ALLURING FIRES (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18

Ilang beses akong napalagok ng tubig habang hawak ang kumakabog kong dibdib, hindi ako mapakali kaya't palakad-lakad ako sa harapan ng laptop habang nakatulala ang secretary ko sakin. I've been waiting for this moment but why do I feel so nervous.

"M-Ms? Calm down.."

Napakunot ang noo ko, "How?" I reviewed my notes one more time before heave a sigh, "My brother is the most evil person I know. Hindi ako titigilan nun hanggat hindi ako napapahiya." To him, business is business, he separate his personal life to his career life and believe me, He's the worst human kind.

"You just need to relax Ms, all you have to do is present the project to him and convince him to approve it. Project nanaman yung ng Dad mo and you reviewed it a lot of times since you entered the the management of University. I dont think he'll go harsh on you." Kalmadong ani niya habang inaayos ang mga papel, napabuntong-hininga akong muli.

"My Dad handed the project to me, that means it's mine to handle now." Napakagat ako sa kuko ngunit ng marealize ang ginagawa ay napacross-arms nalang ako, "My Dad warned me to pack my things if Zyros won't approve it." Napanguso ako, Dad never jokes about something like that kaya't kapag pumalpak ako dito ay hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin. Zyros is a very picky man, alam kong pag-aaralan niya talaga ang mga mali, ilang beses na niyang sinupalpal sa mukha kong wala akong silbi sa business world at pagkakataon ko na to para makabawi, pero kinakabahan parin ako.

"O nga pala," Napatango sya ng maintindihan ang gusto kong sabihin, "Katulad ni Sir Zyros, kaylangan mo ring tumayo sa sarili mong mga paa." Zyros already owned a company with his own sweat, he didn't ask for my parents help, well, that's how our parents deciplined us, we should build our own name instead of asking inheritance, we should stand up on our own feet before they gave us something bigger...and it's my turn to stand my feet, I don't know if I can do it without slacking.

"Good Morning Ms. Hamilton." A man with grand business suit and expensive necktie greeted with authority, He's sitting at the end of table intensely staring at my proposal paper. "I bring important people, can you wait a minute please?" Sinulyapan niya ako bago binalik muli ang pag-usisa sa mga papel. 

"Yea sure." Hindi ko alam kung ibabato ko ba ang hawak kong iPad o sigawan sya, I can't believe my brother is too stiff. To think na pinuntahan ko pa sya dito sa kompanya niya upang humingi ng natatangi niyang pirma, nasasaktan yung pride ko, he shouldn't be treating me like this...but yeah right, no choice at all.

"Are we late?"

Paglingon ko sa pintuan ng meeting hall ay halos lumuwa ang aking mata, pakiramdam ko'y binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig kaya't natuod nalang sa kinakatayuan.

Unang tumama ang aking paningin kay Zephyr Rhodes, bahagya syang nagulat ng makita ako, "You're familiar, I think I saw you before.." Why the hell are they here? Si Zyros lang naman ang kaylangan ko.

Pakiramdam ko'y may tumusok saaking dibdib ng napatingin ako sa sumunod na pumasok, He simply smiled at me, "Zen? Zyros didn't inform me you're joining us." He casually said before sitting next to Zephyr...Omygad... Tuecer... What the hell.

Tinapunan ko ang kapatid ko ng nagtatakang tingin, He formally introduced me to them, "Miss Hamilton, this is Zephyr Rhodes, he likes investing so I invited him in case he's interested." Binalingan niya si Tuecer na nakatitig saakin, "And that's Tuecer Rhodes, he's once a pilot student so I want his opinion if your proposal's worth my time." He uttered seriously before loosening his necktie, "She's Zenica Hamilton, she's my sister but not inside this hall." Nakita kong si Zephyr lang ang nabigla, "Mr. Rhodes, She's your girlfriend right? But I dont tolerate personal relationship in my company so just leave if my rule's too hard to follow."