Sa Tamang Panahon (An AlDub Fanfic) #Wattys2016 Winner

Chapter 5

"...and so, to cap it off - our stocks will increase by at least 5% if we push through with this Cebu project.  I'm assuming since we already spoke with Mirador Constructions last week, na go na talaga ito," ang sabi ni Sam Yuson, ang COO ng RGC at matalik na kaibigan ni Alden simula noong college days pa nila, habang kinakausap ang board of directors ng kompanya, kasama ang kanilang CEO na si Alden.  

"That's great news, indeed," tugon ni Patricia Tuazon, isa sa mga board members. "I believe that we did vote on the positive side with regards to this project at wala namang tumutol sa buong board.  So yes, it's definitely a go.  Alden?"

Nakaupo si Alden sa pinaka-head ng conference table habang tila nakatingin sa kawalan.  Narinig nito ang mga pinaguusapan nila sa kanilang meeting na buong umaga na nilang ginagawa pero tila wala siyang naintindihan ni isa man dito.  Why is she always crossing my mind??

"Alden?" muling tanong ni Sam habang tinulak ang binti nito sa ilalim ng lamesa.  

Biglang natigilan si Alden at pinilit nitong ibalik ang pansin sa kanilang meeting.  "Yes?"

"Ms. Tuazon here just want a confirmation about our Cebu Project.  The one we discussed with Mirador Constructions last week?" dagdag na sabi ni Sam.

"Oh, yes.  Tulad ng sinabi ni Sam, we met with Mirador last week.  And since they gave us a great estimate for the construction of the office and residence building in Cebu, magandang ituloy ito.  No one from the board said no anyway, so we could commence construction hopefully in three months time."

Napabuntong-hininga naman si Sam ng sumagot na ang kaniyang boss at matalik na kaibigan.  Alam nitong medyo balisa ito simula pa pagpasok sa opisina kaninang umaga. 

"I think we need to talk to some of our architects and IT people since we did discuss that we wanted this building to be the first 'intelligent' building in the Visayas region.  I have some ideas that I would like to go over with the IT team," ang sabi ni Alden habang tinitingnan ang bawat tao na nasa loob ng conference room.  

"Then that's settled then.  So - mag-meet na lang ulit mamayang hapon with the IT?" tanong ni Sam.

"Not this afternoon.  Rachel?" tawag ni Alden sa kanyang assistant na nasa kabilang dulo ng conference table na masigasig na mag-take ng minutes of the meeting.

"Yes, sir?" 

"Cancel all my appointments for this afternoon.  Bukas paki-schedule ang meeting with the IT head first thing in the morning.  Then check my schedule in the afternoon, baka pwedeng isingit yung meeting with the architect that Sam mentioned."

"Yes, sir.  I will let you know kung may hindi masusunod.  Pero so far, isa lang naman po ang appointment ninyo this afternoon na kailangang i-cancel," sagot ni Rachel. 

"All right.  Ladies and gentlemen?" ang sabi ni Alden habang tinitingnan ang bawat board member na nasa meeting na iyon. "I think we should adjourn for now.  Lunch time na rin naman and settled na ang majority ng ating mga concerns.  I will call for another board meeting to finalize the details for the Cebu Project.  Maybe in 2 weeks time? I will have Rachel call everyone." 

Nagtayuan na ang lahat.  May ibang umalis na agad ng conference room at may iba namang nakipagkwetuhan pa muna bago tuluyang lumabas na rin.  Maya maya lang ay naiwan na lang sina Alden, Sam, Patricia at Rachel.  

"I'll call you tonight?" mahinang sabi ni Sam kay Patricia habang dahan-dahang hinawakan ang braso ng dalaga.  Ngingiti-ngiti naman si Patricia at tumango lang ito bago lumabas na ng conference room.  

"Rachel, go take your lunch break na.  May paguusapan lang muna kami ni Boss Alden," dagdag ni Sam sa assistant ni Alden.  Ng si Sam at Alden na lang ang naiwan, makikita sa mukha ni Alden ang kaluwagan na tila ba nagpapasalamat ito at natapos na ang umaga.