Home for Christmas (A Christmas Short Story Special)

V

The day everyone has been waiting for has arrived. Work started early for Namibia and Peppy. Maaga silang pumasok sa opisina upang maihanda ang mga kakailanganin sa araw na iyon. Today was the shareholders meeting to elect the new Chief Executive Officer of Co Enterprise.

Naglalakad ang dalawa sa pasilyo ng opisina nang makasalubong nila ang assistant ni Vanessa. Maganda ang kanyang bihis pati na ang ayos. She seemed to be celebrating for some occasion. While happily humming, she bumped into Peppy and Namibia.

"Hey," All smiles, she greeted.

Tumapat siya sa dapat na dadaanan ng dalawa. Namibia couldn't help but show her annoyed face while Peppy wore his fake grin.

"Mamaya na pala 'yung board meeting, 'no?"

"So? Kasali ka ba do'n" Pagtataray ni Namibia.

Ngumiti ng nakakapilosopo ang isa. "Hindi. Pero excited na ako sa mga mangyayari."

Peppy crossed his arms over his chest. "Really?" Lihim na sinulyapan ni Namibia ang kasama.

Parang bata na tumango-tango ang kontrabida. "Yes! See you later!"

She continued to where she was supposed to be heading and hummed her lungs out. Napa-iling na lamang sina Namibia at Peppy at nagpatuloy na sa kanilang paglalakad. Peppy thought she might expect the worst but what she'll witness is a nightmare on broad daylight.

Right at noon, after lunch, the board of directors started to fill the conference room. Snacks and bar were prepared for the duration of their meeting. Olivia, inside her office, was preparing herself. Dressed in her vintage Balenciaga dress personally picked by Peppy for her.

Lumabas na siya ng opisina at mabilis na pinangunahan nina Namibia at Peppy. They paraded on the halls of the office until they reached the conference room. Their attention was caught as Olivia's assistants opened the frosted glass double-doors. They parted ways to make way for their boss.

They paid her warm greetings. But for some are not.

Everybody was dress corporately for the day. Except for two women who seem to be competing. Olivia on her striking red Campaign structured-shoulder dress with her hair in a bun exposing her million worth of diamonds on both her ears. While Vanessa dressed in a purple wool and silk dress.

Naupo si Olivia sa kabisera ng mahabang lamesa. Her smile sends radiance to her colleagues. Took a chance to glance at everyone before starting the meeting.

"Una, gusto kong pasalamatan kayong lahat sa pagpabor ng aking request na ipagpaliban muna ang pamimili ng bagong CEO ng kompanya," She started on a calm manner. "But the day has finally come. We can now choose who's perfect for the position my father vacated."

Nagtaas ng kamay ang isang board member. Tinanguan ito ni Olivia upang payagang makapagsalita.

"Your family has established this company that changed thousands of lives. At hindi ako makakapayag na mapunta sa iba ang pamamahala nito." He looked at the rest the members. "I am for Olivia Co - Madrigal to be the CEO of Co Enterprise."

Napa-irap sa hangin si Vanessa. Isa lamang iyon. Isa sa mga hindi niya kasundo.

Sumunod na nagsalita ang isa pang miyembro na pabor din sa pagtatalaga kay Olivia bilang CEO. Ngunit may isa na ibang tao ang binoto. She wanted to reconsider Godofredo Lacson for the position.

"Aminin na natin, some of Olivia's projects weren't hitting the mark." The woman in front of Vanessa frankly said. "May iba pa na kulang ang pondo na inilabas. Saan napunta ito? Fishy, isn't?"