Elite Wars

Chapter 8

GUSTAVE

It's been weeks since Sandrine started avoiding me. I am used to having occasional disputes with my wife but this one is different. Last night, I tried to make it up to her but she brushed me off. She really dared to compare me to a dead old man. It sure as hell made a dent on my ego. My initiative was perfect. Building a new plant at Bulacan will solve all our problems. We can avoid having electricity shortage because it can supply the whole country. Hindi na kailangang i-transmit pa ang elektrisidad mula sa iba't ibang planta para magkaron ng koneksyon ang mga customer. My idea is brilliant! Maaari na naming ma-kontrol ang supply sa buong bansa gamit ang iisang planta. At hindi mag-tatagal ay ma-a-adapt din ito ng buong Asya. Why would she want me to stop?

"Are we on for tonight?" My brother, Emil, distracted me from my deep thinking.

"Y-yeah, sure." I answered.

He was talking about us going to the bar with our two other brothers. Yeah, the Salguero heirs are all men. Seems lucky if you're gonna ask me. I don't think a woman is capable of running this big of an empire.

"You seem a little distracted, anything wrong?" Victor, my other brother butted in.

I was careful not to let them know what's going on. There's nothing to know, really.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that the board meeting is just approaching and I'm still working on my proposal." Pagdadahilan ko.

"Oo nga pala. Pero ano ang naririnig kong magkaiba daw kayo ng proposal ni Sandrine? Hindi ba dapat, iisa kayo ng proposal para mas madaling ma-approve ng board?" Takang tanong ni Conrad.

"Yeah. I mean, what are they going to say when the CEO and COO doesn't even have coordination?" Lucho seconded.

Hindi ko talaga gusto ang tabas ng dila ng isa kong kapatid. Malakas na humampas ang palad ko sa lamesa at nag-likha iyon ng malakas na tunog. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"You think I don't know that? Pwede ba! Tigilan niyo muna akong dalawa. I have way too much thing going on right now!" Sigaw ko.

Umatras si Emil at umangat sa ere ang mga kamay ni Victor.

"Alright! Jeez! You're in a mood today." Aniya.

"We'll leave you be. Just make sure you're coming tonight." Ani naman ni Emil.

Tumango lamang ako nang hindi sila tinitingnan at tuluyan na nila akong iniwanan. Nang makaalis sila ay padabog ko pa ding initsa ang mga papeles ko sa lamesa. Putangina, mainit ang ulo ko pero hindi ko alam ang dahilan.

I don't think I can focus on working today. I feel uneasy but I can't pinpoint the reason. All I could think about is Sandrine and our last conversation. Is that really what she's like? We've been married for a few years now but I guess I don't really know her. Ayoko namang magpaka-ipokrito at sabihing walang mali sa relasyon namin. Mas mabuti pa ngang sabihin na walang tama sa relasyong ito eh.

The intercom speaker on my table beeped so I pressed the button. Vilma's voice echoed all over my office.

"Mister Gustave, Sir Enrique is waiting for you outside. He said you're suppose to have lunch together? It wasn't in your itinerary so I had to check." She said.

Fuck. I remembered that Enrique and I are suppose to have lunch today. He said he would introduce me to someone, a potential investor. I clicked the other button on the intercom and talked.

"Tell him I'm coming out."

Kinuha ko ang ang suit na maayos na nakasabit at mabilis na hinakbanh ang daan palabas ng opisina. Dean was sitting cross-legged in one of the couch in there while reading a magazine. Narinig niya ang pag-sara ng pinto ng opisina ko kaya ibinaba niya ang hawak na magazine.