Michaels in Love (BoyXBoy) English

Chapter 4 - Season 1: Lousy Driver

**January 26, 2012 - Diary**

**Thursday Morning** 

I woke up early today. It's my day off, and the only thing on my mind was to take a well-deserved rest. Lying in bed, my eyes wandered to Mike's calendar poster. Uncle Jerry's voice echoed in my memory—just the other day, he urged me to visit his friend, Mr. Ken. Apparently, Mr. Ken could offer me a job with a better salary than what I earned now. 

But I hesitated. I wasn't sure I wanted to go. The rain had just stopped, and I wasn't in the mood to step out. For a while, I remained in bed, staring blankly at Mike's poster, letting time slip by. 

Minutes later, my phone buzzed. It was Sir Andrew asking if I could cover a shift for an absent coworker. I declined politely, explaining I needed a day to rest. 

As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, I decided—maybe I should visit Mr. Ken after all. It wouldn't hurt to try, right? I got up, took a shower, dressed neatly, and headed to the nearest computer shop to print an updated copy of my résumé. 

As fate would have it, just as I stepped out of the shop, rain poured down again. My freshly printed résumé was soaked in seconds. Frustrated, I ducked under a shelter, debating whether to continue. I couldn't believe my luck. Should I go home? Should I still try? 

Eventually, I returned to the shop, printed a new résumé, and this time placed it in a plastic envelope for safekeeping. The rain finally stopped, and I walked toward the LRT station, hoping my streak of bad luck was over. 

But no. A speeding car sent muddy water splashing onto my clean clothes. Drenched and fuming, I caught a glimpse of the license plate—JJT 018. "You've got to be kidding me!" I shouted to no one in particular. "I hope your tire goes flat!" 

Frustrated and out of options, I trudged back home to change. With a pout, I walked through the door, grumbling about the unfairness of it all. By the time I changed, my phone rang again. It was Sir Andrew, pleading for me to cover the shift since no one else had agreed. I couldn't refuse this time, even though I had initially planned to decline. Reluctantly, I agreed. 

--- 

**On the Way** 

I hopped onto a tricycle bound for LRT Legarda station, determined not to be late despite the day's misfortunes. My phone rang once more. The caller ID was unfamiliar, but curiosity got the better of me. 

"Hello, this is Michael Alexander Muraoka," I answered. 

"Hi, Michael. This is Ken from AM Group of Companies. We'd like to invite you for a job interview. Are you available today?" 

"Thank you, Sir," I replied, surprised. "But I haven't even submitted my résumé to your office yet." 

"No problem. Your Uncle Jerry sent us your updated résumé. Are you free to visit today? We have a lot of job openings with great offers." 

I paused. It was a tempting offer—one I knew could change my life. But I had already committed to work today. "I appreciate the opportunity, Sir, but I'm on my way to work. Could I visit another day?" 

"Of course. Feel free to come by anytime between 10 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Saturday." 

As I stood in line at the ticketing booth, questions swirled in my mind. Why would such a reputable company like AM Group be interested in me, someone who hadn't finished college? Perhaps it was Uncle Jerry's influence. They were childhood friends, after all. 

--- 

The electronic board displayed one minute until the next train's arrival. A nagging feeling tugged at the back of my mind—like I had forgotten something important. Before I could figure out what it was, the train arrived. 

As the train doors opened, I noticed an elderly woman with a cane stepping out. She looked frail and alone, navigating toward the escalator. Instinctively, I approached her. 

"Ma'am, let me help you down the escalator," I offered. 

"Thank you, young man. You're very kind," she replied. 

"It's nothing. I never had a grandmother, so I always try to help whenever I can." 

"What's your name, son?" she asked. 

"Michael. And yours?" 

"Lorenza. I'm eighty years old but still strong," she said with a proud smile. 

I chuckled. "You certainly are. Most people your age would take the elevator." 

She paused, looking deeply into my eyes. "Michael, you've forgotten something important for work." 

Her words startled me. I checked my bag—and there it was. My ID and locker key were missing. I must have left them at home. 

I thanked her for the reminder and helped her out of the station. 

"Thank you, Michael. May God bless you. Soon, your smile will return, and your day will be brighter," she said before walking away. 

When I turned to bid her goodbye, she was gone. 

--- 

The day might have started with setbacks, but somehow, I felt lighter. With my ID and key retrieved, I boarded the LRT again, hoping for smoother hours ahead.  Along with my bag, I grabbed my book, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, determined to lose myself in its pages and escape the string of misfortunes that had plagued me all day.