RED'S POV
Ring! Ring!
I lazily reached the alarm clock on my bed's side table. I didn't wake up from sleeping because I didn't even sleep at all. I even lost count of how many mugs of coffee I drank just to stay awake.
I covered my face with my palms, with frustrations on my face. It is already 8:30 in the morning yet I haven't seen any available work online which pays better salary. No jobs listed online which qualifications suitable for my educational background. I didn't finish college due to financial issues. I barely started college though. I took culinary but only finished one semester on my first year in college. Due to family and financial issues, I need to drop-out to find a job. But then here I am now, currently sitting on my bed while leaning my back on the wall, looking at my laptop with dead eyes.
After I met again that handsome guy in Madame's bar two weeks ago, I resigned the next day. Madame is the type of person who will sell anyone's identity in exchange for a huge sum. I felt that things might go wrong If I'll stay working in that place, so I resigned right away. I even heard from Lorry that two days after I resigned, different people kept on asking about me. There were also delivery guys leaving set of bouquet under my name, with no information about who the sender is. Good thing that I faked my identity when I applied in Madame's Bar so that no one can truly find where I lived. Even the number I used to communicate to Lorry and other people I don't trust that much, is not even my personal number. It's just a number that I could even throw away anytime I wanted.
"Why's my life so fucked-up?" I said in frustration. I've been living all alone for five years, after my brother and parents died from a fire because they were trapped inside our wooden house.
I don't want to remember again those bad memories of mine so I stood up, took a shower and ready myself to work on my other part time job.
THIRD PERSON'S POV
Red was busy piling new stock of noodles when a group of three men went inside the convenience store she part timed in. She hurriedly put all the noodles to go back to the counter.
The man in gray shirt took a basket while the two men in green polo and blue sweater roamed around the conveniene store to pick snacks.
" Let's buy some ice cream. It's scorching outside and I don't want to die from heat stroke" the man in blue sweater said to his friends.
The man in gray shirt who is choosing cold drinks in the fridge gave him a disbelief look.
" bud, If you want Dusk to kill you when you spill some in his car then go, just buy one for yourself. You know already that he's a clean freak." Reminded by the man in gray shirt to the man wearing a blue sweater.
The man in blue sweater just shrugged his shoulders.
" Just grab a resealable drinks and food. If he is using his car, we need to follow that bastard's rule. I don't want to pay hundred of thousands for cleaning services. " the man in green polo scoffed.
'Hundred thousand? Is there a car wash costs that much ?' Red asked at the back of her mind.
She does not really want to eavesdrop but only the three of them are inside the store and their voice are a bit loud also.
" Hey, Dusk texted to grab him also sparkling water and mint candies. " said the man in gray shirt while holding his phone. His friends just noddes in response.
Based on their looks and watches, it looks like they are wealthy men. They are wearing a limited edition watch that she only saw in the magazine that the store was selling.
" By the way, I heard Dusk fired his pretty meal server the other day. I was about to make a move to that pretty lady but she then got fired" the man in green polo said.
" Well, that meal server tried to seduce him while personally serving his food. You know already that man hate unprofessional people. He may be a womanizer but work is work. " the man in gray shirt explained while grabbing bottles of soda.
The man in blue sweater just nodded in agreement.
"Too bad, the way he gives salary to his people is quiet high. Even his janitors have above minimun salary with premium benefits. So,who will be serving his meals from now on? You know he won't eat if no one will serve him a meal at all, everytime he is in his office" the man in green polo worriedly asked while putting bags of chips inside the basket.
"Well, they are still looking for a replacement. Someone who is professional enough to work in HTeach " said the man in gray shirt.
When they are contented of the food they grabbed, they went to the cashier already for payment. Seems like they bought a lot.
" That will be 1,785 pesos sir. Cash or card?" Red asked.
"Card" said the man in gray shirt.
He gave his card to her and she then swiped it. They are really a group of loaded people because the card the man gave to Red is similar black card that the handsome man she met, gave to her
"Here you go sir. Thank you for coming, come back again" She said with a smile.
When they left the store already, Red grabbed her phone and hurriedly typed Hteach to see the qualifications they are looking for. Good thing that she was able to eavesdrop to their conversation because she was able to hear a job opportunity.
"Wow! Is it real? " she said in a shocking voice while looking in amazement to HTeach's Website.
The company is looking applicants for the 2 positions. One in janitorial and one as meal server. Both position require at least high school diploma yet the salary for an 8-hr work is beyond 20k for janitorial while almost 25k as for the meal server. Plus with signing bunos and a 14th month salary at the same time.Usually, in other private establisments, these kind of positions have a minimum wage only. So seeing this kind of offer is new to Red.
" I should give it a try while these positions are available" Red said without hesitations.
Red emailed her CV to HTeach's HR after revising her application letter. After pressing the send button, she clasped her hands to pray for a positive result.
Red's POV
Dear Ms. Endrada,
Good day!
We received your application five days ago and did a thorough review of your profile and work experiences. We are thrilled to inform that you have successfully passed the initial process and is qualified to proceed for an interview. Your interview is scheduled this coming monday afternoon. Please come 30 minutes before your scheduled time and please do wear a semi-casual attire.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
HTech- HR
I jumped in excitement after reading the email I received right after I woke up. I almost gave up when I didn't received any email within the 5 days of waiting. But Thank God, my prayers were answered.
I went to my little cabinet and check if I still have presentabke attire that I could wear for my interview. I may be applying for a janitorial or meal server job, but since they offered hig salary, I need to make an impression for a positive result.
I grabbed my bag and checked if I still have enough extra cash to buy some clothes at the mall. But I only have small bills which are already intended for my meals for the next 7 days. I don't have any extra for new clothes. Can't even afford clothes from thrift store.
Out of disappointment, I shrugged my shoulders and sat on my bed with a sad face. I threw my bag on the floor which caused my things to scatter. I just looked at my scattered things with a sad face. As I looked each of my things on the floor, I saw a familiar card peeking outside the bag.
I smiled with a devilish look caused by an evil plan that I created inside my head.
"Seems like you'll be able to serve your purpose today" I said with a bit of excitement in my voice while looling at the black card.
AFTER my two hours of roaming around the mall, I went to a famous coffee shop to try their best seller mocha frappe.
I never thought spending without minding the price will feel like heaven. So as gratituted,I grabbed the black card and kissed it with so much happiness.
"You're truly a life saver. " I said to the card while giving it small kisses.
I put the card in my bag and happily checking the clothes I bought. I didn't buy designer clothes. I only bought 3 set of clothes from the department store since I am more comfortable to shop there. I also bought a buy 1 take 1 pair of shoes ; A rubber shoes and a black shoes with heels. I also bought set of discounted make ups and some skincare with freebies.
After I finished my drink, I was about to head to the mall exit when I passed by the store that sells the luxury perfume I won last time.
I went inside the store and tried looking for that perfume. As I roamed around, I finally found the perfume I was looking. Since there's no price attached to it, I called the sales lady who's just talking to her collegues at the counter.
"Yes ma'am , what can I do for you?" The sales lady asked without even smiling.
I gave her an awkward smile since I don't know if she's not in the mood right now or if she doesn't want to entertain me.
"A-ahm, I just want to ask how much is this perfume?" I nervously asked while pointed the perfume.
She looked at the prefume and scoffed. She didn't bother answering me instead, she looked at me from and to toe then smirked.
"I'm sorry ma'am but that perfume is very expensive." She answered in a sarcastic voice.
I got annoyed on how she acted towards me. I wanted to smash her face on the wall but I don't want to create trouble since I have an upcoming interview. I need to come clean.
"How expensive?" I asked while faking an innocent face just to show her I am not affected of her insult.
"Veryyy expensive, Ma'am" she said while raising her one eyebrow like saying I couldn't afford the price.
All I want is the price so I can try saving up to buy it as my birthday present. But this bitch is testing my patience.
I just faked a smile ignoring her insult.
" too bad." I said.
I saw a victory smile on her face. She must have been thinking that I'll exit their store. Well, too bad cause I'm not backing out.
I passed through her and smile at her co-worker.
" Hi, can you wrapped me 3 bottles of that perfume? " I said then pointed the perfume I like.
I saw the shock on the sales lady's face. She looked at the other sales lady who was mean to me, then looked at me back. Before she could say a word to me, I showed her the black card which made her eyes wide. I then saw a happy smile on her face, before excitedly went at the storage room to get my orders.
I looked at the mean sales lady and proudly showed to her the black card I'm holding like saying 'look what you ignored'. I know stores like this have sales commissions. Since the products here are expensive, of course their commissions will be big too. So I gave the mean sales lady a victory smile to show her that I won.
"Ma'am , that would be 181,830 pesos in total. " said the other sales lady who also served as the cashier.
I was taken aback to what she said. I never thought each bottle will cost me around 60,000 pesos.
But to stand my ground and save face, I gave her the black card while thinking how can I pay the owner of that card.
'seems like I need to get hired right away so I can pay that stranger back' I said at the back of my mind.
While waiting for the sales lady to finish the transaction, a man around 40's ,with a manage name plate, went out the storage room and walked behind the sales lady who's in-charge of my items. When he saw what the sales lady doing behind the cash machine, he grabbed the black card she's holding.
"Wait, wait, wait!" He hurriedly said before the woman swiped the card to transact.
The manager examined the card which made me nervous. Am I busted? Did he realized that I don't own the card?
I almost went pale when the manager looked at me then to the sales lady in disbelief. He went out the counter then suddenly bowed down to me.
" I'm so sorry madame on how my employees treated a VVIP customer. Seems like they forgot the proper etiquette in serving VVIPs" Said the man in worried voice.
VVIP? Since when? I'm so confused.
" N-no, It's -" I was about to say sorry for the misunderstanding when he suddenly cut me off.
" Let me make it up to you madame, by serving you with our premium wine and an apology gift. Please follow me"
I want to clear up some misunderstanding but I don't know how to say it without being in trouble. Because not owning the card while making huge purchases can lead me to trouble already.
I just followed the manager where he led me to VVIP lounge. He let me sat on a very comfortable sofa then placed a glass of premium wine.
" Please accept our apology gift madame for forgetting the proper treatment for VVIPs" he gave me a red paper bag which has a red box inside. I accepted it and opened what's inside.
"H-hey, a-are you sure about this?" I asked in disbelief when I saw a diamond necklace inside.
The manager just nodded in response.
I'm not sure if I have the rights to accept this gift but since my conscience can't take it, I closed the box and put it inside the paper bag to return it.
" Please take it back. I'm not mad or something. I just want to buy a perfume. I don't even know how I ended up as your VVIP" I explained with worried voice. I gave the paper bag to the manager but he just smiled and gave it back to me.
"Do not worry madame. You may have that give as an apology. We have been ordered that any person with the official Black Card engraved with the authentic H'sW logo , in gold, should be treated as our VVIP. Inability to follow might caused our company a great loss"- he explained while bowing like a butler even though he is a manager in this store.
He gave me the card, together the perfume I ordered. I checked the card and he is right. There is really a small cursive H'sW written at the back , at the very bottom. It is also in gold color. I never noticed it before since I wasn't giving the card too much attention.
'I never thought by just using the card will make me an instant VVIP.' I said at the back of my mind after sighing deeply.