Autumn of May

CHAPTER 12: Twisted Decisions

Despite of the burning heat, I look up to see the sign of De Latte in a very small three-story building. The design is good but the space is so small to occupy a lot of costumers. I took a glimpse at Abbi and she is staring at the building looking amazed by it. Tss. It is just a small portion of my business buildings in the city. I walked in and she followed me. When we enter the place, some staffs of the Cafe saw me and hurriedly called the head chief. I saw some intimidating looks from them and quite shock that I appeared here out of the blue.

Karlo, the head chief of the Cafe walk out from the kitchen and towards me. He greeted me with a smile and bow down. I just nodded a bit as confirmation that I respect their bows. I saw the priceless expression from Abbi's face. She even had this open-mouth expression while looking at the building. Karlo commanded the staffs to prepare something to us and he lead us to the VIP lounge of the building. As far as I remember, I never had any memories about this place. So I may say, this is my first time of seeing this building and checking how much profit I can earn from here. Upon sitting to the couch, Karlo handed me a report of the building, including the structure, staffs, supplies, and the sales. When I check the report, I never felt so disappointed all my life. I never anticipated that this business is better to be in trash than to be managed.

I slowly switched my gazed from the report to Gayle and she is looking at the glass wall showing the ocean. She smiled a bit and suddenly look back at me so I hurriedly look away from her and pretending to be reading at the report. I am so dumbfounded to come here because this business has no future. I wanted to discuss this thing with the head chief and get f*cking angry all I want because of the useless managing skills but one thing pop up in my mind. I am with Abbi right now, and I don't want to curse in front of her because that's what I promised as long as I am living with her and her grandparents.

"Ahm Abbi, I need to check something. I'll be back later" I said to her. She just nod so I signaled the head chief to lead the way to the main office of the building. When we reached the main office, I look down to see Abbi drinking the coffee. I make sure that she is still and she won't hear any of our conversations. Karlo opened the door and I entered the room. At this time, I harshly dropped the report to the table and loosen up my coat. Karlo was quite shock about what I did so he hurriedly speak up, "I know the sales are quite bad for the preceeding months sir, but I'm sure soon it'll be better because you're here" he said hoping that it will reassure me.

"How much do I earn in working as a manager here?" I asked him calmly. He slowly opened his mouth and replied. "Php 4,000 per month sir" After hearing what he said, my eyes widened. Not because I am amazed or what, it is because I can't live earning Php 4,000 per month only. "Are you f*cking serious? How can I raise myself with that money?" Karlo slowly bow down and keep his mouth shut for a minute.

"Look, Karlo, if we need to adjust something, we should. Or else, this business will be put on trash. Am I clear?" I said to him aggressively this time, he look at me and nod. He walk towards the desk and search for some files. After a while, he handed me several folders and I checked them one by one. I reviewed how much they earned for the past months and how much money will they used to run this Cafe. While checking the files, I suddenly remember Abbi's face while she is looking at the sea earlier. I stop for a while and refocused myself. Why I am even thinking of her? Tss.

I continue looking at the folders when her face pop up again so I suddenly stand up. Nagulat si Karlo sa aking pagtayo so he stand up also and bravely asked me, "Is there something wrong sir?" I looked at him furiously that's why he suddenly bow down. "Can-can you check Abbi for a-hmm a minute?" I said to him. He nodded and went outside the room to check Abbi.

After some minutes, Karlo returned and slowly close the door behind him. "I think Abbi is in the rest room sir, she's no longer sitting at her chair" I stop checking the folders and offer Karlo a sit. Umupo naman siya kaagad.