March 5, 2023, 1:00 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001
After finishing his lunch and taking a refreshing nap, Daniel woke up feeling rejuvenated. He checked his phone for any new messages and found a message from Molly.
"Hey, Daniel. I'm on my way to Ayala Vertis Mall now," Molly said through chat via F******k Messenger.
Daniel replied to Molly's message, "Hey Molly, just woke up from a short nap. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
Daniel thought about the motorcycle reward he just received from the system, and typed another message to Molly "By the way, where are you coming from? Do you want me to pick you up?"
Molly quickly responded, "Thanks for the offer, Daniel. I live around Muñoz, Quezon City. It's just one ride away to Vertis North. I'll be fine."
"Alright, See you then. Just let me know when you're almost here," Daniel replied.
After their short conversation, Daniel made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. He took a quick shower and got dressed in a stylish smart casual outfit, opting to wear all black to match his mood.
He put on a black shirt, black jeans, and black leather shoes. He also grabbed a black jacket in case it gets chilly in the mall.
As he checked himself in the mirror, he ran his fingers through his hair, making sure it was neatly styled. He then grabbed his phone, wallet, watch, and keys before heading out the door.
Daniel went down to the underground parking area of the condominium and looked for his designated parking area. It should be labeled as P-001, which coincides with his unit Penthouse 001. He scanned the labels on each parking spot until he found P-001. There he saw the brand new BMW R 1250 GS parked in his spot. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his new motorcycle. He walked towards it and ran his hand over the smooth, black surface, feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude. He had always dreamed of owning a motorcycle, and now he finally had one. He couldn't even afford to buy a second-hand one before, but now he owned a brand new BMW which cost around Php. 1,700,000! He had only learned to drive by borrowing motorcycles from friends and going around their barangay back when he still lived with his parents.
He found the keys on the side and carefully examined the driver's license inside the compartment.
He put on the helmet that came with the motorcycle, climbed onto it, and started the engine. The roar of the engine filled the air as Daniel grinned from ear to ear, feeling the rush of adrenaline. With the wind in his hair and the hum of the engine beneath him, he revved the engine of his new BMW R 1250 GS and rode out of the parking area.
Although the mall was just beside the building where he lived, Daniel couldn't resist the temptation to try out his new motorcycle. He knew that walking would have been faster, but he wanted to get a feel for the motorcycle and test out its capabilities on the road. As he weaved through the streets, he couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and excitement.
Daniel arrived at the mall in no time, swiftly parking his new motorcycle in the designated area within the mall. He walked towards the entrance and checked his phone for any updates. Molly did send a message that she would arrive in a few minutes. In a little while, he saw her approaching him.
Molly looked stunning in a simple but elegant white dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was neatly tied up in a bun, and she carried a small shoulder bag. As she drew closer, she greeted Daniel with a warm smile and apologized for the wait.
Daniel returned the smile and reassured her, "No need to apologize, Molly. I just got here myself."
Molly and Daniel walked toward the mall entrance and started to chat.
"Are you doing better now?" Daniel asked with a tinge of concern. He asked this since Molly was sad and depressed the first time they met.
Molly smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm doing much better now. I've been keeping myself busy with work and some personal projects, and it's been helping me a lot. Plus, having met a new friend like you to talk to and hang out with definitely helps," she said, giving Daniel a grateful smile.
Daniel smiled back at Molly, feeling glad that he could be there for her. "Well, I'm glad I can be a good friend to you," he said.
As they stepped inside the mall, Daniel took the lead and walked Molly around the various stores inside. Since his new condo unit was already furnished, he wasn't looking for anything particular for his home. Instead, he was interested in updating his wardrobe with a few pieces of clothing and accessories. Daniel wanted to splurge a little on some branded items since he now had the means to afford them, but he didn't want to overspend as well. He aimed to find some reasonably priced items that would make him look presentable and stylish. He also plans to buy Molly a casual dress, maybe, as a gift and thanks for going with him.
Daniel still had more than Php 65,000 left from his bonus reward from the system.
As they browsed through the different stores, Daniel picked out a few items that caught his eye, but he wasn't sure which ones to get. He turned to Molly and asked for her opinion, "What do you think of this shirt? Do you think it suits me?"
Molly smiled and nodded, "I think it looks great on you! But let's see if we can find something else that's even better."
They continued to look around and try on different clothes until Daniel found a few pieces that he was satisfied with. He even tried on a few accessories to complete the look. Molly offered her honest opinion on each item, and Daniel appreciated her input.
After selecting a few pieces of clothing for himself, Daniel noticed a cute casual dress on display that he thought would look great on Molly. He picked it up and walked over to her, holding it out. "Hey, why don't you try this one? I think it would look good on you?" he suggested.
Molly hesitated at first, "I don't think I'm planning on buying anything today, but thanks for offering," she said politely.
"Come on, just try it out. It won't hurt," Daniel said, still holding the dress out.
Molly finally gave in and took the dress from him. She went into the dressing room to try it on. When she came out, Daniel was blown away. She looked even more beautiful in the dress than he had imagined.
"You look beautiful" Daniel blurted out.
Molly smiled shyly, "Thank you, but I really won't be buying anything today." she said.
Daniel smiled. "I already bought it for you," he said, handing over his BDO card to the cashier before Molly could object again.
Molly's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "You didn't have to do that," she said, feeling touched by his gesture.
"It's my way of saying thank you for coming with me today," Daniel said with a smile.
Molly felt warm in her chest, grateful for the kind gesture of her new friend. She thanked him again and they continued their shopping spree.
As they walked around the mall, Daniel spotted a watch store and suggested they take a look.
"I've been meaning to get a new watch. Want to help me pick one out?" he asked.
Molly nodded, happy to continue spending time with him.
Daniel had a clear idea of what he was looking for - something that was simple and elegant, without breaking the bank. While perusing the collections of popular brands such as Timex, Daniel Wellington, and Casio, Molly was content to follow along and provide her thoughts when requested.
Molly noticed a classic-looking silver watch in the Timex display case and pointed it out to Daniel. "What about that one, Daniel? It looks nice and simple, and it's not too pricey," she suggested.
Daniel examined the watch closely and nodded in agreement. "You're right, that's a good option. But let's keep looking just in case we find something else."
The duo moved on to the Daniel Wellington store, where Molly immediately pointed to a rose gold watch with a leather strap. "What about this one? It's a bit more expensive, but it's so pretty!"
Daniel examined the watch closely but shook his head. "I don't think that's really my style. Plus, it's a bit too flashy for my taste."
Next, they browsed at the Casio store, where Daniel spotted a sleek black watch with a metal strap that caught his eye. "This one looks perfect," he said, holding it up for Molly to see.
Molly examined the watch and nodded in agreement. "I agree, it's simple and elegant. And the price is just right."
"I think I might go with this one, but let's just check out Armani. It's just the store beside this one," Daniel said, determined to explore all of their options before making a decision.
As they approached the Armani watch store, Daniel suddenly stopped in his tracks, his face turning pale. Molly noticed the change in his demeanor and asked, "What's wrong, Daniel? Are you feeling okay?"
After a moment's hesitation, Daniel responded, his voice betraying a hint of bitterness. "I just saw my ex-girlfriend, Judee, inside the Armani store. And she's with JM. The guy she cheated on me with when we were still together."
Molly placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as sympathy softened her expression. "I'm so sorry, Daniel. Do you want to go back to Casio?"
Taking a deep breath, Daniel tried to compose himself. "Yeah, I didn't expect to see them here. Maybe we should just go back to Casio," he said, his voice slightly shaky.
Before they could turn around, they heard a voice calling out to them. "Daniel? Is that you?"
March 5, 2023, 3:00 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Ayala Malls Vertis NorthDaniel's heart sank as a familiar voice pierced through the air, instantly sending a mix of unease and apprehension settling in his gut. He turned, and there she was—Judee, walking towards him with JM by her side. It was the voice he had hoped to never hear again."Daniel? Is that you?" Judee's grin widened as she saw Daniel's discomfort. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.Turning, they both saw Judee walking towards them with JM by her side. Daniel felt a knot forming in his stomach as he forced a polite smile. "Hey, Judee. How are you?"Judee's grin widened as she saw Daniel's discomfort. "I'm doing great! Look, JM just bought me an Armani watch worth Php. 16,000!" She paused, noticing Daniel's watch. "Oh, I see you're still wearing that cheap watch. Some things never change, I guess."*Ding!*Suddenly, Sampaguita's robotic voice interrupted Daniel's thoughts."Major Mission
March 5, 2023, 4:30 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Ayala Malls Vertis NorthAs Daniel strolled out of the Armani store with Molly, he felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. For the first time in a while, he felt content and at peace with himself. He glanced down at the watch on his wrist, and a smile of satisfaction spread across his face. The watch did not define him, but it symbolized his newfound confidence and strength. He had purchased it not to flaunt his new wealth to Judee but because he genuinely liked the design of the watch. It was also a small way for him to prove to himself that he could be happy without someone who had caused him so much pain. As they walked, he couldn't help but think that he had been basing his happiness on external factors such as Judee and the things around him. That's why he felt crushed and helpless when those things were taken away from him. But now, he saw that true happiness should come from within. It was up to hi
March 5, 2023, 7:45 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001 Daniel finally arrived home, feeling exhausted yet satisfied from his day out with Molly. Together, they went shopping and bought new clothes, a new watch, and even a new journal notebook. Upon reaching his condo unit, he placed down the shopping bags, which he plans to sort out later, and took a moment to rest. After a while, Daniel rose and headed to the kitchen, where he brewed a refreshing cup of iced coffee. He carried his drink to the balcony and settled into a chair with his brand-new journal. As he savored his coffee, he reflected on his day and jotted down four things he was thankful for. Hello Journal, I'm not used to this, so please bear with me as I write down the things I'm grateful for today: 1. I'm thankful that I manage to start being active again. I plan to make it a regular habit to work out and prioritize my health. 2. I feel grateful to have met a friend like Molly.
March 5, 2023, 9:45 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001Daniel sat in bed, stealing a glance at the clock on his nightstand. It read 9:45 PM, and he had been trying to sleep for almost an hour. Despite his exhaustion, his excitement from his new workspace still pulsed through him, making it difficult to quiet his mind. Thoughts of the projects he could now work on and the prospect of working as a freelancer in advertising instead of being a full-time corporate slave brought a grin to his face. "Maybe having an iced coffee when I got home earlier wasn't such a great idea," he chuckled, still unable to drift off.So, he decided to get up and do something about his restless energy. He changed into comfortable jogger pants and a loose white shirt before heading down to the condominium gym. There, he hopped on the treadmill and ran for a bit, until his body started to relax.After his workout, he returned to his unit and stepped out onto the balcony to
March 6, 2023, 7:30 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001After ensuring that Ms. Ellie was settled in the guest bedroom, Daniel made his way to the gym to take care of most of his daily tasks. Over two hours later, he returned to his unit feeling slightly fatigued after his workout. As he walked into the living room, he was surprised to see Ms. Ellie emerging from the guest room, still appearing groggy and disoriented. When she noticed him, she spoke in a friendly yet drowsy tone, "Oh, Mr. Daniel. It's you? Did you need something?"Daniel smiled awkwardly and replied, "No, no. I just came back from the gym."Ms. Ellie, still piecing together the events from earlier, asked, "Did I leave my door open? Are you here to tell me?"Daniel gently explained the situation, "This is actually my unit. I found you unconscious outside and had to move you somewhere safer. I left a note beside the bed. Did you not notice?"Ms. Ellie realized her mistake, and her f
March 6, 2023, 8:30 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001 *Ding!* Sampaguita's robotic voice echoed in Daniel's head: "Mission Objective: Overcome a Setback and Start Your Own Creative Agency. "As part of this mission, you will receive a start-up capital of Php. 3,000,000 to help you get started. However, if you fail to complete the mission before the deadline, the capital will be retracted. The money will be deposited into your existing BDO account in a few seconds. "To complete the mission, you must fulfill the following requirements: -Register your business -Hire at least 10 employees (their salaries will be covered by the system) -Secure your first paying client "Upon successful completion of the mission, you will be rewarded with Php. 10,000,000 and a property." "You have 30 days to complete this mission." Daniel couldn't believe it. Was this some kind of sign? Maybe the reason he hadn't landed any job offers during his recent binge o
March 6, 2023, 7:00 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001The day had been incredibly hectic for Daniel, far busier than he had anticipated. He had no idea that he would be starting a creative and advertising agency when the day began. He spent hours reaching out to people, contacting various businesses, and preparing for the launch of his creative and advertising agency.As night fell, Daniel finally had a moment to himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the quietness of his apartment. But even as he relaxed, he couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind. Would his new venture be successful? Would he be able to handle the pressure and demands of running a business?To distract himself from these thoughts, Daniel got up and headed to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and scanned its contents before settling on a plump chicken. He took his time preparing the meat, marinating it with soy s
March 7, 2023, 2:00 PM - Flavors Restaurant, Seda Hotel, Quezon City, Philippines - Private RoomDaniel arrived at Flavors restaurant with plenty of time to spare before he meets with Ms. Beth and the lawyer from DM Law and Accounting Office. He had chosen the restaurant for its private room, which would provide a quiet and discreet location for the signing of the necessary documents. The restaurant itself was located on the top floor of the Seda Hotel, overlooking the bustling city below. The interior was modern and sleek, with wooden accents and warm lighting that added to the cozy atmosphere.As he waited for his guests to arrive, Daniel sat at the table by the window, taking in the panoramic view of the city. Daniel sipped on a glass of iced tea whilst reviewing the list of applicants he had shortlisted for an interview the following day.At precisely 2:00 PM, Ms. Beth and the lawyer arrived, and Daniel stood up to greet them. After exchanging pleasantries, they moved to the priva
April 3, 2023, 9:14 AM - 121 Valero Access Road 3 Salcedo Village, Makati, Philippines - 1900 Antel Corporate Center - Solé Corporate OfficeInside a small conference room in the client's office building, Daniel and the Inklusive team anxiously awaited their turn to present. TVWA, their competitor for this pitch, was currently showcasing their ideas in the main conference room.Glancing at his team, Daniel observed a mix of excitement and anxiety on their faces. Understanding the pressure they felt as part of Inklusive's first pitch, he leaned forward and addressed them in a calm, reassuring tone."Look at you guys," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Why are you all so nervous? Come on, have a little faith in yourselves! We've got this in the bag. We've put in the work, we've got the talent, and we've prepared an interesting campaign proposal. Trust me, we're well-prepared, and I believe in each and every one of you. Let's show them what Inklusive is capable of."His words seemed to eas
March 27, 2023, 11:30 AM - Makati City, PhilippinesAs the Inklusive team rode back to the office in one of their company cars, the tension from the encounter with the head of the competing agency still lingered in the air. The team couldn't help but discuss the arrogance they had witnessed, their voices filled with a mix of frustration and determination."I can't believe how arrogant that guy was," Jewel exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration. "Did you see the way he dismissed our ideas and belittled our capabilities? It was completely uncalled for."Daniel, who was sitting beside Jewel, sighed and said, "Don't let them get to you. If there is one thing I've learned in my time in advertising is that if you let intimidation blow your fuse, you lose. Learn to control your anger, you will encounter worse people than that in the industry, I can tell you that much. Besides, they did have grounds for their confidence, they are from TVWA, a bigwig in the advertising field, but let's no
March 27, 2023, 8:14 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Orean Place CS 103 - Inklusive Creatives and Advertising's Temporary Office"Alright," Daniel addressed the Inkusive team, his voice filled with excitement and determination, "Good morning, everyone. Today is the first client brief the company will face, fosho it ain't the last, nevertheless, let's give it our all to secure this one."The team nodded in agreement, also excited for their, hopefully, first client"Okay," Daniel continued, "So Lily, Jewel, Dwight, JP, and Jhunel come with me, the rest can stay here and continue working on our social media. We'll update you on the progress later."The designated team members gathered their belongings and followed Daniel out of the office, excited and nervous for their first client brief with Inklusive. As they made their way to the client's location, the excitement in the air was palpable. This was a crucial opportunity for Inkusive to showcase their talents and
March 26, 2023, 9:27 AM - Senate Village Phase 2, Baranggay 173, Caloocan City, Philipines - Abelardo ResidenceAs his parents heard the commotion outside, they rushed out to welcome him back home. "Daniel!" his mom exclaimed as she embraced him."Ma, Pa, mano po," Daniel greeted them."Oh, Anak, your mom mentioned you were taking us somewhere?" his dad inquired."Yes, Pa, it's a surprise. Follow me there, and you can drive this car," Daniel replied, gesturing to the new car parked in front of their house. His parents were surprised to see it there, and they also noticed Mia standing next to the car."Is this your car, Anak? And who is this? Is she your new girlfriend? Why didn't you introduce her earlier?" his mom inquired.Hearing the comment Mia of course blushed but was too shy to retort. Daniel shook his head at the antics of his mother. "Ma, no po." He then turned to Mia and said, "Sorry bout that. Please don't mind my mom."Mia shook her head in response, indicating she doesn't
March 26, 2023, 5:41 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse 001When Daniel woke up the next day, he was immediately jolted awake by Sampaguita's robotic voice, which, at this moment, was music to Daniel's ears.*Ding*"Congratulations host," Sampaguita announced, "Minor mission: Overcome being unknown has been completed.The host is hereby rewarded with 100 overcome points and a 4-bedroom house and lot property located in Mira Nila Homes, Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, Philippines.The title of the property will be sent right away to the host's current abode."Daniel smiled as he saw the house that was included in this time's reward. It was something he can use for something he had been wanting to do for a long time.So Daniel immediately got up, went through his morning daily routine of working out and making breakfast, ate then freshened up to prepare to go somewhere.But before he left, he picked up his phone and dialed an all-familiar number to him."Hey, ma.
March 25, 2023, 11:23 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Orean Place CS 103 - Inklusive Creatives and Advertising's Temporary OfficeAfter retrieving his motorcycle, Daniel drove straight back to the condominium and parked it in his designated spot before making his way inside.As he entered the building, a cameraman caught sight of him and signaled to his partner, who was holding a microphone with an 'INQ' logo. The two turned towards Daniel, drawing the attention of the others nearby.Realizing that they were all there to interview him, Daniel was taken aback. There were seven pairs of reporter-cameramen waiting for him, including three from TV networks and four from newspapers."Are you Mr. Daniel Abelardo? Hi! I'm Gale from The Inquirer, can we have an interview with you?" asked the woman holding the "INQ" microphone."Sir, I'm Phoebe from Rappler, can we ask a few questions?" another lady interjected.The reporters all spoke at once, overwhelming Daniel with
March 25, 2023, 5:38 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse 001Yesterday, Inklusive not only uploaded the remaining videos but also collaborated with content creators who share their advocacy. In return, the company promoted the creators' videos about their campaign on social media, which helped increase their campaign's reach.However, the downside is that Daniel's projections show that even with the current boost, they might only get a maximum of 3.5 million organic reach. This news weighed heavily on him, causing him to worry about failing their mission this time."This is frustrating," Daniel sighed. "But on the bright side, we were able to raise awareness for the drivers' situation, right?"So after his morning usual routine, Daniel went down to the office. He tasked the team to relax for now and start to shift their focus to the next goal at hand. Preparing to attend client briefs with various companies to create pitches for paid ad campaigns.Daniel a
March 24, 2023, 5:38 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse 001The next day, Daniel woke up to the sound of his alarm and immediately reached for his phone. As he scrolled through his notifications, he felt his heart skip a beat. The company's social media accounts were buzzing with activity.He had been closely monitoring the first video they posted last night, which they had released on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and the company website. When he called it a day, the video only had a few reactions and comments from team members, acquaintances, and volunteers of the foundation. But now, his eyes widened as he saw that the Facebook post alone had over 123,000 reactions and more than 1000 shares.Excitedly, Daniel began reading some of the positive comments out loud, "This video made me realize the struggles of our drivers, thank you for raising awareness" and "The imported modernization is so expensive! The government should find better alternative
March 22, 2023, 1:23 PM - 596 Monumento Rotonda, Caloocan, Philippines - Monumento CircleOn the day of the shoot, Daniel and his team arrived at the circle and worked closely with Berto, who coordinated the logistics for the shoot with the foundation and the drivers. As they arrived on site, Daniel called out to Berto, waving his hand in greeting."Yo Berto!" he exclaimed.Berto turned around and smiled at the group. "You guys all set up?" he asked."Yeah, we're ready to go," Daniel replied.Following Berto's lead, the team captured footage of the food distribution, the stranded passengers, and the people getting into the cars provided by Inklusive for free rides. The long line of passengers waiting for a ride seemed relieved that they would finally be able to reach their destinations. Some of them took photos, while others expressed their gratitude for being able to get a ride without having to pay a single centavo. It was heartwarming to see the community coming together in support