I'll Love You, Tomorrow

Chapter 8 – Prolonging the Agony

MJ…

I came from a meeting with the HR Director, Mr. Jayson Faller. The president had an emergency meeting with the board members so he entrusted me with Mr. Faller. I wasn't expecting this but even so, I still put my best foot forward in our meeting to have a great impression and evaluation of me.

Our meeting lasted for about an hour. He asked me with several questions that I had to answer. There were moments that I made him nod while a speak and he scribbled something on his notes. Sometimes he smiles a little and took a quick glance at me. I was really not sure what his gestures were saying.

I focused my attention on the questions he was throwing at me and gave him answers as comprehensive as I could. While answering, I was not sure if he was listening because his eyes were lingering on me. His attention was not on my answers.

This scene went on for a while until we get to the compensation part. He introduced the matter and I was a bit shocked about the offer. It was quite higher than what I was expecting. When I didn't raise any concerns, he pulled out a white folder inside the drawer of the table and handed it to me. It's the contract.

If the contract was already furnished, why did they still let me get through the interview? An interview with Mr. Faller. A ran through the contract he handed me and while I was doing so, I sometimes caught him taking a glance at me, like he was checking me out.

Mr. Faller is a fine looking man; tan skinned, pointy nose, bright eyes, romantic voice. His semi fitted long sleeves reveals his good physique; his broad shoulders and flat tummy. By the looks of him, he is may be around 35 to 38 years of age. I think he is a happily married man, judging by the ring on his left ring finger.

"Is there something wrong with the contract? Is there anything you want to amend? We can still do that.", he asked confidently while staring at me. I was looking for anything that I could clarify but it was very hard to concentrate with him staring at me intently. Like he was screening me from head to foot. I threw him a smile so that he won't get suspicious.

"Nothing Mr. Faller, everything is pressed. In fact, the offer is very tempting.", I replied.

"Well if everything is good, we can proceed with the signing.", he invited while handing me his pen.

I don't want to miss this great offer so I gave in to it that instant. I reached for the pen that Mr. Faller was giving me. But when I reached for it, he held my hand as well. Shocked, I stared blankly at him in confusion while he stared back. Later on he gave me a menacing smile while still holding my hand. I immediately pulled in with the pen and get back to my seat. Still wearing his smile, Mr. Faller sat back properly on his chair while still staring at me. I tried not to look at him while signing all the pages but I know he was examining me.

After signing, I put the pen on top of the table. Instead, I handed him the folder with the contract. But Mr. Faller reached not just the folder but my hand as well. Still, he was looking at me straight into my eyes making me very uncomfortable. I immediately pulled my hands back and return his stares with a smile to hide my discomfort.

"Welcome to the family Mr. Manuel Joaquin.", he greeted me while standing. "I'll be seeing you on your first day and we will be expecting much from you."

I returned his greetings with a slight nod and smiled. Mr. Faller reached out his hand to me for a handshake. I didn't want to be rude for not shaking his hand after contract signing, so I did. He shook my hand firmly. His eyes were pinned to mine. Trying to hide my feelings, I composed myself firm and professional.

He took his briefcase and left the office. I was left in there standing still and confused. I didn't want to be presumptuous but if what I thought of Mr. Faller was right, this is going to be big trouble.

Mikhael…

I planned my whole day on meeting Miss Cara. I hoped that she was not in a bad mood with me for missing my appointment with her. I was thinking of different excuses that I could use if she asks.

"Good morning Mike.", Paul greeted when we bumped into each other by the elevator. "I hope you're not upset about yesterday. I really am sorry."

"Dude, I said we're ok. Forget about it.", I replied. "Let's just hope that Miss Cara is in a good mood today."

I reassured Paul that we're good. Anybody could commit such mistakes. I knew Paul to be such a caring guy but lately he seems to be over reacting. Like his is going to die if I get mad at him.

When we get to the production floor, we immediately proceed to our respective cubicle. Paul sat on his chair and pulled up his dashboard to log in. I turned to pull up mine as well as soon as I put my bag below my table.

I kept my focus sharp the entire morning shift. We were flooded with irate callers and complains but none of those removed my agony about the meeting later. Even at lunch, Paul didn't able to convince me to each. I didn't have appetite to eat anything. I just grabbed a cup of coffee while he was eating. We went back to our stations after that.

The entire afternoon shift had passed and one hour more, we're off the shift when I noticed something,

"Paul, have you seen Miss Cara already? I think I haven't seen her do her rounds.", I asked Paul while pressing my mute button but he gestured that he didn't see Miss Cara as well. It was Mr. Garry from the collection department who did the rounds this morning. Worries came over me.

"Maybe she took a day off.", I whispered to myself. Disappointment washed over me for thinking Miss Cara was not there. I was preparing for the meeting since last night but all of a sudden, she was not at work.

The last hour of the shift was the longest hour of the day. My fingers were itching to press the log out button and ran to check on Miss Carra.

40 minutes…

30 minutes…

15 minutes more…

Finally, my shift has ended. I immediately pressed the END button that logged me out of the system and hurriedly grabbed my bag.

"Mike, don't be in such a rush. She won't be leaving at 5. She has reports to do first you know.", Paul said.

"We're not even sure if she's on her cubicle. We haven't seen her all day remember?", I replied, very worried.

"Paul, can I leave my bag to you for a moment? I'll go straight to Miss Cara before going to the lockers. Please.", I asked Paul. I took off without looking back.

I headed to the area where the team leads were. My heart was pounding heavily. I was so nervous. When I reached the line of cubicles, I go straight to where Miss Cara should be. And to my disappointment, hers was empty.

"Excuse me.", I said to one of the team leads sitting beside Miss Cara's. "Is Miss Cara around? I haven't seen her this morning on the production floor."

"I am not sure. I haven't seen her as well.", she replied sweetly.

I said my thanks to her and left. With heavy feet, I walked back to our area where Paul was. I was really sad for missing that meeting Miss Cara.

What if it's something very important? She barely calls anyone for a meeting, unless its important right? And I missed it.

When I returned, I sat on my chair and looked blankly on my computer screen.

"That was fast. How did it go?", Paul asked curiously. I looked at him with sad eyes and replied.

"Miss Cara is not there. She maybe took the day off."

It saddens Paul to see me sad also, I saw it in his eyes.

"That is ok Mike.", he comforted me. "We can still ask her tomorrow. She'll be here for sure.". And with an assuring tone, Paul gave me an anchor by the shoulder and shrugged me. I forced a smile at him in response for him to stop worrying.

"So, shall we go now?", he invited. I nodded in assent.

Paul grabbed his bag and we walked down the hall to the elevator. We were about to step in the elevator when Paul saw Mr. Garry.

"Hi, Mr. Garry.", Paul greeted. I smiled to greet him. "Going down too?"

"Actually no, I was making my rounds before leaving." He replied. "You are under Miss Cara, right?", He asked.

"Yes, we are. Have you seen her?", I asked sharply. Paul was surprised by my sudden impulse about the matter.

"Haven't she told you?" Paul and I exchanged glances. "Her mom is in the hospital. She had to fly to Canada immediately to tend to her." Garry explained.

Paul noticed my reaction. He again anchored me by the shoulder and gave me a soft tap for comfort. He knew how I expected for this meeting for months now and I missed it. It really saddens me a lot. And what really burdens me was that maybe she wanted to talk to me before she leaves. But I missed it.

We were about to step in the elevator when Garry called us the last minute.

"By the way, do you know Mikhael Alfonso? I was told he is on this floor.", he asked.

"I am Mikhael Alfonso, sir.", I replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you.", he apologized. "I was looking for you since morning."

Again, Paul and I exchanged glances.

"Miss Cara left me with a brown envelope last night before she flies to Canada. She told me she was here late waiting for you but you didn't come. So she just asked me to hand it over to you.", Garry explained.

My heart leaped and skipped a beat after hearing this. I was speechless. My hands stiffened and my eyes were petrified.

"Drop by my cubicle before you leave. I'll be there in 5 minutes. I'm just going to finish my rounds.", he finished and walked away.

Paul and I were holding ourselves not to scream in excitement. We were jumping and rejoicing silently like we were insane. We didn't wait for 5 minutes at all. We hurriedly proceed to Mr. Garry's cubicle. We walked fast. My feet barely touched the carpeted floor of the office. Paul was keeping up with me. By the time Garry came back, we were there sitting in front of his table.

"Not so excited ha?", he joked on us. We just smiled in reply.

Garry sat behind his table and pulled his drawer. He took a brown envelope from it and handed it to me. I reached with a shaking hands. Even Paul was uneasy on his seat upon seeing the envelope.

"Gentlemen, relax. It's just an envelope.", he said smiling at both of us. "It's not one million dollars in cash, is it?",

"Not really sir, but almost.", I replied nervously.

"Well then let's open it.", he said.

I looked at Paul and even he had this excitement on his face. What was there to wait about? We were waiting for this since last night. I stared at the envelope and I saw my name scribbled on it with a smiley face from Miss Cara. I was preparing myself emotionally for whatever is in the envelope.

With shaky hands, I tore the tape that was covering the flap of the envelope and slid the papers from the inside out.

"YESSSS!!!!", I shouted.

If later in the elevator we were holding ourselves not to scream or make a scene whatsoever, this was different. With tears in my eyes, I screamed with all my strength about the surprise Miss Cara had left me. The envelope contained the certification of my scholarship grant to any university of my choice. Attached to it were the provisions of my scholarship but I didn't care less about it as of that moment. What I was seeing is the certificate and the fact that I could finally go back to school.

Paul was so excited for me. He too was jumping with me in celebration. We both forget about Mr. Garry who were there sitting and watching us. We didn't mind if the entire production floor were staring at us. I couldn't wait to tell mom about this, I was over joyed.

We bid goodbye to Mr. Garry and thanked him for the favor of handing me the envelope. He wished me good luck and bid his byes to. We couldn't contain our joy and excitement while walking down the hall. We're like people who just won the lottery.

This envelope is a chance for me again to finish my studies and reach one of my dreams. I am not going to let go of this chance and I will make sure Miss Cara will be proud for helping me on this. She will not regret her decision for giving me this opportunity.

Right after we exited the building door, I cheered,

"Santa Rosa University, here I come!!"