An Angel's Cry (BL)

CHAPTER 10 : CALLED

Shino has been cleaning the house all day long after his morning work was finished. His mother works as a bookkeeper on a lending company and comes home by 5 pm. And because he's unemployed, he is assigned again to the management of the house.

He almost finished when their telephone suddenly rang.

He took it and saw that it was an unknown number. He contemplated a second whether to take it, but phone calls won't harm him either way.

"Hello, this is Feerch resident," he said calmly

"Hello. This is the Jack Finance Company, may I speak to Mr. Shino Feerch." a formal tone rung on the other line.

Shino stared at his cellphone for a moment, confused why the company called him.

They're not gonna exhort money because he quit on his first day right?

"You are called to meet the CEO tomorrow, right in his office," it said

His eyes widened, "W-Why, if I may ask?" he nervously asked

"It is something you and the CEO will discuss. Hoping for your appearance tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Thank you." the call ended leaving Shino hanging.

He got nervous.

He doesn't know what to say when he could meet Mr. Jack once again. Will he get scolded about resigning without a direct approach?

He exhaled all his nervousness. It's been two days since he resigned and he didn't hear anything until now.

All his mental preparation from the first day was consumed.

...

"I'm home," Rhian called when she finally got home.

"Mom." Shino came and helped her by taking her bag.

"How are you today?" his mom asked

Shino smiled, "Same as always, you can already see the corners shining in pure cleanliness." he boasted

Her Mom chuckled and messed his hair. He's too tall for his mother and she needs to stretch her arm to do this but Shino loved it ever since so she kept doing this.

"We have chicken stew for dinner," Shino said

"Good, good! Gonna check your cooking improvement again." his mother smiled

Shino continued to smile but is wearing a nervous expression on how he would mention the call he got on his mother.

"I'll take a shower first, I'll prepare the table right after so you should rest." his mother said and entered her room

"Okay," Shino said smiling

But when his mother completely entered her room, he made a long sigh, he haven't spoken a word. He's a bit nervous about how would his mother react to the matter.

After they prepared the table, they turned on the TV facing their direction, it became a habit while they eat their dinner. Monitoring the weather and street conditions.

Shino gather up all his inner courage and managed to say, "Mom----"

"...the Jack Company soared up high once again on the market as they newly launch their Green product for Project: Artificial Ecosystem. This Green Product called Arti-Seeds are produced artificially to be nurtured and grow just like any other plants and trees...." Shino was cut off when their attention was taken by a report regarding Jack Finance.

"I'll be happy seeing my environment still natural." his mother remarked

"I don't get it why we need to go artificial."

"The Jack's youngest CEO, Daylan Jack had already reached several feats on his term. He took the competition and won them all by building a new standard in the industry..."

She then turned to Shino, "Did you call me?" she asked

Shino was taken aback but shake his head, "None Mom."

His mother nodded, "Okay, tell me if something worries you."

The two ate their dinner, as usual, chatting with random things, and cleaned before going to bed.

Shino was sitting on his study deck frustrated, at the end, he didn't manage to say a single word.

He was holding his medicines, rubbing them with his slender fingers.

Shino knew that somewhere in his heart, the call somewhat gave hope to him to have an opportunity to work there again. After all, the feeling on his first day still lingered. The people, the work, the environment... The sounds and laughter.

But what can he do?

He already caused trouble and he doesn't know what his co-workers think about him leaving without a word or even what Mr. Jack perceived him to be after the incident.

He leaned his head on the desk, shutting his eyes because the embarrassment was overwhelming him.

But his eyes widened and touched his chest, he can already feel embarrassment?

This feeling? Being embarrassed?

Because all he knew was fear this past few years.

He contemplated again, these changes...is it good?

He sighed and finally took his pills. There are batches of them and will run out this month.

After taking them on, he turned off his lamplight and went to bed. He stared at the ceiling fan.

He wanted to go but his mother will surely not agree with it and based on his condition, he'll break down anytime soon while working. His mother's decision will always be on top priority because of all people, he doesn't want to worry her.

But he stopped and frowned.

He doesn't even know what would Mr. Jack discuss with him.

"Right," he spoke to himself. He's just assuming that he will be offered to work there again but it isn't.

"Right." He said again, clearing his assumed thoughts.

He just needs to tell his mother that he was called to meet with Mr. Jack only, with no intention of hiring him back. Just talk, that's all. No lies.

.....

"What did you say?" Mrs. Jack exclaimed as he heard Mr. Kim explain the situation

"Yes Ma'am, Sir wanted to hire someone in that office." Mr. Kim repeated.

Mrs. Jack excused herself from her tea buddies and went a bit far, not letting them hear a few of her words.

"Hire someone?! But I told you to have Ms. Evenclaw take that office!" she gritted her teeth in irritation

"I already settled that with Ms. Evenclaw and filed an immediate transfer after the office is fully prepared." she stomped

"...I spent my precious tea time in persuading the Council, in this case, Mr. Kim!" she added

Mr. Kim can only shut his eyes in frustration, "Yes Ma'am but Sir is aware of it and he insisted to hire someone."

"Mr. Kim!" Mrs. Jack called out, her head is getting dizzy

"You know that Ms. Evenclaw will only let herself be arranged to my son if I give that position to her! Now what?! I reopened that one because it's close to his office and the works there doesn't have much to do..." she cried

"And Ms. Evenclaw can flirt with my son whenever," she mumbled

"Ma'am?" Mr. Kim asked

"I'm getting a headache..." Mrs. Jack massage her temples as she struggles with the current conflict

"Ma'am, you should rest." Mr. Kim said on the other line

"OH WAIT!" she suddenly brightened up as if an idea came up to her

"Mr. Kim!" she called again

Mr. Kim sighed, "Yes ma'am."

"This someone... The person whose my son persistently wants to hire in that office... Is it a woman??" her eyes widened, if it's a woman then surely enough, his son will be in a serious relationship finally!

Mr. Kim shut his eyes again, "Uh, no ma'am. It's a man." he replied honestly

Mrs. Jack's expression beaming in all excitement bagged down into a gloomy one real quick.

"A man?"

"Yes ma'am this man resigned on his first day due to some personal issue and Sir being too benevolent, wanted to give the office to him so that he can work efficiently." Mr. Kim explained

Mrs. Jack twitched, "And he really disregard my request and indirectly reject Ms. Evenclaw?!"

Mr. Kim pulled his cellphone away from his ears, "I don't think it that way, ma'am."

Mrs. Jack exhaled sharply, "Tell him to go home tonight. I need to speak with him."

"Yes ma'am. I'll inform him."

Mrs. Jack ended the call immediately and expressed his irritation, "I just want him to get married! Why is it so hard?!" she stomped

...

Morning came and he had just gotten back from his milk delivery.

He was standing still on the refrigerator with a note clipped on it saying, 'Mother needs to leave early due to some supervision on our office. I already prepared some food here. Eat well!'

'What to do!' he thought.

He hasn't had the chance to talk to her!

He's doomed.

He glanced at his watch, it's almost 9:30!

He walked back and forth in the kitchen area, what should he do?

He just can't set aside the call nor his mother.