Chapter 11 - Congratulations!

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..." we all sang together.
"Happy 1st birthday, Nicks!" While I was carrying her.
"Mom...my" and she chuckled.
It has been a year! Nicks is growing too fast.
I am so glad to witness how she grows each day.
Her hair is getting longer. I love grooming her hair. She has an almost perfect complexion, so smooth and sleek.
Her face is so pretty! She could pass as a baby model in television commercials.
"Eve, please help me with this. I cannot get it." One of my classmates approached.
"All right, I will teach you." I consented.
"I hope to be like you. It is nice to be smart and lovely at the same time." she praised me.
"You can do it! Just study it and surely you will pass the exams." I advised her.
"Hi, Eve!" The newcomer greeted me.
"Hey! Miguel!" I mentioned his name.
"Flowers for you!" At once he reached for a bouquet.
"He is in love." our classmates teased us.
I led Miguel away from my classmates. I have to talk to him privately.
"Thanks for the flowers! How old are you again?" I glanced at him.
"Nineteen years old!" He answered with a smile.
"I am twenty-five years old, Miguel. Then you do not know the story of my life.
So if I were you, find someone your age. I am sure a lot of girls out there are waiting for your attention.
Miguel, save your money instead of buying stuff." I told him frankly.
"So are you ejecting me down?" Miguel's face was tragic.
"Let us be friends! I am always willing to be your friend." I held out my hand to him for a shaking hand.
Ella saw the flowers and asked me who gave them.
I told her about Miguel.
"You are impossible, dear! A nineteen-year-old boy likes you!" after telling her what happened at the University.
"He is just a friend of mine. I should not throw it away. It is a pity and he spent money for it from his allowance. For sure, he even asked his parents for additional money." I giggled.
"What is your secret, Dear Eve? You have been wakeful every night and yet, look gorgeous.
You gave birth already but your physique is still qualified for a beauty pageant." Ella said with a sigh.
"That is what you call natural beauty!" Luigi groaned.
"Of course, you are going to say that. You are much in love with our friend." Ella sneered.
"Keep quiet, Ella. We might wake Nicks up." I scolded her.
I just wanted to change the subject since Ella mentioned Luigi's feelings for me.
I am remorseful of him. I could only offer him friendship even though he has been always with me through thick or thin.
"Happy second birthday, Nicks!" I greeted her and bussed her.
"Thank you, Mommy!" she can speak quite directly now.
We just ate outside with Ella and Luigi. I guess that is the best way to celebrate her birthday.
I am also very much occupied in school. There is no backing out. There is no giving up!
"Everlee, congratulations! You are one of the Dean's Listers. This is your last year at the university.
I am proud of you because I know your situation. You are a role model." Sir Martin, our course coordinator praised me.
"Thank you, Sir Martin! I have to sacrifice a lot for my child.
I am also doing all these for my late mother." I told him with a smile.
Another blessing has come my way. I could enroll in my last year in college for free. I do not have to pay any amount.
Can I still handle it all?
Of course! I promised Mama that one day she will be proud of me too.
And this is for Nicks. This is for her better future.
"I want to go swimming, Mommy!" Nicks came to me.
"Let us go, Nicks! Uncle will come with you!" Luigi asserted.
"Nicks, happy Third birthday! Enjoy your birthday! Go with Uncle. Take good care!" I agreed after I smooched her.
"The moment is rapidly looming. Nicks is already three years old today.!" As I watched her walking towards the pool.
"Eve, you are our nifty idol. You managed to raise Nicks.
She will inherit that from you!
She is intelligent.
She is beautiful.
She is kind.
Nicks is growing exactly as you are.
She is fortunate and you became her mother." Ella also looked at Nicks and Luigi.
"Thank you for all your help, Ella. Extremely with the help of Aunt Ellie.
With your help and love for Nicks, everything seems to be possible.
Luigi is always there moreover. If I could just turn my gaze to him, I would have done it a long time ago." I grinned.
"Of course, I will also do everything for Nicks. Why can't you do it?
Do not tell me, you are still hoping for Mr. N to come back.
Oh my, did you name Nicks after Mr. N?" Ella's face lit up.
I just smiled and shook my head.
Yes, I named her Nikolette from the initial of Mr. N.
Today is the day I have been waiting for to come.
"Congratulations, Eve!" Ella hugged me at the same time.
"Thank you so much, Ella!" I answered back.
"Mommy, you did great!" My daughter said.
"I did great because of you!" and I kissed her.
I went straight to Mom's columbarium after my graduation.
"Mom, I am a graduate now! I know you are smiling now in heaven as you see me walking with my diploma!
And I know you have not left me. This is it!
This will be the start of my good fortune. Today, I claim my success. I dedicate my college diploma to you!
Thanks, Mama! It is all for you and Nicks." No tears dripped from my eyes.
Instead, I feel pure prosperity presently. I am full of hope.
After my graduation, I have no intention of resting and relaxing.
I keep on browsing the internet for job vacancies and hiring.
Yes, I could still receive money from the couple but I want to earn on my own.
I am anxious.
I am not at TvN8 Station.
I will find my luck here.
I hope to be accepted here on TvN8.
This is a famous television station in the country.
I do not know where I got my courage to apply here.
Perhaps there is nothing wrong with trying, right?
If I fail, I will try again and again to other companies until someone will give me a job.
"Ms. Legazpi." Suddenly a woman approached me.
"Yes!" My answer.
"Are you ready for the final interview? Come with me." She announced smiling.
It is my final interview!I stood up and took a deep breath.
I arranged myself.
Go, Everlee, bring home the bacon!
I cheered up myself!
"Good luck! I hope you get accepted! By the way, I am Lara." she introduced herself.
"Hello, Ms. Lara, thank you! I have the same hopes." I forced a smile.
"Remove the Ms. Just call me Lara." Before she opened the door.
Then I entered.
Eve, just leave your tension behind the door. I instructed myself.
"Good morning, Sir!" I greeted the person.
He slowly faced me. I swallowed. He is handsome.
Hey, Eve, do not get destructed by his looks! I reminded myself.
"What a pretty face!" He told abruptly.
I smirked. And at least, he was not rude. My apprehension decreased. My interview began.
And thanks to God, I answered all his questions.
We even laughed and seemed to have known each other for a long time.
We appeared to be just chatting.
"So, Everlee, you are highly qualified to be part of TvN8. And congratulations!" He announced.
What does that mean? Will I jump for joy?
"You are hired! So are you willing to work as a PA first? Then I will find you the best position that would fit your potentials." He clarified.
"Mr. Cueto, am I hired? Alas, of course, I will gladly accept the position of Production Assistant!" I answered promptly.
I was very glad about what he said. I am hired!
"That is what I need here. Someone with a beautiful face. Determined to work in any position. Enthusiast and willing.
By the way, just call me Sir Nathan. That is my name." He also said with a smile.
Sir Nathan. I repeated in my mind.
Wow! I am the happiest!
I will be part of TvN8. It is like a dream come true.
For some, being a Personal Assistant appear to be a low-class job.
For me, I accepted it wholeheartedly!
This is my dream, to work with TvN8 one of these days.
And yes! I am part of TvN8 starting tomorrow!