Flames of the Night (Flames Series #1)

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2

“Good morning, Ma’am Echarri.”

“Good morning,” I greeted back to the guard as he’s humbly leading me inside. I smiled at him before continued walking until I reached the Turnstile Access Control System. I quickly swiped my card and when the glass barrier opened, I headed to the elevator.

“Good morning, Ma’am Echarri.” Muli ay bati ng ilang mga workers na nakasalubong ko.

“Good morning,” bati ko rin sa kanila pabalik.

When my phone vibrated, I fished it out from my bag and answered the call right away. It’s Jana. Siya lang naman lagi ang nagpapa-ingay sa phone ko.

“I’m here at the company. Huwag kang istorbo, Jana. May meeting pa ako. Mag-enjoy ka na lang d’yan hindi ‘yung ako pa iistorbohin mo.”

[Sungit. Mangungumusta lang naman, e.]

“Iyan din sinabi mo kahapon. Istorbo ka talaga kahit kailan. Bye na nga!” Saka ko agad na pinatay iyong tawag.

It’s been two weeks since Jana and I had a conversation inside my unit.  She’s in Bali right now with Ellie for their honeymoon. Mag-iisang linggo na sila roon and maybe this week sila babalik dito sa Pilipinas.

Sa loob ng nagdaang linggo, walang araw yata na hindi niya ako ginugulo. Palagi niya akong tinatawagan, iba-ibang oras. Minsan pa ay kahit hatinggabi, tumatawag siya. Nag-out of the country sila so they could spend their time together pero heto, laging nang-iistorbo. Sana sinama na lang nila ako, e, ano? Naghoneymoon pa sila sa lagay na ‘yon.

“Thank you,” nakangiti kong saad dahil pinauna ako ng mga employees na makalabas nang bumukas iyong elevator.

“Good morning, Ma’am Rhian.” Bungad ni Alessia sa akin nang makita ako. She’s my secretary.

“Good morning. Anong oras ng meeting ko mamaya?” I asked her as soon as I settled on my table.

“Around 10, Ma’am, including all the higher-ups.” Napatango na lamang ako sa isinagot nito.

While waiting for the clock to strike at 10, I rested on my swivel chair after signing some documents given by Alessia before I came in. Now holding an iPad, I checked the chart and the progress report of each food chain branch that belongs to our company. Yes, our business is all about the leading food chains and restaurants here in the country.

“Come in,” saad ko nang may kumatok sa pintuan.

“Ma’am, the meeting is about to start,” pahayag ni Alessia sa akin.

“Okay. I’ll be there. Thanks for informing me.” I immediately fixed my things. Iyong bag at iPad lamang ang binitbit ko saka kami nagtungong dalawa sa conference room.

“Good morning, Ms. President.”

“Good morning. Have a seat,” I told them all, then headed to my seat in front.

My father, the CEO, was already at the chair beside me. I checked every individual here inside. That’s what I usually do before presiding such a meeting.

“Is Ms. Fajardo not here yet?” I asked and I’m referring to my great stepsister Erica. Nagtinginan naman silang lahat at dinig ko pa ang bulungan nila kung bakit wala pa si Erica.

“You may start, Rhian. Someone’s taking down minutes of the meeting anyway. Just show it to her later.” Dad suggested. Nagpakawala na lang ako ng buntong hininga. I hate how my Dad tolerates his stepdaughter’s doing, kaya umaabuso naman ‘yung isa.

Throughout the meeting, we discussed the progress of the business for the past months. Bumabase rin kami kung anong month ang may pinakamalaking sales so we know what should we do the next time.