O Silent Night (Isla de Vista Series #1)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Yet

"Pass the files to the board, the one I signed. And update the HR of the new implementation. I want it effective immediately."

"Okay, Ma'am." si Sharon.

"Is Daisy here yet?"

"No po. I had the team waiting for her, but she's late."

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at tumingin kay Sharon kasabay ng pagbigay sa kanya sa huling hardbound folder na tiningnan ko.

"We have no time to entertain laziness, Sharon. Don't give her a special treatment just because she has my family name. Everyone works here equally." mataman kong sinabi.

"Noted po, Ma'am." aniya. "How about the investors? Lumaganap po ang usap-usapan at nagtatanong po sila sa'yo."

I sighed lowly. "Hayaan mo na sila. Wala sa posisyon si Tita Rebecca na pumalit kay Dad. Besides, Dad is not stepping down."

Pormal siyang tumango. "I'll deliver this right away, Ma'am."

I nodded shortly and took a glance at my wristwatch. Kaninang umaga pa ako naging busy sa kompanya. Wala ngayon si Elijah dito dahil pumunta siya sa LSHI.

After my talk with Dad last night, everything is back to normal like extra normal. Nagkakasalubong kami kanina sa lobby at nagbabatian. There is a bond that is starting to surface between us and it's a good thing.

"Someone's so busy,"

Napalingon ako sa aking kanan.

"Ike," I greeted.

Ngumisi siya habang lumapit sa akin. Sabay kaming naglakad ngayon at tipid na ngumiti sa mga empleyadong bumabati.

"Busy'ng busy, ah. New project?" aniya.

Tumango ako. "Yup. Housing project with Mr. Xaxier."

"Oh, tough." halakhak niya.

"Nakatrabaho mo na s'ya?" usisa ko.

"Twice. Sobrang mapili niyan at strikto. Halos lahat ng Architect, ayaw sumali sa meeting kung nariyan siya. Ewan ko lang kung nakakaalma siya sa'yo."

"He did. Kahapon."

Tumawa siya bigla. "This is interesting. What happened?"

"Elijah was with me in the meeting and he wasn't cool with it. Then spoke words and even mentioned the rumors in this building." kwento ko.

"Tungkol sa pamilya mo. I mean, step-family."

I nodded.

"Naintindihan ko na kailangan mong dalhin si Elijah sa meetings. No offense, he is called mental retarded, no offense again."

"None taken."

"But yeah, he doesn't seems so bad, your husband. He is not bad or what... It's just the people and their perception." pagpatuloy niya. "Pero totoo pa 'yon? Ang mga rumors,"

Umiling ako habang papasok kami ng elevator. "Dad stepping down, Tita Rebecca being the new head. None of that is true."

Tumango siya. "You're the real Valencia, Amber. It's gonna be you,"

Ngumiti lamang ako bilang tugon. I am not after the riches of my family, but if I don't fight for my right, it will be unto the hands of the wrong people. At ang konsensya na darating sa akin sa oras na dinungisan ang pangalan namin ay nakakasakal.

"So, uh, I heard you visited in Madreda." sabi ko.

"Yeah, I did. Hindi na ako nagpaalam sa'yo dahil busy ka raw sa mga Buenavista,"