From that day we had been busy and we went back to how we used to be. I'm here in the company looking at my desktop and lazily doing my task. How's he doing now? We rarely see each other, when he got home I am already asleep and when I woke he already get off to work,
"Hey, Selene" I looked at Jake when he called me. He's the top manager in this department and he's kind to us.
"Have you done the reporting?" This is what I'm doing, he asked me to do the reporting for the proposal that was presented to the board. Yeah work is really hard when it comes to this, I hate presenting, it's not my forte and I don't have confidence. I don't know how I can get the best performance when I'm just a simple employee who wants a simple life.
"I'm still doing it. I don't have any idea" I keep on biting my nails, my brain is lacking ideas. He leaned on me and looked at the screen and read what I've written.
"This will reject our boss. You need to think of new reasons why he should invest in us. We need to think on this deeply and apply critical thinking and I heard the major investor which is part of the board is coming" I don't have any idea. He chose me to be his partner on this matter.
"This is not part of my job" I complaint in a nice way.
"Silly, we need it there. The sales are decreasing and we need to suggest how to improve our products. You're part of the Marketing department." he winked at me and he seems to want to be promoted well, who wouldn't ? Except me.
Few more days and the day has come. I'm nervous and I'm still not used to using it. We enter an exclusive room and my hands get sweaty when we enter the room. A well known and successful businessman is here and they're all wearing corporate attire. My eyes landed on Ken, he's here? I bit my lower lip, I want to back out. Why didn't I ask what's the company that our boss has been targeting to invest in us? He's playing the pen as he chills while sitting on the chair.
He looked at his wrist watch "you're 30 seconds late. Is this how professional your employee mr. Vacardi?" He's really a boss. I swallowed hard, he's not my husband. The way he uttered his every word is like there's a power in. "How can you pursue me to invest if your employees and you are not professionals? You know that I don't like being late" he's mean. It's just 30 seconds why he needs to be like this?. I just want to get out of here and run. I don't like his aura. So, are the gossips about him true? He's a really strict and embarrassing employee.
"Excuse, Mr. Saltzman, it's just 30 seconds, why make it a big deal? If we start right now we use our time wisely and not waste it on pointing at us." Jake answered and Ken fixed his suit and he's playing on the ballpen.
"As per I remember I'm not talking to you. You know that it's your proposal today. Why did you make us wait? Isn't that right Mr.?" Why does he need to make it a big deal?
"Stop, about it and let's start" the old man interrupted and he said it in a warning tone. He is stopping Ken.
I played with my fingers to distract myself. Jake looked at me "I can't make it" I said without a voice. He held my hand and pinch it.
Ken put his ballpen back "In business, time is important, we're all business men here. You know how important 30 seconds is, it's either you earn or lose money. Now, I changed my mind and I invest in an uncompetitive company" he stands up and calls his secretary.
"Mr. Saltzman give us a chance" our boss beg and stop him.
"Your company is decreasing sales and the performance is low. It doesn't make sense if I invest, I'm just wasting money and time.`` Is our company near bankruptcy? That can’t be. I don't want to work with another company, I am comfortable here. The boss is nice.
"Why don't you sit in and have a try first. Let's hear from you first Mr. Saltzman, we have been friends."
Our boss can't pursue him as well as the other investor is backing up because Ken pursued them well.
"Please, let's hear our proposal and after that you can decide if you take it or regret it" I interrupted and he smirked.
We look at each other's eyes and "Okay" back on his seat. There's a wonder in the eyes of people here as he agreed to me that easily.
As we started to discuss, I got distracted by the way he looked at me. I couldn't focus on my topic. He's just looking at me intently and he didn't remove his look at me. I got a mental block "t-this. Uhmm" I don't want to say. I stayed silent and thought of my next speech "well… I… " Im dead. Competition is rising in the market As the part of the market team. They're trying to not change the quality of the product because customers have been finding the old tastez aroma and feelings… This is based on the survey they did last month and the result came to bring back the old… that's all" I firmly said.
The old man looked at the paper and asked , "what do you think is the easy solution to this problem? Yeah, you mention all the factors and possibly but what is your main recommendation?" He asked. I bit my lower lip. I want to get out of it plus I got distracted because Ken didn't leave his sight on me.
"And can you pursue us to invest in your soon to be bankrupt Mr. Vacardi?" Ken asked as if that's nothing. He is mimicking this company. I’d never known that he is arrogant when it comes to this matter.
Jake join in "Excuse me, but based on my i've said and in our survey it says that customers likes the old formula and we can get back customers loyalty if you guys invests on us it helps to enhances our product, MiBlanca used to be well known worldwide and if you put your trust on us we can be a business partners and a lots of benefits that you can get on us" Jake stated.
"Mr. Satzman and Mr. Lacardi, I'm setting my appointment to Lamidad Corporation and Madid has been our partners. We need you to help our company sales."
Ken keeps on playing the ballpen.
"And you Ms? Aren't you going to say something?" he smirked.
They all looked at me and I looked away. Jake held my hands and I saw Ken, look at it. His aura became dark and his jaw moved.
"Uh- uhm…" I don't know what to say, I have ideas but I'm being pressured to this place, they look like they are shouting that they are respectable and powerful. That you musnt messed them up.
"Aren't you listening to her report, Lacardi?" Ken asked the man who questioned me. He’s saving me.
"Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry" the man said as if he’s intimidated to Ken. he is arrogant, the way he speaks and he is aura. If this is not my husband, I already killed him in my mind.
"I'll think about this," Ken put the ballpen down.
"I'm sorry but I won't go. This is too risky, Vacardi" Lacardi said, the old man in a gray suit.
"I thought they are your top employees, why can't they pursue me? And how about their products ? They wants to make a products out of the world" Vacardi
Ken glared at the old man "that's how business works, old man! Making things possible. We are looking at a problem and making a solution and that's how we earn. Dont be stupid, as if youre not business industry for decades!" Ken insulted me and I wanted to laugh. How can he insult a respectable businessman like him?.
"Yeah I agree to Mr. Saltzman '' Lacardi "that's their ideas why we have Miblanca on top sales." he agreed "they are my assets and I treasure my employees. I treated them based on they skills''
Lacardi felt embarrassed that no one sided on me. I bow my head and I played my fingers,
"Suit you right!” Jake smirked and I nudge him. "he might heart you" I warned him
"He's too old to hear me?" He playfully said.
"Yeah, I want your employee, '' Ken said while looking at me and he's playing the ballpen again while leaning on the swivel chair like a boss, he's too relaxed. And I am nervous as hell.
"Yeah, Jake is my top manager" Vacardi
"No, the other one. I want her in my company" he said without breaking our eye contact.
“I give her to you in return you’ll invest in my company” My boss said
Ken smirked.
Am I a toy?
"Ok, deal" Ken. I want to punch him right now, what's on his mind? I told her before that I don't want to work in the family business, I want to be simple and lowkey. Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko sa inis, para siyang ewan! He's being irrational again!
Ken really signed and agreed to get, I hate my boss! He is willing to sacrifice his employee dignity for his company, how dare he! What kind of boss is he! They are just businessmen without a heart! They’re only thinking about their company and how to make money without minding their surroundings and what it may affect to humans!
If I become a CEO I'll break the stereotype and think for the betterment of everyone, everyone will get benefits! Of course I can't do that, I still need the help of my husband and a lot of hard work.
He left the company with a smirk on his face as if I won a lottery. I hate him! He’s annoying!
“Congrats to us!” our boss said and we’re still in the board meeting room. He looks so happy. I can't believe he did it and they’re really serious about that matter “I’m not happy” I said as matter of fact
“I’m sorry but I need to do that. Dont worry you’ll be in the goo hands. His company is fast growing and he pays his employees a high salary and I heard a lot of benefits to his company. You're lucky you wouldn't need to pass their interviews just to get hired. The wants you to be theirs!” as if! If he knows
“That’s not right!” Jake seriously said “she’s not a toy to be the replacement or to close a deal. That's inhuman!” jake protest
“Why are you not happy? As I promise I'll raise your salary and promotion as well. Shielyn, I’m planning to be a top manager in marketing. You have hidden skills. You had been in my company for years but I need to let you go” he said sincerely
I don't want to work in Ken's company, I won't get comfortable.
“I’m happy with my position Sir, I don't want any pressure and stress. I’m okay with what my position is” Yeah, just like me, Jake refuses many promotions as we like our job, less stress and we’re free of heavy responsibilities. He don’t like promotion as he said he wants to enjoy his life without stress and heavy responsibility.
“I never get disappointed in either of you. I’m still wondering why you keep on rejecting the promotion wherein you have incredible skills”
“If you accept your promotion I’m scared we will be the next CEO’ I seriously said. My boss laughed
“I’m good to my salary” Jake “and promotion makes the work heavy but the salary is just minimum, it's not satisfying though” jake
“Let's talk some other time. I still have meeting” he bid together with his secretary
“Are you okay?” jake asked me