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,"
Gulantang napatingin ako sa kanya na may pagtataka.
"Oh, nabanggit ni Sharon, bagong sekretarya mo?" medyo patanong pa nga.
I nodded shortly. "I understand na busy ka rin sa proyekto sa Singapore. So, best of luck."
"I wasn't planning on taking the job, but you know, priorities." halakhak niya.
"Priorities, indeed." makahulugan kong tugon.
Sa ikalabing dalawang palapag bababa si Ike kaya nauna siya sa akin. I went straight to my office to do the remaining workloads on my table.
I took a bit on my big mac burger as soon as I reached my table before sitting down. Binuksan ko agad ang monthly report at sumandal sa swivel chair.
"Ma'am, Miss Daisy is here to see you." si Sharon galing sa intercom.
Binaba ko ang file at ang burger ay muling tinakpan bago sumagot.
"Send her in,"
Bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa akin si Daisy na matamis ang ngiti. Kumunot ang aking noo sa suot niya ngayon. She is wearing a tube crop top, like a bra, and a very mini skirt. Hindi man lang nag-isip na magsuot ng blazer.
"Hi, Amber. I'm reporting for duty." masigla niyang sinabi.
"Do you know what time is it? You're supposed to be here by 8 o'clock, Daisy." malamig kong sinabi.
"Relax." she rolled her eyes. "Ang ingay mo. I don't have to report to you anyway, napilitan lang ako kay Dad."
"Then report to him." walang gana kong tugon.
Umirap pa siya lalo. "Magpapahatid ako ng sekretarya mo sa team ko."
"Hindi ka ba aware sa dress code rito?" puna. "Kung gusto mong naging prostitute, Daisy, hindi ito ang tamang lugar."
Namilog ang mata niya at namumuo ang galit. "Ano ka ba, Amber?! Can't you just live by yourself? Swerte ka dahil may respeto ako kay Daddy kaya ako nandito sa harapan mo. You have no say on what I wear!"
"I am the Vice President. I make the rules." mariin kong sinabi. "And there is a dresscode in here, you must comply. But if you don't, I don't care who you are, you're fired."
"What's happening here?"
"Daddy!" si Daisy at mabilis na kumapit sa braso ni Dad.
Walang gana akong tumingin kay Daisy pagkatapos tipid na ngumiti kay Daddy.
"Amber is scolding me because of my clothes, Dad. She's abusing her power."
Sumandal muli ako sa aking swivel chair. Daddy sighed and took Daisy's hand down and out of his arm. Hindi iyon inaasahan ni Daisy at lahat sa mukha niyang nagtataka sa ginawa ni Dad.
"May batas ang kompanya, hija. Amber is not abusing her power, but making sure all the rules are obeyed. You can't wear crop tops in here and very short skirts." mahinahon na sinabi ni Daddy sa kanya.
Suminghap si Daisy. "I can't wear crop tops but she can?!"
"Hija..." nahihirapan si Dad na ipaliwanag. "At least wear a coat over your revealing outfit."
"This is not a party, Daisy. Kung sa tingin mo maiikot mo sa daliri ang batas dito, huwag ka nalang umastang kayang magtrabaho." singgit ko.
She stared at me with full rage in her eyes. "Fine! Kung si Mommy na CEO, ipapatanggal kita sa posisyon mo!"
"Grow up, Daisy." malamig kong sinabi. "Know your way out."
Pinindot ko ang intercom. "Take her to her post, Sharon."
