Opportunity

The only attention Fil had in the past several years was when someone needed her help. Hence, this level of attention she was getting from the office was almost uncomfortable. Even while working, she could feel a pair of eyes or two looking in her direction. 

'Not my problem. It's not something I should fix,' Fil told herself for the umpteenth time, holding herself back from doing anything other than putting back Elise to her track. 

"Alright!" Fil pushed herself away from the desk. 

Elise flinched, watching Fil face her. "I'm not looking," she defended immediately. "I swear! I was just peeking."

"Heh. I'm going to the boss's office," Fil chuckled as she rose from her seat. "Send me the report about the last week's design. I'll skim through it before we send it to the boss."

"Yes…" Elise watched Fil saunter to the boss's office, sighing. "She's not even showing too much skin, but I can't take my eyes off of her. Just what did she do?"

That question was also in everybody's mind after seeing Fil. 

Everyone in the department had worked with Fil longer than Elise. And what they could ascertain was that Fil was very conservative. Even during company events, she would wear long dresses that would hide any features Fil had. 

But now, it was different. 

"She's not even trying to stop the rest, even when she's bothered by it," Elise murmured, looking around the office.

Seeing that some of their colleagues kept their eyes on the boss's office while others gossiped with each other, a smile turned up on her face. 

'That's my senior for you!' she giggled, a little proud of her boss. 'She should've listened to me a long time ago. I wonder… wait. Did she break up with her fiance? Is this the reason she dolled up? Most women do this after a breakup.'

Elise blinked, setting her attention back to the supervisor's office. "I wonder what happened."

*******

"Is everything alright?" the head of the department snapped her eyes up when Fil stepped into her office. "I told you to come one hour after you settled in. Isn't the attention bothering you?"

Fil sighed as she sat down on the couch in the office. "I can't say I'm not bothered."

"Haha."

"Everyone is acting as if I'm a different person." Fil turned her head to her boss, frowning. "Am I that ugly just two days ago?"

"Who said you were?" the chief chuckled while picking up a document in the drawer. "Filo, when changes happen, people will tend to pay more attention to it. Even I was surprised when I saw you and I would be lying to say I am not wondering what happened."

"Then why are you not asking me?"

The chief straightened her back as she got the document, smiling. She only answered when she rose from her seat and sauntered around the desk to sit on the armchair near Fil. 

"Because it's not my place," said the chief with a smile. "You can wear clothes to cover almost everything on your body or show as much skin as you want. As long as it's within our dress code, I won't question it."

"Has anyone told you you're the best boss, Olivia?"

"How I wish I wasn't, because all of you just take advantage of it." Olivia, the head of their department, tossed the document on the coffee table between them. "Anyway, back to business. Here's the request we got this morning."

Fil automatically reached for the document, checking its contents. Her brows rose as soon as she saw the first lettering on top of the first page. 

"The Solana International Hotel and Resorts want to partner with us," Olivia announced, raising her brows briefly. "Because of the redevelopment in Cobalt Heights, they want to build a few hotels, resorts, and malls in the area. Not just that. Read more."

Olivia jerked her chin to the documents in Fil's hands. The latter, curious, skim through the documents.

"They want to build a highrise luxury condominium?" Fil asked, snapping her eyes back to her boss. "And you're letting me see it because…"

"Because you have to work on it."

"Me?"

"I don't know what problems Solana had with their previous engineering firm, but this is a good chance for the firm." Olivia smiled. "For us too."

"Chief…" Fil laughed awkwardly. "This project is big, and shouldn't you be the one leading it?"

"Traditionally, yes. But I can't just put everything on hold for this one."

"That's impossible." Fil shook her head, a lot more confident to get an answer from her boss. Talking to Olivia was the only time Fil felt confident voicing her thoughts, even in the past. "You can always pass the current projects to the team. The higher-ups would surely want the head to handle this big project."

Olivia smiled subtly. "This is why I said my team just takes advantage of my kindness. You accept requests from everyone else without questions asked, but you won't take mine?"

"This is not a simple request."

"Can you do it?"

"I can but —"

"Filomena," called Olivia solemnly. "All I'm saying is I'm not the one who will lead the project, but I'll still be on the team to supervise."

Fil furrowed her brows, frowning. This was ridiculous. Even if Olivia didn't want to take on the project, the higher-ups would pressure her. After all, in a project such as this, the company would want only the best to work on it. With that being said, Olivia was the best in the company, especially in this area. Therefore, it was only natural for Olivia to lead the project, not Fil. 

"I gave a lot of thought about it, Fil," Olivia reassured. "And I trust you with this project. The higher-ups approved of my proposal. Your portfolio is enough."

Fil pressed her lips into a thin line, not looking away from Olivia. When she gazed down at the contract and plan, a deep exhale slipped past her lips. Although she already handled many big projects in the past, this one would be the biggest one among everything. It was a big opportunity for Fil to prove herself in the industry and make her name out there.

"Thanks." She looked up and locked eyes with Olivia, smiling. "Olivia… thank you."

Olivia smiled, chuckling. "You just skimmed through it. If you read closely, it'll get better. Just give me a building." She winked, making Fil read the documents thoroughly.

What Olivia said was true. 

This contract was like a dream to most of them. 

"We can… do whatever we want?" Fil blurted out, and Olivia nodded. 

"The owner of Solana wants a more artistic touch from its engineers and architects. You've always wanted to do one, didn't you?" 

Fil's eyes softened as her heart warmed up. Two days ago, she believed she didn't have good people around her. And it relieved her that it wasn't entirely the case. There were a few good people around her, and one of them was Olivia and a few of her workmates. 

"Thank you."

"Not yet." Olivia watched Fil raise her brows curiously. "You have to pick who will be on the project. I'll hand you a list of recommendations, especially in the architectural department. Don't thank me yet because this job will cost you your time. A lot of time."

Fil grinned. "Time is the only one I have right now. Don't worry."