For The Love of Hargrove (ENG version was published on WN)

G

Chapter 16

"I want that nerf gun, Tima." I looked to my right to find a pouting Theo while he was looking at the stall full of toys for boys.

I smirked as I held on tight to Theo's hand and had a black credit card in my other hand. It wasn't mine, though. It's Lucho's.

"Make sure to get one for me and Daddy also," I laughed as he pulled me towards the stall. Theo handed me two bigger nerf guns as he was holding the other. "Those are yours and Daddy's. This is mine," he happily said.

"Alright, now let's get you a meal and Daddy's coffee after paying for this. We don't want to be late for school or work." I checked my watch as I carried everything Theo wanted to buy.

We happily went out of the shop and drove to the nearest coffee shop to get our orders. I bought Theo a sandwich and a bottled chocolate drink, while I got mine and Lucho's coffee.

I had to drop Theo off at school today because the principal called and said that the school bus wasn't available today for some reason. Lucho was already at work, getting ready for the meeting, and I had to be there at ten A.M.

We still have thirty minutes left before going to school and showing up at the meeting. I dropped Theo off at his school and went to work.

"Good morning, Engineer Lopez," Helen, our front desk staff, greeted me when I entered the office. I greeted her back and went inside the conference room.

"Where's Engineer Madrigal?" I asked Eva, Lucho's secretary, who is now placing folders in every seat.

Just when Eva was about to speak, Lucho went inside with Knox and Grey arguing from behind.

"Sabi ko na sa 'yo, 'wag mong kukunin 'yung contractor na 'yon," Knox argued as they both acknowledged my presence at tinapik ako sa balikat before sitting on their chairs.

"Anong problema?" tanong ko. Maya-maya pa ay dumating na rin ang ilan sa mga empleyado na kasama sa urgent meeting na ito at nagsiupo sa kanya-kanyang mga upuan. I was sitting beside Lucho, and we're sitting parallel to Knox and Greyson.

"Engr. Estrada, wala na naman?" Tinanong ko si Eva at kumibit-balikat siya. Si Engr. Japs Estrada ang nag-iisang geodetic engineer dito sa Bataan.

"Okay, so good morning. As usual, wala na naman or late na naman si Japs. Hindi ko na papatagalin pa ito," Lucho said as he straightened his bomber jacket. "We have a problem about one of our project's contractor. That one commercial building project in Balanga. Apparently, he's asking for money even if the job isn't done. Kilala s'ya for that and I'll kid you not, ang tagal bago matapos ng projects n'ya sa ibang company. He's really problematic, and Knox wants him to be fired."

"I know I'm the one to blame," Greyson said after Lucho stopped talking. "Hindi ko lang kasi mahindian 'yung tao, kasi naman naaawa ako. His mother fell ill because of stroke, and right now, kailangan nila ng panggastos. Mabait naman 'yung tao. Actually, madamay nga s'ya eh."

"But still, pare. Paying upfront was not in the contract. Nang pinirmahan 'yon ng kliyente, they were with their lawyer friend. Gusto mo bang mak'westyon tayo?" Knox said, slightly irritated.

"I'm really sorry, Grey, but we have to speak with Mr. Dizon. Nagagalit ang client because he's asking for half of the payment," Lucho said.

"The contract has a payment plan, right? Can you review the contract again, Ms. Razon?" I looked to my left to ask Ms. Razon about the payment plan details of the project. She looked at it immediately and stated the details.

"The payment plan for this project is to pay one-third upfront, another third during the project, and the final third at the project's completion."

"This was very clear to both parties. Binasa n'ya ba 'yung kontrata noong diniscuss 'yan bago magsimula? Looks like he's not," I remarked and Greyson muttered a 'sorry' under his breath and looked down.