Ellie-chan (COMPLETED)

Twenty-Four - Last Hope

I was pretty excited that morning. Sakamoto-sensei recommended me to an English school which her friend owns. I have a good feeling that I will be able to get a new job soon. So what if it's not as good as my current position? It doesn't matter for as long as it can sponsor my visa and can let me stay in Japan for some time while I am paying off my loan from Hayato.

I was a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time. So I was able to chitchat with the staff of the English school before my interview came up. I already felt part of the team as I was welcome warmly. Thanks to Sakamoto-sensei. 

My interview went so well. The owner was almost going to give me a class schedule if not for my current responsibilities in the high school where I am teaching. I just told them that I will be done with the contract in two weeks. The lady-owner smiled at me and congratulated me for a good interview. She said she really liked my teaching demo. I was never so proud of myself.

As I was about to leave the school, I bumped into somebody I never thought of seeing that very day. Her presence gave me an ominous feeling. As soon as we both realized each other's presence, we both turned cold...She did not pretend to be happy to see me. I didn't either, even with the presence of the English school owner.

"Rika-chan! It's nice to see you back," Honda-sensei, the owner, greeted her. 

Rika-san bowed down to acknowledge the woman's presence, then she looked behind her - to me. Then, she looked at Honda-sensei. I saw her smile. I knew what she was thinking.  The bitch!

"O-hisashiburi ne. (Long time no see)," Rika-san told Honda-sensei.

"Sou ne. Genki? (Right. How are you?)," asked the owner.

"Not bad," the bitch said and she glanced at me again. Perhaps, she was wondering why I was still there. I was just waiting for Honda-sensei to take me to the train station. She told me she would take me to the station because it's a little bit far. It would take me half an hour to walk from the school to the nearest JR station.

"Oh, by the way, this is Ellie-sensei. She may be joining us this coming April. Ellie-sensei, this is a good friend of mine, Rika-Chan."

She gave me her sweetest smile before she extended her hand to shake mine. There was a gleam of mischief in her eyes. I pretended I was also glad to meet her. I didn't tell Honda-sensei that we already knew each other through Hayato. If this is what she wants, then let it be. I have an odd feeling that although I aced my interview and demo teaching, I wouldn't get the job.  It made me sad again.

Instead of Honda-sensei driving me to the train station, she asked one of her staff to do it for her instead. My hunch that Rika will make her change her mind about me, grew stronger. But then I tried to drive it out of my mind.

The following morning, I got a phone call from the school. It was Honda-sensei. Although, she said a lot of good things about me which she said, she had observed during my interview, I felt thart she was just waiting for the right timing to drop the bomb. Indeed, I was right. She told that after I left, another candidate came in who can work for them ASAP. So she had no choice but to choose that other applicant since they arre in dire need of a new teacher. I knew she was lying. But I just thanked her for giving me a chance and after saying goodbye, I hung up.

That bitch! I felt like strangling her.

Ten more days to go. I am losing hope of finding a new job. I was already tempted of grabbing Hayato's offer. He told me I can work for him as a secretary if worse comes to worst. However, I have some doubts. First, there's Rika-san. For sure, she would be mad as hell if Hayato hired me as a secretary. For another, I don't think I will be given a working visa since it's not within my field of specialization.  But then, if I have no other choice, I would surely give it a try. Who knows? The immigration people might change their minds.

A week before my visa expired, I called Hayato. After three rings, he answered. Before I changed my mind, I told him my reasons for calling him up. I felt the burning of my cheeks as I was talking to him. He didn't answer right away. So I thought that he was not serious about helping me out. I felt my heart collapsed. I was so embarassed when I realized what I had just done.

"Where are you?" he asked me.

"I'm actually in Kyoto station. I was about to go home when I thought about calling you up."

"Please wait for me there. I'll pick you up in a while," he said then hung up.

I felt my heart was in my throat. I was so tensed. I kept on walking to and fro.  After ten minutes, I thought of backing out. I don't think he would really come to see me about the job.  But then, I also thought that he was never that "cruel" to me. He always meant what he said. When he offered help for my father's operation, I also didn't think he was serious about it. But he helped. After fifteen minutes, I kinda doubted his words. When twenty minutes had passed, I thought that he was not serious after all. With a heavy heart, I went towards the ticket machine.  I don't think he's coming so I better go home. Just as I was about to punch the ticket price for Ibaraki where my apartment is, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Sorry if it took me a long time."

I glanced behind my back and there he was. Walking towards me. I cancelled my transaction and got my money back from the ticket machine.

"I t-thought you were not coming so ----," I said, nervously.

He nodded. "C'mon. Let's have some dinner first before discussing your problem."

We went to Porta in JR Kyoto's basement and went inside Tratorria. It's an Italian restaurant.  After ordering some buttered chicken and vegetable salad, he asked me what happened to my teaching job prospects. Without looking at him, I begun to tell him about my job interviews. Many of them were promising but the problem is, they want me to start ASAP. My current school is not releasing me till the end of March so there's no way that I can start working for a new job before April. He nodded.

"I actually asked my staff to inquire at the immigration office for any possible jobs in the company for you. I thought about the secretary position because it's the closest to your education but ----"

My heart sank when I heard the word 'but'. There goes my last hope. I nodded at him and before he can even finished I told him not to worry so much about me.  I was already embarassed for causing him so much trouble.

"I'm sorry. I thought that a company willing to sponsor your visa is all you need. I didn't know it doesn't work that way.  They told us, you can get a visa only for a job related to humanities which is your field of specialization. That means, you can work as a teacher, a college instructor or a researcher," he sighed. A little frustrated.

"I understand. I knew about that condition because my friend had the same problem years ago. But---thank you anyway, for trying to help me," I replied shyly.

"We actually have another option," he said, looking at me intently.

I raised my head and stared at him. Another option?  Before I started hoping again, I cautioned myself.  Stop hoping. Brace youself for the worst.

Without batting an eyelash, he said:  "I can marry you. We can get married. That way, you can have a permanent visa to live and work in Japan."

Did I hear him right? Did he say, we can get married? I stared at him in disbelief. He gave me his slow, sexy smile.