The Doctor's Plaything

Chapter 4: First Day at the Job

MY mom was so excited when she found out about my new job that she wanted to celebrate by cooking my favorite dish: pancit bihon. It’s  noodles sauteed in soy sauce and cooked with chicken, cabbage, carrots, and snow peas, among others. It’s a dish usually served when celebrating any occasion, particularly birthdays. The noodles aren’t cut and it’s being long is supposed to represent long life.

I didn’t want to tire out my mom but she said she’s feeling well and she wanted to do something for me since she said I have been working so hard to support her.

Working while studying has been quite hard for me, but when I see my mom feeling better, it just makes it all worth it. I am happy to see my mom smiling and feeling energized to cook for me. I helped her out with cutting the vegetables and shredding the cooked chicken.

When the pancit was cooked, we sat down on the dining table and shared it. I kept telling her about the job, how nice the office is, and the salary and benefits that go with the job. I will be getting a health card for myself and my dependent, which is great because I don’t have to worry about paying for my mom’s hospitalization anymore. I will still have to buy her medicines, but the money I’ll be earning with the new job should be enough to cover it.

The closer the first day of work comes, the more excited I become. I have been chatting with Gina and Marie and we’re talking about what we’ll be wearing for the first day of work. I didn’t have a lot to choose from, so I did have much to share. They were both sending pictures of the outfits they are choosing from, and I just supported them by giving my opinion.

When they asked me what I would be wearing, I just told them I haven’t made up my mind yet. I feel embarrassed already that I didn’t have enough money to buy coffee for myself. I didn’t want them thinking that I couldn’t buy clothes for myself as well. I didn’t, but I’d like to keep that to myself. I can just buy more work appropriate clothes when I get my first paycheck.

I remembered Lance and him asking me to go on a date with him. He’s been messaging and calling me asking when I can go out. I kept making excuses that I had things to do, and after a week, he stopped asking. I felt a little disappointed but I realized it’s for the better. He’s my boss and I don’t want the other employees in the office thinking I am trying to gain favor by dating him.

 I was supposed to be in the office for my first day on the job at 10 am. For one week, we’ll be working from 10 am to 6pm, and then we’ll be working the graveyard shift the week after that. The first week is HR orientation and communications training. The succeeding weeks will be for product training. Over-all, we’ll be training for 5 weeks, and then we’ll start mock calls and nesting on the 6th week. We will be endorsed to our respective teams and direct supervisor on the 7th week.

All of these are still dependent on whether we’ll pass the training or not. Our training will be evaluating our training scores, and they’ll determine whether we’re ready to be endorsed for production, or we need more training, or we’ll be terminated. I promised myself that I’ll work hard to ensure that I will pass the training.

At 8am on Monday, I walked out of the house to go to work. My mom packed lunch for me to take to work. I figured 2 hours should be enough to travel from home to the office. I hope the traffic is not too bad. It would not look good if I am late on my first day. Attendance and tardiness records are among the things we will be scored at as trainees.

I was surprised to see Lance’s car parked on the street close to our apartment. The street in front of our apartment is too narrow for a car to pass through. Only bikes can drive inside, so I have to walk a few minutes to get to the main street when I can ride the bus.

Lance must have seen me as he got out of his car and opened the passenger side door for me while saying ”Get in. I’m on my way to the office too.”

He made the effort to drive to my house and he looked so happy to see me that I didn’t want to disappoint him by rejecting his offer. I got in, and he moved towards the driver side as soon as closed the door on my side. He seemed disappointed that I had put on my seatbelt. He put it on for me the last time and he accidentally grazed my bo*bs with his hand when he was doing it. I’d like to think it was accidental, at least.

As he drove off, Lance asked if I’ve already had breakfast. My mom refused to let me leave without eating breakfast, so I told him I did.

Lance: “Would you mind if we passed by a coffee shop? I’m just going to get food to go. I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

Valerie: “Okay.”

Lance: “Don’t worry. We have more than enough time to get to the office. You won’t be late on your first day.”

I just stayed quiet and let him drive towards the coffee shop. When he pulled into a coffee shop, I asked to just stay behind. He seemed disappointed but didn’t force me to go with him. I was tapping my hand impatiently. I was really worried I might be late for my first day of work. I couldn’t really say that the boss asked to stop by the coffee shop which made me later. How would I explain driving to work with the boss.

A few minutes later, Lance came back to his car carrying a huge paper bag with coffee and pastries. He asked me to hold it for him as he drove towards the office. I asked him to let me off a few blocks away from the office since I didn’t want to risk the other employees seeing me with the boss. He refused saying there’s nothing wrong with riding in his car. He even said that he’s given rides to other employees before.

I was thinking of what he meant by that. Is he talking about the other girls he was rumored to be dating? In that case, is his reputation of being a womanizer justified?

We drove for a while until I noticed that we’re entering the building’s parking lot. I bowed my head down just in case someone can see us from inside the car. The last thing I want is rumors about me and the boss floating around. Once we parked, I was relieved to see that we still had 30 minutes left before my training starts. 

Lance: “I told you we’d get here on time.”

Valerie: “Yeah, you’re right. Thank you for the ride. I really appreciate it.”

Lance: “It’s no big deal. I’ll drive you home later as well.”

Valerie: “You don’t have to do that. Please, I’ve already inconvenienced you enough.”

Lance: “Why do you keep saying you’re an inconvenience? Don’t you get it? I like spending time with you. For me, it’s no big deal as long as I can see your beautiful face.”

I bowed my head to hide the blush on my face. I didn’t respond but I smiled. How can this handsome man next to me think I’m beautiful. I look plain right next to the other female employees in the company.

He got out of the car and opened the door for me. He took the paper bag and offered his hand to help me get out of the car. I didn’t need it, and I can get out on my own, but I didn’t want to embarrass him by refusing it.

Once he locked the car, we walked towards the elevators. Thankfully, no one else is there to see us together. One we got inside the elevator, he took one of the iced drinks from the paper cup and handed it to me. I took it and looked at him inquisitively.

Valerie: “Do you need me to hold this?”

Lance: “It’s yours. I didn’t know what you wanted so I just got you a mocha frappuccino. It’s what most girls usually order at the coffee shop.”

He handed me another bag and it looks like it contains a pastry.

Lance: “That’s a ham and cheese croissant. Again, I’m not sure what you like so I just ordered whatever is their best seller.”

Valerie: “You don’t have--”

Lance: “You say I don’t have to give you that one more time and I swear I’m going to kiss you on the lips.”

I immediately closed my mouth as if opening it would give him the chance to kiss me. I heard him chuckling.

Valerie: “Thank you, Lance.”

Lance: “That’s more like it. Although I wouldn’t mind you complaining one more time.”

Valerie: “I’m not.”

Lance: “You better get off at the cafeteria floor so you can eat your croissant and drink your coffee. I’ll be heading to my office. I have a meeting I need to prepare for.”

Valerie: “Okay.”

The elevators opened at the 8th floor where the cafeteria is, and I thanked Lance once more before getting off. He smiled and waved while saying “See you later.”

As I walked towards the cafeteria, I was so pleased to see Marie and Gina already sitting there. I made my way to their table and took a seat.

Valerie: “Hey guys.”

Marie: “Hey Valerie. Wow, you had time to pass by Starbucks.”

I just smiled as I didn’t want to explain how I got the frappuccino and croissant. I put them down on the table and asked about what to expect in todays’ training. These girls have worked in another BPO before, so they should have an idea of what’s about to happen today.

Gina: “Well, normally on the first time it’s HR orientation, so they’ll discuss policies as well as benefits. The senior management team might be introduced as well.”

Marie: “I can’t wait to see Lance again. That guy is so hot, I m*sturbated last weekend while thinking of him.”

Gina chuckled while I gasped at what Marie just said. I thought only men fantasize about women in that way. I didn’t know women could do the same thing.

Gina: “Hey, there’s a virgin on the table. Stop shocking her.”

Marie: “She may be pen!s virgin but I bet she’s made herself come before.”

Valerie: “Uhm, no. I don’t do that.”

Marie: “What? Oh man, you’re missing a lot. You should try it tonight when you get home.”

Valerie: “No thank you. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Marie: “It’s simple, you just--”

Gina covered Marie’s mouth and had her stop talking. They were both chuckling while looking at my horrified face. Thankfully, Dianne arrived at the cafeteria wearing a top with plunging neckline. I swear she always looks like walking boobs. Gina and Marie started talking about her and how they wish HR would issue her a warning, or better yet, fire her for violating the dress code.

I started eating the croissant and sipping the coffee while Gina and Marie went on and on about girls like Dianne and how they like to dress that way to get men’s attention. I wonder if Lance would eventually notice her if she keeps wearing those plunging necklines. Why do I care?