Third Person's POV
Magkaiba ang klase sina Max at Zander ngayon. Pero pareho silang nakatingin sa kanilang relo.
Ngayon kasi ang araw na may meet-up sila sa isang chinese businessman na dapat maging kasiyosho nila. Pero may klase pa sila kaya parehong nagpapanic ang dalawa dahil eh mimeet up nila na chinese businessman na ayaw ng late.
"Ang bagal." Parehong sabi nila habang nakatingin sa relo nila. Nang pagsabi ng Professor na 'goodbye class' ay parehong nauna silang tumayo at lumabas nasa classroom.
Nagkita naman sila sa parking lot.
"Kotse ko nalang." Sabi ni Max. Ayun pareho na silang nakasakay sa kotse. Nabigla naman si Zander ng magpatakbo ng mabilis si Max. Napansin naman iyon ni Max.
"Kailangan natin maunahan si Mr. Lao." Sabi ni Max. Tumango nalang si Zander.
Nang makarating na sila sa restaurant kung saan sila magmeet up. Agad agad na bumaba ang dalawa sa kotse.
"Do you think he went here already and leave?" Tanong ni Max. Tumingin si Zander sa relo niya.
"I don't think so. We still have 2 minutes before mag 10." Sabi ni Zander.
Pumunta na sila sa loob at may waiter na nag approach sa kanila. Nag order sila ng juice. Napatingin si Zander kay Max na medyo nagulo ang buhok niya. Kaya inayos niya ang buhok ni Max. Napatingin naman si Max sa kanya.
"Magulo." Sabi ni Zander.
"Thanks" Si Max na ang nagpatuloy sa pag ayos sa buhok niya at inayos ang mask niya.
"He's here" sabi ni Zander. Tumango naman si Max at pinakalma nila ang isat isa.
Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang matandang chinese businessman. Sabay ang dalawa na tumayo. Nang makalapit ang matanda ay binati nila ito. Ngayon nakaupo na sila at umiinom ng coffee ang matanda.
" Mr. Lao, I really do appreciate your presence today and---" Sabi ni Zander na napatigil siya ng ibinaba ng matanda ang coffee cup at tumingin kay Zander ng diretso.
"I heard that there's an evaluation of software and technology companies. Including your company. I'm surprise when I got an email and it's from you not from you Dad. He must put you in big trouble if you mess this up." Umirap naman ng palihim si Max.
"Well, I think you're not capable to achieve it. You're too young for this. I don't think you know why is there an evaluation and what is this all about. If I'm your father. I'll be disappointed in you if---. " . Napansin naman ni Max na mukhang na pissed off na si Zander. Pinutol ni Max ang pagsasalita ng matanda.
"Excuse me Mr. Lao." Nagsalita si Max. Napatingin ang matanda sa kanya.
"And who are you?"
"I'm his business associate."
Tumawa ang matanda. "Business associate? Associting you to work with this. Wow! You can't really do this on your own?" Insulto ng matanda kay Zander. Magsasalita na sana si Zander ng hawakan ni Max ang kamay niya na nasa ilalim ng mesa habang nakakamao.
Huminga ng malalim si Max.
"Mr. Lao, if you don't mind I'll ask you."
"Go on."
"Hmm, I'll ask you, having a business associate that associating you in work is not a big deal for you? Well maybe, because you're in the business field for how many years, right?"
Uminom ng coffee ang matanda.
" While Mr. Lou here, is just a Trainee for becoming and soon to be a CEO. His father really do put him in this field and it pressured him a lot. Of course, he's young for this. In this age, what do you think he still learning and knows. Maybe some guys that are the same age as he is still in school, studying, enjoying sports? Doing stuffs that guy thing. What do you think?" Napatingin si Zander kay Max dahil na pansin rin ni Zander ang pananalita ni Max na ma pissed off rin ito.
"Haven't you struggled at your first, Mr. Lao? Are you really that expert at your first in this business field? Are you really ready to come in and embrace in this kind of field? I guess not. Because, whether you are inborn or not being or becoming a businessman. You can't be perfect in just one click. Mr. Lou, He's still learning and he is very willing and very open to learn and take critiques and so on, especially from you that is in the business field for a long time. I guess that is much more important than insulting someone." Malditang sabi ni Max. Napalunok naman ang matanda. Nakapatong parin ang kamay ni Max sa ibabaw ng kamay ni Zander na nasa ilalim ng lamesa.
"Mr. Lao" napatingin ang matanda kay Zander.
"Yes, I'm too young for this especially this kind of work. True, it's really a big pressure on me and I'm really screwed if I mess this up. I'm not a trainee but I'm dedicated to my work Mr. Lao. So, kindly do just listen and then, you decide if your in or not." Sabi ni Zander. Tumango naman ang matanda then magstart na mag salita si Zander about sa proposal nito.
After hearing what Zander says, di naman nagdalawang isip ang matanda at pumirma na ito tsaka umalis na. Naiwan sina Max at Zander sa restaurant.
"Waiter, can you give us the special in the menu." Sabi ni Zander sa waiter. Tumango tsaka umalis na ang waiter.
"Why?" Takang tanong ni Max.
"It's almost 12." Sabi ni Zander. Hindi nagsalita si Zander hanggang sa nalagay na sa mesa nila ang pagkain nila. Tinitignan niya si Max dahil di niya alam ang sasabihin niya.
"Uhm, why did you do that?" May iritang tanong ni Zander.
"Do what?" takang tanong ni Max.
"Defending me." Sabi ni Zander na nakakunot ang noo.
"He's so rude." sabi ni Max sabay kain. Umiling si Zander at uminom ng wine. Binaba ni Max ang kutsara niya at bumuntong hininga.
"Look, I defend you for your pride and your reputation, also for your Father's reputation. Kung di kita dinefend earlier---"
"I can defend myself." iritang sabi ni Zander.
"Di kita dinefend dahil iniisip ko na di mo kaya."
"Makinig ka sa akin Maxielle."
"No, ikaw ang makinig sa akin." Natahimik naman si Zander. " Yes you can defend yourself and no doubt about it. Oh sige nga. I'll ask you. Kaya mo insultuhin ang taong iyon while you're still depending on your Father?" tanong Maxielle.
"What's your point?" nakakunot ang noo ni Zander.
"Come on Zander alam ko dito nakasalalay ang pagiging soon to be CEO mo. If this won't work then your in trouble. Kaya nga nagdodouble effort tayo rito especially you, to prove your Father that you've got this. Then, kung ma prove mo na ang worth mo and ikaw na ang CEO. Then, I won't stop you and I won't defend you anymore. Dahil di kana takot eh."
Nag iwas ng tingin si Zander. "What made you think that I'm scared?"
Nagkibit balikat si Max. "I don't know you."
Nag smirk si Zander. "You don't know me. But ganyan ka magsalita."
"Because base on my observation, your under on your Father." Sabi ni Max sabay kumain na. Napatitig naman si Zander sa kanya tsaka bumuntong hininga. Kumain na rin siya at nung tapos na sila ay nagsalita si Zander.
"Alam mo, di ko talaga alam kung ano ka eh. Business associate or---"
"Or what?" malditang tanong ni Max.
"Whatever." Inubos ni Zander ang wine. Nagsalita si Max.
"You know what. Nakita ko that your really pissed off kanina and how you control yourself earlier. But don't worry, let's work hard together. Then, pag ikaw na ang CEO, you won't control yourself if you're pissed off or you want to insult someone." Tahimik lang si Zander.
"You make a promise to me na nasa tabi tayo ng isa't isa whether it's worst or best kaya iyon ang ginawa ko kanina. Here's my promise to you, keep this on your mind. I promise I'll make you a CEO. " Sabi ni Max sabay tumayo na. "Thanks for the food. Tara na kung tapos kana." Then naglakad na siya. Napatitig lang naman si Zander kay Max habang naglalakad ito palabas ng restaurant. Napatingin naman siya sa kamay niya na hinawakan ni Max kanina para kumalma siya.
