UMBRELLA IN THE RAIN

CHAPTER FOUR – WORK HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE

Jenny POV

I'm already at home, drying my hair while it's still raining outside. Rose and I already ate the siopao while she’s teasing me again to him. 

Good thing she need to sleep early for her meeting tomorrow.

 I was at my bedroom now and I remember what happen a while ago. While we are waiting to stop the rain at the front of the convenience store. I’m trying to buy siopao when Nathan already bought it for me.

"I think it will never stop; I will just run since I'm near at my house. Bye!" 

Nathan stops me.

"I parked my car at the front of your house."

"Wait? What?" that makes me shocked why he will park the car there.

"Wait..." Nathan went to inside the convenience store again.

He came back with one umbrella, he opens it.

"Let's go..." He hold my shoulder so that we will fit at one umbrella.

Since the umbrella is a little bit small for two people we are almost soaked as well since the rain started to pour hard. Until we reached the front door of our house.

"Thank you! I'm good now. You can go now." I said to him while we are trying to drying our clothes. 

As I saw him soaking wet, his polo shirt was wet and his hair dripping some rain water, found out the almost half of his body were so wet maybe because he gave to me almost 3/4 of the space of the umbrella.

"Wait a second...Wait for me okay?" I immediately went inside my house and went to my room to get a towel.

"Try to dry yourself a bit first, you might get sick." I gave clean towel to him, and he was confused first and then I insisted that is why he get the towel and thank me and starting to dry himself.

"Would you like to drink some hot coffee first?" telling to myself that I hope he will decline.

"It's okay... I'm good with this. Since it was late already." Nathan smiles and give the towel back to me.

"I need to go now... Bye!" he opens the umbrella and went straight to the driver seat and open the door, started to open the engine and leave. 

After what happen to me for the whole day, I think this is the most comforting. He's annoying but also very caring. 

Then I remember again the time that I'm trying to kiss, that make me slap my face.

"Haist... Why I remember it again..." I went to my bed and cover myself of my big blanket due to embarrassment.

Nathan already at their living room. And saw his dad and mom at the living room again having some tea.

"Son...Oh my. your clothes were wet. " Mrs. Kim stand up and went to him

"I'm okay Mom. don't worry I will just take a shower." smiles at her

As Nathan started to walk at the stairs.

"After you took a shower came back here, we need to talk." Mr. Kim said and drink his tea

Nathan look at his Mom and her Mom smile.

He went to his room and took a shower, every time that he needs to be seated next to his parents, he always feels that he's in awkward situation that he wanted to run away.

With his heavy heart he went down stairs after he changed his clothes. And his parents were still there waiting for him. The maid brings another set of cup and pour some tea on it. His parents were seated at the long sofa and he sat down on the right side sofa separated chair, and drink the tea first.

"We already cancel the marriage arrangement to Bianca but still the we are going to invest on their company just like we agreed to." Mr. Kim told him

Nathan put down the cup and look to Mr. Kim with confusion

"But it doesn't mean that there will be none." he clarifies

"We are just looking for a best candidate." 

Nathan look down, he wanted to decline but he already have a very long tires day.

"Is there anything else? I'm very tired right now." Nathan said with a lower voice.

"Nathan." Mrs. Kim looked at him that seemed worried

"And also, next month, I will start to transfer you to my office to learn more about the company." Mr. Kim get his tea to drink.

"I'm not interested with that position, As I mention it so many times." Nathan trying to control his emotions

"I will try to learn it but once Grace reached 18, I will turn it over to her." Nathan stands up.

Mr. Kim smashed the center table.

"What is going on with you! Do you really wanted to waste your time, without any plans of direction? I already allow you to be loafer for almost 3 years now. Because I thought you just need time. Nathan? look at me..." Mr. Kim were angry but trying to be calm.

Nathan looks at him with a teary eye

"You know that this is the path you need to walk on from the very beginning. And it hurts a lot every time that you told me that you don't wanted me to turn over this position to you... Are you telling me that I'm a failure as a father?" Mr. Kim was already emotional, and then he leaves.

Mrs. Kim was crying already and came to Nathan and wanted to hug him, But Nathan refuse and went upstairs.

After an hour Nathan was already at his room and he was lying in bed but can't sleep and look to the glass window and still raining outside.

He remembers when his Dad started the company for Shipping, he was always there and always asking his Dad some questions and his Dad was so happy that he is interested. He looks up to his Dad when he was young. He dreamed that one he will be like him managing people and helping them as well. 

One day it was raining hard and he was Middle School and he was excited to let them know about his grades.

And then he remembers again the day that he hopes he never saw and heard. All of his dreams were crushed. 

He closed his eyes with a tear drops.

Next morning.

Tisha and Jenny went inside the car, they both put the seatbelt and Tisha drove the car.

"Bobby was glaring at me a while ago since I need you with me. Hahahaha" Tisha laughing.

"By the way, you need to observe and give me the details after this fieldwork okay!"

"Yes Ms. Tisha." Jenny answered

"Diana definitely pissed seeing us there. But who cares Sheila told me to come, she has no choice."  

Jenny POV

Ms. Diana was one of the Brand managers as well, but she's a person that has it own world personality. She will attend all the celebrations and gatherings but you will not feel that she was there. She has this aura that once she looks at you, you will feel intimidated. Since I work here at KNJ, the first interaction that I encountered to her is when she asked me was when I was at the copier machine and she went there.

"Are you almost done? " that makes me wonder who is the person who asked

"Oh, yes Ma'am, just 10 more pages left." smiles at her, and she was looking with plain expression.

"Would like me to help you on that Ms. Diana?" as I looked at her again, she already leaved me.

She was a person that when it comes to her works, she was well prepared and for example there is unexpected meeting she was the only one who already have the presentations ready. 

But one thing that she really doesn’t like, that was interfering her work. 

I'm a little bit nervous on how Ms. Diana will take this since it was her project.

After 23 minutes we are already at the site.

Ms. Diana was on the phone when she saw us. We went out the car and went to her.

"Did Boss Sheila told you, that were coming?" Ms. Tisha asked her

Ms. Diana just glares at her and went inside the site

"That is her way to say, yes! let's go" Ms. Tisha follows her and I just follow her as well.

Ms. Diana together with the Ad agency manager explain to us the concept and Ms. Tisha and I were just both following them and I started to write some notes as instructed.

After everything was discussed and the shoot started.

"Why aren't you both still not leaving? You got what you need already?" Ms. Diana said to Ms. Tisha and while they were standing side by side while watching the shoot.

"We are still not done yet." Ms. Tisha answered while she was still looking at the model.

Ms. Diana looked at her and seems annoyed.

"Sheila need to learn everything about this job. So, we need to stay until the ends." she answered that makes it very uncomfortable on my end. I need to learn fast as I said to myself.

I can't look at Ms. Diana as I'm so scared right now. But I need to concentrate so that I can a good result since I need to report it to Ms. Sheila.

I just noticed that Ms. Diana leave, and I looked at Ms. Tisha and signaled me to continue what I'm doing.

The event ended and saw Diana talking to the Ad agency company manager, and then leave without letting us now that she will leaving.

As we and Ms. Tisha were at the car going to the office, I decided to asked her.

"Ms. Tisha? I just wanted to ask I hope you won't mind?"

"Yup?" She looking at the road while driving.

"You told me that all of the Brand Managers learned Ms. Diana techniques? So that means I can learn it from you as well?" This is the first time I have a courage the something about my job.

"Diana was the one of the pillars of our Department, she was the first Brand Manager of KNJ when it still small company. So that is why all of us was trained under her. And about your question, " 

"You should learn it directly from her, and then from there you can personalized it based on your ideas and preferences after. Diana was already aware of that, but she still not used to it." Tisha explains.

I sighed, to be honest, I rather prefer a boss that is always asking me to do something.

"It will be a tough but.... we know that you can do it." she smiles at me.

When we got to the office, Ms. Diana was at Ms. Sheila's office according to Sir Bobby and he heard that Diana was complaining to her.

It gives me a feeling that coming days will be difficult. Sometimes I ask myself that I shouldn't complain, but be grateful and contented that my life starting to get better than before. I consider myself born without any luck so that is why I need to work harder to achieve my dreams in life.

The next day at KNJ

Jenny came early since she doesn’t know what Diana's schedule today. 

When Diana came, Jenny greeted her and she bought an iced coffee for her, and she ignored her and went to her workstation. As Tisha mention to her that she is not the type of person that will guide you or teach you right away. So, Jenny went to her and grab a chair and just observe what she is doing. Jenny write it down if there is something that she needs to asked her just in case. Jenny just follows her around.

Ms. Diana stand up to her chair and Jenny stand up as well

"Are you also going to follow me at the restroom?" Diana said with a short but sharp gaze.

"Oh.. sorry." Jenny sit down again to her chair.

Almost 15 minutes already and Ms. Diana still not coming back.

Jenny heard that Bobby called her and she stand up and went to him. She asks him to scan a file and since she has nothing to do, she agreed.

When Jenny saw Diana came back and she already finished what Bobby instructed him and hand it over. She went to the work station as quietly as possible. She smells cigarettes and Jenny can't handle the smell but still endures it. 

Diana was a beautiful, lady like woman. And from her looks you won't realize that she also smoked like Tisha. Little by little Jenny she discovers something at Ms. Diana.

After few days, Diana get used to it, still Jenny was observing and writing some notes.

She prepares her workstation before leaving for tomorrows schedule. Her table always clean because she makes sure that she completed all her schedules task for a day, and make sure that she doesn’t have back logs by taking overtime if needed. If you will saw her calendar, you will see how detailed it is. That makes Jenny amazed as how Diana was able to managed everything. 

Diana also have Plan A - Z business plans, and all the possible questions as well. Jenny know why she was named as "Ms. Polymath, or they call her Poly by the other Brand Managers. And if others have difficulty and they asked Diana, they will help them but telling what to do, but she will not give the exact answers.

After a month, of the same routine, Diana came back to her workstation after she smoked at the rooftop. And saw Jenny's notebook that was open at her station and saw the notes on it.

When she saw that Jenny was coming, she sits down to her chair and started to work again. 

It's already 5pm. She already shut down her laptop, clean her desk and preparing to leave when.

"Let me see your notebook." Diana look at Jenny that make her scared.

Diana looked at her with confusion, and even Jenny was hesitant she still gave her notebook.

She silently read the notes and Jenny looked down due to embarrassment. She knew how smart MS. Diana is, and there are some notes and jargons that I learn from her and then once I went home, or I have time at the office, I searched it to the internet and read it.

"I will check this and give it to you tomorrow. " the she leaves Jenny that is still seated. And then she stands up and trying to chased her at the elevator.

"Ms. Diana, my notes were too messy, can I just give a list of my questions tomorrow?" she was catching her breath.

"No.. I preferred this one." and then the elevator door closed.

Jenny banging her head to the wall due to embarrassment since she remembers that there are some doodles at the back of the notebook, and trying to remind herself is she written anything about her, that might put her in trouble. 

"Is there something wrong?" Jenny heard the voice and saw Dennis looks at with an intrigue smile and Nathan with a straight face, they were leaving the office.

After she looked at Nathan her face turns red and walk fast as she could to the restroom.

Jenny POV

I was at lobby and going out of the building. I sighed with a heavy heart, I will definitely cannot sleep tonight thinking what will Ms. Diana will told me tomorrow morning.

Slowly walking at the bus stop, when I hear a loud beep sound that startle me a bit. It was Nathan.

Why I'm always seeing him? as I asked myself while he stop the car.

"You already went home a while ago? Why are you still here?" I asked him.

"I went to Dennis house for some drinks. Wait a second why I'm explaining it to you." Nathan asking himself after that I laughed at bit.

I started to walk again 

"I will go to the convenience store would you like a ride?" he asked me.

To be honest I'm not in a mood of taking a bus, and taxi was expensive as well. I think it's the right time that I will confront him that is why agree to his offer.

We are already at the convenience store; Nathan were already slurping her ramen and I was looking at him.

"What is it? " as he noticed that I'm staring at him.

"Well I'm curious as why you were always here? your house was at the south you eating ramyeon at the north, and I know that I introduced to you my neighborhood, but not to extent that you will always come here just to eat?”

Nathan continue to eat his food.

"Do you like me that much?" I blurted it out

Nathan choked and drank his water, and then he laughs at me.

"Woah.. really? Hahahahaha..." he laughs more louder that other people at the convenience store looking at us.

"Okay just clear the air between us...as you can see, I don't have driver right now. And there is a less traffic here as well, that is why I decided to rent an apartment near here." He was teasing me and yes, I was a bit embarrassed.

"Why do you come up of that idea? I think I should be the one will ask you that? Because you were trying to kiss me before at the first place? So, when did you start liking me?" he lean to the table and wink at me.

Okay he caught me on that one.

I smile sarcastically and stand up, and keep my cool so that he will not be noticed that I was embarrassed. After I went out to the store I walked fast as I could.

The next morning

Jenny came early at KNJ and she was shocked happy as she saw piled of handbooks together with instructions coming from Ms. Diana, who come more earlier than her.

"Thank you so much Ms. Diana. I will do my best!" Jenny bows at her and smiling when she went to Ms. Diana's workstation.

Diana didn't even look at her, and proceed on what she is doing. Jenny went back to her workstation and started to read it.

After few hours, she glances Jenny that was so busy reading the hand books. Other staff started to enter the office and greet them. And Tisha saw Jenny and smile, because she knew that starting today Jenny will definitely show her potential.

Diana gave her a project about a skin care brand, and on how she will introduce the brand to the market. And from there Jenny need to learn everything. Business proposal, Business plan, Learn the survey or trend of the competitor. How she will market the brand. From Banners, brochures, market selling and commercial. 

"Here is my Business proposal" as Jenny give the hard copy and Diana read. She just read one paragraph she already tore the letter.

"Boring, try again!" and then she leaves.

Next one she put big "X" mark to the letter and return it to her.

Jenny was frustrated already but she will never give up.

Almost 27 letters, until she just received some small changes. And she was so happy go back to her workstation.

Every Saturday, they will be having a 30 minutes meeting. From there Diana will tell her if that is a "NO" or she can proceed. 

She leaves work late, and sometimes she brings the work at home. She asked all the departments assigned about the process and write some notes. She also went to the production site, do a fieldwork. Diana was happy but annoys her once in a while.

Because Jenny calls her if she has any questions, sometimes late at night, and even if it's their day off. At first, she normally answers the call but, the call becoming more frequent.

 As the day goes by Diana saw Jenny starting to unleased her potential because of hard work.

Two months later.

Jenny was standing at the front of her Brand Manager's meeting. Diana told her to report her proposal. She was nervous and excited at the same time.