Zodiac Sigh!
Author's Note: ---
Chapter 3 – Ready for the Big Day!
It was going to be a one – week vacation now, since she needs all the rest to recharge her system. If only she has servants ready to wake her up, dress her and even feed her with the most fanciful breakfast would be great!
Or maybe so…
Shizuru never assumed that the online application process would be that easy since there are few applicants. Purple Eye DBC is such a small name once you put it in a resume. It is as if silver eggs displayed in it where supervisors' eyes will sparkle to its radiance. However, a call from them would be a long and dead waiting like a death march in war. She got up from the bed feeling victorious since she does not have to rush the time. Besides, it is only seven o' clock and subway rush has been out of her schedule for now. Walking slowly is such a therapeutic way to ease her body. It was her first experience in relaxation since she left that greedy company who doesn't recognized the employees hard work. Her nightgown flows effortlessly against the wind.
The kitchen is so incorrupt and clean since she doesn't have time to cook. For now, it will become dirty and smelly. She wants to prepare a heavy breakfast since it's been awhile to eat one. Well, the menu for today will be such a humongous feast. She opened the refrigerator and pick up two brown eggs, prepared two bacon slices and a carton of milk. A loaf of bread is sitting above the dining table, which she needs it for toasting.
As she prepares the skillet and places it above the stove, Shizuru asked oneself where the man works. The man with such lovely blue eyes has been immortalizing in her dreams. As she cooks for her breakfast, she was querying if ever she could get his name. Speaking of dreams, she fantasized of him last night as if he was right beside her with his arms wrapped unto her. It was so romantic that she couldn't speak and describe at all!
Maybe…
She finished her task for quite some time as she prepares the plate at the kitchen countertop. The food was excellent, as she couldn't help herself feeling the entire flavor that her tongue asks for. She decided to eat in her couch and watch what is showing in the TV. It has been her habit since it would be enjoyable to see something rather than eating alone with a bore.
She picked up the remote control as she pushes the "on" button. She sat down with a plate in her other hand. Business news is up on TV concerning the stock markets, foreign exchanges and an exclusive interview with the man of the hour…
Sakyo Valdez.
His picture flashes on the screen as Shizuru almost drop the fork into her plate. A man with his long black hair and blue eyes makes her more interested towards the program. Her heart was beating so fast that she doesn't know if that beating came from the cholesterol-rich eggs and bacons or him.
Probably him.
She pushes the volume of the remote control into "high" until it is audible enough for her to hear it. She continues to chew her food until the interview came with the formality. The interviewer is a distinct journalist with an extensive experience in business. He reported that the man was about to be interviewed is a man rising so fast that even veteran CEOs were kept wondering from his unprecedented accomplishment.
The interview goes like this:
TV interviewer: "Welcome to channel 7, Mr. Valdez and thank you for accepting our invitation to interview you."
Sakyo V.: "My pleasure"
His voice melts Shizuru's heart, mind and soul instantly.
TV interviewer: "First of all, I would like to say congratulations for being the youngest CEO of the year! Viewers want to know what your secret behind the tremendous success.
Sakyo V.: "Thank you for your remarks. There is no secret regarding my success on how I became the youngest CEO of the year. I worked hard and listened intently from my employees on how things were going right or wrong. Creativity comes from the employees but stern leadership comes from the CEO."
TV interviewer: "How do you keep your leadership stern?"
Sakyo V.: "I kept my leadership stern by showing my employees about my capabilities. I made no excuses about the decisions I made. Sure, I make mistakes sometimes but I'm prepared to back it up."
TV interviewer: "Regarding lay-offs from the employees of other companies, how does your company keep that in a low status?"
Sakyo V.: "It is all about the creativity from both the employees and the CEO himself. I do admit I am not fond of details. My ideas were base on 'big pictures' and sometimes it is a constant re-invention of your products that keeps it alluring. Besides, many employees who are dependent on this company and my job are to keep it intact and to keep my leadership firm.
TV interviewer: "What are your plans for the company?"
Sakyo V.: "There are two plans that I have for the company. First, make this company growing and meeting the consumer's demands. Second, make this company reach the number one spot in terms of company performance. As of today, the company sits on number tenth spot."
TV interviewer: "Thank you for your time and I wish the best of luck for your company."
Sakyo V.: "It was not luck but efforts as well."
He smiled at his interviewer and gave him a vigorous and tight handshake.
TV interviewer: "There you go, ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Sakyo Valdez, CEO of Purple Eye Database Corporation. That will be it for today's program and thank you for watching. I'll see you next week."
Purple Eye Database Corporation.
He must be kidding.
Shizuru's eyes were wide open, as she could not believe the man she met last week is him. Truly him and as if her wish came true, she finally knows his name.
Sakyo Valdez.
She murmured his name repeatedly as if it was her mantra. She ate her breakfast so fast that the flash of his image boosted her appetite. She immediately went into her kitchen as she finishes her chore. Her lips went into humming as if she was flying in the air, feeling the love from her newfound CEO. However, something bothers her…a stinking smell. She decided to give herself some bath as time is running so fast for her. The bathroom is indeed a place for amateur singers as she strolled away towards it. Shizuru's songs were mostly romance and pop. It uplifts her mood as she entered the bathroom for her daily shower.
The phone rang loudly in Sakyo's office that he knew it came from his colleagues. They gave him congratulatory remarks about his performance. He smiled and said 'thank you' to every one of them. Deep down inside his heart, he knew he wasn't satisfied about it. His ambition to be number one became his obsession as if; it was a fuel for him.
Such tremendous acclaims make his ego bolstered as his life occupies the art of winning. If things were in his way, he should be on top of the business world today. Praises bestows increment in employees' morale to keep this company alive and kicking. However, for him, it meant a trophy.
Right now, his only concern is to beat his bitter rival, Goliath Database Corporation. If he can achieve that, the audiences will definitely proclaim the newly crown king with all its glory.
There can be only one.
Shizuru received a message from the human resources department of Purple Eye DBC about her application. The head of HR department told her to be ready by tomorrow at 9:00 am and bring her resume again. Shizuru gave her a gratitude for the appointment as she gave her the assurance that she will be there tomorrow morning.
Of course, she has every reason to be early since Sakyo will be there working. At least, if she could get a good glimpse of him in person one more time, it will give her the bliss.
She could not help herself but to smile.
Shizuru stepped out from the taxicab as she thanked the driver for taking her to the Tokyo main business street. She examines the tall and futuristic-design buildings, as she could not believe a "small" company she applied. The entrance doors were automatically open as she entered. Everywhere you go; there are people with well-tailored suits strutting around with their heads up high. There must be some sort of proper way to walk around feeling a little bit of a model.
Shizuru was so excited that she marvels around the ground floor; arranged with simple yet visually stimulating figures, almost forgetting that she has an appointment. She hurriedly searched for the elevator and just in time, she made it through in a packed vertical shuttle.
However, a blunder from Shizuru's part overcomes her.
What floor is Purple Eye DBC head office located? She cited worriedly.
She wanted to slap her forehead with her hand as she neglected to ask the main receptionist below the ground floor. She glanced at her watch and it will be ten minutes to nine. Shizuru looked around as if clues should be around here, somewhere. She spotted an employee with an identification card pinned in his chest. Her eyes were fix and instincts were right all along. He was indeed an employee from Purple Eye DBC. The elevator stops at nineteenth floor as he exits from it. Shizuru followed next as her eyes made a teary appearance.
The main office of Purple Eye DBC looks astounding as the natural sunlight from the outside illuminates the office interiors. The glass and metal frames of the door were so brightly polish that she guessed it might be newly build. Wooden floors were so shiny that leaves Shizuru worried if underneath her skirt will reflect below it.
She knew she prepares for this big day as some applicants were already there sitting at the front office. Shizuru inquired the receptionist for her name as she nodded that she was right on time. The receptionist requested her to sit along with them, for the interviewer will be the CEO himself.
CEO himself?
That is so strange. Usually, the head of human resources were the ones who handle the initial interview for applicants. However, this company seems to be interested with first hand candidates. Shizuru noticed that three people were sitted as she conjectures where the rest of it is. She remembers when she applied in her former employer, Goliath DBC, there were so many of them that she believed it would never end.
Probably, other applicants think this "small" company is a low paying job.
However, not anyone cerebrates that way.
One of the assistants called the applicant who first came here in the office. He stood up and nervously entered into the room. Shizuru's nerves became weak and pale as her mental being went blank. What about the questions, will it be hard? What about her answers, will it be wrong? Will he ask questions regarding databases?
Hope not.
One by one, the applicant went outside, from the CEO's office, smiling as he made a fist signifying that he was successful with it. She knew he became victorious as he called his wife from his mobile phone. He told her that he got the job that he was longing for.
She hopes that way, too.
Goodness, I badly want this job. Don't keep me hanging from my woes.
Sakyo thanked the applicant for being on time for his interview as he called the next applicant to enter and evaluate. He picked up the resume as his eyes were in surprised state. It was a brown-haired woman whom he met weeks ago in the building where he helped her. It was amazingly coincidental that her resume fits into the type of description where he needs an office secretary the most…
…in his private office.
One of the staff, who volunteers to assist the applicants for that day, called Shizuru's name. She stood up fast from her seat as her instincts notice something odd. Her resume drops and spreads all over the floor as she forgot that it was place above her lap. She took a deep breath and walk towards the door reminding her, this is not an execution.
This is only an interview.
She can feel herself being a 'dead woman walking' who can sweat without even tiring her muscles. Why does she appear to be so tense? She has every reason why she is so, because Mr. Valdez will be the one asking her questions that requires a lot of intellectual response from her. Is this a big deal? Of course, she recalls the interview a few days ago, on how Sakyo was so calm and inevasible regarding the questions that thrown at him. Will she faint during the oral examination? She was hoping it would not happen because this could shame her reputation as a former Goliath DBC employee.
-To be continued-