Once Upon A Chance

Chapter Eleven

My first day at the language center has turned out pretty well. The students are all nice, though I have a bit of a struggle communicating with them. They only know a few English words and I have to use dictionaries. Aside from that, this is my first time teaching, so the struggle is mostly because of me being a newbie.

I have  a student who looks like a famous Korean actress. She's the first one to greet me and the one who knows more English words than the rest of the class. All of them have been in Manila for two to three months, and they are here to basically learn English and because tuition fees in Korean universities are way up the roof.

When my class is over, I proceed to my mom's office to invite her for lunch. There is a pasta house nearby that serves delicious carbonara. While waiting for our order, I take the time to check the Facebook page of my small shirt business which I named Tees and Prints.

Yesterday, I uploaded my designs featuring my old sketches which are faces of women, floral, and abstract. Ruth told me that my designs are very hipster. I think it's timely considering hippie fashion is being reinvented nowadays.

I take the time to show my mom my designs.

"These are good," she exclaims. "Did you just make these recently?"

"Uh, they're from my old sketched," I admit, feeling sorry that I did not take the chance to show these to my parents when I was still starting. That could have save a lot of heartache in the end.

"We were just shocked when you told us you're quitting your job?m, but always know that me and your dad have your best interest at heart."

My mom's admission has made me tear up. "I know things are not easy at home, especially to both of you and Pa."

That's ny indirect way of saying that I am aware of their fights. Although married couples fight, they've  been fighting more than usual recently.

"Your dad and  I are having a rough time, but it's not something we can't patch." Mom reaches from across the table and squeezes my hand. "Now update me about your shirt business."

I take that as my cue to drop the conversation about my parents' marital troubles and to focus on updating my mom about the initial developments in my business.

Chinkay informed me yesterday that a high school batchmate, after hearing about my t-shirt business, recommended a company. It's a real estate corporation looking for shirt designs for their upcoming Community Service Relations (CSR) project. She gave me the number, so I called and informed the secretary that I'd come this afternoon to present my designs and sample shirts.

After taking lunch, I take a cab to Makati. Good thing the traffic is not heavy so I arrive thirty minutes early. I go to the restroom first to fix myself before approaching the security personnel at the lobby.

After contacting the Corporate Communications department, the receptionist asks for my ID. She logs in my name and tells me to proceed to the 7th floor.

There, the secretary is already waiting for me. She leads me to a meeting room and asks me to wait for a while. She says that the director of the department and the committee will meet me. My heart beats feverishly and my hands are clammy.

Few minutes later, they all come in. My face gives away a surprised expression upon seeing Janine. Yes, Marco's date at the reunion! She sits across from me and shoots me a surly look. The department head introduces himself first and gives a background of the company's CSR reputation. He acknowledges my presence and the committee as well before ending his opening salvo.

"Hi, I'm Janine Fernandez," It's now her turn to speak. She extends a hand out to me. We shake hands. "I'm the committee head for this project."

She's wearing a yellow dress, which looks good on her because she has porcelain skin. Her face is clear of make-up, except for her eyebrows and red lips, and that adds to the glamour.