FAULTLESS EX- HUBBY

SIMPLE LIFE

10 am DangYu Pharmaceuticals.

"Trish! Trish! TRISHA!" Emily's loud voice snapped me from my catnap. 

"Darn! My head is painful! Ouch," I held my head up and massaged it a little.

I uttered silently "I need a cup of coffee, a strong one this time, to help me get through the day."

"My goodness, Trish. As if it's not Monday today. What kept you busy during the weekends?" My friend Emily was super pissed with me again. Rich ladies like her wouldn’t understand my predicament.

"Thesis, dearest. I am in the final phase of my thesis. The word weekends was not part of my life for the past three months." I walked towards the pantry with Emily. I placed an espresso shot in the coffeemaker, hoping that the strong and unadulterated coffee would do wonders and make up for my lack of sleep. 

Two hours of sleep in the last two days would make anyone zombie-like just like me. I didn't care about my appearance, though, fully aware I looked terrible, but I hope my tired body may hold on despite my inhumane activities lately.

It was good that I finished my thesis chapter update for submission last night. Otherwise, my professor would mark me incomplete again. But fortunately, I finished it in the nick of time. I badly need to complete the requirements and graduate this semester. I couldn’t handle another semester. 

"Any minute now, the big boss will be here. Are you done with the projections he asked from you?" Emily queried. 

She's the daughter of one of the stockholders in the company and my immediate boss. She's also my best friend. 

"I submitted it last Friday. I included you in the loop," I said as I looked at her with my eyebrows raised.

The coffee did miracles to my senses. I think straight now. I know Emily had not checked her correspondence; otherwise, she wouldn't be asking me a silly question.

Emily gasped. "Gosh, I  haven't checked my e-mails yet," she said, which confirmed my suspicion.

Then she praised me, "That's what I love about you. No matter what tasks were given ...you always deliver." She smiled at me and hugged me. 

I wonder why she was so good to me? She's one of those upper-class, posh, and snobbish people, but she was hanging out with someone like me for the last four years. Ever since I got employed, she was always behind me.

I smiled at her timidly and said, “'That's the poor me.” I shrugged my shoulders “I can't afford to lose a high paying job like this one. I need to perform well all the time." I remarked, which was the truth.

Although my work and my masters took so much of my time and resources. I was lucky to have this job. My income was enough to support my living expenses.

"Ok, Honey, Just do your job well, and I will support you all the way," Emily said assuring me of her support.

Then she remembered something...

"Oh, no!” Her jaw dropped. Her good mood changed.“Since you don't have enough sleep, you can't accompany me later to the dinner party of Josh?" She asked with a worried expression knowing my answer without me saying it.

Like a puppy craving attention, Emily looked at me wishing I'd change my mind and decide to join her.

"Ems, I really can't...I need to start another chapter on my thesis, plus I will prepare the questionnaires for the interview with the Medical Director of Shanxi Neuro Center." I told her while drinking the last drop of my espresso coffee.

"Gosh! Your life is so pathetic. Day and night your so busy.” She puffed some air. “How may I help you?" she asked me with pity in her eyes. 

Honestly, I don't need pity...I need sleep. I could handle my ordinary life perfectly. 

But work and thesis couldn't mix.

"How about approving my leave for two days? That can help me a lot." I asked pleasantly. 

I needed to catch-up with my thesis book. I couldn't fail. Two more months, it's defense time, then I could proudly declare I have a master's degree or a graduate school degree —a fine addition to my bare resume.

"Listen, you need to survive the next two days since it's budget time. When it’s over, you may apply for a leave of absence, I will approve it immediately." She remarked and after a few seconds, she pouted her lips. 

"I'll miss you, Trish," she said with a sad face.

I laughed, Emily was so cute!

I've been asking for leave for the last couple of weeks, but she couldn't approve it because of the season's activities. Budget and Audit were the hardest periods in our field of work.

"Okay, Okay! I don't have a choice, right? I promise to stay alive within the next two days." I smirked.

Most students in our class were already on leave, but unfortunately for me, I'm still working. 

"Honey...You know I will move mountains for you. Unfortunately, you are part of the budget committee. Your presence here is necessary." As if I didn't know what she just told me, I simply looked at her.

Well, she was right! Taking a leave of absence during this important budget period was out of the equation.

"After this hardship and you earned the master's degree, you can be promoted to managerial level and perhaps offered a position abroad with higher salary and incentives or enrollment to further studies for free.” Emily remarked, such a lucrative possibility. Advancement to my present position was the main purpose why I wanted to complete my post-graduate degree. There was no way to be promoted if I don’t have that credential. The office was very strict with that policy. No master or doctorate, we stay on rank and file position for decades.

"Yes, but I really hope my 25-year-old body can survive the trauma of the last two years. But thank you, my friend. You've given me so much emotional and even financial support for the last four years." I pressed her hand.

Since my first day of employment at this company, she had been my friend, and most of the time, she extended help even if I don't ask for it.

I have been taking the Masters's class for two years, it was taking a toll on my budget. But thanks to Emily, she always helped by advancing my tuition fees, and then I pay her back—such a kind heart. I'm fortunate to have a friend like her. She's like a sister that I was not fortunate to have in this lifetime.

"Gosh! You talk as if I am not your best friend!" Emily said,  warmed by my gratitude. She did something with her face whenever she received an appreciative remark from me.

Emily's animated face always made me laugh...then together, our laughter filled the room.

We separated when I reached my cubicle, and then she proceeds to her room. 

I was glad to have someone like her. Sometimes I wondered if she comes to the office for our chats. I hope not...(laughs).

The day progressed like normal. Meetings left and right, budget deliberation, adjustments, and many more. My task as a junior supervisor in the finance section was loaded daily. 

At the end of the super-tasking day, I pulled my bag from the drawer. The next would be squeezing myself into the busy street and looking for a cab or public vehicle and commuting to get home. However, today might be my lucky day. Emily was walking towards me, then I heard her say...

"Come, Hon, and I will bring you home. I know you are tired. I'm on my way to Josh." 

Emily and Josh were engaged, his home was in the same direction as mine. We were about five kilometers away from each other.

Emily was fortunate to have Josh who appeared to love her so much. They deserve each other. I wished them well. There were people who seemed to be lucky in life and love. Their three years of healthy and happy relationship would finally bring them to church. It was really about time to enter into the next stage.

Marriage and family. I have given them my blessing.

Then I replied to Emily with a nice smile...

"Thanks, I don't need to haggle for a cab on rush hour, to bring me home." I giggled. Most cabs choose passengers during rush hour. Not a nice practice but it’s prevalent.

"All the time, hon. Are you sure you don't want to unwind?" She asked like a fox.

I believed, she was still hopeful that I could attend the party with her. 

"My body needs the rest. Tomorrow I need to face the Director of Shanxi after office hours, and I need to prepare for the questionnaires. He only gave me thirty minutes. I need to maximize that time and asked as many questions to help me with my thesis." I explained my situation to her.

I had to wait for two months just for them to agree on this interview. I couldn't waste the opportunity.

"Okay, Okay, Okay! I won't force you anymore!" She said. "Oops! I forgot to tell you that the friend of Josh from the US will be there. I want to introduce him to you. Geez! Such a perfect opportunity will be wasted since you won’t be there.” she placed both hands in her temple.

"(Laughs) Ems, Men won't have space in my life now," I told her honestly. I don't have time for myself, what more for another individual who’d demand time from me.

"Hon, you are 25 years old but look like an old maid. It will be best if you have some inspiration to spice up your life." her eyebrows furrowed. 

"Thanks for calling me an old maid, my dearest!" I giggled. There were several men she asked me to date, but there was no one that could actually hold my interest. I wished it was easy for me to look for a man I would actually like, but unfortunately, they all suffered comparison, without their knowledge.

I almost poked my own head realizing what was in my crazy mind.

"Gosh, Trisha! Wake up, will you? It's been four years...forget that womanizer!" 

"Move on! You deserve someone better"...was there anyone better?

The little voice in my head was doing it again...

Trisha, don't listen to that voice! Move on...find your happiness!!!