Well, I need this job. I will give my best shot. Saka na lang ako aalis kapag ipinagtabuyan niya. Anyway, I deserve it after what I did to him.
“Good morning, Sir,” aniya at pormal na ngumiti.
Inangat ni Nikos ang tingin mula sa laptop computer. He was wearing reading glasses and he looked so professional. Di na ito ang lalaki na pwede niyang sigaw-sigawan at tawaging maniac. Mukha kasi itong kagalang-galang.
Pwede rin palang magmukhang kagalang-galang ang lalaking ito.
“Please take a seat, Miss Calderon. What would you like to have?” he asked.
“Nothing, Sir.” His voice was so chilling. Parang igigisa niya ako ng buhay.
He pressed the intercom and asked his secretary to bring a cup of coffee. Iniwas na lang niya ang tingin dito para di masyadong kabahan. Maya maya pa ay dala na ng sekretarya nito at kape nito at lumabas agad. Dinampot nito ang folder at binuklat. “So you worked in a hotel in Miami for five years.”
“I am with the Food and Beverage section then I was transferred to the business center since I am good with computers.”
“I interviewed your former employer. He told me that they are asking you to extend your service but you decided to go back to the Philippines instead. Why?”
“I saved enough money to put up my own restaurant. That’s what I really love to do. Unfortunately, my plans are messed up. But I still decided to stay so I can be with my family.” She was spilling her guts. So what? Sinasabi lang niya ang totoo. Pero di siya nagpapaawa dito kung iyon ang iniisip nito.
“I need someone who is willing to travel abroad with me. The job as my executive assistant can be pressing because you have to travel a lot. You also have to deal with a lot of people. There are times that you have to answer my email or interact through cam. And of course, you will be well compensated and the benefit is not a problem. Is that okay with you?”
“No problem, Sir.” Masarap yata ang bumiyahe kahit pa sabihing business trip. At wala rin naman siyang problema sa pakikipag-usap sa iba’t ibang tao. At higit sa lahat, musika sa pandinig niya ang benefits at compensation. Sino ba ang tatanggi? “The more challenging the job is, the better.”
Ayaw niyang mahanapan siya ng butas ni Nikos. She wanted to show him that she wanted the job and she deserved it. Di lang dahil may mutual friend sila.
Tumango-tango ito at isinara ang resume niya. “Ask Mandy for the documents you have to submit. She will also give you the materials you have to study about the company and the profile of our different hotel branches. Kailangang malaman mo sila dahil di lang tayo dito sa Manila branch naka-focus. Sakop natin ang lahat ng branch ng La Brissa. And pay special attention to the new hotel in Santorini.”
“Will you give me an exam after this, Sir?” di niya maiwasang itanong.
Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay natawa ito. “No! You need those as my new executive assistant. You are hired, Miss Calderon.”
“But we don’t get along, Sir.” Malay ba niya kung gagantihan lang siya nito.
“We will get along where work is concerned.” Binuklat ulit nito ang resume niya. “You have a nice recommendation. Not just because Simone is your friend. But you impressed your former boss in Miami. Maganda rin ang working relationship mo sa iba mo pang kasamahan.”
“You don’t like me,” she stated frankly.
“I won’t hire you if I don’t like you. For your own comfort, I hold no grudge on you. You apologized and I accepted. I believe that both of us are professional. As long as you do your job right, its okay.”
Napayuko siya. “Yes, Sir.” Naka-mind set na kasi siya na di siya matatanggap. Ngayon ay kailangan na niyang sanayin ang sarili na kasama ito.
His face became grim. “I know you are not at ease to work with me. Let’s forget about what happened. From now on, puro trabaho na lang ang isipin natin.”
Tumango-tango siya. Kahit paano ay nabawasan ang pagkailang niya. “Yes, Sir. I will keep that in mind. Kalilimutan ko na rin ang nangyari sa cruise. Magpo-focus po ako sa trabaho.” Ayaw niyang sayangin ang chance na iyon.
“Good. You may start on Monday for the orientation.”
“That’s it, Sir?” di makapaniwala pa rin niyang tanong. “Wala na po kayong iba pang itatanong sa akin?” Parang maikli kasi ang interview.
“Yes. You may go now. Hindi ko na kailangang habaan ang interview dahil nang matanggap namin ang resume mo kahapon, nag-inquire na agad kami tungkol sa mga references mo. I am satisfied with those.”
“Are you sure, Sir?”
Tumango ito. “Stop asking silly questions, Miss Calderon. Hindi ba kailangan mo pang sunduin sa ospital ang mother mo?”
“Y-Yes, Sir.” Di niya inaasahan na alam din nito ang tungkol sa mommy niya. Marahil ay nabanggit ni Simone. Bahagya siyang yumuko. “Thank you, Sir.”