FACE TO FACE

"As you heard Mr. DeCordova. I am the new chairwoman of this company. So, why don't you move to another seat?"

The man sitting in there is still stunned and can't even utter a word. How is this happened?

"I'm sorry Miss. Let's all say that you are indeed the biggest shareholder of this company but, how can we let the child handle this business? We have millions of money invested in this company. We can't throw it away just like that." Naka-bawi na ang lalake sa pagka-bigla.

Sinang-ayunan naman ng mga naroroon ang sinabi ng nasabing chairman. Maliban syempre sa kanyang Atty. At kay Zion.

"I am indeed a child in your eyes but, how do you think I got my shares just like that? And besides I am with someone right now." Nilingon ni Jenny ang nobyo na nakatayo sa may likuran niya. Wearing a color blue office suit. "This is my Boyfriend, Mr. Zion Bowie FUERO."

Napa-tayo ang lahat ng naroroon kasama ang kanyang Atty. Paanong nandun ang nag-iisang taga-pag-mana ng top 1 richest family in the Philippines..? And one of the top 10 richest family in the world?"

"Mr. FUERO..." Hindi maka-paniwalang sambit ni Mr. DeCordova. "You are the heir of the Fuero Family?" Tanong nito sa binatang hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin ang nag-salita.

"Do I have to call my granda to prove my identity?" Zion replied with arrogance.

Nanlalambot na napa-upo ang Ama ni Kevin. Kung ganitong Fuero ang nasa likod ng babaeng kaharap. Then his position is indeed unsettled. Dahil mas pipiliin ng lahat ng shareholders ang babae na maging Chairwoman ng company.

"You guys can rest assured that my girlfriend here is over qualified to be a chairwoman than any of you here." Pag-mamayabang na sambit ni Zion. "And also, I am not the only one who's backing her." Pinatong ni Zion ang kamay sa tagiliran ni Jenny. "But also the whole family of Fuero and the whole DRAGON forces."

Sabay-sabay na napa-upo ang mga ito. Sino pa ang mag-lalakas loob na kumontra? Dragon forces is powerful. Not only in the Philippines but also overseas. Kung ang babae ang hahawak ng company, hindi ba parang isang dragon na ang company na walang manga-ngahas gumiba dito? Then their money will be safe and will continue to grow.

"Is there anyone who still unconvinced?" Tanong ni Zion sa mga natameme.

"No." Ang chairman na ang unang sumagot. "But as a chairwoman, you still need a person who will be second to you."

"Ah.. Yes I know. I already know that." Lumakad si Jenny patungo sa may likuran ng upuan ni Kevin. "Then, I would like to promote Mr. Kevin DeCordova to be the president."

Biglang napa-tayo ang mag-ama.

"Me?"

"Him?"

"Yes.. Didn't you guys know?" Kevin told me about this shareholders meeting. So, isn't he the only one perfect for the position?"

"Kevin is still learning. He can't do the proper works. Since I am the chairman before you came in then why not...

" Mr. DeCordova.." Awat ni Jenny sa sasabihin ng lalake.

"How do you think I leave my company to the hand of a person who helped his own son to try to betray his own comrades?" Jenny's voice is cold as ice when she speaks.

"What do you mean?" Pinag-pawisan ang lalake sa narinig. May nalalaman ba ang babae?

"I got an information that, you let your abandoned son escaped from the prison." Of course it's a lie! But like what Jenny's want. Ruining your enemy's family is great when uprooting the root.

"What?! Miss Jenny. Stop telling lies. You're ruining my name here." Kinabahan ang lalake. Ano nanaman ang ginawa ng bastardo niyang anak?

"But I'm telling the truth tho? I also heard that he is now is on his way to his girlfriend's place."

"John ex-fiancee is already dead! How can you say he has a girlfriend.... Hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin ng may ma-realize. " no way! This can't be!" Napa-takbo palabas ngng kwartong it on ang lalake habang malakas na sinasabi..

"Chloe! Call the Reyes Family and warn them about John's arrival! " nataranta ang lahat ng tauhan nito na naka-rinig.

Isinara ni Zion ang pinto ng conference room. Umupo naman si Jenny sa upuan ng chairman. Sa ka naka-ngiting humarap sa mga naroroon.

"Now, let's here all your worries and concerns?" Jenny's aura is enveloping all people inside that room.

At nag-simula na nga ang shareholders meeting..

2 hours later, Reyes Residence.

"Who are guys?" Hinarang ng security guards sina Jenny at Zion ng subukin nilang pumasok sa bakuran ng Reyes Manson.

"I'm here to talk to Mrs. Florita Reyes." Sagot ni Jenny.

"May appointment na kayo?" Tanong ng isa sa guards.

"Tell her that.. I have an information about Margaret Reyes." Sagot niya dito.

"Who are you to know my fiancee?" Napa-tigil ang pag-uusisa ng mga guards ng marinig ang boses na iyon ni John DeCordova.

Nilingon ni Jenny ang nag-salita.

"Miss. Sanchez?" Kunot ang noo nito. Mukhang Haggard. Unti-unting naging mabalasik ang tingin ng binata.

"Why are you here? I thought you are in prison?" Nilingon ni Jenny si Zion. He's expression is dark and cold.

"That's not on your business! I'm asking you, how'd you know my fiancee?!" Sigaw ng lalake.

Zion asked the guards to call the head of the family and tell them the situation outside. They listened to him.

Humakbang si Jenny palapit sa binata at inilapit ang bibig sa tenga nito sa ka bumulong na sila lang ang naka-karinig

"I swear in the name of my life, kapag nalampasan ko ang kamatayan ngayon. I will be back. And I will kill all of you by my own hands.." Pagka-tapos ay umatras siya ng tatlong hakbang palayo sa binatang parang binuhusan ng suka sa pagka-putla.

"You...." Napa-atras din siyang John ng mga sandaling iyon. Takot na takot ang expression ng mukha.

"What's this?!" Why are you here?!" Si Mrs. Reyes naka-labas na pala.

Mabilis na gumapang si John palapit sa matanda.

"Grandma, listen to me.. Margaret, Margaret is alive!!" Para itong nababaliw.

The old woman stunned for a second. Pero ng makabawi. Mabilis nitong sinipa ang lalake.

"You're crazy!!! I saw my grand daughter's body!!! I was there when we burried her corpse! And you're telling me that she's alive?! After you killed her?!!!" Galit na galit ang boses ng matanda.

"What did you tell him for him to act like this?" Naka-lapit! Na pala si Zion sa likuran niya. Sumandal siya sa dibdib ng nobyo. Sa totoo lang nang-hihina ang kanyang mga tuhod sa nakikitang eksena sa harap niya.

"I told him his nightmares." Pabulong niyang sagot kay Zion. Kinuha niya ang kamay nito at ipinulupot sa beywang niya. Kailangan kasi niya ng suporta.

"What kind of nightmare?" Belong nito sa may tenga niya..

Hindi si Jenny sumagot dahil muli nang nag-salita si John.

"She.. She is Margaret!! I'm sure of it!!!" Naka-turo ang daliri nito sa kanya.

Lahat ng atensyon ng mga naroroon ay napako kay Jenny.

"Sir, do I look like a ghost to you?" You're insulting the chairwoman of all the DeCordova's company." Wika ni Jenny.

"What did you say?" Gulat na napa-lingon sa kanya ang lalake.