["All done. Her manager already gave me her words. Aleah will show up during the recognition of donors."]
Napatango si Thaddeus dahil umaayon ang lahat sa kanyang plano. Alam niyang hindi ito agad papayag. So, he made a back-up plan that will force her to agree with him. He need to act fast since, time is not on his side. He find it ridiculous to invite the actress during the business trip but he can't argue to his grandpa.
["Dude, you sure about this?"] Tanong ni Charles sa kabilang linya.
Thaddeus brushed off his hair with his fingers as he locked his eyes on the billboard through the glass wall of his office, "Yeah. She can't say no to me."
It was one of the advertisement of Aleah Rossi. Makikita sa larawan na masaya itong nakangiti habang nakahawak sa isang produkto ngunit tinanggal ito at pinalitan ng bago. Isang larawan ng modelo ang nakapaskil ngayon sa billboard.
What an I'll fated journey to end a career.
He shoved his thoughts away. Maling makaramdam ito ng awa sa dating ambassadress ng kompanya. She breached the contract when she involved herself to a scandal.
Never disgrace the company's name.
["Well, goodluck."] Charles replied before Thaddeus ended the call. He turned his seat away from the view and pressed the intercom.
"Prepare the contract." He uttered.
"Yes, sir." Sagot ng sekretarya sa kabilang linya. Tumayo siya at kinuha ang suit jacket nito bago lumabas ng opisina. Nang makita ito ni Ms. Garcia ay tumayo rin ito at bahagyang yumuko. Hindi ito napansin ni Thaddeus dahil diretso lamang ang tingin nito sa elevator. Saktong bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at agad itong pumasok. He pushed the button to the lowerground where his car reside.
Nang makarating siya sa parking lot ay agad nitong natanaw ang kanyang sasakyan na nakaparada. Namumukod tangi ang sasakyan nito dahil siya lamang ang gumagamit ng sports car sa kompanya. Agad na pumasok ito at pinaharurot ang sasakyan. He opened his GPS to locate the area where Charles told him. Makaraan ang ilang minuto ay nakarating na ito sa kanyang destinasyon. Pinasadahan nito ng tingin ang buong lugar. He smiled as he noticed that someone in his industry are also here.
Naghanap na ito ng kinauupuan at tahimik na nakiramdam sa kanyang paligid dahilan para piliin nitong umupo sa pinakalikod. Kanya-kanyang upo at usapan ang mga bisita. He lifted his head to a woman when she suddenly occupy the vacant seat in front of him.
"Is this seat taken?" A smile plastered on her face. He glared at her but his face suddenly softened as she recognize the woman. Their eyes met. It was Victoria---her former colleague at Harvard University. She's wearing a plain pink dress with a ribbon interlace to her waist.
"Tori, it's been a while." Ani Thaddeus sa dalaga. Agad na nawala ang ngiti ng dalaga at napalitan ng matalim na titig, "You look good, by the way." Papuri ng binata.
"Shut up, Thad. You didn't show up to my homecoming last month! I'm still mad at you." She grumpily replied as she crossed her arms at him. Napailing ito, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang dalaga.
"You know I'm a busy man." Nagkibit-balikat si Thaddeus.
Nagbuga ng marahas na hangin si Victoria, "No, you don't. You're just keeping yourself busy besides, you're now the president of your company! You seriously need to take a break."
He sighed. Ibang-iba ang personalidad ng dalawa. Kahit na anak ng isang malaking business industry si Victoria, hindi ito nawawalan ng panahon para sa sarili. Lagi itong makikita sa malalaking casino at club. Wala rin itong pakialam sa negosyo ng pamilya kung kaya ganoon na lamang itong umasta. She's carefree and wild unlike him.
"Yeah, maybe." Ani Thaddeus bago sumimsim ng alak na nasa mesa nila.
"Anyways, you can make it up to me." Sabi ng dalaga kasabay ang pagkislap ng mga mata nito.
"Tell me about it." He mumbled under his breath. Nanliit ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa reaksyon ni Victoria. She's giggling like a child. Umabot hanggang tenga ang labi nitong nakangisi sa kanya.
Not again.
"Come with me. There's someone I want you to meet."
"You're not setting me up, aren't you? Not again, Tori."
"Rest assured that it will be a potential investor," She winked at him, "and a potential mate."
"No, thanks." Sagot ng binata dahilan para kumunot ang noo ni Victoria.
"You're no fun!" She growled, "Being here with you doesn't give me much exposure so bye! See you around, babe." Nakangiting sabi nito bago umalis. Nakahinga ng maluwag si Thaddeus. Kung hindi lang ka-ososyo sa negosyo ang pamilya ni Victoria ay matagal na itong napuno sa kanya.
Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay nagsimula na ang event kung saan pinarangalan ang mga taong nagbigay ng donasyon. Unti-unting napupuno ang platform kung saan nakatayo ang mga taong nakatanggap ng certificate bilang pasasalamat.
"She is one of the charity's major donor, Ms. Victoria Collins!" The Emcee announced. Nagpalakpakan ang lahat nang tinanggap ni Victoria ang certificate na may ngiti sa labi. Kumawala ang isang ngiti ni Thaddeus ngunit agad na nawala ito nang may marinig ito sa kabilang mesa.
"Dapat lang. Kesa naman mapunta ang lahat ng pera niya sa sugal, diba?"
It's her money anyway. Who the hell they care?
Pinilit niyang huwag pansinin ito at itinuon ang atensyon sa harap. Hindi niya pa nahahanap ang pakay niya rito----Aleah Rossi, where the hell are you?
"At this juncture, we are very lucky to introduce to you our new donator, Ms. Aleah Rossi!"
Napako ang tingin niya sa dalagang maingat na tumungo sa harap. Nakatalikod ito mula sa kanyang kinauupuan ngunit di kalaunan ay humarap ito nang matanggap na ang certificate. Ngumiti ang dalaga at nagsimula na ang pagkuha ng mga litrato. He was blinded by the camera flash but he intently looked at her. Hindi ito napansin ng dalaga dahil abala ito sa harap ng kamera.
"And for the record, Ms. Rossi donated half million!"
Natanaw ni Thaddeus si Ms. Han kung saan abala rin ito sa pagkuha ng litrato ng dalaga. He smiled at himself, Everything seems good. Now for the next step, I have to talk to her.
**
