"Sam, can you come inside please?"
"Okay, boss."
Once inside,
"Yes sir?"
Her boss leaned on his swivel chair, fingertips tapping on his table.
"How many times do I have to tell you stop calling me sir or boss?"
"Eh kasi boss naman kita. I feel akward every time I call you by your first name."
"Didn't you hear them calling me by my name? Even the janitor call me by my first name. C'mon, do I have to make it as a policy so everybody must follow? And what's so awkward with my name?"
Hindi siya makasagot.
"See? Wala! Kaya, gumaya ka na sa kanila."
"Okay, fine! Ang kulit! So, what's with the call?"
"We have to attend the groundbreaking of the new building in Singapore plus the annual corporate's party in the evening at the Hyatt. It would be this Friday. We have to fly Thursday evening coz' the groundbreaking will be at eleven am. It would be too hazardous if we leave here in Manila early in the morning. You're free during the day and I'll fetch you from the hotel at around six pm for the party. How does it sounds to you?"
"First, aminin mo muna na you're not a morning person. Tinatamad ka lang na bumangon ng madaling araw kasi madaling araw ka na natutulog from your bar escapades.
Two, is the trip an all-paid company expense that will include sightseeing? If so, I must make a plan para sulit ang trip ko.
Third, will the party be too formal for me to buy a dress?"
"Yes, yes and yes. You'll even have an allowance for your sightseeing. Even the dress is considered as company expense. So, are you going?"
"You're not kidding, are you?"
"If you have a husband and kids, all of them can join you on this event, and still, company will pay. Convincing enough? So, ano?"
"Who am I para tumanggi? Of course! What time is our flight? Today is Wednesday. I must have time to pack my things."
"Pack? Why do you need to pack? It will be only for three days max. We'll fly back here Saturday morning."
"Unlike you boys, kaming mga girls, maraming abubot kapag magta-travel. at saka, pwedeng humirit?"
"What?" he amusingly asked her.
"Pwedeng gawin kong Sunday afternoon ang flight ko pabalik? May mga kaibigan kasi ako dun na naka-base. I am thinking of visiting them."
"No problem, so its a go?"
"Yes, Boss!"
"Sam?"
"Este, Colin pala. Yes Colin."
"That's my girl. Now go and call HR. Tell them you'll go with me for that event in Singapore so they can include you in the budget."
"Okay! Nanginginig pa!"
Naririnig pa ni Sam ang tawa ni Colin habang palabas na siya ng opisina nito.
After that meeting with Eduardo Manzano, Samantha went to the office of AlCom to apply as instructed.
But by the time she stepped down from the taxi, she decided she will not do what Manzano asked her to do. Takot siya sa maaring mangyari sa kanya kapag nahuli siya. At wala rin siyang kasiguraduhang tutulungan siya nito kapag nahuli siya.
She filled the application forms given to her from HR but she made sure she wouldn't pass for any vacant position, kahit ang maging janitress. Upon seeing the result of her tests plus her answers on some personal questions, tinanong siya ng HR Head kung wala ba siyang sakit. She said no, of course, and asked why, though she knew why she was asked like that. As she expected, she was informed that her test results will not pass any position available at AlCom.
