Chapter 1 - The Dog

 It all started with a dog.

That was how I would describe how I found her –the person who was destined to change everything.

But before I dive deep into it, there was a more pressing matter that requires my attention.

A growing concern the moment the news broke that the company I worked for was acquiring a similar corporation.

Management was tight lipped about which company fuelling speculations that it could either be a start-up that went bankrupt or a more established one that didn't survive the pandemic.

The latter was the most popular theory because it was the most plausible.

But nobody knew for sure and the strain of the secrecy dominated our work hours.

The initial reaction of my colleagues and I was to worry about how this change would affect us all.

When the pandemic hit, we thought we were done for when Miss Nita called for an emergency meeting.

The unprecedented situation was nerve wracking and migraine inducing.

It turned out that top management, just like the rest of the world, was letting us work from home until things settled.

She said that it was for the best interest of everyone.

At that moment, our health and safety was their top priority.

When we gradually had to return to the office, it was as if we were all getting used to the new normal.

I could have stayed home but that was not the long-term plan of the company.

Change was not an easy thing to manage.

It was constantly going to happen and now, there was another one that was taking place fast.

The majority of us were nervous and thought that with the acquisition some of us will be fired.

But Miss Nita was quick to reassure us that nothing like that was going to happen.

Our company was growing and according to her, they need more people.

The comforting words weren't enough to soothe our fears.

My mentor, Yha, said it best when she told us over lunch that it was a wait and see situation.

The waiting and seeing was driving me crazy.

I cannot afford to be fired.

I don't want to be fired.

Not now, not ever.

Aside from times being hard, I loved working for this company.

I have been here for three years as part of the content creative team and was quite proud of what I achieved in that amount of time.

My content was always rated high among all the others because the topics were a hit among our followers.

The result of my work didn't go unnoticed.

Miss Nita commended my efforts not only during our meetings but also in private.

She said I was an excellent worker and was proud that I was a part of the family.

It made me heart swell to hear that especially since it came from the big boss.

If what Yha said was true, I was banking on Miss Nita's commendations.

I saw myself as an invaluable asset but who knows what's going to happen?

She could change her mind and let me go.

No one was indispensable or good enough to be retained.

The thought hung over my head like a dark and heavy cloud.

I don't normally let these things bother me but it was hard not to think of the possibility of being unemployed.

I thought of updating my resume.

But everytime I open it, a feeling of restlessness washed over me prompting me to abandon the idea and rush to the cafeteria to get something to eat.

I hope Miss Nita would reveal which company she bought before stress eating takes over my life.

When the invite for the meeting was sent out, the electric tension was felt everywhere.

It was scheduled for nine on a Friday morning.

That was promising.

In all the years I've been here, nobody got fired on a Friday.

Yha told me the same thing during my orientation.

She couldn't explain why so I didn't press for the reason.

I took my usual spot in the big conference room with Noi, Yha, Auntie Mhee and Chin.

They were still trying to guess the name of the company.

At this point, I would not be surprised if there was a bet going on.

As I listened, I felt as if their theories were getting out of hand.

She worked in HR.

Miss Nita made her sign an NDA so she couldn't share anything for fear that someone might snitch on her and have her fired.

"You already know which company then?" The wheels on Yha's mind quickly turned.

Noi pressed her thin lips together.

"You did say you signed an NDA," Chin pressed on.

"I did but it didn't mention anything specific," Noi avoided our gaze which only proved that she know which one.

"Are you sure, Noi? Or you don't trust us?" Auntie Mhee tried to guilt tripped her into confessing.

"I trust you. I swear," She lifted one hand but at that point nobody believed her anymore.

The noise died down with the arrival of Miss Nita.

Despite her smile, the silence that followed was unnerving at best.

She prefaced the meeting by saying that it will not be long because we were all very busy.

The purpose was to formally introduce us to our new boss.

Upon hearing this, whispers spread like wildfire.

"New boss?" Yha leaned close to me.

I shrugged.

This was a new development.

Before this meeting, none of us had any idea about having a new boss.

Miss Nita was always in-charge of the creative content department.

She always said that it was her pride and joy.

I wondered why she stepped down and gave the position to someone else?

We didn't have to wait long for the answer.

Miss Nita spoke again, her outstretched hand pointed towards the entrance to the conference room to summon the mysterious person.

A woman came out.

She was dressed in black from head to foot with a matching expression that could have told me someone had died.

My mouth went dry when I saw her.

You have got to be kidding me.

With an arrogant air, she raised her head and scanned the room with a frosty stare.

I could almost feel the icy draft coming out of nowhere with the way she turned her head at an angle that screamed superiority.

My heart that was already beating fast from so much anticipation was now working double time.

Of all people, why did it have to be Samanun Anuntrakul?

The introduction from Miss Nita was lost on me.

It was only when the tepid applause was over and they exited the room that I finally let go of a sharp exhale.

The sound of shuffling feet brought me back to where I was.

"Are you okay, Mon?" Yha touched me gently on the arm.

"Yes, yes. Sure," I nodded like a bobble head.

We followed behind Chin, Noi and Auntee Mhee who were all talking about our new boss.

"You looked like you saw a ghost," She said, the curious expression not leaving her face.

"It's nothing. Just overwhelmed with all these changes," I smiled hoping to stop her from asking more questions.

She nodded and that did the trick.

We went back to our desk without any questions from her.

Once I was by myself, I couldn't shake off the memories that came back.

Sam.

It had been years since I last saw you.

Why did you have to come back now?