My Clumsy Secretary (English)

Chapter 2 - Katherine

Tapping the pen on the table, my anxiety was attacking me as I sit on the chair waiting for my father to arrive any minute. I am inside the conference room with my older brother and sister who were both employees of our own company - The Prime Development Company.

Yes. My family owns condominiums around the city. The company started by my grandfather and passed it on to my father. My brother and sister work with my Dad since they finish college and I could say, they are doing great. My brother is an Engineer while my sister is an Accountant -- both of them are excellent in their own fields.

And me? Well, I just finish college with the course of Business Management. I am currently working at my father's office, but as a strict Dad, I often go home annoyed and irritated. He's a perfectionist. He has high standard of expectation which always contradicts mine. Or maybe because my level of intelligence is only on the average. My father was disappointed with me.

I admit, I am not as intelligent as my siblings. I don't know why, but I am fine with that. Dad wants me to master mathematics or science, but I get tired of memorizing and counting endless numbers. So, I stopped trying.

Do you know where I am good at? Partying, traveling, and shopping. Anything that has something to do with the word 'fun'. I also love joining beauty pageants or to do modeling.

However, Dad hates it. He said, there is no money and success in entertainment. He doesn't consider it a career. That alone made me hate my life. I don't have the power to do whatever I want. Even now that I reached twenty-three, I am bound to obey his rules because basically -- Dad is paying for all my expenses.

I am trying my best to do good in my new job as a Marketing Manager. That's where my father puts me in after my graduation. Last night, he called that I need to report early today because we need to discuss something important.

"Daydreaming again, Katherine?"

I smirked at my sister, Candy, who always bullies me. She's older by three years and she's married to the son of my father's business partner. While I think that's too boring and conventional, my sister thinks that's sensible and practical. It builds business stronger.

But where's the thrill? The excitement of the romance?

"You're early! For the first time, huh!" said my brother, Harry, who is also as annoying as my sister. Before I open my mouth to speak, my father showed up with Mr. Mendez and his son Arnold.

"Good morning, everyone! We will only have a short meeting because I need to see my cardiologist at eleven o'clock," my father told us. Everyone says hi to everybody and the discussion went on. Mr. Mendez has a small portion of shares in the company while they are also our sub-contractor in some of our projects. His son, Arnold, is my brother's classmate in college. But he remains single for a long time while my brother has two kids already with his wife.

My brother and sister left the conference room as soon as the meeting ended. Dad however, asked me to stay.

"How are you, Katherine?" Mr. Mendez asked with a pleasant voice. I smiled sweetly at him like I used to. They say that I am the sweetest and the most thoughtful among us three. And Mr. Mendez has been my father's business partner since I was young.

"I am doing good, Mr. Mendez. How's Colorado?"

His family went on a vacation in Colorado for two weeks and they just arrived. I remember going with them with my parents few years back.

"It's great! I hope you can come along next summer," he answered. My father cleared his throat to further continue the discussion.

"Katherine..."

"Yes, Dad?"

"I asked you to stay because we have to discuss the new project that I and Mr. Mendez are working on."

"Okay, Dad."

"Aside from that, I appointed Arnold to be the new Project Manager."

"Okay."

"And you will get married to him six months from now."

"What?!"

Shock was understatement. Though my sister had been in an arranged marriage, never did I imagine I would also be a part of my father's manipulation. Not in finding my husband, at least.

"Katherine --"

"No, Dad. First of all, I'm still young. Marriage is far from my vision."

"You're old enough to marry. I married your mother when she was twenty-one."

"But I am not Mom," I said exasperated. "I am not Candy either. I have my own life!"

"This is for your own good, Katherine!"

"No! I'm sorry. If this is the purpose of this meeting, I need to leave. Have a good day everyone."

I left the conference room even I heard my father called my name again in a much louder voice. I am not afraid of him. We always fight about so many things and we're used to it.

"I'm not done with you yet!" said my father after following me in my office.

"Please, Dad! I will never marry Arnold even if you throw me out of this office! I don't love him and I am too young to get married! No way!" I insisted.

"And what would you do with your life? Clubbing every night? Drinking with your friends until dawn?"

"I don't love him!"

"And do you expect to find love in the club with random strangers? That's too dangerous!"

"I didn't say I will, Dad! But I will never marry someone I am not in love with and who's not even in love with me!"

"I am doing this for your future but you're too stubborn! How long have you been working here? Three months? Four months? You can't even do your job right. You need someone whom I can entrust with your finances with, Katherine!

"I can do that on my own, Dad!"

"No, you can't," my Dad said lowering his voice and ending our argument. "It's final. You will marry him because I said so."

Just like that, my future wants to dictate by my own father. He thought I was weak because I was not as smart as Cindy and Harry. I knew he would do anything to make me obey so I had to figure out how to get rid of his manipulation.

In desperation with my current situation, I called my best friend, Shiela, for some advice, help, or anything she can give me.

"Hmmm... Do you know you're lucky to have a family that owns a company? It's so hard to find a job nowadays," she said desperately too.

"I didn't know you were looking for a job. I should've hired you."

"Oh no, thanks, but I don't feel like working for your Dad. He's so perfectionist!" she exclaimed. I smiled dryly. My friends know how strict Daddy is in everything.

"Okay, so... You are looking for a job... Have you found anything?"

"Yeah... I have found one online application but the qualifications are so impossible. We won't pass this one for sure."

"Why?"

"They need someone with at least three years of experience with the same position as an executive assistant."

"Can we fake it? Just put it on. You can use my father's company."

"Oh no... You cannot do that, Katherine. Big companies do background checks with their employees before hiring. And besides, we're only twenty-three, how can we have a three-year experience?"

I sighed in desperation, again.

"I need to try anyway," I said. "Just put my name and my information, please. I will send you my photo. If they don't find me fit for the position, I'll try another one. I just need to get out of here as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll do it. But what if you find a new job? Are you willing to leave your house and live out of your father's welfare?"

"Yes, I am. I want to get out of my family's shadow. I can take care of myself and make my own decisions," I said firmly.

After talking to Shiela, I prepared my belongings, ready to leave my office. Dad will fire me out anyway. That's what he does when I don't follow his orders. He makes way for me to cripple. To immobilize me. From taking away my credit cards, getting back the car that I use...

Luckily, I was smart in my own little way. I have my own bank account that Dad and Mom didn't know. Financially, I can take care of myself even if I don't work for two or three years. I won't be penniless. I have saved for emergencies like this.

I was about to go out when my phone beeps and a message was sent to me. I am qualified to be interviewed to and have an exam for Adam's Clothing.

What?! I was qualified for the position?

I smiled gratefully. It was a fat chance. Now, I am ready to leave my parents to find my own destiny.

In the small town of Saint Benilde...