I'm letting you go...

'Conscience strikes'

Paul rushed into his office when he heard about the problem that they are currently facing. Ngayon lang niya nagpagtanto ang dahilan ng hearth attack ng kanilang CEO. And that old man wants to see him? why not. Hindi nga ba't isa iyon sa mga nais niyang makita? ang maghirap ang kalooban ng taong naging dahilan ng pagkamatay ng kanyang ina?

Ngunit bakit hindi niya magawang pigilinr ang kung anong pakiramdam na namumuo sa kanyang dibib. Gusto niyang matuwa that the CEO wants to see him at isa lang ang ibig sabihin niyon. He's about to replace his position and he could feel it. He know that Don Alfonzo doesn't trust his daughter. Nararamdaman niyang malapit ng matupad ang kanyang pangarap. But the feeling is not like 'cloud9' to him. It seems so strange that he is no longer sure of what he is doing.

In spite of the confusions, he finally decided to meet the old man. Kasalukuyan siyang nasa loob ng kuwarto nito habang nakahiga ang matanda sa kanyang kama. Ngayon lang niya narealize, this old man is already weak. So weak that it is already unfair to battle with him. And for all of the days that they've known each other, he can say that this man is so proud of him being the husband of his only daughter. He is a very loving father, a down to earth person, a loving CEO to his employees and a professional competitor. He is a long way different from the man he saw yelling at his father years ago.

"Paul, you're here. Come, take a seat."

Marahan itong bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga then Paul suddenly moved steps towards him and helped him up? That was a so father - and - son thing that he didn't expected he would do. With his father yes! but not with this man he have considered an enemy.

What's happening to me?

"Thanks son"

awkward.....

"It's okay. How are you feelin'?"

"eto, tumatanda na.. I wanted to see you because I know I can't work with my current condition. And I trust you and I am so exited to hand over the company to you.."

What did I just heard?

"Sir, I think the board should decide about this. I mean, thank you.. for trusting me. But I think that's too much."

And what did I just said? Grab it you fool!

"I know everyone is expecting me to retire. I just took a leave and I want you to take over the whole corporation and seat as the new CEO. I cannot tell when will I recover but at least I am confident that my company is in good hand. Isa itong paghahanda para sa aking retirement. And I am not expecting any objections from much."

Fiesta! isa itong malaking fiesta sa kanyang buhay! Finally! Nahuli na niya ang loob ng matanda.

"Yeah.. yes sir. of course. It's an honor and I thank you very much."

"Go tell your wife to visit me often. She's always busy with nothing. And hijo," Umakbay pa ito sa kanyang balikat "please always take care of my daughter. I love her so much that I don't want her to leave like she has no one to run to whenever she hates life for taking away her mother. It might sound weird but she hates sickness, she hates doctors and nurses. She doesn't celebrate birth days cause it was the day when her mother died. I've been to cold of her because of those weaknesses. But that's the only way for her to learn how to be strong. I can't imagine what life would bring her when I die too. But now that she has you, I am so happy and thank you for loving my daughter."

Speechless.....

He is speechless after what he just heard. Ano bang kabutihang loob ang nakita ng matandang ito sa kanya when he himself doesn't see any good side in him.

He had a lot of troubles. Nangulila siya sa ina. But he was so strong he has his father, he has his adapted sister Lucy, he has Annie, he has Allen and a lot of success. He already have everything in life but he is still after of the only thing Andrea has. He can't believe how selfish he was!

"I will never hurt her. And I will always love her.."

Ito ang mga katagang kusang lumabas mula sa kanyang bibig. Minsan na niyang sinabi ito noon when he admitted to him and to his father that he wants to marry andrea. He was faking then when he wants to get what he wants. Pinalabas pa niyang nainlove na sila sa isat-isa when Andrea worked for him. Pero sa ngayon, it's not fake nor an acting. It's true. It's love that he couldn't admit.

"Thanks son... and by the way. Her birthday is four months from now. I've always wanted to trow a nice party for her ever since. But I just got mad when she doesn't want to go out of bed and if I force her she's gonna trow all her expensive gifts and even ceramics like plates and a lot of foods and kids would be afraid of her again. Yes, she loves kids. But she don't love birthdays."

Hindi niya napigilang tumawa sa narinig. Nakita kasi niya sa isang sulok ng kanyang utak ang picture ng isang bata na nagwawala dahil ipinaghanda siya ng bonggang birthday with all the balloons, clowns, huge cake and candies. Things that any kid would wish for.

"She might have been the loneliest debutant in the universe when she reach her 18th birth day right?"

Nakakalungkot naman. And he could feel it. And if he was only there at that moment, he could possibly dance every rose of her debut and he would dance with her all the way giving her all the 18 roses. That would be so much romantic. And if she got scared and mad or yell at him, she couldn't cause he will give her the sweetest kiss in her life!

Kusa niyang kinurot ang sarili para magising sa katotohanang Andrea is turning 28 already and that will never happen.

"Haha!! I remember that day. She never showed up and she just built a tent on her mother's grave and slept over there and made me worry so much. And she skipped school. So I punished her and she hated me so much for that."

Wow! she really love her mother.

"Maybe she needs some air or some place to recover. I think I am gonna take her into a vacation or something.. as a surprise gift."

"That would be grate son. And about the client that we just lost. Don't bother fixing the issue. I have already talked to them and we have agreed about it. I am closing a project with another huge company in France. He is my long lost amigo and I want you to settle things about it. I know you can do it."

"Wow! that's awesome. I think the board should know this."

"Yeah. now go to my office and do the job. Kremo will help you with that."

This man is really amazing. He must admit it. There is no wonder how this man have been successful through the years.

But wait.

What about his plan? what is he gonna do now that chances have been knocking on his door.

and what about Andrea? hindi kaya awa lang kaya siya nakakarandam ng paga-alinlangan at the moment?

What about Annie? How will he make her understand that he no longer feel the same?

And him being the new CEO.

Andrea will be so frustrated about it and he could swear she's gonna drag him to hell!

But still, he can't harm her. He can't fight her.

Is he willing to let go like that because of some heart confusions that he can't define?

--------------Please vote guys!! :) thank you for reading! -----------------------