Bow Down, Master (Book One)

Chapter Nineteen

'Scutum Sollicitudinis

Chapter Nineteen — Phoenix's PoV

Saktong alas singko ng madaling araw nang tumunog ang alarm ng phone ko. Sa totoo lang, bago pa tumunog 'yan ay gising na ang diwa't isipan ko, ngunit nanatili lamang akong nakapikit, dinadama pa ang sarap ng pagkakatulog ko.

Tumayo na ako agad para hindi ko ma-demonyo ang sarili ko na matulog nalang ulit. I did my morning routine before I went out to go for a run. 

Napagdesisyunan kong dito na lamang sa loob ng village ako iikot para hindi aksayado sa oras. I started to jog while thinking about a lot of things. I haven't heard of her for a few days since that incident.

May mga nakakasalubong akong kakilala ko o mga kapitbahay. I nod and smile at them, lalo na kapag mga mag-asawang nasa kwarenta pataas, I'm not that kind of rude and cocky guy toward elders, though marami mang nagsasabi. Ipinagkikibit balikat ko nalang.

There were also girls and some schoolmates. Madaming nagtatry na kausapin ako but... I just don't have enough time to chit chat. Pati, gugulo lang din lalo isipan ko, maghahalo-halo.

It's already quarter to 7 when I went back home and showered. Sa kalagitnaan ng takbo ko kanina ay tumawag ako sa Marketing Directors sa Black Court para malaman kung may itinaas ba ang marketing sales namin and to close some deals offered by big companies in this country.

Pagkatapos ko maligo ay nagbihis ako into a white long sleeves and jeans, paired with Balenciaga shoes. Agad akong tumulak papuntang Black Court para tapusin ang dapat tapusin dahil may pasok pa kinabukasan at kailangan kong magbasa basa muli.

I used my Aston Martin Vantage. It was a gift from my uncle on my senior high graduation. Ngayon ko nalang ata ilalabas ulit ito.

I went out the highway and started taking the route papunta sa main office ng Black Court. Sa kalagitnaan ng pagmamaneho ko, an incoming call from an unknown number broke the silence inside the car. Sinagot ko ito at ini-loud speaker.

"Good morning, Mr. Lamoire. Are you on your way?" a female voice spoke. 

"Yes. Who's this?" I asked. Hindi ko kasi makilala kung kaninong boses ang nasa kabilang linya. I don't think I already heard her voice before.

"This is the secretary of Mr. Zackery Velarde, CEO of Velarde Group of Companies. Mr. Velarde actually told me to call you and let you know that we will double the shares for Black Court. The contract will be at your office at exactly 12 noon." She briefly explained. Napataas ang kilay ko nang marinig ang pagbabago ng napag-usapan.

"Oh, really? I'm sorry but I'd rather talk to your CEO than to arrange and deal with things over a phone call. Can I request Mr. Velarde's presence at my office today?" Maingat kong tanong.

"Of course, Sir. I'll let you know the details when and what time will he arrive. Have a safe drive!" she said and then hanged up.

That's weird. Malaki ang shares ng VGC sa Black Court, nakakapagtaka lang na dodoblehin pa nito ngayon ang shares nila sa amin. Hindi naman sa mayroon akong trust issues pero... baka patibong lang ito galing sa kalaban?

That was what I'm thinking the whole drive hanggang sa makapag-park ako sa underground parking ng Black Court. Kung paano ko gigisahin sa mga tanong ang CEO nila mamaya, kung tama ba na pinaghinalaan ko kaagad ang desisyon nila. If they're clear, kahit ano pang rason nila, they'll be the biggest shareholder of Black Court.