The Doctor's Plaything

Chapter 1: Job Hunting

♥ Valerie’s POV ♥

A few months ago, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. She had to have both her breasts removed to stop the tumors from spreading. The doctors found at least three big lumps, and multiple smaller ones on her breasts. This is why the doctor decided that the best course of action is to remove them, and have her go through Chemotherapy to kill any remaining tumors.

Since she had medical insurance at work, they were able to cover her operation, and her breasts were removed two weeks after her diagnosis. The good news is that we didn’t have to pay anything for that operation. The bad news is that my mom got fired from her job because she won’t be able to return to work in the foreseeable future since she had to continue getting treatment.

This posed a predicament for both of us. We can get help for her treatment, but we still need spending money. Now that my mom won’t be able to work anymore, there’s no money coming into our household as well. Her continued stay in the hospital also requires more money than we usually spend since she has other needs that we need to pay for.

There’s still a few months left in the current semester at school, so I plan to get a part-time job for now. I started working as a crew at a fast food restaurant while studying. It doesn’t pay much, and I had to scrape by just to be able to afford my mother’s needs. With a month left in our current semester at school, she was able to go home from the hospital. I planned to look for another job once my current contract expires. I figured I can adjust my class schedule so I can continue working.

I decided to apply in a BPO (business process outsourcing) company. I will be working the night shift, so it should fit perfectly with my morning or afternoon class schedules. I can spend the remaining time taking care of my mom. I don’t know when I’ll find time to sleep or eat, but I’m just going to have to make do.

When my contract at the fast food chain expired, I decided not to come back and started sending job applications somewhere else. They usually make you rest for a month and then have you sign another five month contract. 

I decided to apply for a job at a BPO company because I found out from a friend who had a sister working in one that not all BPO companies require a college degree to get hired. You just have to be confident enough to speak to customers, and be open to learning new things. BPO companies have become a bread and butter to most Filipinos looking for a job. They have afforded those who have not finished their studies an opportunity to earn more than enough for their needs.

As I was waiting in the lobby for my initial interview to be conducted, I can’t help but be in awe of my surroundings. I am currently in the recruitment area of the company, and it’s located on the ground floor of the building. The company occupies their entire building, all 25 floors of them. I think there’s a few floors where the employees can park their cars, and the rest is their office space. I wonder how many employees the company has that it can fill up all of these office spaces.

I’ve heard good things about this company I am currently applying at, and most of the employees seem to be satisfied with how they are treated. They also can’t help but gush about how well the company pays, including bonuses. I also heard that they offer the best benefits among the other companies in the same industry.

I was very nervous and I tried to chat with the other applicants. Most of them had prior call center experience, and I was a little intimidated as they talked about things about the industry that I can’t really relate to because I’ve never worked there before.

I am thankful that not only does this company hires undergraduates, they accept applicants even without prior experience. They offer in-house training so I am determined to do well when I get hired.

When my name was called the other applicants wished me good luck. I believe that I am smart, and I have always been a hard working student. Although my only prior work experience was as a crew in a fast food chain, I took my job seriously and made sure that I always did my best even whether I’m on the counter taking orders, and I’m on the floor delivering them.

As I stood, I smiled and walked confidently into the interview area. I’ve read that confidence goes a long way, and an interview can be compared to selling. You work hard to pitch yourself, until eventually you close the sale by getting hired. I am determined to be myself, and just pray that I am able to answer all the interview questions.

As I entered the room, I saw a woman maybe in her 20’s sitting at a table reading a document which I recognized as my resumé.

Valerie: “Good morning. Ma’am”

Interviewer: “Good morning. Please take a seat.”

I thanked her as I took a seat across from her.

Interviewer: “I’m Hope Deniega, and I’m with the recruitment team. I will be conducting your initial interview today.”

Valerie: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hope. I am Valerie.”

Hope: “Just call me Hope. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. Can you tell me more about yourself?”

Valerie: “Certainly. My full name is Valerie De Leon. I am 19 years old. I’m an only child to a single mother. I dream of becoming a doctor someday, and when I get hired, I hope to save up enough to go to medical school. In my free time, I like to read books. I don’t have a preferred book genre, but lately, I’ve been reading dystopian novels like the Hunger Games and Divergent series.”

Hope: “Really. Can you summarize Hunger Games for me”

Valerie: “Sure. There are four books in the series. The story revolves around Katniss Everdeen from District 12, who volunteered to take her sister’s place when she was chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. The games are being held every year, and are participated by a boy and a girl between 12 to 18 years old, selected from each of the 12 districts of Panem. When Katniss won the games in the first book along with Peeta Meelark, who is also from District 12, she inspired the people from other districts to rebel against the capitol, which is the center of the government, who is essentially oppressing them. The games are a first to the death and are a way for the capitol  to control all the districts. What followed is the tale of how the districts fought and eventually succeeded, with Katniss serving as their inspirational leader.”

Hope: “Well, I haven’t read the book, but watched the movies, and that is certainly a very good summary.”

Valerie: “Thank you.”

Hope: “So, you mentioned that you dream of becoming a doctor someday. Do you plan to study while working?”

Valerie: “Honestly, right now, my priority is to find work that can help me save enough to pursue my studies.”

Hope: “Sounds fair. So, you haven’t had previous BPO experience. What are your expectations?”

Valerie: “I expect to learn a lot, since the job post said that there will be in-house training. Apart from that, I just want to do a good job and become an asset to the company.”

Hope: “All right. Do you have any questions for me?”

Valerie: “I guess I’m just curious what happens next.”

Hope: “I will be endorsing you to the next step. You just need to pass a series of tests to ensure that you are qualified for the job. After that, you will be scheduled for an interview with the Operations Manager for the account. He’ll eventually determine if you will be hired or not.”

Valerie: “Thank you very much, Hope.”

Hope: “You’re welcome. Good luck, Valerie. You may wait at the longue.”

I almost wanted to jump in excitement as I passed the initial interview. I walked back to the longue and took a seat.

For the rest of the morning, I went through a communication, logical reasoning, and personality test. I felt like I was taking the college entrance exam all over again. I felt like I did really well, and I am hopeful that I will move on to the final stage of the application.

It’s almost lunchtime, and I was getting hungry. Luckily, there was free lunch provided for the applicants. I was so thankful since I only have enough money for fare to get home. I was eating with the other applicants named Gina and Marie. They were also waiting for the results of the exams like I was. They are also confident that they’ll pass since they both have previous BPO experience. They started talking as we were eating..

Gina: “So, I heard from my friend who works here that the Operations Manager who will be conducting the final interview is very good-looking.”

Marie: “Really? Oh no, I might get conscious and not be able to answer his questions.”

Gina: “I also heard that he’s a notorious womanizer who usually sleeps around with his underlings.”

Marie: “Really? Isn’t that against company policy or anything?”

Gina: “Well, he’s the boss, so I guess he’s able to hide it from upper management. If he’s really hot as advertised, I wouldn’t mind sleeping with him.”

Marie: “You are so bad!”

They both giggled as they continued talking about the good-looking boss. I was getting uncomfortable about the topic and was squirming in my seat a little.

Gina: “Are you okay? What’s wrong with you.”

Valerie: “Uhm, nothing.”

Marie: “How old are you again? You seem really young.”

Valerie: “I’m 19.”

Gina: “Oooh, you must be a virgin. All this sleeping with the boss talk is making you uncomfortable, right?”

I just nodded slightly and they both chuckled at my confession.

Gina: “Well girl, stick with me, I’ll have a lot to teach you. By the end of the year, you won’t be a virgin anymore.”

Marie: “Hey, don’t corrupt her innocence. Let her be.”

They continued chatting and I finished my food before they did. I excused myself because I had to use the ladies’ room. I sighed as soon as I got there, and noticed that I was blushing when I looked at the mirror. All that s*x talk affected me more than I expected. I have never been kissed or touched before, and I am not looking into getting a relationship with anyone at the moment, so when Gina told me she had a lot to teach me, I got really nervous.

I was still blushing a little as I walked out of the restroom. Suddenly, I bumped into a man who seemed to have just come out of the men’s room. It was so sudden and forceful that I almost fell had he not held on to my shoulders.

As I looked at the man I bumped into, my heart suddenly beat faster. I am now staring at the most handsome man I have ever seen. He has a nice pleasant face with a high-arched nose and light brown eyes. He has the pinkest lips and it looked very kissable.

We just stared at each other as he kept holding on to me. He smiled and he just got more good-looking as I saw a dimple appear on his right cheek.

Good-looking Man: “Hi, what’s your name?”

Valerie: “Uhm, I’m Valerie De Leon.”

Good-looking Man: “Are you an applicant?”

Valerie: “Y-yes sir, I am.”

Good-looking Man: “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Valerie De Leon. I’ll see you later.”

He then let go of me after making sure my feet are firmly planted on the ground. He looked me up and down, and gave me another smile as he walked away.

I was stunned and frozen for a moment. What just happened? I was still thinking of the handsome man as I went back to the lounge and joined my newfound friends.

Gina: “What happened to you? Why are you so red?”

Valerie: “Uhm, nothing. I’m just nervous. I hope I passed the exams.”

Marie: “Don’t worry about it girl. I’m sure you did fine.”

I smiled as my mind went back to the handsome man I met earlier. I should have at least asked what his name was. But then again, I was too stunned and mesmerized that I was barely able to speak.

I was still trying to calm myself down as Hope appeared and called my name.

Hope: “Valerie De Leon?”

I stood up right away as I approached her.

Hope: “Please come with me.”

Gina and Marie wished me good luck as I went with Hope to what I hope is my final interview.

Hope: “Mr. Lance Dennings will be conducting your final interview. He’s the Operations Manager for the account you will be assigned to if you get hired. Just be concise with your answers as he does not like those who talk too much. Good luck.”

Valerie: “Thank you.”

We stopped in front of another interview room. Hope knocked and opened the door, then told me to head inside. As I came in, I saw a tall man looking at the view outside the window. He had his back facing me so I couldn’t see his face yet.

Valerie: “Good afternoon, sir.”

I almost gasped as the man turned around. It was the handsome man. He’s the Operation Manager and the interviewer who will be deciding my fate.

Lance: “Well, good afternoon Valerie De Leon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

My heart beat faster as I heard him speak. How can I ace the interview if I am this nervous. I am seriously screwed.