BEA
There were only a few men in this city who understood the value of time and loyalty as well as I did. I'd built my company from the ground up, armed with a parting "Don't let that city eat you alive" when wish from my father and a worn black suit that was two sizes too big.
I started off as a coffee runner – an unwanted scrub on some mega corporation's bloated payroll. Since no one was willing to give me a real job, I asked questions whenever I could. I stayed late and eaves-dropped on meetings under the guise of doing my college homework. And when none of the top tier executives wanted to stay late and re-crunch the day's numbers, I volunteered.
And years later, I built my own fund, invested in all the stocks they were too scared to touch. Then I eventually became one of the most revered businesswoman in the city. If there was a company that piqued my interest, I bought it. If there was a stock that I wanted to invest in, I became an investor by dinner. And if there was a deal that I wanted to make, it was mine within seconds.
Ate least, I thought that was the case before this morning.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin na hindi pa sure si Watson's kung gusto n'yang bilhin ko ang company n'ya?" I looked at my advisor, Deanna, in utter disbelief. "He put it up for fucking sale. Whoever buys it from him doesn't make one bit a difference."
"Paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi sa'yo, he wants the owner to be a family person. Hindi ka family woman."
"I definitely have a family."
"Sarili mong pamilya." She sighed. "Not a family you call every other week when you happen to remember that they exist. Oh, and definitely not someone who's been Page Six' Bachelor of the Year eight times in a row."
"Ten times in a row, but no one's counting." I smiled. "But if it'll make Watson feel any better about my personal life and how I'll run his fund in the future, I can call him and honestly admit that I haven't fucked anyone in over eight months."
She gave me a blank stare. "You're kidding, right?"
"Unfortunately not." It's been slightly longer than that...
"Kahit na maniwala ako sa'yo, and I don't, your restraint from fucking anyone doesn't make you a family woman. It just means you're not behaving like your normal self. Ang ibig n'yang sabihin sa 'family person,' ay isang taong alam na ang buhay ay hindi puro trabaho lang. Isang taong makaka appreciate sa mga maliliit na moments sa labas ng boardroom."
"Magaling ako d'yan," I said. "Ikaw na mismo nagsabi. My company pays the highest salaries at every level so the employees can enjoy their lives outside of the boardroom."
"Right..." She sat up in his chair. "Nung kinasal ang pangalawang CFO mo, anong binigay mong regalo?"
"A generous bonus and a vintage wine."
"Um hmm. At exactly ang isinulat mo sa tag ng wine bottle?"
I sighed. "I'm disappointed that you're getting married. I never thought you were the type."
"Ano pa?"
I didn't answer. I didn't want to remember.
"Ang sinulat mo, 'I'm pretty sure you'll be divorced in two years, so you're better off ditching her and flying to Florida to help me with this Tampa Deal.' Then again, at least you were kind enough to write, 'PS – I hope you at least got a pre-nup before you signed that contract. See you at work when you get back. Love, Bea.' I think it was those last two words that made him quit."
