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Testimonial #007
MATTEO FORTALEZA (33)
Owner and CEO, Mindy's
Owner and CEO, Volare Holdings
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(Boss, ano po ba'ng nakita niyong mali for the past five days na nandito kayo?)
"There's a clear lack of efficiency here. First off, the kitchen staff move with the speed of turtles. There's no urgency to get orders out. It's obvious that both the line cooks and the manager are failing spectacularly at their jobs.
"Then there's the dining area. The waitstaff are idling and chitchatting, trying to dodge their actual responsibilities. Used tables stay uncleaned for way too long.
"During peak hours, guests are being neglected. I've seen disgruntled customers leaving because of this pervasive laziness. And don't even get me started on the smelly toilets. This is severe mismanagement on Evelyn's part.
"Considering these fundamental issues likely reflect the company's broader financial state, I suspect similar problems are happening in other branches.
"It's about time for upper management to step in. But, you know what? Retraining is expensive and not always effective. Firing inefficient people, however, is quick and cost-effective.
"Okay, Annie, is that enough?"
(Yes po, Boss. Okay na po. Hoy, Kendra! Mag-abot ka nga ng isang bottled water kay Boss, dali!)
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My palm tingles from the impact against Matteo Salvatore's jaw, and I stare at it, stunned.
I've never slapped anyone before—not once in my life—and now I'm caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Part of me wants to laugh, like this bizarre moment deserves some kind of victory dance. Another part wants to keep riding this wave of anger, just to see how far it'll take me.
Pero isang tanong ang yumanig sa'king ulirat—kung magsusumbong ba si Matteo kay Direk Annie o kay Miss Evelyn, posible kayang masisante ako?
Fear starts to creep in, taking over. If that happens, all my hard work here at Mindy's would be blown away like dust!
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, forcing deep breaths to steady myself. Get it together.
Exhaling, I turn on my heel and head back to the restaurant.
On the way, I pass by Sir Luke, loitering near the parking lot. May hawak siyang canned softdrink habang nakasandal ang buong likuran sa pader.
"Wait. Why are you crying again?" he says, standing up straight.
I really don't want to stop walking, but I also don't want to leave him hanging and seem disrespectful. Nagdahilan na lang ako.
"Napuwing lang po—"
"Gasgas na ang linyang 'yan, Miss Tuazon. Nakakalimutan mo yatang direktor ako. Alam ko ang pinagkaiba ng puwing sa iyak." Kaswal siyang uminom mula sa hawak niya.
Nang pakiramdam ko ay mas hahaba lang ang isyu kung mananatili ako sa harap niya, nagpatuloy na lang ako sa paglalakad.
Hindi naman niya ako pinigilan, at bagkus ay nagbiro na lang.
"Basta kung tungkol man sa breakup 'yan, sabihan mo lang ako, ha? I'm available, you know."
Nilingon ko siya at nginiwian.
BINABASA MO ANG
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