Hope

My Application by Li Wee Ann

The mood in the office has been quite low for some time now. Based on my understanding, the company has not been making some profits lately. This was because of the new competitors that rose up after the pandemic. In other words, I might get fired if I don't do my job well. And my job, as an accounting clerk, is routinely mashing away the keyboard in an Excel Sheet and listening to the middle-aged ladies talking about healing crystals and essential oil every day.

My job also includes serving coffee for my boss. He is an old Chinese man that you can see in typical Chinese media: bald head, white beard and looks like he has decades worth of knowledge written on his face. When he smiles, it is full of grace but on the contrary, when he is angry, it brims with fire. It makes me wanna look away and fix my eyes to the screen hoping that he won't notice me.

However, unfortunately, today was not that day where I was shown salvation. My boss's office and mine were directly connected and moreover, the walls were made of clear glass. I tried not to look at his direction but my supervisor, who sat behind me informed that the boss was calling, so I had no choice after that.

Just then, I remembered the advice of my colleagues: in this situation, you have to knock, bow, and greet. And I did all of that in the same, exact order. Actually, I was quite proud of myself for being able to remember those steps! When I went in, I realized there was a lady inside so, I greeted her too. She watched me for a second, then smiled before turning back.

"Pour us a cup of coffee," he said before he changed his focus back to her.

She was roughly my age, that lady. She wore black clothes, with her hair let down to her shoulder, she sat up straight. Unlike me, she had been in the company way longer, so I suspected that she might have grown a tolerance for one of our boss' long tirade. And yet, I could still see the fear that was emanating within her.

I headed over to the vending machine on the corner of his office and started working on the coffee. While the coffee was being prepared, I can't help but overheard what they were saying.

"If you were given a choice, would you choose the company or him?" My boss asked.

There was a thick silence in the air. I focused on the machine, imagining the black box grinding away the beans.

"The company, sir." She answered, "Friends can become enemies in an instant, and before you know it, they would stab a knife on your back. That is what you have taught me."

My boss laughed, "Good girl, I took you in because I know you have the potential. And I have never been wrong in the people I choose."

By that time, the coffee was finally done and I served it to them both. The boss first, then the girl. They both thanked me and I nodded in response. I was about to be on my way when the boss spoke up.

"Pour one for yourself as well."

"Yes, sir," I replied.

As the machine was working, the girl excused herself. Now the only people left in the office were him and me. I prayed that the machine would finish faster.

"How is your pilot application coming up?" he asked.

I gulped and turned around, "I still don't have any idea yet."

He looked surprise, "Oh, I heard that the result is out."

I was surprised as well, "Maybe it will arrive tonight. The school usually notified us at night."

The coffee machine made a ding sound. I took the coffee and said my farewell.

He waved at me and smiled, "Well, good luck."