Offer
1550 Words
“What the hell is this?!” Callum’s voice echoed inside the conference room. He just had a meeting with the board members when he got the report. He immediately asked the Marketing team to go inside the conference room.
Everyone is secretly shaking. They know Callum’s temperament. No one dared to look at him.
The general manager can’t help but wipe some sweat on his neck even the temperature is cold.
“Are you all a bunch of ****? We almost lost one client because of your irrelevant ads! Who did this? Who the hell approved this???! Tell me!”
“Sir, I- I approve — “ The Marketing Manager is stammering.
“Revise this. Now! I need the result within the day. If I don’t like the outcome, you and your team better pack your things!” The Marketing Manager’s team scared of what they heard.
“Do I make myself clear?!”
“Ye-Yes Sir!”
“Yes, sir.”
As soon as Callum walks out of the room. Everyone releases a heavy sigh. They quickly get back to their seats and start revising the project.
Meanwhile, Hanna spends her time baking and experimenting with food. She’s still apprehensive about going out of her apartment. It’s been a week since her last interview. She rejected Callum’s offer, and she’s somehow regretted her decision. She needs job especially that she’s now living on her own.
She tried to call her nana Mina, but the phone number was no longer in service. She missed her so much. Somehow, Jess is helping her. She gives her company. Their night talks on the phone make her forget her past, most especially the night she had with a stranger. Jess also provides several companies that she can apply.
She’s already in bed when her phone rings.
“Sup Jess?”
“Hanna I have another exciting news for you..!”
“If the news is not about your devil boss, then I guess that’s exciting.”
“Uh-oh. Sorry to disappoint you girl but it’s about him still.”
“Ugh! I know, right? Anyway, what is it?”
“Well, he almost fired the entire team in the marketing department.”
“What?!”
“That’s true. He’s so livid when he came out of his office. I guess he didn’t like the project or whatnot, but what could be the other reason? I didn’t see him though, but my friend from the creative team saw him. He’s scary as hell!”
“I don’t think he is that scary.”
“Girl, you’re not his employee. That’s why it’s easy for you to say that. You have never experienced the trauma that everyone had when he’s around. Everyone scares to even object him. He’s never been wrong. He doesn’t accept defeat. If he is not scary, then I don’t know what more could it be called.”
Hanna obviously rolls her eyes. “That’s too exaggerated.”
“Whatever! Anyway, have you already decided? You were given ten days to decide and today I think is the ninth day.”
Oh shoot! She’s right! Hanna thought.
“Jess, after what you have told me, don’t you think I can still consider--“
“Wait.. I think someone just told me.. I don’t think he is that scary.” Jess imitated my voice, too.
I really wanted to be a writer. Since I didn’t get the position, then why bother working there.
“Jess, I don’t find him scary, as you emphasize he is. I just don’t like being a Secretary. Writing is my passion.”
“Girl, if I were on you shoes, I would accept it right away regardless of how scary he is because I get to see him and get closed with him.”
“Are you fantasizing about him right now?”
“Who’s not? He has a lot of characteristics that other men don’t have. Young, deadly, handsome, fit.. I wonder how he looks like without his shirt.. Oh gosh! I think I’m gonna dream of him tonight.” Jess squeals from the other line.
Hanna sighed. “Urggh.. Jess, you’re helpless.”
Jess didn’t mind her words, but continued asking.
“So, what do you think about working in the company? Just think of the good reasons why you need to accept it. Think of these... We get high compensations. That’s the main reason everyone is dying to apply and get hired. The salary you can get is two times higher than the other companies I know. Aside from that, you get a lot of benefits. We have good amenities and we can use freely. The environment here is great too. The only problem is our boss. But he is only one comoared to the wonderful benefits we can get from here and one major reason you need to accept the job is, YOU NEED A JOB! Not everyone gets the position easily."
“I did not ask for it.” I said, nonchalantly.
“I know. That’s why you’re lucky. So can you rethink about it? If you accept, then we have time to talk personally.”
*****************
It’s already an hour since her call with Jess ended, but she still can’t sleep. She’s thinking of the reasons she needs to accept the job.
After she rejected the offer and stormed out of the office that day, she got a call from the human resource that she was re-profiled for the Secretary position. They didn’t get her decision on that day. She was, in fact, given ten days to decide.
Another few minutes have passed, and she’s still wide awake.
Ahhhhhh! I need to drink!
She has no more wines, so she goes down for two glasses of wines. Hanna immediately changes her clothes into a fine one. She gathers herself first before going out of the apartment.
She avoided looking at the room she’s once went in.
Moments later and she’s already inside the bar.
“Long time no see senorita.”
The cute guy she met greeted her.
“You remember me?”
“Who wouldn’t? You’re the only one who shone brightly that night.”
I blush. “Are you really used to say some flowery words?
“Hahaha! Nope, senorita. Only if it’s true.”
“You’ve got a sweet tongue, eh.”
The guy just smiles at her as he hands her the cocktail she has previously ordered.
“Do you have Chardonnay?”
“Oh. I thought you still wanted this. This is what you have ordered several times.”
I know. But I did a terrible mistake when I got drank.
“I wanted to try Chardonnay this time.” Hanna simply smiled at him.
“Alright. Coming right up!”
A few more drinks and she’s tipsy.
“What’s this? I did not ask for this.” Hanna told the bartender.
“It’s from the guy over there.”
Hanna looks over the corner. She can barely see him as the lights flickering. But she can sense that he is staring at her. She raised the glass as a toast to the guy.
Another glass comes in. “Hey cutie, I don’t need no more drinks. Just tell the guy I can pay him back some other time and thanks.”
When Hanna was about to stand up, a pair of hands grab her from falling. She’s off balance.
“Oops! Thanks!”
“You’re welcome.”
Hanna grasped when she realized who it was.
“Mr. Wertheimer!”
“Fancy seeing you here Ms. Davis.”
“Oh hmm, just had a.. couple of drinks. Anyway, I take my leave. I don’t think I can still handle myself if I stay here and drink.”
Her head is like twirling. “Whew! I really need to go.” Hanna waved her hand as she walked towards the door. She’s struggling from walking.
“Let me help you.”
“Oh, I’m good Mister Wertheimer.”
“You’re not.”
Then they finally got out of the bar.
“Thanks again.!” Hanna walked inside the elevator, but Callum followed in."
“Oh, you live here?”
“I have an apartment here. I only stay here if I can’t drive.”
“The perks of being a billionaire, aren’t it? But where’s your driver?”
Callum didn’t respond.
Hanna becomes talkative. “How does it feel that you can do whatever you like to anybody?” Hanna was thinking of those poor employees he had. And how he has similarity with her parents.
“I don’t think I get your point Ms. Davis.”
“Aish..”
A few moments later, and Hanna feels like throwing up.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah.. I’m good!”
The doors of the elevator open. Hanna hurriedly walks out, but she strips on her other foot. But since Callum is just right behind her, he immediately holds her.
“Don’t touch me!” Hanna pushes him away.
She feels like throwing up again.
“Ms. Davis..”
But Hanna doesn’t answer. Callum quickly scoops her in his two arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Where’s--- Oh f**k!”
Hanna threw up on his shirt.
- Writer
