DM #4: Ares Madriaga

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

Single

I will meet Ares Madriaga at exactly 1 pm in a specific restaurant in the middle of the city. Papa will have a meeting that will possibly end late, kaya dapat akong mauna para harapin ang panganay na Madriaga. Papa will follow after his meeting.

The surname of Ares is not new to me. Not just because I'm friends with Sage, but also their surname has always been famous even before I went to college.

Andrada. Madriaga. Velarde. Estrella.

Apat na apelyido ang naabutan kong namamayagpag sa iba't ibang klase ng industriya. Their surnames are all known because of the influence of their ancestors that is passed until to their parents. At mas namamayagpag na ngayon dahil sa panibagong namumuno.

Ang impluwensya ng apat na apelyido ay nanggaling pa sa iilang henerasyon na lumipas. Ares is a Madriaga too, but he didn't depend on his family's assets. He made his own assets and name. He was able to reach the top of success using his intelligence.

He's clearly passionate in medicine. If he's not passionate, for sure he won't reach where he is now. 

Kaya hindi ko talaga makuha kung bakit biglang naging interesado siyang mag-invest ng pera sa kompanya. He's involving himself into the business field when in fact he sacrifices his family's business in pursuing his passion in medicine.

There's a reason why Sage is leading all their businesses. It's because he doesn't want it. Kahit isa sa mga branches ng kanilang kompanya ay wala siyang hinahawakan.

Also, shareholders have the legal rights to attend annual meetings. He owned chains of hospitals, it's almost impossible for him to come to the company just for the meetings. Kaya ang ideya ng pag-iinvest niya ay hindi ko talaga makuha.

It will be useless. Yes, he will become a major shareholder, but I don't think he can take the responsibility for it. Well, if he has strategies... baka kayanin niya pa.

I had a meeting at 9 am and ended at 10 am. After that meeting, I attended another at 10:15 am until 12 pm. Nang matapos ang meeting ay nagtungo muna ako sa office para mag-ayos sa sarili bago tumulak na papunta sa restaurant.

I left early since it's in the middle of the city and its weekday, I'm scared that I will be inside a heavy traffic. Mabuti na lang ay hindi naman masyadong mabigat ang daloy ng mga sasakyan.

I arrived in the restaurant at 12:45 pm. Pagpasok ko ay agad akong sinalubong ng isang employee para igiya sa nakareserve na lamesa. There are many customers, but it's not that packed.

Naupo ako at inilapag ang handbag sa gilid ng lamesa. Hindi pa umiinit ang pang-upo ko nang matanaw ang pagpasok ng taong agad kong nakilala. Agad akong dinalaw ng kaba sa hindi malamang kadahilanan.

I almost bowed my head just for him not to see me. Ngunit huli na ang lahat. Sa isang libot ng tingin, agad niya akong nahanap at hindi na nilubayan pa ng titig.

He's wearing a long white long sleeve that is folded until to his elbow, dark slacks and topsider shoes. He looks dashing with his simple outfit. The tattoo peeping on his nape and arms completes his dark aura. He looks ruthless and intimidating.

An employee approached and asked him. I saw him pursed his lips and answered the employee without removing his eyes on me.

Why is he here anyway? Wala naman kaming usapan. Hindi niya naman ako tinawagan na mag-uusap kami sa utang ko sa kanya. For sure, he hasn't decided yet. Wala siyang sinabi kaya sigurado akong hindi siya lalapit sa akin.

This restaurant is famous for formal lunch meetings. Posibleng iyon ang rason kung bakit siya nandito.

I put my hair on my back and leaned on my chair. Ipinagkrus ko ang dibdib habang tinatanaw siya, halos magpanggap na kalmado.