PHOENIX-CREED [TDH - VI]

Chapter 3

JULIETTE REVERIE

Every year, may kino-conduct na Team Building and Social Night ang organization para sa aming mga empleyado. They think that those activities/events helps in strengthening the employee relations, which is one factor that makes successful business operations. So far, so good din naman ang mga iyon. Libre at walang ibang iisipin ang mga empleyado kundi ang mga susuotin nila sa mismong mga araw na iyon.

May meeting kami ngayon kasama ang CHRO na si Ma'am Suzette Ocampo. Mabait siya at hindi mataray, hindi katulad ng mga kaedad niyang ubod ng katarayan.

"Good morning, everyone! As you've noticed, our 3-day Team Building is fast approaching, hence, I called this meeting to discuss important matters with all of you..." panimula ni Ma'am Suzette.

May mga hiyawan pa dahil sa excitement, lahat kami ay nilo-look forward ang mga ganitong event dahil makakapag-relax kami at makakapag-enjoy pa.

"So... to begin this meeting, I want to inform all of you that Mr. Phoenix-Creed will be joining us during our 3-day Team Building... Ma'am, why will he join us?" aniya. "It's because he wants to make sure that his employees are efficient and effective workers. During the past days, he observed that most of you showed him unethical behaviors. With that, we already know that Mr. Phoenix-Creed is serious about work and he doesn't want to see your unprofessional conducts during office hours."

"Eh, Ma'am... Bakit pa siya sasama sa Team Building natin? Wala naman tayong gagawin doon bukod sa maglaro at makipag-close sa mga katrabaho natin eh. Baka nga mabagot pa siya roon at umalis nalang." I expressed my opinion.

"He won't join if he doesn't have a good reason to go with us, Ms. Quives. Besides, should you be happy because unlike any other successful business owners, Mr. Phoenix-Creed spared us a fraction of his time knowing that he has a very busy schedule?" nakangiting wika ni Ma'am Suzette at napatango naman ako.

Tama nga siya, Mr. Phoenix-Creed is no joke and we should be thankful because he wants to bond with us. Hindi lahat ng mga boss ay may ganoong initiative na makihalubilo sa mga empleyado nila.

"You're right po, Ma'am Suzette." naisagot ko sa kanya at nanahimik na.

"Moving on, I have a few rules that all of you needs to strictly follow while Mr. Phoenix-Creed is around." aniya.

"Never open up a conversation with him unless he is the first to talk to you. It's a basic rule, I know. But be careful. Makiramdam kayo palagi sa mga kilos niya. And please, be cautious with your choice of words. Our boss is not a typical person whom we can throw jokes with, know your boundaries."

"If he's around, feel free to acknowledge his presence once, but don't mind him all the while he's there. You could pretend that he is nonexistent. He doesn't like it when people gives him too much attention, he hates it when y'all make him feel that his presence intimidate y'all."

"During the 3-day Team Building, avoid using your cellphones when the activities are going on. You may only use phones when the day is over and you are already in your respective rooms. As I've heard, Mr. Phoenix-Creed is not fond of mobile phones a lot so it would be better if you focus on the event during that span of time."

"Most of all, don't call him Sir. Address him as Mr. Phoenix-Creed when you two are talking. Formalities are important to him, because again, Mr. Phoenix-Creed is serious about work and he follows rules all the time."

Shala naman ang mga rules na yan! Reklamo ko sa isip. Kung ganyan pala siya, sana ay hindi nalang siya sumama! Didiktahan niya pa kami sa ultimong cellphone nalang? Jusko!

"Did I make myself clear?" tanong ni Ma'am Suzette samin. "Do you have any questions? Clarifications? Violent reactions?"

"None po, Ma'am." sabay naming sagot lahat.

"Okay, go back to your tables. That's all for today." aniya.

Nagsipagbalikan kami sa mga table namin at nagpatuloy na sa pagtatrabaho.

As usual, ako ang nauutusan para mag-encode ng ibang importanteng reports, lalo na ang pag-print ng mga iyon. Walang palya yan kada araw.

Lumipas ang buong araw na puro lang kami trabaho lahat at wala man lang nagbalak na magchismisan sa isang sulok nitong floor namin dahil sa takot na baka maabutan sila ni Mr. Phoenix-Creed at pagalitan, o kaya ay patalsikin sa trabaho.

Hindi ko namalayan na alas singko na pala ng hapon kaya sabay kaming bumaba ni Rachel at nang makarating sa may lobby sa first floor, natanaw namin si Mr. Phoenix-Creed na naglalakad kasama ang mga bodyguard niya at secretary.

He was making his way out of the building and he didn't even bother to look at his surrounding. Nobody dared to walk before him as he was fast approaching the Entrance and Exit.

"Grabe, parang walang kakulay-kulay ang buhay niya, Julie no?" naiusal ni Rachel habang sinusundan namin sa paningin ang papalayong si Mr. Phoenix-Creed.

"Sinabi mo pa, parang puno ng lungkot ang buhay niya. Ni-hindi ko man lang siya nakitang ngumiti sila nang makarating siya rito. Hindi ba siya tinuruang maging masaya ng magulang niya?"

"Baka hindi lang uso sa pamilya nila ang ngumiti kaya lumaking ganyan si Mr. Phoenix-Creed. Parang batong naglalakad, tignan mo naman ang postura niya!" bulong pa niya sakin at mahinhing tumawa.

"Ganyang ganyan talaga ang mga taong tumatandang binata eh. Puro kasi trabaho, ayan tuloy, nakalimutan nang makaramdam ng emosyon. Napaka-pasikat! Dinadamay pa tayo sa kaitiman ng pamumuhay niya!" bwelta ko pa at natawa.

"Sira ka talaga! Pero totoo, siguro kaya ganyan siya kasi puro lang siya trabaho. Sa pagiging busy niya para palaguin ang business niya at magpayaman, naging ganyan na ang resulta. Hays! Sayang naman ang kagwapohan niya..."

"Kaya nga eh. Ang gwapo niya para maging coldhearted guy. Hindi bagay. Tanggap ko kung malanding tao siya, atleast may silbi kagwapohan niya. Pero sa lagay niyang iyan? Ni-hindi nga siguro marunong manligaw yan eh. Tsk." sagot ko.

"Sus! Kahit hindi niya ako ligawan, payag na agad akong maging asawa niya. Ang importante ay siya ang partner ko, wala na akong pake kung antipatiko siya at hindi romantiko!"

"Baliw ka ba?! Asa namang mapapansin ka niyan! Ni hindi nga tayo magawang lingunin tapos pinagpapantasyahan mo pa siya?!" pambabara ko sa pagiilusyon niya. "Kung sabagay, hindi pa naman huli para maturuan ko siyang lingunin at mahalin ako eh."

"Wow ha! Isa ka pang ilusyunada!" napabungisngis kami sa mga pinagsasabi sa isa't isa. Nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad palabas ng building nang makitang nakaalis na ang sasakyan ni Mr. Phoenix-Creed.