Oneirataxia: My Fictional Man

CHAPTER 06

Chapter Six

The sound of our applause dominates the whole conference hall. It's not the applause of success but rather just a formality to acknowledge the result of the votes.

The other company had a merging proposal addressed to Benjamin's company. Since both companies operate the same business which is about construction and real estate, Benjamin reconsidered and invited Mr. Monteclaro's constituents to gather here and vote for a market-changing decision.

It was a 20-20 equal vote before I voted kaya nasa aking kamay kanina nakasalalay ang magiging resulta. Halos lahat ng 'no' votes ay nanggaling sa Board of Directors under Benjamin's and even him voted no too. Then who am I to vote otherwise? Kaya sa huli ay umiling ako as a sign of no.

Benjamin and Mr. Monteclaro are now shaking their hands as a gesture of acceptance despite the heavy atmosphere they have shared earlier, even now, mas lalo pa atang bumigat dahil sa kinalabasan ng botohan.

Unti-unting nagsilabasan ng conference hall ang Board of Directors ng kabilang kumpanya hanggang sa kami na lang ang naiwan sa loob. The looks on their faces tell how pleased they are with the result. They even thanked me.

Kung ayaw naman pala nila, bakit inanyayahan pa nilang pumunta dito?

"I investigated beforehand." Benjamin blurts out right after the other party goes out.

We all look at him interestedly, waiting for more information.

"Their Senior Accountant faked their annual financial reports and even made their leverage ratio analysis a favorable one, where in fact, they have relatively high loads of debt," Benjamin exclaims.

Everyone is stunned by his remarks, even me. I always get amazed every time he did something great in the story of Oneirataxia but now that I'm witnessing with my own two eyes how he handles everything on his palm, being amazed instantly becomes an understatement.

Kaya pala. That filthy man wanted to merge with Benjamin's company in order to save their poor company's financial capacity.

At kanina nga ay napahiya sila. Kung siguro hindi ako ang huling bumuto kanina ay baka sumang-ayon na ako't malalagay pa sa alanganin ang kumpanyang ito.

They start complimenting Benjamin. Even if I also want to, pinigilan ko ang sarili dahil mukhang may galit pa ata siya sa akin. In midst of people throwing pleasing words at him, there he is, looking intensely at me.

Binawi ko ang aking tingin dahil napapatingin din sa akin ang iba, nagtataka kung bakit kami nagtititigan ng matagal ni Benjamin.

"Ms. Alquiza, do you mind if I ask you why did you run away the other night?" One of the directors asked me at mukhang lahat sila ay nakatingin na rin sa akin.

Ito na nga bang kinatatakutan ko.

Nangangapa ako ng sagot sa kasuluk-sulokan ng utak ko but I haven't found anything to at least justify my action. Mukhang mapapahiya pa ata ako rito.

"I really thought you were a spy but then when Madam Chua confirms that you are really her substitute, I'm starting to doubt her standards," another Director said.

Umaapoy na ang aking pisngi, unti-unti na akong napapahiya sa harapan nilang lahat kahit hindi naman totoo ang mga pang-iinsulto nila.

Am I really that dumb? Kasalanan ko bang agad akong itinapon sa mundong ito ng matandang yun.

I was about to stand and just walk away from this embarrassment when Benjamin claps once to steal our attention.

"She's a trained engineering technologist and being one needs to be keen and observant." He said.