Chasing Chances.

C81: Downfall

Writinginnosense © Stories

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CHAPTER 81

"Downfall"

 

SAMANTHA'S POV

I just can't believe her. Since nung pinatawad ko sila mommy, pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko na aalahanin pa ang business, ayokong magkaroon ng thoughts about me handling it in the future. I am happy now, pero sa sinabi ni Katherine, hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

Lucas told me about his threat on Katherine back then, and now she's casuing a ruckus, might as well use it again. When the neighborhood dog keeps barking, you have to stop it or else it will never stop. Atsa kasong ito, I just know exactly what can be of use on stopping her.

 

Pumasok ako sa loob ng officeni Sir Jayson, agad naman silang lumingon sa akin. "Stop everything that you are doing, stop everything you are planning before I—" Hindi pa ako tapos sa sasabihin ko ay agad siyang tumayo. "Before you what? You tell on you parents?"  Ngumisi siya sa akin, what a btch. If I know, nanginginig ka na sa takot ngayon.

 

"Yes, I am aware of what Lucas told you back then, kaya kung ayaw mong maulit yun, stop these. Para matuto ka namang kabahan..."  Pero hindi ko inaasahan ang response niya. She just grinned at me. Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin.

 

"I think kailangan mo ng matutong magbasa ng newspaper, para naman hindi ka magmukhang tanga na susugod in the name of your parents. Hindi mo ba alam? Your parents' business is currently deteriorating, three major investors pulled out from your company's projects. The stocks is fluctuating. Nagkakaroon ng high rate of turnover, resignation and management constraint."  Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya, w-what? Hindi ko mapigilang maapektuhan sa sinabi niya kahit kompyansa akong hindi totoo iyon.

 

"Eto na ang pinakahihintay ng mga kompanya, the corporations are dying to see of what the Steffan Empire could be. Kaya bago ka magyabang, alamin mo muna ang lahat, and oh by the way, I have something to tell you, be good to me. Malay mo, ako ang susi sa pagkasalba ng kumpanya niyo." She smiled and tapped me on my shoulderbefore going out of the office. Naiwan akong nakatulala doon.

Ilang araw din akong nagi-space out, kinakabahan ako para sa business nila mommy. This is not good, lalo pa't lolo is gone, wala ng tutulong to patch up the business. I hate myself for believing in her words pero bakit ba ako natatakot na i-check ang society pages? Hindi ko mabuksan ang news sa tablet ko, ilang beses ko ng binuksan pero ini-exit ko agad. This is so frustrating.

"Sam? Are you okay? Napapadalas na ang pagkabalisa mo." Napatingin ako kay Mio, he smiled at me. Napahinga naman ako ng malalim. His smile is the only comforting thing to me right now.

"Actually hindi, I don't know. I don't want to believe in Katherine, but it feels like what she is saying is true." I said, nai-stress talaga ako, knowing na wala akong kamalay-malay kung saka-sakali.

"Ano ba yung sinabi niya?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa boses ni Mio. "She said that our company is suffering." Finally, nasabi ko rin. Ilang araw na ring gumugulo sa isip ko iyon.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at pinisil ito ng marahan. "So you knew now?" Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"You knew?"

"Yeah, nababasa ko sa business section. I actually guessed it right. Yun pala talaga ang inaalala mo, don't worry. Makakabawi rin ang company niyo. I heard na meron isang investment group ang may high chance na mag-invest sa pending projects niyo." Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag, I wish na totoo nga ang sinabi ni Mio.

"Are you okay? Do you want to go home? Sabi mo sa akin ni Lucas kanina, isasama ka raw when they meet with the investors." Tumango lang ako sa sinabi ni Mio, the truth is occupied pa rin ako.

—

Pumunta kami sa ancestral house nung investors, maganda ang interior ng bahay. Bumili lang sila ng bahay rito but their business is based in US. They are Americans, they just love Philippines, I don't know why. It is newly acquired, kakabili lang last year.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Steffan." Pagbati sa amin nung care-taker at tuluyan na kaming dinala sa living room. Doon naman naghihintay ang investors kasama ang anak nilang babae. This is one of the reasons that I am here, the best way to seal the deal is to get close to the family. This usually works, at dahil doon ay gusto kong tumulong.

"Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Wright, hello young lady. This is my twins, Lucas and Samantha." Pagpapakilala sa amin ni mommy, bahagya akong yumuko at ngumiti sa kanila.

"Sit down, you sure have a nice children." Nakangiting sabi ni Mr. Wright sa amin. "This is my daughter, Rosie Wright." Ngumiti ito sa amin, her hair is ash blonde at may freckles siya sa muha, maybe because sobrang puti niya. She looks nice.

Nag-umpisa na silang mag-usap, at base sa flow ng usapan ay parang unti-unti akong nakakahinga ng maluwag. I really wish the deal would be closed.

"How did you know about our business, Mr. Wright?" Nakangiting tanong ni daddy.

"I heard of it, actually. But someone really talked about the company, and I wish to invest with a company with a great family. I believe that a family that is well taken care of, is a company well taken care of." Napangiti kami sa sinabi niya.

"She's my friend, I met her two years ago. She's a lovely girl." Rosie said, lalo akong nakahinga ng maluwag, whoever that person is, na tumulong sa parents namin at sa business namin, thank you.

"Really? I would love to meet her." Mom exclaimed.

"That's good, she's actually coming over. Let's wait her up before we eat." Nakangiting sabi ni Mr. Wright.

Mga ilang minuto lang din ay nakita kong tumayo si Rosie at nakangiting umalis, at pagbalik niya ay kasama na niya yung tinutukoy nila kanina.

"Meet Ashley, she's the girl I am talking about." Rosie announced, napatingin ako kay Lucas and we were both wearing the same expression. Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko and her words ring in my ears again.

 

"...and oh by the way, I have something to tell you, be good to me. Malay mo, ako ang susi sa pagkasalba ng kumpanya niyo."

Oh my god! Is this what she's talking about? Iniangat ko ang tingin ko kay Katherine and I just hate the way she smiled at me. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko, sheesh, what should I do?

—x

One more week to the end. #Last7Chapters