Elite Wars

Chapter 4

SANDRINE

Just as I expected, Gustave never talked to me on our way home yesterday. It almost felt awkward having him that close to me, yet so far. When we came home, I immediately got out of the car and went to Ansel to help him on his assignments. Noong hindi ko na mahagilap si Gustave, parang gusto kong matawa mag-isa. Akala ba niya, kapag isinabay niya ako pauwi ay magiging maayos na ang lahat? Puwes, nagkakamali siya. I may have given him a peace offering but that's it. He will always take away what's mine and I don't like that.

Ngayon naman ang naka-schedule kong meeting kasama ang CEO ng STP. I really shouldn't let this Gustave thing bother me. Hindi naman mauubos ang problema ko kung mag mumukmok ako eh. Gustave will still be Gustave and this marriage will always be a train-wreck.

Isang pulang suit at slacks ang isinuot ko na tinernuhan ng puting halter top. My straight hair was flowing freely on my back. Madalas ay naka tali sa isang bun ang buhok ko pero ngayong araw na ito ay mas gusto kong mag lugay ng buhok.

"Good Morning, Madame."

"Good Morning. Where's my coffee?" I asked without looking. Mas abala ako sa pag babasa ng ilang notes at files na naroon para sa meetimg ko mamaya.

"It's brewing, Madame. Give me five minutes." Saglit ko siyang sinulyapan at tinanguan para iwanan niya na ako.

I really can't start my day without drinking my favorite coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda. I had to send my staff to Panama once every three months just to but those coffee beans. I wouldn't even put nasty cheap coffee on my lips.

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay muling bumalik ang sekretarya ko. Napuno ng mabangong aroma ng kape ang buong opisina ko. Ah, finally.

"Would you like some croissants with that, Madame?" Tanong niyang muli.

"No, thank you." Iling ko. I really don't feel like eating something this morning.

She gave me one last bow before leaving my office. Hindi naman talaga mahirap mag-trabaho para sa isang Sandrine Salguero. Dapat lang ay marunong siyang sumunod at makuha niya ang timplang gusto ko. Hindi lang sa kape. Pati sa ibang bagay.

Napukaw ng isang file sa lamesa ko ang aking atensyon. It was Gustave's detailed proposed plan for the company next year. Binasa ko na ang nauna niyang plano pero hindi ko pa nababasa ang updated plan na ito. It was given to the board after it was approved. Hindi naman na ako kumontra. Wala naman akong laban lalo na't maging ang chairman ay nagustuhan ang proposal niya.

Everyone seems to like it but there's just one thing that ticks me off. Building a power plant in Bulacan means taking away the home of hundreds of people. They're natives. Hindi iniisip ni Gustave yon dahil mas nasisilaw siya sa expansion na gusto niya. This is why I strongly disagree with him. As his wife, he should have consulted me first but he never consult me for anything. Nakakabastos.

This is why we're never going to be okay behind closed doors. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman kong palabas lang ang lahat. Everyone thinks that we're in this wonderful marriage together but we're not. We're nothing.

"Madame, are you ready for your meeting with STP's CEO? Do you need me to come with you?" Muling tanong ni Jane.

Tiningnan ko ang orasan sa lamesa ko. It's still early for my meeting but I like to be early. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang coat ko.

"No need, Jane." Sagot ko naman.

I picked up my phone and placed it inside my Birkin bag. I heard STP's CEO likes the color white so I picked out a white bag.

"Madame, may mga reporter nga po pala sa baba. If you want, you can just leave through the back of the building. I'll give the guards a call." Pigil muli sa akin ni Jane nang akmang hahakbang na ako sa elevator.