Kabanata 6

Company

I didn't give too much attention on what he just said. I shrugged at the thought that maybe he's just playing around. Looks can be deceiving anyway.

Right after I gave my number I immediately went inside our mansion.

I glanced at our garage and found out that my car is already there. Something caught my attention, it was my brother's car.

Oh he's here. I thought he's with Mom. Hindi ko inaasahan na nandito siya sa mansion dahil madalas siyang umuwi sa sarili niyang condo.

Nangunot ang aking noo at naglakad na papunta sa loob.

I was about to go upstairs when my brother came out from our main kitchen. It is situated on the first floor in a location that is close to dining hall, banquet hall and family dining room.

His eyes slightly looked at me from head to foot sharply. His lips parted.

"Where have you been Laureign?!"

Tumaas ang aking kilay at nilingon siya. He checked my clothes carefully.

"And what are you wearing?"

"I decided to eat in a restaurant when someone bumped me and then my dress was filled with wine"

Nanliit ang mata niya habang sinuri akong mabuti.

"Really?" malisyosong tanong niya.

"But that dress smelled of men's perfume. How can you explain that?"

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa loob ng kwarto.

Nakaramdam ako ng inis sa dami ng tanong niya.

"It was nothing, Art. Stop asking!"

Napailing siya habang nakasandal sa bukana ng aking pintuan. He put his hands on his pocket.

"Why so defensive then?" panunuyang tanong niya.

I groaned in frustration at matalim na tiningnan siya.

He really likes teasing me huh.

"What are you talking about? I just answer your damn questions."

"Pero hindi mo sinabi kong kanino yan."

Napaiwas ako ng tingin.

"Well.. someone just lend me his shirt."

"What is his name then?"

Iritadong binalik sa kanya ang tingin.

"If you keep on asking me such a nonsense question, better leave my room."

Napailing siya at tinalikuran ako.

"Change your clothes sis, you look like you just had sex" 

My lips parted. I was so shocked at his accusations.

"Shut your filthy mouth Art!"

I shouted full of anger.

He really knows how to pissed me off ha. Bentang-benta.

I slept the whole afternoon. I haven't done any important matter yet I'm incredibly exhausted and deflated.

The glorious rustle sound of the wind soothing my ears. I was mesmerize by the beauty of the sun's ray as its reaches the ground until we reached our way to our company.

"Is everything ready?" 

Dad said after making some phone calls.

Napairap na lang ako nang magtama ang tingin namin ng kapatid ko na may ngisi sa kanyang mga labi. He should be thankful to me for saving his ass here.

"Yes please, I want it to be organize atleast while I'm away."

Dad set a meeting for a formal introduction to everyone that for the meantime I'll be the one handling our company.

"Are you okay with this set-up anak?" Mom said while caressing my hands.

She looked at me with an expression of concern.

I smiled reluctantly at her.

I got mostly my resemblance from Mom. Her cloud of dark hair framing the petulant beauty of her face looks good on her.

"Don't worry about me Mom, hindi ko naman ata malulugi ang kompanya." I chuckled.

"And beside Dad only wants the best for me. This is also a good opportunity to be prepared on what's coming ahead."

Napangiti siya sa sinabi ko at masuyong hinaplos ang aking buhok.

Inayos ko ang aking damit ng huminto ang sasakyan sa mataas na building. I am wearing a fitted red off shoulder pencil cut dress.

Pinagbuksan nila kami ng pinto at nagsimula na maglakad papasok.

All the employees and other applicants give respect as they saw our arrival.

Nahinto lang kami sa paglalakad nang may biglang tumawag kay Daddy.

"Mr. Sollace, good to see you"

A mid thirties lady with a professional smile wreathing in her strong features.

Tumango si Dad sa kausap at pinagpatuloy ang aming paglalakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa loob ng conference room.

Nagsitayuan sila sa kanilang upuan nang maramdaman ang aming presensya.

"Good morning everyone" Dad said in a formal voice.

Nanatili akong nasa likuran ng nila. I remain calm and collected. One of the things that my parents taught me is to don't let anyone know your weaknesses, just be confident. Be professional.

Nakaramdam ako na parang may tumititig sa akin. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin at nagtama ang aming mata na kanina pa nakatingin sa akin.

What is he doing here?

Tumaas ang aking kilay at iniwas tingin sa kanya.

"Take a seat everyone"

At nagsiupuan na sila sa kanilang pwesto.

"What's with the urgent meeting, Mr.Sollace?" A florid-face man asked.

Hindi mapagkakaila na lahat ng nasa loob ng conference room na ito ay nagsusumigaw sa karangyaan at mga mataas ang ranggo sa kompanyang ito.

"I'll be leaving to attend some business matter. And I would like to introduce to all of you that my daughter Laureign will be handling this company for the meantime."

Napasinghap ang lahat at kuno't noo nila akong binalingan.

Nagsimula ang bulungan.

Flicker of uncertainty cross their face.

"But how about Mr. Chua, our Vice President? He fits perfectly for that seat"

A woman that is compelling attractive suggested. Mukhang mas matanda siya ng ilang taon sa akin. She looks young.

Napatingin ako sa itinuro niyang lalaki.

Bahagya itong umayos ng upo nang magtama ang aming paningin. He look strange but harmless.

"As far as I want it to, but I'll leave the decision to our CEO."

Ngumiti siya sa akin at bumaling ang tingin kay Dad.

Nahuli ko ang tingin ni Danger sa aming dalawa. Tumaas ang kanyang kilay at nanatiling tahimik na nakikinig.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Mr. Sollace."

"It's just for the meantime Ms. Fortalejo. And I also want my daughter to enjoy at the same time learn"

"This should be taken seriously. Hindi lang ito gamit na basta mo na lang pinamimigay Mr. Sollace. Kompanya ito at nakasalalay sa ating kamay ang kinabukasan ng nakakarami. We should be practical!"

Hindi na ako nakapagpigil. I know that from the very beginning I don't like this idea but Dad trust me then so be it.

Taas noo akong naglakad papunta sa kanilang harapan at nagsalita.

"I may not have enough knowledge about this company but I know that Dad let me handle this because he see something in me and I'm also capable in boosting the growth of this company and make it productive."

Natahimik at mangha ang lahat sa sinabi ko. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin at nagtama ang tingin namin ni Danger. He look amused.

Dad smiled widely at me. I smiled back.

Natapos ang meeting at nasunod nga ang gusto ni Dad. Afterall he's the CEO.

Tumayo silang lahat at isa isang nagpakilala sa akin.

"Hi, I'm Syden Chua, Vice President."

Ngumiti siya sa akin at inilahad ang kanyang kamay.

"I'm Laureign Sollace" At nakipagkamayan sa kanya.

"I hope we can get along well"

Bahagya akong ngumiti at tumango sa kanya. Napatingin ako sa aking gilid.

"Tm Courtney Fortalejo, Chief Financial Officer."

Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

I could sense that she doesn't like me. But hell I don't give a damn.

"Laureign Sollace"

Tumango lamang ito at tumalikod na papunta sa kung nasaan si Danger.

Oh, they know each other.

Tumaas ang aking kilay at biglang nakaramdam ng inis.

And now he's flirting with another girl in front of me!

He's wearing his usual working attire. A long sleeves polo, necktie and black shoes.

Hindi mahirap madinig ang kanilang pag uusap dahil hindi naman sila kalayo sa kinaroroonan ko.

"Let's have lunch together, Lincon"

Nahuli niya akong nakatangin kaya iniwas ko ang aking paningin.

Binalingan niya si Courtney.

"I have something to do. You can go" malamig na sagot nito.

Napasimangot naman ang babae at padabog na nauna ng lumabas.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas ng conference room.

Mom and Dad are both busy talking with others business men.

Naramdaman ko ang presensya ni Danger sa bandang likuran ko.

He cleared his throat.

"Are you hungry? Let's have lunch" 

Kuno't noo ko siyang binalingan.

"I thought you have something to do?" Tumaas ang aking kilay at mataman na tiningnan siya.

Bakit hindi na lang niya inaya si Courtney. Mukhang gusto pa naman siyang makasabay mag lunch.

"Yes, something to do with you"

Nanliit ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Sino niloloko ng unggoy na 'to.

"Why are you here by the way?"

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang aking bewang.

"Let's eat first" at iginaya ako palabas ng conference room.

My parents are nowhere to be found. Kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi ang sumama na lang sa kanya.