You wish for a long career? There are three things I never do, and two virtues I imbued:
~ I never reject orders made by my employer's family.
~ I never ask questions.
~ I never make my judgments.
"Hmm," a small smile played on Rino's lips.
~ I played Transparency as a character.
~ And, I always show gratitude.
***
One Hour Ago...
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
The guests, who had gathered in the celebration hall, kept giving Madling Cucke a thumbs-up for coming this far as an Intern.
They didn't congratulate him on their own accord, Madling went around informing each of them of his promotion as he dropped drinks on each table he passed by.
"Thank you for attending. It's also a great pleasure for me. You see, I was promoted as an Intern to work as the Personal Assistant for the Senior Finance Manager," he will say once he gets to the table. And after this speech, the 'congratulation' word will be sent out to him.
"Who did think I would get to this height," he will always reply after being congratulated.
The hall was massively decorated with all kinds of luxurious materials that hands could meet in the period, but not hands of the ordinary.
The sound of steps could be heard clicking each time they were made on the glassy floors, polished bright gold. The walls were glittering gold too, with a black glistening plastic creativity of "Carter Group" affixed on both sides of the wall facing each other.
The neon lights fixed at strategic positions on the P.O.P ceilings, which illuminated the hall, said less of the kind of wealth existing in the family that was hosting this celebration. Three brittle chandeliers, also hung a few meters apart on this ceiling, showing off the crystal decorations on them.
In front, where the podium was found, is a 100-inch length by 25-inch height Plasma, in which different company achievements were projected, starting with the bright picture of the Late Chairman of the Company.
By the right side, on the podium, erected a golden craft of the Late Chairman's upper body, from the neck below to his head, carried on a glass showcase with a sharp, glinting gold writing on it 'Founder of Carter Group'.
On the left side, still on the same podium, stood a man in a cologne suit over an ambo.
"In less than forty-five minutes, the Chairman shall begin with the Opening remarks," the man over the ambo announced.
Meanwhile, left with the audience was Madling, still working all around, placing drinks on the rich golden tables which were set to accommodate at least four seats, and as well, mouthing his promotion to the guests.
"You are doing a nice job," Rino said to him, his left hand notting his tie, while the right was tugged in the pocket of the common suit he wore, standing beside a table on which Madling had come to drop a drink.
"Thank you, sir," Madling said immediately. "I will do my best especially as I'm working under you. I've always admired you."
"Aishhh. Don't call me sir, I'm still eighteen," Rino collected a can of the drink Madling was distributing from the tray he held, and read its composition. "The Chairman hates lemon."
"So, what should I do?" Madling asked.
"You have less than thirty minutes before the Chairman arrives, replace the drinks as fast as you can," Rino advised, then stood watching the magnanimous and rich setting of the hall.
This is just for a celebration.
This is just to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the death of the Late Chairman Carter Moses, the owner and Founder of Carter Group.
It is still worth it though, as this is also going to serve as the Inauguration of the New Chairman, Carter Josh.
"Hoh," Rino exhaled briefly through his mouth, his left hand now joined the right in the empty pockets of his trousers.
Who did think I would achieve this feat of a Senior Finance Manager in quite a short time after I decided to obey my father's words.
Who did think I would one day have to work as a Manager of a big company, after getting discouraged against my wish?
Lack of money. Lack of support.
Rino shook his head slightly so nobody around would notice, clicking his tongue simultaneously with each shake of the head.
I hope this lasts more than a worthwhile.
"Sir, you've got a call from [2-Beta]," Madling rushed over, handing out a smartphone to Rino.
The young lad had disturbed his thoughts, but it was okay. As far as whom the caller I.D. mentioned was Chairman Carter Josh.
"Yes sir."
"Alright, sir."
"I will be on my way now, sir."
Rino answered the call, rushing to the exit door, watching the ticking time on his chain wristwatch.
"Sir, I hope all is well," Madling asked, trailing his steps behind as they exited the door into the hall passageway.
"We have less than thirty minutes to make sure the Chairman arrives at this celebration, for his opening remarks speech," Rino announced.
"That's quite a short time given to you, and you can't excuse yourself?" Madling asked, now running a bit to catch up with Rino's footsteps.
Rino ignored his question and walked through the passageway as fast as he could until he got to the glass doors that housed the building.
"Do you want to come with me?" he stopped and asked Madling who followed him continuously.
"Yes sir."
Before they could make not more than three steps, the glass doors which were controlled by Infrared Sensors (PIR) opened even without getting a touch from Rino.
Madling rushed over to take on the driver's seat of the car which was packed in front of the building, but Rino disapproved of him.
"Don't worry, I will drive."
Rino handled the steering wheels smoothly as they drove on the road, not slowly but with speed and steadiness at the same time.
Porr. Porr. Porr.
He kept hitting the horn when they got stuck in traffic. He wanted to bring his head out of the car window by his side and yell out his frustration. But on second thought, looked at his wristwatch and decided to keep his calm.
In this calm moment, he only glazed over the short memories from when he had started to work with Carter Group.
It was six months ago after he had to drop out of school in order to fend for the family.
His mother, who carried the burden of taking care of the family died six months before.
His father, an unsuccessful jerk who also tried all within his power to get a job, which he would use to lift the weight off his wife's shoulder, tried all he could to no avail.
To worsen the situation, Rino's mother had died six months before he decided to drop out of school to earn a means and support his younger brother whom he didn't wish to face the same fate as his.
Six months after, he was employed in the company to work for the New Chairman, Carter Josh, who at the time he referred to as [2-Beta].
The Carter Family only allowed high-position employees to regard them with their names. All, but these exceptions, had a way of relaying their information to whomever they wanted to about these family members.
The owner of the Company, Late Chairman Carter Moses was known and referred to as [1-Alpha]. His wife would be called [1-Luna].
However, he had two sons according to the record, referred to as [2-Beta] for his first son, and [3-Beta] for the second son. Even though, Rino never got to think the second son existed in reality, since he never got to meet him.
None of these sons of his had children, but as a factory worker at that time, he learned that their children would be referred to as [2.1] and [3.1] respectively, and subsequently. And their wives will have the [Luna] tag attached to their identities.
This was the legacy the Late Chairman held, allowing only the high-ranked employees to address them by their real names.
And Rino, has attained that height in just six months of getting employed, isn't it odd?
Setting their car into motion as the traffic loosened, Madling thought it best to throw a question at his boss.
"I want to be like you sir. I want to attain a similar height as you did," Madling said, looking at Rino attentively for any words from him. "Those at the office said you got promoted to this position in just a short period of time. Please, advise your little one. How did you do it?"
Rino hurled the car, with the help of the steering wheel, in a U-turn, balancing the movement into a steady one before letting a word slip out of his tongue.
"I did prefer you address me by my name, Rino. I'm not comfortable with what you call me," Rino advised, turning his gaze to meet with Madling's before taking them off, and after a brief pause.
"You wish for a long career? A successful one?
There are three things I never do, and two virtues I made sure to imbue:
~ I never reject orders made by my employer's family.
~ I never ask questions.
~ I never make my judgments.
"Hmm," a small smile played on Rino's lips before he continued.
~ I played Transparency as a character.
~ And, I always showed Gratitude."
"..."
"..."