Just Another Day at the Beach

Quezon City

"Mahal, ready ka na ba?" He said knocking at my door the next morning. "Wait lang! First day kailangan bongga!". "Meng, Work lang yan. Di ka naman lalabas ng office masyado.". "Eh kahit na. Bilang ka nalang ng 10.". He groaned and said "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1". I walked out the door in a Peachy colored Neck Tie Silk Blouse and Black colored flared trousers and RJ stared at me like i ate all the cake downstairs. "What?" I asked. And he just hugged me and kissed my forehead. What did i do to deserve this precious?

It's 5:00 a.m, an hour before Natives opens, and RJ was rushing me cause there was an important meeting before opening. All the employees and staff were seated at one table, as i was beside RJ. "Good morning, crew. Today you'll see this wonderful young lady beside me. This is Maine Mendoza, my girlfriend. Siya na yung bagong secretary.". I waved and smiled at everyone as whispers filled the room. "Grabe. Magkatrabaho na magjowa. Iba toh ah." I heard a lady say, probably in her mid forties. "Maine, i present to you the Natives crew. Yung mga waitresses and waiters; si Sher, Via, Em, Dee, Ryan, Leah, Mike, Lyla, Jaydan, Wil, and Tuesday." RJ explained. "Hi, miss Maine." They all said and waved in chorus. "Aba, sabay sabay. Galing ah! Pinractice nyo ba toh?" I laughed to break the ice, "Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.". They laughed and RJ went on. "Yung bartender natin, is Matt. Girlfriend nya si Tuesday.". "Naks naman, Tuesday!" I winked, "Hello, Siegfred!". "Yung chefs; sina Aaron, Xander, Ben, Cliff, and Bella. Yung only girl chef natin.". "Hi! Ang sarap ng pagkain niyo, ha." I complimented them. "Salamat." They smiled. "And yung kitchen manager natin, si Gabe. And lastly, our delivery guys, Daniel and Bryan.". I waved at them and they waved back. "So yun. That's the last of them.". "Nice to meet you all." I said. Then we went to my office and the crew started getting to work in fixing the tables. "Okay so diyan lang naman yung office mo. It's outside mine lang. Di masyado malayo, pero di paren tayo magkasama." He said. "Okay lang yun. Baka ma distract lang ako sayo eh." I teased. "Oh tama na yan. Set up mo na yung worktable mo and i have to discuss a new project with you.". "Boss na boss ah hahaha! Gwapo ng boyfriend ko! Sige na. Byeee!" I said kissing him goodbye. Then he left me as he walked to his office. I put down my bag and unloaded my laptop, and pencil holder. Then i hung the picture me and RJ took at the dock, and a picture of me and my family on my 18th birthday on the wall of my desk. When i finished, i stood up and knocked on RJ's door. He let me in and said "Sit.". "Anong project ba yun?" I asked as i took my seat. "Kasi, tong Native's na toh, the one we're standing in right now, ito lang yung nag iisang branch. It is successful here so i was thinking if we could open up another branch. In the city perhaps, or somewhere else, para maging mas successful pa.". "Ah so major project nga. Okay, what do you want me to do?". "Meng. I want you to look at some places in Manila, slot na open. That's what we need first eh. Then list the prices for me, tapos punta tayong Manila tomorrow, appoint a meeting with them.". "Okay, sige. Kaya ko toh." I said. "That's my girl. It's not a rushed project naman so no pressure, pero kung mapabilis natin, why not?". "Okay, okay. I'll just be at my desk kung may kailangan ka ha?". "Yes, Maine. Ako rin. Thank you.". I closed the door gently and sat on the swivel chair. I opened my laptop and took a deep breath. "Let's go." I said to myself.

An hour after, my notepad was filled, and i was done. I went to RJ and talked to him. "In Metro Manila, madaming cities dun. Yung may pinakamadaming number ng mga tao dun is 2.8 million people, which is in Quezon City.". "Okay then. Arrange an appointment tomorrow.". "Love, sa Quezon, yung nahanap kong slot was beside Art In Island; the famous art museum.". "Ayun! That's perfect! Edi madaming tao.". "Yun na nga. Sige i think you should call the owner of that slot before its taken na.". "Okay. Write down the number and i'll call immediately.". I ran back outside to my desk and wrote the number on a tiny piece of paper. "Here." I said, handing him the paper. I took a seat on the chair as he waited for someone to pick up. "Hello. Yes, this is Richard Faulkerson Jr. and i would like to see if the slot beside Art In Island is still available? I have a restaurant kasi that i'd like to open there... okay.... can i set an appointment tomorrow?.... 3:00pm.... okay.... and how much will the slot be so i can bring the payment immediately? Kasi we want to finish this project sooner...   26 million... okay.... thank you...". "Okay. 3:00 pm at that place. Quezon city, tomorrow." I said, listing the reminder down at my phone. "Yeah. The appointment is with sir Trey Johnson". "Okay. So, i'm done for the day?" I asked him. "Pretty much, yeah. I just have to call dad about the project's progress. And can you come with me to the bank so i can withdraw the money. You know what, wanna get fruit shakes? I'll ask the Matt to make us some. ". "No na. I'll get it. What do you want?" I asked. "I'll get the Blue Raspberry Fruit Shake.". "Okay. Be back in a sec." i said scurrying out the hallway and into the bartender's bar. "Hi, Matt! Isang Blue Raspberry Fruit Shake nga para kay RJ at isang Mango Banana para sakin." I said. He nodded and got the ingredients and started making the shakes. I waited about five minutes for the two shakes and brought them to RJ's office. We sat there drinking our shakes and i looked at him and gave him a high five. I just survived the first day of work.