Chapter 21

THE SECOND meeting with that man in the coffee shop where I work never happened again, which I am grateful for. I prayed to never see him again after the first time we met when he first used me, and I think my prayer failed once because we met again in the coffee shop that night when I made my duty.

One week had passed, and I believe the days I spent working full-time at the coffee shop to earn more bonuses were not in vain. And from the day I start my task and am assigned as a secretary to the company, I'll be back in the night shift because I'll be a secretary during the day.

That same night, following my encounter with that man, my professor also sent me a document in a brown envelope containing everything I needed for this task. According to one of the files, I'll be working for the Saavedra company, which was a little surreal. When my professor sent me an email, I assumed he was joking or made a typographical error, but when I received the envelope containing the hard copy of the files, I knew he wasn't joking.

That company had been a dream of mine since my first year of college. I didn't think I'd be able to work there, but here I am, going to be a secretary.

I could just laugh at myself in the back of my mind; I had hoped to be one of the Saavedra Company's architects but ended up as a secretary. You've got to be kidding!

But, as my professor pointed out if I do well on this task after I graduate, I will be working directly for their company and will not need to look for another job.

Monday arrived, and you already know what that means. Today is my first day at my ideal workplace. I set an alarm for 4 a.m., but I awoke earlier than usual. I'm guessing it's because I'm both excited and nervous. I just hope my boss isn't too strict and isn't a snob.

It was still 5:30 a.m. when I began getting ready. I took a bath and changed into a white long-sleeved shirt that I tucked into a dark blue skirt that was just above my knee. My black straight hair, which was almost to the bottom of my shoulder, was tied in a bun. I applied light make-up and light red lipstick to my lips. I also pick up my black shoes with three-inch heels, which I wear to school every Monday. I take out my shoulder bag and place my wallet and phone inside. I even look in the mirror at my entire transformed self to see what I look like once my look is complete.

Damn! My outfit makes me appear very professional. Architect Audrey Virgel. To my ears, it sounds like music.

I can't wait to see an Arch next to my name.

When I finally left my room, Bella did the same, dressed professionally. The only difference is the color of her sleeve because she is dressed as a member of the hotel staff.

Just by looking at that wide smile on her face, you could tell she was ecstatic. Psh. She's ecstatic because Jake is with her, not because of her position.

"Oh my goodness, Audrey!" exclaimed my best friend. "Architect Virgel, is that you?" she remarked after seeing my expression, cracking a joke.

I let out a soft chuckle in response to her remark.

"Calm down, I'm not an architect yet," I said.

“Wow! You're looking forward to this task, hmm, future President?" I said as I cracked a joke on her, and she just chuckled softly when she heard my remark.

"Of course yes! Who wouldn't want to?" she replied, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her response. "Based on your expression, you even appear to be excited. Someone who appears to be well-dressed and who does not rant about hating her position for this task," she added, rolling her eyes.

I gave my best friend a death glare, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Of course, I had to appear professional, you know? If I did well on this task, they might automatically hire me as one of their architects after I passed the board exam," I said, picturing that day when they would quickly contact me and hire me to work for them.

Ah! Heaven!

I know my professor told me that they might give me the last position in their company, but by completing this task, I can still demonstrate my abilities and demonstrate how professional I work. If the time comes for them to hire me, they may quickly promote me.

And, since today is our first day on the job, Bella has offered to drive me there and pick me up in the afternoon. We were driving in her car because I didn't have my own. It's a good thing I have such a wonderful best friend.

"Hey," she said, not taking her gaze away from the road because she is the one driving.

“Hmm?”

"Dad has another car at home, I guess it was like this one," she said quickly. “They hadn't used it yet, and it was brand new. I'm not sure why they bought it but didn't use it."

My best friend's statement made me laugh because I could hear the irritation in her voice.

“So?”

"Last week, I asked him and his mother if they could give it to you. Do you know? I believe you needed it as well," she added.

"Oh, no, no! I still don't have enough money to pay for it," I said flatly.

"They said you didn't have to. I believe they will give it to you as a gift."

"Why would they want to give me something? Even worse, it's not even my birthday."

"You know them, they'll give gifts even if there's no occasion," she mumbled and cast a glance at me before turning the wheel to the left.

"I believe as a graduation present," Bella added. "Simply accept it. Let me tell you, they'd just blackmail you until you agreed."

After hearing that, I chuckled and suddenly remembered how they blackmailed me into accepting their offer to live with Bella in one condo unit because the unit has enough space for both of us.

Bella's parents were so generous to me that they paid my tuition fees in secret. Whenever I paid my tuition, the school simply stated that I was already paid. They devise their strategies to stay ahead of me. So I just let them be in the end. They won't even take the money I give them as restitution for paying my tuition.

After the ride, Bella comes to a halt in front of a tall building.

"So... here we are?" she asked, looking at me," she inquired, turning her head to look at the building. "Saavedra building," she said, not taking her gaze away from the tall structure I'd hoped to work on.

I took off my seat belt and opened the car door.

"I appreciate it very much. You're going to pick me up? " She nodded and smiled at me as I exited the car with my shoulder bag and the brown envelope.

I waited for Bella to leave before turning my head and looking up at the tall building that kept my dream company.

As I looked up at the building, I couldn't help but smile. I still couldn't believe I was standing in front of this building, about to complete a task for my finals.

I'll do my best while I'm here to show them that I'm worth hiring as one of their employees.

Architect Audrey Virgel, I'll see you soon.

Fighting!