Growing Back To Love

12

"What's my sched today, Rose?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang kumakain ng breakfast.

"You have an investor meeting with Sir Jason and Señor Fernando Bautista at 9 am. Then, you and the CEO have a meeting at 11 am. You have the rest of the afternoon free."

"Okay, thank you." Pagkatapos ay umalis na siya at nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain.

Habang nagliligpit ako ng mga pinagkainan ko, kumatok sa pinto at pumasok si Jason.

"O, Jason. Mamaya pa ang meeting natin ah. Ba't ka napadalaw?"

"As the new General Manager of the main branch, it's your responsibility to handle major events." Panimula ni Jason.

"O-kay? As far as I know, wala pa naman upcoming major event." Binigyan ako ni Jason ng makahulugang tingin. "Oh! 'Yung company anniversary!" 

Natawa sa'kin si Jason. "Yes. Grabe, ilang taon ka lang nawala sa main branch, nakalimutan mo na kaagad yung anniversary. Tara na nga sa boardroom."

Habang naglalakad kami ni Jason papuntang boardroom, sinabi niya sa'kin ang ibang details ng potential investor namin na si Señor Fernando Bautista. Siya ay galing sa Spain at may-ari ng isang company na puro food products. Parang Purefoods dito sa'tin. Ang gusto niya, habang nagbabakasyon dito sa Pilipinas, may business pa rin siyang ginagawa. Business with pleasure ata ang gusto niya. Hahaha

Pagpasok namin ng boardroom, may isang lalaki na nasa 50's na tumayo at naglahad ng kamay sa'min. Unang kinamayan si Jason, dahil kilala na niya ito through video calls.

"And this is Miss Nicole Beatrice Sirencho. Our newly appointed General Manager." Pakilala sa'kin ni Jason.

Nagkamayan kami ni Señor Fernando. "Good morning, Señor Fernando. Welcome to the Philippines!" Tumawa kaming lahat.

Pagka-upo namin, nagsimula na kaagad ng business talk. Pumasok din ang secretary ni Jason para magtake-note para walang makalimutan.

"After this investment comes to a close,  I also wanted to have a branch back in Spain, of course after my condition has been done."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Jason. Wala kaming alam na gusto niyang magtayo ng branch at may condition pala siya.

"Uh, sir, we do not know what condition you're talking about. Also, we did not know that you have plans to build a branch back to your home country." Sagot ko.

Nginitian ako ni Señor Fernando. "Don't worry, Miss Sirencho.  Mr. Uy-Lim and I already talked and he has agreed to my terms. But he and I agreed that we first finish my investment before talking about branching out."

"Alright, sir. We'll just talk with our CEO about this." Sagot ni Jason.

"Now, that our business has come to an end, I heard that you have an upcoming anniversary. May I request to be invited?" 

Tumawa ng mahina si Jason. "Yes, sir. That won't be a problem. Will you be joined by another guest or will you be joining us alone?"

"Yes, I will be going alone. "

"Alright. Adiós!" Kinamayan niya kami uli bago siya umalis.

Nagkasalubong naman si Kupal at ang bisita. Nagbigay lang sila ng tango ng ulo sa isa't-isa.

"O, bakit ka nandito?" Tanong ni Jason kay Kupal.

Hindi sinagot ni Kupal si Jason at humarap na lang sa'kin. "It's past 11 am. Didn't Rose tell you we have a meeting at 11?" Pasigaw at pagalit na sabi niya.

Tumayo ako at hinarap siya na nagpa-atras sa kanya ng onti. "Yes, Mr. CEO. Rose told me. But the meeting went longer than we had expected so we finished late."