Hold Me Close (DeMarcus 1)

Chapter Eight

EVELYN DeMARCUS

Russell was in front of me, angry with what I just said.

"I will not take your dream from you, ate! You're crazy!"

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. "My dream is for the company to strive, Rus. I'm sure matutupad parin 'yon kahit ikaw na ang kumuha ng presidency."

Para siyang nandiri sa sinabi ko. "I don't know the first thing about running DMC, ate! I am only interested in the hospitals, alam mo 'yan! Ikaw dapat ang umupo doon! No one else."

"Look," mariin na sabi ko, "dada wants to retire already. At kapag nagretiro siya, someone has to take over! Kung hindi tayo, the board will be forced to do a vote! At alam mo namang matagal nang gusto ni mr. Romulo na ilagay sa posisyon ang anak niya. That would be disastrous, Rus!"

"Why can't you do it?" parang bata na pagmamaktol niya. Padabog pang pumadyak at humalukipkip. "This company will be bankrupt before I can even sit on the chair! Alam mo 'yan, ate!"

"Don't be a drama queen," I hissed at him. Naiinis na ako sa pag-iinarte niya. "DMC Hospitals are doing well! Don't cut yourself short, Rus! Training lang at makukuha mo din."

Russell groaned. "Have Ruel take over when he graduates then. Bakit ako pa?"

This time, binato ko na siya ng ballpen. "Idiot! That's not for another year or so!"

"Seriously, ate Evie, what you're asking for is impossible. Wala na isa sa amin ang papayag na hindi ikaw ang uupo bilang president. Besides, if the board does come to a vote, what makes you think they won't choose you? They trust you!"

I sighed, pagod na. "I can't risk it, Russell. You know how some of them follow mr. Romulo religiously. That's a risk I am not willing to take. DMC's power must remain in the family."

Nakasimangot na si Russell ngayon, galit na galit na. "Nasaan ba ang Third na 'yon? Punyeta niya ha!"

"Hoy! Respeto!" suway ko. Kanina pa ako gigil na gigil kay Russell. Ang arte arte niya ha! Masasakal ko na talaga!

"Where's Eva? She has a list of potential husbands for you!"

"Jeez, Russell! Tingin mo after the whole fiasco, maiisipan ko pang magpakasal?"

He gave me a disbelieving look. "I'm sure kung si Third ang nasa altar, you will not hesitate to—Aw! Ate! Masakit!"

I threw him my stapler. "Wala kang kwenta talaga! Leave!"

Russell smirked. "Can I stay here? Miss na kita, ate!"

"Stop being clingy and leave! Si Ruel ang guluhin mo!"

He gave another disgusted look before standing up. "Kay mama nalang ako. Miss na ako non, for sure. Isusumbong din kita kay dada."

"Shut it, Rus! Para kang bata."

"Inggit ka lang kasi ako pinakamalambing!"

I grabbed my whole puncher this time at natatawa siyang lumayo. "You're not malambing! You're clingy!"

"Sus! Clingy ka daw sabi ni Third!"

Punyeta!

Binato ko na pero sakto naman na sinara niya ang pinto. Minsan talaga nakakapag-init ng ulo si Russell. Hindi ko alam kung paanong siya ang mas matanda, habang mas seryoso at matino naman si Ruel. I really don't get it!

Calling the attention of my secretary, sinabi kong i-block lahat ng walk-ins for today and to clear my lunch schedule. I have been stuck in this office for the past week or so. Unang pumapasok at huling umuuwi. If I wasn't salaried, sigurado akong ang taas na ng suweldo ko dahil sa accumulated overtime ko.