Rise Up

CHAPTER ELEVEN

            Three days passed in a quick phase. We are all gathered at the conference room again. Patricia is at the center table and facilitating the meeting. They are exchanging opinions on how to address the problem. We are just listening at them since we are still adjusting at our new environment.

“Wait, before we continue. Are the interns listening? Are you taking notes?” she looked at our table and we all nodded.

“Good, I want an intern to do the presentation in front of the CEO. We will just do draw lots so prepare your names. We will do it before we end the meeting.” Patricia added and they continued with their discussion. We interns are tensed. Of course, who would want to do a presentation in front of the boss? We don’t want that.

“To wrap things up, to minimize the budget, first we will buy materials…” the meeting is about to end, there was a raging thud in my heart. Please, please, not me. I silently prayed. I don’t want to put myself in shame.

“Okay, as what I said a while ago. We will do the draw lot on who will present.” They collected the small pieces of paper in our hands where our names are written. They put it altogether in a paper cup. All the interns where praying not to be picked including me but unfortunately

“Chaira Lucas. Where is she?” Everyone looked at me, I forced a smile and stood up.

“Follow me Miss Lucas.” She said and leave the room.

            I can see the relief in my co-interns faces but when they looked at me they looked so worried. I am worried too. I followed Ma’am Patricia to her office.

“Did you listen at the meeting? Did you take notes?” I nodded to both of her question

“Good, now prepare a power point presentation about the meeting. I need it two days from now, since we only have four days left before meeting the boss. Prepare it and present to me. Then we will do other revisions for the remaining days. Got it?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Don’t worry you will just need to present it. I will catch the question that will be thrown to you. But expect questions too directed for you. We will not be only meeting the CEO, we will also be meeting other department heads, engineer and architect designers and everyone who are involve in this project. Being part in this department you need to still know everything about the project. You are dismissed.” She said and faced her laptop.

            I’m so tired for this day. I just want to go home but I still need to go at my part time job. I declined the lunch Patrick offered because I was too busy to do the power point presentation but he delivered pizza for everyone in our department.

“Hi, good evening.” I arrived at the convenience store where I will work part-time. I greeted the cashier attendant whom I will relieve.

“You’re here? I already stacked the empty shelves and I also cleaned. You just have to sit here in the counter. I know you are already tired.” She said. She’s so nice. I went straight to the employee’s cabin to change my uniform.

“Bye, thanks. Take care.” She went home and I was left alone. While waiting for customer I placed my laptop at the counter. I need to finish this presentation.

            I’m in the middle of doing my report when a customer entered. I was about to greet the customer but I was shocked when I saw who the newly arrived customer is.

“What are you doing here?” I asked at him. It was Patrick

“Uhmm, Actually I’m.” He looked so tensed and nervous and shocked.

“What?” I said and looked at him

“What? Am I not allowed here? I was driving when I suddenly felt thirsty; I saw this convenience store, that’s why I’m here.” He recovered from his unknown cause of shock and casually answered my question.

            Why did I even felt my heart skipped a beat when he suddenly entered? I was shocked not expecting him within the school neighbourhood.

“Just, just go and get your drink and pay it here.” I said and get back to my presentation.

            I need to act calm or else my voice will start to shake for I don’t know the reason.

“Here.” I punched the juice he picked. The juice he picked was the product that is being marketed only in our store.

“What time is your out?” he sat in the chair facing me. I checked the time, it’s already 12 midnight. We is he still driving this late? Isn’t he supposed to be resting?

“I still have 2 more hours.” I closed the laptop and faced him

“Aren’t you going home? It’s already midnight and you have to rest. You have lots of work to do tomorrow.”

“I know how about you? Are you even sleeping? You have your internship that’s 8 in the morning till 5pm and you will go straight here And what? You still have two hours left? That’s already 2 in the morning. More or less you only have 5 hours left to sleep.” He looks so furious looking at me. I looked like a kid being scolded by the parent for staying up late playing in my phone.

“Just leave me alone Patrick.” I said and move out of the counter and went to organize the stocks. I thought he left already but when I came back he was still there sitting in the chair. His head is lowered and leaned in the table. His eyes are closed too. Is he asleep?

            I tapped his shoulder but he just changed his head direction, now he is facing the wall. I shake his shoulders, stronger this time but he just ignored me.

“Wake me up if we are about to leave.” My eyes widened at what he said. What is he talking about? I was about to talk to him when the door opened. I hurriedly went back to my position. I saw Patrick’s head raised his head maybe checking out the new customer?

“Hey let’s go.” I tapped Patrick’s shoulder again. He raised his head and looked at me.

“Bye Maris.” I bid my goodbye to the next employee who will be watching the store.

            I pulled Patrick to help him stand up. My house is near the school at the same time near the store I’m working at.

“I’ll just walk from here. You really should go now.” I turned my back at him.

“I’ll walk you home.” He grabbed my arm to stop me. He then let it go and walked first.

            This person in front of me is starting to confuse me. My heart stopped when I felt his hands in arms, when he suddenly showed in my work, every time he stares at me. I’m new to this feeling, I’m really confused. I walked beside him and we walked in silent.