Miss Devil (GxG)

8 - Cold War

Nagtipon-tipon sa isang conference room ang mga board of directors ng HNC na binubuo ng mga kalalakihan. Lahat sila ay nakagayak ng formal suits kaya masasabi mong may mahahalagang tungkulin sila sa kumpanya.

Bumukas ang pinto dahilan upang ang lahat ay mapatingin sa bagong dating na babae. "My apologies for the tardiness, gentlemen. Let's start."

"No worries, Ms. Horie. We actually called for this meeting to discuss the budget for our upcoming projects. It has come to our attention that you're planning on re-releasing La Belle Vie. Is that correct?" Wika ng isang matandang lalaki.

"That's correct, Mr. Ono. We have already started the early phase of production. I believe you've read the proposal I sent beforehand."

"Right. But looking at the cost of this whole project, plus the fact that the sales of our magazines are currently not doing well, I'm afraid it will be too much of a risk for the company."

"I'm aware of that, and I can work around it." Buong loob na sagot ni Reiko.

Nagsalita ang isa pang board member. "Ms. Reiko, we really can't spend that much on La Belle Vie. All information is online now. And that's where our customers are, so that should be our main priority."

"Mr. Lee is right. You've had a good run with La Belle Vie before. However, the market has already changed. I'm sure Mr. Horie will agree with us if he's here."

"Can we please leave my father out of this?" Malamig na giit ni Reiko ngunit nananatiling walang emosyon ang kanyang mukha.

Napakuyom ang kanyang palad nang mabanggit ang ama. Humigpit ang paghawak niya sa ballpen at sinubukang pigilan ang panginginig ng kamay kaya itinago niya ito sa ilalim ng long table.

"I'm really sorry to say this Ms. Horie, but the majority of the board has agreed to reject your proposal."

Tila hindi naman naapektuhan si Reiko sa narinig. "Okay then. But I'll still push through the project regardless."

"No offense, Reiko. But shouldn't you have just stayed in Paris? I heard you're doing so well there. Why do you have to come back and attempt to revive a dying magazine." Panunuyang sabi ng isang lalaking mas bata sa ibang board members.

"Well, Albert. HNC needs me more, seeing as how you are all struggling right now." Sabay bigay ng nakakakilabot na ngiti. Dahil dito ay nabura ang nakakaasar na ngisi sa labi ni Albert.

"With that said, I plan on getting the best advertiser in the Philippines for La Belle Vie."

Nagulat ang lahat sa inihayag ni Reiko at nagsimulang mapuno ng ingay ang loob ng conference room.

"The 'DC'? You're planning on getting the 'DC' as your advertiser, Reiko? Are you for real?"

"Do I look like I'm joking, Albert?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay.

"Are you sure about that, Ms. Horie? She's very picky with the companies she works with." Tanong ni Mr. Ono na may halong pag-aalinlangan.

Sumang-ayon naman dito si Mr. Lee. "Yeah, I heard that DC has turned down many big projects before. What makes you think she will choose to work with HNC?"