In Screaming Color

Chapter 36

Bea opened that door with shaking hands and a tummy full of butterflies. Sadly, they are not the same butterflies she has when Jhoana was around. Her knees felt so weak she held on to Ria the moment she let go of the door knob. She must admit she felt a little nauseous at the thought of what was going to happen next.

With clueless eyes looking at her, she tried to act a whole lot braver than she actually feel. She planned all of this on her own, well, and her lawyer. She thought about it everyday since she and Jhoana decided to distance themselves from each other. Jhoana, of course know nothing about this.

She would be mad, or furious. She might headlock her to death in trying to shake the idea off her head. But Jhoana would probably fail. She wanted this, perhaps she was a little scared but she knew she wanted this. Everything she does has consequences and this time, there were big ones. And this won't only affect her, it would affect almost everyone in her life.

But part of these consequences is the permission to be with Jhoana. It may be a little selfish but this is the last time she would be. She would only be selfish if it was about having Jho. And having and being with her is the only thing she wanted in her life.

She cleared her throat, tried to act casual and to bring herself back to reality. She breathed deeply befor she begun.

"Good morning, everyone."

She smiled to them. The stockholders, her Mom, the department heads, everyone who has given their lives for this company. She glanced at Ria for some support but the latter was giving her some clueless looks too. Right, what support? Everyone was just as clueless as everyone.

"So uh.. Take your seat and get comfortable, we just have to wait for two more people."

Everyone was busy murmuring with their seat mates when Bea's Mom, Det, approached her.

"What is this all about, Bea? Why is everyone in here?"

"Mom, upo ka muna. You will find out soon enough. Please."

On cue, the door swung open and everyone stared at the two men who entered. Louder murmurs could be heard..

"Mr. Sanchez, good morning. You're here. What a pleasant surprise.."

Det forced the words out of her throat.

Mr. Sanchez was their family lawyer, a man who they trust outside of their family bloodline. The same man who processed the papers upon transferring the rights of the company to Bea. The same man she has been seeing for the past few months. Someone who has been patient enough to meet her during the holidays, requesting him for meet ups at bizarre choices of time. He nodded at Det before he took his place at the table. He waited everyone to calm down. Other than Bea, he was the only one who knew why everyone was here.

"Ms. Bea, can we start?"

"I'm still waiting for someone, Mr. Sanchez. Can we wait for a few minutes more?"

He nodded and took his seat. Everyone kept talking on their own seat with their seatmates. Bea kept checking on her watch and she was gritting her teeth in annoyance.

Sa dinami-dami ng araw, ngayon ka pa na late.

"Miss Bea, I'm sorry to say this but their is an urgent meeting I have to attend an hour from now. Would it be okay if we start already?"

Bea glanced at the door for the last check but since it didn't open, she nodded as a signal for him to start. Mr. Sanchez cleared his throat and opened his case. Placed a thick compilation of bond papers on the table.

"Well, good morning everyone. Perhaps you all know me since this is not the first time I have done this for the De Leon Family but for those who don't, let me introduce myself, I am Mr. Sanchez, the lawyer of the De Leon Family."