Chapter 2 To learn the rules

PABLO

"Mr Pablo, I'd like to know where you live currently." The blonde lady, who I met in the office when I stepped in for the interview asked. I racked my brain for what I was going to say to her which made me scrunch my eyebrows. "Oh, it's necessary for the position you're about to occupy just in case of climate-related obstacles." She explained and I nodded in understanding.

"So, the closer you live to the company, the wider your chances of getting the job." She told me and I pondered on her words.

"I live just a few blocks away," I lied but why won't I? I've been dependent on Miguel for far too long and even if he doesn't complain, I'm bothered for my own good.

"Oh, that's fine." She said and made a tick on a sheet of paper she was holding.

"What do you think we should know about you apart from being a chef?" She asked.

How sure am I that what I was going to say is what she wants to hear? Alex's face crossed my mind that instant and I breathed deeply.

"I'm an only child and I grew up in a beautiful family filled with people related to me by anything but blood. I've been their cook since my days in high school. I started out by helping my friend's mom, who I also call Mum, in the kitchen and also proceeded to create an Instagram account where I post most of my cooking." I said in a confident voice but she just took off her glasses and placed them on the table before folding her hands in front of her.

I was expecting rage and some hurtful words from her or demeaning questions so I braced myself for whatever she was going to say to me.

"Have you heard of something called social life?" She asked but I remained quiet because it seems she wasn't done talking, "I want to know something you do for fun if you're married, kids, just something off your resume." She explained, sliding her hand in the air with every word she said.

"I was married, I guess that makes me a divorcee and I have two beautiful children from that marriage," I informed her but those words opened wounds that I thought had healed already; however, I think I did beautifully well in hiding it and manning up.

"I see." She said and opened a folder which was lying in front of her on the desk while I watched her, patiently waiting for her to speak, "I'm going to read the rules and regulations to you now, seeing that you, my friend, have gotten yourself a job." She announced but I looked at her confused.

"I... I got the job." I asked as my voice dripped with excitement and surprise as well.

"Yes, isn't that what you expected?" She asked while looking at me like I was being stupid and I just looked away, "Here are the rules," she began and I listened, "Every employee is expected to be at work by 8 am you can't be any later than five minutes." She read and I nodded, "No noise on the premises, you must be at your duty post on time, on the 29th of April, the CEO's office is out of bounds for every employee except me of course." She said with a light blush on her face, "No birthday celebrations of any kind during work hours."

"Wait, you mean you're not the boss?" I asked and she shook her head.

"I'm not," she sighed, "If I was, trust me you wouldn't get this job." She heaved and rolled her eyes before blowing air out through her mouth.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She brought her face back up, "My boss is a little misunderstood but she's a nice person. She just wants the best for her company and so far, I feel you could do it but the truth is, I'm tired of sending people out on her behalf." She stated, "You're very lucky, she left just before you came in."

"Ohh," I whispered, nodding lightly.

"To the rules," she said in a higher tone she was using for the first time, "No gathering of any sort, no loitering, and on the 29th of April th-"

"The CEO's office is out of bounds." I said in a sing-song and she smiled, "but don't these rules -some of them- seem too hard like I'm joining a fraternity, no birthdays? Who the hell is your boss?" I asked her and she bit her lower lip.

"Shh, I was just joking," she breathed, "You should watch your language, Mister." She whispered and looked around in suspicion before bringing her eyes back to me, "The walls are listeners that's why they are quiet," she hushed, placing her index finger on her lip.

"Has anyone ever broken these rules, especially that of her office?" I asked in a voice that showed that I was being very serious.

She looked around the office, tilting her head at every turn before bringing it back to me but for all I could see and know, we were alone in this office.

"Only two staff and they didn't live to tell the story," she whispered, raising her hand beside her mouth.

"What! She killed them," I shrieked in sheer horror and she wore an emotionless face for a split second before bursting out in a peal of wild laughter.

"Geez, No, No, I was only joking with you," she informed me after her laughter had subsided and I shot a very hard glare at her.

"Seems you joke with your job as well. You joke too much." I groaned and she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she shrugged, "The real news is those who went into her office lost their jobs and they said something about her eyes being red and fangs hanging out but I haven't met her that way," She informed me and looked away with her eyes narrowed in deep thoughts.

I also wondered what she meant but since she said that they said 'something like,' it was only but a rumour and who knows? She might be joking with this as well. Pathetic!

" I think it's because she's always the one who sends for me on those days." She replied herself before

"However," she began and I listened, I was too tired for all her jumbles, "the pay here is great. We are given free medical checkups and treatment too, courtesy of our boss and she doesn't withhold or delay salary." She explained, "So, I like it here and so do my colleagues. She isn't always so cold, she's just Uhm... What's the word?" She asked, wiggling her index finger in a circular motion.

"Misunderstood? Yeah, you've said that before. Just keep faking to be the ideal employee that you're not." I said but mumbled the last part and thankfully she didn't catch what I said.

"You just made a perfect description of a vampire, if you don't know and that's not a good description of a boss by a personal assistant," I said before taking my file from the desk.

"When do I resume?" I asked, visibly exhausted from all the questions and waiting.

"Tomorrow's perfect." She smiled but not at me, as she still had her eyes buried in the rules she had just read and I immediately grabbed my bag from the chair beside me and walked towards the exit door.

I couldn't wait to go home and tell Miguel everything from scratch, especially how dark the rules are. I just hope I remember them. I have no problem staying off the CEO'S office because why would I even want to see her? Her rules are scary enough to keep me out of her sight.

Anyways, there's a reason why rules are made and so often, they are broken