Taking Chances

6: Pancakes for Dinner

CHAPTER 6

I WAS enjoying the fluffy pancake that he bought, along with the bacon and sausage he chose for sides.

“Pancakes…for dinner? This is ridiculous.” He said while figuring out why the pancake is thick and fluffy. “Why is it even jiggly?”

He looks like a child who hasn't tasted this. This is a bit expensive for a pancake place kaya akala ko ay alam niya na ito. I guess he’s not a fan of pancakes.

“Pancake’s my favorite.” I said out of nowhere.

He took a spoonful at sinubo iyon. Ni hindi ko namalayang nag aantay ako ng feedback niya.

“So you agreed about me training you? Why?” I asked him.

He shrugged and continued eating. I figured that I could never talk to him in a proper manner. If he’s not playing with me, he’s also not talking with sense. Parang dalawa lang ang mode niya, snobbish and ridiculous mode.

I noticed how he had whipped cream beside his mouth kaya pinunasan ko iyon gamit ang thumb ko. It was too late when I realized what I had done. He stared at me like I did something bad. I can’t even think of a defense. Anong sasabihin ko, nasanay ako dahil may mga kapatid akong messy kumain?

Hindi na ako nagsalita para wala nang misunderstanding pang mabuo lalo. Less talk, fewer mistakes. He cleared his throat and drank his glass of water after a few seconds at inubos nalang ang natirang pagkain. Geez, that was so awkward.

We finished our food and went to his car. Pinagtitinginan pa siya habang naglalakad kami dahil sa tangkad at itsura niya. I admit that he looks like a model, siguro dahil sa dugong italyano niya.

“Where do you live?” Tanong niya. Hindi na ako nag-inarte dahil ayoko na ding gumastos para sa pamasahe. I told him our street and he drove.

Buti nalang at hindi traffic dahil napagod na din ako. Nakaidlip pa ako sa byahe pero nagising nang huminto ang sasakyan.

“Don’t be late Ali. I hate late-comers.” Were my last words before I went out.

Morning came and nag-iinit na ang ulo ko dahil alas diyes na pero wala parin ang hinayupak. I was busy because there will be a massive hiring next week, and we’ve been anticipating this because na-approve na ang proposal ko na additional employees due to high demand.

I was startled with what I’m doing when my door sprung open. “Good morning boss!” Ali said. Hindi pa doon natapos ang eksena niya dahil may mga pumasok na mga trabahador galing sa maintenance. May dala dalang boxes ng gamit niya, box ng new office table, new pc set up, at kung ano ano pa na hindi ko alam kung para saan niya gagamitin.

“You can put it there.” He told them.

“No Ali. You have a table beside my secretary. You have a pc there and a few things that you will be needing. Don’t be such a headache.” I said firmly. Napahinto ang mga tao galing sa maintenance, lito kung anong susunod na gagawin.

“Mang Rony, you can go downstairs and bring back the pc and table. He can keep his other things.” I said and smiled apologetically.

“What? I sit beside your secretary? So what am I now, your secretary’s secretary?”

“Go to him Ali, he will orient you on what to do today.” I said, pinipiga ang pasensyang meron ako.

“I thought you would be the one to train me? And what? Your secretary’s a boy?” His questions are becoming more and more ridiculous.

“Don’t piss me off Alessandro. It’s not enough that you came late, but you also brought a commotion with you.” I said. Nalito na kung tungkol saan ang iniisip ko kanina tungkol dito sa trabaho ko. “Go!” I signaled him.

Busangot na busangot siyang lumabas.

I clicked the intercom to my secretary. “Tell me when you’re done orienting him Helix. Thanks.”

After lunch, I had a short meeting with the operations team before I went to Ali. He was typing something on his computer and he looked so serious so I tried to take a peek.

Unstoppable!

Wiped out.

“What the hell?!” He was playing games!

“You were playing games this whole time?” I almost shouted.

“Sshh. I’m winning.” He hushed me as if he’s in an important competition.

I looked at Helix and he looked away, avoiding my gaze. “Hindi daw po siya susunod sa akin ma’am Yanni.” He said in his defense.

“Alessandro, in my office, now!”

Hindi pa siya sumunod at mukhang enjoy na enjoy sa nilalaro. Kung hindi ko pa siaya titignan uli ay hindi pa titigil. He’s a child!

I sat on my chair while he closed the door to my office.

“What are you doing?”

“What? I was told that you will train me. So why is he ordering me around?” Aniya at tinuro turo pa ako at ang sarili niya.

“I am the one who told Helix to orient you first before I give you your tasks. If you want to work this out, trust my decisions!”

He was silent while I was trying to cool my head.

“Fine.” He said then went outside.

What did he mean by ‘fine’? Ni hindi ko pa siya tapos pagsabihan at nagdecide na siyang lumabas mag isa! I called Helix inside and told him what Ali needs to know before I bring him to a meeting maya maya.

I was occupied the whole afternoon. Nang dumating ang alas tres ay sinabi ko kay secretary ko na maghanda na kasama si Ali para sa weekly meeting namin with the employees.

His first task is to familiarize the employees of the hotel. He doesn't need to memorize every single one, but he needs to start knowing at least 4 or 5 people here at some point. Then he was taught to use the hotel’s Information System, the department’s KPIs and other technical terms in HR.

Everyone was shocked when I brought him to the meeting. Turned out, he was very well-known in the company. Hindi ko inakala na ganito siya kakilala ng mga empleyado dahil hindi naman nga siya madalas dito.

They all bowed for him, scared of his intimidating aura as soon as he walked in. Kung hindi ko siya kilala ay aakalin kong siya ang pinaka boss.

“This is Alessandro, and I suppose you all know him. He will be accompanying me in my meetings, and will start working in the HR department.”  explained.

He sat next to me… so close to me that our elbows could touch. I whispered to him to give me some distance but he acted like he couldn't hear a thing. He’s in his snobbish mode I guess. Napairap nalang ako sa attitude na binibigay niya.

The meeting ended at 4:30 pm. They all stood and went out. Naiwan kaming tatlo. Ako, si Ali, at si Helix na secretary ko. Inabot ni Helix sa akin ang jacket na dala niya nang mapansin na nilalamig ako. I thanked him before I looked at Ali. 

“How was that as your first meeting?” I asked him.

Hindi niya ako pinansin at mariing tinitigan ang jacket ko at lumipat kay Helix. He went outside and ignored me.

What a great impression to leave on your boss.