Chapter 1 - Departure

Antique Province

Early in the morning, I already packed my clothes and things along with some important documents, while my mom was standing at the door and sobbing. Her eyes are red from crying since last night.

I sighed and approached her, then I wiped her tears with my clothes. oops... I'm going leave (Don't make the shirt dirty)

C-can you just not leave?" She said while still sniffing. I can't help chuckling at her. My mom is really cute, she inherited this from me.

"I'm doing this for the both of us. And also, you know this is my dream, you understand me, right?" I said while stroking her hair.

"I'm Marigold Magbanua 22 years old, turning twenty three this year. I am a BS graduate and an introvert and nerdy type. I don't like to socialize and I'm wary of people who seem untrustworthy, those who looks like cheaters and bluffer.

I have been wearing glasses since I was seven years old because of astigmatism. My mom said I inherited it from my father's side.

In order to achieve my dream of a good life for both my mom and me, I have to leave her and venture to Manila to get hire in good job position.

Our life has been difficult since my father left us when I was only four years old. Before he left, we lived in abundance and we didn't lack of anything until he didn't return.

I was still very young that time, but as far as I remember, my father was going back and forth to Manila and in antique. My mom said that my dad's family has a business in Manila and dad will inherit it someday.

Dad used to always bring some delicious food from where he grew up. He also brought me a lot of toys.

I also remember that we moved to a big Villa with a big yard where I always played with my dolls.

But one day, my dad didn't come home. My mom patiently waited for him, but he didn't make even one call on us and it was almost the end of the month.

The house was lease-to-own, and since dad is away we have nothing to pay for it.

Since we could not afford the monthly lease, my mom can't do anything but to return the house key, and that very day we packed and left.

I don't want to leave. I wanted to wait for my dad in that place, that's why mom picked me up while I was bawled of crying. As we walked away, I'm still looking at the big yard with teary eyes.

When we returned to where we used to live, some of our neighbors started to mocked us.

Our relative who lives nearby even comes to laugh at us. They always say that dad has another family in Manila and he doesn't want us anymore.

Because of this, I always hear mom crying at night. My mom is a kind and good person. She doesn't deserve this kind of treatment. Not long after, my mom developed depression.

I don't want to hold a grudge against my dad, but he is the one to blame for everything. If he hadn't left us, my mother wouldn't developed depression and people wouldn't mocked us.

Since then, at a young age I promised myself that when I grow up I will work hard and we will leave this place. I will prove to those people that we don't need that person to live a good life.

"If you've made up your mind, just think I didn't say anything." Mom said while stooping obviously making me feel guilty.

I coaxed her for about an hour before I finally got her to agree. I gave her a lot of reminder before leaving.

While the ship was sailing, I was looking at the town where I grew up. Although, I know I may be home sick and sad, I have to bear it. And the next time I leave this place; my mom will be with me.

It was almost a day's journey when the ship docked in Manila. I felt dizzy and felt nauseous because I forgot to buy bonamine at the antique store before leaving.

I bought medicine and hung out at the convenience store first and rested until my

dizziness went away.

When my dizziness's gone, I left immediately and looked for a cheap hotel. With a large backpack on my back and only a small handbag, I can move easily.

After checking in, I immediately took a shower and went to sleep. I didn't even feel hungry. Besides being tired, I hardly slept on the ship.

It's already noon when I woke up. Maybe I slept for nine hours. I ask breakfast to the room service. Afterwards, I started looking for work on my cellphone. I didn't even have to browse because, I found a top job posting website right away.

I read the information written there: 'C.A Inc. the largest and prominent company in the capital and was located in Makati city. They're owned many branches around the country, and can earn millions in a day. Their CEO is a grumpy old man.'

I couldn't help laughing when I read the last sentence. They probably don't want to scare people who will apply to them, do they?

The good news is, according to what I read, the position I desire is still vacant! I feel like I hit the jackpot. I can't help getting excited. I immediately sent my resume to them.

Since I'm in a good mood today, I decided to walk around outside first and study the area while humming.

I also want to look for a cheap rental house. Because if I continue to stay in the hotel before I get a job, I will definitely run out of money and probably end up sleeping on the street. So hopefully before that happens, I started to work ar C.A.

By God'd mercy, I found a cheap rental house. It only has a size of 30 square meters but it has a second floor.

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I waited for two weeks but no response from C.A. I looked up their contact information on the website and listed it.

I'm a little hesitant whether to call or not, especially considering that C.A Inc. is a big company and maybe they are just busy? Maybe they just can't accommodate the influx of their applicants.

Although a little skeptic I decided to call in the end. "Um.. hello, I sent you my resumé but, it's been two weeks and I haven't receive an answer."

I heard the woman on the other line snorted. "It's that so? You know that our C.A Incorporated is the top and the busiest company in the capital compared to others. So, it's normal if we don't respond to you right away. But if you are qualified, we will surely get back on you but if not, it means your resume was failed and rejected." Then it was hung off.

Wait, what does that mean? She didn't even say if I should wait or not. Did they look down on me so they ignored my resumé? Is it because they saw that I only graduated in the province? Maybe I have to go there personally and apply in person. I will show them that they should not underestimate me.

The next day, I got up early and got ready to go to C.A Inc.

While in the waiting shed, I was wondering if I should take a jeep or a taxi. In the end, I decided to take a taxi because I haven't memorized the route yet and I might get late or worst, I might get lost.

While at the taxi, I observed the scenery outside. This's might be one of a cleanest city here in capital and the traffic laws seem strict.

There are also many high-rise buildings and establishments. I hope Antique will have more of this too.

In my peripheral vision, I noticed the taxi driver's glances at me. I suddenly felt nervous, It looks like I'm going to be unlucky today, will I be robbed?

I think It's okay, but not now. I don't have a work yet.

I took out my cellphone and dialed a random number that saved in my phonebook to ask for help when the driver suddenly spoke.

"You're new here?"

Even though I was nervous, I answered. "Y-yeah"

The taxi driver looked to be in his 40s or so. He wears rimless glasses and even though he looks a little old, he still looks handsome. I just hope he's not a bad person.

"Are you a countrywoman?" He smiled in a question.

He asked more questions, and though I hesitated, I just answered all of his inquiries because I'm scared he might get irritated and do something bad at me.

After a while he started to tell a story. I just listened to him silently.

"You know, everything in the province is fresh: the air, the seafoods, fruits, vegetables... and the expenses are cheap there, unlike here in Manila." While talking he smiled as if he was remembering something pleasant from the past.

"The women there are also gentle. When you have a wife who always waits for you to come home, wipes your sweat, and takes care of you; your tiredness seems to suddenly disappear."

While listening to him, the nervousness I feel had also dissipated. This man seems to be kind and he doesn't seem to be a hoarder.

While listening at him, I gripped some courage to inquire. "Manong, do you have a wife waiting in the province?"

His reaction seemed surprised when I asked that.

"No... none." he answered coldly.

I was surprised by his sudden change. He was happy just now, now he's like this. Could it be.... he's just going through menopausal stage?

"We're here." My thoughts were interrupted when he spoke.

I got down and looked at the taxi that went further away.

It takes a long walk before I reached the C.A. building. I never thought that public vehicles are not allowed here. But it's okay, in Antique, I walk further than here.

I am now at the entrance of C.A, and was amazed at the sight of the exterior of the building, even it is in the outside, it looks like they expend a lot for it.

I overwhelmed while staring to it's tall instructure. Is this the so-called 'skycraper'? it's really hard to be ignorant.

"Cough" I turned around when I heard someone at my back. Then I saw some employees standing behind me.

It's embarassing! They may think I'm from the mountains who came down to the city. I stepped aside and gave way to them. I waited for them to come in before I followed.

I gaped when i saw what it looks like inside. From the pillar to floor they looks so expensive. You can also clearly see your reflection on the shiny floor... Is it marble?

No wonder why the HR I talked over the phone yesterday acted like that, because you will be really proud if you work here at C.A.

I hid in a corner for a while to check myself. Then I approached the front desk to ask.

I heard whispers and soft conversations on the side. When I turned, I saw some women who I thought were also applicants because we were both carrying envelopes.

They look excited like teenagers waiting for their crush to come by.

The receptionist stood up and reprimanded them. "Excuse me, if possible, let's keep the silence because you are in C.A company and not in the market, thank you."

Those women were seems embarrassed and they suddenly straightened up and kept quiet.

"These girls, do they think they're in Divisoria? And what they're wearing is so short, do they think they're go on clubbing?" the receptionist murmured but was audible to my ears.

I looked at the girls and saw that they were indeed wearing very short clothes. Their make up is also a bit thick and it looks like they didn't come to apply for a job. Couldn't they be here to find a rich boyfriend?