“PICK UP the phone,” he whispered again, but I didn’t want to do it. Damn! Why now?! Why now when I’m ready for my first kiss?!
I almost cursed whoever was calling this because he ruined my moment with Calixto. I didn’t want to, but I have no choice because he gradually moved away from me and finally settled down.
“Uh, excuse me, I’ll just answer,” I uttered.
Without warning I answered the call to make it even more annoying.
“Hi! Missed me?” I frowned at the voice I knew so well.
“Oh? It seems you forget me huh?” he said in slow and rumble voice.
“Rexon!” I said out loud.
“Wo–wait? Are you mad?” I heard his faint laugh on the other line.
Damn! You broke my moment!
“Hey are you still there?” he asked again as if I couldn’t hear him anymore.
“Do you know that first kiss is about to happen! Why did you call now?!” My eyes almost blazed with rage.
I didn’t wait for him to speak because I had already pressed the end button.
I gasped as I lowered my cellphone with intense emotion.
“Hey, are you alright?” I quickly turned to Calixto who seemed to be holding back a laugh because of what he heard.
The redness of my face went up to my head.
Shit! Wrong move, Cherry!
****
“Good morning!” I greet my co-workers of the restaurant monday morning.
“Oh, you’re here?” Stella answered me immediately.
“How are you? I heard that your Dad was going to have an operation so you’ve been absent for almost a month.” Mia said close to me.
“That should be AWOL, why did you come in here?” Stella said again.
“Of course our boss dated her so she’s exempted for her absences. So, why don’t you mind your own business and not be jealous.” Cyril inserts.
“What’s is happening here?” Miss. Ruiz entered with her eyebrows still high in the sunlight.
“Good morning!” I feel like she turned to me.
“Follow me at my office and everyone get back at work!”
I immediately followed her at her office.
“Miss. Banaag, where is your excuse letter? You rudely absent and then you come back here as if nothing happened?” She started when I entered her office.
“Ah, I’m sorry ma’am, I don’t have someone to take care of Dad at the hospital, then Calix knows about it,” I said in a low voice.
I saw his eyebrows rise even higher at me.
“So the rumors of the employees that you are dating Calixto is true?” She stood up in her swivel chair and walked in front of me.
“N-not like that, we’re just friends.” I explained.
“So because you were friends? It’s okay to be absent for a whole month without even saying anything, huh?”
I couldn’t answer. I also couldn’t find a reason so I just remained bent over.
“I’m sorry.” That’s all I could say on my lips.
“I’m sorry Miss. Banaag, but you’re fired.” She has no hesitation in saying that
“What?” There was a hint of shock in my question.
“As you can see, we already have a lot of employees here. I don’t even know where else to put you because we have newly hired employees.”
I want to protest of what she said. If they already have a lot of employees why did they hire new employees then?
“You leave my office now. I still have a lot of work to do,” she said and passed me to get out of the room.
I was left with two shoulders slumped. I don’t know now how I’m going to get out of her office, because I’m sure Stella will just laugh at me.
I gathered my courage first and then turned the door open to get out.
“Oh Miss. Banaag. Please just leave the apron on the counter!” She
still catches my attention so some employees will inevitably look at me.
“I thought you and Calix are dating?” Stella approached me and hit me on the shoulder.
I just ignored what she said and started taking off the apron I was wearing.
“I’m sorry Cherry, maybe Miss. Ruiz is just not in the mood.” Mia whispered to me holding a tray.
“No, it’s okay. It’s my fault, I should have said I was absent. I just really lost my mind to send an excuse letter.”
“If you want we can talk to Miss Ruiz? Maybe she’ll change her mind.”
“Not that maybe, I’m fine.” I smiled at her slightly.
“Maybe you could talk to Sir Calix?” Cyril commended.
“No, I’m fine. Thank you. You better get back to work.” I put my name pin and the apron I was wearing earlier on the counter table. I also hurried back to the locker room with both heads bowed.
Breathing hard I changed my clothes, maybe it’s better just like this than to force myself on them. Reluctantly I also closed my locker room and started to go out and walk down the hallway towards the backdoor.
But I saw Calixto entering the back door.