Unforeseen Encounter

_07_ (Bianca Irene Lee's POV)

If I remember correctly, we're here for camping.

So, why is it that right now we are in front of a COMPANY?!

"Lavalee, is this a joke? Or was there a mistake on the venue?" Chelsea asked

"I don't think so," Lavalee said while staring at the building in front of us.

"So BM3 you are all here because you need to learn the basics of companies and course all of you will start from the bottom. No one is to be given special treatment because even the school's owner will not have it." The professor in charge explained

"All of you will be given five thousand to budget for the whole week, and at the end of the camp, you will receive your salary which costs fifteen thousand. You will also have to apply and find yourself a place to stay in." He added

What? Maji?!

'What? No!'

'This is torture.'

'I thought's we're here to camp?'

'Well, this is better than I thought.'

'I want to get my car, I'll stay there.'

"Also, you cannot leave the vicinity." The professor must've heard that last statement.

"What about the metal bracelets?" Chelsea asked

"Oh, right. Those metal bracelets serve as your trackers. You can also press the red button in case of emergency but you can only press it ONCE! I repeat ONCE. If you press it once, it won't work the next time around." The professor said

We were given an envelope with a card inside. It isn't an ATM card, it just looks like a membership card though.

"May I have your attention, please? As you've been told earlier, I will be your boss. Don't worry I won't be strict and of course, those cards will serve as your wallet, ID, and pass at all times. Don't lose that because that's where your money is and as you can see, there are establishments like that hotel, restaurant, and shops. Have fun," Icarus said and entered the building behind him.

There was disorder and scattering in the people around us after the school president left. We formed a circle and planned what we'll do.

"So, first thing's first, we divide the work," Lavalee said

"We need bio data for our resume, I volunteer to check that shop over there for some," Chelsea said

"Then, we need to look for a place to stay in and a place to work in. Tal, go ahead." Lavalee said

"Three bio data for every folder, we need extra." Chelsea said

"There's eight of us so the place we need to find should be able to house all eight of us." Jess said and I agreed

"One or two of us has to stay here and guard our things to conserve energy." I said

"Your job, Ire. Then the other one will fill up our forms, I think Tal can do it." Lavalee said looking at me and Chelsea, and we nodded

After that, they went separate ways, and Elijah and I were left under a tree. We placed our things between us.

I took my string backpack and placed it on my lap.

"What are you two doing? You guys on a date?" Icarus asked when he approached us

"Should I answer that as an employee or as me?" I asked sarcastically

"As you of course." He replied

"Idiot, you think I have time for that?" I said and rolled my eyes

"Well, I think you'd have one. Him. " He said and pointed to Ethan so I threw a kunai

"Are you carrying something like this?" He asked unbelievingly

"Oh no, Icarus, no, I don't," I said sarcastically

"You're treating this like it's some sort of hunger game anyway." He said laughing

"Isn't it? Because I feel like they will kill each other because of the hardship. " I replied

He returned the kunai he threw it but I caught it. He left after that.

"You're close, no?" Elijah said

"Ah-huh, childhood friends," I replied

Lavalee and the rest soon arrived so we stood up, pulled our luggage, and followed Jess and Lavalee. As soon as we arrived, we secured the house and roamed our eyes around.

There are three rooms so probably it would be us girls then the boys.

Chelsea then distributed our folders containing our fake information. As usual, Chelsea did great on making our resumes.

"Um why is Jess/ Chelsea/ Irene placed in case of emergency?" our bodyguards asked simultaneously

"I placed your names on theirs too." Chelsea replied

"You used our real names?" Jace asked with his forehead knotted

"Ah, I did. This school detected that your files are fake so they ran a background check on the four of you so there's no more point in using it." Chelsea replied calmly while fixing her glasses

"Now that we have our resumes, time to apply for work," Lavalee said

We went our separate ways to look for jobs that fall in line with our interests. While walking, I studied our metal buttons and noticed that it has three buttons and a light.

I was confused when the light glowed orange so I pressed the orange button and a hologram screen appeared.

{ - This place isn't secluded so you'll encounter different people too. You must act like how a real employee must. Good day, students. - ]

I applied as a cook while Jess applied as a receptionist. Caspian applied as the front door security guard while Elijah applied as a pastry chef.

"I didn't know you can cook." Elijah said when he saw that I cooked Paella.

"Yeah, and you, pastry chef?" I asked and he scratched the back of his head

"Just a vocational course while saving up," he replied sheepishly

"That's good," I smiled

We started right away. There were lots of guests so we prepared the buffet table.

I made Shrimp soup, Paella, and Chicken Curry.

When it was already past noon I decided to eat since we're allowed to do so if it's already past meal time. I saw Elijah while I was eating.

"Nice, woman, dude." The man with him said so I looked at him

"Dude, introduce me." Another guy said and stood beside the other guy

"I'm going," I said and put what I used in the sink

"All right, see you later. Don't leave right away." He said and I nodded

"Okay, and oh, you have icing on your lower lip." I said and went back to the kitchen.

That afternoon I was surprised when I saw them.

I thought I'm fine.

But, turns out, it's still painful to accept.

"IRE!" sometimes it's really nice to pull Jess's hair.

I approached her and avoided looking in their direction, even though I know they saw me.

"Sister!" I was surprised when someone hugged me

I felt my body freeze because of what happened.

"I miss you, sister. Daddy said you're here at Seryphil and you're really here!" she said cheerfully

They walked toward me and I removed her hands from hugging me.

"Sister," the older one greeted and nodded at me

"Oh my! I didn't expect to see you here, my love. How are you? " she asked and smiled sweetly at me

"I'm fine, Aunt Rhea," I replied not looking at my father.

"Sister, will you stay with us?" Riley asked me

"Riley, I'm here to study. I'm not sure yet." I answer her

"You're studying here, sister?" Thunder asked and I nodded

" Hi, Thunder, Aunt Rhea, Uncle Tyrone, Riley!" Jess greeted them and put her arm around me

"You're here too, Jess. What are you two doing in a place like this though? Did you check in here too?" Aunt Rhea asked us and I shook my head

"Irene! Let's go!" we looked at the person calling me

"Oh, I apologize," Elijah apologized when he noticed that we're talking to someone

"We have an activity today at the school." Jess said

"And Irene chose to skip it. So you are here because Irene ran away and you went with her - " I clenched my fist because of what my dad said

"Tyrone! Watch your language, Irene is also your daughter." Aunt Rhea scolded him before he even finished what he was saying about me

"It's okay, Aunt Rhea. I'm really here because of the activity. I work here as a chef, in-line with our activity." I answered and looked at Papa

I stared at his eyes while sending a message that he doesn't give a damn about what I am doing.

"See you, Tyrone?" Aunt Rhea turned to Papa

"Really, Irene? Can we taste your cooking? I'm excited!" Riley said cheerfully

"Of course, If you even want your sister Irene to cook for you after our activity." Jess said so I looked at her

"You'll do that, ate? Let's go to your house." Thunder said

"All right, I can also buy a unit, let's eat and sleep there. That is if Aunt Rhea and P-papa will agree." I said and ruffled Riley's hair

"We'll convince Daddy, sister. Isn't it, brother? " said Riley and turned to Thunder

"No need to convince him, Zephanea. I allow you." Aunt Rhea said while smiling

"You can also go, Aunt," I said politely

"All right, yes, when there is time." Aunt Rhea said

"Ahm, we have to go ahead. Chelsea is already waiting for us." Jess said

"Bye, sister." Thunder and Riley said at once so I waved back.

When we arrived at our lodgings, I just got dressed and went to sleep.