Vengeful Hearts

CHAPTER SEVEN

"So, what is it that you want us to talk about, Rob?", bungad ni Crystal pagpasok sa malaking opisina ni Robert Hammond sa ibaba ng RDB Corp. Inaanak ito ng daddy niya at parang anak na kung ituring. May mataas na posisyon din ito sa kompanya. Palibhasa ay matalik na magkaibigan ang kanilang mga ama kaya parang kapatid na si Robert sa kanya. At twenty seven, he looks trim and handsomely gorgeous.

"Business matter...and it's very important, sweetheart", nakangiting sagot nito at itinuro ang couch. Naupo roon si Crystal.

"Cliché.... I'm in...So, what about that?", she asked. Tinitigan niya ang kinakapatid at wala sa loob na sinuklay ng mga daliri ang mahabang buhok.

Tumikhim si Robert at tinitigan ang magandang babaeng nasa harap. A sophisticated, talented and beautiful twenty-five year old career woman. "I have something in my mind and I couldn't say it sa harap ng board.", Katatapos lang ng annual board meeting at dito agad siya dumiretso sa opisina ng binata.

"Spill it out, then", Crystal urged. May pakiramdam siyang iba ang naglalaro sa isip ng binata kung ang pagbabasehan ay ang kakaibang kislap na nasa mga mata nito.

"Have you heard of Asia Development Inc.?".

Sandaling nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Crystal. Pilit pinagagana ang isip. Naupo sa visitor's chair and crossed her legs .

"Competitors definitely!"

Biglang nahalinhan ng pagkadismaya ang ngiti sa mukha ni Robert. "Crystal, sweetheart!...How could you have not known the company?".

Natawa si Crystal. Her musical laugh echoed around the four walls of the room. "Hindi ka na mabiro, Rob.", she shrugged her shoulder after all. "Alright, Asia Development Inc., also known as ADI is the most popular and successful hotel entrepreneurs in US. They owned the Monique chain of hotels all over the world. At affiliate ng Tuazon Consolidated Industry. So what about them? Don't tell me their interested to have a partnership with us."

Marahang umiling ang binata bagamat nananatili pa rin itong nakatitig kay Crystal. " According to my reliable source, ADI was planning to expand their business here in the Philippines. At naghahanap daw sila ng company na pwedeng maging partner. Naisip ko lang, we'll earn more kapag nakuha natin ang partnership.",wika ni Robert sa dalaga. Bahagya itong nag isip at pagkatapos ay marahang tumango.

"Definitely! And we'll gain more clients kapag nakuha natin ang ADI. Malaki ang kikitain ng RDB Corp. kapag nagkataon. Why?...That's a very brilliant idea, Rob", she exclaimed happily. "So, when are you planning to deal with them?".

"Actually, here's where you come in, sweetheart.", medyo tumikhim pa ito at sandaling tinitigan si Crystal bago nagpatuloy. "I've set a meeting with ADI's big boss this coming Friday. That was two days from now. At binata pa ang president and chairman of the board nito....,oh well..not really that young. Must be thirty nine....", nagkibit ito ng balikat at naglakad-lakad habang nakatingin sa labas ng salamin kung saan nakikita ang nagtataasang gusali. "Or maybe in his forties,... but whatever, the man is as handsome as the devil and---....."

"At gusto mong ako ang makipag meeting sa kanya, ganoon ba iyon?", nahaluan ng sarkasmo ang tinig ni Crystal.

Umiwas ng tingin si Robert pero saglit lang ay ibinalik nito ang tingin sa mukha ng dalaga. "Oh,...well,..I just thought that a pretty  woman always help closing the deal.", muli ay nagkibit balikat ito. " But, if you don't like my idea, okay lang. Wala akong ibang ibig sabihin. I am not trying to----". Nag aalalang bawi ni Robert. Ayaw naman nitong magalit sa kanya ang dalaga.

"Okay, I'll come with you.", agap niya sa anupamang sasabihin nito. Of course, hindi ang tulad ni Robert ang gagawin ang unang naisip niya. Na ipain siya sa mga business sharks.

"Thank you so much, sweetie! ", ani Robert na umaliwalas ang mukha dahil sa pagpayag niya. "Frank Tuazon is a very respected man. You will like him. Bagaman medyo may kasungitan and straight to the point, he's amiable and charming if he chooses to."

"Have you met this Frank Tuazon? Do you know him personally?."

"Yes.. Sa chamber of commerce... sa ibang business affairs. A very rich ruthless businessman. And I wonder why he remained bachelor when women are crawling at his feet.", Rob said.

"Robert!", saway niya nang mapuna ang makahulugang tinging ibinibigay sa kanya ng kinakapatid. She gave him a warning glance.

"Ok...ok...No matchmaking.", he answered apologetically. Then he smiled at her knowingly..