Triumphs (Book 2 of Trials End)

Chapter 101

AIBY POV

"Are you ready?" I felt my Kuya Kaito's hand on my back. I bet he could feel how loud my heart was banging on my chest.

Nakatayo parin ako sa tapat ng meeting room. Our parents are already inside and my team.

Hindi ko alam kung kamay ko ang malamig o ang metal na hinahawakan ko.

Should I open this door? It's rude to let them wait.

Oh God, this is nerve wracking!

Tinulak ko ng maayos ang pinto para makita sila sa loob. I took a step forward at si kuya na ang humawak sa pinto habang asa likod siya.

Nakita ko kung paano bumanda sa'kin ang mga tingin nila. Hindi nila tinago ang mga emosyon nila sa mukha nang makita ako.

I held my head high as I gulped.

Sila mom at dad ay tumango sa'kin.

"Good morning everyone," I greeted them with a smile and a small bow. Pumunta na ako kaagad sa team ko. Ready naman na lahat. My powerpoints and report.

I just went out a while ago to have some fresh air.

"Again, good morning everyone, thank you for your presence for today's meeting." I held my small bluetooth remote and clicked it. I faced the projector, "our agenda for today's meeting is for the expansion in the country of Sodom. "

I took this chance to start my report, while their eyes are still on me. Sigurado akong mamaya ay marami na sila katanungan.

"Sodom country is still far from our target country, area. However, seeing how they continuously invite companies from other countries, it shows how motivated they are to improve their country. Their government officials also stated from their last interview that they wanted to give tourists a convenient way to travel."

Hindi kasi dinarayo ang Sodom dahil sa layo nito sa mga airlines. Kadalasan ay ba-byahe pa ang mga tao by land ng 5-6 hourse para lang makarating sa border ng bansa.

I showed them my target place where our airlines will be built. I gave them a quick background of that land. Hindi naging madali para macontact ang lupa na 'yan sa isang linggo. Mabato ang ilalim nito kaya mahihirapan sa paghuhukay but it will be a good place.

"Question," a man raised his hand.

I looked at him then nodded.

"If that will be your target place, we expect that the labor will be long. And with that labor, we will expect high expenses. We will be paying for the equipment and our workers. It will be more expensive than our usual expenses.." I get what he's worried about.

"I acknowledged your worry sir," I nodded. "With that, we proposed 3 solutions for that."

I clicked the next slide, where the considered solutions are. The first one came from the past projects: we will be investing more in labor or construction at babawasan ang eroplano na ipapadala namin. Second is to keep everything the same: release money for the construction and the price for airfare will be costly.

Second solution is risky. Hindi gaano kataas ang flight rate sa isang unknown country. Though, it will be the best solution if a lot of unknown tourist spots will be found in this country. Or if the trend will come from the Sodom.

I saw them flipping the pages of the report I gave them this morning. Napatingin ako kay dad na matalim ang tingin sa'kin, kay mom na tahimik na nakikinig at kay Kuya Kaito na nakangiti lamang sa'kin.

Tinuloy ko ang report ko hanggang sa umabot na kami sa mga staff. How we will hire them. I told them na mas magandang mag padala tayong ng ibang experienced staff at kumuha mismo ng mga tagaSodom.

It took us 2 hours to finish. It's just a quick but complete proposal. Ginawa ko lahat ng sinabi ni dad, nagpatulong ako sa secretary ni mom and I considered the pilot's point of view thanks to kuya.

"See you next meeting," I accepted the handshake of a woman. "You did well...no.. You exceeded my expectations." Instead of a warm voice, her voice was firm. She didn't tell me this to motivate or cheer me up but to acknowledge my efforts.

I bowed. "Thank you, ma'am." She only followed me by her stare and left me.

"Darling," yinakap ako ng mahigpit ni mom. "Ang galing galing mo," I returned her hug, tightly.

Nakita kong nakatayo at nag uusap sa malayo si dad at kuya Kaito. Hindi mapigilan na kumunot ang noo ko.

"Thank you, mom." I smiled at her nang makita ang titig niya. "But I'll still ask for your comments later," I chuckled. "I need to hear what I need to improve."

Her smile faded. "Dear..." She looked back where my father was and looked at me again. "Your team will handle the rest. The board here earlier and the others will have a meeting tomorrow. We will see if they'll allow you to handle the project." Lumiliit ang boses niya habang nag eexplain siya.

I pursed my lips when I finally realized the arrangements. Sina walang bahala ko ang absence ng ibang board, thinking that they are excused and busy. It looks like dad set this up and chose the board that will not be harsh on me.

Pumikit na lamang ako.

"I'm sorry dear..." mom caressed my arm. "Maybe...maybe they'll vote for you tomorrow. You know that I'll always get your back. You know that if I want, I could appoint you right here right now but I know you don't like that."

"Mom," tinitigan ko siya ng mabuti. "Dad, didn't expect anything from me, right?" Pinipigilan ko ilabas ang boses kong puno ng dismaya.

Nanlulumo ako sa ginawa ni dad.

"The board members that are present today are the neutrals. It may sound good for me and advantageous if they'll vote for me, it can change the tide. But mom, it's not because of that right?" Hinanap ng tingin ko sila dad. I saw Kuya Kaito frowning while talking.

"D-Dad could call the board members that are already in favor of me. Dad could call the board members that hate me so I could prove my worth to them. But no, he called the members that are in-between. So if I failed, the members that are on your side won't be disappointed. And I don't taint my name to the board members that hate me."

In short, the members earlier didn't care if I did well or not. They attended the meeting, listened and were done. There's nothing more. They have no attachment to me so they could discard me at any moment.

If I succeed, it's great. If I fail, it's safe.

I felt my mom tapping my cheeks.

"Dear, wake up." Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa'kin habang hawak ang magkabilang pisnge ko. "I agreed to this plan, even though it might hurt you if you figured this out. I agreed because I know and believe that you have the power to convince them. Those people who went out.."She pointed to the door. "They will remember you and your words."

My heart was touched. "Mo-"

"THERE'S NO WAY I WILL DO THAT, DAD!"

Nagulat kami parehas ni mom sa biglaang pagsigaw ni Kuya Kaito. Agad na tinakbo namin ni mom ang pagitan namin. Hinawakan kaagad ni mom si dad at ako naman kay kuya.

Hingal at iritadong nakatitig lang si Kuya Kaito kay dad. My eyes slowly traced dad's expression and saw him with his usual worried eyed but resolute face.

This face, this looks, it only means one thing. What dad said is final and no one can change it.

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Author's note: Good day everyone! Here's the update for today after missing for a week. Sorry talaga, full sched eh. Stay safe lalo na sa kidnapping and super typhoon.