Sweetest Arrangement

Chapter Two – Job Offering

"MISS you may come in now. Don Eduardo's waiting for you," sabi ng may-edad ng sekretarya.

"Thank you, Ms. Bety." She answered mentioning the name of the secretary. Nabasa niya name plate na nakalagay sa kanang dibdib nito.

She knocked twice before she opened the door.

"Good morning Katrina," bungad ng matadang lalaki na nakaupo sa likod ng executive table nito. He's wearing a corporate suit. Bakas pa rin ang kakisigan nito sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng mga puting buhok. His prominent nose, made him look more strict than usual. Though sitting, he exuded confidence like a king.

"Good morning Don Eduardo."

"Cut the formality Hija. When you were young you used to call me Lolo." A warm smile plastered in his lips.

He referred to the days when his Lolo Pepito visited Don Eduardo. May mga pagkakataon na sumasama sila magkapatid sa kanyang abuelo sa pagdalaw nito sa matalik na kaibigan.

"Sige po Lolo, matagal na po kasi ng huli tayong magkita kaya nag-aalangan po ako kung ano ang itatawag sa inyo."

"I'm glad, matatas ka ng magtagalog. The first time I saw you and your sister, alam kong hindi mo naiintindihan ang mga sinasabi ko." Nakangiting pagbabalik tanaw nito.

They were raised by their half Spanish half American Dad because their Filipina mother died, right after she was born. Her mother had a difficult delivery and the continous bleeding was the cause of her death.

After three years her father married Elizabeth, their step mother. She was very kind. Itinurin sila nito bilang mga na tunay na anak lalo na't hindi naman ito nagkaanak. Kaya sinuklian din naman nila ito ng pagmamahal. They loved her so much.

When she was fifteen, a tragic car accident happened. An eight wheeler truck killed their parents. The driver of the truck beated the red light and hit their parents' car at the intersection. It was very devastating. They were on their teens when they became orphans.

The only living relative they had were Lolo Pepito, the father of their mother. Her abuelo flew to America only to bring them back to the Philippines, a thousand miles from home. Adjustment stage was hard for them. They were brought to a country speaking a different language, mabuti't sa international school sila nag-aral kung saan halos lahat ng kanilang classmate ay mga english speaking din.

Pinunan ng kanyang abuelo ang kakulangan ng kanilang mga magulang, gived them so much love.

But another unfortunate event happened.

Lolo Pepito died from a freak accident. Nadulas ito sa loob ng bathroom at tumama ang ulo nito sa sink. He suffered internal hemmorage and was commatosed for a couple of days before he finally breathed his last breath. After two years of being with her abuelo, iniwanan din sila nito. They became orphans for the second time. They were scared to live in a foreign country with no one to turn to.

Good thing, Lolo Pepito had Don Eduardo as a friend. The generous hotel magnate supported all their expenses. Mula ng mamatay ang Lolo Pepito niya mahigit limang taon na ang nakakalipas, naging charity sila ni Don Eduardo.

All expenses were shouldered by Don Eduardo, from tuition fees to allowances and from groceries to utility bills. Nakatira pa rin sila sa bahay ng Lolo Pepito niya, a simple two storey four bedroom house. Si Don Eduardo din ang nagpapa-sweldo sa mga nanatiling kasambahay nila.

Don Eduardo spoiled them more than what Lolo Pepito did. They'd been living in a luxurious life for the last five years. They studied in a very prestigious university and been showered by all the expensive things.

She asked him why he's giving them so much. He said he always wanted to spoil his apo, but her daughter won't let him. Kaya sa kanila na lang nito ibinubuhos ang lahat ng mga materyal na bagay na gusto nitong ibigay sa apo.

That conversation took place when they were given an all paid vacation trip to Palawan. Kasama nila noon ang mga classmate nila sa high school, it was the summer break before their senior year. Since then, ang abogado na lang nito ang nakakusap nila. Which she totally understand, alam niya kung gaano ka-busy ang isang Don Eduardo Imperial.

Kaya ng makatanggap siya ng tawag mula rito, may pananabik na pumayag siyang dalawin ito roon. She wanted to personally thank him for all the financial support he had given them.

He instructed her to sit down. "How's your sister hija?"

"Karina is doing great, kayo po kamusta?" She smiled shyly. "You haven't aged since the last time I saw you."

He laughed. "Iyan ang pinakamagandang compliment na narinig ko, thank you hija for stating the truth."

Natawa rin siya sa sagot nito. She's starting to feel at ease.

"Ikaw hija, may nahanap ka na bang trabaho?"

"Ang plano ko po sana ay magkaroon ng isang pre-school. I have a friend who wants to be my partner."

"You need funds, hija?" Alok ni Don Edaurdo.

"Naku, hindi na po, may naitabi po akong savings mula doon sa mga ibinibigay ninyo sa aming allowances. At sobra-sobra na po ang naitulong ninyo sa aming magkapatid, we should stand on our own now. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, habang buhay po naming tatanawing malaking utang na loob ang ginawa ninyong pagtulong sa amin."

"Forget it hija, Pepito was like a brother to me. I know, he would do the same, kung nagkapalit kami ng sitwasyon." Don Edaurdo smiled and changed the topic. "Maybe you are wondering why I requested you to come."

"Opo, ano po ba ang nais ninyong pag-usapan natin?"

"I'm running out of time Katrina," ani Don Eduardo. "I want to ask you a favor, work here."

His last words didn't sound a request at all. It sounded more of a command

"Please don't say no hija." He continued. "I'll be retiring very soon. Gusto ko ng magpahinga mula sa stress ng trabaho at ma-enjoy ang mga bunga ng mga pinaghirapan ko."

"I agree Lolo, makakabuti sa inyo na mag-relax." She commented.

"Pero hindi ko maiiwan na lang ang kompanya. Gusto ko na ang humalili sa akin ay kilala ko at lubos na pinagkakatiwalaan." He leaned forward and clasped his hands. "After all the thinking, I want you to take over."

"Me? Take over what?" Naguguluhang tanong niya.

"Gusto ko na ikaw ang italagang CEO ng Grand Imperial Group. Ikaw ang papalit sa posisyong babakantehin ko."

"Me? I would be the Chief Executive Officer?" She pointed herself.

"Katrina, you're repeating every word I said."

"Bakit po ako? 'Di po ba ay may apo naman kayo?"

"Mukhang wala interes na pamahalaan ang hotel," medyo lumungkot ang mukha nito sa pagbanggit sa apo.

"No offense meant but I think you're making a wrong decision.

"No hija, believe me. Ito ang pinakatamang desisyong ginawa ko sa buong buhay ko."

"But I don't know anything about hotel operations." She was shocked. The man in front of her looked lucid and sane but what he's saying was ridiculous.

If he wanted her to work in his hotel, it's okay with her but not the kind of work he wanted her to do. Kaga-gradute lang niya sa kursong special education.

Napakalayo sa hotel management.

"Inaasahan ko na magiging ganyan ang reaksyon mo. I had my reasons for choosing you as my successor." He paused. "Maniwala ka na para sa kabutihan ng lahat ang nais kong mangyari. You just need to trust me, hija." His expressions soften when he said his last sentence.

"I'm very grateful Lolo. I am, really, but I can't grant your request. I'm sorry."

"I don't take no for an answer." Madiing sabi ni Don Eduardo.

Kung kanina ay kausap niya ang pilantropong kaibigan ng kanyang abuelo, now he sounded bossy and very authoritative.

"Alam ko pong malaki ang utang na loob naming magkapatid sa inyo---"

"Isang pabor ang hinihiling ko sa'yo. Hindi ito kabayaran sa mga tulong na ibinigay ko sa inyo. Ayokong marinig ang pagtanggi mo ng hindi mo man lang sinusubukan."

"Don Eduardo---" She tried to reason out more but he cut her.

"I'm expecting you here tomorrow at exactly eight o'clock." He said with finality. "Your late grandfather used to tell me not to be afraid to do new things because I would only regret it if I let my fears get in the way. Mabuti pa raw mabigo ako kaysa palagpasin ko ang magandang oportunidad dahil lang sa takot kong mabigo."

"I'm not my grandfather," She said in a defeated voice.

"I don't expect you to be like him. Gusto ko lang na subukan mong pamahalaan ang kompanya." He smiled meaningfully. "Soon, you'll be a part of all of this."

"But I don't want to." She said trying to suppress her irritation.

"I know you'll change your mind." He stood up and extended his hand.

Lazily she shook it, out of courtesy, not because she's surrendering to his commands.

"See you tomorrow Katrina." May finality sabi ni Don Eduardo.