Mercedez 3: Wildfire Games

19

Ape

Tension filled the air inside my office. Apat lamang kami na nasa loob pero parang masyadong masikip iyon para sa amin dahil sa sobrang tensyon.

I was seated on my swivel chair, laid back, with my hand on top of the table, fingers playing with my Parker pen. Si Zairus naman ay nasa gilid ko, nakatayo habang chinicheck ang kaniyang ipad.

On the lounge... sa mahabang sofa ay naroon ang head ng aming PR team. Meanwhile, across her is my cousin wearing this genuine concern on his face that I deeply appreciate.

"Madame, mas mabuti po na hindi na muna tayo magsalita sa ngayon. Masyadong maraming nangyari. Kanina lang ay kinikilig sila dahil boyfriend mo si Mr. Arculli. Then biglang sumulpot si Mr. Elorde, debunking the rumors of you and the other man. Now everyone thinks you are cheating on Mr. Elorde—"

"Exactly! Which is hindi naman dapat kasi hindi ko siya boyfriend! Hindi na rin naman kami nagkocommunicate ni Hadzri, magdadalawang buwan na!" Pinutol ko ang PR head. She gave me a gentle smile. Napasapo ako sa noo.

"Madame, I'm just saying that what I am suggesting is a damage control." Nanatili itong kalmante, despite my outburst. "Kapag dinagdagan pa natin ng information ngayon, matatabunan iyon dahil masyadong mainit ang issue ng cheating. We have to stay quiet for now. Let's say... tomorrow or sa susunod na araw, we can have our press conference."

I pursed my lips. Ramdam ko ang pagtaas ng aking presyon sa sobrang inis. I get her point, nadadala lamang ako ng emosyon dahil sa lahat ng mga nangyayari. Masyado nang nagpatong patong ang stress at pagod sa aking katawan at utak na nagiging dahilan sa pagiging emosyonal ko.

"I agree with your PR, Hali. Let's calm down first. At masyadong mainit ang ulo mo." Steve interrupted suggestively.

I sighed heavily.

My... I called for them to give me the best advice for my situation right now. As the experts, ito iyon nakikita nilang pinaka appropriate na choice ko sa ngayon. Kaya...

Sumandal ako sa backrest ng swivel chair ko. I leaned my nape on the headrest. I weakly stared at the white ceiling, feeling so tired. Para akong hinahabol ng oras. Feeling ko kapag naubusan ako no'n ay hindi ko malilinis pa ang aking pangalan. Nakapandamay pa ng ibang tao at proyekto.

My top concern here is the company though. I have employees and artists under my wing that relies on me s9 much. And this can be a taint to my reputation, which could negatively affect my ventures and sales. Which doesn't look good for the whole company in the long run. So I have to solve this right away.

"Paano hindi iinit ang ulo ko, eh, nagiging hesitant na yung isang investor! The stocks' prices are threatening to cheapen, too!"

Kanina pa ako nafofrustrate. Gustong gusto kong may gawin o gumalaw impulsively. It's a good thing that I have them to stop me and force me to take a step back.

"Boss madame, we can solve this. Huwag lang muna nating madaliin." Si Zairus, bakas ang pag-aalala sa boses.

Sinang-ayunan kaagad iyon ng pinsan ko. It made me feel weaker. I felt like I have no strength right now. Mainit ang ulo, kumukulo ang dugo. Nakakafrustrate lalo.

"Also, look at you. You look like you didn't get enough rest. Jesus, Hali! Take care of your health! Namumutla ka na!"

I groaned.

Parang mas lalong sumakit ang ulo ko sa sinabi ni Steve. Damn it. I don't need the nagging right now. Pakiramdam ko magkakasakit na talaga ako!

Dumaan ang ilang sandaling katahimikan sa buong silid. Napabuntong hininga ako saka muling nagsalita.