His Broken Gem

HBG 2

Stella's POV

It was still 7:29 when I reach our company, I'm always early. I believe that being a good model to your employees makes the employees work harder. It's also a reminder to myself to be on top of everything. I can't let them see any flaws on me dahil ayaw kong isipin nilang may kahinaan ako. I should be perfect in front of them so they won't have the audacity to criticize my way of ruling. And also, in that way I can only protect myself from them. letting them know that I'm not an easy target to deal with.

“Ma'am sorry po late ako." My secretary entered my office looking haggard.

I scan her appearance, she's a mess. I didn't answer her. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya, nakayuko lang siya habang nilalaro ang mga daliri niya. She tried to take a glance at me so I raised my eyebrow on her making her look down again. She's actually not late if we based on the company's time, but I have my own time. If I come earlier than her, then she's considered late.

"Did you even change, Ms. Ladezma?" I asked her. I was pertaining to her clothes, it was the same clothes she's wearing yesterday. Nakuha niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin kasi agad siyang qnapahawak siya sa sleeves ng blouse niya. She shook her head as she lowered it.

"Words, Ms. Ladezma," I firmly told her. One of the things that I hate is not answering me verbally. If I ask you a question then you should answer me with words, not a gesture. It seems like she still doesn't get that part.

"No ma'am," she immediately answered.

She's working for 3 years with me already but she always forgot how to act around me. I really hate when someone is not following my rules. I just can't fired her yet because she was doing really great on her job. She didn't miss any task that I've given her although she's clumsy.

"I don't really care about your reason or exxuse why you're late. Just so you know, I don't tolerate that kind of behavior. This is your first and last warning, you know what will happen if you did it again." I already dismissed her not wanting to hear her promise anything. I don't believe in promises anyway, because they are always meant to be broken.

Later after breaktime, my secretary reminded me of my meeting with one of our clients. It was a lunch meeting at a restaurant.

"And Mrs. Salvador requested for your presence in HR department, Ma'am," dagdag niya. I nodded at her and get my things.

My mom already told me about it. May nagaganap na interview sa HR department for new employees. My mom said I should at least attend since I am the reason why we needed to hire new staff. I just only fired 11 employees actually and planning to do more, lalong lalo na ngayon na nahuli ko silang nagkakandarapa na tumakbo pabalik sa post nila. Breaktime is over yet they're still roaming around the company doing their useless chit-chats.

"We're gonna be having an emergency meeting later. Everyone is required to attend," I firmly said before entering the elevator. My secretary was just following me. I actually forgot her name, I just remember her surname, but it doesn't matter. We are at work so it needs to be professional and calling her in her first name is not professionalism, for me.

Nang marating namin ang floor ng HR department ay nakita kong maayos na nakaupo ang mga empleyado do'n. They might already heard what happened awhile ago. I might have to make a publishing company soon, because they really good on gossiping. I mentally rolled my eyes and entered the room without looking at the applicants. Some of them might know me as Mrs. Catherine Salvador's daughter, not as the CEO of this company.

May ini-interview sila nang makapasok. I didn't bother looking at dumeretso na sa vacant seat sa tabi ni mommy. Kinuha ko agad ang mga resume na nando'n.

"Stella this is Sebastian, one of the applicants," the HR head whisper at me. "We're planning to hired him."

I scan through his resume and snorted. There's nothing special on his resume. Aside from being BSBA Financial management graduate, there's nothing more. He doesn't have 3 years experience. He also worked as a waiter, bartender, and many more jobs that is not inclined with financial. Take note that he applied for Financial operation analyst. The audacity of this man.

"I really don't get why did you applied for this position," I spoke, still looking at his resume, trying to comprehend what he is trying to achieve by applying here. I read through his objective and scoffed.

"I know that I don't have enough experience on the field but I can assure you ma'am that I can do well on my job," he calmly replied. I snorted again and look at him. I stop on my track when I found him familiar. His hair was push back and he's wearing a formal clothes. The light illuminates the color of his hazel eyes. I shook my head as I set the thought aside. That's not important right now.

"By wiping the tables? Throwing bottles? washing cups?" Mockery is visible on my voice. I actually feel bad on mocking him but I have to be blunt. My mom also tried to warn me by giving me the ‘stop-it’ look but I ignore her.

"I'm more capable of doing good in my job, if you'll let me prove myself," he answered confidently. He may tried to hide it but I can sense his desperation. Desperate of what? Money?

"Can you answer me one thing, Mr. Cortejo?" I asked him as I placed the folder back at the table. I heard him muttered 'yes' so I continue on talking.

"What's your main objective on applying in this position? Is it..." I stop and lean against the table. "Money?"

He blink couple of times before avoiding my gaze. I smirked on myself because I know I caught him off guard.

"To be honest with you ma'am, yes. It is because of the salary but I can assure you ma'am that I can provide a best quality of service for this company,." He composed himself as I scan his appearance. Not bad.

"You know you can't please me with assurance, I need proof that you are trustworthy," I stand and gathered my things. My mom called me but I ignored her. I don't have time for this. Nakakapagod makarinig ng mga sugar-coated words ng mga applicants. They can't even prove it if nasa field na sila. But I admire him for confessing his real adjectives though.

I made my way towards the elevator as my secretary followed me from behind. I stop on my track when someone hold my arm. I instantly push it away.

"Don't touch me!" I yell looking at the man who grabbed me. It was the guy in the office.

"Ma'am, hindi ko po alam kung sino kayo pero ramdam ko po ang halaga mo rito sa company," He stop trying to calm himself. "But I really need this job ma'am. I'm desperate to get this job, please." He look at me with so much desperation. He tried to reach me again so I immediately avoided him.

"I said don't touch me!" I shrieked. Mukhang nagulat din siya sa reaksyon ko. I took a deep breath and calm myself as I consciously look around. I can't lose myself in front of them. I can feel their judging eyes on me. I can't let them see that side of me. I turn my back to him and immediately went inside the elevator. But I speak before the elevator door closed.

"Don't even dream on coming here again. Let's go Ms. Ladezma."

I immediately called Mika to meet me at the nearest cafe. I, first, arrived at the place and dismissed my secretary. I also rescheduled the lunch meeting as I am not in the mood to meet anyone right now. When Mika arrives, she immediately look around to find me. She immediately notice the look on my face, like I told you she likes reading peoples reaction.

"Ang harsh naman no'n, Star," Mika commented when I told her what happened. She decided to have lunch here kaya naman nag-order na kami ng meal. Hindi na niya ako tinantanan after ng sinabi ko. I sigh as I remember what happened earlier. I almost lose my control in front of them.

"Star?" I confusedly asked. Did she made me a pet name? Stella means star anyway, it's not obvious though, note the sarcasm please.

"Ay! Anak ko pala 'yon. Magkasing ugali kasi kayo eh," she laugh on thought. I choked on my water on what she said. I look at her as if she's gone crazy. Anak? There's only one thing that she considers her child, her dogs. It was really a pet name! Literal na pangalan ng pet niya na aso!

"Did you just compared me to a dog?" I grimace on her. I can't believe her. Sa lahat ng hayop ay sa isang aso niya pa ako inihalintulad. Cat was may more smarter than dog.

"Hoy! Kung maka-dog ka naman. Anak ko 'yon 'no! Saka, I didn't compare you with Star, sabi ko magkasing-ugali kayo. She's much way better nga lang kasi hindi siya masakit magsalita." She shrugged. I rolled my eyes at her. "Alam mo nagtataka ako kung bakit hindi pa nasta-stuck ang mata mo sa taas kaka-irap mo," she said as she pointed out my eyes.

I rolled my eyes again. She's really weird, her personality, her obsessions with dogs, her weird beliefs in life.

"Pero, anyways, may ipapakilala ako sa'yo sa Lunes," she gave me a mischievous smile. I don't think it was a good news.

"No thanks, I'm not interested," I immediately decline. I'm already done with her unending suggestions of man.

"Hindi nga! Makakatulong siya sa problema mo. Ikaw, kailangan mo ng boyfriend. Siya naman, kailangan niya ng pera. Oh 'di ba, match made in earth kasi wala pa tayo sa heaven." Tumaas-baba pa yung kilay niya. I look at her intently. I almost forgot about it.

"Still a no. I can look for someone," I said.

"Ganito kasi, piliin mo 'yong desperado sa paghahanap ng pera kasi ginagawa nila ng maayos ang trabaho nila kasi pera kapalit no'n," she stated. "Kung ayaw mo do'n sa candidate ko, edi 'yong applicant na lang. He sounds sincere naman eh. Saka baka gipit talaga 'yon kaya desperado."

I was thinking about it. Should I try? But after what I've done to him parang hindi ko naman pinanindigan 'yong sinabi ko 'di ba? I'll try to consider her offer na lang. In case ayaw tanggapin no'ng Cortejo ang offer ko.

"You are considering it, aren't you?" She smiled while poking my arm. Agad ko namang pinigilan ang kamay niya. She seems to get my point so she immediately stop.

"Kung ako sa'yo, do'n na lang ako sa candidate ko," she said. "Guwapo pa at paniguradong pasok sa standard ni tita," she added while wriggling her brows.

I look at her without talking. She gets me naman kaya nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita. It's not like I'm interested when she said that her candidate is good looking, I just want to hear about the status of his candidate.

"Remember the father of my patient that I told you before?" she asked. I nodded my head. It was about her patient who have Leukemia. "Well kailangan na talagang maoperahan ng patient ko. Her father already approach me if may alam daw ako na trabaho na pwedeng applyan. He even offered to be my driver." I am just listening to her intently, remembering the only important details.

"We'll I offered him some cash kaso ayaw niya tanggapin. Sabi niya malaki na daw yung discount ko sa kaniya. Nakakahiya na daw if kukunin niya pa 'yong cash-" I stop her. She's telling me her story as a doctor of this patient, not her candidate's information.

"Can you be straight to the point?" I asked her. She look at me as she realized she's starting to talk to much. She laugh and slapped her mouth for being talkative.

"Anyway, ayon nga, sabi ko I'll try to talk to you if nagha-hire ka ba," she continued. "Are you?"

"I need to meet him first. I need to make sure he's trustworthy," I said.

“Then I'll set a date?" she chirped. She immediately agreed and told that she'll inform him.

This is it. It's now or never.