On that Monday morning, everyone gathered in the conference room for a special announcement, Rolly instructed them to pause all that they were doing so their department could attend.
"May alam ka ba kung bakit pinapatawag ang lahat ng departamento?" Tanong ni Rocel kay Rolly habang mataimtim namang nakikinig ang iba nilang kasamahan.
"Wala eh, what they told us is to be there at 10 AM for the meeting." Sagot ni Rolly.
Erika wondered if Francis knew anything about it. She clasped her hand as she could feel the thickness of the air.
They then made their way heading to the second floor and ushered themselves in. The conference hall was a large space allocated for company events, it has a massive stage and can accommodate up to 500 employees. The room was arranged accordingly by aligning the chairs so everyone could bear witness to what would happen that day. Francis didn't share anything with her earlier that morning regarding the emergency meeting, either this was a surprise or Francis deliberately forgot to mention it to her.
Hindi nagtagal at dahan-dahan nang dumating ang ibang mga department heads as each of them try to find a seat together with their team members. Noel immediately sat beside Erika and whispered suddenly to her.
"Are you okay? You seem worried" puna nito.
"Hindi naman pero napapansin mo ba na parang kakaiba ang reaksiyon ng mga tao?" she verbalized while her eyes went around the hall.
"Apparently this happened before and it usually because the company would announce a new successor, sabi ng iba noong pumanaw ang ama ni Sir Francis ay nangyari din ito na pinatawag ang lahat ng department leaders and that was when they broadcast the arrival of the new CEO" Noel explained.
"Would that mean he will be kicked out of his position?" Erika concluded.
"We don't know that for sure but that's exactly why people here are feeling a little uneasy." He replied.
A few moments later, everyone was dazzled to see new faces which were the esteemed guest that Erika had never seen before. They took the stage kasama ang ibang mga executives and Francis was there too, she watched his expression thoroughly and he was not giving anything for her to read on, he stood there with a passive demeanor instead, unbothered by the world.
What are you thinking? Erika conveyed her question through her mind.
One executive went onto the podium and started speaking to the audience.
"We would like to thank everyone for sparing a little time for us today, we are here to share with you the good news, as the company expands under the leadership of our CEO Francis Gutierrez, it is my honor to share with you the additional member of our growing family. Starting today we will be joined by Dean Gutierrez as Vice President of Operation. He will be immersing himself with your department soon and we hope you will welcome him with warmth and open mindedness." saad nito at isang malakas na palakpakan ang maririnig mula sa conference room.
Erika's eyes went to the man who was sitting right beside Francis who immediately stood up for everyone to see, based on his physique magkasing edad lang sila ni Francis, since he bears the same last name, she bet that he was a relative.
His cousin perhaps?
Dean stood there with confidence as he flashed a big smile for everyone to see, he seemed more outgoing and carefree, charming his way into the hearts of all employees.
The executive host spoke in the microphone once again. "We would also like to take this time to acknowledge the presence of Mrs. Lani Gutierrez, the wife of the late CEO Samuel Gutierrez."
BINABASA MO ANG
Hello There, Stranger
Roman d'amour"I'm pregnant Francis" Erika uttered nervously as she carefully watched his reaction. She clasped her hand anticipating the worst. He looked at her dead in the eye. "Are you sure it's mine?" Francis blurted out. She felt a stab in her chest recogn...
