After being laid off and in dire need of funds, Juliette chose to offer tutoring services while searching for new employment. She replied to an ad seeking someone to meet particular criteria for tutoring a unique teenager. A unique teenager, with a very…demanding father.
I was the envy of all my friends when i landed the job at one of those online platform selling company during the hay days post covid. The benefits, the remunerations, they were out of this world. Welcome packages, laptops, free food, free drinks, and the working space was just wow.
When i made a video of my new job on social media, i saw an instant jump in the number of followers. I even have people asking how i landed the job.
I work from home 3 times a week, and if i go into office, there’s fresh coffee waiting for me, freshly brewed by a barista by the way. Not some crappy capsule machine ok?
Lunch is a buffet spread from a in house kitchen. I almost feel like i’m in some Korean drama where i get my pick of food during lunch time.
It was good while it lasted, but as the country transitioned to a post covid economy, all of us that were hired during the pandemic began to feel the air of uncertainty in the office.
As the saying goes, easy come, easy go. Before i hit the 3 year mark in the company, i was retrenched.
It’s not all gloom and doom, i’m only 27 and i’m a graduate from NUS. There are plenty of opportunities for me.
I start sending out resumes and unfortunately, i forgot that while i may be 27, but i’m also competing with others who are graduating and in their early 20s.
Went for a couple of interviews and none of them could match my asking pay. In fact, none could even match my previous pay.
It was a disheartening period for me and just nice, travel restrictions have eased, so instead of being a little frugal, i chose to go on holidays.
No, it’s not the Bangkok or Bali trip. I went Iceland, nordic countries, i went to New zealand, i self-drive around Australia. Then i spend 3 weeks in Japan.
You take one look at my social media, i tell you, the first thought that comes to your mind is i’m some rich man’s daughter. Either that or i have a sugar daddy funding my expenses. Unfortunately, the only person funding me was my alter-ego of wanting to pretend i’m rich. Sure, i get the nice pictures, a couple of brand collabs that were just one-off because i refuse to wear certain types of clothings or show off certain parts of my body. If you know you know.
After the binge travelling, you can probably imagine what happens to my bank account.
With less than $5000 left in my bank, i started to panic a little. Staying with my parents rent free took a bit of stress away but they are retired, i can’t be taking money from them. I should be the one taking care of them instead.
I started sending resumes again and unfortunately, not many companies like the 6 month resume gap i have, especially when i spend it travelling.
Juliette: how how how babe? die already la…
I complained to my bestie Sylvia at a cafe. Sylvia is in healthcare, a literal iron rice bowl.
Sylvia : Singapore won’t die one la.
Juliette : I’m not as lucky as you…zap people with radiation for a living.
Sylvia : I’m a radiologist…
Juliette : Same la, you zap people…how Sylvia…i’m desperate … i still got installment running for my facial package…arghhh…
Sylvia : Then you become social escort lor
Juliette: Please la…i’m turning 28 already…who will want me?
Sylvia : men in their 70s lor…if you are lucky, 60 ish should be still not that bad.
Juliette : erngnnn…i’m going to cry already.
Sylvia : Don’t be so drama. Look around, the cafes, the restaurants, they are all hiring what.
Juliette : Hello? look at me…do i look like i am suitable to work in a cafe? I NUS graduate ok?
Sylvia : Yah la yah la i know la. You Raffles alumni la, same school as ministers.
I pressed my forehead onto the table, inches away from the $7 latte i should not have ordered, while i stabbed the $9 scone into smithereens without looking at it.
Sylvia : why don’t you try giving tuition? the money is good. Your results all along quite ok.
Juliette : You have lobang?
Sylvia showed me her phone and pointed me to an app. One that pairs students with tuition teachers. It was an app that she used when she was in school and needed a side gig for extra pocket money.
Even now, she still teaches a couple of students, not for the money, but because the parents begged her to continue teaching the younger siblings. She has since stopped taking in new students.
Sylvia : Go and download this and try la. search for something near your place. Beats lying around at home right?
Juliette : how much are they paying per hour?
Sylvia : Well, depends…you want to teach primary school or secondary school.
Juliette : Hello…i can teach anything…I raffles one ok?
Sylvia threw a napkin in my face, obviously sick of my frequent flaunts of my school affiliation. People who don’t know me may think i’m trying to show off, but Sylvia knew better than to see it that way.
It was a self-deprecating remark.
So what if i’m a Raffles’ alumni, so what if i’m a NUS graduate? I’m still unemployed. Coming from a branded school with affiliation doesn’t mean shit when the economy is down.
Juliette : can filter base on money? whoever pays the highest.
Sylvia : Tsk…
Sylvia tapped away on the app and showed me a few listing.
Sylvia : these are not bad. 150 to 200 an hour, but it’s in sentosa…you got to factor in transport. You take taxi there and out already how much.
I looked at the listing and thats when something popped up and caught my eye.
With the location tagged to one of the private properties with it’s own berth along the waters, was a parent offering $280 an hour. Per subject.
Sylvia: please la, this one is obvious scam.
Juliette : why?
Sylvia : who will pay $280 an hour, people pay that for a whole month at tuition centres.
Juliette : because they are rich?
Sylvia, in her attempt to proof to me it’s a scam, opened the posting, flashing it’s details in full.
Sylvia : oh god. look at this asshole’s requirements.
Female tutor only!
18-30 years. (My son’s preference)
Only looking for Hwa Chong or Raffles Alumni.
The rest need not apply.
Straight As for both O levels and A levels.
Ok to travel to Sentosa ( separate transport allowance )
Have to wear school uniforms together with my son when giving tuition. (Special needs son)
Some added requirements to be discussed in private
Juliette : hmmm I fit all the requirements…
Sylvia : Hello? babe? your brain got water go inside ah?
Juliette : what?
Sylvia : this sounds like some post from a fucking pervert.
Juliette : which part?
Sylvia : oh dear lord.
She shut down the app and told me to ignore that posting. It’s obviously put up by a troll.
She looked at her watch and it was time for her to head back to work.
Sylvia : I need to go zap more people.
I stood up and she gave me a hug, telling me everything will be ok.
Sylvia : Something will come along soon. just keep sending those resumes and going for interviews.
Juliette : ok…
After she left the cafe, i downloaded the app and went back to the suspicious posting. Looking at the number, i hesitated for a few moments before dialing it.
It connected and my heart was racing as i waited for the person on the other end of the line to pick up.
It’s $280 an hour.
I can still fit my old JC uniforms. What’s the big deal about giving tuition in them? It’s just tuition.
What can possibly go wrong?
10800 words