Taking Chances

7: GOOD BOY

CHAPTER 7

I was preparing to leave the house when Joshua went in front of me and gave me a paper. “Paano nabayaran ate? Nangutang ka?” He asked me, a bit concerned and angry.

“No Josh, don’t worry. I had some extra-”

“You had an extra 100k? How rich can you be? Ang sabi ko okay lang na hindi na.” Sabi pa nito at nag cross arms.

“Joshua, I don’t want you to miss this great opportunity. So don’t worry and grab it. I won’t do anything bad just to pay for your needs.” I told him with finality. He was supposed to say something but restrained himself.

“Thankful ako ate, pero ayokong maubos ang pera natin dahil lang sa soccer.” He said.

“Hindi mauubos ang pera Josh. Someone reached out to me and told me they saw your potential. Sila ang nagsosponsor sayo. Kaya make sure that you do your best to impress them.” I said, which is true in some ways.

Nagliwanag ang mukha niya at niyakap ako saglit saka umakyat para maghanda sa eskwela.

When I arrived at the hotel, Ali was waiting inside my office. Well, at least he’s not late anymore. Pero kailangan namin ayusin itong bigla bigla niyang pagpasok ng opisina ko.

“Why are you inside my office?” I asked him pagkapalag ng mga gamit ko.

“You’re late!” He said. Natawa ako ng kaunti, hindi alam kung sarcasm ba iyon o hindi.

“I asked for a half-day today, hindi mo nakita sa system?” I told him and opened my laptop.

I gave him the things that he needs to accomplish today. He accompanied me sa dalawang meeting, at ang pinaka naging problema namin ay hindi siya nakikinig! He just sits there! Minsan pa ay nagce-cellphone siya sa ilalim ng table. One time I caught him watching an international car racing competition, in front of our boss, his dad!

And another thing, he seems to be hot-blooded when it comes to Helix. I don’t understand why they’re not on good terms, or why he’s not on good terms with him. Helix has been with me for 4 years. He’s the person that grew with me in this company. Kaya alam ko na mabait ito at efficient sa trabaho. If there’s a reason why they’re not getting along, I bet it’s because of Ali’s intimidating aura plus his snobbish attitude.

I was busy due to the massive hiring that we plan to have kaya’t hinayaan ko muna kay Helix si Ali. He seemed troubled pero hindi naman siya makakatanggi dahil busy talaga ako para tutukan ito ngayon. I gave Ali a project to work on though. And as days pass by, wala akong ibang naging problema bukod sa bigla bigla niyang panggagambala sa opisina ko.

Minsan ay papasok ito upang magtanong tanong. Minsan ay para tumambay sa sofa ko at doon daw magtrabaho. He said that it’s more efficient since if he wants to ask a question, he can easily reach me.

Ang nasa kontrata namin ni madam Lorieane ay isang taon ko siyang ite-train. In exchange, she will sponsor my brother and youngest sister in their school activities. Balak pa nga nito na hanggang maka graduate pero sobra sobra na iyon.

Now it’s been a month, and I must say that Ali is…fine. He’s okay with reports but he’s having a hard time when it comes to employee communication. Paano ay snob ito sa mga tao sa hotel. Even with the managers, he’s distant and cold. Kung hindi ito tahimik ay sarcastic ito sumagot.

“All they want is to be close to me because they want me to favor them in case I inherit the company. After all, they heard that I’m starting to train for the company.” Ito ang laging sinasabi niya tuwing pinapagalitan ko.