The Doctor's Plaything

Chapter 5: Training Day

WE went inside the training room around 10 minutes before the training was supposed to start. The training room is like a big classroom, where there are seats arranged to face a white board with a pull-down screen. I was seated close to the wall and I had Gina to my right, while Marie was on Gina’s right. We chose to sit on the third row, since we didn’t want to sit in the front, and didn’t want to sit too far in the back.

I was so nervous since this is all new to me. The environment feels different from that in a fast food chain scenario, and my co-trainees look intimidating and they all seem very put together. I feel so out of place whenever I look at what they are wearing and compare it with theirs. I just kept my head down to avoid getting any attention.

When the trainer came in, she introduced herself as Kayleigh, the HR Manager. She looks so young to be a manager, just like Lance. It makes me hopeful that I may also achieve success at a young age if I keep working here.

Kayleigh talked about HR Policies as well as compensation and benefits. It amazes me that Gina and Marie are right on the money. I wonder if most companies operate the same way.

As Kayleigh went on and on, I tried to take in as much as I could. The lights were turned off as the projector was turned on. A video about the company was projected on the screen. I was so engrossed when a hand suddenly touched my shoulder. I looked up and I saw Lance standing right next to me. I didn’t say anything and just let him keep his hand on my shoulder. I just hope no one is looking at us otherwise, they might think that we are doing something inappropriate.

Lance moved away from me just as the video was about the end. When the lights turned back on, I couldn’t see where Lance was anymore. I didn’t want to look around as it might look suspicious.

Just as Kayleigh wrapped up her talk, she started to introduce the company leaders and executives, and one of them is Lance. They all came in from the back, which is where he must have headed to after the video was done. He kept looking and smiling at me. When he introduced himself, most of the girls started swooning once more. He really is very handsome, and I am a little proud that he seems to be paying extra attention to me.

They introduced themselves one by one, and when it was Lance’s turn, the girls (and even some of the men) clapped loudly and squealed in delight. Lance smiled as he held his hand up, asking everyone to be quiet.

Lance: “Wow, this looks like a very promising group of trainees. Welcome, everyone.”

The trainees clapped once more while keeping their eyes on Lance.

Lance: “I am Lance Dennings, and I am the Operations Manager for Customer Support. I have interviewed some of you myself, and I must say, I am so happy with this batch of trainees.”

I saw Lance looking directly at me and winked. I lowered my head as I felt myself blushing. Gina looked at my direction. She must have noticed what our boss did.

Lance: “Even though you will not be under my team, feel free to ask me for help if you need it. Thanks everyone.”

Lance waved slightly as he finished talking. He got the loudest clap among all the officers who came to introduce themselves. He was the last one to do so, and as Kayleigh thanked them for their time, they all made their way out of the door.

As Lance passed by me, he made eye contact and said “Good luck, Valerie. I’ll see you later.”

I could only respond with a shy smile as I felt eyes on me as soon as Lance said that. I tried to ignore the glances as much as I could, but I could hear some whispering.

“Who is that girl? Look at what she’s wearing.”

“She’s not that pretty. How could Lance notice her.”

“She must be his new toy. He’ll be done with her in a week.”

I pretended like I didn’t hear anything but my newly-found friends Gina and Marie are not as timid as I am and didn’t want to let those gossipers say whatever they want.

Gina: “You know what Marie, there are a lot of gossipers in this batch. Hopefully, we don’t end up in the same team as them.”

Marie: “You’re right Gina. The last thing I want is to be teammates with insecure ugly people who can’t seem to mind their own business.”

They were talking to each other but said their pieces out loud so it could be heard by almost everyone in the room. Some chuckled lightly, probably agreeing to what they said, while some crossed their arms and looked irritated. Those were the ones who probably whispered bad things about me. 

I leaned my head on Gina’s shoulder and mouthed “Thank you,” to both her and Marie. They caressed my arm and the back of my hand as if saying ‘We got you, girl.’

For the duration of the morning training, Kayleigh discussed company policies. She entertained questions from everyone, and I tried my best to keep up. In the beginning, I had a bit of a culture shock with how fast everything is going, but I was eventually able to catch up.

I’m pleased that there’s a medical benefit that also covers dependents. I am already thinking of how good this is going to be for my mom. I won’t have to worry about paying for her checkups and other treatments. I need to make sure that I pass the training so I can get endorsed to the operations floor.

As Kayleigh ended the morning training session, I was pleased to hear that there’s a free lunch for all trainees. We were handed meal stubs for the cafeteria and my friends and I happily walked there with our arms linked.

Gina: “Oh my gosh, Lance is so handsome. It  might be hard to focus on working if he’ll be on the floor all the time.”

Marie: “I don’t know, I think the HR Manager Ryan is hotter. Can you see his bulging biceps through his shirt. Yummy!”

They looked at me as if waiting for me to make a thirsty comment too.

Valerie: “It was great training. Very informative. I wonder when we’ll get the health cards.”

Gina: “Wow. You were actually listening?”

Valerie: “Well, it’s my first BPO job. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do so I’m taking in as much information as I can.”

Marie: “What’s up with the boss winking at you, then? What can you tell us about that?”

Valerie: “Uhm, nothing. He wasn’t winking at me. Maybe he got something in his eye.”

Gina: “Oh, girl, that was a wink. It was the best looking wink I have ever seen. If he did that to me I would be creaming my panties right now.”

Gina and Marie high fived while I bowed my head in embarrassment. They started teasing me about how I’m such a virgin until we reached the food line.

We each took a tray and got our food. The free lunch is such a relief for me because I only brought a biscuit and water for lunch. Since Lance drove me to work today, I have extra money and I was planning on buying a soda. Seeing the food choices, I realized I was hungrier than I thought.

We all sat down together carrying our trays with food. I got the roast beef and rice with fries on the side. The meal came with an iced tea. Gina and Marie are sitting right next to each other on a four seat table across from me.

The two girls are talking about how good the food choices are in this cafeteria compared to the cafeteria at the BPO companies they’ve worked for. All of the sudden, they went quiet and as I felt someone sit next to me. It was Lance.

He started taking some of my fries and even drank my ice tea. I thought about how angry I was and said “Hey, that’s mine. Go get your own food.”

Lance chuckled as Gina and Marie looked at me in shock. I was talking to our boss as if we’ve known each other for a long time.

Lance: “Sorry babe, I don’t have time to get food. Don't worry, I’ll treat you to dinner later as a p*****t. I’ll see you after training, okay?”

All I could do was nod as he stood up and left our table. He waved to the girls and said “See you around, girls.”

I was stunned at what just happened. First of all, he sat on our table right next to me and even ate my food and drank my ice tea. That could be considered an indirect kiss. What’s more, he did this infront of  my friends and other trainees who were also eating in the cafeteria. Then, he called me babe. After that, he invited me to dinner, and lastly, he made a plan to see me after training, which might mean that he’s driving me home afterwards. Maybe after dinner.

I looked at Gina and Marie whose mouths are now gaping open probably in shock. I pretended like nothing just happened and said “You guys better resume eating. We don’t want to be late for the afternoon training session.”

Gina: “OMG! Valerie! He called you babe! What is up with that?”

Marie: “Are you dating? Has he kissed you? Have you had s*x?”

Valerie: “Uhm, no, of course not. He’s just being friendly.”

Gina: “Oh, that’s not being friendly. He definitely wants to get in your pants, girl.”

Valerie: “Uhm, I’m wearing a skirt.”

Marie: “Oh my, you are so naive, girl. Getting in your pants mean having s*x. He totally wants you.”

Gina: “This is so exciting! You have to let us live vicariously through you. Tell us everything, the length, the girth, everything!”

I could guess what Gina is saying but I refuse to believe that she’ll expect me to tell her those details. I don’t even plan on letting Lance get near my ‘pants.’

Valerie: “Guys, I’m not planning on dating anyone, especially the boss, okay? I’m here to work and I need the money for my mom and to continue my studies. I don’t have any time for that nor do I want any complications in my life right now.”

Marie: “You’ve probably never been in love, right?”

I shook my head reluctantly. I have never even had a boyfriend. I had crushes when I was younger, but that’s all they ever were. I’ve never let myself get close to anybody and I immediately shut down those who have shown intentions of wanting to date me.

Marie: “When you meet that one person, your whole perception will change and your whole life will turn upside down.”

Gina: “You can’t control love. Lance might not be the one for you, but don’t close yourself down to the possibility that the one who will make you cream your panties will come someday.”

We all chuckled at what Gina said. No one else could make something as sacred as love sound nasty like Gina could. We all enjoyed our food, and even shared amongst each other. They both ate my fries and drank from my ice tea because they said that they wanted to know what it’s like to indirectly kiss the boss.

As we ate our food, I could see glances for the girls at the other table. I could feel them judging me with their eyes. I’m sure they have a lot to say but they were just scared of Gina and Marie that they chose to keep it to themselves.

I decided I’ll talk to Lance later and tell him upfront that he shouldn’t pay as much attention to me anymore. I don’t want him expecting things for me. I am not ready to date anyone, especially my boss.