Zodiac Sigh!
Author's note: --
Chapter 8 – Enemy Within
Moriko Endo, so she is the one…
…that Eri was so afraid of this woman.
Shizuru stood firmly in her ground signifying that she should not let this person intimidated by her striking and demanding looks. Moriko was a feisty female whose eyes can cut through thick sheets of paper. Her brunette hair, green eyes and subtle tan skin makes her unique among all common Japanese look of raven hair and white porcelain skin.
She must be come from European decent, she thought analytically.
"Tell him that paper needs immediate action. It is really necessary."
"I'll tell him that as soon as he gets here." Shizuru mentioned as she left the office with a loud shut from the doors.
She returned to her seat as she focused instantaneously on her duty. Corporate papers make her day gloomy as she can feel the pain at the back of her neck taking its toll. If this discriminating position gives in, she might take a five minutes break despite Sakyo's pressing review.
The advertising papers that the marketing department had proposed were lame. The structure of their sentences are not convincingly attracting if she was the consumer. How can you sell these products to other important clients where the English itself does not emphasize the company's stronger points? Shizuru now remembers Mr. Butajiri's words where she proposed a letter about borrowing money from the bank. He orate her on how words can make or break the company if it is poorly plan. Now she knows why business is such an unpredictable field. There are times she needs to act as a lawyer to tell truth or lies that would both benefit the company.
However, there is a risk of tainting the enterprise's reputation.
Goliath Company now suffers an unprecedented loss of monetary gains due to high cost of lies and deceit. Employers became the forefront of absorbing the damage done by its leader. Good thing, though, that she left before the company will start to sink towards to its finale' as only time will tell when that would truly happen.
Shizuru picked up the red pen as she started to encircle the words that need some revision. Her thoughts are constructing fresh ideas as she immediately wrote it down in the paper. Somehow, her marketing side immerges from its sleeping hollow.
Another glossy paper peeks from the stack that caught Shizuru's attention.
As soon as she picked it up, her eyes went wide with gleam as the advertising idea of the product enthralls her. Whoever draws this is an absolute genius! The colors were enchanting with its futuristic lights but not hurting the eyes from the consumer's perspective. In fact, it allures everyone including first time clients who does have curious mind.
She looked at the corner of the paper that emblems Eri's name.
It was you! Goodness! How in the world would Moriko fire you if your ideas do not block the company's aim?
This time, she would stand up for her.
Sakyo arrives to his office, as he was so relief that the fire inspectors did not find anything that violates their laws. If there were, it would be time consuming, as he does not want another problem to add from his worries.
He closed the door behind him as he noticed that Shizuru finished her work. He expected that since he knew from the start that she could do the job well and fast. Without any sign of greeting, he took the papers and review from his seat. She didn't seem to get affected of his presence as he predicted that she needs to tell him something that is very important.
Important in a way that could open and speak what is in her mind right now.
"Uhm…Mr. Sakyo, I would like to tell you that I've done what I can offer."
"Don't worry; I see your efforts through and through. You can take ten minutes break." He ordered.
Shizuru did not left him without saying another word.
"Ms. Endo submitted this paper to me for you to study carefully about Ms. Takahashi's performance."
"Okay."
"However, I would like to know about your personal opinion about her, too."
Sakyo stops for a while as he clarifies her declaration.
"What do you mean?" he asked piercingly.
"You'll see what I mean, by the time you study those papers all of them."
"Don't verbalize something that you would not explain fully." He warned. "This could cause you negatively."
"I don't care what you say…what matters to me now is the company."
Sakyo grinned to her statements as he gets some surprising attitude from her. First, she did everything what he ordered her to do with its efficient actions. Now, she is putting her stake that would affect her efficacy.
"You are truly the polished product of Mr. Butajiri's stern leadership. All right, I'll finish these papers as soon as possible. After this, we can talk one-on-one."
He recurred to his usual stint as Shizuru began to think some words that would defend her fallen articulated remarks. I must do this even though I did not know Ms. Endo fully. I have to be rational from my observations. I have a critical mind that never sleeps, she envisioned.
Ten minutes of intensive study is like three hours of pondering her cerebrum. Somehow, notifying him of what was happening is suicidal, as she knew she could drastically change his point of view towards her. Sitting in her chair, Shizuru can feel the back of her spine aching, imagining that this could no longer hold her forever. Additionally, anticipating her boss' comments should cover her defenses with an iron shield. Will she able to stand the force against the kingly beast?
"I'm done," Sakyo announced, "let me hear those words that you have been dying to say. I read it all including Ms. Endo's evaluation of Ms. Takahashi's performance. "
Shizuru, with her ever-ready mind, organized herself to advocate her stand. This must be the moment of intensity where the midget kills the giant. For some reason, she felt the same way, too. She can feel the importance of being a mere secretary. Personally, she never thought of herself that this kind of situation could bring her here for the second time around. Definitely, not him…in any way she can.
"Literally, I find the marketing papers lame and repelling. I add some of my words and ideas that coincide with your vision and goals."
"That is very excellent from you considering that you've been here for only one month." Sakyo acknowledges her.
"However, I also read her evaluation which hinders the company's fairness towards to treatment employees." She added.
"Could you give some of your insight on that?"
"When I saw Ms. Takahashi's proffer that advertisement, I said to myself that this is exactly what the company's product should look like. It will be dynamic and at the same time, it conveys the message of the product visually. It should be interesting to the clients who have not known its competency. I know that it is too early to say about Ms. Takahashi but those unquestionable three years of loyalty in your company should treasure it. Meanwhile, Ms. Endo should also recognize the efforts that her subordinates have been supporting her."
Shizuru left him with deep thoughts to think as he clasped his hands together. He looked at one corner of the table that it evinces this topic needs serious consideration. The bluish eyes, somehow, contemplates the scenario of what will happen if he makes drastic measures about Ms. Endo's motion. He normalizes the atmosphere, as he took his turn to speak.
"Shizuru, you are the first employee to criticize in front of me. It was the boldest move from you…"
His sentence dreaded her.
"…and I thanked you for that."
Whew, that was close! She sighed in relief.
"My opinion towards Ms. Takahashi is that she is the most loyal employee that I ever had. In fact, she withstood all things and happenings that met her way. However, her passivity did not escape her from being a subordinate. She prefers that position to where her heart is. I respect her for that."
Shizuru agreed with him.
"With regards to Ms. Endo…I see her nothing wrong in her leadership. The marketing department needs inexorable personnel. They should accommodate my ambitions.
What an egghead he got there!
"I do appreciate your assessment, Shizuru. I need some precious time to make this company reach the number one spot. Veritably, I would like to do it right now."
She got nothing else to say.
Moriko Endo has received a call from Mr. Sakyo stating that he was keeping Eri Takahashi for her department. He considers her evaluation from her as absurd as he knew her for a long time. Additionally, he told her that her propositional papers about the advertisement have been revising by his secretary as he expects her to work even harder.
Who did the revision?
Moriko has been thinking a lot about the person she met at Sakyo's side. She is indeed new but her presence surprises her. Nevertheless, she should replenish herself with new and concreting ideas that crave her into highest level.
She desperately wanted to be an apple to Sakyo's eyes.
Shizuru has no choice but to extend herself another two hours with the company as Sakyo promises that he will give her an overtime pay. Meeting with the corporate directors creates a ball of anxiety falling over your head. Hitting it hard with an explosive smash of reality makes Shizuru disputes her own if she can administer the job. As time goes by to its passing moments, she can feel the pressure in working with one of the most powerful business figures to date.
They all went into the meeting room along with three other men that she still has not known.
Sakyo came last as he closes the door with caution. He checks the attendance of all of his important affiliates. He walked towards at the other end of table, sitting down from the chair with his proficient look of an authoritarian figure. Somehow, Shizuru sat at the other far end of the table, taking down some notes for today's agenda.
"Gentlemen, I would like you to introduce my new secretary, Ms. Shizuru Kuwabara."
The three men looked at her as they all bow down, showing her their deepest respect.
Nevertheless, one lone female figure did not attest her omnipresence.
"The purpose of this meeting is to how to target ourselves into right clients in a right time. As we, all know that technological businesses are waning due to competitive strategies of other companies abroad. I see those as a threat to our existence. A solid state of assertiveness is in need as of this time. This is an urgent strategy that needs to call for this matter, Mr. Hideo Arai, the creative department director, how does it go?"
Hideo Arai is a man who was twice of Sakyo's age. His wrinkled face clearly shows how a veteran can hold his department without addressing dictatorship. His mellow but firm personality highly regards this person by his peers. It was keenly constraining for someone who is younger, to ask questions about the things arising from his department. He adjusted his voice to speak.
"Mr. Sakyo, I have already collaborated with the engineering department to accomplish the task you have been requesting."
"Is there any problem that arises, so far?" Sakyo's partner interrogates.
Goro Kobayashi is Sakyo's business partner for the past ten years. His short black hair with the trace of cobalt color demonstrates that he is different. His superintendency is at equal to longhaired man. Their friendship had endured so many tests since high school. He trusted him dearly for all the matters as he began discussing the possible effects, both positive and negative impact of business solutions.
"You see, we need you to translate the visionary creation, something that can deeply harness the clients, both amateur and professional computer users. The life of the corporation lies on your hands right now." Goro persuades him.
"…at the same time, we need to take the risk of taking our products to a tremendous level. I want something that would create intimidation to the other companies." Sakyo added.
He forges ahead with his statement, "Goliath Company is on the verge of breaking up as I have reviewed their stock market reports from the internet. It is a golden opportunity to take advantage of their weakness…to seek and displace them totally from the top."
Shizuru could not believe her eyes and ears that this meeting is getting more interesting by the minute it passes by. Never mind if she comes home late at night, she was witnessing the discussions that even movies will never get the essence of it. She can discern their feelings of what was to be like a corporate leader. Just like operating a ship, a captain should never loose sight from the eternal and dangerous navigation in the seas.
Juno Matsumoto, an engineering director spoke for his presence, "we were processing the final run of the product 'Futurity'. In our perspective, there are no problems as we made sure this product runs perfectly."
"Good!" Sakyo said with delight as he turned his attention towards Moriko Endo, "So how the marketing department goes?"
Moriko proudly announced her achievements, "The department has submitted the proposals to your office with the ideas that I came up with. The papers indicated that the product itself is waiting to discover the aspect. In that way…"
"Don't you consider everyone's ideas? I find yours as the weakest link." Shizuru condemns.
Moriko was caught unaware of Shizuru's sharp tongue as she raised one eyebrow indicating, as if she was telling her, are you questioning my capabilities? You don't even know me, yet. In this corporation, no one wants to scruple her knowledge especially in marketing area. How this naïve secretary of Sakyo would unleash her poisonous words that hinder her success in impressing him?
From now, she can tell that the woman besides him is a competitor to annihilate. Exasperation slithers both her mind and soul, as she tried her best not to burst her temper. She badly wanted revenge this early. However, she needs to wait for a proper time.
"Perhaps, it is much better to cool the argument, ladies." Sakyo arbitrated.
Shizuru never meant to override the proposed papers that the marketing department extends. However, she needs to be truthful, in any way that she wanted to cohere in building a better company.
-To be continued-