Bound To Be Marked

Chapter Five

Uncomfortable. That's how he can describe his first three hours of sitting in his posts, he distract himself by writing down what he needs to do when the day ends or randomly sketching on his little notebook. He was happy someone handed him paperwork when he went down to grab a cup of coffee for his boss, it means he'll have no reason to stare at him creepily and let his mind focus on his job.

Unfortunately, he finished scheduling and postponing the remaining events and appointments. He even checked the recent emails, his boss is quiet too and the only sound that occupies the whole floor is the way he flips the paper, reading thoroughly before signing it.

It's nearing 11AM and Jay's aware about having lunch, though he doesn’t know where to find it, Selestine never mentioned having own cafeteria in orientation.

"You can go," a hard voice erupts his mind wandering outside, he whipped his head on his boss's table.

"Sir?"

"You're starving aren't you? There's a cafeteria four floors below, it is free." he said, before lowering his head again back to papers and Jay was, maybe taken aback. "I know I don’t have schedules today aside from one meeting with shipping airlines this eve. You can go." he added.

Standing on his seat not far away from him, he felt the need to obey and his instinct telling him to leave soon so he does after bowing politely. Jay rushed in the elevator and the scene became more stupidly dramatic in his eyes when it slowly slid close and him staring at his unwavering figure.

He is quite the strange one but nice. He must've completely judged the other's personality. Who would blame him? And the fact they hadn't talked about the supermarket incident, it could be because his boss forgot about it already or he didn’t recognize him at all. Nonetheless, Jay was thankful he got a job even if it means enduring almost 10 hours of sitting.

"Going down for lunch?" A gentle voice welcomed him when the elevator opened and Selestine's already leaning on his side, seemed like anticipating his arrival.

"Yeah, do you know where the cafeteria is?" he asked, awkwardly glancing at people on the current floor, some of them staring, it didn't feel right.

"I'll go with you, you're not someone used to interacting with new people aren't you?" she assessed, he nodded shyly, lips forming a thin line.

Jay just felt the need to breath after ignoring the stares from others, well, he is new and they're all basically his seniors, but Selestine told him formally introducing himself isn't necessarily needed. He can get to know them by time and that they're all good, though he doubts the latter.

"What do you want to eat?" she snapped him out of his trance and noticed that they've reached the cafeteria and as he expected, it is big. It has numerous tables and chairs, the counter is long, too just in case everyone goes in at the same time.

"Anything is fine." he replied, following her again and Jay thought if he's bothering her. Should she be on her spot and not to orient him all the time?

"How long is your break?" she asked.

"Huh?" confused, Jay slowly gets the utensils.

"Did he give you a fifteen minutes long lunch break?" she added.

"No, he told me to go down and have lunch." he answered, not noticing her change of expression.

"Oh, is that so."

___

He sips his own cup of coffee aside as quietly as he can while waiting for his boss to speak or command him again to take note of something.

It was an hour after his lunch when he came back from the cafeteria up to his desk, it looked at him with lots of agony and deep sighs before clicking the button that'll bring him up again. He doesn't understand any single thing, what he knows about being an assistant is equivalent to the word busy. He thought he would rush emails, get tons of calls, request and paper works but to his slight dismay, it's not even half of his expectation. He just gets a few new emails and printed contracts, he also gets drinks for his boss but that's it.

Now he's seated with fine gentlemen, talking so quietly he could pass out of hiding even the sound of his breath.

He's been listening to their client and potentially business partner, he doesn’t know much about the business industry and how it works, but hearing the man's persuasions and his flowery words, Jay can say he is convinced it's a good investment.

"So, what can you say, we're willing to invest just name your price. Both of us will benefit and this will surely cause a good partnership."

However, his boss didn’t even flinch nor look at the man he was talking to. Jay's fingers are on top of his laptop's keys, ready just in case.

The silence wrapped them again, Sebastian, his boss, looks chill while the other is anticipating his answer. He's used to this chilly atmosphere, he must've done this a lot.

Sighing quietly because he's getting sleepy on his first day, he carefully drank his coffee. Feeling his nerves waking up and his mind boosting his body to go still even sleep deprived.

"The conditions are good," his boss said, eyes remain on the contract present in his hands. "But i don’t see we're gonna use materials efficiently," he added.

Is he saying no? Jay thought, for someone so innocent, he is so curious and disappointed.

"We're not signing up." By then, Sebastian ended the meeting and left them dumbfounded.

Geez, Jay could never catch up with him.

"What do I have tomorrow?"

He attentively opens his little notebook, searching for the schedule tomorrow.

"Nayl Enterprise set an appointment with you Sir in afternoon, you have papers to review and to approve. You also have a dinner meeting at 7PM." he recited, almost losing his breath with short notice.

"That's it?"

"Yes Sir." he nodded though he couldn't see.

"What's your name again?"

Me? "Jay.."

"Oh. Good."