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Umuwi akong dala yung envelope. Sabi ko kay lolo pagiisipan ko muna. Ayoko na ulit matali sa mga bagay na ayokong gawin.

I opened the envelope. Akala ko kontrata ang laman, updates pala sa progress ang Aonima Malls. May background na ako dito dahil halos 4 and a half years akong naging secretary ni Dad. They trained me since I was 18.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging role ko dito pero sigurado akong sa mataas na posisyon nila ako ilalagay. Sigurado din akong malaking resposibilidad 'to. Handa ba talaga ako para doon?

I immediately ran to lolo's office. Bahala na. Sigurado akong alam nila lolo at dad ang ginagawa nila. I know they only want the best for me so  I decided to not chose the title but I'll chose to trust them.

Lolo asked secretary Sonh to assist me.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Sumakay kami ni secretary Sonh sa kotse ni lolo.

"Sa main ng Aonima Mall"

"Ngayon na ako mag-sstart? As in now na?"

"Yes Miss. Ngayon ang announcement ng bagong branch ng mall." He handed me another envelope "Ito ang details. All you have to do is to memorize everything"

Biglang sumakit yung bangs ko. "Ano ba 'to? Recitation? On the spot talaga? And look at me. Mukha akong bagong gising."

"We will take care of that."

Teka. Bakit kailangan pang ako ang magannounce? Ano bang position ang ipapahawak niyo sa akin? Napa iling nalang ako. Ang dami kong tanong to the point na hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin ko so I just opened the envelope since ito naman yung details, baka may makita akong sagot dito.

Presentation pa lang ang nababasa ko nung huminto yung sasakyan.

"Nandito na tayo? Hindi pa ako tapos magbasa!" Megesh! Napepressure ako

"Don't worry miss Hanna. We still have 4 hours before the press conference starts"

4 hours? You want me to memorize all of these in 4 hours?

I was too focused on reading and memorizing that I didn't noticed that he led me to the department store.

"Miss Hanna." Napalingon nalang ako noong narinig ko si Secretary Sonh na tinawag ako. "Mamaya niyo nalang basahin yan. Kailangan mong magpalit ng damit"

I just followed him. Alam naman siguro nila ang ginagawa nila di ba?

11 pm na kaya medyo marami nang tao sa mall. Nakatingin lahat ng madadaanan ko dahil mukha akong shoplifter na inaresto ng mga security guard. Whatever I looked like, I kept my chin up anyway. Lalo akong magmumukhang shoplifter kapag nagtago ako.

I chose my own dress, shoes and bag. We went to a salon for my make up and hair.

"Secretary Sonh!" Sigaw ko. Napahinto ang lahat at napatingin sa akin. "Anong ibig sabihin nito?" Turo ko sa binabasa ko

"Yes miss Hanna. You read it right." I'm so dead. I'm so so dead!

◽◽◽

The press conference was held in a hotel. It was simple and presentable enough. May buffet din sa gilid para sa mga press people.

Kabang kaba ako, hindi dahil sa magsasalita ako sa harap ng madaming tao at camera kun'di dahil sa ia-announce ko.

"Good afternoon." Everyone's quiet. Siguro nagtataka sila kung sino ako. Ako na ba ang MC?

"I am here today to announce.." Hindi pa yata ako ready. "the new Aonima mall to be erected in Bulacan. The construction will start by the end of this month and it is expected to open by December this year."

"I'm sorry but can you please tell us who you are? We're a bit confused, ngayon lang po namin kayo nakita as a representative ng Aonima Mall." I know pero.. Biglaan to!!

Huminga nalang ako ng malalim. Relax ka lang Hanna. You can do this. Nandito ka na, sisirain mo ang pinaghirapan ng kung sino man ang nagprepare nito.

"Uhm.. Yes.." I can do this "I am Hanna Lim, Granddaughter of the chairman of Aonima Group, chairman Alejandro Lim; Daughter of Vice President of Robert Lim; the new president of Aonima Super Malls"

Everyone started to ask questions like they are trying to clear their confusions. Ako din madami akong tanong. Bakit nademote si dad? Paano ako naging president? Legal ba 'tong ginagawa ko?

Right after ko iannounce ang position ko, secretary Sonh and the security quickly assisted me to the car where dad was waiting.

"How's your first press conference?" He asked

"Dad! What was that? Paano ako naging president? Bakit ka naging vice president? 23 palang ako, legal ba 'to? Pumayag ba ang board dito?"

Natawa lang si ddad may nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?

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