Cruel Summer

ika-11

I stiffened when I saw him entering the conference room. I don't even know what to react! How can I present my proposal when he's the one who will decide if we get the partnership with them or not?

He's wearing a white button down shirt tucked in his navy blue chinos paired with his navy blue coat. He really looks good and more handsome when he wears suits like that.

But that's not the case! Paano ko ip-present 'to nang maayos kung puro kaba at takot lang ang nararamdaman ko ngayon?!

"Mr. Rodriguez will be the acting CEO for today since Ms. Teresa is on a vacation leave," sabi ni Lucas sa aming lahat.

Nagmasid masid naman ako sa mga taong naroroon sa loob ng conference room, at mukhang karamihan sa kanila ay puro Pilipino. Konti lang din ang may lahi.

Everyone is now sitting on their respective seats, maging si Lucas. As expected, si Bryson ang nasa dulo nito. He's looking at me intently and I can't read what's on his mind, making me more nervouse as I am now.

Lucas looked at me and nodded his head, a sign that I can already start my presentation. I took a deep breath first and did my best not to look at Bry but he's just so distracting that I couldn't focus on what should be done.

I cleared my throat. "B-Before anything else, I would like to introduce myself formally to each and everyone of you."

"I am Engineer Georgianna Brienne C. Fontanilla, the eldest daughter of the owner of Fontanilla Enterprises in the Philippines. I am pretty sure you already have a background information of our company, as given and stated in the hard copy that I have put in your desks,"

The people were reading the hard copy and looking at it seriously. Some were nodding their heads while reading the contents of it.

"Our company has been established 10 years ago, and we have been dealing with other huge companies in the Philippines," I continued. "That's of the quality work that we give to our clients. And this time, we want to take it to the next level. That's why we chose this company, the R&L Holdings."

I am still nervous because when I turned my gaze to Bryson, he's listening attentively and is really paying attention to what I'm saying here in front. Huminga muli ako nang malalim.

"Hmm," sabi nung isa. "How can you assure us that you have a quality work?"

Bumaling naman ako sa kaniya. "As I've said a while ago, we have been on this for the past 10 years. I believe we have improved our work within that span of time."

"Besides," dagdag ko pa. "Some of the big companies in the Philippines want to have a partnership with us, and some already have a partnership with us. Like you, we also want to make our company to expand. I want our company to be better."

"Why?" sabi naman nung isa.

"Our company is not just after the money that our clients will pay us," tugon ko. "We're after the safety of everyone, that's why we can assure you that the materials, and our people who will make the work will be the best."

Tumingin naman ako ngayon kay Bryson muli na ngayon ay pinapaikot-ikot ang ballpen sa kamay niya. He's not looking at me this time since he's busy flipping the pages of the hard copy that I put there on his table.

He then turned his gaze to me again, making me feel conscious so I just looked away. Hindi ko na siya tinignang muli hanggang sa nagsalita naman 'yong isang member ng board.

"What do you think, Mr. Rodriguez?" tanong niya.

"I think the whole presentation is good," tugon naman ni Bry. "It's convincing, and I think it will benefit the company as well."