Go somewhere different and you’ll meet someone different.
Anonymous
SEAN
SINCE I returned home from the call center company where I did my final interview for the job position that I applied for, I had been inseparable from my cellular phone. I was waiting for the call that the interviewer had promised to give me any time today for some updates with regards to my training schedule. I was very excited about it and I couldn't stop checking my phone for like, every five freaking minutes. My dad took notice of it and reprimanded me at the dining table during lunchtime.
After finishing my meal, I went ahead to my room and decided to call Riechel, my best friend and classmate from middle school. We planned to find work together after college and after several failed applications, we were finally hired. This was a milestone for us so we celebrated at Jollibee’s this morning.
“Besh, have you received any updates from Kaye?” I immediately inquired the moment she answered my call. In the background, I could hear my three-year-old goddaughter, Chelsea, throwing a tantrum. Reichel was trying her best to pacify her daughter but from what I was hearing, her efforts were in vain.
Reichel was a single-mom to my three-year-old goddaughter.
“There's none so far. But weren't we told to wait until around four this afternoon? It’s not even two o’clock yet. Don’t be so thrilled.” Riechel said laughing at my obvious over-excitement.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I was very excited about this whole thing since this was going to be my first-ever actual work experience. I was a fresh graduate from the University of the Philippines Baguio where I took mass communications and majored in public relations. I had decided to try getting a job in the BPO industry first to harness my communication skills before settling for a permanent job at a local news agency as a writer.
I knew for a fact that one of the things that a writer usually does is interviewing different people, the majority of whom are high-profile public figures, politicians, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. Having firsthand experience in customer care would be a big help to boost my self-confidence. It also helped that my family were very supportive of my decision, well, except for my mom who freaked out when she found out that I would be having a graveyard schedule which she thought was a bad idea.
“Sean, I have to go now. I'm sending Chels to bed for a nap. If I receive a call or text message or anything from Kaye, I'd tell you right away. I suggest you better get yourself ready. I have a feeling we'd start with our training tonight.” Reichel bade goodbye and hung up.
I took her suggestion and began sorting through my working clothes in the wardrobe. I was thinking of a casual ensemble consisted of a t-shirt, hoodie, pants, and my favorite Vans sneakers. I was mentally having a debate with myself about what particular shirt color would best match my dark brown pants when my eldest sister, Janice, pushed the door open and invited herself in.
Janice was the one responsible for my call center job application. She had friends who worked in big call center sites here in Baguio City and she persuaded me to give it a try.
“Well, it isn't hard to tell you are very ecstatic to start with your job, baby brother. I bet that's definitely what this mess is all about.” Janice sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes glued on the heap of clothes messily scattered on the bed and the floor.
I pulled out a black round-neck cotton t-shirt from the built-in wardrobe cabinet and heaved a victorious sigh. I felt like I finally found the missing piece of a puzzle after what seemed like forever. I tossed it on top of the pants and hoodie. “Well, I just wanna get myself ready just in case my training would officially start tonight. You know me, Ate, I don't do last-minute prep.” I bent down and took my Vans from the shoe rack. I wiped the dusty box with one hand, took the pair of shoes out, and placed them at the bottom of the bed so it would be easier to spot and grab them later.
“I admit being excited and nervous at the same time. What do I know about call centers anyway?” I turned to her and shrugged. I knew I looked terrible.
“Hey, relax and stop overthinking. You have nothing to worry about because there's product knowledge training and you're a fast learner. I know you can do it, Sean. I have confidence in you.”
“Thanks, Ate. Hopefully, I would be able to manage. I've heard it’s survival of the fittest out there.” Now I began to sound miserable.
Hey, will you please stop being pessimistic about it? We all have to start from scratch, you know.” Janice reached for my hands and gently squeezed them, her eyes suddenly sparkling with mischief. “I've been told there are lots of hot dudes working in call centers. That's a bonus for you, honey,” she added jokingly.
I rolled my eyes but laughed with her nevertheless. “Yeah, I've been pretty well informed about that. But boys equal distraction and I'm not looking for a wall to bang my head into, big sister.”
“Well, I'm not saying you should take it seriously. But who knows? Maybe you'll find someone you'll have a crush on or have the hots for. You could make him an inspiration for work, you know.”
“We'll see about that, Ate. But I am not into that silly idea at the moment.” I insisted with more conviction.
Janice stood up and gave me a tight, big sister hug. “Hey, I know. I'm just trying to lighten up the mood here because you're being too hard on yourself. Anyways, I'm going to prepare some healthy foods for you to bring to work later. It's about time you keep fast-food takeaways out of the menu.”
She gave me a peck on the cheek and congratulated me again for getting the job and left. I turned to the vanity mirror and stared at my reflection. I let out a deep breath and let my shoulders sagged.
At twenty, I still looked very much like my clumsy and uncoordinated fifteen-year-old self. I had managed to grow a few inches taller in my late teens but my lanky figure, unfortunately, stuck around. The last time I checked, my height was five feet and eight inches.
My facial features were a combination of my parents’. I got my heart-shaped face, narrow forehead, rounded cheekbones that slope down to a small chin, and deep-set brown eyes from my mom while my nose and lips were clear proofs of my dad's less dominant genes.
I had short, curly, jet black hair which was impossible to manage so I long gave up trying. I also happened to have traces of acne marks from my high school days and an awkward-looking mole above my upper lip that never failed to annoy the hell out of me whenever I get the chance to look at myself in the mirror.
And as if the punchline of a bad joke, my light fair complexion was a sharp contrast to my parents and siblings’ olive tan. Well, I guess in every family there has to be an ugly duckling.
“Best of luck, self,” I murmured under my breath.
IT was around five in the afternoon when I finally received the much-anticipated text message from Kaye which stated that our first day of training would kickstart at ten PM later tonight. The message also included some instructions and a link that contained a digital map of Nocturne Wireless.
I immediately called Riechel and we agreed to go to work together. Nocturne Wireless was located at the GF SM Cyber Annex Building which was one motorcycle and one jeepney rides away from where we lived.
I was already prepared by eight in the evening, thanks to my overexcitement. I fetched Riechel at her house to visit my goddaughter as well. By eight-thirty, we were already on our way to our new workplace. Commuting had always been a part of our daily lifestyle here so we didn’t have trouble navigating our way to the venue. Twenty minutes later, we finally reached our destination.
The multi-story, steel and glass, suburban office building of Nocturne Wireless was one of the several office buildings inside the Cyberpark. Other BPO offices in the township are Three World Center, Seven Newtown Boulevard, and Pines Garden Tower.
We stopped by the lobby and had the guards checked our bags for standard security procedures. Once cleared, we decided to take pictures on a wall with the company’s LED logo as a backdrop.
We were both busy posting the photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages when a towering and extremely attractive guy passed us by.
I caught my breath and I stood frozen in place. I fought the urge to stare at him a little longer than I should but to no avail. He walked with confident, graceful strides, as if he didn’t fear anything or anyone that might come his way. He was now heading towards the elevators and was already quite a distance away from us but I still caught the scent of his perfume: an oriental, sensual fragrance that was subtle yet distinctive.
“Goodness gracious! That guy is freeeeakin handsome!” Riechel, as if recovering from the shock, suddenly exclaimed in an exaggeratedly high-pitched squeal.
I instinctively covered her mouth with my hand. “Yeah, you’re right, and it’s pretty obvious so you don’t have to go nuts about it.” I tossed my phone inside the pocket of my backpack and dragged her towards the nearest elevator.
When we arrived at our designated training room, our wave mates had already gathered around, most of them were chitchatting and getting to know each other while a few others chose to enjoy their own company. Riechel didn’t waste time introducing herself to a group of boys while I looked for a convenient spot away from the rest of the noisy crowd.
I settled in a chair at a far corner and busied myself with my phone.
Shortly after, Kaye, the representative of the recruitment team visited us inside the training room. She congratulated us for getting hired and gave a brief introduction to our account.
“Your trainer is currently having a quick huddle with his co-trainers but he will be here shortly,” Kaye informed us with a cheerful smile. “Be nice to him, guys. He's French and one of our best traineers here. You're very lucky that he chose to manage your team. I'm sure you'll like him. Everybody does.” Once again, she welcomed us to the company, wished us good luck, and left.
As soon as Kaye closed the door behind her, the room sprang back into life.
Riechel grabbed a chair and sat next to me. “I wonder who our trainer would be. Hopefully, he’s a guy, and hopefully, he’s good-looking, so this three-week-long training would not be a boring experience.”
I was about to answer her when someone pulled the door open and went inside the room. The noise dramatically died down and all eyes were glued to the newcomer, including mine. Especially mine.
I held my breath when I realized this was the same guy whom Riechel and I met at the lobby earlier.
He went straight ahead to the front and stood beside a standing desk without any sort of acknowledgment or greeting. He looked as stiff as a log, his face void of emotions. But these were the least of my concerns. I studied him with careful eyes, my interest and curiosity of him getting stronger as my gaze settled on his thin and lanky but muscular body and his perfectly handsome face.
He stood at around six feet and an inch tall and was effortlessly rocking his modern smart casual look of dark-colored jeans, a shirt, a blazer, and a pair of leather shoes.
His perfect and angular facial features were impossible to ignore. My eyes traced over his beautiful oval-shaped face which he sported with a perfect wavy mess of long châtain hair. He had a broad forehead, wide cheekbones, a straight nose, average lips, and a pronounced jawline. I also took notice of his surreal pale complexion that appeared oddly translucent under the lights.
Annoyingly, though, I couldn’t visually assess his eyes because they were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. Weird.
“Where's the sun?” this sarcastic thought just came to me from out of nowhere.
To my surprise, he faced in my direction and arched one perfect eyebrow. “I'm Dakari and I'll be working with you as your trainer for the next couple of weeks. In case you're wondering why I'm wearing shades at night, I have an eye problem and I need to wear these customized sunglasses with progressive lenses.” He said blandly as if to answer my unvoiced question. I noticed he had a thick European accent.
I fidgeted in my seat and clumsily dropped my phone to the carpeted floor. I slowly crouched down to retrieve the device but stopped in mid-action when he cleared his throat and spoke again. “By the way, you are not allowed to use your mobile phones during working hours. You will have your respective lockers and we require you to leave your gadgets there,” he said in an authoritative chilly tone.
Unnerved, I hastily grabbed my phone and tossed it inside my bag.
I never dared look his way again.
