( Short Story by Allaine Eclarinal)
*pls listen to the song while reading!*
Its 9am in the morning when I woke up. Yesterday was very tiring day, going in and out of cities in the Philippines to visit my company and business, plus some issues with the customers because of the mistakes of my employees.
" Should I fire them?" I think to myself, it's always my thing to fire employees if they do mistakes, I never tolerate mistakes in my company.
I get up in my bed and go to the shower. While holding my phone, it rings.
" What time is it?? Today is the boardmeeting Ana!" Sam shouted in the phone. Sam is my fiance, we've been together for five years and last year was when he propose. It's been a year but the wedding is still postponed, I don't know why but there something, probably he's cheating?.
"Yeah yeah I know... those business man can't wait huh? And Another thing, I already said to cancel that partnership with that brand diba?!" I said getting angry, here we go again.
"Ana this is the time! it will be a great step for our company! Don't you want this?" Sam said.
" Cancel that partnership, my company can stand on his own" I said with firmly and end the call.
Those business man are hungry for power and money, if only I could kick them in the company but there are my father's friends.
I did my bath and go downstair too eat breakfast. My secretary hurriedly come to me, probably gonna tell about the boardmeeting. I peak at the clock, it's ten am I have to eat then.
"Mam, the meeting is going on" my secretary said.
" Those men can't wait huh? Okay " I said. They getting on my nerves slowly
" They still proceed when I said to cancel... " I said with an amusement in my voice, they never learn huh?
I was always feared by my employees and business man. I always display my unwelcoming face and strong sttitude to people that I met because I need it, to run this company so that no one will ever take advantage of me. Being a young girl and A CEO of the most famous company in the country is not a joke. People know me as Agatona Lasera a beautiful shark in the business world.
I finished my breakfast and got in the car with my bag. I drive to the office with my secretary.
"What's my schedule for today?" I said while my eyes on the road.
" You have a meeting with Mr. Shang at 12nn and later, u have a visiting appoint in another new branch of hotel." my secretary said.
" it's that for today?" I said.
"Yes mam," my secretary said.
oh? Good that my schedule is not packed because yesterday was a tiring day and I don't want that again.
We have reached the parking lot. I walk through the elevator holding my bag. I got in and my secretary press the floor. I see my reflection on elvetor, I wearing a jumpsuit with higheels, I let my hair down brush it with my fingers. I also put lipstick and powder in my face that bring brightness in my face.
The elevator stop and open. The employees stop talking when they see me, they were all standing and bow at me as I pass through them. Some greeted but I ignored, I don't have time to chitchat.
I opened the door in the meeting room. Business man were all shock because of my appearance.
" Go on with ur meeting.. I know that y'all can't wait to this partnership. " I said while walking to my sit and rolling my eyes in them.
They still silent. I glanced at them, putting my elbow in the table with my hand holding.
" what? I said go on? " I said with a smirk. " Ah sorry to interrupt, but I already said no to this partnership right?" I said a little angry this time.
The people in the room starts to be confused, probably shock because of my decision.
" But Miss Lasera, This Is a Big opportunity to us to bring our company overeseas!" A business man stand from he's seat shouting at me.
I look at him in the eyes, he got intimidated at me. I smirked.
" You know that company can go on it own right?" I said while starting to draw circle on the table. I am getting angry at this. " The company dont need this partnership! " I said firmly.
They were silent. I called my secretary, and asked a question.
" Who insisted to proceed this partnership?!" I said.
"Mr. Ladesma po" he said slowly. My fiance? we already talked about this but why did he proceed this? I said in my mind.
I sighed and look at the people on the board.
" Cancel the partnership or I will fire all of you, even if y'all are my father's friend" I got up from my seat and walked to the door. Those people are really testing me huh?And what the hell is Sam thinking?.
" Where is Sam? " I said to my secretary while entering my office.
" Mam I don't know po" He said.
I seated on my chair and lean. Sam is starting to cold be cold on me since he proposed on me, I don't know the reason of it.
I reached my phone and called him. He didn't answer but its ringing. I put my phone down, annoyed by it. I checked at my watch, it's eleven am maybe i should go out.
" I'm going out, stay here. Just called me when there Is important" I said to my secretary.
I walke to the elevator with my cellphone and car keys. I dialed again Sam's no. and still there is no answer. Where did he go huh?. I got on my car and start the ignition. Where would I go? hmmm, I know I will visit the site of our ongoing project.
The traffic was heavy and my temper was getting high. I have no patients when it comes to this. I was opening my window when I see Sam on the window of the restaurant, he was talking with a girl, they were laughing and holding hands. I was stunned and froze at what I see. I stared my eyes in front of me. My eyes getting blurry as I hold the string wheel tightly, all of this years being with him was very important to me, but why? how could he do that. I slammed my hands infront crying hard, I coudlnt breath properly. The car behind me was honking at me and passing by me, I didnt notice that the lights was green. Out of anger, i step on the gas and drive straight not knowing where to go. I was getting fast and can't see properly because of the tears.
I shouted loud and close my eyes and felt a strong impact, my body feels numb as the darkness eats me.
Chapter 2: A wandering soul
I regain conscious but my body was okay, I look around and I'm on the street. I see my car and run to it. It was crashed on a truck, people were flocking on my car. Its looks like they trying to get someone out, when they got it out. I was horrified, it was my body, full of blood and no concius. I start to look at the people, it seems that they don't see me.
An ambulance come. They take my body on the car probably go to the hospital. I got shocked, am I a spirit now? how?. Still crying but not hard, I can't proses properly, I just go on with my body following it until we reached the hospital. I stared at my body, nurses and doctors flock at my body. All I can do was to stare at it horrified.
A man in black jacket came right me. I was shocked because he was staring at me and could see me.
" Your name is Agatona Lasera right?" he said to me.
Still shocked " Y--yes" I Stutterd.
He was writing something in a notebook of his. This time I look at him fully, he was tall and look like an angel if he wearing some white.
" So you are on the waiting list huh? A wandering soul" He laugh at me.
My one eyebrow raise, how could this man laugh at my situation. I'm no longer in my body! My god!.
I rolled my eye right him. Ignoring him.
"That's right, keep adding your sins... that why your soul wandering" he said to me while smirking.
"What the hell your saying?" I said getting annoyed at him.
"Shss! Stop saying that word, you could go to hell already" he said in a serious way.
I look at him curiously. " Okay, Who are you? Can you explain what's happening? why I'm like this? And why do you know my name?" I said getting out of breath. I need to know something.
He smile at me " Well... You didn't do good things in your life soo.. karma I must say?" he said while looking at my body. Doctors was busy reviving my body. I started to panic a little, I need to live and need to smack Sam for cheating me.
The sound of a hearbit, I heard. They revive me but why I'm still in this situation? I need to be back at my body.
" No you can't " he said " Your a wandering soul so you have to wait for the heavens decision if they will permit you to live" he said and turn his back at me. he started to walk away from me.
" What? U mean I have to stay here like this? wth" I said really annoyed. He didn't answer and entered into a room. A famiily was crying, a little girl where comforting his parents. It seems like they can see him, she's like me a soul.
"It's time to go huh?" The girl said to the man I was talking too.
" Uhuh, let's go." he said
" Will be my family be alright?" the little girl said " Yes, probably sad but they be okay" he said happily.
The little girl turned back and smile at her family. Slowly she disapperead, a emotion was getting me, i felt a saddness got me. I looked at him and he look at me.
" You need to do good things starting today so that god will let you live okay?" he said. I didn't get it at first but slowly I understand. In my life I always been so harsh to people, getting angry all the time for a little reason. Firing employees and not giving them a second chance to work. I've never been realize that I've been a bad person all along. I always look the world as cruel that's way I néeded to be strong.
" How do I start then?" I said in low voice, I'm ashamed to myself. This is my firstime I felt so defeated and hopeful was my only choice. This time I want to make things right.
Chapter 3: Making things right
We are here now standing here in front of my building aka my company. I don't know how we get here but I don't care. This guy better help me to this or I will swear the God.
" Uhmm, why we here?" I take my eyes from the building to hiim. This time I can fully see him in broad daylight. He has a black eyes that shapes like an almond, his eyebrows are thick and has a pointy nose. Damn, he's hot! I wonder what kind he is ? maybe a servant of God? if yes I just want to die maybe in heaven there's a lot of boys like him heheh---
" I know what you're thinking, stop that, ur sinning again" He said when he's done looking something in his notebook. I wonder what is the purpose of that notebook?hmm.
He started to walk again, I followed him when he enter the building. It felt so weird to be here, not a CEO but as a wandering soul! I never thought to be in this situation, walking like a ghost and people just pa's through my body like wind.
He was not seen by the bodyguard when he entered. Yes, people can see him, but how ? How can he entered when there is a security system? Is this what I'm paying for work? How can this gaurd be so---
" Stop that, don't fire him" he said while not looking at him as he walks. People where busy, like its a normal day? probably some are happy because my accident, huh surely the board members are dancing right now! That thing makes me angry, wait ttill I'm came back hahahah.
He stop at the janitors lounge and greeted some employees. What is happening? Is he working here? How?.
" Yes, I work here" he said as he open his locker probably change he's oufit.
" How? You're a Janitor? by the looks ur not, ur just kidding me" I said with a smirk. He closed the locker loudly that made me jump. he was looking me intensely like I'm just a joke.
" So ur gonna humilated me by my job?" he said " I never thought u could be this so bad huh?'' he said
" Sorry.." I said " I never want to humiliate you, Im just amazed that ur working in my company and to this job I mean---'' I said. He haved changed his cloth with a workers name Antonio.
'' You're name is Antonio huh?... cute" the last word was a whisper. " So what we will do? where do we start?" I said getting ready.
He look at me and sigh. " We should start with your Secretary" he said preparing to go in the elevator.
" Oh okay how?" I said while finding my reflection, still I cant see it thou.
He sighs again. " Remember, when he was requesting something to you. It was an increase in his salary since he was working with u for 10 years. He was the bread winner of his family and having a financial trouble." he said
" I have never thought he was that, he never tell me" I said. I realized that I have nothing know about my secretary because mostly we talked about business, he was a effecient and professional, he was the best even thou he's annoying somestime.
" So raise his salary" he said seriously.
" but how? I'm a ghost ?" I said unbelievable " unless u will help me?" smiling at him. Damn hes handsome in that uniform.
" Yeah " I hinted some hesitation but said yes sooo... I smiled and we get out to elevator.
Our plan was to sneak him up to my office to use my monitor so we can wire some money to my secretary, but we decided to wire some money to my employees. This is a little thing for me, and it feels so great to give something to someone. I did tell him my security password and he did do the thing. While he was doing it, I looked at my shelfs. All this award were nothing when you die honestly. Money and wealth can't be brought in heaven too, this was a realization to me.
" Done" he said while streaching his body as he get up. I came out first to check if there is someone outside, maybe my secretary was in the hospital. He came out in the office quietly and we walk when suddenly all employees was jumping and happy. Some are crying while looking at there phone, probably they receive the money.
" So what now? " I said. I feel happy that somehow I did something right, I hope it helps them.
" I don't know you should wait when the time comes.." he said looking at his watch.
Watching the employees smiling and crying was a greatfeeling. Suddenly, I miss my family, maybe my mom and dad is crying because of what happen to me.
" U know, this is actually great huh?" I said looking at the employees. " I never thought Ive been so selfish all this time. I view the world was as a cruel place and there is no good so that u have to be tough on this life. But I'm wrong, good is the beautiful thing that I feel and do now." I said out of nowhere. When I didn't here a response I looked at him and he was looking at me intensely.
"What?" I said still gazing att him.
"nothing" he replied. " I need to do work, go somewhere else" he said
" But I have nothing to go, and to talk to ! I'll follow you!" I said. I've never been so scared in my life but this! Is so unbelievable! I never believe about God or anything but now ....
" Okay suit yourself" he said.
It's been a week since the accident and I'm still not wake up, I'm not still in my body I've been in many place for the past week. My house and my parents house, and hospital. Sometimes, I see Antonio here talking to other ghost, sending them to the heaven. I follow him every time but its okay for him. He maybe look annoyed at me but we pretty getting close now
I'm here in my hospital room and staring at my body. my parents go home to change. I don't know but my hopes wear starting to fade now. Maybe god decide to take me and send me in hell for thing I had done.
I got out before I think something else. I got out from the room when I came across to a random soul. He was spacing out so I came near her.
" hey u okay?" I said. He looks sad. He sigh and replied. " I will got to heaven now, it feels so sad living here" he said.
" Butt why? Don't you wanna enjoy life here ? plus god will decide to you? right " I said
" No, I chose to goo up now, I don't wann live anymore. We choose our own destiny and God will only guides us." he said.
I am starting to doubt. I thought God will decide if I could live? Why Antonio lied to me? How.. I've could have choose already if he only said to me early, but why not now.
The boy start to walk to my left and meet Antonio, I was mad rushing to him getting ready to lash out.
" Why didn't you tell me ? " I said while in the verge of crying. "How could you lie to me? that I'm a the one who will chose my decesion in life?!" I scream at him frustrated that I had to feel this.
" You can choose now" he said. His face was nothing, but I can see in his eyes that hes hiding something to me. " You will live and get back on your body or die and will live on heaven" he said. I don't know but the suddenly I can see a sadness in his eyes.
" I choose to be live" I said calmly to him. " I don't want to be like this anymore. " I said but theres something not right.
He smiled at me sadly and replied " Okay, I wish you to be happy" and then turn his back at me leaving me at my place alone. I should be happy now but why I'm sad? his face, I can see the sadness but why? he should be happy right?
That night I stayed in the hospital with my body so when time comes I could wake up easly. The sun was up now, I was still sitting on the floor waiting for the time. When Antonio was rushing to my door and when he see me he run to mee and hug me tightly.
" I will miss you" he said " Remember me when u wake up huh?" he said while he run his fingers through my hair. God I have a crush on this man! Damn.
" So u finally come to me huh? I thought ur angry at me" I said, I didn't see him through the night. I hugged him to tightly. Damn! this guys smell nice too.
" Of course I'll remember you!" laughing att him. " I'll give salary bonus when I wake up" I said seriously because I will dot it first when I wake up
" How I wish uu could remember me" he whispered it like something he always pray.
" I promise ! I'll treat you when I got in my body okay!" I replied to him as he looking me. We touch our head together and hold hands while I close my eyes. He whispered something but I didn't here it and when I open my eyes. I see tears on his eyes, he was sad. As I dissappear in the air..
I opened my eyes slowly, I feel dehydrated now and my body, I can't move except my fingers. I touch something and it made sound. My vision still blurry but all I can see is white and the sound of an operating system. I couldn't remember anything but only the accident and why it happened.
A sound of the door opening. A two hospital doctor and a nurse hurriedly check on me, I couldn't here clearly what they saying because I felt tired, I still want to sleep. Then I closed my eyes because of the tiredness that I feel.
I suddenly woke up from the noises of people talking inside my room. I could move my head and my arms now. It was my parents and Sam who is there. When they notice that I'm awake my parents came to me.
" Ana! Are you okay now? How do you feel? You need something? " My mother who was about to cry in front of me.
" I'm okay now mom" my rasp voice came out. I looked at my dad who aged maybe from stress that he get to me. " I'm sorr mam and dad, I made you worrry" I said.
" No, Ana ! I'm thankful that ur alive now, your mom couldn't sleep for days thinking about you." he said. I smiled to my parents I'm lucky to have them.
" How's the company? " I said.
" It's okay, our investors where shock at what happened to you! thankfully Sam willing to help us with the company" dad said while looking at sam.
This asshole has the audacity to visit me after I see him cheating on me huh? let me say something. He was looking at me smilliing like he didn't do something.
" I'm calling the engagement off, get out my life Sam" I said firmly. Myy parents where shock at what I've said.
" Ana what is happening? Why you calling of the engagement? " my mother said. I didn't answer because I don't want to humiliate him in front my parents. I raise my eyebrow at him and smirk
"I know what your doing, so save yourself and get out in this room! I don't want explanation !" I said .
He did get out quietly after staring me for a second. My parents were confuse but I didn't say a thing. I just sleep again
It's been a three weeks since I got discharged from the hospital that I stayed for at least a month. I'm fully okay now and strong, news we're all over the place, it is about me giving bonuses on my employees which I don't know, but then I didn't regret it and go with the flow.
Today, its my first time to comeback at the company. Sam was fired by my father after they discovered by themselves that he was trying to take the company and planning some dirty and also the cheating stuff. I'm gladly that he's gone. Since I was in the hospital there is something that i couldn't remember, I always cried thinking about it day and night. I don't know but in my heart there's something missing.
Im in front of my building, as I enter all the staff was bowing and greeting me. I greeted them back and they were shock by it. I proceed to walk when I bumped into someone tall. I looked at the guy and the first thing that I saw was a name Antonio. I looked at his face, he is familiar to me. things were getting awkward the employees were curious of whats happening.
I smiled at him and he smiled at me as I pass by him. He's cute I wonder where he work.
----------The End---------
