5 Three Years Back: The Beginning
1639 Words
THREE YEARS BACK
Buzz! Buzz!! Buzz!!! From an unknown caller.
“You have a call, Daniela.” Granny Emilia called out softly, but loud enough for Daniela to hear
Daniela left the kitchen, where she was cooking, to pick up the phone. She returned quickly to avoid Emilia overhearing the conversation. She’d been expecting calls from several companies she’d applied to.
“Hello, Daniela on the line,” she said.
“Hello, good morning. Hugo Beatriz here from DEO Oil. Your application has been received, but unfortunately, we can only offer you the job of a cleaner, effective immediately.”
Daniela looked confused, “I’m just getting to know…”
“You need to decide now. Many other applicants are waiting for this offer. I’m waiting for your response,” Beatriz interrupted.
“Okay…, when should I resume?” Daniela reluctantly succumbed.
“In the next hour, your shift will start immediately, two staff from the next shift just resigned, so we need you now.” Beatriz explained further. “I’ll be there within the hour,” Daniela agreed.
“Do you need to work in a new city where we’ve only been for two weeks?” Granny Emilia asked, stepping into the kitchen before Daniela could end the call. “Are you sure you’re acquainted with the place?”
Daniela turned, crossing her arms, “Granny, are you eavesdropping on my call?”
“Eavesdrop? No,” Your body language created suspicion, so I follow you.” Emilia replied.
“We cannot depend solely on Fermin’s funds to survive and I am not going to be a burden to him.” Daniela said firmly.
Emilia scoffed, sitting gently on the kitchen stool. “The money he gave us is enough to last two months. By then, you’ll already be used to this city.”
Daniela didn’t dismiss her opinion completely, but she feared exhausting the money before her survival instinct could kick in.
“Emilia, I understand your concern ma, but I need to get this job so we have enough to feed ourselves.” She said then turned back to her cooking.
Moments later, she turned again, “Granny please, I need to go now. Kindly continue with the cooking, my shift will start in less than an hour. I will give you the full gist when I return.” She hurried off to get ready.
AT THE DEO’S OIL
___________________
Daniela, entered the Deo’s premises, her long hair and curves drew the attention of everyone
Even the ladies admired her beauty. She wore a casual shirt, jeans, and old sneakers, but her presence was almost impossible to ignore.
“Who is that beautiful lady?” Cordelia whispered to her friend as they were returning to their offices from break. “She is simple and gorgeous.” Pamela replied, still watching her as she approached the administrative manager’s desk.
“Hello, I’m Daniela, the new cleaner. I’m here to see Hugo Beatriz,” Daniela said.
“Oh, she told me you’d be resuming this afternoon. Come with me,” the man replied, gesturing for her to follow.
“Is she the admin manager’s fiancée?” Pamela whispered as they walked off.
“My name is Fernando,” the man said as they walked. “I must confess; you’re a very beautiful girl.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Fernando,” she replied politely.
Inside the CEO’s office, Beatriz was speaking with recently retired CEO Diego Alejandro, who was there to collect documents while the impending CEO, his son, has been away on a business trip.
“Good morning, sir… ma,” Daniela greeted. Beatriz froze at the sight of her beauty. “You’re Daniela, the new cleaner?” Beatriz asked casually.
Daniela ignored her gestures as she’s very excited to get started.
“Yes, ma’am.” Daniela replied. “I believe you’re Mrs. Beatriz…”
“Miss,” Beatriz corrected sharply. “Oh sorry; Miss Beatriz, the one I spoke with earlier.”
“Alright. Your shift starts now. Mr. Fernando will give you the documents to sign, along with details and materials to begin, then join your colleagues in the afternoon shift.”
Diego Alejandro, observing Daniela from his chair, smiled. And while Daniela was on her way out of the office. “Daniela, you’re beautiful. Be a good girl. I’ll tell Emiliano to keep a close eye on you.” He said leaning on the seat.
Beatriz expressed displeasure over Diego Alejandro’s compliment towards Daniela, she is used to getting compliments from Diego, barely two weeks she joined DEO oil, but not as sweet as Daniela got.
“Thank you, sir,” Daniela said politely before leaving the office with Fernando.
Beatriz has always deemed herself the most beautiful in the company since she joined and carries herself with pride and a lot of ego.
She is the daughter of Diego Alejandro’s best friend, Hugo Javier.
___________________
Fernando gave her the onboarding documents and uniform.
“I’ll wait outside for you to change, then I’ll introduce you to the other cleaners,” he said.
“Okay sir, I will join you soon” Daniela answered and Fernando left the office.
Minutes later, she stepped out in uniform. “It fits you perfectly and enhances your beauty,” Fernando said.
“You all will make me resign on my first day with all these compliments,” she joked shyly as they both smiled heading to the cleaner’s section.
Daniela walked into the cleaner’s section, her attention drew stares. Fernando has a little emergency to attend to on their way.
“Good morning, everyone,” she greeted, snapping her fingers when no one replied.
“Morning Beauty!” A guy from behind finally returned her gesture and immediately.
Then, Fernando entered. “Good Morning Everyone,” His baritone voice echoed through the room and everyone’s attention was reinstated. “We have a beautiful new cleaner, help her settle in.”
Everyone was surprised to hear Fernando complimented Daniela. “Mr. Fernando has never complimented a cleaner, or am I dreaming?” Surprised Jessica uttered inwardly as Fernando continued his speech.
“Can you please introduce yourself?” Fernando summoned Daniela.
“I’m Daniela Ivan, and I look forward to working with you,” she introduced.
“You’re welcome,” the same man said, shaking her hand. The rest of the cleaners received her warmly but Jessica didn’t greet her.
“You’re such a beauty Daniela.” Two other female cleaners confessed their admiration for her beauty and she smiled shyly saying, “I am honored.” Daniela noticed Jessica’s awkward look towards her but ignored it.
“Your shift starts in a minute. First, clean the warehouse—investors will be here in an hour,” Fernando ordered and some of the cleaners’ heads towards the warehouse immediately.
Arturo, the male cleaner, joined Daniel as they both walked to the warehouse. “You already know my name. What’s yours?” Daniela asked. “I’m Arturo, but you can call me Daniel,” he said with a grin.
“I’ll stick with Arturo,” she replied.
“Just kidding, my name is Arturo and it’s nice having on board.”
_____________________
Meanwhile in the CEO’s office, Diego Alejandro summoned Beatriz and Fernando to his office.
“My son, Emiliano will return next week to take over as the CEO of DEO Oil and his structure will kickstart immediately.” Diego Alejandro said.
“I want to appreciate you both for the multitasking and handling of multiple departments after the multiple impromptu resignation tendered by staff last month and specially, I will like to commend Beatriz for taking up the mantle under no supervision and as an intern. You are a genius.” He commended
“Furthermore, I will want you, Beatriz, to keep a close eye on the new cleaner. What’s her name again?”
“Daniela!” Fernando replied.
“I’m sure she can handle a better position than being a cleaner and I must confess she’s too beautiful to be a cleaner.” He joked as Fernando joined him but Beatriz remained indifferent.
____________________
In the warehouse Arturo asked Daniela, “Are you cool with this dirty job?” Before she could answer, Daniela’s phone rang. It was her grandmother. She excused herself to the restroom.
“Everything is fine, I’ll give you details when I return, I have to go now ma. See you.” She said quickly to avoid a long chat. As she’s about to leave the restroom, Beatriz entered, blocking her path.
“Good Afternoon Miss Beatriz,” she greeted but Beatriz ignored.
“Daniela, be careful how you behave here. You’ll work directly with me. “You are employed as a cleaner, you will work closely with me, resuming to my office daily and, henceforth and you’ll never accept a role change without telling me, even from the CEO. Understood?”
“Yes ma’am!” Daniela said in shock.
“And, you are not as beautiful as you think, don’t let the compliments get to your head.” Beatriz turned, walking away.
“I see you raising your shoulders when getting praises from the CEO, Mr. Fernando, and all the low life cleaners as you. Rubbish.” She continues as her voice fades slowly as she moves farther away.
Daniela stood frozen, eyes wide.
Daniela leaned against the restroom wall, heart pounding. A cleaner on her first day, already marked by the boss’s favorite? She laughed nervously under her breath. “Congratulations, Daniela. You haven’t even touched a broom yet, and someone already wants to break it on your head.” She forced a small smile, but her eyes betrayed the weight of what she felt.
Something about Beatriz’s warning wasn’t ordinary. It was personal. And it was only the beginning.
- Writer
