Justice Served

Chapter 34 - Partners

Pagkatapos ng aming pag-uusap ni Matt, dumiretso ako sa kompanya. I'm now on the elevator while checking the time. I'm already late.

Kakatawag lang sa 'kin ni Jill. May emergency meeting ang kompanya ng 1:00 pm so I'm rushing to the conference room. It's already 12:59.

Dinaanan ko saglit si Jill!

"Let's go!" Sambit ko at agad akong nagpatuloy patungo roon habang naka-sunod si Jill sa 'kin.

I took a deep breath while opening the door.

Nadatnan ko si Mr. Ferrer na nakatayo sa harap. As I can see, the projector is still off!

"Muntik mo nang hindi mapasimulan," sambit ni Mr. Ferrer.

"Pardon for being late," sambit ko at ikinalat ko ang aking paningin sa kanila upang iparating ang aking sinabi.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Ms. Gabriel at nagtungo naman sa dating pwesto niya si Jill.

"You're 2 minutes late," bulong ni Ms. Gabriel.

"Sorry!" I answered politely.

I remember this scenario. When I was introduced as the new CEO, Ms. Gabriel also tagged me late to mock me. Now, she tagged me late again but this time, in a better way.

Mayamaya pa'y nag-umpisa na ang meeting.

"Good morning!" bati ni Mr. Ferrer.

You might be wondering why good morning when it's already 1 pm?

It's a business term.

He started with a short intro about the company and resumed it with some updates.

"The reason for this meeting is to discuss the expansion project for this company," paliwanag ni Mr. Ferrer.

Nang marinig ko ito, naalala ko, eto pala ang isang pinagkaka-abalahan ni Dad bago mangyari ang trahedya. He envisions to expand it more and reach through farther places and be a pioneer of civilization.

"And we, the board of directors believe that it's time to revive the former CEO's vision. Bago pa tayo maunahan ng iba," dagdag pa niya.

"Mr. Mareuz Welch, I know you can do the honor," sambit ni Mr. Ferrer.

Hindi ako naka-sagot. Ikinalat ko ang aking paningin sa kanilang lahat. They're all waiting for my answer with pure delight in their faces.

Ang totoo, hindi ko alam kung maaasikaso ko. I'm not sure if I could focus to this company especially now that the tension on Dad's case continues to rise up.

Pinilit ko'ng ngumiti saka ako tumayo.

I guess, I have no choice but to accept it.

"It is my pleasure to resume that vision of my Father. So I'm accepting it and thank you for the trust."

All of them seemed to be delighted with my response.

"Great," sagot ni Mr. Ferrer.

Bumalik ako sa pagkaka-upo.

"Hindi talaga kami nagkamali sa pagpili sa iyo," pagmamalaki ni Mr. Ferrer.

Napa-lingon ako kay Ms. Gabriel.

Mayamaya pa'y nagpatuloy si Mr. Ferrer sa usapin tungkol sa expansion project.

"However, we know you can't do it alone the way your Father needed assistant back then."

We listened attentively to what he's saying.

"We need someone to be your partner in this project. Anyone who can volunteer?" tanong ni Mr. Ferrer.

Walang sumagot.

Parang wala naman silang balak.

"Me!" biglang sambit ng isang boses sa tabi ko.

"You?" gulat kong tanong.

Tinignan niya ako saglit saka niya ibinalik ang kaniyang tingin kay Mr. Ferrer.

"As expected," pagmamalaki ng Chairman of the board.

"So let's take note that Mr. Welch and Ms. Gabriel are the ones who will be taking charge of the project."

After it is settled, nagkaroon ng reporting sa mga nagaganap sa kompanya. After that, the meeting was adjourned.

Paalis na si Ms. Gabriel nang harangan ko siya.

"Why did you volunteer again?" pagtataka ko.

"Bakit, ayaw mo?" mataray niyang tanong pero hindi na gaya ng dati na nakaka-inis.

"I'm just..."

Napatigil ako habang tila iniisip ang tamang salita na dapat kong sambitin.

"...curious. We both know that you don't like me. Then why bother volunteering for me."

Napa-ngiti siya sa sinabi ko na parang may nabanggit akong mali.

"First of all, you're correct when you said I don't like you. Second, I did not volunteer for you. I volunteered because of your Dad. Ever since, it's really us who envisioned this project. Of course I want this to be pushed through. After all, it seemed no one in this room had the guts to help you," sambit niya na parang sumasagot ng Q&A sa isang pageant. I actually felt satisfied with her answer so I let her go after it.

Dumiretso ako sa 'king office after that meeting.

Now, I am checking my journal to once again analyse Dad's case based on the clues we gathered.

Binabalikan ko ang mga posibleng eksena.

Based on our clues, pwede kong i-confirm ngayon na dumaan nga ang culprit sa bintana sa comfort room at ginamit niya ang transparent rope para hindi masyadong mapansin.

Pero questionnable pa rin kung paano niya nagawang bumaba nang walang nakakakita sa kaniya.

Napaisip ako at sinubukang i-imagine ang sarili ko na bumababa roon.

Alam ko na! Siguro mas mainam kung makikita ko ang parteng 'yon ng building. Ever since, hindi ko pa naisip matignan ang likuran ng CR na 'yun.

Napatingin ako sa orasan. It's 3 pm!

I made up my mind to go to that part.

Naglalakad na ako pa-punta sa back part ng building kung saan doon nakatapat ang CR ng office.

From the corner of my eyes, napansin kong mayro'n ding naglalakad pa-punta roon, dahilan upang maibaling ko ang aking tingin sa kaniya.

Napa-masid ako sa kaniya. He's wearing an unusual but familiar attire.

Naka-suot siya ng lousy white hooded jacket, lousy white pants, and white sneakers. Meron din siyang puting sombrero na nakapa-ibabaw sa kaniyang hood. Hindi ko makita ang mukha niya dahil nakasuot siya ng white mask all over.

I was suddenly reminded of Abbie's statement. Maybe, this is the same person, Doctor Jess encountered who interrogated her about Dad's medical record. Therefore I can say  na iisa ang aming pakay. Why we're both here at this same time is maybe because of Dad's case.

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Abangan ang first ever encounter ni Mareuz sa taong balot ng puting kasuotan. Sino kaya siya?