Chapter 5 You Are A Candidate

"Why are you only telling me now?" cursed Tristan annoyed. "So that's why you left so early the other night, while we were working late after I left the hospital?"

John scratched his head which didn't itch at all. He had been bothered for the past few days and when he saw how haggard Tristan's face was after he returned from the personnel chief's office, he couldn't help himself and after lunchtime he pulled Tristan up to the roof of the office building.

There is a garden that was purposely made on the roof, complete with iron benches, flower beds of various colors and types, fountains and fish ponds.

Some of the staff will take advantage of the beautiful artificial garden atmosphere to relieve boredom, hold small meetings, or just chat with friends.

"I'm still wondering, Tristan. I think she overheard what we said in the elevator and maybe sympathized. However, nothing happened to you in the three days after Mrs. Jan called and questioned me about you, so I guess she just curious. However, just before lunch, I heard Nanee and her friend mention your name. It said the our director and the personnel director both asked about your data."

"Oh my God, John, am I going to get fired? Mr. Tan called me because I was late for the past few days and he questioned it. However, after I explained the situation, he was able to understand and tolerated me for half an hour every day until my father was discharged from the hospital," said Tristan in a confused tone.

"Calm down, calm down, I'm sure it won't get that bad bro. I just find it odd why Mrs. Jan would be interested in you? Anyway, taking into account what you said earlier, she's probably talking about you to Mr. Dave and Mr. Gary, so they finally want to know more about you," explained John at length, trying to convince his best friend, even though he himself was still confused.

Tristan took a pack of cigarettes from his trouser pocket and lit one before offering John one.

"Oi? Are you smoking now?" asked John in surprise as he lit a fire for himself.

"I just need an escape from my exhaustion" Tristan answered nonchalantly.

"How is your father, Tristan? Has there been an agreement on how to treat him?"

"He will undergo a series of long treatment processes. But one thing is most important, he must be operated on immediately," Tristan replied wearily. "Doctor Nodt will form a reliable team of doctors to handle the surgery and therapy."

"You...need a lot of money?" asked John cautiously.

Tristan nodded slowly. "I've put my house up for sale, but it seems like it will take too long to wait for it to sell. My father is in the late stage two and with his weak condition, he is becoming more and more vulnerable."

John patted Tristan's back in concern. "I have a little savings, you can use it to supplement medical expenses," said John.

Tristan looked at John with a frown. "What? No! Are you crazy? How can I use your money? I know what you want with your savings."

John shook his head. "No. No. I'm still healthy and working, I can save again. You need it more now."

Tristan took a deep breath. "I'm trying to find additional work, but under the current conditions, I'm already running late to the office because I have to stop by the hospital every morning and evening. Paying a nurse for twenty hours is very expensive."

"Actually I feel bad for you too because my cousin couldn't let you work at the bar he opened. They need full time barista."

"It's okay John, I get it. I'm having a hard time juggling it too."

Tristan and John were silent, enjoying the smoke from their cigarettes.

"Sounds like your joke about the sugar mommy could be considered in this situation," John said suddenly. He chuckled at his own words and put out his cigarette.

Tristan looked at John with unreadable eyes and suddenly he grabbed John's hand with a pale face. "John! Could it be that ... Mrs. Jan was offended by what I said?" whispered Tristan with a choked voice in his throat.

"Ha? What did you say?" asked John confused. "What the hell... oh my gosh!"

Tristan lowered his head and took a deep breath. "That must be why Mrs. Jan was wondering about me. She must be angry and find me rude and put her down. The director of finance and the director of personnel are both her children, so they must be as offended as her mother."

John stood up and paced restlessly. He didn't expect that Tristan's situation would turn out like this.

"Tristan, why don't you go to Mrs. Jan and explain the situation? Say that what you said about the sugar mommy was not meant to offend her at all and that it was because of the difficult situation you are in. I think she will understand," John suggested, snapping his fingers.

Tristan thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I can't, John. What if that's not the case? I could be embarrassed and expose my own stupidity."

"Aarrrgghhh, this is so confusing!" cried John frustrated. "Even though you haven't been transferred here a month yet."

Tristan sighed wearily. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. "Come on down. It's almost time for recess to end. I've already been reprimanded for coming in late, don't get reprimanded again for extending recess arbitrarily."

Tristan was getting water from the pantry, after he finished copying documents from the marketing division, when he heard two of his friends enter the pantry while saying his name.

They looked surprised when they saw Tristan, but Arthie immediately grabbed Tristan's hand and led him to sit at a round table in the middle of the pantry.

"Tristan, have you heard about your transfer?" asked Arthie enthusiastically.

Tristan's eyebrows rose. He pointed at himself. "Me? Transferred? Again?"

Lee slapped Arthie's arm hard. "It's not necessarily Tristan who will be transferred, you idiot. He was only included as a candidate."

Arthie smiled shyly. "Yes. The personnel director plans to add staff formation for all existing directors, namely a personal assistant, but they will not open new vacancies out, but will take from existing staff through closed selection," explained Arthie.

"Where did you guys hear it was me?" asked Tristan with apprehension. "Who are the other candidates?"

"Neena told me. She got a leak from one of the personnel staff," Lee replied. "Candidates from finance, you, Beny, and Lucas. However, Neena is sure, you will be selected, because Mr. Dave has asked for your data before."

Tristan was about to say something when suddenly John entered the pantry with a tense face. "Tristan! You were called to see Mr. Dave!"

Tristan's face turned pale as paper.

***