Zodiac Sigh!
Author's note: --
Chapter 10 – Face Off!
By the time, the clock strikes four o' clock, Shizuru finished editing the papers without any affliction. She wanted to stretch her legs and lay it down upon the desk…but that is too much. She does not want the dirt to spread all over it from her shoes. Since she heard those encouraging words from her superintendents, it feels that all her batteries are fully recharge for another day's work.
Sakyo could not help but to wonder on how did she was able to complete all those revisions, updates and book keepings. Is it because of what happened last night? Is she mad at him? Honestly, she deserves not to live in that crappy apartment for the sake to save your money. If he were in her place, he would probably let the rats sleep in that room while he sleeps at the rooftop. Living in an amiable house or an apartment is an investment that she should consider seriously.
He is minutes away from doing that.
Leo men love to give their associates some surprises.
He grinned as she stood up from her seat. She excused herself to get some refreshments that she needs. He allowed her to do so as it was a perfect time to declare a recess. However, it gave him a perfect opportunity to execute his plan.
He called someone at the phone to discuss important matters.
Moriko was laughing so hard every time she remembers last night's incident. She has just extracted revenge to that secretary. Hah! She deserves my wrath especially she put me into shame in front of Sakyo! As if she has the kryptonite to destroy superman, she can feel the power that nobody can match it. Going back to business is a sure way to start her day. She took the advertising papers and worked thoroughly with it. Meanwhile, Eri knocked at her door and entered into her premises. She presented her some folders for the final review.
Moriko's face, somehow, shows clear displeasure.
"I don't know why you are still here, Eri. Your ideas are sickening me!" she cursed.
Eri stood in front of her with fear. "I did everything that I can."
"You are telling me that this is at your best…I hate it and nobody likes it!"
Eri could not understand why her supervisor is so demanding ever since she got into that position. She made a Picasso-like advertisement with a clever motto "Do you have what it takes?" printed on it. It emphasizes another company's product that dares every body to take a completely new level of database systems.
Moriko decided to feed these papers and proposed arts into the shredder machine until someone grasps her wrist tightly.
It was Shizuru. It clearly indicates that there were no traces of happiness marked onto her face. She had enough of her bullying ways as it reminds her the early days in working at Goliath Company. At that time, she does not have any hints on how to stand up to both of her feet. Dealing with a person like her needs a little morale spanking as well as neutralizing her.
She can no longer hide the fact that there is certain hatred to this neophyte secretary. Moriko swerved her arms as both women stood condensed into the rugged ground. Eri can sense that the catfights are about to begin.
"What makes you think that you own everything?" Shizuru asked.
"My…my…are you Eri's savior?" she turned the tables unto her.
"I'm not a savior, not even a saint…but definitely your worst nightmare!" she retorted back at her.
Moriko was about to say some offensive words when someone intercepted them from the pending feminine brawl.
"Stop!" Goro Kobayashi interrupted, "what the hell are you doing?"
The two women looked around towards him to stop the fight. Both of them back down against their respective defenses. This can be dangerous as it can destroy the foundation of their characters if the fight goes on.
"This is no time to argue over your work…get back on it!" he ordered madly.
Both reluctantly agreed but the war is far from being over.
"Wow! I wish I was strong as you." Eri wished.
Shizuru could not believe in her entire life that she was able to unleash her unyielding side. She will remember this as a precaution on how this can destroy her reputation. Her hands were still shaking from that event. Eri now worships her newfound idol. She wished that she could emulate the iron maiden who could withstand somebody like Moriko. Being in this company is the most exciting that could ever exist here.
"Oh, shut up, Eri! I do not mean to start a fight with her. It was just that it was too much for me to bear." She commanded.
"Too much to bear what?"
"I just could not stand the way she is maltreating you, that's all!" she clarified.
Eri was so surprise that this brown haired vixen is her strongest ally. Never in her life had that someone stood for her. In reality, she now acutely understood the true value of herself.
"That bully should perish in the face of the earth. A workplace bully annoys me."
"Do you have some tips on how to conquer them?" Eri asked the unshakable queen.
"In fact, I do have some tips. Just give me your email address and I will send it to you right now. There were too many of them to mention."
"Cool!"
Lightning strikes her twice…this time in front of Eri Takahashi.
Moriko can discern the anger that is crawling up to her nerves. As if they are shouting "vengeance", she cannot tolerate the urge to do it.
Nevertheless, how it was going to be?
She carefully closed the door and the Venetian blinds as her body frantically search for more papers. Make her taste your venom! Make her suffer right in front of everybody!
In fact, she was preparing for another stack of papers for Shizuru to work with.
Goro went inside to Sakyo's office as he can see his partner signing up the papers. He politely asked the quiet man to spare him some time.
"There is something that I want to tell you." He said urgently.
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"The two females nearly started a catfight in the marketing department."
"Who are those two females? Are they Moriko and Shizuru?"
"Exactly and they nearly wanted their claws to scratch at each other's faces."
"Are there any blood shed?" he jokingly asked. "If there is, I should have set up a mini-clinic within this area."
Both men laugh insanely as they cannot admit this thing can happen within the working hours. As they calm themselves down, Goro continued with his story.
"Everything is fine…for now. I immediately ordered them to go back to work. You should have seen it. Their eyes are steaming with madness."
"I have seen those things in my entire lifetime. I can feel the euphoria that you are telling me about."
By some means, Sakyo understands on how to tolerate extraordinary behaviors.
This must be it.
Eri opened her email account as it flashes Shizuru's name. An attached document shown as it bears the title, "How to Handle Workplace Bullies."
She read the following tips written below:
1. Stay/Go Away
This sentence has a logical reason that staff is fleeing like passengers in the sinking Titanic.
2. Don't keep secrets
You may think that this tip is for the juveniles, think again. Even adults commit this sin.
3. Don't believe everything that you hear
Never believe in gossip as much as you can.
4. Stay focused
By following this rule, you never know that workplace bully exists.
5. Take notes
Take note of the bully's action as well as your own.
6. Stand up for yourself
You have to do this, it is empowering for someone like you.
Eri smiled on how a concern employee like Shizuru could give additional side comments aside from the bolded ones. Maybe she was right all along. She needs an improvement. Maybe she should start buying self-help books in order to make her presence known in this company.
However, image should be prioritizing her overall being.
"Eri, is that really you?"
Shizuru could not believe in front of her two eyes on how lovely and cultured Eri is. Every morning that pass is as dull as a blunted knife. Today, that notion can be wrong. She is wearing a gray turn-key jacket with pinstriped design on it. Pants were dress beautifully into her hips with extended tab waistband. The flare legged pants are elegantly swaying while she walks into her office space. A brilliantly white blouse inside of her jacket shows through.
However, the turning point of her overall appearance is the thick glasses are nowhere in sight. It replaced with contact lenses that make her face even visible.
Meanwhile, she was wearing a black office jacket with notched lapel, single button closure and three-button cuffs. It has light padded shoulders to add vanity on it. Her same colored skirt has a narrow waistband; off-center pleat and hidden side zip closure. It ends at her knees perfectly.
"My goodness! You look like a goddess." She said surprisingly.
"It was all because of you…I guess you brought my life back." Eri said timidly.
She gets even more excited. "You look so refreshing. Wait 'till Sakyo sees you."
As prophecy escapes her mouth, Sakyo walked through, passing the women down the path. He stops for a while to speak with Shizuru.
"I need you to discuss something important. This matter is all about the motto of the advertisement. By the way, tell Eri that she did the job well done in creating that idea."
She playfully glanced at Eri, whom she remained silent.
Sakyo instantly recognized their non-verbal communication. He browsed over his shoulder as he almost got the message.
"Well, we got a new employee. What department do you work in?"
Shizuru let herself get a good laugh as Eri, too, burst into the same assertion. Sakyo was in disbelief as he asked her the same interrogation.
"Eri, is that you?"
What a memorable day to start with.
"This is the happiest day of my life." Shizuru told Sakyo without any trace of degradation.
Sakyo, this time, is the one who feels the embarrassment of his subordinates. At least, it made him smile because he could not remember the last time that he had fun. He bends his head low to gather himself on how he can tell her about his surprise gift.
"Perhaps, something would make you even joyful. I would like you to contact this person." He said handing her over a business card. A sincere delight meets her shadow eyes.
Shizuru got confuse with his antic, "Who was he?"
"He will be your new landlord." He informed her.
Landlord? What in the world, is he talking about? Do you wanted me to transfer all my belongings to somebody else.
"I found a better and larger apartment for you. You do not have to worry about the rent. It was cheaper and I can surely bet you can afford it."
"An apartment for me? Where is this located?" she asked.
"It was located in the Chrysanthemum Lane. Also, it was just two blocks away from the subway station."
Her thoughts must have burst with another shot of paranoia. The company's profits might have boosted its sales or maybe he received a tax break. Nevertheless, why a man like him would voluntarily searched an available apartment?
Whatever the reason, she does not want to quit.
They both went back to business on how Eri strategically came up with the motto, "Do you have what it takes?" Sakyo wisely discuss that this is the perfect time to launch their business campaign, as it will show the company's confidence despite some turmoil happening around. Shizuru agreed with him, adding that clients were looking for a fresh innovation to deal with the technological demands.
The next few minutes are serious talks on how to take over the rival company. He cleverly devised by doing not just a local but also an international business crusade. She wondered to what he meant by that. He clearly states that their bravest move is to think and act gigantic, as if the rival company had brought down to its vulnerability. Shizuru was getting a clue to every fragment of Sakyo's attitude. Ruthless, unforgiving and tactically insane are only the few words to describe him. Nevertheless, his lighter side can reveal how generous, warm-hearted and loyal he is.
The succeeding weeks can be crucial, as the stock market is the sole judge on who will be the winner.
-To be continued-