Chapter 2
1075 Words
Eleganteng pumasok sa VIP room si Lady Addelaide kasama ang dalawa niyang bodyguards at ang kaniyang personal nurse. Mabilis namang tumayo ang mag-asawang kanina pa naghihintay sa kanya.
"Lady Addelaide, nice to finally meet you," anang babae at bumeso sa matandang donya.
"Nice to see you again, Lady Addelaide," ani naman ng lalaki at hinalikan ang kamay ng donya.
Lady Addelaide smiles at them.
"Nice to see the both of you, too. It has been years since we sat down for a talk." Bahagyang tumawa ang mag-asawa.
"Have a seat," si Mrs. Montecarlos.
Umupo ang donya katapat ng mag-asawa.
"Lady Addelaide, please order first," ani Mrs. Montecarlos at sinenyasan ang isang waiter.
"I'm sorry, Lady Addelaide, but can we wait for our daughter first? She's just stuck in traffic," wika ni Mr. Montecarlos.
Tumaas ang kilay ng donya bago tumango.
"I'll just have a green tea and a slice of blueberry cheesecake," ani ng donya bago bumaling sa mag-asawa.
"So, your daughter is the one handling the business already, huh," panimula nito. Malapad na ngumiti ang mag-asawa.
"Yes. And I must admit, she's very good at it. May pagkapasaway nga lang minsan. But she takes care of the business very well." Tumawa si Mr. Montecarlos.
"Wow. You two are very lucky." Lady Addelaide paused and heaved a sigh.
"What's wrong, Lady Addelaide?" tanong ni Mrs. Montecarlos. Malungkot na ngumiti ang donya.
"Well, I just wish my grandson is as responsible as her," she chuckles.
"You see, Zeron, my only grandson and heir is living his life as if he's still a teenager. Ayaw magtrabaho. Panay laman ng bar at kung ano anong mga gulo. I don't know what to do anymore." Napailing-iling ang donya. Nagkatinginan naman ang mag-asawa bago bumaling ulit sa donya.
Mrs. Montecarlos leaned forward.
"Well, our Zascha is wild, too, Lady Addelaide. Halos gabi gabi ring nagba-bar at nagna-night out. Thankfully, seryoso naman sa trabaho. Baka magka-click sila ng apo mo." Mrs. Montecarlos smiled.
Sandaling napatitig ang donya sa babaeng Montecarlos. Her forehead creased and suddenly an idea came up.
"Mom! Oh my god, I'm sorry for being late. Gosh! Ang traffic!"
Lahat sila ay napabaling sa babaeng kadarating lang. Sukbit sukbit nito ang isang puting hermes bag. Naka- tube itong dress na pinatungan ng corporate blazer at pinaresan niya iyon ng puting pumps.
"Zascha, hija!" bulalas ni Mrs. Montecarlos at sinalubong ang anak.
"Hija, c'mon. This is Lady Addelaide Fortejo. Alam mo naman siguro kung sino siya." The girl looked at Lady Addelaide.
"Hello, Lady Addelaide. Of course! Who wouldn't know the queen of the Fortejo empire. Nice to meet you, po. I'm Zascha Montecarlos." Lumapad ang ngiti ni Zascga at naglahad ng kamay sa donya.
Makahulugang ngumiti naman si Lady Addelaide at tinanggap ang kamay ng dalaga. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin hanggang sa makaupo ito sa harap niya.
"Well, I guess we can start already. My daughter's already here," anang Mr. Montecarlos. Tumango ang donya. Sakto namang dumating na rin ang kanilang mga orders.
Binigay ng isang bodyguard ang isang black folder sa donya. Kinuha iyon ng donya at hinarap ang mga kausap.
"This is supposed to be the contract that we will be talking today. However, I think I have a better proposal for your company," nakangiting sambit ng donya.
Agad na nagkatinginan ang tatlong Montecarlos. Zascha's eyebrow raised.
"What is it, Lady Addelaide?" kuryosong tanong nito sa donya.
Lumapad ang ngiti ni Lady Addelaide.
"Well, I've heard how good you are in handling your company, hija," panimula nito. Kumunot ang noo ni Zascha. "You see, hija, I have a wild grandson. Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kanya. I can't seem to tame him. Palagi siyang nasasangkot sa kung saan saang gulo." Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Zascha- naghihintay kung anong sasabihin ng donya.
Lady Addelaide flashes a wide smile.
"Hija, I want you to tame my grandson. I want you to make him responsible to be able to handle the company."
Sandaling napatitig sa donya si Zascha.
"Wait. I'm confused. You want me to tame your grandson?" Tumango ang donya.
Zascha shrugs. "How? I mean, don't get me wrong, Lady Addelaide, I would want to help but how?"
"Sabi ng mga magulang mo, hija, you are able to handle the company and your night life. Hindi ko naman hinihinging maging total workaholic ang aking apo. Gusto ko lang naman maging responsable siya sa kompanya. He can have his night life all he wants while handling the company. Just like you, hija. I want you to teach him what you are doing. Hindi na siya nakikinig sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang gagawin ko. I was thinking that maybe, since malapit lang naman ang inyong mga edad, baka mas makinig siya sa'yo. Don't worry hija, this is still part of a business deal and it's just for two months. Dalawang buwan lang, hija. If you make it in two months, I will give you greater deal, but if not, I will still give you, but the smaller deal. So, hija, are you in or are you out?" Ngumisi ang donya.
Napataas ang kilay ni Zascha.
"A greater deal, huh."
"Yes, hija. The original contract says the Fortejo Group of Companies will invest three million pesos to your new project. If you agree to my proposal, I will make it a billion investment plus, you will be our contractor for our next real estate projects. So, what do you say, hija?" Hindi mawala-wala ang ngisi ng donya.
Napaawang ang mga bibig ng mag-asawang Montecarlos. Bahagyang umawang din ang bibig ni Zascha.
That's like a dream offer! Sa tagal tagal na niya sa business world, never na nag-offer ang mga Fortejo ng ganyan kagarang deal. As in never. Maski ang malalaking contractors ay nahihirapang kunin ang mga projects nila. Tapos sila, o-offer-an nang ganyan? That's like a f*****g dream come true!
Umayos ng upo si Zascha. She was beyond shock and f*****g excited!
"Who's your grandson?" Matagumpay na ngumiti ang donya.
May kinuha itong cellphone. Ibinigay nito iyon kay Zascha.
"He's your target, hija. Zeron Fortejo."
Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ni Zascha nang makita ang picture. Lihim siyang napamura. Hindi siya pwedeng magkamali! He's the guy! The f*****g guy!
Mabilis siyang bumaling sa donya.
"Hell, yes- I mean, deal! It's a deal, Lady Addelaide!"
Mas lalong ngumiti ang matandang Fortejo. She raised her glass.
"Cheers to a new partnership, then."
- Writer
