II.I The Morning After
[Word] denotes Words in Bold/Louder Emphasis/Loud Noises
*Word* denotes Onomatopoeia/Sound Effects
/Word/ denotes Words in Italic/Inner Voices/Thoughts/Soft Noises/Softer Emphasis
* before the word or sentence denotes an Author's Note at the end of the Chapter
Time moves forward...
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[*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzt*]
"Ughhhhhhhh....."
Eremes groaned as he tried in vain to reach for his phone. It's far too early for him to get up. He half-heartedly tried to reach out to his night stand, still visibly groggy from the events of last night. Or was it just that morning? He chuckled to himself. After one more stretch of his arm, he finally felt the incessant buzzing of his phone.
[*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzt*]
The head of maintenance stared at the screen with annoyance. Who could be calling him that early in the morning anyway? 'Bossma-
"Oh shit!"
The repairman suddenly sat bolt upright on his bed as he hurriedly forced the traces of tiredness away from his voice. The Bossman only called him on the phone for two reasons; either he was in trouble or the Boss wanted something done urgently. Usually, he only left a voice mail or a job order in his office. He mentally steeled himself as he slid the 'answer call' prompt on his phone, just in case it was the former.
"Good morning Mr. Basco. How may I help you?" He asked with a nervous rigidity in his tone.
/"Good morning Patillo, I expect that you're still in bed no?"/
"Well sir, uhm-"
/"Haha! No need to worry Mr. Patillo. I was the one that sent you up the roof last night, I'd understand if you're still tired."/
He can hear the amusement from his boss' voice. At least he's not in trouble.
/"Anyhow, I understand that you fixed the cell tower no problem?"/
"Y-yes sir! It was all systems green when I left it this morning." He felt himself nodding along the conversation.
/"Good. The tenants won't be hounding me on my rounds this morning then"/
That was a stone faced lie. "Hehe, it would seem so sir." He knew the boss only wanted to watch his show on the internet.
/"On to business then.."/
Eremes subconsciously straightened his back as he now stood up as if in attention, it was best that he listen now.
/"As you may recall, I left a job order for the installation of a replacement chandelier in the cafe lounge last month.."/
Eremes felt the hairs on his neck stand ramrod straight. Job order?
/"I expected that the chandelier would be installed some time now this week.."/
Chandelier? He didn't-
/"But during my audit of purchases and maintenance funds, I didn't see a sign of any purchase made during the last week and the week before..."/
Uh oh...
/"Would you care to explain why this is the case Mr. Patillo?"/
He totally forgot!!!
/"And may I remind you that while you are now the current Head of Maintenance, you are [not] exempted from any adequate form of punishment as I see fit."/
It didn't take a lot for him to hear his Bossman's emphasis on the word 'not'.
Shit shit shit!
The Head of Maintenance started pacing back and forth in his room. His state of undress not hindering him in the slightest.
What can he say!? He can't just say that he forgot, that would just make him kiss his job goodbye. Getting demoted would be better, but then he'd have to go apartment hunting-
"Uh-"
Shit that's not gonna work! He can't just tell him that the secretary lost the job order, he'd fire her! Think! The reciept was lost?- No... that's eve-
/"Judging from your silence I'd guess that you forgot about the job order in the first place."/
"I-I uh-"
/"And based from your past performances, I find that guess believable."/
It was fun while it lasted.
"I apologize Mr. Basco. I was.. preoccupied." Preoccupied with slacking off.
/"I thought as much."/
He can feel the resignation in his voice. Is this it? Is he getting demoted?
/"Which is why I'm cancelling that job-"/
Nooooooo-
/"-order and issuing a new one."/
ooooooo- wait.. Did he hear that correctly?
"I-I'm sorry, can you repeat that sir?"
/"The previous job order? I'm cancelling, in favor of a new one."/
Hope blossomed in his chest.
/"The Green Star Hotel has been chosen to host the Annual Autumn Auction this year."/
Woah..
/"Since the funds have been untouched, I want you to allocate them into the refurbishing of the main auditorium."/
The auditorium on the 31st floor.
/"I want a temporary vault room installed, the curtains washed, the floors polished, all the works."/
He started calculating the time, cost and manpower required for the endeavour. It would take at least 2 weeks to get the room ready.
/"And I want it done in a week."/
"What?" That can't be right.
/"You heard me right the first time [Mr. Patillo.]"/ He found himself holding back a swallow as the boss all but ordered him like a slave. /"The A3 is being held from the 19th to the 23rd this October. This is the largest auction event in the city with guests coming from all over the world. And I [refuse] to be the laughing stock of this city come that time."/
"But sir, It's already the 6th! We can't possibly do a complete make over before next Monday. We'd need 2 weeks at least." He pleaded with a respecting tone.
/"May I [remind] you, that I am currently overlooking your previous lapse in favor of keeping you in your job. [Or do you wish to make me change my mind?]"/ That was not a threat. He could already tell that was a promise.
"I-I'm sorry sir. I'll do what I can."
[/"You'll do it, period."/]
He felt himself swallow in apprehension.
"I'll do it.. Mr. Basco."
/"Excellent!"/ Eremes breathed a sigh of relief as the Boss switched back to a more jovial tune. /"The job order will reach your desk in about an hour. I expect nothing short of a good job."/ And with that, the call ended.
Eremes let his right hand fall as all tension drained out of his body. His mind already whirring as he assessed the enormity of the task he's left with. He let out a deep sigh of resignation. Better get to it he guessed. There was a lot of work to be done. Starting with breakfast.
"But first..."
He needs to get dressed. Can't go out in just boxers after all.
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