“Mr. Sonnenberg is ready to see you, Miss Kelly.”
Napatayo si Kelly sa anunsyo ng Executive Secretary na si Evy na nagpakilala sa kanya kanina. She finally got a call from the publishing company who accepted her for the job. Accordingly, she will be having a full day of orientation for her job today. Nagulat na lang siya na one-on-one pala ang naturang orientation. And it was 9AM, kasisimula pa lang ng trabaho. Sa Pilipinas, marami na siyang nagawang trabaho ng ganoong oras. Dito, 8:30 ang time-in. And she came at 7:30AM dahail nakasanayan na rin niya, and of course to make a good impression. Nagkasabay pa sila nitong si Evy sa elevator, na strictly for employees lang pero naipagpasalamat niya ng husto kesa mag marathon sa hagdanan patungo sa 20th floor.
Shock was an understatement when “Mr. Sonnenberg” turned his swivel chair as soon as Evy brought her to the “Executive’s” office. He smirked at her at tila natulos siya sa kinatatayuan. She closed her eyes hoping she could calm herself down. Goodbye Netherlands na ba this, alanganin sambit niya sa sarili.
“Well? Are you just going to stand there?” Untag nito na nagpamulat sa kanya. Natampal niya ang noo. Mamaya na lang niya aasikasuhin ang sariling drama. Not until “Mr Sonnenberg” finally tells the magic words “You’re fired” for her unforgivable demeanor last week.
Iminuwestra nito ang couch sa harap nito. It was a freaking big office na tila 100x larger than her office cubicle sa Pilipinas. His table at the center of it all and opposite it is the grand couch. Funny how everything is too grand for Michiel’s doppelganger.
“Cat got your tongue?” Untag nito. Nakatungo pa din kasi siya sa hiya at lahat ng pagsisisi for not treating him right on their last encounter. Kung alam lang talaga niya na future boss pala ito, she wouldn’t go that far insisting her reliving the soul of Gabriela Silang.
She cleared her throat and finally decided to meet his gaze. “Am I getting fired for the job?”
Iyon lang at tumawa ito ng malakas. Nakaawang ang bibig niya, pero naibalik siya sa huwisyo after him barely laughing for 1 minute or so. Langyang lalaki, hindi ako clown, ismid niya sa sarili.
“Snoepje”. Anito na pinapahid pa ang luha sa kakatawa.
“Should I leave?” Lakas loob na sabi niya rito. He doesn't seem to mind her leaving anyway, after everything she’s done.
“You look too funny with your expressions. And too outspoken. Lady, if you want to keep your job, shift to being submissive to me.”
And it was when she finally got a hold of the tension building her up earlier.
“You got it, boss.” Iyon lang at ngumiti dito ng sarkastiko.
“You amuse me.” Anito at sumilay ang nakakalokong ngiti, na nagpapainis sa kanya. Well she needs the job, for sure her patience could take her somewhere better in the Netherlands. She’s still a stranger on their land and she decided it’s best to start somewhere, like in Sonnen’s Group of Companies (SGC).
“Do you usually orient your new employees yourself, Sir Cam?” She can’t help but ask him when amidst the busy workday schedule and him as the Chief Director, they had a lunch break at 2PM. Naiinis siya kaya tinawag niya ito as “Sir Cam” even when he insisted earlier that she should call him “Mr. Sonnenberg”
