The Joy of The Playboy (COMPLETED)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen  we're through about the company's accomplishments, the dividends and all the upcoming projects," muling wika ni Mrs. Sayes. "You can ask questions, suggestions about those before we proceed to the next agenda of this meeting. So, anyone?" Walang sumagot ni isa. "Then I presume that you fully understand the reports that my team and I have prepared." Tumango ang mga naroroon pati na rin si Chuck. "Now, our next agenda is the election of the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company."

"Chairman of the Board?" takang-tanong ng lalaking katabi ni Mr. Galves kaya napakunot-noo ako.

"He's Mr. Paul Gnilo," bulong sa akin ni Chuck. "May-ari ng malaking private school sa kabilang bayan." Napatango na lang ako. Para namang tangang nakatingin sa amin sina Zid at Miss Lerma.

"Yes, Mr. Gnilo. I have decided to step down as the chairman and CEO of this company. It's a very stressful work and I doubt if I could properly  handle this company in the coming years."

"But you're too young to retire, Mrs. Sayes," komento ko. "You run  this company for more than a decade that's why my parents trusted you and invested their hard earned money in your company. But now that you have decided to retire, I doubt if," tumigil ako at tumingin sa gawi ni Zid saka nagpatuloy, "if the next CEO can handle this company well and—" Biglang nagsalita si Zid kaya hindi ko naituloy ang susunod na sasabihin ko.

"Oh, Miss Magtibay," sabat nito na napakaluwang ng pagkakangiti sa akin. "If I'll be the next CEO, rest assured that the company will be in good hands." Kumindat pa ito na labis kong ikinairita. Pansin ko rin ang galit sa mukha ni Chuck nang mapalingon ako sa gawi nito.

Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay. "If you'll be the next CEO, Mr. Azira, rest assured that I will pull my parents' investments out of this company." Ngumiti ako pagkatapos kaya napatingin sa akin ang lahat. Bagama't hindi ko pwedeng gawin iyon dahil labag iyon sa last will and testament ni dad, gusto ko lang iparamdam sa Zid na ito na ayokong siya ang mamahala sa kompanya.

"We'll see, Miss Magtibay," hamon nito sa akin.

"So shall we start the election, Mrs. Sayes?" tanong ko. Napansin ko na tila kanina pa tahimik si Chuck. Waring may malalim itong iniisip. "Hey," untag ko rito. "Stop worrying, I know you'll win this," bulong ko dahilan para tumingin ito sa mukha ko.

Ngumiti ito. "You sure?" Tumango lang ako at ipinatong ang kanang kamay ko sa kaliwang hita niya dahilan parang umayos ang pagkakaupo nito. Mabuti na lang walang nakakita sa ginawa ko. Tinanggal ko agad ang aking kamay nang bigla iyong hawakan ni Chuck.

"Okay, let's start," saad ni Mrs. Sayes. "You know ladies and gentlemen that Victor Magtibay is a great businessman," tumingin ito sa akin kaya napakunot-noo ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tinutumbok ni Mamita. "And so is his daughter, Elena Joy. For almost ten years I witness how this lady made her spot in the industry without the help of anyone even her own parents. So I must say that EJ is perfect to be the next chairman and CEO of the company." Gulat ako sa sinabi nito, sumimangot naman sina Zid at Miss Lerma. Napakaluwang naman ng pagkakangiti ni Chuck samantalang panay naman ang bulungan ng ilang shareholders.

"I agree with you, Mamita," wika naman ni Chuck. "I know she can do it."

"Wait," itinaas ko ang kanang kamay ko. "I'm sorry but I can't accept the said position." Tumingin ako sa mga naroroon. "I haven't graduated of any business related course that's why I couldn't handle a company as big as this."

"So you're just a plain simple boutique owner?" tanong ni Miss Lerma. Bakit kapag nagsasalita ito ay naiirita ako?

"You could say that, Miss Lerma," tanging nasabi ko para hindi na humaba pa.