The NBSB's Sweetest Downfall

Chapter 03 / Rewritten Version 2022

Chapter 03 / Rewritten 2022

Note: Re-written, 2022 Version by Starlee.

Almost 4 years ago...
(FLASHBACK CONTINUATION)

"I've received multiple reports from your staff that they don't like working for you." Bulyaw sa akin ng controller nang umupo ako sa opisina niya. Nakalipas na ang dalawang buwan na nagta-trabaho ako dito.

I've been doing fantastic. Syempre, merong room for improvement. But overall, Charlotte, my boss, has been extremely satisfied with my overall performance. Tuloy tuloy ang trabaho 'ko habang nag-aaral at nag-e-exam ako for my CPA licensure.

"It's all drama," I replied. Tinignan 'ko siya at mukhang hindi siya masaya. "If they can't take feedback, they shouldn't be working here."

"But you have more than 10 direct reports, Nicole. You get paid the big bucks to deal with them. You have to coach them, you have to be patient with them." She argued.

Napairap na lang ako. "I don't have the capacity to deal with incompetency."

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed, napatayo pa siya sa sobrang bwisit sa akin. "They're not incompetent! You just have unreasonably high standards. Medyo ibaba mo naman, para makahabol ang ibang tao sa'yo. You're impossible!" singhal niya sa akin.

"I'm telling you Charlotte, if they spend less time gossiping during office hours, then I wouldn't be so hard on them. Pero mas marami pa 'yung pakikipag-chismisan nila kesa sa work nila. I would fail all of them on their performance reviews. Para hindi makakuha ng bonus." Mabilis na sagot 'ko sakanya habang nakikita 'ko na mas lalo siyang nabi-bwisit sa akin.

"I am telling you, Nicole-" She pointed her fingers at me for a brief moment. "You're going to give me a heart attack! If the turnover rate in our department goes up, I will place the blame on you!" She angrily exclaimed.

"What the hell is going on in here?" Narinig namin si Bryan na nasa pintuan ng opisina ni Charlotte. Ang maganda lang sa opisina ng mga higher ups, meron silang sariling lobby kung nasan nakaupo ang mga secretaries or EA. So kahit nakabukas ang pinto, hindi naman ganun karinig sa labas. Unless ikaw si Charlotte at malakas ang sigaw mo.

Hindi ako tumingin kay Bryan, pero si Charlotte agad na tinignan siya at tinuro ako. "She's giving me a headache, Bryan! Her whole team is complaining about her!" Saad niya.

Umirap lang ako habang naka-ismid sa upuan. Bahala kayong dalawa diyan.

Bryan sighed, sa'ka 'ko narinig na sinarado niya ang pinto. "Alright, Charlotte, sit down."

Pulang pula ang mukha ng boss 'ko sa galit sa akin, pero umupo pa 'rin siya. Naramdaman 'ko agad si Bryan na nasa likod ng upuan 'ko. Pinatong niya ang kamay niya likod ng upuan 'ko, and I felt the tip of his fingers slightly and unintentionally touching my back.

"What is the complaint about? Is it a formal complaint?" Tanong ni Bryan.

Mabilis na sumagot si Charlotte. "But that's not the point, Bryan–"

"No." Pag cut-off ni Bryan. "I asked you 2 questions. Answer them."

"Masyado daw siyang harsh sa kanila. And no, it's not a formal complaint. They didn't even go to HR. Sinabi lang nila sa akin. Ito naman kasing si Nicole, minsan may attitude din eh."

Tinignan 'ko siya nang masama at magsasalita na sana ako nang pigilan ako ni Bryan.

"Charlotte, I think you also have to consider the amount of pressure riding on Nicole's back. She's taking her CPA exams, and going to business school."