Deadline

“Everyone listen!” They all turn their gaze on me when I call their attention. We are here on the 38th floor of the E-Department.

“Who is in charge of the models for project S? Kindly call them to come now. Let’s retake the shoot! The head superiors, please go to Room B. The ones in charge of paper to be used in the Magazine. Give me different types of paper and magazine cover templates. We only have 2 days to finish this project before we proceed with the other one... So we need to double our time. Let’s finish it today and print it tomorrow. If we need to stay for overtime, so be it.” I heard gasps and murmuring something that I did not want to hear. “I need all of you to cooperate, so please do me a favor... Do your work and no more complaining, alright?!” I sighed heavily.

“Guys, if we don’t do this, the CEO will fire all of us. So if you don’t want to lose your job, you might as well do your work. I promise you, next time, there will be no more instances like these. It happened because your former EC didn’t finish this project with the given deadline.” After I informed them of the changes, I went back to my office to grab the folder for Project-S. The head superiors are all waiting for me in Room B.

It was almost lunchtime, so I went to the CEO’s office to ask for his approval for the revised Project-S. After we brainstormed earlier, I noticed that a lot of work needed to be revised, and that’s what we did. We revised the entire project. Last night, I slept very late because I needed to review Project-S. But even though I drank a lot of coffee, I still felt sleepy.

I almost jump out of my seat when Mr. Moon slams his hand on the table in front of me.

“What’s wrong with you woman! I’ve been talking to you, and yet you’re not paying attention??!! Did your boyfriend get you tired last night, so you’re sleepy at work now?!” My blood boiled when I heard the last thing he said.

“Boyfriend?!! How does my personal life relate to our situation here... Mr. Moon??!!” I asked sarcastically.

“For your information, Sir! I don’t have a boyfriend, and just so you know, I stayed up late because I needed to review this damn project and finalize it!” I sighed out of my frustrations. He was getting on my nerves now... If it wasn’t for him, I would have gotten enough sleep.

“Well, that’s not my problem, is it?” his voice suddenly calmed. He cleared his throat before speaking again.

“As I’ve said earlier, your revisions are brilliant. You may proceed with the photoshoot and make sure they’re all perfect.” He said, then he looked away. I left his office after he instructed me what to do. I didn’t say a single word because I’m still pissed off.

I came back to Room B, where the head superiors were waiting for me. So I gave them the good news that the Revised Project-S has been approved.

“I told Abby to get the models ready.” It was Joshua who spoke. He handed me the folder on the list of the models.

“Thank you,” I said. I was checking the folder when my stomach groaned. Joshua chuckled, and I feel my face heat up because of the embarrassment.

“Haven’t you eaten your lunch yet?” He asked.

“No, I was too busy compiling this project. I also didn’t eat breakfast before, so...” I shrugged. He chuckled.

“Let’s have a quick break and eat at the canteen first.” I didn’t bother to protest and accept his offer.

We ordered food, and I noticed people looking at us when we sat down. I frowned. What’s wrong with them? I simply looked at myself. I’m wearing a pink sleeveless knitted blouse and fitted pants. My hair was all tied up neatly into a ponytail, and I wore white sneakers. I cocked my head to the other side. “There’s nothing wrong with me, right? Did you see any dirt on my face?” I asked curiously.

“Don’t mind them,” Joshua said. “They never saw someone who’s eye-catching eating in this canteen.” he chuckled. I just laughed at what he said.

“By the way, Joshua, thank you for the treat,” I said after we ate.

“Nah. You’re always welcome.” He said coolly.

“How old are you? Uhm... I hope you don’t mind?” He shook his head.

“I’m 26. How about you, Ms. Ashley?” He asks.

“Can you please drop the formality? It’s break time. Just call me by my name when we’re not at work.” I grinned. “And to answer your question... I’m 23 yrs old.”

“Oh! So you’re the youngest EC I’ve ever known and worked with,” I smiled.

“I know, right.” I shrugged. I looked at him with so much confidence and pride.

“That explains why,” he said as he nodded his head.

“We should go back. We have a deadline to meet, and besides, after this, we will go to start my incoming project.” Joshua just nodded at what I said.

Abby told me that the models are in the photo studio already. When we arrived, Steven Lao’s team was preparing for the shoot. Abby was busy checking out the props.

“Everything is ready, chief.” One-off, the staff said.

“Prepare the models.” Ms. Meriam said. A staff member nodded and went to the dressing room to call the models.

I was sitting beside the monitor of the camera. Next to me was Abby, while Mr. Steven was preparing for the shoot. Joshua stood behind me. The photoshoot started, but every time their poses looked dull, and I interrupted them every time. The photos had no emotion… it felt lame. After several shots, I could not choose the best one. It was all crap! And it frustrated me. I stood up, and that made everyone look at me. I don’t care what they would say about me, but I need them to do their jobs perfectly.

“Don’t they know how to pose? They’re just like robots with no emotions!! Again! We will not end this shoot until I say so!” I heard some gasps. I don’t care because I don’t want my boss to get upset or disappointed with my work. I always do my job perfectly.

“Ms. Ashley, Nothing’s wrong with the model’s pose.” One of the staff said. I raised an eyebrow at her.

“What do you mean by that, Miss? Nothing’s wrong? Are you blind or something?! In case you didn’t notice, Miss... What’s your name?”

“B-Betty,” she stammered. I smirked evilly.

“Betty, huh!” I scoffed.

“You know what? I’m the Editorial-in-Chief, so if I’m not satisfied with your work, then you might as well repeat it all over again. I don’t like anyone criticizing my work. I just want this damn photoshoot to be perfect, and I don’t want it to be sloppy.” I looked around. Everyone’s attention was on me. Even the photoshoot stopped for a minute. “Because it’s not just our boss will punish me, all of us. Our job is at stake if we don’t do it perfectly. So I want to repeat the photoshoot until we get what we need!!! Double time!” The staff immediately rushed in. I saw some chiefs shaking their head in disbelief.

“Calm down, will you? Here... Drink this.” Joshua even tapped me on my shoulder. I took a deep breath before drinking the water that he gave me. I mouthed my thanks to him.

“We have a deadline to meet here, so...” I shrugged, while my attention was on the models.

“Impressive, Miss Ashley.” I stiffened as I heard that familiar baritone voice.

“S-sir,” Abby said, still stuttering.

I turned slowly to where Abby was staring. I immediately stood up as our eyes met. “S-sir.” I bow my head. I did not want to meet his eyes because now I felt so nervous, and my heart seemed to beat so fast.

“I never knew this is how you work, Ms. Ashley.” I looked at him, our eyes met. He nodded.

“Well, you have a point.” I frowned. He was still holding his chin as if he is thinking while looking at the pictures on the monitor.

“How did you know it wouldn’t pass my inspection?” he asked.

I scoffed before answering. “Sir, as an EIC, I should know my job, or else I’ll get fired.” He smirked.

“Okay, if that’s so. Can you submit that to me by tomorrow?” He asked in an indifferent tone.

“Yes, sir, rest assured we’ll finish this now... And you will receive the final output first thing tomorrow morning.” I said with finality.

I heard the others complain. He didn’t take away his gaze from me. I saw amusement in his eyes. “Take a break first, everyone. An hour to rest and unwind, then continue your work after that,” said Mr. Moon conveyed his message to the staff, but his eyes were on me.

The staff immediately left... I sighed heavily.

I reviewed the shots earlier. It just annoyed me because the models lack emotion as if they weren’t professionals.