Chapter 29: The Unexpected

Althaea Cassidy's POV

I woke up because we went last night. A manager of CY Bar Grill invited us to its 4th year anniversary. I continued to yawn as I walked into the office.

It disappeared when Ma'am Kyla spoke to me. "Mrs. Guzman our General Office is calling you to her office."

The drowsiness I had been feeling when I heard that suddenly disappeared. I was surprised to ask him because I had no idea why I would be called to a promoted position here in the company.

"Why?" That was my only question.

"Just go to her office. Mrs. Guzman has been waiting for you for a while."

Instead of asking Ma'am Kyla again, I decided to leave our office for awhile. I feel the nervousness at this time while walking towards her office. I sighed before I entered.

I knocked first and he immediately replied, "Come in." then I opened the door.

"Good morning, Ma'am, you're calling me." I still smile at him even though I feel so nervous.

"Yes. You may take a seat." I no doubt sat up properly because my two legs were already shaking with the nervous feeling.

All the employees here, even Ma'am Kyla, are afraid of her presence. He is said to be a very strict and perfectionist boss to us.

In a few moments he handed me an envelope.

"What's that, Ma'am?" I asked first before opening its contents.

"Separation pay you." I startled and confused of what she said.

"Ma'am, you may have mistaken the name called." I forcefully reject him because maybe he just made a mistake.

"I'm sure it is your separation pay, Ms. Muestra." He promised me no emotion.

I still remained confused by what he said. I don’t know why there was a separation and why they fired me from the company. I have no idea about the rules I violated. They didn't tell me too or warning me about my violations. I think they should comply with me and give a suspension first before they decided to fire an employee.

"We need to fire you from your job, Miss." She added but I'm still wondering.

"Why Ma'am? Did I have any violations?" I followed up two questions to her.

"Sorry, Ms. Muestra but we cannot tell you the reasons why." She answered yet in calm way. "You have nothing to do but you need to get your separation pay."

"But Ma'am." I still tried to confront him but he immediately opposed me.

"I am sorry, Miss. You need to leave now."

I did nothing but take the separation pay and leave his office. I caught up with Ginger and Ma'am Kyla who had been waiting for me.

"What happened?" Ma'am Kyla our Editor in Chief quickly asked me.

I was almost speechless so it has been passed ten seconds before I respond.

"They fired me." Ginger was really stunning and Ma'am hugged me tightly.

"I didn't expect this will happen since you have the most nice performance on my team so I was very dissapointed and startled about their decision." Ma'am Kyla is actually frustrated now. "It's amazing that they removed you without any reports or memos from them." She added.

"That's why, Ma'am, it's very surprising that they removed Bez. They have made an irrational decision." Ginger stated.

"What's your plan now, Althaea?" My editor asked me again.

"I don't know but I need to find a job as soon as possible because I only rent the apartment every month." my immediate answer.

"Don't you have any plans to report this to the DOLE?"

That one came to my mind but I also need to find a job again right away, especially since I pay a lot of rent. I don't want to ask Zen because I'm ashamed of him and I don't want to be a burden anymore.

"I'll report right away, Ma'am." I just faked a smile at them even though I felt so disappointed.

I have loved this job so much since I poured all my efforts as well as dedication into being an assistant editor. Ma'am Kyla said that I will soon be promoted but because of what happened, it will not be fulfilled yet.

"Don't worry, Althaea. We're here to help you. Just call me if you need help." Ma'am Kyla's promise to me.

"I'm Bez too. You're not alone." said my friend Ginger.

I thanked them because somehow I felt relieved.

When I got home, I didn't feel like cooking so I just ate cup noodles. The next day, I woke up at noon and decided to clean the whole apartment first. I will go to the DOLE office tomorrow to complain. I haven't been able to face it yet. I had to calm down my emotional feelings first.

Wednesday, I went to the office of the Department of Labor and Employment. Unfortunately, they did not accept the complaint.

Hays, is this really how many laws have been passed in the Philippines but are not properly implemented. Just annoying to think. I will not give up. I can do this. I can still find a job right away.

All day I focused on the heat walking the streets. I tried to apply to others but based on what they said I was not qualified for the position while I had so many experiences to prove it to them.

I spent two years in a bakeshop, one year in a well -known department store and the longest I worked as an assiatant editor was four years.

The next day I still failed to find work. I almost despair of my situation now. As I was walking, a bar we went to last night suddenly entered my mind. They may have vacancies.

I immediately took a taxi and I tracked the place. I took a deep breath before entering there.

The manager there greeted me immediately when he saw me.

"Ma'am, can I apply here with you. Anything, I just really need to earn money." I told him.

"Would you like to work as our singer here but she's only part-time."

"Yes, Ma'am that's ok with me. I just really need a job right now."

After the interview and I somehow survived in search of income. I can persevere at work even part-time.

From eight to ten o'clock I was at the bar to sing so late at night I could go home to the apartment.

I immediately drove the car until I reached the parking lot to leave my car. I was also yawning as I walked into the building. I just took the elevator until I came to a building where I currently live.

I stopped walking for a moment when I noticed another man waiting in front of my unit.

Why isn't this man tempting me? Isn't he tired yet? How many times have I told him that it is not possible so he will stay away from me. But, he is still here. He is really stubborn.

I was about to tell him when Zen came up to me. He stares at me from head to toe.

"Where have you been? It's been late in the evening, uh!" He asked while I am still stunning from him.

I was speechless for a moment. I dont't know how ro answer him. I dont't want to lie on him anymore. I don’t want to tell him about my job now lest he think otherwise and he will feel sorry for me.

"At the bar?" I was even more surprised by his statement.

Wait, how did he know? I thought I could still keep it a secret from him.

"Ah because ...." He didn't let me continue to say anything instead Zen hugged me very tightly.

"I knew it already, Althaea. You don't have to explain but I am just wondering why you lie to me." He said in a calm tone but with full of concern of his presence right now.

"Why didn't you tell me you were fired? I can help if you want." I broke away to hug him.

"I didn't want to be a burden on you, Zen. I don't want to add to your worries just because of me." I explained honestly.

I am already ashamed of him. I already hit him and then I'll bother him. The thickness of my face then.

"Don't say that. You have never been a burden to me, Althaea. We are still friends so I still have obligation foe you."

"No, Zen. You don't oblige me anymore." I resist.

"I am your friend so it is still my obligation to help you. Even if we are gone, our friendship is still here. We will still support each other, ok?"

I just nodded then he hugged me and there I cried again. I am still grateful because he is still there to support and help.

Saturday. I woke up at noon again because I slept too late last night. When I came out of the room, I suddenly heard a noise in the kitchen and smelled food. I went straight away and saw Zen cooking our breakfast.

I just greeted him right away so he noticed my presence.

"Good morning too." he looked at me for a moment then returned his focus to cooking.

"Did you sleep here last night?" I next asked him then sat down in the chair.

"I slept on my apartment. I have the duplicate keys of your unit so that I can enter here." He even showed me another apartment key.

"Ok." I answer him. "Hmm, will you finish cooking? I'm hungry too." at once of my grimace.

"Yes, it's close." he said so I just nodded in response.

I just waited a few minutes until the food was cooked. She cooked eggs, sausage and meat loaf and she also prepared hot coffee.

We ate well and then, he invited me to a movie marathon. I haven't refused yet, it's just once. He showed me his USB which allegedly contained movies.

"I downloaded some movies yesterday." he said then attached it to the back of the flatscreen TV.

In the middle of our viewing, we suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"I'll just open it." I preceded him and he just nodded then focused again on what we were watching.

I stopped where I was when I saw him.

"Athena?"