Bitter Sweet and Strange

Chapter 28

Buendavid

The day for the Voting Session that McCarter initiated has finally come. The VS Tech building is so busy and the atmosphere is heavy. The employees are all looking in my direction as I make my way to the Main Hall. Ang iba sa kanila ay napapatingin sa akin ng may pagsisimpatya. Naiintindihan ko naman sila dahil kung titignan ang sitwasyon, wala na akong laban pa kay Albert McCarter.

McCarter holds the highest shares after buying my father's shares. And it only means, he holds the highest voting power among the Insiders. Such a wise move he got, but so predictable. After reviewing all the laws and regulations of our company for the nth time, I finally see through my father's unexpected actions. I figured it out even before he told me.

Gusto lang talaga ni McCarter na magkaroon ng Voting Session para maging ground ng susunod pang Voting Session. During the first voting, it is mandated that it would be vote per share. And I would win that time, for sure. Pero sa susunod na Voting Session, the story would be different. According to our bylaws, the vote would be per director, and given the time he'll need, he could gain an upper hand. Magaling kasi siyang mag-manipulate ng mga tao.

Pero dahil nakuha niya ang shares na inaasam niya, naging pursigido siya na patalsikin ako sa unang Voting Session lamang.

"What a coincidence! Our CEO is riding the elevator with me." Speaking of the devil, Albert McCarter appears from the other side.

"For a late comer, you seem early this time, Mr. McCarter." I smirk and enter the elevator before him.

"Of course, I can feel that something great is going to happen to me today." He's the one who presses the floor number.

"Great is subject to many unspecific things. Be certain of what kind of great do you intend to mean."

"Like winning this Voting Session, you mean? Now, it's more specific. Sorry for being straightforward, kid."

I want to smack him for casually calling me kid. He likes calling everyone one younger than him, kid. But this time, he used it to belittle my capacity.

"Don't assume otherwise stated. I know that you risked pretty hard, but I don't know if that's enough."

"You still have the confidence in you. That's great," he speaks full of sarcasm.

"What about the Globalco Trades, why did you leave it for VS when it's your company in the first place?"

"Are you plain stupid? Ops, sorry for the term, kid. But we all know that Globalco is on its verge to losing hard. And, we're talking about VS here. I think I invested on the right side, what do you think, kid?"

"You left your company when it's about to collapse, and that just shows what kind of leader you are. And VS doesn't deserve a leader who will switch boat when it is sinking already. VS only deserves a leader who would steer the wheel despite the storms along its way. You don't deserve the VS IntelTech Industries, Albert."

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay nauna akong lumabas at hindi na pinansin ang sinabi niya sa likuran ko. Mabilis kong narating ang Main Hall. I sigh deeply before opening the grand door. I instantly shut my eyes close when I am welcomed by continuous flashes of cameras. We invite some media, but it looks like Albert also brought couple of them.

"How are you feeling right now, Mr. Buendavid?"

"Are you nervous and disappointed that for the first time, a Villasuarez is facing an extermination?"

"Ano ang naging reaksiyon ng ama mo tungkol sa isyung ito? At alam mo ba kung bakit ibenenta niya ang malaki niyang shares sa gitna ng sigalot na ito?"