13. Birth Of The Lady Devil

Keira decided to head home feeling defeated, she can’t fight with her dead best friend over a man who barely knew her. She went home alone, and lonely, her tears started cascading on her lovely face, she looked at her face in the mirror while thinking that tomorrow; she will be a different woman. A woman that is driven and focused only on one thing; being the youngest and best conglomerate heiress there is, she vowed to herself not to be infatuated again with the wrong man or for any other man for that matter.

The next day, Aila was feeling much better; she is ready for the war ahead of her. She will face the wrath of the managers and board of directors that she placed in public scrutiny.

“Planning Department please join me and the CEO in her board room in ten minutes.”

Mr. Watson was serious in his tone, he did not even smile; not even at Keira. The whole team went over to the president’s board room, nervous with anticipation.

“Good morning to all of you, I called your whole department today for a very important announcement.”

President Elisa was unlike Mr. Watson, she seemed somewhat excited with her announcement. Keira’s hands were sweating, she was nervous, but she reminded herself what she promised last night; she will be a different woman today.

She bravely fixed her posture and listened carefully to the president’s announcement. Her nana did not inform her about today’s pronouncement, that’s why like the other team members, she was in the dark.

“I am assigning a new manager for your department. Keira, please stand up, I am appointing you as the new manager of the planning department.”

They were all shocked by the news, most especially Manager Pete. Keira stood up and bowed before the president. She did not see the promotion coming this soon, but nevertheless, she gladly accepted the challenge her Nana threw at her.

One cannot even begin to describe the reaction of Manager Pete, his face was flushed, and even his bald head was scarlet. His forehead furrowed as his eyebrows drew in closer together; he clenched his fists waiting for the right opportunity to speak for himself.

When Keira stood up to shake the hands of the president, he was on his feet as well.

“Ms. President, I am sorry but I need an explanation for this.”

President Elisa smiled at Manager Pete.

“But of course, I will gladly give you one, oh I mean two. The first one is because of your incompetence; you have been working for the planning department for more than ten years already and I am surprised that you are not aware of the inconsistencies of the other departments. Are you really not aware of those or you just chose not to see it? The second is because of immorality, we know how you are hooking up with your subordinate while you are married with three kids. We don’t want that type of image for our managers.”

Manager Pete further felt embarrassed, the president did not filter any information for everyone to hear. He bowed at the president as a sign of acceptance for his fate.

“Don’t worry Pete, I am not firing you; as I’ve said, I know you have kids and because of that, I am only demoting you as a supervisor. I hope you can do your job better and be the best example for your subordinates.”

President Elisa was as straightforward as she can be, even if it would hurt the ex-manager Pete. She then proceeded to dismiss the meeting except for Keira. After ensuring everyone had left, she instantly turned to Keira.

“What do you think of your promotion dear?”

Keira laughed at her Nana who seemed so proud of her even if she was the one who promoted her.

“I was surprised Nana, you did not inform me that you would do this today.”

Keira wanted to sound respectful of her Nana’s decision even if it meant that she would face the horrible face of Mr. Pete later.

“I believe that this position will be best for you to monitor the other department’s transactions without being regarded as a complete suck up.”

Elisa laughed while she winked at Keira.

“Nana! Who is even saying that I am a suck up?”

Keira could not believe her Nana is aware of such slang.

“A lot of them apparently, I want to transfer my position to you as soon as possible, but I think you should clean up the company from the inside out so you can start with a clean slate.”

Elisa was tapping her fingers on the table as she’s thinking of the difficult job for her only heir.

“I understand Nana, don’t worry too much about me; I will be able to handle it. Trust me.”

Keira stood up and embraced her Nana. Elisa tapped Keira’s arm and kissed her forehead.

“I trust you dearly.”

Mr. Watson knocked on the door of the board room and informed Keira that she needs to settle to her new office because the backlog of the documents for review had already piled up. She headed for the door in an instant.  

She let out a deep sigh before she went out to face her colleagues. She knows she has to toughen up and this is the perfect way to start it.

Keira walked with her head held high, and smiled to her subordinates.

“Guys, like you; I am surprised with this recent development but I rightfully accepted the challenge brought upon me. I am here to straighten up the old faulty system of the company and I am sincerely expecting your help. With that being said; I will be delegating new work assignments for everyone to improve our workflow efficiency.”

Keira’s words were like sharp knives stabbing Pete’s ego again and again. His nose was smoking in anger he finally reached his boiling point and slammed the table with his hands.

“Are you implying that I am an inefficient manager?”

He dared Keira to say the word, his eyes were glaring at her.

“Yes, and it is a fact you can’t refute.”

Keira even dared to smile at Pete.

“What do you know? You just graduated; I have been working here for ten years!”

Pete slammed the table once more.

“Well by the looks of it, you haven’t done much in the past ten years. Supervisor Pete, if you don’t like how I run things in here, you are free to leave.”

She was able to deliver those words without cracking her voice because of the tension she’s feeling. She was so cool and composed that she was satisfied with her performance.

“Well, then I quit!”

Pete tried to threaten Keira.

“Very well, please inform the HR Department of your decision, I believe you know your way out of this office.”

Keira pointed at the door as she stared sternly at Pete.

“You are a Lady Devil!”

Pete screamed at the top of his lungs, but Keira just smiled at him.

“Yes I am, you may go.”

Pete stormed out of the office and the legend about the “Lady Devil” was born. The onslaught of her fury sent every questionable employee to hell. Keira did not just target the corrupt ones, but also the system as a whole. It was nice for the company but it was not welcomed wholeheartedly by the seniors.

To their dismay the “Lady Devil” could care less about their opinion, she was too focused on work she is the embodiment of the words workaholic and devil. Keira was not too bothered by her new nickname, she actually likes it, and she does not have to act tough or devilish all the time because the presumption itself is great for mental conditioning.

She chose Thea as her supervisor as she is the only one she can trust in her department, she was also great at her work; efficient and loyal. She is also aware of Keira’s true nature and why she has to project this Lady Devil image.

Keira also plans to leave the managerial position to Thea when she assumes her position. That’s why she teaches Thea her best practices to have loyal eyes and ears when she becomes the CEO.

The year passed so quickly Keira could not believe the company party will happen this weekend already. The employees highly anticipate this event every year; they get to be awarded and given different perks and benefits and of course they get to dress up and socialize with the different departments.

Keira was excited for one reason alone; this day will be that day dreaded by the members of the board who wants to assume the CEO position. Keira will be announced as the only heiress of the Greene family and as the new CEO of the company.

Keira wandered around her office as she browsed her files that she intends to pass down to Thea.

“Manager Keira, you wanted to talk to me?”

Thea was respectful to Keira as her superior even if one can easily say that they are the besties in the company. This uncanny friendship also brought about unnecessary foes for Thea, she was given the nickname; the “lady devil’s advocate”.

“Yes, I want to hand you these files, you will need to continue on this track, I will check on you from time to time about this.”

Thea browsed the files and was surprised to see a large number of people that are in the “purgatory” as Keira wants to call it. It is the list of people that will be fired or demoted with enough evidence.

“But, why are you giving these files to me; are you planning to leave the company?”

Thea looked sad and afraid; thinking of facing the wrath of a lot of people without the lady devil herself.

“On the contrary, I will be permanently creating my mark here in the company.”

Keira smiled sweetly at Thea as her happiness made her feel invincible.

“ring..ring”

Keira looked at her phone, it was her Nana; she was all smiles when she answered her phone.

“My dear, I managed to get you an escort for the company party.”

“Oh Nana, you did not have to, I can manage on my own.”

“I won’t take no as an answer; Stephen will pick you up at your house at seven for the party.”

Keira’s heart leaped from her body; is he the same Stephen she knows?