Boss Lady #4: Laws in Love

Prologue

"OLIVIA, anak, can you please make sure that you'll be home at 6 pm?"

Despite feeling uneasy all of a sudden because of her mother's phone call, Olive hummed in agreement. "Okay, Mom. I'll be home on or before six."

"Alright, that's good! See you and take care," her mom said then ended the call after she bid goodbye.

Olive put her mobile phone down on her desk then sighed. She has been working hard as the general manager of their company which is almost on the verge of bankruptcy. What once was the respected and famous LOZ Global, Inc. all over the country is now drowning in debt and problems that not even the company's board can handle.

It was all the fault of her older brother who, when he took over and let money and power consume him, embezzled millions from the company fund and lost it all in his vices—gambling and drinking. But since her good old brother is the favorite child, what their parents only did was forgive and forget.

And now, the shipping company is in shambles, and Olive is almost wanting to give up.

"Ma'am, you have a meeting in five minutes," her secretary reminded her, peeking through the door of her small office.

Tinanguan niya ito at nagpasalamat. If only Olive has a choice, susukuan niya na ito at magpapaka layo layo na. Hahayaan na lang niya ang pamilya niya na salbahin ang kinasadlakan ng kumpanya dahil sa kagaguhan ng kanyang kuya. However, Olive is not like that. She strives to make her parents proud and get their approval, so even if it is all difficult for her, she won't leave LOZ Global, Inc.

Maybe in the future, she will, but not now. Not when the damn company needs a bright mind like hers.

Olive's work day passed by like a flash. Marami siyang reports at documents na ni-review at pinirmahan at may iilan din siyang meetings na dinaluhan. She was lucky that she was able to end her work, exactly right on time for her to go home at around six in the evening.

Nang makapasok ang kotse niya sa residential estate ng pamilya ay nagtaka ang dalaga sa dalawang kotse na naroon sa guest parking area. Mukhang may mga bisita ang mga magulang niya kaya siguro pinauwi siya ng kanyang ina nang maaga.

Olive took her handbag and went inside the mansion where she was immediately welcomed by her parents seated at the receiving area, and together with them are a man and a woman in their late 50s or 60s and a man who looks like someone who is a bit older than her.

Tipid na ngumiti ang dalaga sa mga ito saka bumati. "Good evening, Mom and Dad, and also to our guests."

Her parents stood up to hug her all of a sudden, something they do not usually do. Ang mga bisita naman nila ay nakangiti lang din habang pinapanuod ang interaction nila ng kanyang magulang.

"It's good that you're here already, anak. Come, we'll introduce you to our guests," wika ng kanyang ina saka hinarap siya sa mga bisita. "Meet our beautiful daughter, Olivia. These are our dear family friends, the Sandovals. These are Salve and Ernesto, and their son Gregorio."

Olive kept the smile on her face as she shook hands with the older Sandovals. Kinabahan siya nang makaharap ang anak ng mga ito dahil hindi niya maintindihan ang emosyon sa mukha nito. Nang makipag kamay din siya rito ay mahigpit ang hawak ng lalaki sa kanyang kamay. The handshake almost hurt her hand.

"It is good to meet you all," wika ni Olive habang tipid na nakangiti. "I would like to excuse myself. I'll have to take my dinner and rest. Please enjoy the rest of your evening here at our home."

Her father laughed off at her statement and then said, "We're actually waiting for you, Olive. We will have a family dinner together. We have an announcement to make."

Nagtataka man ang dalaga sa anunsyo ng mga magulang ay hindi na niya pinahalata sa kanyang mukha. Bagkus ay tumango na lang si Olive, saka tumungo sa dining room kasabay ng kanilang mga bisita.

It seems that her parents really prepared for their guests because of the amount of dishes prepared on the dining table. Hindi tuloy mapigilan ng dalaga na lalong mapaisip kung sino ba ang mga ito at gaano ba sila kaespesyal.

When they all started eating, Olive was just listening at the conversation between her parents and their guests. Sa totoo lang ay hindi naman talaga siya interesado sa mundo ng negosyo, sadyang wala na talaga siyang ibang choice dahil siya na ang naatasang maglinis ng kalat na ginawa ng kanyang kuya.

Olive is supposed to start her career as a classical pianist. Tutuloy na sana siya sa Europe para doon mag-aral lalo at mapabuti ang kanyang talento sa pagtugtog ng piano ngunit hindi niya na naituloy ito dahil kinailangan niyang tumulong sa kumpanya. Who is she to say no to her parents when it is only her they have?

"So, I guess we should make the announcement already?" wika ng ama niya habang malawak ang ngiti. Maging ang kanyang ina at ang kanilang mga bisita ay mukhang excited din.

"Of course, kumpadre," sagot ni Mr. Ernesto Sandoval.

Her parents looked at her with a smile, then her father announced, "My dear Olive, you are to be wed to Gregorio. This marriage will start the merging of our company with theirs. Congratulations!"

Nagpalakpakan ang mga naroon sa dining table maliban sa kanya at kay Gregorio, na matalim ang tingin sa kanyang gawi. Olive's mind went blank upon hearing the announcement.

Her parents decided to exchange her life for the sake of saving their company. And she hates it. She hates it so much, but she knows she has no choice but to say yes, so Olive just nodded and kept her mouth shut.

Just like what her parents expect her to do.

**

Laws in Love features the story of Olive and Axel.

This story will start soon this February.

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x, G.