“I’M SORRY, Sir, but I believe that isn’t included in your EA’s job description,” Mavis calmly replied to Mr. Castillo.

            Is that the reason why there’s no executive assistant that lasts with him?

            Mr. Castillo wrinkled his forehead, as if he was confused as to why she declined. He turned to Miss Chua. “Re-draft the contract and include it, Miss Chua,” he said.

Mavis almost have her jaw dropped, but instead she picked up her bag and then stood up. She really feels insulted and disappointed. She really thought that people that works in DV Corporation are all dignified. She was wrong.

            “Where are you going, Miss Policarpio?”

            He’s really asking her?

            “Leaving. I didn’t apply to be your playmate, Sir,” she seriously and bravely said.

            “But you’re already hired,” he reasoned.

            “I didn’t sign any contract yet so nothing’s official. And if you’re only basis for hiring your EAs is a person who wears a skirt, go to Nirvana, Sir,” she said at her supposed to be boss who does not even care about work ethics.

He really should just go to Nirvana—a host club—if he’s not looking for hardworking assistant. Being rich doesn’t mean you’ll get all you want. And she’d had enough of office romances before. It was messy and ugly.

“Thanks for the opportunity, but I think I’ll pass,” she said to Miss Chua.

            She just smiled and applauded her. She wrinkled her forehead. “Miss Policarpio, please have a seat.”

            “Yes, Miss. Please?” Mr. Castillo said that made her raise her eyebrow. He seems to be apologetic right now.

Mavis threw them both a look of confusion.

“We were just acting.”

            “It’s just a part of the interview process, Miss Policarpio. We need to make sure that our CEO’s next EA is not only qualified but also capable,” Miss Chua said.

            “Yes. Capable of working with our very demanding, overbearing and most hardworking CEO. We needed to make sure that you have what it takes to stand up to him both for your own sakes,” Mr. Castillo explained.

            “We needed to make sure that you’re okay to work every time he demanded. We needed to make sure that you’ll be able to keep your sanity intact. And with your customer service experience, I think you can do it,” Miss Chua said.

            “Most of all, we needed to make sure that you won’t throw yourself at our CEO just like some of his previous Eas did. So, that’s why we came up with a different interview process this time. All of the applicants’ resumes were already screened prior to interview. You’ve met the qualifications that’s why you’re here for an interview. And you’ve met me. Meaning to say that you’ve passed the proper interview process,” Mr. Castillo explained.

            Mavis is still standing until now. “Why go through all this process?”

            “Our CEO is very… overbearing to put it mildly. Not to mention, meticulous. He has fired a lot of Eas. And some of them pleaded to us to let them resign. We’re very desperate for a person with humility and patience. A person who would last with him. A person who’s going to impress him and a person who’s also possible for him to tolerate for a long time. And you showed it to me before that you have those qualities,” Miss Chua said.

            “So, we’d like to hire you as our CEO’s executive assistant, Miss Policarpio. We’ll even add more bonuses to the offer,” Mr. Castillo tried to convince her.

            They looked and sounded desperate. Mavis was already sold in the idea of money. She’s also desperate. But she can’t help but be curious as to why Miss Chua and Mr. Castillo are that desperate just for an executive assistant.

Is the CEO that bad?

            She recited one by one the job description that was posted on what they were looking for an EA for the president of DV Corp. And for every entry, Miss Chua and Mr. Castillo are nodding they heads. She’s still confident that she can handle the job. Besides, the big pay would be a waste.

How bad can the job and the CEO be? She made a mental note to check out the CEO of DV Corp. later.

            “Okay, I’m in,” she said.

It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of the two when they smiled and shook her hand.

            After Mr. Castillo and Miss Chua finalized her contract, they immediately signed it. Mavis will start immediately after her two more days of rendering on Avira.

When she left DV Corp. building, she breathed loosely. She thinks that their lives will be much easier from now on. And she vowed to keep this job no matter what.

~~~

From: Mavis Policarpio

To: Nyx Agoncillo

Subject: I got the job!

They also added a bonus on top of the 70k! Can you believe that?

Meet up soon, please.

From Mavis, with Love

P.S. Do you have any idea about Rush Dela Vega?

---

From Nyx Agoncillo

To: Mavis Policarpio

Subject: RE: I got the job!

CONGRATULATIONS, BABE! OH, MY GOD! Make sure that you’ll treat me, okay? Make sure!

Let’s go out this weekend. I’ll be going home from London. See you!

x Nyx

Not much. But I saw him in one of the gala’s last year. And holy smokes, he’s hot! Too bad he’s with someone then. ;)

---

From: Mavis Policarpio

To: Nyx Agoncillo

Subject: RE: I got the job!

Of course. Lemme know when you land. x

From Mavis, with Love

Ah. So that explains why his previous EAs had thrown themselves at him. Hmm.

---

From: Nyx Agoncillo

To: Mavis Policarpio

Subject: RE: I got the job!

Will do. Miss you!

x Nyx

Take my word for it! He’s off the charts hot. But there were rumors circulating before that he’s a tyrant and a monster.

---

From: Mavis Policarpio

To: Nyx Agoncillo

Subject: RE: I got the job!

Should I back out now?

From Mavis, with Love

---

From: Nyx Agoncillo

To: Mavis Policarpio

Subject: RE: I got the job!

Hell no! Show them who you are. Be your boss’s boss. Hahaha!

x Nyx

---

From: Mavis Policarpio

To: Nyx Agoncillo

Subject: RE: I got the job!

If only I could. Hahaha!

From Mavis, with Love

---

From: Rush Dela Vega

To: Daena Jade A. Chua; David R. Castillo

Subject: My Executive Assistant

Daye & David,

How long should I still wait for my new executive assistant? Did you know that I got my own coffee this morning? Your people are too incompetent even for that. I also woke up early—too early—in the morning to make my own short list making it impossible for me to do my crosswords. Again, your people aren’t even capable of handling their own schedules so I have to do that on my own. 

If you won’t be able to give me a competent EA today, I’ll have to ask one of you to be my acting EA.

Rush Dela Vega

CEO, Dela Vega Corporation

---

From: David R. Castillo

To: Rush Dela Vega; Daena Jade A. Chua

Subject: RE: My Executive Assistant

Rush,

            Good news! We’ve just found someone for the position. She’ll start by Monday. Please see attached file for her profile. 

Regards,

David R. Castillo

Chief Legal Officer, Dela Vega Corporation

[Mavis Policarpio Resume.pdf]

[Mavis Policarpio Background Information.pdf]

[Mavis Policarpio’s Contract.pdf]

---

From: Rush Dela Vega

To: David R. Castillo; Daena Jade A. Chua

Subject: RE: My Executive Assistant

David,

            Can’t she start today?

Rush Dela Vega

CEO, Dela Vega Corporation

P.S. Why is my new EA a former CSR? Can’t you hire someone who minored in law?

---

From: Daena Jade A. Chua

To: Rush Dela Vega; David R. Castillo

Subject: RE: My Executive Assistant

Rush,

            I’m afraid she’s still in the process of rendering her resignation in her previous company. We’ve already sent her your portfolio, so she’ll be ready by Monday. 

Regards,

Daena Jade A. Chua

Human Resources Director, Dela Vega Corporation

Well, we went with our instincts this time. We focused more on the attitude than the experience. We believe that this person can meet your expectations. Since you did your interview on your previous EAs and seeing that they all failed to meet your standards afterwards, trust us on this. Besides, she’s the only one who courageously applied for the position.

---

From: Rush Dela Vega

To: Daena Jade A. Chua; David R. Castillo

Subject: RE: My Executive Assistant

Okay. But if this one fails, too, either one of you will be my assistant.

Rush Dela Vega

CEO, Dela Vega Corporation