My Clumsy Secretary (English)

Chapter 3 - Katherine

“This is ridiculous, Katherine!” My mother was worried about me. “Your father has your best interest! Why do you have to leave?”

“I’m sorry, Mom…” I answered patiently. If I was used to arguing with my father, I don’t usually do it with my mother. “But I don’t want to get married. And I know Dad will throw me out of his office if I disobey him.”

“And where do you think you’re going? How do you live? How do you run your life?”

I sat down on my bed as soon as I finished packing my belongings. Those were the exact questions I asked myself after leaving the office. All our lives, we were pampered with a good life – money, big house, drivers, and maids. But I want to believe I can live on my own now.

“I applied for a job somewhere in Saint Benilde,” I answered truthfully. If Dad was not interested to know what I do with my life anymore, I have to let my mother know where I’ll be going. I don’t want her to worry about me.

“We have our own company. Why do you have to work for others?”

“I need to learn on my own, Mom. I want to try be independent and I don’t want to get tied into marrying I wasn’t in love with.”

“Oh, Katherine… You are so idealistic… Love is not a fairytale…”

“I am not leaving to find love, Mommy. I am leaving to find my freedom. I can’t have it here with Dad.”

I know my mother understands where I am coming from. Among us siblings, my brother and sister were considered to be obedient and respectful children. They do what they were told without complaining. In that sense, I was considered the most rebellious daughter.

But I call it carefree. I still believe that freedom is the key to a happy life.

“Don’t worry, Mommy, I will be with Shiela. She’s also looking for a job,” I told my mother to assure that I will be okay.

“But your father will cut your allowance once you stepped out of this house. You will not have your car and he will not pay for your apartment,” my mother reminded me. She was still trying to convince me that leaving was the worst thing to do.

“Then, I really need to find a job,” I said softly and smiled. I have to show my mother that I will be okay. This is what I want.

“I didn’t realize how decisive and strong-willed woman you are until today, Katherine. I wish I could agree you are making a good decision. Believe me, I want you to be happy. But I can’t stop worrying about you.”

“I’ll be fine, Mommy. I’ll call you often.”

I kissed her cheek and hugged her tight once again. I will miss my mother who always wakes me up in the morning because I am too lazy to get up. She always reminds me to behave properly in front of my father and avoid clumsiness which I am good at.

I only carry one luggage and my shoulder bag for my personal stuff. Shiela will pick me up so she can be with me in Saint Benilde. I will try my luck in Adam’s Clothing while she tries to find another job. I promise to pay for the rent as long as she was the dishes and clean the apartment. I don’t know any household chores.

I waited ten minutes before she arrives in her old Toyota Corolla car. It will be a long drive and I am afraid the car will break down in the middle of the road. But I have no choice because Dad instructed my mother that I will not use any of our cars parked at the garage.

“Did you have this car checked?” I asked Shiela.

“Of course! Don’t worry, we will get there unscratched.”

I fastened my seatbelt and leaned my back at the leather seat. I have mixed emotions leaving our house to find my own destiny in a place I have never been. I am excited to have my freedom, however, there was also this fear that I have made a wrong decision to leave the luxurious life I had living with my parents.

“Are you ready for your interview tomorrow?” Shiela asked while driving. I put the stereo and tried to relax my jaw. It locks when I feel tense and anxious.

“Honestly, no. I spent the whole day arguing with my father that I didn’t even find time to research for this Adam’s Clothing. Do you know what kind of brands they do?” I asked Shiela back.

“Oh, no… I have no idea. Maybe we can ask the people in town when we get there. The ads said it’s a big company.”

“Are you sure? If it is big, then why is it hiding in small town?” I wonder.

“I wonder that too,” Shiela said.

The rain started to pour as we enter the small town of Saint Benilde. The car window blurred from the droplets and Shiela had to slow down so we won’t suffer any road accident. The town is so different from the city. At seven o’clock in the evening, we could only see few vehicles on the road. Some of the streetlights are off and some houses don’t have wall lantern to provide light on the road. There were only few people walking on the sidewalk and there were no restaurants to stop at. I could hear my stomach growling in hunger but we can’t even find one convenience store along the road.

After four long-hour drive, we found the apartment Shiela had rented just this afternoon. It was a four-storey house with off-white paint and with a beautiful garden in front. After talking to the landlady, we were handed with the key and a map of Saint Benilde so we could easily find restaurants, shopping centers and other establishments in town.