MAVIS faced a huge challenge on her second day of work. All of Mr. Dela Vega’s scheduled meeting today are all important, but he wanted it all to be done by two PM. They hadn’t done the regular on-site visits today. They needed to go to Baguio because an incident happened that shouldn’t be able to reach the media because the brand image of the Crimson Crown Hotel—the four-star hotel chain that is owned by the DV Corp—will be ruined. Mr. Castillo is already there, but because Mr. Dela Vega is hands on with all of his business, he wanted them to follow behind them.

            To think that I only got four hours of sleep. Help me, Lord.

            Since the subsidiary companies of DV Corporation are going to present the monthly business review today, Mavis compiled all the presentations of the director of each company and she gave it to Mr. Dela Vega to ask which of the presentations he would like to highlight in the meeting. After that, she sent a notice to all the directors—most especially to their assistants—that there’s going to be a change of schedule in the meetings and the report would just be thirty minutes per subsidiary. She also highlighted the report that Mr. Dela Vega wanted to know. The presentation of the monthly business review should be done by this week because Mr. Dela Vega is going to present the results to the board of directors next week.

            And just in a few minutes, Mavis’ inbox was flooded with replies. Some of them said that it would be impossible to arrive in the DV building at the given time because of the heavy traffic. She called the IT department and asked if the company has a premium Zoom ID. Turned out that the company preferred Skype. So Mavis asked for all of the directors that wouldn’t be able to come for their Skype ID’s or even their assistants’ before she gets ready for the meeting. She made sure that snacks and drinks were prepared for the meeting.

            “Mr. Dela Vega, due to the sudden change of meeting schedule and the traffic, some of the directors wouldn’t be able to arrive on time—”

            “Is that my problem?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

            “No, Mr. Dela Vega. That’s why I’ve arranged for a video conference call. And since we’re tight on time, I’ve sent a notice that they’ll only be given thirty minutes to present their reports highlighting the specifics on financial summary and projections as well as future acquisitions or projects,” she explained.

            He looked straight into her eyes as if he’s trying to study her. She slightly became self-conscious. But Mavis tried so hard not to show it.

“Okay. Is the boardroom ready?”

            “Yes, Mr. Dela Vega.”

            Is there ever a praise that’s going to come out of his mouth someday? Or any positive words at all?

“Are you ready?” he asked as if trying to challenge her.

            Still nothing.

“Yes, Mr. Dela Vega. Anything else you’d like for me to do?”

            He just shook his head and went back to read the monthly business report.

MAVIS didn’t care about her appearance anymore even if Mr. Dela Vega would be angry at her because of her attire. Comfort is much more important to her when she’s travelling. That’s why she changed into her sneakers and she wore a baseball cap even though it does not go well with her corporate attire. It’s her first time riding a helicopter. She wanted to be at peace. She’s not going to be comfortable if she’s wearing heels.

            While she was in the helicopter, she was praying hard for them not to get into an accident. She has her eyes closed in almost the duration of their journey because she doesn’t want to look outside the window. She has already ridden a plane before but not a helicopter. There’s a huge difference in the feeling. She feels more secured in the airplane, that’s why she still has a tight grip on the chair of the chopper.

            Mavis is also trying to sharpen her senses with herself because she can slightly feel a small weakness. She blames it on her lack of sleep and poor diet. She only had coffee this morning, and a box of macarons that was given to her by Nyx because of the hectic schedule of Mr. Dela Vega earlier this morning. She also wakes up early and leaves the house early because her journey from Sampaloc to Makati usually takes two hours. That’s why she wasn’t able to eat before leaving their house. Even though she has packed snacks, she still couldn’t eat in front of Mr. Dela Vega. He might say something else if she does. 

Earlier during lunchtime, Mavis hasn’t eaten properly because she was concentrated on taking minutes of the monthly business review and on giving of an “award” of Mr. Dela Vega with their subsidiary company directors that didn’t meet his expectations. That’s why she’s really famished right now. She’s hoping that they’re going to eat at the Crimson Crown later or that Mr. Dela Vega would dismiss her even just for a moment so that she could eat. She was getting dizzy because of hunger and lack of sleep. Even though she wanted to sleep, she couldn’t because of fear.

            “Are you sleeping, Miss Policarpio?” Mr. Dela Vega asked.

She immediately opened her eyes. She thought of an excuse. “N-no, Mr. Dela Vega. I’m just thinking of the reason as to why they said it was food poisoning. Since this is the first time that it happened in Crimson Crown…” And because you regularly check your businesses, it’s impossible for them to make mistake. “I’m thinking that the hotel might not be at fault. The person might have an allergy and they just overlooked the ingredients of the food that he intake. Is the menu in your hotel detailed?”

            “Yes. But David said that the guy that was complaining has no allergies,” he answered.

            Mavis wrinkled her forehead, but she still has a tight grip on the chair of the chopper. She’s holding for her dear life. “When did Mr. Castillo tell you that? I’m still waiting for his update.”

            “I called him up when you’re sleeping, Miss Policarpio,” Mr. Dela Vega said. There was a hint of taunt in his voice. That’s why Mavis can’t help but widen her eyes.

            “I wasn’t sleeping, Mr. Dela Vega. I’m… it’s my first time to ride a chopper, so sue me if I’m slightly afraid.” She couldn’t help but to admit it. She avoided his gaze. He might say that she’s incompetent because of that.

            “Fine. Just sleep.” It looked like he has a hard time saying it.

            Sh*t! Am I in trouble?