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Chapter 1
Isa
IsweartoGod;I love my job. It’s my dream job, really, and I can't imagine not doing it.
But what I don’t love is being hauled up into the human resources department with no explanation.
“Hi, Isa,” Teresa, a senior HR leader in the company says in a false warm tone that is stern at the same time. She’s always been like that. Like she's been forced to take empathy training but she's still a bitch. But, I've learned to adapt over time. When I met her on my first day, I was slightly terrified of her. But now, the terror dulled to just a low buzz of nervousness. “Do you know why I called you in here today?”
I shake my head. Honestly, I have no idea why I’m sitting here in her too-bright office. Seriously, does she always keep the lights interrogation-room-bright or am I just special? And they're this frickin bright at three in the afternoon when I should be in the studio helping my boss oversee the production of the latest romantic comedy film we’re making in the lot.
And I’m sure this could have just been an email. Sometimes people here take meetings and conversations way too seriously. Like, can we just get to the point already? Why is Teresastillstaring at me silently, like she’s questioning if I’m telling the truth or not?
But no, I love my job.
“I’m sorry, Teresa. I’m afraid I don’t know what the issue is,” I finally say out loud, hoping to move this along so I can get back to the good part of my day.
Finally, Teresa sighs and slips the wire-frame glasses from her face as she rubs the bridge of her nose. It’s taking everything in me to not just yell at her to get on with it already.
“Right, well, Isa,” Teresa starts saying and then pauses for what, dramatic effect? If this is all about some critical workshop I might have missed along the way, I’m going to lose it. “Remember a few months ago when there was a shoot in London for one of our movies? And we advised you not to travel with Mr. Camden?”
“Of course I remember. We had some critical scenes to shoot,” I say, nodding, confused where she’s going with this.
Teresa grunts, clearly annoyed with me for some reason.
“Well, it wasn’t really asuggestionthat you don’t go. It was critical that you not leave the country, because during that period, your visa application was pending. You needed to wait for the decision before you should have travelled. Now it's too late.”
I cock my head to the side, still unsure what she's talking about, and Teresa lets out a deep sigh.
“You left the country when you weren’t supposed to, Isa,” Teresa finally blurts out, clearly exasperated. I blanch as a cold shiver runs down my spine. This doesn't sound like a good thing. “So now," and there's that dramatic pause again, "the U.S. government rejected your application for a visa extension.”
My mouth falls open in shock. “What the?” I barely manage to gasp, trying to pull myself together. “N – No, there must be something we can do. I’ll call my immigration lawyer and…”
But Teresa is already shaking her head and dread, heavy as a lead weight, settles deep in the pit of my stomach. Teresa’s look changes from annoyance to pity, and I know I’m going to hate whatever she says next.
“I’m sorry, Isa. I really am, but we did try to warn you. But this is out of our hands now. You’re going to have to go back to the Philippines."
The edges of my vision blurred as my world imploded.
“What? I’m going to bedeported?” That single word doesn’t feel right when it leaves my mouth. It’s like the taste of iron and rust is stuck in my tongue after I say it out loud.
“Well…” Teresa hesitates, like she wants to say something comforting, or make it sound less terrible, but there’s nothing she can say. “Yes. Unfortunately, you're going to have to leave,” is what she finally says, her voice uncharacteristically quiet. "There's not going to be a scene, it's just that you won't be allowed back in after a certain date. I think that date is about two months from now. Any travel between now and then is okay, but after that, you won't be allowed back in. I'm sorry."
"So, m-my planned trip is still okay?" I stutter. I was going home to visit my family after so long. I totally assumed my visa would be extended. I feel speechless and my mind is blank.
"Yes. As I said, you can travel anywhere before the current visa is up. Just after that date, it's over."
But then, I hit solution mode. My brain starts buzzing at a hundred miles an hour, thinking of ways I can work through this. There must be a way…
“Okay. Well, it’s a stretch, but I could still do my job from Manila. It’s not ideal, but…”
Teresa holds her hand up, stopping me.
“Isa, you can’t work for a U.S. company while waiting for your next visa application to go through. And it’ll probably take a year or so, given everything…”
I don’t even hear the rest of what Teresa has to say. A year?
“A year?” I hear myself say, cutting her off. “Three hundred and sixty-five days?”
