II.I The Morning After

"Ughhhhhhhh....."

Eremes groaned as he tried in vain to reach for his phone. It's far too early for him to get up. He half-heartedly tried to reach out to his nightstand, still visibly groggy from the events of last night. Or was it just that morning? He chuckled to himself. After one more stretch of his arm, he finally felt the incessant buzzing of his phone.

The head of maintenance stared at the screen with annoyance. Who could be calling him that early in the morning anyway? 'Bossma- 

"Oh shit!"

The repairman suddenly sat bolt upright on his bed as he hurriedly forced the traces of tiredness away from his voice. The Bossman only called him on the phone for two reasons; either he was in trouble or the Boss wanted something done urgently. Usually, he only left a voice mail or a job order in his office. He mentally steeled himself as he slid the 'answer call' prompt on his phone, just in case it was the former.

"Good morning Mr. Basco. How may I help you?" He asked with a nervous rigidity in his tone.

"Well sir, uhm-"

He can hear the amusement from his boss's voice. At least he's not in trouble. 

"Y-yes, sir! It was all systems green when I left it this morning." He felt himself nodding along with the conversation. 

That was a stone-faced lie. "Hehe, it would seem so sir." He knew the boss only wanted to watch his show on the internet.

Eremes subconsciously straightened his back as he now stood up as if in attention, it was best that he listened now.

Eremes felt the hairs on his neck stand ramrod straight. Job order?

Chandelier? He didn't-

Uh oh...

He totally forgot!!!

It didn't take a lot for him to hear his Bossman's emphasis on the word 'not'.

Shit shit shit!

The Head of Maintenance started pacing back and forth in his room. His state of undress not hindering him in the slightest.

What can he say!? He can't just say that he forgot, that would just make him kiss his job goodbye. Getting demoted would be better, but then he'd have to go apartment hunting-

"Uh-"

Shit, that's not gonna work! He can't just tell him that the secretary lost the job order, he'd fire her! Think! The receipt was lost?- No... that's eve-

"I-I uh-"

It was fun while it lasted.

"I apologize Mr. Basco. I was.. preoccupied." Preoccupied with slacking off.

He can feel the resignation in his voice. Is this it? Is he getting demoted?

Nooooooo-

ooooooo- wait.. Did he hear that correctly?

"I-I'm sorry, can you repeat that sir?"

Hope blossomed in his chest.

Woah..

The auditorium on the 31st floor.

He started calculating the time, cost, and manpower required for the endeavor. It would take at least 2 weeks to get the room ready.

"What?" That can't be right.

"You heard me right the first time, Mr. Patillo." He found himself holding back a swallow as the boss all but ordered him like a slave. "The A3 is being held from the 19th to the 23rd this October. This is the largest auction event in the city with guests coming from all over the world. And I refuse to be the laughing stock of this city come that time."

"But sir, It's already the 6th! We can't possibly do a complete makeover before next Monday. We'd need 2 weeks at least." He pleaded with a respecting tone.

"May I remind you, that I am currently overlooking your previous lapse in favor of keeping you in your job. Or do you wish to make me change my mind?" That was not a threat. He could already tell that was a promise.

"I-I'm sorry sir. I'll do what I can."

He felt himself swallow in apprehension. 

"I'll do it.. Mr. Basco."

"Excellent!" Eremes breathed a sigh of relief as the Boss switched back to a more jovial tune. "The job order will reach your desk in about an hour. I expect nothing short of a good job." And with that, the call ended.

Eremes let his right-hand fall as all tension drained out of his body. His mind already whirring as he assessed the enormity of the task he's left with. He let out a deep sigh of resignation. Better get to it he guessed. There was a lot of work to be done. Starting with breakfast.

"But first..."

He needs to get dressed. Can't go out in just boxers after all.

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