Managing the Billionaire's Heir

*BEEP… BEEP… BEEP… BEEP* rang the alarm clock on a smartphone beside the bedside table. The alarm blared for a good minute until a lady's hand picked up the smartphone to switch the alarm off. She didn't need the alarm clock to wake her as she never actually even slept the whole night. "I guess it's muscle memory," The lady whispered to herself as she sat down on the side of her king-sized bed. With a deep sigh, Helena stood up and dragged herself to the bathroom. She stood in front of her bathroom mirror and started talking to herself. A habit that she kept on telling herself not to do anymore because it seemed like even she couldn't advise herself from all the bad decisions she made in life. "Another day, another opportunity to get that job we can't seem to get," she sarcastically whispered to herself as she looked straight into her own dark brown eyes riddled with eyebags due to insomnia attacks in the past month. During the pandemic, Helena lost her job as a manager in one of the leading hotel chains in the Philippines. Her relationship with his husband also went on the rocks during this time, so you can say that she hit rock bottom amidst the pandemic. Ever since her husband left to be with the mistress, Lena (as her friends usually call her) has been paying all the bills and mortgage of the house and car. It's good that she has some funds saved in the bank, but they will not be there long enough if she keeps on spending without any income. After brushing her teeth and tying her long black hair into a ponytail, she sat in front of the computer to look for any job that might fit her qualifications. "Okay, let's see. Call center agent. I.T. Specialist, Content Writer, Online Teacher… AHA! Let me try this one." And she clicked on the "Expand" link on the website to view all the qualifications needed for the job vacancy. IN NEED OF A MANAGER Preferably with a Masters Degree in Business Management 30 – 35 years old With pleasing personality With extensive experience in running a company With a working passport and willing to travel to different locations by plane (airfare will be shouldered by the company) Salary will be discussed upon hiring Interested applicants may send their updated Application Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Portfolio of Achievements to hrrecruitement@montecristoholdings.com So Lena prepared her updated curriculum vitae and application letter. She also spruced up her portfolio of achievements and started tapping on the mouse and keyboard so she could send the requirements to the specified email address. But upon clicking on the send button, a feeling of intimidation started growing inside her. It was like her gut told her that if she clicked on the "Send" button, her life would never be the same again. But then, the idea of living on the streets seems more daunting than the idea of application uncertainty. "Well, f**k it! Here goes nothing!" as she clicked on the "Send" button on the email program. Lena was very silent for a moment after she read the "Message Sent" confirmation on her computer screen. "See, nothing happened," she told herself. Lena kept on browsing the internet using job application platforms and social media for any possible job that she may take a shot at applying for. Before the end of the day, Lena sent six applications in total. She forgot about her first application for that day. --- It was 8:57 P.M., Lena curled up on her sofa watching a horror movie on her flatscreen T.V. As she stared blankly at her T.V. screen, her smartphone ringtone suddenly filled the living room. The loud and sudden ringtone startled Lena; she almost jumped out of the sofa. She fumbled toward the glass console table to retrieve her smartphone as it danced along the tabletop due to its rhythmic vibration. Upon grabbing her phone, Lena checked the number to see if it was someone she knew. It was a landline number, and it's not in her contacts list. "Probably one of the BPO companies I sent a resumé to," she told herself as she pressed on "Answer Call" in her smartphone. "Hello, who's this?" Lena cheerfully answered despite her being disgruntled for the call at such a time. "Good evening, I am looking for Ms. Helena Cruz." the professional-sounding voice of the lady on the other end of the call. Lena responded with a positive affirmation, thinking that this seemed to be a call from one of the call center companies she applied to. "Yes, this is Helena Cruz speaking." "I am sorry to call you at this hour, Ms. Cruz. My name is Iona from the recruitment office of Montecristo Holdings, and this call is about your application that you sent to us earlier this day. Before proceeding, I want a confirmation of that application." She said professionally. Lena almost screamed with excitement upon hearing that the call was from Montecristo Holdings, but she was able to stop herself, and she was able to keep it professional. "Yes, I did send an application earlier. It's nice to hear from you regarding this matter." She calmly said with deep, controlled breaths in between. "Great! Will you be ready for your flight this Monday?" Iona asked. "Excuse me?" Lena asked with a puzzled tone in her voice. "Sorry if you didn't hear me clearly. I was asking if you will be ready for your flight this Monday so you could proceed with the interview?" Iona calmly repeated. “I’m sorry, but I did not know that the application process and interview would be done in a location that may only be accessed by plane. I am honestly not sure if I would be able to get a plane ticket that quick during this pandemic.” Lena honestly answered. “Do not worry, Ms. Cruz, the airfare and the arrangement of the flight will be handled by the company. That is why I would need you to confirm your agreement with the scheduled application interview so I can process the specifics. The boss will personally interview you and the other applicants, so it is imperative that you agree on this arrangement should you decide to push through with your application.” Iona replied. With thousands of thoughts racing through her mind, Lena was hesitant to agree. But the whim of the moment prompted her to agree with what Iona was offering on the other line. “Yes, sure. I g-guess there won’t be anything to lose if I try, right? Plus free airfare!” Lena jokingly stammered. “Haha,” Iona responded with a professional laugh. Not a genuine laugh, but more like a rehearsed laugh that Iona is so used to using whenever she speaks with an applicant that cracks a joke. “Anyway, the specifics together with directions of what you need to accomplish will be sent to your email. Should you have any questions, clarifications, or should you wish to cancel your application, please feel free to send an email or call this number. Is everything clear, Ms. Cruz?” Iona continued. “I guess,” Lena responded uncertainly. “Oh, by the way, where are we headed to?” Lena continued. “Great! Lena, pack your bikinis because youre going to Boracay.” Iona responded. Helena didn’t know how to respond.