Taming Alliston

Chapter 29

Louella

Can't I just fast-paced time?

I am trying not to yawn as my parents are still working on their rehearse pitch. Inuuna ng mga ito kausapin si Aria habang wala si Corinne at kausap nila Hariette at Grant.

Nothing new. Business. Family name. Reputation. And whatnot. Only money and family name matters to them. Oh, pati pa nga pala net worth.

"What about you, Louella?" Inabutan ako ng brandy ni Dad. Pinigilan ko yung sarili kong mapangiwi. I've got three shots already. Tapos magdadrive pa ko mamaya.

"Nothing serious, Dad. Still the same. I'm currently working on our business expansion in China. WC Group is offering us ten percent of their market share. They'll lower the production of their canned goods if I give them a very tempting percentage margin. Volume distribution all across China. Endless possibilities."

"Offer them forty."

Umangat yung kilay ko. That's too much.

"They've accepted twenty percent. We just had to ship additional free two boxes for every hundred boxes. Don't worry about it. I've done my math. We can get those in seizing taxes. Nakausap ko na din naman yung legal team natin and those actions are still within legal terms."

"Be careful in dealing with Chinese. Alam mo kung gaano katuso at palugi yang mga yan. Kung hindi mo nabili lahat ng kumpanya ng mga Yu baka nagkalugi lugi tayo."

No, Dad! I am not that stupid. I will never let my heart to cloud my vision. My brain ain't positioned on top for nothing. Mind over heart rule matters.

"I don't plan to deal with Co's in the long run. They're a profit sucker. We can team up with them for say a year or a two? Until such time that I can fully gain my own market share. After that, I'll ditch them. I just need them to penetrate their own Market. I'll work my way on top. Pagkatapos non, sisiguraduhin ko na ibebenta na lang nila satin yung kumpanya nila. That's for sure."

Awtomatikong napangiti ito pagkarinig niyon. Tinapik pa nga ako nito sa balikat.

"Good job! You're really my legacy, Louella! A true Calvry." Inangat nito yung baso nito na may lamang alak. "Ikaw na lang talaga ang natitirang tagapagmana ko." Disappointed na lumingon ito kay Aria. Pero ngayon ay wala na naman iyong kahalong galit na gaya noong malaman nito na may relasyon si Aria kay Corinne. Someone who doesn't even have a name and net worth. Ngayon ay purely disappointment at panghihinayang na lang iyon.

Pasimpleng tiningnan ko si Aria na awtomatikong sumeryoso yung mukha pagkarinig sa sinabi ng daddy namin.

"Stop putting pressure in Aria's shoulder, Dad." I gave my sister a soft smile which she returned with so much tenderness too. "I am taking her share of the burden. Let her be what she wants her to be."

Dad snickered. "Sayang lang. She topped four in the board exams. She can work with our legal team para tingnan kung ano pa yung mga pwede nating tanggalin na expenses."

Oh, to falsify our financial documents, you mean?

"I've got people to do that, Dad. Hayaan nyo lang si Ariana. Besides, we are all here to celebrate her newborn baby. Let her enjoy her own party."

Umismid lang si Daddy at hindi na nagsalita. Tahimik lang din nitong sinenyasan si Mommy na iabot na pabalik kay Aria yung baby nito at ni Corinne na si Elise.

"Don't you have plans to get married, Lou? You're not getting any younger." Komento pa ni Mommy habang ngiting ngiti na nakatingin sa anak ni Aria. "This kid is so cute. Kamukhang-kamukha ni Ariana. Wala man lang nakuha sa asawa nya which I am really thankful."