Chapter 2: His Secretary

"You're the one who left."

How many times did the last thing Alvin said last night repeated in my brain? Almost five?

Arghh! What's the use of alcohol if I just remember everything? How annoying!

I lazily got out of bed and then stomped firmly on the floor, disgusted with myself. I had the courage to pretend to be drunk last night just to say all that to him but it also didn't matter. He won't able to forgive me.

Not now, not ever.

But he looked likes he's concerned about me last night, I didn't realize that Alvin was close to me if I hadn't heard his voice. It was no longer tender and gentle, it became cold.

Is that really how I hurt you to change that bad? I can't even see the man I used to love.

Alvin, I'm really sorry and sorry in advance if I won't stop bothering you until you hear my explanation. I need you, Love...

Will I go again later? What if he doesn't show up anymore? Aish! I'll just eat first so that my brain can be full, not just my stomach.

I also need to look for a job because I might run out of budget, I don't know when my savings will last. As far as I know, Makati were surrounded by many companies, they may be hiring. Thank god, my Business Administration in college will be useful.

After I groomed myself, I also prepared the possible requirements that will be needed and then take a taxi. It's easier, it's only about half an hour to get there right away without traffic. While on the way, I noticed the amount that had really changed since I left. I also went through the places Alvin and I used to go to, it's been five years...

The taxi just dropped me off where I used to work for when I was taking OJT in college. I had a good performance with them then so I hope to be accepted. As soon as I enter, I was impressed because the place was even more beautiful than before. It's just a hotel that is visited every time there is an occasion but there are so many people now even though there is nothing. They really upgraded it.

"Samantha?" My meditation was interrupted when a man approached me. "Samantha! It really is you! How long has it been?!"

Right, I forgot that France's family were the owner of this hotel so I'm unlikely to see him here. Like his friend, Alvin. He also changed.

"It's been a while, France..."

"Gosh! Alvin must know about this! He..." I waited for what he would say next but that didn't go on. "Anyway, it's good to see you."

"Yeah, me too..."

"What are you doing here? Checking in?" he even looked at the envelope I was holding.

"No. Actually... I was hoping to apply for a job here," I responded quickly.

"Job?" He was slightly surprised. "Like what? Manager?"

"Anything..."

"Are you serious? Does Alvin knows about this?" he asked in astonishment while looking around.

"He's not with me. I went here by myself, France. I guess you know that we already broke up... five years ago?"

"You haven't gotten back together yet?" My eyebrows are furrowed by that.

"What do you mean? I just came back here yesterday morning. Like what I've said, are you hiring? any kind of work? I'm dead serious, France," I clarified.

"Well..." He was still thinking. "We are hiring but those work aren't suitable for you, I might even be killed when someone finds out. Moreover... I know a job that is suits for you and I know only you can do it."

"What is it?"

He gave a smile that I knew will put me in a death situation and I was right. We were in Alvin's Company right now for all the places.

"He was looking for a secretary and you'll be perfect! Let's go see him," then pulled me.

"France, let's just go back. I'll just look for another job," I hesitated to take another step when we got off on the elevator.

"No, can do. I think that only a secretary is the only job that suits you..." He said something else but I didn't heard.

For sure, Alvin is still mad at me so it's not right for me to show him now. I also don't want him to know my condition so until there is still a chance I want to go down.

"What the hell are you doing here?" A rumbling voice greeted us, it's Alvin and he's glaring at me. "Are you following me?"

"N-No, that's..."

"She's with me, dude. Chill," France middle.

His gaze went to France who was next to me now and holding my right arm.

"What do you think you're doing, France? Why did you bring that woman here?"

Hearing the word woman from him is really stupid. It's just proof that I'm just a woman who is fooling around in what I'm doing.

"Yow, Alvin!" France turned to me. "We're not here to waste your time, dude. Also, we are here to help you."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're having a hard time looking for a secretary so I decided to bring you one," France pushed me slightly.

"Her? Are you kidding me? What job does she know?" he asked.

"I can do any job, if you like," I was the one who answered that made them stunned.

"And she's looking for a job, dude..."

"And why is that?"

"That is not your concern," I replied.

"It is my concern if you wanted to get this job," he overlook at the envelope in my back.

"There's a lot of work out there, I'll just look for someone else," I know I was being stubborn.

France suddenly took him on his shoulders.

"Let's talk, dude before anything comes out of your mouth." France looked at me and then smiled. "Don't go anywhere, Samantha."

Though confused, I just nodded and then watched them get away from me. I looked around first while they weren't coming back. Alvin had really come a long way, it was fun to see what he had worked so hard for after so many years.

"Excuse me?" I turned around to see woman who is around my age. "Have you seen Alvin?"

She's looking for him?

"Uhhh, he's still talking with France. Why?"

She just smiled at me and vanished.

"Samantha!"

I just saw France come back next to Alvin. He was wearing the same face again, with his death stare and serious figure. Hugging the first thing I felt when the two of them approached me but also quickly disappeared when France took one of my hands to give him high five. What's with him?

"I have a good news however Alvin will tell you," he was happy to know Alvin.

My eyes turned to him and then he averted his eyes from me. He coughed softly as he adjusted the necktie he was wearing.

"You're hired," I blinked at what he said.

"But you haven't seen my resume? And I thought you were mad at me? Why..."

"Don't ask a lot of questions. Come on, you have to come with me. We'll go have a screening before you start your job. Be professional, Samantha."

He turned his back on me and waited slightly to follow but I still did not leave where I was standing. And here I was, surprised when he called me Samantha, he used to call me Reese. I just realized when I felt him stop to look back at me so I tried to compose myself.

"If you're waiting France, he's not coming," I even heard him swear softly, I just glanced at France before finally following Alvin.

We went into his office, it was clean but I felt lifeless around. There is nothing you can see except his table and chairs even the color of the wall is sluggish in sight.

"Resume..."

Without thinking, I handed it over. I just watched him go to his desk and then sit down. He was now facing me while holding the piece of paper that is full of information about me.

"Let's see what you have..." He glanced at the resume. "Samantha Reese Montefalco, 26 years of age. Status? Single. Permanent Address? Taguig? So, you're staying here for good. Experience? Hmm... Receptionist, Cashier, Waitress? Are you sure about this, Miss Montefalco?"

I just nodded. "Where did you work? so I could get a background check to see if you're giving me a true information..."

"I'm sorry but I can't. It is too personal although I can gave you proof that I everything listed there has been my job."

He stared at me for a few more seconds before lowering the paper he was holding.

"So... Miss Montefalco, may I know why you came back despite your loss in five years? After that night you never showed up. And now, you're here like nothing happened?"

"W-Would you let me explain my side?" I stuttered. "I know I hurt you a lot and—"

He cut me off. "Save it, I don't want to hear lies coming from you. You left me, that's it."

"A-Alvin..."

"Sir Alvin," he corrected. "I'm your boss now so let be formal here."

"Copy, s-sir."

"I guess we're done here?" He stood up. "You can leave, just come back tomorrow to start. Good talk with you..."

I was about to leave when he called me.

"Last thing, don't you ever go back to that place. I don't want to see you there and please... don't repeat what you did last night."