Sigurista Chapter 1

Chapter 1

           

“Thanks. That’s great to hear. I’ll send my best people.”

            In-off ni Eva ang speaker phone.

            Sumandal siya sa kanyang kinauupuan. Definitely, the best ang ipadadala niya. Hindi biro ang P100 Million account. Kailangang maniguro. Trophy account ang Pulo Verde Resort. Sino bang hindi maninigurado?

            Kaya si Geri at Eric ang ipadadala niya sa briefing. Jack Verde himself, ang CEO ng Pulo Verde, ang magbibigay ng briefing during an all-expense paid weekend sa resort. This weekend.

            Umaalingawngaw pa sa tainga niya ang sinabi ni Jack, “Eva, I am expecting a lot from you and your team. Matagal na tayong magkakilala and the many times we’ve worked in the past, you have never let me down. So I expect to be wowed by your ideas. That’s why I decided na ako mismo ang magbigigay ng briefing.”

            Naramdaman niyang merong slight hesitation si Jack before he said, “Are you coming?”

            “No, Jack. Another time perhaps.”

            “I guess you’re right. Magkikita rin tayo. Because I expect you to be there sa presentation.” He paused. “Don’t run away from me, Eva.”

            “I’m no running away. Lumalagay lang ako sa tama.”

            “Alam mo na naman ang sitwasyon ko, di ba?”

            “Yes, Jack, I know. Exactly why nandito ako at nandiyan ka.”

            “Just a little bit more time, Eva.”

            “Then you talk me when you’ve done your time. Until then, I’ll stay here while you stay there.”

            “Eva—,” Pinutol ni Eva ang sasabihin pa ni Jack. “Tama na, Jack. Give me the respect I deserve.”

            Tumahimik ang linya sumandali.

            Bumalik ang business tone sa boses ni Jack. “Anyway, I’ll open the doors of the resort. You will have full access sa lahat ng sulok ng resort and all the key employees. We will never have this kind of opportunity again. Help me, Eva. I need that wow factor to shake things up with the board.”

“Bye, Jack. Thanks. That’s great to hear. I’ll send my best people.”

Pinindot niya ang isang button sa phone niya.

            “Maricel, pakitawag mo sina Geri at Eric. Tell them to drop everything and see me now. Tell them it’s important.”

            “Yes, ma’am,” sagot ng super-efficient niyang secretary.

            Sumandal siya ulit. Napangiti siya. Meron siyang naisip na paraan to give further incentive sa kanyang prized employees.

            Sina Geri at Eric ang dalawa sa best hiring decisions she has made since she started Right Angle Communications kasama ang ilang kaibigan a few years back.

            Tatlong taon na ang nakalipas since na-pirate niya ang dalawa from their old agencies. Hindi naging madali ‘yon. Hindi basta-basta binitawan ang dalawa ng kanilang mga ahensiya. Tinapatan ng mga ito ang mga initial offers niya. Pero sigurista siya. Her counteroffers were very lucrative deals. She knows the business. Top talent requires top money. At sigurado siya, mababawi niya ang investment niya. And she was right.

            Sina Geri at Eric ay among sa top performers ng RAC. And the most competitive account supervisors she has. Para kay Eva, the competition between the two benefits the company, so ultimately, the employees. Bawat bagong account, bawat bagong project na ginagawa ng dalawa means profit for the company, and additional benefits sa mga tao niya.

            What she finds amusing, is that sina Geri at Eric compete only with each other. Parang may contest na sila lamang ang kasali. Ang ikinasasaya niya, hindi nandadamay ang dalawa. And they fight fair. Para sa kanya big deal iyon.

            Itinayo niya ang RAC on the principle of competing fairly. Kaya ikinatataba ng kanyang puso na bitbit ng kanyang protégés ang idea na ito.