" Hey Mom , Its getting late.. I need to rush now... Wish me luck..."
"Iva don't forget to have your lunch... No matter if you get the job or not.. remember we are always proud of you ..."
"Hey Iva, don't worry.. Let me give you a ride.. Else you will be late for your interview.."
"Thanks Pat, Mom don't worry about me.. I will surely get the job"
Such a lovely family and caring friend. These have been my support system since my childhood. Oh I forgot ...
Let me introduce myself... I am Iva Song.. A graduate from the National University....
The only pampered child of my parents who run a cafe. A lovely neighbour who keeps pestering me from my childhood. Today I am off to try my luck with the corporate world.....
" Good luck Iva, I will pick you up if possible"
" Thanks Pat. But don't worry I will take the bus later ...Bye "
Front Desk of the Johnson Group:
"Hi, I have an interview scheduled at 10 AM with Mr. Phillip. Can you help me where can I wait for him ?"
"Let me check... Your interview has been rescheduled to 12 PM with Mr. Johnson.
Please wait at the his office on the 4th floor."
"You mean to say the Vice President of the company Mr. Ian Johnson is going to interview me"
"Yes. He is personally interviewing the candidates for the design department. In the right corner you have the elevator."
"Thanks".... I still wonder why does a VP need to interview me for a design position.
Outside the Mr.Johnson's office...
"Ms.Song... Please come in .." Assistant Clark invited
"But the interview is at 12PM and its just 10:30 AM now.. "
"Boss is free now.. So please don't keep him waiting ... "
......
"So Ms. Song.. I have seen your design drawings submitted earlier. I think you seem to fit for the new project we are taking up. The rest will be discussed with my Assistant. You may leave now. " As heard of Mr. Ian Johnson he has a quite domineering personality.
A quick 5 min talk, but the time seems to stop.
"Congratulations Ms. Song.. For being selected .. Here is the agreement please have a look before you sign it ...But we expect you to maintain confidentiality .. and if the details of the project leak you would need to pay 10 million as a breach."
"10 Million????"
"Yes, the project would take a year to complete. if the details of the design go out, you have to pay 10 Million to the company . If its a success then you will be rewarded with the same amount apart from your salary"
In my mind even though I have no idea which project they are talking about.. but the money is quite tempting.. Considering the Group's reputation over the years the completion of the project doesn't seem to be an issue. So I signed the documents without hesitation and left.
In the office:
"Did she sign it?"
"Yes Sir, signed and left.. "
"Did she say anything.."
"No Sir... But she doesn't seem to have any connections with your cousin Henry Johnson."
"Let's observe for a month... From tomorrow onwards keep a watch on her"
"Yes Sir..."
Evening we had a great time celebrating my job.... and I set my alarm for 7 AM all excited for my job ...
As I slowly opened my eyes, there was a chaos.....
"Mr. Johnson... Ms. Song has woken up... I will go get the doctor.... Hurry up.."
"Ms. Song ... How are you feeling... I have contacted your family..they would be here anytime."
"Mr. Johnson , what happened to your hand? and why are we in the hospital?"
"You have fainted at the Imperial Palace.... and been unconscious for the past two days"
"Imperial Palace... when did we go to Imperial Palace...? Wasn't I supposed to be at my house and report at the company by 9:30 AM?"
Just then my parents arrive... They seem to be totally different..
"Ira, I am sorry , I shouldn't have gone to that business trip... Else you wouldn't have ended up in the hospital..."
"Mom....Business trip?? what are you talking about? When did our small cafe grow soo much?..."
"Cafe?? What are you talking about?? Are you alright??"
"Ian, Hurry up ...Call the Doctor right away...What happened to her and why is she speaking like this?"
"Mom, you can't call my boss like that.. I can get fired..."
"Ms. Song... I dare not.. I am your Personal Assistant... and you are my Boss."
How did I become the Boss of my Boss.....?
...... ...... ...... .......
After a brief check up, Doctor confirmed that I was in good health. With a small bandage on my forehead and a minor injury on my right hand I can be discharged in 2 days.
"But Doctor, why is she acting a bit off... Saying some cafe.. and calling Ian as her Boss.."
"Mrs.Song, It could be that she just woke up from the blow so she might be bit confused.. but after sometime she will be back to normal..Don't worry "
"Thank you Doctor... Ian, arrange for security.. You and Cici stay with Iva and ensure there are no more mishaps."
"Yes, Maam"
"Honey, I would be leaving now.. Ensure you take care of yourself... I will be back once my conference is done...Hope you understand"
"Sure Mom..I will be fine.."
All the conversation which happened right in front of me .. I seem to understand what was discussed yet I am confused....
Due to the medication, I feel asleep quickly... It was almost 8:30 at night when I woke up .. Cici was squeezing some juice for me...
"Cici.. "
"Ms.Song, Do you need anything? Give me 5 min, the juice is almost ready"
"Cici, Why are you calling me Ms.Song..... we work together... you are my only friend in the office..."
"Maam , I work for you... How can I ...."
"Are you crazy? you remember we joined the office at the same time...."
before I could talk to Cici... Ian entered the room with the doctor..
"Ms.Song, How are you feeling now? There are few minor bruises...So tomorrow morning you can be discharged..."
"Tomorrow..?"
"Ms.Song.. Actually I did have a word with Mr. Song and Doctor about your health and due to security reasons we have taken a call..."
"yeah, Just a few days of rest and follow up check ups would be fine"
"Thank you Doctor.."
"Let's not disturb your rest anymore.."
"Cici, Please follow the nurse and note down the instructions carefully.. Until you return I will stay here "
After Cici left, there was a kind of awkwardness in the room.
"Ms.Song ..." Ian handed me the juice
"Mr.Johnson.. How's your hand? "
" Its fine.. Thank you Ms.Song"
"how did you get hurt?"
" Got hurt during the fight.."
"Fight..? which fight?"
just then Cici arrived..
"Ms.Song, Please take good rest.. Cici will stay with you .. I am waiting outside .."
The next day, Mr. Johnson handled all the discharge procedures and took me to the Johnson's Mansion.
"Why are we here?"
"This is your home. " Cici replied in a lower tone...
"Ms. Song, Mr. Wilson is waiting for you in the garden"
"Mr. Wilson??"
"Mr. Patrick Wilson.."
"Pat!!!!!!"... I couldn't hold my excitement.. At least he would be in his senses and help me out...
At the garden area....
"Hey Pat!!!, I am so glad to see you ...but how did you come? and why are you in a suite... did you rent it ?? "
"Iva... Since you got discharged, I thought you are fine..wanted to check if you are ok... but I think there is something wrong with you... why would I rent it.. I have got it custom made from a top designer in Italy"
"What..." I was totally confused with Pat's reply.
" Anyways, these flowers are for you...I will leave now..See you later.."
As I took the a closer look at the flowers, I started to wonder why Pat had suddenly given me Roses when he knows I like Orchids. Cici who was standing and observing Pat and me along with Ian, came to me running and said "So ma'am, are you accepting this?"
"Accepting? What do you mean?"
"Mr. Wilson specifically gave you Roses on "Rose Day"... and you are looking at it without throwing it away as always... So I thought you were moved by him"
"Accepting..? throwing..? You mean Proposal?..What are you saying... Pat and I are just friends..Wait... What did you say.. Rose Day.. what is today's date?"
"Feb 7th.."
"which year ?"
"2025"
"How can that be possible...."
"Ms. Song, Please rest for a while. Mr and Mrs. Song have sent a message that they would be back by evening.." Mr. Johnson said.
As I lay on my bed... I started to think...
"I gave my interview on Monday ,September 30th 2024... my joining was on October 1st...How come it is February 7th 2025?
What happened in these months that I can't remember and everything is different..?"
...to be continued.....