The beginning

“Hey, you’re coming with me to Neilsen Foods after this. They’re having an internal launch for their new coffee creamer.” 

My boss’s words snap me back to reality after day dreaming for about five minutes on what to eat after our meeting.

I grab my phone from my bag and start to text.

Me: “John, are you in Neilsen right now? I’m headed there. Lunch?”. 

John: “Sure, but what are you gonna do here??”

Me: “The company’s handling the internal launch of the new coffee creamer. My boss is bringing me since I’m new.”

John: “Alright then. see ya.”

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It’s my first time in the Neilsen Food’s headquarters. The building sits in one corner of the city’s business district. Beside it is an upscale mall surrounded by boutique restaurants with names that need a flick of the tongue to pronounce.

I’ve considered applying to Neilsen Foods after graduation, but seeing my less than stellar grades and even more lackluster internship made me think twice. 

I get a temporary pass at the security desk then follow my boss down to the cafeteria where I can hear music and voices. I spot a fellow batchmate sitting with whom I presume, fellow management trainees. He gets up, greets me, and asks about my work. We exchange pleasantries and finally he apologizes that he needs to return to his table.

Trying to find a place to stand to watch the event, I turn around and see John coming down the stairs with another guy in tow. I recognize the other guy and for a split second, my heart skips. I try to keep my surprise in check and just manage a smile.

John immediately knows what has happened and gives me a mischievous grin. We hug each other.

“Ria, this is Ryan.. Ryan, Ria.” John introduces us.

“I think we’ve seen each other around.” Ryan smiles. My insides melt.

“Wanna grab lunch? I’m starving.” I offer.

Ryan walks ahead of us and I use this chance to squeeze John’s arm as tightly as I can.

“You’re the bestest bestfriend ever John.”

“Thank you very much, Ri. I told you I would pull through.” He says with a shrug.

“Yeah, after four years”, I retort.

“So where are we eating?” I say to no one in particular, but really directed to Ryan. 

“John and I usually go to McDonald’s down the corner. What are you in the mood for?”  

“You guys are the ones familiar here. Do you wanna try something new?” 

“Hey John, let’s try the Thai place that Mike told us about last week. I think it’s just over at the next block.”

“How many blocks away did you say it was?” I ask after twenty minutes of walking.

“Mike said it was just near!” Ryan says sheepishly.

We finally arrive at the Thai restaurant; not familiar about Thai dishes we ordered the dishes that had nice photos.

I sit beside John and Ryan sits across him. 

The boy that I have pined for since I saw him is eating lunch with me. I cannot count how many times and ways I have imagined meeting him.

“I cannot believe this is happening, this is so surreal! Now you can’t deny that he knows I exist!” I say as quietly as possible to John.

“Could you stop with the giggling and whispering?!” John hisses back. “He’ll know that we’re talking about him.”

The food arrives and we have ordered the most foreign dishes we have tasted. 

“Ryan, next time, we’re not asking Mike on where to eat.” says John.

“Ditto.”

“Oh hey, it’s my cousin. I’ll just go say hi ok?” John stands up and goes over to his cousin.

I try to sit as ladylike as I could and hope that there’s nothing stuck in between my teeth.

“So what do you do for work Ria?” asks Ryan.

“I work in marketing; I do corporate events and launches.” I reply.

“How do you like it?”

“Well.. It’s stressful but I’m enjoying what I do. We have long hours in my line of work, but I’m gradually easing into it. How bout you?”

“John and I are almost finished interning here. I think John only has a week or two to go. I still have three I think because i started later.”

“Do you plan to stay at Neilsen if they would offer a permanent position?”

“Yeah, that would be nice because I live just nearby.”

“What other companies are you looking to apply in?”

“There’s HelioPower, Thomas Industries and Smith Engineering Systems.”

“Oh nice.. going into really hardcore engineering stuff huh?”

John returns, “What did I miss?”

“Not much. Oh gosh, it’s almost 1pm, I better head back. My boss might kill me.” I say.

We pay and head back.

I get there just as my boss comes out of the building. 

“Hey working girl!” Ryan says to me, eye smiling and dimples showing, “your treat next time! Bye!”

John flashes a thumbs up sign behind Ryan.

I can feel my cheeks go hot.