UMBRELLA IN THE RAIN

July 2017, Quezon City Philippines Jenny was running to the bus stop. The rain started to pour.  According to the news, there is a new storm coming and informing all people to stay at their homes if they don't have anything to do outdoors. And reminding everyone to bring an umbrella. She just wore a thick hoodie to protect herself from the rain. She was almost near at the bus top when the rain started to pour so hard that even her hoodie was soaking wet. And decided to stop at the big tree to wait until it stops a bit. "Haist! I'm almost at the bus stop..." as Jenny looked at her watch to check the what time is it. She is getting late for her new job as Admin. Assistant, she was worried because it's her first day. She deeply sighed as the rain brought back old memories about her parents who died during a car accident. They were trying to fetch her after their work and since it was raining that day, her dad insisted on giving her a ride home. She even remembers that her mom was on the phone talking to her during that accident. The truck was on the other side crashed into her parents' car. She was only seventeen at that time. The driver was convicted and prisoned. However, company who owns the truck pays the funerals and other expenses plus the compensation for the damage. But that money won't bring her parents back. After that, she stayed at their relatives, where she also did not treat her fairly. That is why at the age of eighteen, she decided to live on her own. And she meet her best friend and roommate Rose. Her life started to be more okay as she graduated Middle School and decided to take part-time job where Rose was also working until she graduated as BS. Marketing Management. And now she has a new chapter to face and that is working for a company and looking forward to a better life. After a few minutes of reminiscing on all those memories, the rain stops. And she ran as fast as she could to the bus stop. At KNJ Co. "Good Morning Mr. Kim!"  as the security guard opened the main glass door. All the staff were aligned at the door to greet the CEO of KNJ. Mr. Kim and his associates were walking in the hallway with his lead. As they entered the VIP elevator, his secretary started to give him the details of his schedule. "Today is Mr. Nathan's first day in the Marketing department." as his secretary informed him, and he just nodded and sighed as well. "I just hoping that he will do better this time." he sighed again  The elevator opened and they went to the CEO office. KNJ Marketing Department "Guys Guys!" as Sheila, Marketing Head asked everyone's attention "Let us all welcome our new recruit, please introduce yourselves?" she looked to them "Good Morning! I'm Jenny Valencia, nice to meet you all..." she smiles and wave her hand to everyone "My name is Nathan." he answered with short and arrogant way Sheila looked at Nathan and then "From now on, you can ask them for any help, and teach them as well okay?" All the staff say yes, and they started their day. Jenny was assigned to all Brand Managers and Nathan to Report Management. "Jenny? can you scan and print these from me? 3 pages back and forth. Thanks!" one of the female Brand Managers instructed. "Okay! Mam" and then immediately went to the copying machine. She was instructed to call a supplier. "Jenny after that call, I will send you the soft copy of the presentation and kindly revised and sent it to me after okay?" "Okay Sir!" "Thanks Jenny!" As she gave the copies of the edited presentation, she received and email for the phone numbers she needs to call for the attendees of one of their events. Although she was tired, she's not complaining. After a short break she went to her desk and calls the other clients for the list attendees. It's been a month that is her same day routine, follow the instructions and errands of the Brand Managers. They were visitors arrived today and Ms. Sheila asked jenny to make a coffee. She realized that working as Admin Assistant is also all-around job. Sometimes she needs to went outside to buy some supplies or even worse she was asked to pay their personal bills as well. It's 5:00 pm and each employee started to leave the office, but Jenny still preparing for tomorrows presentation. "Jenny?" as Ms. Sheila saw her still busy working and she was about to leave. "Yes Ms. Sheila?" as she stands up. "Why aren't you still going home? there is a huge storm coming again and you need to go home or else you will be stuck here all night?" she was worried ever since she became intern, she never sees Jenny complaining or even tired. "It's almost done. Ms. Sheila" she smiles to assure her. "Okay, hurry up okay?" "I will, thank you Mam!" and Jenny started to continue what she is doing. After an hour, she started to save the files and successfully send the presentation through email. As she started to leave the desk after she clean, the power shut off... she screams a bit because she was startled. And started to open her cellphone as flashlight. And started to leave the office. It was dark and a little bit scary since she was at the third floor. And when she reached the lobby and saw the security guards. "I'm sorry Mam, we need to turn off the power because of the sparks to the nearest post because of the strong wind and rain."  "It's okay, I was about to leave when it happens"  Jenny saw Nathan at the front door and still raining "What are you doing here? are you waiting for the rain to stop?" Jenny asked him even though she was not sure if he will answer since she finds him kind of arrogant and not friendly most of the times Nathan did not answer and he was not looking at her as well Jenny open her back pack and wore the hoodie and as she started to leave, Nathan hold her arm and stop her. "What?" as she was confuse "Take this!" Nathan gave the umbrella "It's okay, I don't use umbrella. And besides you need it as well" as she started to leave Nathan hold her hand again "Just take it... You might get sick if you soaked in rain. And I also don't need it" he insisted to give it to Jenny and she accepts the umbrella. "Thanks, I will return it tomorrow." she smiles because of Nathan's kindness "You don't need to return it, It's your already"  Suddenly a car came in front of them and Nathan open the door and went inside. Jenny was in awe as she doesn’t know that Nathan is well-off. as she keeps staring to the car leaving. "He really doesn’t need it if he has a nice car with a driver..." as Jenny sigh and said to herself and started to leave. The next day, same old routine for Jenny doing some errands, calling clients, copying and scanning some files, filling data and making coffee so on and so forth. But one thing is different, Nathan started to help her and she keep declining it. Because of the incident last night, she pitied herself. Nathan made her realized that the world is unfair to someone like her. She realized that might the reason why he was assigned in Reports Management because he was from a rich family and she was given the harder task to do all the errands. "How convenient of him, he even doesn’t step outside of his desk to do some errands." while Jenny is having her coffee break. She was shocked as Nathan came to the pantry and trying to make some coffee. "Can you help me to operate this one?" Nathan were confused how to use the expresso machine and ask for Jenny's help. "Fight your own small battles, Well I know you can figure it out. Fighting!" Jenny smiles and leave Nathan glaring at Jenny with annoyance. As weeks past, she started to observed small things like how they treated Nathan by the other staff especially the Brand Managers. How other female crush have a crush on him. While she was juggling so many works at the same time. "Guys! Guys! We have Good news to everyone..." Ms. Sheila was so happy "We got it! The client was pleased!" everyone were so happy to hear the good news "And... because of that, we are going to celebrate!" Ms. Shelia showing off the company credit card and everyone is so happy. "Nathan, Jenny you were both invited to come with us, especially you Jenny. You helped us a lot on this project." She looked at her and Jenny smiles. At Makati Resto Bar Everyone is having a great time they were drinking, eating and having some small chit chats. While Jenny were on the side silently eating and she was facing Nathan. "Cheers guys! For more successful clients!" Ms. Tisha said one of the Brand Managers "Cheers!" as they all agreed and laugh "Jenny, this is for you. Come one... " Bobby one of the Brand Manager gave him a drink and she was trying to decline it when… "I'll drink that." Nathan offers to save Jenny. Jenny snatched it and drink it on one go and looks to Nathan "Woah..." The staffs and the all the Brand Managers were shocked They were clapping specially the boys. After few shots Jenny started to get tipsy and also become a little bit talkative as well. "Are you mad at me because I always bossing you around?" Bobby teases Jenny, and he seated beside Nathan. " Yeah... you were so lazy that you can't stand up to your desk" Jenny started to complain They find her cute and they were all laughing "Then, why aren't complaining?"  "Because... I'm new and I'm just no one to begin with..." Jenny looks at Nathan Nathan started to get pissed "Why did you think that you were nobody... you were such a big part of this team." Tisha said that is also drunk and compliment her. Jenny smirked. "Yeah... that is right, I'm the one who edited the presentations and make sure that the data is accurate. I help you from start to finish..." She started to boast to everyone what she did looking at Nathan and even Ms. Sheila was smiling. "You did a good job Jenny!" Tisha pats Jenny's shoulder Jenny started to cry that makes all confused "It was hard... so hard..."  "Shhhh... it's okay..." Tisha hugs her this time, she was seating beside Jenny "I'm okay... I'm drunk already... I don't know what I'm saying" and Jenny started to laugh She started to stand up, since she was tipsy, she lost her balance and Nathan hold her. "I'm okay... don't worry I can." Jenny remove Nathan hand on her and trying to stand and then she almost fell again. Good thing Nathan hold her again. "I think I will take her home." Nathan looks to Ms. Sheila and she just nods "No... I wanted to stay." she keep insisting but Nathan pull her outside. They were outside the Resto bar ; Nathan signal her driver and he let Jenny sit on the passenger seat. "I will drive the car you can go home. It’s late..." Nathan ask for the key to his driver, he was confused but he gives the car key and Nathan went inside the car and leave. "Jenny tell me your address?" asked her while he was driving.  Found that she was sleeping, he tries to shake her a bit to wake up but she doesn’t even open her eyes a bit. "What the..." Nathan deep sighed with frustration He stops the car and park it on the side of the road and he don't have any other choice but to check Jenny's bag and look for her cellphone. Once he checks the phone, he saw 3 missed call, Rose is the name of the caller, and try to call her. "Hello, this is Nathan, Jenny's officemate. Can I ask for her address?" He was so embarrassed but he doesn’t have any choice. After 30 minutes... Rose saw a car stop in front of their house. "Rose?"  "Yes!" went to the passenger seat and open the door for Jenny "Jenny wake up..."  "Hmmm..." as Jenny respond but she didn't even open her eyes "It's okay... I'll carry her inside. Please open the door." Nathan unbuckle Jenny's seatbelt and Rose get the back, and He started to carry like a bride. "Hmmm." as Jenny woke up a bit because Nathan carry her. Once Nathan put her to the sofa, Jenny started to open her eyes. Nathan was confused because Jenny was staring at her. Since they are in a awkward position. Jenny hold Nathan's face and smile "Why are you so handsome... Hmmm?" she smirked and trying to kiss Nathan. Rose immediately holds Jenny's face. "Sorry she was out of her mind when she was drunk... That is why I told her not to drink outside Haist!!!" Rose is mad and looking at her Jenny saw Rose and smile "Rosie.... I miss you!" Jenny wanted to hug Rose Rose slaps Jenny’s shoulder to stop her. “Ouch!” “You will regret what you were doing right now tomorrow.” Rose yells at her a bit "I... better go now." Nathan was still shocked when he stands up. "Thank you! What's your name again?" Rose asked "Nathan." "It was nice meeting you and thank you for helping my friend." Rose is starting to stand up "It's okay, just stay with her I will lead my way out and make sure to lock the door as well." Nathan trying to leave  "Okay... Thanks again!" He went inside and make it sure that he locked the door. Nathan was still in shocked and remembers what happen inside the car. And smiles before starting the engine, realizing how crazy this girl was when she was drunk. While he was driving, he remembers the time that he declines working at KNJ.  He's a wanderer, he wanted to move around from place to place. He like to discover and learn more things in life. After he graduated college in the US as Marketing Major, he decided to travel different countries. One day Mr. Kim decided to cut her allowances and credit card because he thinks that is the solution so that Nathan will come back to Manila. He was at South Korea that time, and he decided to work as part-time delivery driver and waiter to his friends’ chicken restaurant business. What happen after that? Once he has enough money, he went back to US. And make it sure that he will not be traced by his family by working as a part-time. KNJ is a biggest marketing communications company here at Philippines and it has so many subsidiaries as well. His Father Eduardo Kim, is a billionaire business man. The only time that he decided to come back is when he found out that his Dad was rushed to the hospital because of mild stroke.  They always clash because Nathan don't want to take over the company ever since he came back, and he knew it from the very beginning that is why Mr. Kim was confused as why there is a sudden change of him? He is the eldest and only son of Mr. Kim, and the only one who can continue their legacy as well. He has a younger sister Grace, who's taking her Masters for Law at the US. That means he don't have a choice, that is why he run away. This the third time that his dad assigns him in one of their company. First company is their shipping business that he punched the supervisor after he found out that the drivers treat unfairly. The supervisor was fired but he files charges to Nathan and his dad pay him to keep his mouth shut. And then after his dad made some changes to that company and make sure the benefits of the drivers who works hard. But his father scold him at home because of the spectacle. Second was the food chain company, He was treated very fairly as a supervisor. They are all very nice to him. Of course, they all knew him, that he was the son of the owner. After a month he decided to quit because he found so boring. And he was about to run away again. He found out that his dad hides Nathan's passport. "What's wrong with you! You always put me to shame as your father!" Mr. Kim were shouting at Nathan  "Hon... stop it your blood pressure will go up again!" Mrs. Kim reminding him "Then talk to your son!" and the he leaves "Nathan... " as Mrs. Kim come to him, he went to his room and closed the door. He was not allowed to go outside; his dad hire a bodyguard to always make sure that he will not run away again. After few months... Nathan decided to work again, and he chose KNJ. And Ms. Sheila is the only one who knew who he was. He never attended any company gatherings since he was always out of the country. But there are some pictures that was posted to the social media that might recognized him and that is why he looked for a position that is low profile and not moving around so that no one will just recognize him right away. His personality changed a bit as well, he doesn’t want any attention. He became quiet but short tempered and seems he was always thinking something. Nathan already at the main door of their mansion and opens the door. He saw his father at the living room reading some book. He decided to just pass him and while he was at the second step of their stair case "Your driver told me that you leave him near Makati, and told her to go home?" as Mr. Kim questioning him Nathan deep sighed since he was tired and don't want any argument "It was so late already and he's family waiting for him. Good night Dad!" Nathan went up to his room As he enters his wide bed room with a small living room as well, she drops the car key to the table near the door. And sit on the sofa and sigh again. During his Middle School he was very close to his Dad than to his Mom. They play golf, watch sports games and even plays chess. But now they are very distant, Nathan is the one who put boundaries to his parents specially from his Mom. He wanted to spent more time outside rather than their house.