The Idol and The Manager

Carmela’s Promotion

Carmela's POV

The soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead was almost soothing, yet the words she had just heard rang loud in her ears.

Restaurant General Manager.

The title was heavy, yet it carried an electrifying sense of accomplishment.

"Carmela, you are now promoted to Restaurant General Manager," her operations consultant’s voice broke through her thoughts.

"As of now, you will be trained with your RGM so that you will be ready to handle your restaurant."

Carmela couldn’t help but smile, though she kept it subtle, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions building up.

Your restaurant.

My restaurant.

After three years of hard work, it's finally happening. I'm an RGM.

Her heart pounded, excitement and disbelief mixing in a whirl of joy.

"Thank you very much for the trust, Ma’am," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of the pride she felt. "I will make sure that the restaurant I will be handling will have positive results."

"Yes, I am hoping for that to happen," her operations consultant replied, a touch more serious, but her eyes gleamed with approval.

The click of the camera echoed in the room as they took photos to commemorate the moment. The flashes caught Carmela's expression—a blend of satisfaction and determination. She was already thinking of the work ahead, even as the photo was snapped.

When she got home, the warmth of family filled the air. The familiar smells of home-cooked food greeted her, and her sisters’ voices added to the comfort.

"Wow! That’s great news, ate!" Carla, one of the twins, beamed, her voice lifting Carmela’s spirits even more.

"Wow, ate! We are rich now!" Caren, the youngest, added in her playful tone, and Carmela chuckled.

"Ate, oh! To celebrate your promotion," Cindy said, presenting a steaming plate of pancit with a proud smile. The scent of garlic and soy sauce filled the room, making Carmela’s stomach growl.

Carmela felt a wave of gratitude. This is why I’m doing it all—for them. "Caren, go buy some coke," she said with a smile.

"Okay, ate," Caren replied eagerly, rushing to the door with excitement.

This is it, Carmela thought. I'm really doing this for them. For all of us.

Three Months Later

The soft clatter of her keyboard filled the otherwise quiet office. Carmela sat at her desk, the faint sound of rain tapping against the window behind her. It had been three months since she stepped into her role as an RGM, and though she had hit her targets, she wasn’t satisfied.

Not by a long shot. The glow of her achievement hadn’t dimmed, but the weight of her expectations had only grown.

She glanced at the clock—5:45 p.m. It was a little late, but the office was empty except for her. She was determined to finish the 31Q and push the restaurant’s performance even further.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence with a jarring vibration.

She looked down and saw a message from her operations manager: Meet me at the Ortigas branch tomorrow at 10 am to discuss something

.

The words hovered in front of her for a moment. What does she want? she wondered.

Probably something about the results. But my restaurant’s been doing well...

She couldn’t shake the unease creeping up her spine. I’ll find out tomorrow.

The Next Day

Carmela arrived at the Ortigas branch just before 10 am. The sleek glass exterior of the building reflected the sky, a bright blue that contrasted with the gray clouds looming overhead. The cool air inside the lobby hit her as she stepped through the door, sending a chill down her spine.

She walked to the waiting area and settled into a plush chair, the soft hum of the AC the only sound surrounding her. She opened her laptop, her fingers tapping on the keys as she tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to the meeting.

Why the private meeting? Why a closed-door conversation?

She checked her watch—10:15 am.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, sharp and fast. A figure appeared in the doorway—her operations manager. She was walking with purpose, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Without stopping, she moved toward the Ortigas branch, checking the layout as she went. The sound of her voice echoed through the hall as she offered feedback to the staff.

After a few moments, she noticed Carmela and walked over.

"Let’s talk privately in the manager’s office," she said, her tone colder than usual.

Carmela’s heart skipped a beat. What’s this about?

They walked down the narrow hallway to the manager’s office. The door clicked shut behind them with a finality that seemed to echo in Carmela’s mind.

The moment the door closed, a heavy silence fell over them. Her operations manager motioned to the chair across from her, her gaze unwavering.

"Sit down," she said.

Carmela took a seat, feeling the leather cool beneath her. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears, the quiet hum of the office heightening her nerves. The air felt thick with expectation.

Her operations manager exhaled slowly, eyes locked on Carmela. "Carmela, I’m proud of your achievements. Positive results and all. You’re clearly dedicated to your work."

Carmela nodded, trying to keep her nerves under control. I’m doing well. This is just another step.

"But," her operations manager continued, her voice softening yet taking on a more serious tone, "our president is looking for talented people to represent us in other countries. You are one of the top choices."

Carmela blinked, her breath catching in her throat. Me?

Her operations manager continued, "You’ll be sent to a different country—not as an RGM, but as a DM."

Carmela’s stomach twisted. A demotion?

"No, not exactly," her operations manager clarified. "You won’t be demoted, Carmela. It’s more of a learning experience. You’ll work in a new country to understand their business operations. Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll be promoted again."

The words were heavy. Carmela swallowed, the cool air in the room suddenly feeling too cold. Is this really happening?

Her mind raced with possibilities. Leave the Philippines? Learn abroad?

Her operations manager waited, watching her. "So, Carmela," she asked softly, "Will you accept the offer?"

Carmela paused, the weight of the moment settling on her shoulders. The room seemed to close in as she thought about the risks, the uncertainty, but also the immense opportunity in front of her.

She nodded slowly. "Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside. "I’ll accept the offer."