It's natural for me to be strategic in life. At a young age, I knew how to earn a living. We're just poor so I dreamed of getting relief from life because I don't want to die poorer than a rat. I have high dreams in life and I have always been told that I am ambitious and one of the people who called me ambitious is my mother.

I wanted to answer him why he thinks of me like that but I held back a lot. I want nothing more than to improve the situation of our family and thank God I got what I wanted. Actually, a senator was right when he said that hard work and perseverance are needed to advance in life.

I was able to study for free because of a scholarship offered by a university. Tuition and miscellaneous fees are free. They only have to give me allowance and boarding house payment but that is still difficult for my parents. Due to extreme poverty I had to work in an internet café after my classes. It was hard but I managed it. I don't care if I look like a panda because of the black eye. Lack of sleep always, eh!

“Kylie, I heard that you will replace Levi.”

In just an instant, I returned to the present and faced my co-worker, Lorena.

“The manager also mentioned to me that there is no appointment letter from Mr. Chavez,” I answered. I used to be Levi's documentation staff and the man is about to move to sales because a salesman's income is higher. Besides the salary, there is also a commission that can be obtained when the total sales exceed the monthly quota.

“I guess our boss is still busy.”

“Let's just wait, but if what the Manager said comes true, I will really treat you with a burger from Burger King,” I promised my colleague and friend. Lorena and I have been together at EC Brokerage for three years and she was my first friend in the office.

“I would expect that, but have you told Brent about your promotion?” Lorena asked because she knew the situation between Brent and I.

“Only when it's really true,” I said and motioned for him to shut up when the phone rang on my desk. “Kylie speaking,” and when I recognized the voice on the other line I couldn't explain the nervousness I felt. I feel like Lorena really spoke like an angel, and when I heard the magic word from Mr. Chavez I suddenly pinched Lorena. “I'm on my way,” I said before hanging up the phone.

“What did he say?”

“He wants me in his office,” I informed Lorena.

I was almost overcome with excitement but I just stopped myself because there was still a fear in my heart that maybe I was just expecting too much. Disappointment hurts.

“Hmmm I can smell the burger king here in the office,” said Lorena.

“Let's watch later,” and I winked at Lorena before picking up my phone and then headed to Mr. Chavez.

When I arrived in front of the office of Mr. Chavez, the nervousness in my chest grew stronger. I don't know if I should knock or just move on. I sighed deeply before knocking and when I heard the man's voice, I turned to his secretary to get courage but the woman was not in the mood and didn't even smile.

“Good afternoon sir,” I greeted the man sitting in his oversized swivel chair while turning away from the door.

“Sit down, Kylie. Let's wait for Rona,” he said.

Miss Rona is naturally kind and one of the things I like most about her is her humbleness.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Rona, it's up to you to tell the front desk person to reserve dinner at our favorite hangout,” ordered Mr. Chavez.

“I'll take care of it sir,” replied Miss Rona. “Tomorrow Levi will turn over everything to you,” he added.

I just smiled because Levi didn't care about what he knew and he also shared it with me. With so much excitement I felt earlier, I almost forgot about Brent. I don't know how to tell him about my promotion. Because he is too sensitive when it comes to our income and he has no idea that the payslip I always show him has been edited so as not to offend him.

Is it my fault that the company I worked for was good enough? It's not my fault why my monthly income is higher than his but I can't shout to our friends that my salary is also high because it will hurt the man's pride.

When I returned to my desk, Lorena was waiting and she was even happier than me. When I sat down and opened the email, I was surprised by what I saw. Miss Rona has already announced about my promotion and everyone knows about it.

“You deserve it,” said Lorena.

“I know, right?” And we laughed as friends but behind our happiness there was the apprehension and fear of how I would talk to Brent.

Honestly, I'm tired of lying to him. Sometimes I thought why do I have to adjust so as not to hurt his ego? Why do I have to lie so as not to offend him?

“It's Brent!”

My eyes widened when I saw what Lorena pointed out. My phone was on silent mode when I went to Mr. Chavez because it strictly prohibits all workers from playing loud ringtones inside the office.

“Yes Brent?” I answered the call and signaled Lorena to go back to her desk and we'll talk again later.

“Guess what?”

I noticed that the man's voice on the other line sounded excited. Usually it's just fun whenever there's a salary and the payday is the next day. “Hmmm good news?” Maybe their company already released their Christmas bonus.

“Yes! But I'll tell you everything later. Let's have dinner later at Casa Verde,” he said on the other line.

We can only afford the price at such a restaurant so I thought that maybe the man was talking about money. “We have a company dinner later,” I refused because I had already committed to my colleagues.

“What a shame! I was promoted at work so I would like to celebrate with the two of us,” the man replied.

He was also promoted? Well, good!

“Let's have dinner tomorrow so that we can be with the child and the nanny,” I suggested to him.

“Guess how much my salary will be in my new position,” insisted Brent.

“Fifty?” I asked him but the man refused.

“One hundred,” he answered.