I know I have other stories to update but I felt the bug to write this story. I hate the lack of girls in the early 20s bracket on GH because Kiki Jerome and her portrayer are lackluster in my opinion. I don't care for Kristen Alderson and her acting everytime I see her its always her gaping like a fish and I don't know how she got her Emmy last year in a field with better talent like Jaqueline Macinnes Wood from the Bold and the Beautiful. I know some people may like Kiki and that's fair everyone likes what they like but this story isn't going to be a love story between her and Michael. I just don't buy their relationship. I am creating an original character to be paired with Mikey. This story is in the Original Character's POV mainly but Michael's point of view will also be shown. I hope y'all like this and I will be sure to up my Maxie and Dante story soon well at least I hope. Before I forget I don't own any characters in this story except my OC and I don't make any money from this only comments and favs/follows.
Port Charles University seems like a good school. I wanted to go to NYU or Fordham but they were too expensive and I didn't get much aid. I am so lucky to get a fellowship from this university and to win business competitions. If I stayed at home I would never get to visit any other places. Port Charles isn't exactly New York City but it is close enough where I can go to the museums I have only heard about. The cab ride from JFK is long and its going to cost me a lot of money but I have no choice at this point.
I am almost here and I am excited for the new beginning. I didn't really want to leave my mom or my siblings but this is once in a lifetime and I can always go back home when I have breaks but I need this.
I have a job at ELQ and I am getting my MBA in New York. This is going to be good for me. I can make good money to send back to my mom and I can experience the United States. It is so weird I never been outside of Mexico and now I am in the United States with a job. I feel so giddy. I am glad I can start my job now because it would be weird for me to do nothing for a whole summer before school starts.
I finally get to my destination and I have to meet my landlord about my apartment.
"Hi, I am a new tenant in Apt 4D. I was supposed to have a meeting with you for 1pm for my key."
"Yes, I am guessing you are Maria Teresa?"
"Yeah I am. Nice to finally meet you sir." I know I must sound funny to him. But he is heard me over the phone but he still looks at me a little funny.
"Pleasure to meet you too. I let the movers in to drop off your stuff like we talked about I think all the stuff delivered and set up. If you find anything missing just get in contact with the company you used. If you need anything done for your apartment just call the number on the card." He gives me his business card with a couple numbers on it. I give him a firm handshake and proceed into my new apartment.
My one-bedroom apartment looks plain but I could care less I can always fix it later. I don't know what I was thinking putting everything into one day. I can't really rest since I have my orientation for my new job. But the sooner I get it out the way the better and maybe I can make some new friends at the same time. I use the google maps on my phone and it shows ELQ is not too far and the next bus leaves in 15 minutes. It is much better for me to take the bus there instead of a taxi since I need to watch what I spend. I grab my purse and make sure I have enough change for the bus and my cell phone and headphones. Oops I almost forgot my keys!
I walk to the bus stop I remember from the cab ride and I am hoping that the bus didn't arrive early. Sometimes that happens in Guadalajara and it messes up everything and I end up being late! But I see people so it seems like the bus hasn't arrived yet. I am glad I don't live too far from my new workplace and school. It will take a long while to get a car so I am thankful I chose the right apartment building. The bus finally comes and the price is $2.50 one way. I guess its fair because it is the same in New York City.
The bus ride is short and I remember to press the button for my stop. I see a very modern building emblazoned with the letters ELQ. I know for sure I am in the right place. I am glad I decided to wear my slacks and blazers. I ask the security guard about the tour for orientation. He asks for my name and I tell him thank you for the help. He looks surprised and gives me a soft smile. I don't really understand why he seemed surprised I would thank him. I notice he has an accent like me but he is definitely not Mexican.
"Señor, perdóneme pero de dónde eres?" (Sir, pardon me but where are you from?")
"Señorita, soy de Lima. Yo soy Peruano y tu?" (Miss, I'm from Lima. I am Peruvian and you?) We start walking I am guessing to the area where the orientation will start.
"Soy Mexicana... de Guadalajara. Mi nombre es Maria Teresa o Maite señor." (I'm Mexican... from Guadalajara. My name is Maria Teresa or Maite Sir.)
"Hola Maite, mi nombre es Xabier o Xabi. Encantado de conocerte Maite." (His name would be pronounced like sha-bee-er. Translation: Hello Maite, my name is Xabier o Xabi. It is a pleasure meeting you.)
"Tambien Xabi! Espero volver a verte pronto. Gracias por la ayuda... hasta luego." (You as well Xabi! I hope to see you soon. Thank you for the help... see you later.)
I give him a small wave goodbye. I see two other women who are already in the waiting area. I slowly make my way over there to introduce myself and one of the girls just scoffs at me and rolls her eyes and then turns her back to keep speaking to the other girl. I really don't understand the rudeness and neither does the woman she is speaking with but she says nothing and they go right back to speaking to each other. It hurts my feelings somewhat because I don't think I deserved that at all but I cannot dwell. Not everyone is going to be my friend and vice versa. Two men come in together and they will probably stay amongst themselves and I will stay the odd person out. As I am trying to retrieve my phone from my bag. The guys approach me.
We start talking casually and I find out their names are Brandon and David. They are very amiable. They both went PCU and transferred to Columbia and NYU respectively to finish their undergrad. I asked them how did they like PCU because this isn't something you really get in a brochure and its not like I know anyone who has ever gone to the school. They told me they liked it but it is completely different student life compared New York City. They told me it is good academically but it is limited socially because of the small town it is situated in. That is a fair answer. I appreciate the honesty. They asked me what school I attended and I tell them I went to University of Guadalajara. I feel proud because its one of the best universities in my state and country.
"Did you say Guadalajara as in like Mexico? Your degree might as well be used as fecal tissue." The girl who turned her back to me says this as if she is offended of where I went to school?! My education is not inferior to hers just because I studied in Mexico. This woman obviously doesn't like me or the fact that I am Mexican. I refuse to be ashamed of where I am from because someone else doesn't like it. Frankly she is a bitch but I want to silence her but I must do it in a professional manner because I can't risk my job over someone. My eyes are glistened a little bit because even though I can rein in my emotions and steady my voice my eyes always show the turblence within me. I get ready to retort but a new voice cuts through the room before I can answer back.
"Excuse yourself and apologize to her. We don't accept harassment of any kind at ELQ if you wish to continue with that kind of speech when you will be terminated before you even begin do I make myself clear?!" I see a tall blond man in an oxford and some slacks with beautiful blue eyes that are set with fury. Even though I can defend myself it nice when someone who has some authority doesn't tolerate racist/ethnicist remarks. It makes me want to work here a little bit more.
"Y-yes sir, I am sorry."
"Don't apologize to me you weren't speaking to me or about me."
"I'm sorry." The practically sneers at me but I could care less. I am just glad that someone who already works here has seen her behavior. I don't have to give her a courtesy of a reply I only turn my back to her as she did to me. She can take her insincere apology and wipe her ass with it. I only look straight ahead at the sweet gringo who defended my honor. I can still feel my eyes are really glossy but I know there is no chance of tears falling because I already calmed down and blinked them away. David comes close to me and whispers to me.
"Maite, El y yo somos latino. Viva la raza niña. We will stick together okay. Tanya is jealous of you because she graduated middle of her class and only got this job because her family had connections." I tilt my head and give David a smile and tell him gracias. I turn back and gringo rubio is looking at me with sharp blue eyes and at first I think he may be mad at me as well for not accepting la puta I mean Tanya's apology but he gives me a small smile and I mouth thank you and he gives me an almost imperceptible nod.
"My name is Michael Corinthos I want to welcome you to the company my grandparents built. You are some of the workers that have been hired to work for this company know that you will be competiting to stay here. We have several candidates besides yourselves looking for one of the permanent spots at this company. This job is only an entryway to a lasting job here at ELQ. You will be assessed for your skills and given reviews. Several of our management team will be gauging your performance to see if you are the right fit for this company. Now that we have that underway let's begin with the tour."
I stick close with David and Brandon but it seems like everytime el gringo rubio looks at me my heart races like but it isn't nervousness for the job its something else entirely. Something I never felt in my life. The queasy feeling the girls on telenovelas describe when they are enchanted. I realized something about myself not even 10 minutes into meeting my boss... I have a crush on him and I need to try my best to not let it show because I need this job for Majo (Maria Jose her sister) and my mama. I know I can do this. I work hard and I know what I need to succeed. Crushes are things that belong on television. I have better things to focus on than a sexy gringo who defends my honor. I can defend my own honor.