Trials End

Chapter 32

Humiga ako sa kama at inikot ang sarili sa kumot. Pagod na pagod ako kaya nakaramdam ako ng antok. Tumitig muna ako sa kisama at inalala yung pinag usapan namin nila Brice nung nahuli ko sila.

Flashbacks:

I heard brice's conversation with sir Rio and Keith. Nakita ko silang pabalik na sa room kaya tinawag ko sila.

"Care to explain what your plans are?" Tinaasan ko si Brice ng kilay. Siya yung unang lumingon sakin.

Nakita kong gulat si Brice at tinignan si Keith na nakatingin na rin sakin ng seryoso. Tinawag ko sila and?? Ano na sasabihin ko?

"Let's go to our extra room." Tumalikod na si Keith at sinundan namin siya ni Brice. Sa extra room kami siguro mag uusap kasi puro gamit namin ang nandon.

Pumasok na kami sa kwarto at tahimik lang hanggang sa harapin kami ni Keith.

"Did you also hear Sir Rio and Brice's conversation?" Tanong sakin ni Keith.

I nodded. "Pati conversation niyong dalawa about hotel."

"I plan to beat Alpha secretly." Biglang sabi ni Brice. I already expected this answer but I didn't expect that he'll be this straightforward.

Alam ko naman lahat kami gusto silang talunin. Pero bakit secretly pa?

Hinayaan lang namin na balutin kami ng katahimikan. Nagsimula na lang mag salita si Brice after niya kaming tignan dalawa. "We can beat them kahit harapan pa pero mas magiging aggressive sila. Iisipin nila nandadaya tayo o kaya gagamitin nila connections nila para baguhin ang results..."

Huminga siya ng malalim. "I also want to prove myself that I can beat Alpha without connections backing me up. If I need connections? Then I'll build my own connections, I'll work hard for it. I won't take anything for granted, I'm not an Alpha."

Inangat niya ang kanyang mga tingin at tumama ito saglit samin. "We won sa food stall." lumaki ang mata ko sa narinig ko. Panalo kami!

I'm sure Echo will be happy with this announcement. Maybe we should set up a surprise party inside our room. Brice will be the one who will cook-

"I asked the staff to delay the announcement because I plan to talk with you two."

Nawala ako sa mga iniisip kong gawin para sa Echo dahil sa sinabi ni Brice. Why do we need to delay it? Just announce it!

"What's your plan?" Keith asked. Ha? Bakit kailangan pang itanong yan?

"Let them win." Matigas na sagot ni Brice kay Keith.

Literal na nanlaki ang mata ko at ginawa ko pa talaga best ko para pigilan ang pagbuka ng bibig ko. Minsan na lang manalo ang Echo kahit sa mga dati pang henerasyon.

Well, I know for sure nanalo na rin sila kahit isang beses man lang nang hindi napapangaralan.

"Explain" Keith commanded him. 

With his authoritative tone, the air becomes thicker.

"Let's win every battle we face, maliit man o malaki. Drive them to their corners, put pressure and let their -"

"In short, defeat them in secret and drive them crazy?" Putol ni Keith kay Brice.

Brice nodded.

Huh? Are they crazy? Sila ata ang crazy eh!

May point nga siya, pag nanalo kami ngayon magagalit lang sila tapos babalik na naman yung issue sa theme.

Tumama ang tingin sakin ni Keith. "I'm not crazy Aiby." He chuckled softly. Kumunot ang noo ni Brice at nag iwas lang ako ng tingin.

How the hell?

Nag sisink in na sa utak ko ang balak nilang gawin. Ohh so they want to play the game with these rules huh.

Nag salita ako ng naiisip kong gawin. "Tell the staff to let them win tapos 2nd place tayo." Napalingon na sila sakin.

"Ilang points tayo?" Keith asked.

"4,000 points for Echo and 3,000 points for Alpha." Sagot ni Brice sa kanya. Grabe! Ang laki pala ng gap.

Keith smirked. "Our points will be 2,999"

We nodded at na gets ko kaagad yung gusto niyang mangyare. This is pretty insulting for Alpha for sure.

"Now let's talk about my hotel." Panimula uli ni Keith.

"May hotel ako na under renovation. Kaya na matapos in 5 months siguro."

"Ano gagawin don?" I asked.

"It's just a one hotel building na bigay sakin ng dad ko. I have shares sa ibang branches pero akin ang isang yun. Have you heard the sky high?" Keith asked.

I nodded. "Yes, the current no. 1 hotel here right?"

Sino ba ang may hindi alam dun? It is in the top recommended hotel for VIPs and officials. Our family often visits the hotel whenever dad will have a meeting.

I also love visiting their malls. High end products are located there and also fine dinings.

Keith nodded. "It was supposed to be my father's but something happened when my uncle got the company...."

"The board decided to give the minor branches to my dad, cumulus." ang alam ko under ng Sky High ang Cumulus.

"Sky High is suppressing Cumulus that's why I want to use the one hotel building I have to rise above Sky High, my Heaven's Feel."

"You're the heir for Cumulus right?" I asked him. Totoo naman, pero bakit siya nasa Echo.

He looked at me. "You must be wondering why I'm in Echo."

I nodded.

"As I have said, Sky high is suppressing Cumulus. Suppressing my father, our business and me the future heir."

Tumango na lang ako sa sinabi ni Keith. It does make sense. He's the owner, future leader pero ngayon pa lang they're the ones who's clipping Keith's wings.

Napatingin naman ako kay Brice na punong puno pa rin ng kuryosidad ang mukha. "Why are you asking for my help? I don't know anything about your hotel Keith." Magka salubong na ngayon ang kilay ni Brice.

Keith looked at him. "You know what tone and words to use to get what you want in the conversation. You always think of ways if something unexpected happens. And..... the way you observe us, Brice."

"What kind of help do you need then?" Hindi pa rin kuntento si Brice sa sagot na narinig niya kay keith.

Keith looked up na parang nag iisip. "Hmmm.. marketing strategy? Communication skills?? Nahh just stay there." He just shrugged it off.

Napanganga naman si Brice sa kanya. I didn't even expect Keith's answer. He wants to join Brice in our circle huh.

Brice told us about his plans for Alpha. Keith explains why he needs Brice's help and why he's in Echo even if he's an heir.

Telling my situation won't hurt. I began my story and they all looked at me and listened.

"Let's help everyone." Brice suggested.

"What kind of help? How?" I asked.

"Let's build an organization. Helping each other, moving secretly and reaching higher than this. '' Sagot sakin ni Brice.

Nagets ko naman lahat ng sinabi niya na sumunod. In short, kikilos kami if needed at patago. We'll build connections para sa mga company namin.

I'm excited. Gusto kong makita kung saan kami aabutin ng mga plano at pangarap namin. Maybe, iilan sa'min ang maging leader in future generation.

We all have different situations but I know if it's meant for us, it will be given to us. That's if we sincerely worked hard for it.