Rise Up

CHAPTER SIX

“Good morning interns. You’ve been here for a month already and I want to congratulate you for reaching this far.”

            All of the interns from different departments are gathered in the conference room. We are listening carefully as to what our supervisor is saying. I received a text yesterday announcing that the company interns should attend a meeting, and that meeting is happening right now.

“I want to inform you that the higher ups are thinking of hiring you if and only if, you have performed your tasks enough for them to employ you. You see, they want to hire you ladies and gentlemen, isn’t that good news? To prepare you for that, the board decided to make a change in your internship program.” I can hear the whispers from other interns. 

            The announcement surprised us. Why the sudden change? But still, the thought of them hiring us in instant is really good news. The supervisor hushed the commotion.

“Instead of staying for just one department in your internship, the board ordered me to give you a taste of every department’s work. So I devised a strategy for us to do that. For every one and a half month, you will move to different department. We will be having a rotation to every department.”

            The whispers became louder and louder. Questions and comments that is all I hear from everyone. A rotation? Rotation to different department may help us to gain experience but I already adjusted to the Marketing department. I’m already getting the pattern of works there if then we will be having our rotation I need to adjust again and learn things from zero. That’s a hassle.

“Come one everyone. It’s not bad idea at all, as I said it will help you in the near future. If ever you decided to work at other company, it won’t be hard for you if they assigned you to a different position you are expecting. Cheer up gals and lads.”

            Everyone is so disappointed and worry is shown to their faces after the meeting. We only have 2 weeks to stay to our first department before the rotation.

            There are 4 departments, the marketing (where I belong), the secretariat office, the finance, and the HR or Human Resource. Anyway, it is us who will determine our second department.  I sigh, thinking of which department I will be going next.

“So why are you here? Not at the CEO’s office.”

            I just arrived at the cafeteria and was about to take my seat. That was Dalen Castro talking, I mean teasing. There’s news circling around that the CEO and me are dating because many times they saw us having lunch together. We don’t actually eat together like the usual when Cara ordered Patrick to eat with me. I even rarely see that guy around the office.

“What?” I asked

“You know what, you never answer my question.” He looked at me with her face leaning ate back of his hands. He looks like analysing my face. Looking at me intently and that made me uncomfortable.

“Hey, stop that.” I said

“Okay, okay. I’ll never get tired asking you.” He continued eating and stopped teasing me.

            We talked over almost everything during lunch even the sudden rotation of department. Everyone in our table is asking questions. I miss Cara, if she’s still here maybe we will be choosing the same department.

“Where is your next department Chai?” I looked at Scarlet to answer her question. I shrugged as response

“I don’t actually know yet, I’m thinking of Secretariat or HR. What do you recommend? Dalen, you’re from secretariat? Scar, you’re from HR?” I looked at them. I want to know their opinion, well I want to know their warnings or so.

“Secretariat Office is so busy however we got to meet higher ups. I once met this very good-looking shareholder you know. What’s he’s name again? Kai? Ghaa, he is so hot, his body is oozing with s*x appeal.” Really? This gay is really something hahaha

“As for our office, HR. My goodness, it so so so boring. Anyway, why are you asking for our opinion, it’s not as if you have choice.” We all sighed

“Anyway, aren’t you going back to your offices?” Dalen asked everyone. I looked at my watch.

            It’s still 30 minutes early before the end of lunch break but I need to go back now.

“I need to go.” Dalen stand up and took his phone

“I’m also going, let’s go Dalen.”

            Just like what I said before, Dalen is gay but he don’t want to dress and act like one. He hates dressing up. Dalen is a handsome looking guy, actually a lot of girls want her not knowing who he really is. I was shocked when a put his arms around my shoulder. We entered the elevator, right in time. Patrick is already inside. He looked at me, then to the hands around me. He raised his one eyebrow. We continuously entered the elevator.

“Good afternoon sir.” We greeted him but he just looked at Dalen in his eyes, as if measuring him. Dalen didn’t remove his arms.

It’s just the three of us inside the elevator. This scene looks very familiar. We reached the 10th floor and Dalen leave. We are left together. I felt a sudden weight in my shoulder. I was about to look at my back when he suddenly talked.

“Stay still.” I let him lean on my shoulders. I can hear his heavy breathing. He look so tired, Is he even sleeping, Is he even eating. I didn’t see him for days now, his secretary said that they are finalizing a contract plan and instead of finishing easily, he client suddenly changed his condition.

            Luckily, no one entered in the elevator during that short period of time. If someone saw us again in this position, I will hear again another issue circulating. The elevator stopped, We’re now on 15th floor. He remove his head and stepped back, this time he leaned at the elevator door. I stepped out of the elevator, I looked at him before the elevator door closes but he remained his position. His eyes are close so is the elevator door.

“Chai, will you please give this to Engr. Gonzales but I don’t think he is in his office.” Ma’am Marj asked me. She’s not yet informed that their boss just arrived looking wasted.

“Okay, ma’am” I took the envelop she’s giving me and went to the elevator.

“Hi, Chai.” Mae greeted me when she saw mewalking towards her.

“Here.” I handed her the envelope

“Do you have any meds for headache? Or any pain reliever?” I asked her

“Uh, I think I have one here. Why? Are you sick?” She asked me then she rummaged her bag. I stood up and went to the water dispenser and filled one glass of water.

“No, I’m not.” I took the medicine from her

“He is.” I said as I entered the CEO’s room