer to see them.

"You guys are so annoying! I thought you forgot my birthday! Because I forgot about me," I said while crying. I didn't even realize that I was crying.

"I'm sorry Iris!"

"Because that's our plan!"

I held the cake while crying. Then they approached me while singing a happy birthday song.

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday...happy birthday! Happy birthday Iris!"

"The cake is ready to be eaten," Cali said with a smile. He is the one holding the cake.

"Yes! I'm hungry so I decorate," said Wella.

Because of what he said, I looked around. It's no different from what they did when I debuted. They also surprised me here.

There are Christmas lights hanging like a curtain. I also attached pictures. A lot of wolves. Lots of food. Then I'm with the people who are important to me.

Then...I can't say anything.

Very nice.

"Thank you. I really thought you forgot..."

"Is that possible?"

"Go ahead and make a wish. The candle is about to run out!"

I laughed and closed my eyes.

"I hope I can study again and I hope my next job goes well," I sincerely wish before blowing out the candle.

"Oh one more blow quickly!"

They took the cake box I brought from me. Then they lit it again. I'm like Aladdin with three wishes.

I closed my eyes again for the last wish.

"I wish for happiness...like this...forever."

It's getting late at night but we're still having fun.

The three of us are sitting at our table.

Which Injang attends to other guests. It seems like he fed almost everyone who lived in the apartment.

"There are so many preparations. Then there are your decorations. The amount you spent. It should be a simple celebration," I said to the two.

I bit into the hotdog on a stick I was eating.

I heard Cali take a sip. So I looked up at him.

"Actually...the rest of this is from your mom. But we can remove the food and other decorations from your mom," Cali said casually.

I just smiled. For now, even just today...I'll give it to Mama. Today is special for me and him. So I will put aside my anger and flattery towards him. Even what happened this morning, I will forget about it.

"It's okay, it's my birthday. It's a shame if we don't eat what he prepared. Besides, he came to visit me again today," I said.

"Are you sure?"

"Sure," I smiled. "Let's just have fun!" Then I drank the wine in my glass.

And that's how I celebrated my 19th birthday with the people who matter to me. Simple...yet memorable. I may not be able to celebrate this with my family, I am still grateful that I found home and comfort with these awesome people.

* * *

I clicked the save button to save the document I am working for two days straight now.

I leaned on the swivel chair and stretched my body. While yawning. I miss my bed. I've been sleeping here in the office for two days, because of what senior Ivan ordered me to do. That's my last project before I'm transferred to the glam team next week.

I will rest my eyes and my body. Because my work is not too heavy.

But now we are very busy. We are especially schedulers and planners. Is it because of the number of artists held by HBLE? Then there's this new boy group that will also debut on Saturday, July 27.

Those who are on the survival show StarLand. That's where sister Mary would have admitted me...I don't know either. The only important thing is that I was accepted here.

I have been working here at HBLE for ten months.

First of all, it is true what sister Mary said that the salary is great. Because I have returned to school. Now I'm in second year college.

If I used to struggle with my schedule, now it's easier. As before, I took online schooling. I'm also secretly studying, because of my situation here that everything is fake to me.

I am now Lily Iris Castilian Romero. 23 years old and two years of marriage to accountant husband Alexander Romero.

Within ten months, a lot has changed....

Wella will graduate next month. While Cali already has a child and is happy in her family with brother Mark.

"Sister Iris! Let's have lunch," said the voice behind.

I turned around and saw Anne. Sister Mary's previous client that day.

Anne Cruz, a single mother. Here at work. But when outside, she is a kind and loving sister to her brother.

"You go first. I'm going to take a shower," I said and stood up to arrange the things on my desk.

I felt that he was by my side. He was holding a wallet and his cellphone.

I am not with him here in our office because they have a project in the other department.

We are like engineers and architects because of the state of our work.

Sometimes staff are sent to other prod teams because there is a lack of assistance like that.

"Yes, that's right. You've been locked up here for two days."

"You're mean to me! It's your fault because you requested me from senior Ivan!"

I was just laughed at.

Anne is still young. He is only 18 this year. Then because of this job she became a single mom and her brother became her son.

Both siblings lost their parents early. They are in the care of his father's sister. But now only his brother was there.

"I'll just wait for you in your capsule," he said.

Besides the big salary here at HBLE, the workers also have many benefits. It doesn't matter how strict the requirements are before you can work here, it's all worth it.

For me my lies are worth it. Charing.

Because HBLE has provided home quarters for employees to stay in. Those who live in the provinces or are far away from the company.

Anne and I chose to stay in to save money. As for food, there are days when everything is free in the cafeteria. Especially if the artists are winning.

It's always like a fiesta in the cafeteria.

On the day-off talk, they are also quite strict. Day-off is only five times a month.

If you're absent or sick, it's like you're at school who will come up with a valid reason why you can't attend. Those excuse letters at school, that's it.

"Don't be the first to go downstairs. I know it's lunch break today and it's free-food today. There are a lot of people," I said and finished putting my things away.

"Okay then," he just said. "Shall I get you some food?"

"Hmm, go ahead and take me. I'm going to eat right away," I said and he laughed. "Oh why? Serve me. It's your fault why I'm suffering."

We left the office together. We also took the elevator together. Our department is on the 12-13th floor. Then the cafeteria is on the third floor. While our capsules are on the 20th floor.

Anne got off the elevator first. Then I followed. I was still a little dizzy after coming out. How about the height too much! Then I'm still awake.

I quickly prepared myself to eat. I was combing my hair when my cellphone vibrated in front of me.

I saw that from our Viber group chat with the prod.

* MIZPAH PROD *

Senior Ivan:

ANNOUNCEMENT:

After lunch by 1:30 pm, proceed to the conference room of our dept. We'll have a meeting.

1:30 then I looked at the time and saw that it was 12:48.

I didn't flake anymore and immediately came out of my capsule. I wear a watch while walking to the elevator.

I was on the third floor for a few moments. Even though it's early, there are still many people eating, of course it's free.

I looked around and looked for Anne. I saw him on the right side. There is food on the table, but it hasn't decreased. He was also focused on his cellphone so he didn't realize that I was behind him.