A Thousand Matches

Chapter 26

FLASHBACK

Gulat na napatingin ako ng may kung sinong marahas na nagbukas ng pinto ng office ko at makitang ang anak kong si Alyssa ang may salarin.

Dad, I'll handle this company. On one condition. Diba sabi mo you'll give anything I want? I know now what I want.

Seryoso at parang desidido ang aura niya. and who am I not to feel happy about it? matagal ko na siyang kinakausap to take over this company.

Name it. and ill gladly give it to you. ngiting ngiting sabi ko while putting down some papers im reading.

Hindi ito material things Dad. At ito lang ang hihingin ko kapalit ng paghandle n gating kompanya. It's either THIS or maghanap ka na ng ibang hahawak.

She seems so serious.

I want to Marry Dennise Lazaro.

Gulat at nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko sa sinabi niya.

That's not going to happen Alyssa. Ask anything except that. I turned serious this time.

Well, you better ask my brothers to handle the company then, Dad. That's my condition. Wala ng iba, take it or leave it.

I leaned back on my chair. Seryosong tinitigan ang anak ko.

Give me one good reason. Just ONE but Good reason. Para pumayag ako sa kondisyon mo.

Because I love her Dad. I love Dennise.

I was taken aback by what she said. And then it made me smile. Finally, Alyssa's doing something to get what she wants. Sa maling paraan man, I can see that she's hellbent on getting Dennise. pinapagulo masyado ni Dennise ang utak ng anak ko, at hindi na ito nakapag isip ng maayos.

Okay. whatif, hindi sila pumayag? Tanong ko sakanya.

Do everything to make them say Yes Dad. And I mean EVERYTHING. She emphasizes the last word.

And with that, she left the office.

Anything that'll make you happy Alyssa. Ill do everything. Naisip ko. and then I called up my secretary.

Hello? Please send Mr. Lazaro to my office now.

---

You were expecting me? prenteng sabi ni Armand habang umupo sa harap ko.

Yes. Close kami. We're close friends even way back in College. Though, formal ang pakikitungo namin sa isa't-isa pag wala sa loob ng opisina ko. Armand is my eyes and ears in the company, para magsilbing parang espiya sa mga taong may masamang balak. Kaming dalawa lang ang nakakaalam tungkol dito, and yes, he already has a small share sa company.

Alyssa came here. She offered na siya na ang maghahandle ng kompanya. Balita ko sakanya.

Oh? Eh di magandang balita yan. Matagal mo nang kinakausap na hawakan niya to diba? Sagot sakin.

Oh yes. Pero, in exchange of your daughter.

Kumunot ang noo niya.

WHAT? Medyo napataas ang boses niya at kunot na kunot ang noo.

I guess tinamaan ni kupido ang anak ko. at sa anak mo tumibok ang puso nito. Kilala ko si Alyssa. Alam kong seryoso siya kay Dennise at-

Then its settled!

I smiled.

Finally!! Akala ko hindi na matutuloy na magiging magkumpare tayo! sabi niya.

Yes. We had a serious talk before na ipakasal ang mga anak namin pero not unless, hindi mainlove ang isa sakanila.