The Player Meets His Match

Chapter 5: Working in the Office

WHEN I got to the reception area, Jolene asked if I’m there to see Froilan again. She was surprised when I told her that I was supposed to start my first day of work in the office today. She lifted a brow before picking up the phone and making a call to what I presume is the HR department.

Jolene: “What’s your name again?”

Emmy: “Esmeralda Magdangal. But you can call me Emmy.”

She just raised another brow before having me sign in to a logbook. She coldly told me I would have to scan my fingerprint at the biometrics scanner starting tomorrow as soon as I arrived at the office and when I’m about to leave. This will serve as the attendance monitor. She then told me to proceed to the IT department so I can get my biometrics and picture for my ID card taken. I was  then to proceed to the HR department for an orientation.

I had so many questions but I didn’t think Jolene would be the best person to ask. I was a little overwhelmed with everything that she said so I just took it one step at a time. I went to the IT department first and they handed me my company ID and advised me to wear it within company premises at all times. I put it on before heading to the HR department. My picture looked horrible but I didn’t care. I’m used to not looking good in pictures, or even in real life.

I have a f*******: and an i********: account but I don’t post pictures of myself on them. I usually just share inspiration quotes or lines from my favorite books.

My sister always said that I am not ugly, I just don’t know how to emphasize my beauty. She’s always told me I sure wear contacts instead of my thick glasses, but I can’t get my head around putting something on my eyes. She also kept complimenting my body and fair skin. She says I have an hourglass figure and she’s always been envious of my C cups that I usually hide behind full cup bras. I know my bo*bs are on the bigger side than usual, but I don’t want people to notice so I avoid wearing body hugging clothes. I usually wear shirts that are at least one size too big just to be sure.

My sister has offered to do a makeover on me, but I kept refusing her. She said that the reason why I don’t have a boyfriend (and never had one) is because people can’t see my true beauty. Well, if a man is just after physical beauty, then I don’t want him to be my boyfriend anyway. I’m smart, strong-willed and independent, and I think those traits are enough for any decent man to like me. The only problem is, most of them can’t get past my facade and don’t even talk to me. I don’t mind. Right now, I don’t need or want a boyfriend. My focus is to work hard so I can help my family.

The HR person who toured me around the office is a bodacious young man named Allen. He’s very stylish and his hips kept swaying when he walked.

Allen: “What’s your name again, honey?”

Emmy: “Esme- I mean my name’s Emmy.”

I decided to just go by Emmy and not let the other know my real name. He was supposed to give me a tour around the office, but instead, he kept pointing at the hot guys around the office. This made me think he might be gay, which I found amusing. He’s so vibrant and it would be nice to have a friend like him.

Allen: “So that’s Joseph, he’s a f*ck boy and he usually goes after new employees, so you might be in danger, girl.”

He stopped walking for a while and looked me up and down seemingly judging my appearance before saying, “Hmm.. maybe not.” Afterwards, he resumed walking and started talking about how I look.

Allen: “You know, you should put your hair down more. I bet you have luscious waves hiding under that hideous bun. You should also put some blush on your cheeks for more color. Oh, and try a lipstick with plum shades, I bet that will look good on your skin tone.”

I just smiled as I took in what he said, not really knowing what a plum-colored lipstick looks like. I’m actually a little conscious with the pink shade I had earlier so I wiped it off and applied some lip balm instead.

The tour was both informative and enjoyable. We arrived at an area with plenty of desks, and Allen said this will be where I will be desking.

Allen: “Now, let me hand you off to the most handsome man in the office. Janus, darling, come over here.”

I flashed a smile as Janus, the good-looking guy in the office whom I met when I first came here walked towards us.

Janus: “Hi Allen. Oh, hey Emmy.”

Allen: “Oh, you know her already?”

Janus: “Yeah, I met her before when she first visited Froilan.”

Allen: “Oh, that’s wonderful. Let me hand her off to you so you can show her where her desk is, and just help her with whatever she needs.”

Janus: “It will be my pleasure.”

Allen and Janus exchanged a knowing look before Allen waved me goodbye. He even put his hands on my shoulder and  touched his cheeks on both of mine, which to me confirmed that he is indeed gay. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Once he left, Janus showed me around the area, and introduced me to the other employees there. As it turns out, I am not the only ghost writer employee of the company. I’ve met at least 10 more. This made me realize that some of the stories I’ve read might not have the work of the author whose name appeared on it.

As I sat down on my cubicle, Janus asked if I had any questions. I couldn’t think of anything for the moment, so I thanked Janus and said ”No, I don’t.”

Janus did not leave yet, and pulled a chair to stay right next to me. Apparently, he’s a junior editor and was hoping to get promoted to a more senior position this year. As a junior editor, he helps out the writers with whatever they need. He also does an initial read on the works before sending them over to the senior editor.

I’m so pleased as this means I will be working closely with Janus. I’ll get to see him all the time, which would inspire me a lot especially when it comes to writing.

Janus said that I can choose to work the 8 hours in the office, or I can write at home if I don’t feel like coming in. The important thing is productivity. It doesn’t matter where or where I work as long as I can meet the deadlines. I just need to give him or Froilan a heads up just so they know. With Janus in the office, why would I not want to come in?

I saw the laptop on my desk and Janus said I can bring it home with me if I want to. I learned that some of the writers write wherever and whenever inspiration strikes them. I actually am the same. Sometimes, I would be sitting on the bus and I would get an inspiration for a story, so I make it a point to always have a pen and paper with me.

After Janus left to return to his desk, I turned the laptop on. While waiting for it to boot up, I looked around and saw the other writers typing furiously and not even noticing the world around them. They might be working to meet their deadline, or are inspired to write at the moment.

I’ve never had to worry about a deadline before. I am a fast writer, but I’m not sure how productive I will be when I need to meet a deadline. I hope I can handle it. I have to handle it, if I am to fulfill all the things I wanted to do to help my family.

I decided to focus and check on my email. The IT people gave me my login earlier, and I started reading the group emails that were sent to the whole company, and those that were sent to the writer’s group.

I was engrossed in reading my email that I was surprised when I saw an email from Froilan addressed to me. I smiled as I received the first email that was meant for me only. The email read:

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Emmy,

I know it’s your first day, and I know you’re excited to take on a new book project. I have attached a synopsis of the book I need you to start working on. Please send me an outline by the end of the day.

Cheers,

Froilan

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My heart suddenly beat fast, and my hands were shaking as I opened the email attachment. I read the synopsis and I kept smiling in excitement. I can’t wait to start working on my first book project.

Once I understood the gist of the story, I started working on the outline, utilizing the internet to research a little on any information I needed. Since it was just an outline, I didn’t have to do in-depth research yet. As I understood it, the company has proofreaders and research assistants who can make edits if needed.

Before lunchtime, I had finished my outline and saved it on my laptop. I made a backup copy in the cloud before composing a reply email to Froilan and attaching the outline I have finished.

After sending it, I stood up and stretched my legs and arms. I noticed the girl sitting on the cubicle across from mine looking at me. I smiled and waved at her, but she just hunkered down to her chair and turned his back to me. I decided to look for Janus to see if we could have lunch together. I didn’t find him in his desk, so I just wandered around the office to find the pantry. I’ve been craving for coffee since this morning, but I got so engrossed working on my outline that I didn’t get the chance to get some.

Luckily, I made it to the pantry within a few minutes and I headed to the area where they had the coffee machines. I took a mug and looked at the coffee machine. It looks so foreign to me and I don’t know how to get coffee from this. I see a place where you can put the mugs, but I don’t know what to press to make the coffee come out.

I must have been standing for 10 minutes trying to figure out how to work the coffee machine when the guy whom Allen called a f*ck boy earlier came inside the pantry and took some water from the machine. I looked at him and our eyes inadvertently met. Instantly, he flashed me a smile and walked towards me.

Joseph: “Hey, do you need help with the coffee machine?”

I just nodded slightly as he came closer. I should have moved, but my feet seemed to have been stuck in place. He leaned towards the machine and picked a small pod from the side, lifted the top cover, and closed it. He took the mug from my hands and pressed a button from the machine.

Joseph: “Voila! Now you just need to wait until it's ready.”

I was amazed but I didn’t show it. I was a little embarrassed of my ignorance, but at least now, I know how to work the coffee machine.

Emmy: “Thank you.”

Joseph: “You’re welcome gorgeous. I’m Joseph. What’s your name?”

I couldn’t help but stutter. He just called me gorgeous. He must not mean that as I am far from being gorgeous. It must be a line he uses on every woman.

Emmy: “I-I’m Emmy.”

Joseph: “Emmy. Beautiful name. Suits you. You’re a new hire, right?”

Emmy: “Yeah. I just started working her today.”

Joseph: “Awesome. I’ll see you around, beautiful.”

He then took my hand and kissed the top of it. I couldn’t help but be surprised at his gesture. Once he left the pantry, I let out a huge breath which I didn’t realize I was holding. I noticed that my coffee is ready, so I picked up the mug and smelled it. It smells good.

I lifted the cover to throw the pod away and looked at the other coffee pods. I noticed that there are different flavors. I got excited at the prospect of trying the different flavors.

As I walked back to my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. This first day at work seems to be going well. Aside from the great coffee, I get to see my crush everyday and even get to work with him closely. What’s more, I got hit on by the f*ck boy earlier. I don’t even know what a f*ck boy does. I’ll look it up later.