ROSE AMONG THE THORNS

"I will be leaving for Manila, Our expansion and export business must be secured. I want you all to submit an exception report before I will leave." Tony told his staff.

The Goldenfruit Company is growing and the staff is also growing, but in the office, only Rose Zabala is the lady as of now. She only reports occasionally after class but without her approval, no products can move, she is the head of the inventory and auditing department. Every single paper clip, tomato, and Kilo of rice is in her inventory. Any discrepancy will alarm her. She is strict on quantity and quality and she has saved the company from product deterioration and spoilage. She advises the marketing of what to sell, priority to sell, and discounted prices before spoilage. The warehouse is always updated and no overstaying on the chiller, freezer, and fresh products.

She is graduating cum laude of business administration and she is a prospective manager of any branch of the Goldenfruit Company.

She is the best friend of Jacky and Juan, and they eat together when Jacky visits General Santos City.

Many men in the company want to date her, but she has never given interest. In high school, she wants to be a rival of Jacky with Juan's love. But this changed when she confirmed that Juan and Jacky are in love with each other.

Rose has been a different person, she was influenced by Jacky in her personal life. She was a prayerful, and faithful friend. She changed from a negativity prone individual to a cheerful but stringent in her decisions. She is now a loyal friend, employee, and has a dream to help students like her who had difficulty financially to go to school.

She suggested that someday, They will make a scholarship program that will help students with parents who died of Alzheimer's and cancer, which the reason she became an orphan early. Jacky was happy to hear the plan and Juan said we will support that plan.

Rose researched students who have parents who are victims of cancer or Alzheimer's. She studies their survival, who are helping them. If ever she observed that a student has to stop in the middle of her semester or school year, she will research and make interviews to find out what will fit to help the student.

Rose heard a graduating student like her and this young man is a BS in Accounting Information System (BSAIS). His father died of cancer and her mother has Alzheimer's. He is studying in STI Gensan and he is now at the end of his financial rope. Only months to finish his studies, his father died. He heard about the story because he is a neighbor of an employee of Goldenfruits Inc.

His neighbor, the co-worker of Rose actually made a box for donations to help the family for the burial. They are four siblings and all are boys. Only the eldest is studying in college, with the help of the pension of his father but most of it goes to medicine and hospital expenses for his father and mother. He still managed with some help from his father's friends and he works part-time in the fast-food chain. The expenses for the burial will now make him stop.

Tony put in the box P5,000.00, Rose knows that money will just be spent and it ends there.

He asked to talk to Tony.

"What is your concern, Rose?" Tony asked as they sit on the office sofa fronting each other.

"I can feel what this family is experiencing now. I was once in that predicament. My father died of cancer my Mom of Alzheimer's. I have to work at my Aunt's house to graduate in high school, I was once helped by Juan and Jacky. I almost stopped in college, but Jacky had helped me to enroll and gave me the work here. I appreciate all of the bountiful blessings that I received here in Goldenfruits Inc. I want to help this family as gratitude that I was also helped before. Like the pay it forward. But I'm limited. Can I ask for your advice?" Rose explaining but a tear fell in her eyes.

Tony was touched by the story. He stands and turns his back, he was happy that Rose now has a heart for others, he also likes to cry to remember their situation during the storms that almost killed their hope to survive. And send his wife to abroad and how they lost her because of Alzheimer's.

Tony called Ely.

"Ely, I called you up to consult you about this concern. Rose our employee wants to help a student that will stop because his father died of cancer and her mother has Alzheimer's. He is graduating in the BS in Accounting Information System (BSAIS) in STI. She consulted me. What do you think we should do?" Tony explained.

"I'll call you later." Ely hangs the phone.

Let's call the STI. Do you know the name of the person, Rose?

"No, I'll call Edwin, because he is the neighbor," Rose replied.

Intercom chime as Rose dialed the Production line.

"Hello, can I talk to Edwin?" Rose calling.

"Speaking Ma'am Rose," Edwin replied.

" Who is the name of your neighbor that his father died? The student from STI?"

Rose inquired.

" It is Robert Del Fierro Ma'am," Edwin said.

"OK, thanks" Rose hang the intercom.

"Robert Del Fierro, Sir." Rose relaying to Tony.

Tony dialed.

" Hello, is this STI, Do you have a student named Robert Del Fierro? Tony asked.

"Yes, we have." STI staff.

"Can I know how much is his payable this semester?" Tony asked.

"I will transfer you to the accounting department, Sir. Please wait a second."STI staff, a chime sounds.

" Hello" STI accounting

"I want to know how much is the payable of Mr. Robert Del Fierro this semester?" Tony Asked.

" He is to pay ₱10,000 Sir." STI accounting.

"OK, thank you. Tony hang.

Ely calling Tony.

" Hello Ely, what is your advice?" Tony asked.

"OK let Rose interview the person. Then if it passes her and she sees deserving, then interview the person if what work he may qualify being a graduating of accountancy. Then let's decide after." Ely said.

Tony relayed the advice to Rose.

Rose happily informed Edwin to inform Mr. Robert Del Fierro of a work opportunity if he can pass the interview.

The interview was set at 10:00 AM. tomorrow.

The interview.

Rose has no idea what would be the interview. He requested the HR head to have the interview and she will just listen at the back.

Tell me about yourself. ...

How would you describe yourself? ...

What makes you unique? ...

Why do you want to work here? ...

What interests you about this role? ...

What motivates you? ...

What are you passionate about? ...