Sindak

KABANATA 2

"We can call for submissions through the internet, sir Jeff."  Suggestion ni Don.  Isa sa apat kong Editorial staff, "You'll be surprised sa dami ng willing magk'wento."

"I can get a writer who could put them in narrative form. Kailangan lang talaga nating makuha ang story, facts and places." Sabi naman ng immediate assistant Editor kong si Jen. "I can start up a group to make this happen."

Wow. Isn't that what I'm exactly doing right now? Starting up a team... 'my' team? Bakit naging 'I' na on her perspective?

I don't really trust Jen. Do you know that gut feeling na you know when a person has this wicked hidden agenda against you? That's exactly what I feel for her. I have this weird inexplicable feeling that she's keeping an eye on my every flaw and failures, just so she can get a hold of the most sought after position in the company.

An ambitious bitch.

She brags about her cum laude collegiate honors and Journalism degree to almost everyone in the company. And I can even bet my bottom dollar that it's not mere Paranoia that I know she's questioning my qualifications as 'the' Editor-in-chief--with only my humble Marketing degree to boot. I can see that through her eyes, no wait... it's actually all over her make-up deteriorated face. She wants to take my place. And I'm sure as hell that she'll take advantage of anything and everything that can dislodge me from the higher place where I'm on.

"Ganito na lang, sir!"  Ma-epal na sabat niya in our team meeting with our boss, "Since Jeff and I don't really have 'the' same thing in mind regarding your awesome, awesome idea--" 

What a shameless sucker! 

"Why don't we just split our department in half. Gumawa tayo ng dalawang test brands. Isang gawa ng editorial group ko, isang gawa ng editorial group niya. In that way, mate-test din natin kung alin ang mas malakas sa market."

Copyright ⓒ DyslexicParanoia (Angela Atienza), 2014, All rights reserved.  

I am trying to remain my composure, though every fiber of my being is yearning to shred every bits of her to pieces. How dare her to even suggest such kind of severance in 'my' department. Editorial is 'my' group. It is 'my' team; 'my' territory! My freaking world! Why is she messing with what's mine?

I'm afraid I know the answer.

"I am not up to dividing my department, Sir."  Seryosong pagsabat ko. I am looking at my boss. "She can start her own little new group for this specific project if she wants to, but, I do not like 'my' department divided in anyway."

Tumango sa akin ang boss ko. Thank God he still listens to me.

"Sure, Jeff. But I have to admit that her idea is good. I like Jen's idea. Kung ayaw mong ma-divide ang Editorial Department. Ok lang, pero wala naman sigurong mawawala kung mag-form tayo ng bagong grupo. A sub-department kumbaga. Instead of dividing, we'll hire a couple new editors under Jen who will be in charge of our new brands. How's that sounds?"

That sounds terrible to me. Damn bitch! She's actually smirking at me right now. I can see that this is exactly what she desires. To break free from my leadership. To suck it up with our boss, start her own, so she could finally compete with me; or worse, replace me.

If she knows me enough. She should know by now that I'm a go getter. I do not succumb to anyone without a fair fight. I am her boss regardless of her conceited regard of herself. I am Editor-in-chief even without an A.B. Communications degree because I am 'that' good. It actually takes a real kick ass of a person to do something one is 'not' trained to do in college. It means my talent is inborn, not made! I am naturally great, not trained!

"Here's my suggestion, Sir. And I know you will like this better."  Sinulyapan ko si Jen.   Biglang sumimangot ito sa akin, "I want to keep my team, she can a start a new 'temporary' group.  Each of our team will create a test brand. Magkasabay na pakawalan natin ang dalawang brands sa Market and see how it goes. Kapag mas patok 'yung kaniya, she can keep her team. Pero kapag 'yung sa 'kin ang mas kumita, I'd like her team dissolved right away. We don't really need an extra team for a losing brand. Dagdag sa overhead lang 'yun. It's your loss, not ours, Sir."

Ako naman ang nakangisi sa kaniya ngayon. Tinanguan ng boss namin ang aking idea.

"Ok."  Our boss said finally, "I'll give you six months to show me some results. We'll create a new team under Jen and--"

"Sir!" Pagsabat ni Clara, isa sa mga Editorial staff na very close kay Jen. "I would like to join Miss Jen instead. Kung ok lang po."  That is to be expected, since they are like BFFs from hell

"Ako rin po!" Sabi naman ni Jerrick. Isa rin sa mga staff na parati kong nasisibog sa dami ng nakalalampas na typographical and grammatical errors sa mga manuscripts na in-assign ko sa kan'ya.

Jen is smirking right at me again, and actually tempted to cut her head off right now.

"Ok, we'll hire new editors for Jeff then." Sabi ng aming boss. "Pero since buo na ang group mo, Jen. I am now officially excusing you from your current Editorial responsibilities. P'wede na kayong mag-umpisa."

"Pero Sir..." Pagsabat ko, "We have a pile of other manuscripts to edit at a deadline. If you are taking three of my people right away, how can we meet up with our deadlines? And if we are buried with so much projects they left behind, how can we even start brainstorming with our brand?"

"I always have faith in you, Jeff.  You're my tried and tested one.  I know you can do this..."

Tried and tested, my ass! This is not fair!

"Don't worry, Jeff. We'll get new editors for you right away. Maraming fresh graduates ang nag-a-apply ngayon. "

New graduates? What the hell?! Why does he have to praise me so much, only to metaphorically throw me under the bus?

Creating a new brand I do not believe in is such a challenge already and then this... happens to me.

Should I surrender now?

Should I just tell Jen, 'Go ahead and stay out of my hair.' It's actually better off without her and her two minions in my department anyway.

But no...

I need to prove to my boss I can do this better than anyone. Regardless of the circumstances; against all odds.

[Itutuloy]