Zodiac Sigh!

Author's Note: ---

Chapter 5 – Chief Executive Officer

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Shizuru could not help but to count the days from the calendar about her first working date with Purple Eye DBC. A scent from the thick black pentel pen reminds her early days of employment that she uses to inhale it to keep her senses awake. She knew that this is a deadly drug to her olfactory sense, as it brings health hazard to her lungs. A firm reminder coming from her astute mind that she might get addicted to chemical odor, thus she should have some self-preventive measures to discontinue her habit.

Why would anyone get so anxious for this type of job whereas she has a previous experience here before?

In fact, Goliath DBC is stricter in hiring than any company she knew.

Two things bothered her. One, it is because of Mr. Sakyo Valdez himself, who she gave an answer of having a prestige to work with him, can now expects her to do the action as she proclaims to: Two, she came from the rival company that he might got an idea what was going on in the other side of the business camp.

He might divulge her previous experience with the close competitor.

She sighed as she hopes that it will not happen for she does not want to retell the story of moral maltreatment. She can assume that the new executive is not part of his personality to destroy the opponent by means of inquisition. However, business is business and no personal road kill has any difference in recognizing ruthlessness.

Nighttime seems to raise its expeditive ascendancy as Shizuru lays down her corporate clothes unto her bed choosing the right combination. A black feminine blazer and square pants do fit her with white polo shirt with pencil-lined design. Black symbolizes a powerful color. She made up her mind that this is the one to wear for the first day.

Nervousness crawls up to her head as it synapses the sensory neuron into it's electrifying emotional overload. Instinctively, she began to inhale deeply to soothe her overworked cerebrum for a few minutes, and surprisingly, the tension is gone.

For a moment, she thought that she is going to faint.

Slipping under the covers of her bed, with the railing thoughts, could not get her to sleep under normal circumstances. As she turns off the lights, she wonders where the next chapter of her life it will take her. A soft pillow, cushioning her head, conveys many comforting messages that she will be safe. As if she was talking to her guide, the painful encounter will never happen. If it does, it is not the worst of all.

She turns her body facing the window, overlooking the sparkling diamond-like stars radiating the bluish night. The moon shows it's shining glory with it's perfect incandescent silver glow. Indeed, this night, she will never forget on how her single decision can change her fate completely.

Entering the corporate office for the second time is not traumatizing at all. She felt no stress, paranoia, screaming reminders and full-blown temper burst. Perhaps it is too early to say, they said. Few newly employed people, savoring their first experience in Purple Eye DBC, is about to begin.

Shizuru gathers her entire self as she sat down for today's lecture in a boardroom that is going to be use temporarily as an orientation room. Not much of a buzz going on except that there are few words that needs to take it seriously…company's policies. The dignified man arrives at the scene before the presence of assimilating men, who they highly regard this person, scanning his audience with it's sharpest gaze. He must be checking whether all the people he hired are all here. He wanted to make sure that all of them are present for he does not want interruptions during the talk. He approaches the stand as he was about to speak to his new business subjects.

Silence occupies the atmosphere.

"Good morning! First of all, congratulations to all of you who made it here in my company, Purple Eye Database Corporation. As you know, it is unexpected that this business that you applied for, is not as small as it may seem. However, only the few has chosen this call and all of you made it." He said with distinct authoritarian tone.

The audience seems to agree with him.

"Otherwise, you won't be here." He added.

A few laughs met everyone's ears.

"This is a dream came true to me. I started barely three years ago with a colleague of mine who shares the same ambition. We had the toughest times entering the cruelty of business world. Everywhere we go, there are people who come to share with us and unfortunately, some abuse our name for their selfish desires. Good employees stayed with us, working side by side, until this dream came into full realization. Bad employees left us hanging over the string bridge. They left without a trace, as we needed them most. However, it is their entire decision and we can do nothing about it."

He continued, "I interviewed all of you a few days ago and you all impressed me. Your résumés weigh a lot from your backgrounds and I salute each one of you. Rest to assure that your efforts will never desecrate. Another thing before I end the introduction, one of you, formerly worked from my rival company. Whoever you are, I expect an immense endeavor from you."

Is he pertaining to me?

Shizuru pretends that she did not hear a single word coming out from his mouth as if he was declaring war. Immense endeavor, she thought deeply. Where did he get that idea?

A sudden appearance of a light bulb above her head signifies that the concept was base on her answers that she gave him last Friday. Therefore, he remembered it by heart and by goodness, how did he develop his memory? Could it be it came from his self-training skill on how to read the employees' minds?

No wonder he wanted to do the interview, as it is one of the ways to make it clear that the business objectives of this high-octane drive are attain. He wanted to make sure that nothing gaps the relationship between the company's vision, mission and goals.

He started to change the subject with a single switch of electronic device from his hand.

Seconds later, the room darkens to accommodate the LCD projector, showing the slides in a power point presentation.

Our Vision

The Purple Eye Database Corporation is dedicated to delivering high-quality services and products in operations management by promoting the effective application of simplification, standardization and automation.

Our Mission

The mission of the company is to help the business community meet the challenge of professional growth by providing high-quality products and operations management solutions.

Our Goals

The goals of the Purple Eye Database Corporation are to align further our activities with our Vision & Mission:

Promote the use of innovative approaches and new technologies to help the business community achieve their business goals.

Provide opportunities to the membership and local businesses to enhance relationships and communications.

Promote PEDBC through educational programs, plans, and events.

Increase the number of employees locally and globally.

Ensure the longevity and financial viability of the company.

Sakyo began to explain all these further.

The technological lectures are getting a bit boring while he energetically verbalizes the blueprints of his company. As she observes him closely, she notice the actions of a leader…he knows what he is doing. His eyes directly make an eye contact to every person he engages to.

"Simplification is the key for consolidating information. Businesses need to know…"

Conveying his vision to the neophytes like them should learn a thing or two from him. Leader like him has a clear sense of where he wants to go and how he intends to get there. He sees the big picture, and then creates a strategic plan for achieving their goals.
She goes awe struck from every word that is coming out from his mouth. Shizuru knew that he was challenging them. Nevertheless, why is it so? Just because being a former employee from his bitter rival makes his alert systems elevated. It will cause a friction between him and her. She honestly does not understand why he said that. Probably, it was in his nature.

Cluelessness definitely clouds around her cephalous now.

On thing is certain, the figure that she was witnessing right now is the icon that every media waits to be recognized.

A leader like him must be trustworthy before others will follow them. Qualities that establish trust are competence, constancy, caring, candor, and congruity, which he defines as authenticity, reliability, and feeling comfortable with oneself.

He is indeed very commanding.

By the time he ends and steps down from the podium, the people clapped their hands in showing their appreciation for the executive. An intense stare from him sends a visual message that she has a lot to offer for his company.

Shizuru did nothing to do but to gulp down her saliva forcefully.

Sakyo finished his brief speech and explanations as he passed the microphone to the head of human resources. He did not want to complicate further to ensure that he wants only to simplify the topics.

He glances at the woman he was pertaining to his comment 'immense endeavor' as he took a good look. She seems to be afraid of him. Why is it so? Perhaps, his intimidating look sends her a wrong message that he was threatening her.

He does not mean to convey visually that but rather a fetish stare is his real intention. He has not mastered the art of concern look, yet. He needs to practice more of it. Sakyo twisted the knob to open the door as he gently closes it. By the time, he was now out of employees view; he directly went into his office without saying any word to the other people.

By later in the afternoon, he expects her to be working with him.

Lunch was not that bad as the food in the company's cafeteria was so delectable that she cursed herself why did she brought her own lunch. At least, she now knows how convenient it is to eat but sharing spaces is another thing. She has not made any friends for she is not that a social mingler just to obtain belongingness. Shizuru is a type of person who prefers to have a few close friends who she deeply knew their personalities.

She opens the tabloid that features the daily horoscope. It wrote this way.

Virgo: A long day of work never ends. Your analytical mind will reach at it's peak.

The daily bewildered her with that sentence…as if it was her doom.

The long arm hits one o' clock hit as she carefully rushed to her new office…or is it a palace. This is the moment where she should shine with all the efforts that she cherished for a long, long time. Earning credit from her supervisor or the executive is like a vitamin that keeps her going. Of course, everybody deserves attention, as long as it is properly gained. Role models serve as a sort of parental archetype. What does that mean? For instance, it is like your first day in school and the role model stands before the students are the teachers. It works here in this crazy corporate world; everybody is searching for a hero or heroine to lead them to greater heights.

Opening the double doors is like an entrance to heaven, which it leaves her again with a moral elevation. A man is waiting for her to do the duty.

"Welcome for your first day!" Sakyo greeted her.

Shizuru accepted with a big smile in her face as if she is giving him an indication that she is ready for work.

"I would like to give you this and for now on…this is your permanent schedule."

He handles her with single sheet of paper with all its discourse.

This is not happening!

This must be a nightmare!

-To be continued-