Chapter 260 - I Apologize

The following day.

Althea woke up feeling refreshed. She was excited to report to work and already chosen a black slack and brown long-sleeved blouse as her office attire for that day. For the first time, she listened to her friend's advice to only wear proper and conservative attire to work. She already acknowledges her mistakes and willing to rectify it. If Mike's wife returns to the office today, she will approve her attire for sure.

She's serious about her new job. She will try to impress her boss and also his wife.

After sharing breakfast with Janice in the dining room, consisted of oatmeal and bananas, she immediately went to the bathroom to have a quick shower.

Done showering... she then donned her conservative office attire for the day and exited the bedroom going to work.

"That's the proper way to dress!" Janice commented, approving her look, and gave her a thumb up when she passed by in the living room heading to the door.

"Thanks, friend. Got to go...see you later!" Althea said and exited the room.

She boarded the bus, office-bound.

She reached the building at 7:45...rushing towards the entrance not wanting to be late. She must arrive at the office before 8:00 to impress her boss.

She did arrive at the office early. She went inside the empty room and starts making some quick cleaning and arranging of things before settling on her chair to start her day. She already had a quick grasp of all the things that her boss had taught him yesterday.

She had a smile plastered on her lips when her employer entered the room. "Good morning, Sir!" she greeted him cheerfully.

"Good morning," Mike replied sporting a gloomy face.

Althea's brows furrowed. Huh? Why is it that he was wearing a somber expression on his face? Her bright demeanor starts to dissipate. Hmm, maybe he had an argument or misunderstanding with his wife. She ignored her boss and focused on her work. She was encoding the name of clients, business partners, and their contact numbers into the app...when she was disturbed by the heavy sighing of her boss.

She glances at him. She noticed that he was issuing a check on his desk and stared at it.

Then he looked in her direction.

Their eyes met.

"What's wrong, Sir? Do you want a massage?" she offered.

Mike released a deep sigh. "Come here at my desk, Althea. There is something important I need to tell you..." he said.

Althea can already sense something is wrong. Her heart was beating faster in her rib cage. She's getting nervous all of a sudden. She stood up and walked to Mike's desk and lowered herself on the chair, facing him. "What is it, Sir?"

Mike looked at her face for a moment. "I'm so sorry. My wife wants me to fire you. She doesn't like you..." he said in a withdrawn voice.

Althea's world crumbled. Sadness squeezed her heart. "B-but Sir, I didn't do anything wrong when it comes to my work. I just started...how can your wife judge me so wrongly? Besides, she had only seen me yesterday!" she protested vehemently as tears shimmered in her eyes.

Mike sighed. "I know. I apologized on behalf of my wife. She threatened me that if I don't fire you, she will stay in my office every day until I say so. I don't want to fight with my wife and I don't want her pregnancy to get affected by this small issue," he explained. He looked into her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm sorry...I have no choice but to fire you..." he said.

Althea's tears fall from her eyes. Inside, she was seething with rage. Damn that jealous wife! To save face, she wiped her tears with her fingers.

"I'm sorry about this... I'm truly saddened by this turn of events. To compensate you...please accept this check..." Mike said and placed the check in front of his secretary.

Althea's eyes darted on the check. She was about to shred it to pieces due to her anger of being treated unfairly, but the moment she laid eyes on the check, OMG! her eyes widened, Holy Christ! One hundred thousand pesos was written on it! She had a hard time believing it. She quickly glanced at her employer's face for confirmation.

"The amount I issued on the check was meant to cover for the months that you will be jobless. This huge amount can last you up to five or six months. That would give you enough time to find work. You won't be starved with this money," he explained.

She was supposed to feel depressed but when she laid eyes on the big amount of money issued on her name, her worries and depression diminish a bit. She was thankful that he still cares for her condition and wants to compensate her greatly.

Mike was feeling relieved after seeing her miserable countenance lightened a bit. "And not only that, but I also booked you a three days stay with your friend in one of the luxurious resort hotel in Boracay. Enjoy your vacation there!" he added.

Althea slowly picked up the check and the printed booking receipt with the hotel resorts logo on it.

Mike breathed deeply. "You don't have to finish working today. You can go home now..." he said.

"Thank you for the compensation and the hotel booking, Sir," she conveyed her thanks in a small voice.

"Don't worry, if my business partners need a secretary, I will recommend your services to them," Mike offered.

"Thanks a lot, Sir. You're very kind," Althea said and left Mike's desk. She went to her table, turned off the computer then picked up her shoulder bag and sauntered towards the door. She glanced at her employer for the last time. "Goodbye, Sir, and thank you for the expensive compensation," she said sadly.

"Goodbye Althea, good luck in your next job," Mike responded.

Althea grabbed the door handle and exited the room quietly.

Mike was left alone in his office shaking his head. He typed a message to his wife. I already fired my secretary. She's gone.

His wife replied quickly with a dozen heart emoji. Thank you, hubby! I love you!

Mike smiled, he will do anything for his beloved wife.

Outside.

Althea stared at the building for the last time. It was just yesterday that she was excited to work here and start a new life. Too bad, the work was not meant for her to keep for a long time. Maybe she will have a better job next time.

She walked away heading to the bus stop which is just a few meters away.

While waiting for the bus, her mind was preoccupied with the costly compensation Mike had given her.

Her sadness was replaced with excitement 'coz she and her friend are going to Boracay! She and Janice will have a packing to do, because the day after tomorrow, they're heading to a luxurious resort! Suddenly, just the thought of frolicking in the beautiful paradise for three days straight brightened her distraught self. She smiled radiantly as if the sad events earlier and yesterday didn't transpire at all.

After ten minutes of waiting, the bus finally arrived and Althea gets inside.

Meanwhile, on the 15th floor in Mike's office, he was looking down at Althea in the street as she disappeared inside the bus.