UMBRELLA IN THE RAIN

CHAPTER TWO – AWKWARD CIRCUMSTANCES

"Argh... my head..."Jenny woke up, and felt that her head hurts so bad.

And found out that she slept at the living room, and suddenly she started to remember what happen last night that made her mouth dropped.

"Oh my god!!! My god Jenny you were so stupid!! Haist!!" as she was pulling her hair and kicking the blanket like a child.

"Good Morning!" Rose were already dressed to go to her work. And went to the kitchen and bring some medicine and water while Jenny is still frustrated.

Rose came near to her and handed the medicine and water, while Jenny was teary eyed looking at her.

"What will I do? I was nagging my boss last night. How can I come to the office..."

"Drink this first."

Jenny took the medicine and drink the water

"So beside from trying to kiss Nathan last night, you also complained to your bosses?" Rose looks at him with curiosity

"Ew... why will I kiss...."

And then Jenny remember last night

"Oh my God!!! What the..." Jenny stamping her feet in frustration, and her face was so red.

"And why are you blushing?"

"Sh!t, Sh!t, Sh!t" Jenny went to the bathroom and closed the door.

Rose came near to the bathroom door.

"Don't worry the kiss didn't happen, and what his name again? oh Nathan.. he seems nice and..." Rose teasing her

"You were not helping!" Jenny shouts while washing her face

"Okay! Okay! you can just apologize to your bosses that's it...And for that handsome guy... apologize and thank him as well. He was so gentlemen enough to even drive you home and carry you to the sofa."

"Open the door... I will be leaving now. " Rose get her bag and Jenny open the door.

Rose was trying to hug her but she smells alcohol.

"I think you need to take a shower first. I’m  going now. bye!" Rose put her right hand to her nose and started to leave

Jenny tried to smell herself and yes, she smells bad and took hot shower.

Jenny POV

I already took a shower and went to my bedroom to dry my hair. And Since it's Saturday, my rest day! Thank God! Because I still have time to solve my problem. Haist! I'm screwed! As I remember it again. I already written my schedule today at my small white board at my small study table near to my bed.

1. Buy groceries

2. Wash my clothes

3. Final edit of the presentation for Monday

4. Watch a movie/drama

Wait did I bring the USB?

I went to my bag and look for it, maybe I forgot to put it to my bag.

It's okay, I will go the office first , and then buy some groceries.

I will wash my clothes first so that I can hung it first before I leave. And then I will just grab some snack on my way to our office.

After 40 minutes

I was at the main lobby of our office and guards greets me and explain to him that I just need to get the USB. And he allows me to enter since some of the other departments were in overtime right now.

I already at our department and try to open some of the lights, and then went straight to my desk. As I was about to leave...

"What are you doing here?"

I was terrified since I know that I'm the only one here. And when I turn my back, I saw the person I don't want see most right now.

Calm down Jenny... be cool... pretend that you don't remember last night.

"Oh Nathan, I forgot the files I need to check so I decided to drop by." I try to be serious and don't look at him

"And I was in a hurry so... Bye!" as a started to walk fast so that I reach the elevator.

I was trying to press the down button; I saw that the elevator was going up to the 8th flr.

"What the heck. even the elevator won't cooperate..." I said to myself, and I saw Nathan walking near to me

"You forgot!" Nathan is holding the USB

"Sh!t "as I said to myself.

I walk near to him and get the USB

"Thank you!"

Nathan was different right now; he is wearing a suite and he have eyeglasses.

"I better go now Bye! Thank you again!"

I went to the elevator since I heard a sound that it's on 3rd floor. And once the elevator open, I enter and press the close button right away.

Once the door closed that is the only time I sigh freely.

I'm confused on why he's here? Nathan is a person who leaves at exactly 5:00pm he doesn’t accept any overtime tasks?

I was still thinking, when I heard the sound that I'm in the main lobby and exit the elevator.

When I was at the grocery, I suddenly remember Nathan... when he gave to me the USB.

"What am I doing?" I said to myself while shaking my head.

Monday 8:00 am

Staffs are started to came inside the office.

They saw the coffee in can on their desk with a small sticky note that she was sorry. And will not do it again and she will work more harder form now on.

Bobby and Tisha stared at each other and laughs while silently telling to each other that they have coffee from Jenny. And laughs again.

"Jenny?" as Bobby called her

"Yes Sir!" as she was embarrassed and not looking at him.

Bobby gave a pile of documents on her.

"Look for the reports, about our project were working on and scan it and send it to me. okay?" Simon give him instruction with a serious face.

"Yes Sir!"

"And... thanks for the coffee." he smiles and laughs

"Your welcome Sir!"

Jenny deep sigh and smile, and went to her desk.

It's a busy day for all of them. Jenny her work was pile up, and she also need to ask data from report management team.

As she can see who's inside the office from outside because it is glass door and saw Dennis - Nathan's associate.

She knocks on the door and went inside.

"Oh Jenny."

"Hi Dennis, did you receive my email?"

"Yeah, here it is!" Dennis gave the USB they can’t send it because the files is too big.”

"By the way, thanks for the coffee!" Dennis smiles

"You're welcome, I'll go now."

Jenny walking to her desk and Nathan walking near her, as she was trying to avoid him. She pretended that she will be calling someone through her phone while passing Nathan.

"Mr. Cuevas...Good Afternoon!" Jenny were still acting

"Hello? Jenny you called a wrong number?" as Rica - Admin Assistant assigned to Ms. Sheila, and a close friend, answers the call

"Okay... I will send the details Sir." as she successfully passes Nathan and walked straight

Jenny text Rica

Jenny: Sorry a while ago, I have situation a while ago. Thank you for saving me. (with a smiley emoji)

Rica: (she sends an angry face)

Jenny: (she sends sending kiss with heart)

5:30 pm some of the staff were leaving.

"Bye Jenny!" Rica wave goodbye

"Bye! " she smiles at her

Jenny smiles and winks at her.

And then she continues what she is doing.

It's almost 9:00 pm and Jenny check her watch.

She needs to leave because she has early appointment with Ms. Tisha tomorrow.

As she was preparing to leave, she received a text and read it

"Are you still at the office? - This is Nathan"

She almost drops her phone as she was shocked on how he knows her number, Jenny decided to not reply so that he will think that he texted a wrong person. And started to leave her desk.

"What time you will leave the office?" she received another text

And when she was at the main door of the office.

Saw Nathan, waiting for her and she can't go back since he already saw her.

Nathan drove the car at the front of her

"Get in..."

"What? Why?"

"Jenny... get inside the car now." Nathan was serious

She sighs and get inside the car, and put her seatbelt

As the leave the office and Nathan driving the car.

"How did you get my number?" Jenny asked him

"I'm asking your address and you won't give me, so I open your cellphone. Good thing your friend Rose answers the call and then I save your number to my cellphone last Friday as well."

Jenny decided to shut her mouth, so that Nathan will not ask any other question again.

"You owe me a meal for waiting for you and for kissing me last Friday." Nathan told her

"Whhaaat? I don't remember that I kissed you... Why would I do that?" Jenny stutters a bit.

"Because you said I'm handsome?" Nathan smiles

"Ha hahaha. so funny..." she fake laugh

"Okay, as a Thank you meal for giving me a ride last Friday. I will treat you a meal." Jenny said

"Alright just tell me where." Nathan still looking at the road.

After 20 minutes, at a convenience store

"Here you go!" Jenny bought two hotdog sandwiches, two instant ramens, and two bottle of orange juice.

Nathan looked at her, then shook his head in disbelief.

"You don't like it? There is siopao also, I'll buy you some."

"It's okay... I'm good with this..." Nathan started to eat the hotdog sandwich.

They both hungry and started to eat the food

"Thank you and sorry again for giving me a ride that time, I was so drunk and... haist..I was so embarrassed on how I nags our bosses.." Jenny was embarrassed

Nathan smiles

"Are you sure that you really don't remember? The kiss?"

Jenny laughs

"Why are you forcing me to admit it, I really don't remember."

"You were really good at lying... "

"By the way don't tell to anyone that we eat together okay?" Jenny told him, to change the topic.

Nathan was confused.

"There is so many female staff that has a crush on you, I don't want to receive any hateful comments from them."

“Okay, if that is what you wanted.” He nods.

"Wait I need to buy siopao for Rose, she loves it so much. Just give me a minute." Jenny went to the siopao station and pay it to the cashier.

"This is for you! " Jenny give Nathan a small paper bag with siopao inside.

"Thanks!"

And then they went near to the car

"My house is near from here that is why I choose this place. I can walk from here. Drive Safely!" Jenny told to Nathan while he was inside the car already.

"You don't need to walk; I can drop you off first." he said looking at Jenny outside the car.

"It's okay... I also wanted to walk. " Jenny decline

"Okay Bye!" Nathan started the car and leave.

As she saw that car was far from her.

"Wew! that was so close..." Jenny started to walk to her home.

Nathan was near to his home glances to the paper bag and smiles with disbelief.

At Jenny's house

" I'm here..." Jenny shouts to tell Rose that she arrived.

Rose was at the small living room watching a movie in pajamas

"Have you eaten dinner?" Rose asked

"Yup.. and I have something for you!" Jenny gave the siopao

"Wow!!"

Jenny sit down lazily to the sofa with exhaustion.

“So, what happen? Did your boss get mad ad you? Did they forgive you?”

“Yeah Thank God...”

" I'll take a shower first... " Jenny stands up and went to her bedroom

Jenny's phone vibrates that it's on the center table.

Rose accidentally read while getting the beer.

Jenny went outside of her room, when she remembers that her phone is at the living room.

And saw Rose reading it.

"Thank you for the dinner and I already at home. Good night! - Nathan???" Rose were giggling while reading the text.

"Give it to me. what is that?" Jenny came to her, while Rose were running away to her while laughing.

Jenny successfully snatched her phone and sit down to the sofa and read it.

" So, tell me...what is going on between you two?" Rose teases her again

Jenny glares at her

"I owe him a meal since he helped me last Friday. that's it!" defending herself

"Are you sure?"

"Yes of course!"

"But, why are blushing?"

"I better take a shower..." Jenny went to their common restroom and closed the door.

"So guilty..Hahahahaha" Rose eat the siopao and continues watching the movie.

Next Morning

Jenny went to the office at 7:30 am to check some details about the commercial for today.

Ms. Tisha, give her a brief instruction and they both went to the site.

When they arrive at the site, Miss Tisha meet the director and the staff and explain everything to them while Jenny writing it down to her notebook.

"We are just waiting for Bianca, make sure that the set was all good..." as Director shouts the staff

There is a big black van parked and open the door.

"Oh here she is.... " director said and welcome the new comer.

"Bianca!" the director excitedly come to her.

"Direk!" as Bianca smiles and they kiss check to check.

"You were so gorgeous today..."

"Aw thank you Direk" as Bianca was looking at Jenny

"I will introduce you first to Ms. Tisha."

Bianca and the Director went near to Ms. Tisha and Jenny

"Ms. Tisha, I know you knew Bianca, right? Bianca this is Ms. Tisha the Brand Marketing Manager of this project"

"It was nice meeting you Bianca." Tisha make a handshake to Bianca

"It was nice meeting you as well." she smiles and look to Jenny

While Jenny looks at the different directions.

"Nice meeting with you as well Jenny...what a small world!" Bianca said with devil smile

Tisha looks at Jenny

"We are classmates during our Middle School, I never thought you will be just a regular employee after all these years?... Oh, I'm forgot, your parents both died in an accident right, oh my that was so unfortunate..." Bianca said to them with malicious grin.

Jenny don't say anything and looks down and started the clenching her teeth.

"I think we should start the make up so that we can start early." Tisha said to Bianca's assistant

And Bianca leaves still smiling and went to the makeup room.

Tisha pats Jenny shoulder to comfort her and Jenny smiles to inform her that she's okay.

Jenny POV

Bianca and I were friends on our Middle school year, I'm 100% scholar since 1st year . I need to maintain my grades so that I can get the scholarship. My parents were just a regular government employee and they can't afford to pay my whole tuition fee. And Bianca was always the second place. But I know that her parents were always rebuked her because she can't surpass me. Maybe that is why she gradually became angry with me with intense jealousy. She started to have a new group of friends and started to be mean to me.

When my parents died, I started not go from school sometimes, missed quizzes. That's why my teacher told me that I might loss the scholarship if I continue doing that. During that time, I'm working as a part -time.

On our graduation day.

Bianca became our Valedictorian, and I'm the second placer. I saw how happy she was and bragging it to her parents.

While me, I have no one attended my graduation rites. First time that I felt jealous, and realized that this is how Bianca felt before.

After the graduation rites. I decided not to attend the after party and went to the convenience store that I'm working and Rose surprise me with a graduation gift and took me to her house and celebrate with her parents as well.

Jealous - feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.

I started to feel it while seeing my previous friends having a great life that abandon me, when my parents died. When I saw others with their parents. Or someone that they get what their needs without even working.

Because of that feeling I work harder than anyone else that's I'm here right now. Yet Bianca still ahead of me. Far more ahead of me.

At the makeup room

Tisha and Jenny were there to check the clothes that Bianca will wear and the director also giving her instructions as well.

After an hour they started the shoot the commercial, that it took 2 hours to complete.

Everyone is exhausted, that is why Jenny help the staff to arrange the props to make the job easier while Tisha is talking to the Director.

"Jenny can you bring me some water?" Bianca asked her

The assistant of Bianca stands up

"Is your name Jenny? I ask her not you." Bianca reprimanding her.

"It's okay, I can do it!" assured the Assistant and she stand up.

"Here you go!" Jenny gave the water

"And also, can you move my clothes to the car. Is that okay Jenny?"

Her assistant was confused and look to Jenny

Jenny just smiles and nods

The clothes were in a rolling rack so she just need to push it.

But Bianca intentionally trip Jenny's foot and she stumble down and the clothes were scattered on the floor.

"What are you doing!!! Do you know how much all of those clothes? that is all a rare piece and it was so expensive that it you can never paid even your one-year salary." Bianca started to make a scene.

All the staff staring at them.

Jenny started to pick up the clothes and the assistant help her.

She was teary eyed and looking down.

"What is going on here?" Tisha went near to Jenny

"It's all my fault. I'm sorry!" she was teary eye while clenching her teeth in anger.

"You better do your job right!" Bianca still shouting at her and the director calm her down.

"Ms. Bianca, let me remind you we are the client here and she is not your maid. So, it's up to us if to decide if you made a good job of not." Tisha was pissed already.

"And don't worry this is the first and the last working with you! Ms. Bianca." Tisha said.

“I will make sure that tomorrow you and especially you Jenny will be fire!”

Bianca leaves while glaring at Jenny.

"I'm sorry!" Bianca assistant came to Jenny and apologize, and went to the van

"Can I go the restroom?" Jenny said

Tisha nods and she went straight to the restroom

Jenny cried for almost 15 minutes, and then wash her face and saw Tisha at the car and she went in and buckled her seatbelt.

After few minutes of silence.

"I'm sorry for making a scene, Ms Tisha..." Jenny started to explain

"Cut it off... Bianca was notorious being a prima donna, and very hard to work with." Tisha explain while still driving.

Tisha looks to Jenny and it seems that her eyes is till puffy.

" I'm hungry, we should eat first... let me see what is the nearest restaurant here..." as she checks her car monitor for the map.

They were already seated at the restaurant and Ms. Tisha already ordered.

"What if Ms. Sheila get mad at you on what you said to Bianca." Jenny was still worried

"Nahh.. Don't worry I can handle her..." Tisha smiles

They already arrived at the KNJ

As they enter the Marketing department.

"Tisha, come to my office now." Ms. Sheila called her and Jenny was so worried

Tisha went to the Ms. Sheila's office and closed the door and they talked.

Jenny waited until Ms. Tisha went out to Ms Shiela's office.

She stands up and she heard Ms. Tisha open the door.

"Jenny why are still here?" Tisha and Ms. Sheila were shocked.

"Come on hurry up. We need to save some electricity here. Or maybe you wanted me to deduct the extra bill to your salary?" Ms. Sheila told her

"Okay Mam, I will just clear my desk and go home."

"Good!"

"Were going now, Go home right away." Ms. Tisha smiles at her and she nods

"Thank you, Mam, Bye!" she still shocked as to why she was not called or even asked regarding to the incident.