Kabanata 4: Mapagbirong Tadhana

Matapos ang eksena sa ospital, tila hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Isabelle sa mga nangyayari. Isang taon palang mula ng mawala ang lahat bg pinaghirapan ng magulang at ngayon naman nagkasakit ang ina. 

Nag iisip ng mabuti si Isabelle kung saan kukuha ng pera pang paopera sa Ina. Habang nag iisip ay bigla na lamag nya naalala ang bagong trabaho at naudlot na contract signing. Dali dali namang tinawagan ni Isabelle ang HR Staff ng kumpanya at nanghingi ng pang unawa. 

“Pasensya na ho kayo, emergency lang po. Sana ay available pa rin ang posisyon para sakin’’ hiling ni Isabelle sa kausap

“Oo naman, sayo lang ito. Oo nga pala pinasasabi nga pala ni Boss Ethan na bukas ka nalang bumalik upang pumirma at magsimula.’’ saad ng kausap

“Talaga po? Maraming Salamat! Pupunta po ako ng maaga bukas.” Wika ni Isabelle 

Oo nga pala hindi ako nakapag pasalamat kay Ethan, kung hindi dahil sakanya baka saan na ako napadpad sa kalutangan. Hayyysss. Ethan? Tama! Pupwede akong mang hiram kay Ethan kahit pa pag trabahuhan ko ito habang buhay! Hindi, hindi rin maaari matapos ang lahat, bigla ako susulpot sa buhay nya para manghiram ng pera? Pero paano si Mommy? Ay sya bahala na bukas! Gagawin ko ang lahat para kay Mommy. Pagtatalo ng isip ni Isabelle. 

Kinabukasan, maaga nag tungo si Isabelle sa bago nyang trabaho, dadaan muna sya sa HR department para pumirma sa kontrata. 

“Good morning po!’’ bati ni Isabelle sa staff

“Oh! Ms Diaz, nanjan ka na pala? Napaka aga mo naman 8am pa start ng trabaho mo!’’ Saad ng staff

‘’Kailangan ko pa po kasi basahin maigi ang kontrata bago pirmahan.’’ Tugon ni Isabelle

‘’Ay tamang tama, eto na. Pwede kang pumasok sa maliit na room sa dulong bahagi nitong hallway, may kape na din dun, magkape ka muna habang binabasa mo ang kontrata mo.’’ pag anyaya ng staff.

“Sige ho, maraming salamat po’’ tugon ni isabelle at agad nag tungo sa silid na sinasabi ng HR Staff. 

Nag timpla muna ng kape si Isabelle at nagsimula na mag basa. 

ANO?! Napa buga naman sya sa kapeng iniinom nya ng mabasa ang sahod nya. 

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT & SPECIAL AGREEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This Contract of Employment is made and entered into this 20th day of July, 2021, in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines, by and between:

VELEZ GROUP OF COMPANIES, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Velez Tower, Ortigas, represented herein by its Chief Executive Officer, ETHAN VELEZ (hereinafter referred to as the "EMPLOYER");

and -

ISABELLE DIAZ, of legal age, Filipino, residing at Quezon City, Philippines (hereinafter referred to as the "EMPLOYEE").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Employer requires the services of a competent, flexible, and highly resilient Executive Secretary; WHEREAS, the Employee represents herself to be exceptionally qualified and possesses the necessary patience required for the position;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1: POSITION AND DUTIES

The Employee is hired as the Executive Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer. The Employee shall perform standard administrative tasks, screen corporate communications, manage the CEO's calendar, and perform any special commands directly issued by the CEO.

SECTION 2: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base Salary: The Employee shall receive a gross monthly salary of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 150,000.00), payable on a semi-monthly basis.

Medical & Emergency Advance: The Employer shall provide an immediate financial advance for medical emergencies upon the signing of this contract to cover any outstanding healthcare or hospital bills of the Employee's immediate family.

SECTION 3: SPECIAL AMENDMENTS & MANDATORY CONDITIONS

By signing this contract, the Employee agrees to the following exclusive provisions specified by the Office of the CEO:

Mandatory Friday Dinner: The Employee is strictly required to accompany the CEO to a formal dinner every Friday at 8:00 PM onwards. This dinner is strictly confidential, non-negotiable, and shall not be credited as regular overtime, but is fully covered under the agreed monthly premium salary.

Absolute Availability: The Employee must answer all phone calls, emergency text messages, and special orders from the CEO 24/7. Refusal to answer or a delay of more than ten (10) minutes shall result in a salary deduction or breach of contract.

Proximity Clauses: The Employee must remain within a five-meter radius of the CEO during office hours and must personally serve his daily requirements (including corporate updates and precise beverage preferences).

Anti-Resignation / Lock-in Clause: In consideration of the emergency medical advance provided by the Employer, the Employee cannot resign or terminate this contract for a period of two (2) years. Any attempt to breach this clause will require the Employee to pay a liquid damages penalty of Five Million Pesos (PHP 5,000,000.00).

SECTION 4: NON-DISCLOSURE & CONFIDENTIALITY

The Employee shall maintain absolute confidentiality regarding all matters transpiring within the CEO’s Office, including business transactions, private meetings, and the personal dynamics between the Employer and the Employee outside office hours.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this 20th day of July, 2021.

ETHAN VELEZ

Employer / Chief Executive Officer

ISABELLE DIAZ

Employee / Applicant

“P150,000 monthly?! Bakit sobrang laki?” at ng makita nya ang dahilan ng pag taas ng sahod nya ay bigla nalang kumunot ang kanyang noo “Kaya naman pala! Gagawin mo pala akong 24/7 all around secretary mo! Hindi ba uso dito ang work life balanced? Hayys! At ano tong DINNER every friday?! At mandatory pa huh! Ethann!!! Talagang pinaglalaruan mo ‘ko!!! Kung hindi ko lang kailangan ng pera at pang paopera ni mommy… Ay teka may nabasa ako dito, 

“Medical & Emergency Advance: The Employer shall provide an immediate financial advance for medical emergencies upon the signing of this contract to cover any outstanding healthcare or hospital bills of the Employee's immediate family.’’

Totoo ba ‘to? Mapapagamot ko si Mommy? Huhuhu naiiyak ako. Sige, tatanggapin ko lahat ng hamon mo Ethan para sa pamilya ko! Thank youuuu Lord!! Mapapagamot ko si Mommy!!! Pagtitiisan ko ang ugali ng Ethan na yan! Hayys grabe talaga magbiro ang tadhana, yung taong hate na hate ko, sya pala ang answered prayer ko! Ay anong pinagsasabi mo Isabelle?! Nagkataon lang ang lahat!! Okay?! Baka ganyan talaga ang kundisyon ni Mr. Sungit/Mr Yabang/Mr. Bwisit sa mga secretary nya kaya walang tumatagal. Hayyysss! Sambit ni Isabelle sa sarili. 

Habang pumipirma si Isabelle, nag momonologue sya “Kung hindi ka lang pogi Ethan, Sinugatan ko na yang mukha mo! Akala mo hindi ko makakalimutan lahat ng pang bubully mo sakin noon. Infairness dati payatot ka lang at mukhang bangkay pero ngayon yummy kana ha?!

Bogshshhh!! “Ay abs ni Ethan!!’’ ANO BA?! Ka pa ba jan?!!

“Anong sabe mo? Abs ko?” Nakangising sabi ni Ethan habang papalapit kay Isabelle.