Chapter 2 Unexpected Prize

Allison woke up early from her deep sleep that morning. She has to get ready to go to work. Even though she feels her head hurts because of the hangover, Allison ignores it because she knows she will be late.

'You can do this, Allison. You can't be a foul shot by your boss because you have to get this month's Employee of the Month. I have found out that there is a prize to be won by the one who wins the title.'

Allison gets motivated, thinking that the prize obtained is an increase in her salary or maybe her promotion at work. Even though they broke up, she must show her ex-boyfriend she is better now. She grabbed the picture frame on her side table containing her picture with her ex-boyfriend together.

"Huh! You may be thinking that I will be miserable after our break up. That's not going to happen! Just wait, Troy, you'll regret leaving me," she said angrily and violently threw the picture frame into the trash bin. After that, she stood up and went straight to the bathroom to shower.

Allison's ex-boyfriend is a boss in a big company. She didn't know what his position exactly was because the man didn't like to talk about it. She feels her ex-boyfriend is ashamed to brag about his high work in a well-known company because he doesn't want her to feel she is just a consultant.

Her last news about Troy was that he had been promoted at work, and his position in the company he was working for had increased, so she thought that might be the reason why the man broke up with her.

Allison quickly hailed a cab.

"Take me to the Liberty Agency," she told the driver.

She is just wearing a white long sleeve, black skirt, and a black ribbon around the collar neck, matching a pair of black heels. It's Monday, that's why she's wearing that. Even though the small agency she works for doesn't have a proper uniform, she still chooses the right clothes. That was also why she was included in the Employee of the Month selection list.

After Allison got into the cab, she took out her face powder, cheek tint, and lip tint that she would use to make herself more presentable at work.

Because she knows she will be late, she always does her make-up in the cab. She used to do that thing so that she could get a few more minutes to sleep.

After some minutes, she arrived at the Liberty Agency.

"Good morning, guard," she greeted the security guard and finally entered the building.

Allison went straight to the elevator and waited for it to open.

While waiting, one of her seniors appeared at her side and greeted her.

"Good morning, Allison."

'Tsk. He's here again!' She secretly rolled her eyes at him. 'His day can't be complete if he doesn't talk to me. My god! He's getting on my nerves! And because he's my senior, I must be respectful even though I'm not on his team.'

"Good morning," she greeted back.

"I heard that you reached your quota yesterday," Jake said while smiling from ear to ear.

'Heard? Is he still using that alibi? For sure, he was stalking me because I know he liked me for so long now.'

"Ahh. Yes."

Just in time, the elevator door opened, so Allison got on it. To be obvious, of course, she was with him, and unfortunately, they were the only two inside.

"I'm just now congratulating you. If you want, I can treat you outside later," Jake said, turning to face Allison a little while smiling. "Let's eat in a fancy restaurant that, for sure, you can't afford to eat. It's my treat, so don't worry."

'Hooh! Be patient, Allison; you don't need to be nice to him once you get promoted. The price you can get can may be a promotion; you will become a Senior like him. So just wait.'

"Ah. No thanks. I'm really busy, you know," Allison answered and smiled slightly.

"Oh, come on, Allison. Are you still turning me down? I heard that you're single now."

'God! How can he know that too? He's definitely my stalker! Well, he's handsome. But Jake is not my type. Except for being too high on himself, he's also five years older than me. I'm not into older guys.'

"Yes. I'm single, but it doesn't mean I'm ready to mingle."

"Just one date, Allison. You'll surely be going to like me after that-" He couldn't finish what he would say when the elevator door opened.

"Oh, the door is open. Bye, senior." Allison smiled when she got out. They were not on the same floor, so she knew he couldn't follow her.

Fortunately, the door opened just in time. Jake will surely force me to have a date with him. Jake is always like that, even though he knows I have been in a relationship.

'Shit! I remember Troy again! When will I forget him!? It isn't enjoyable. All of a sudden, he came to my mind, and last night, I even Allisoned about him. Great! Just great! How can I move on like that?!'

Her blood immediately boils when Allison remembers how Troy broke up with her. It was so sudden that it didn't come to her mind.

FAST FORWARD

Allison can't help being nervous from where she stands as she sees her boss with her senior, Ms. Janda. They are about to announce who will be the Employee of The Month this month, and she can feel her heart pounding.

'This is it, Allison. The long wait is over. I waited for this for almost a week, and now that it's close, I can't explain how I must feel. Before, I was still confident that I would be the EOTM; now, I am not. Because I heard that my co-worker, Bella, has also caught up with her quota, so I'm a bit lopsided.

"I got the result from your senior, Ms. Janda, this morning. I know you are all waiting for it, so that I won't delay the announcement," their boss, Ms. Liberty, announced.

Ms. Liberty smiled as she slowly opened the small envelope.

'Oh, God! I am nervous!'

"Congratulations..." Their boss even teases them by hanging her words. "Congratulations on being the employee of the month... Ms. Allison Gregorio," she continued.

Oh my God! Allison immediately lifted her head because of that.

"Congratulations, Allison." Her co-worker, Sam, greeted her first because she was just behind her.

She can't explain her joys even though she is always the EOTM. But it's more fun now because she can win a prize.

"Congratulations Ms. Gregorio," her senior, Ms. Janda, greeted her while smiling from ear to ear. "You seem motivated. Are you planning to get married soon? That's why you are working so hard?"

Married? Damn it! My heart aches again hearing that word.

"Ah. N-no, Ms. Janda," she replied weakly.

"That's good to hear. I don't want to lose a good and motivated employee like you just yet."

"Congratulations Ms. Gregorio!" Ms. Liberty greeted her too.

"Thank you, Ms. Librety," she replied politely.

"Can we talk in my office? So that we can discuss your prize." Ms. Liberty said while still smiling, and Allison just nodded in agreement.

"Go on, Allison. Get your prize. You deserve it!" Ms. Janda cheered her up once more.

"Thank you, Ms. Janda." She started to walk to go in her boss' office.

Allison couldn't hide her wide smile while standing before her boss's office. She even breathed heavily before she entered.

"Congratulations again, Ms. Gregorio." Ms. Liberty stood up and shook her hand.

"Thank you, Ms. Liberty."

"You deserve it; your ranking is high on Janda's list. And that's very impressive. Sit down." She even guides her to sit down in front of the table. "I'm sure you'll be happy with the prize you'll receive. Here." She handed Allison a small but long brown envelope and accepted it without a word.

What is this? Additional salary? Or is it a pin with 'SENIOR' engraved because I've been promoted? Huhuhu. I'm nervous about opening it.

Allison gulped so badly while slowly opening the envelope. A white paper welcomed her sight.

What is this? A ticket?

Allison looks surprised at Ms. Liberty because this is not what she expected to receive. But even so, she didn't show disappointment on her face.

Ms. Liberty smiled at her. "You got a super ferry ticket from 2Go Travel because you will have a one-week vacation in Coron Palawan. With a standard room and your meals are free. Add to that; you also have 20,000 pesos of pocket money. What do you think? Are you excited?"

Allison still couldn't react much. She is still determining if she should be happy with her prize. She would instead get a salary increase or be promoted than go on vacation.