7 Trainee Manager (4)

"Huaam. Well, I guess that's that."

I quit my job on the very first day. What was I going to tell those at the orphanage now? This was not what I had envisioned my day ending up like. Ugh, really. I ruffled up my hair in annoyance. 

"...Well, at least I don't regret it."

Hahahha, even if I did regret it, what could I do about it? I had already quit. My pride wouldn't allow me to return even if I was desperate. 

Plus...

It would've been a different story if I had lost my job because of my mistake, but in this case, I lost my job because I quit, and for a very good reason at that.

If that was how I would get treated throughout my entire stay, then I did the right thing in quitting. Money was important, but not at the expense of my mental health. 

But what should I do now?

Entering the elevator and watching it close, I felt a little lost. It had only been a day since I had chosen to give up on my dreams and pursue a new one, yet, not even a day after that, I quit the one job that was going to help me achieve my new dream.

'I don't regret my decision, but what am I supposed to do now?'

If anything, I had to get a job. I had a bit saved up from the odd jobs I did here and there to sustain myself while I chased after my goal, but that was not enough.

I needed stability, and this job was supposed to give it to me.

What was I supposed to do now that it was no longer there?

"Wait."

A sudden thought entered my mind, and my eyes slowly lit up.

Right, how could I forget?

If the person in the vision was me, he, too, lost his job on the very first day. If I didn't recall wrongly, he later joined Emblem of the Sun, right?

My heart started to gradually pound.

Perhaps... I was never meant to stay here. Perhaps, quitting was going to be the best decision in my life.

Ding―!

The elevator chime sounded, and the doors slowly came apart.

Uh?

Click! Click! Click! Click!

"Miss Helena over here!"

"Miss Helena, please stop for a moment. There are a few questions that I'd like to ask!"

"Miss Helena!"

'What's going on here?'

The moment the doors came apart, the sight that greeted me was one that reminded me of the scenes during my first vision. This time, I knew it wasn't a vision as I could move and see properly. I peeked through the elevator doors and was left shocked by what greeted my sight in the distance. 

"Miss Helena, please wait a moment!"

Click! Click! Click! Click!

Flashes repeatedly spread throughout the reception area as the shutters from the cameras repeatedly clicked and sounded.

I struggled to see ahead due to the constant flashes that were blinding my eyes, but a certain name caught my attention.

Helena? Sounds familiar... 

That's when I saw her.

Tick. Tick. 

Her lustrous jet-black hair cascaded smoothly, stopping just at her shoulders, where a white puffy coat hugged her body. Concealing her eyes, a stylish pair of oversized sunglasses added an air of mystery to her presence.

With each step, her heels produced a gentle click against the marble floor, exuding an elegant grace as she made her way toward me. The sleek leather pants she wore hugged her long legs, accentuating their beauty flawlessly.

The sight of her made me instantly realize who she was, and my breath almost left my body.

Helena Snow. The Team Leader of Dragon's Cry and a Tier 5 ― Star Chaser. The poster child of Knight's Crest and one of the highest rankers in the world. 

She was the pinnacle of what a Star Chaser could be and someone whom I've always followed on TV. She was a true bonafide, S-lister. 

If there was a reason why I wanted to join Knight's Crest, then It'd be Dragon's Cry ― Their Group. Knight's Crest is a darling child and one of the greatest groups that resided on Earth. 

'Hm?'

A shadow suddenly cast over me, and when I came to, I realized that someone was standing before me. When I looked up, I was stunned to see that it was the very person I was thinking about.

Coming to a halt right in front of me, I could sense her piercing gaze fixating upon me. With a subtle inclination of her head, she slightly lowered her sunglasses, revealing a glimpse of her hazel-colored eyes.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

Her voice was crisp and smooth. Extremely pleasing to the ear. Yet, the moment it sounded, I could feel the power radiating from it.

I stared at her, more precisely, her exposed hazel eyes, and calmly nodded my head. While I was indeed a little star-struck, that was all there was to it. 

"Yes, actually."

I raised my hand and pointed behind her.

"You've dropped your handkerchief."

"Uh?"

Surprised, she turned around and her gaze fell upon a pink handkerchief lying on the ground. Someone quickly collected it and handed it to her. I secretly sighed. Thank god I managed to spot it right as I got out of the elevator. 

Though I was a bit surprised someone as powerful as her didn't detect something like that, but then again, being powerful didn't mean you'd be able to detect something as little as that. But what would I know? I wasn't powerful to begin with. 

Her gaze fell on me again.

"What's your name?"

"Liam."

Knowing she only asked out of formality, I answered her in a polite tone. I wanted to ask her for her autograph but thought it wasn't fitting given the situation around us.

'Ay, what a pity.'

"Thank you."

"Sure."

I didn't linger there any longer. Nodding at her, I passed her and headed out of the building. My day just suddenly turned a lot better.

'I wonder how the children will react when I tell her that I met Helena in person?'

The thought made me smile.

I bet they'll be jealous.

***

―I didn't think they would treat you that badly on the first day. I'm glad you quit. I didn't teach you wrongly.

Distancing the phone away from my ear, I only brought it closer after she stopped speaking. It was really too loud. 

"Yes, I always follow care mother's teaching with the utmost diligence."

―Oh? Is that sarcasm I hear? Someone has been growing more and more rebellious.

"I wouldn't dare."

Talking to her never failed to bring a smile to my face. Whenever I revealed to people I was an orphan and that I lived at an orphanage, I would always receive looks of pity and sympathy. But I never understood them.

Care Mother had always been like a mother to me, and always supported me regardless of what I wanted to do.

She was the sole reason why I kept chasing after my dream until yesterday. If not for her support, I would've quit a long time ago and probably have regretted it throughout my entire life.

What was there to pity when I was so happy with her?

I only dreamed because she allowed me to dream and for that, I always felt grateful.

Not just her, but everyone at the orphanage.

They meant everything to me.

"How are the children doing?"

―Them? Well, they are still sleeping. It's still rather early today.

I looked up. True enough, the sun was only just beginning to emerge from the horizon, its soft rays gradually illuminating the streets. A warm, orange glow enveloped the city, painting a serene morning scene.

When I checked my watch, I realized it was just barely 7:30 in the morning. The day had just started, and I already lost my job. 

I feel a little bitter thinking about it.

Still, quitting early was better than quitting later. At least, my time wasn't wasted. Ugh... 

―Liam. What are you going to do now? If you want, you can-

"Don't worry."

I cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

"I already have a job in mind. There's no need for you to burden yourself."

―...

The line fell silent for a moment.

―Do you really have a job lined up?

"Yeah. It's at Emblem of the Sun. It's a bit far, Sun Island and the pay is a bit lower, but I'm sure things will work out."

I hope. 

―...

The line fell silent again.

―Alright Liam. If you say so, then I'll believe you. You know that you will always have our full support, and the children can't wait to hear from you. They've been asking me about you almost every day and are wondering when they'll start seeing you on TV.

"Do they now?"

I laughed a little, feeling a certain warmth on my chest. I was lucky, truly.

―Yeah. They said that they can't wait to auction your autograph on the internet to make some pocket money.

Uh?

I felt my face stiffen at her words. They what now?

―Well, it's about time I wake up the children. It was nice hearing from you Liam. I wish you good luck in your new job. Bye, bye.

Du. Du.

The line ended before I could even speak.

This woman...

I didn't know how to feel at the moment.

"Ah, man."

Shaking my head, I looked through my contacts before eventually settling on a certain number. Thinking for a moment, I didn't hesitate any longer and pressed it.

'Let's just go for it. The worst that can happen is they reject me.' 

―Hello?

A rough voice echoed from the speaker of my phone.

Fixing my tie out of habit, I introduced myself.

"Hello, this is Liam Marken. I previously applied for the job. Do you perhaps still have a spot for me?"