The next day, I went to Costamarina Brisas early. When I arrived, only a few staff members were there, so I didn't go inside yet.
Was I too early?
She did say before 10 a.m., so I came at 8:30.
What time do they even open? I thought it would already be busy by seven.
At around 9:30, a red car arrived and suddenly stopped in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing the woman from the hacienda.
"You're early. Wait for me in my office, I'll just park." she said. "Esper, call Phelomine. Tell her to escort Elias to my office." She instructed the guard before driving toward the parking lot.
A moment later, someone approached me, the same woman from the front desk yesterday.
"Are you Elias?" she asked. Her face brightened with recognition.
I nodded.
"Please follow me." She walked toward the elevator, and I followed.
"I didn't know you and Madam knew each other," she added once we stepped inside.
"Madam?"
"Yes, the owner of this hotel. Madam Aurelia."
"Oh." I nodded slowly.
Aurelia? That woman?
I thought she only owned farmland, but she owned a hotel resort too. What could she possibly need from me?
I even thought she called me here just to continue drinking, but that wouldn't make sense if she asked for my résumé.
"We're here."
She stepped out first, and I followed her.
She turned right and stopped in front of a door. She opened it and moved aside to let me in.
"Please wait for Madam inside."
I nodded and entered. She smiled before closing the door behind me.
I looked around the office.
It was spacious. Behind the desk was a full glass wall overlooking the bright blue ocean. The sunlight made the whole room feel open and airy. Everything was tidy, the documents neatly stacked, the furniture elegant.
The door opened, and the woman entered, now dressed completely differently. She wore a black long-sleeved blouse, maroon slacks, black heels, and her long hair was tied neatly behind her.
"Take a seat, Elias." She gestured toward the chair.
I swallowed.
She looked completely professional, nothing like the woman I saw before, hair loose, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and slippers.
I sat in the chair across from her desk. She took her seat in the swivel chair.
I couldn't help but stare.
She looked even more beautiful like this, and I couldn't deny it anymore. Maybe I'd been pretending not to notice. Her eyes were sharp, almost intimidating, and her lips matched the color of her slacks.
"May I have your résumé?"
I straightened up and handed her the envelope. She opened it and read.
"We need a laundry attendant, and it's fortunate that I saw you yesterday, and that you were looking for work as well. I'm sorry I didn't explain yesterday why I asked you to come here."
"It's alright. If that's the case, may I apply? I don't have a college degree, but I'll do my best to learn."
"I'm not looking for someone with a college degree. Experience is what matters. That's why I asked you those questions yesterday."
I nodded, hope stirring in my chest.
"I called you here because I want to hire you as a laundry attendant."
I couldn't help but smile. She noticed it for a moment before looking away quickly.
She cleared her throat and took something from her drawer, placing it in front of me.
"Read everything carefully before signing." She set down a pen as well.
I took the papers and read them. A contract, listing all the terms and conditions, rules and agreements, and most importantly, my salary.
It wasn't bad at all. Much better than construction work. I picked up the pen and signed.
I noticed she smiled when I did. Maybe she was glad to have a new worker.
After signing, I handed the contract and pen back to her.
"Before you start, you'll go through orientation. Delfin, the elderly head of the laundry department, will handle it. He'll go over all the do's and don'ts here at the hotel."
"Thank you so much." I even bowed, this was a huge help to me.
When I looked up, she had extended her hand toward me.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Aurelia Jane Cosido, the owner."
"Elias." I said as I took her hand.