This Ain't a Fairytale

Chapter 39: The project proposal and Mr. Robert Lind

“You are dress differently but please everyone. Let us see what my granddaughter can present to us. Zam, you may proceed.” my grandfather said with authority making the whole room silent.

With the authority and conviction, my grandfather said so it is understandable why everyone feels so threatened by his words. I had noticed that just by staying by his side. He is like a tamed lion that just suddenly become vicious in seconds. I nod and look at Mera who walks towards me. Mera is so sophisticated now with her business attire with her hair twists in a bond in her head and her blue skirt and black stiletto heels. On the other hand, I am just wearing a long sleeve pink with off-shoulder cleavage, skinny jeans, and D'Arcy shoes with my hairs hanging on my back. I heard a gasp on the last aisle.

“Mera!” a gasp and soft voice of a woman utters in surprise upon seeing Mera.

I look at my friend to see her cold emotionless face. She seems to have switch back into her cold Mera persona.

“Ahmmnn my dear Mera would you mind helping me with the files and the PowerPoint. Thank you.” I said in my formal tone still with a glint of coldness.

Mera just nods and walks up to distribute to the 20 people her clear book file before she walks back towards the judges' table and distributes the clear book one at a time. Mera walk to the man operating the widescreen projector and looks at the man coldly making him move. I wait as Mera set-up the presentation we made before I look up to the people who are looking at me eagerly and to those who are looking at me like I am prey in the wilderness.

“Ahmmnn… First let me greet you all a pleasant day to all of us, once again sorry for being late. Let me begin my presentation with this slide. Please bear with me a little bit.” I look at Mera then I nod at her giving her a cue to start the presentation.

Some pictures of homeless children flashed into the screen as everyone look at it in confusion. Mera clicks again and another picture appears.

“For almost a million years ago homeless children became our country’s greatest problem. Not only ours but also in other countries. Children like THIS can’t afford decent clothes, house, food, and even education.” I started and been stopped by some laughter.

I look up to see my uncle Marz and his wife laughing making me raises an eyebrow. I already anticipated this to happen but to see it really happening makes me want to grab them by their neck and strangle them to death… just saying.

“Sorry dear but we're not here to listen to a school report. Do not waste our time.” my uncle said.

“Ahmmnn let us listen to the child, shall we Marz? Do continue.” my grandfather said and I just smile.

“Thank you, sir, now where are we – ah yes. Such children can’t afford a proper education. They are left to die.” Mera clicks another slide and a graph appeared.

“As is it shown here – every year almost 1/3 of our population is consisting of such children. What to do with them? Shall we just let them die and pretend that they do not exist nor shall we use them for a better purpose? Well then, let me introduce to you my project proposal.” Another slide appears and it is all pictures of schools.

Again, laughter resounded and it made me really pissed now seeing it was my two stupid cousins, Austin and Marlon.

“Are you kidding me, don’t tell me you want to make a school for the homeless.” Marlon said and I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from saying an offensive word.

I look at Mera to see her nodding at me. I take a deep breath then look at them with a cold glare then smiles deviously.

“Thank you, my beloved cousin. YES, it is but PLEASE gave me time to present the whole project. It’s more proper that way before you criticize and laugh at my work.” I said with a cunning cold smile towards the 2 brothers as I see Cole smiling on the side and casually saluted to me without anyone noticing.

I see how Cole is preventing himself from laughing. I walk to the wide chart containing the whole feature of the project we had worked hard to plan and prepare everything needed for the project. I am about to raise the first page to the second using my left hand when a stinging pain made me grab my arm right to my wounded arm and my face showed pain.

“Is there something wrong Zam?” my grandfather said standing up on his chair looking so worried even my father is about to get out of his chair.

“Love, are you- are you okay?” my father utter in great concern making me take a deep breath to regain my composure so no one will notice.

“Please don’t worry I’m fine. Now, back to my presentation... everyone I present to you the Z.A.M project. This school is not like any school.” A slide from the projector appeared.

Everyone gasps when the money needed is flashed into the screen.

“This project requires a lot of funding. As shown in this slide, 50 billion or more is needed for the building of this school. Of course, it is the only estimation but I assure you that the money will be used really well and the income will return.” I said as shock registered to everyone’s faces.

“This is insane. Not even the greatest Cambridge worth 50 billion, as far as I know, they spent 22,285 million dollars. This is completely dumb.” Voices erupted as I almost fainted when I look around to see mocking faces and disapproving voices erupting from everyone in the room while some are intensely looking at my presentation.

I see some on the judges’ table that is looking into my clear book looking into the whole content of the project that I haven’t yet finish reporting due to their overrated reactions. I grab the stand holding the graph to prevent myself from falling. I shake my head a few times and I see Mera’s worried look as she looks at me. She is about to stand to go to me when I signed her not to. A loud bang made the whole room quiet. I look up to see my grandfather standing with annoyance seen on his face.

“Please- please do listen first before you judge me. There is a reason why such a large amount is needed for this project.” I said but the room again burst into disapproving voices and angry faces.

My annoyance is starting to worst hearing my aunt and uncle’s leading disapproval making everyone burst out in disapproval too. I can’t hold on to the pain of my arm and my vision is starting to blur.

“Please- please listen I-.” another outcry of hate erupted and I lost my patience due to the pain I am feeling.

In anger and frustration, I suddenly pushed the stand beside me and the loud bang silenced everyone. I look up to all of them with cold emotionless eyes that send them all to freeze.

“WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP FOR A SECOND, ARE YOU ANIMALS?! I’m very disappointed in this room; you all call yourselves professionals? May, huh funny… you all are acting like animals. If I can’t let you listen to reasons, then at least look into these slides…… for I don’t want to disappoint people who stood beside me upon doing this, shame on to those of you who are acting like a retarded child.” I said with an icy voice and everyone all turn so quiet.

I do not care anymore if they will think I am a terrible person. The pain I am feeling is worse than it anyway… it feels like I am dying. My body is so painful and my wounds are throbbing, especially the one in my arm. I shake my head when my vision is starting to blur then I feel that wetness on my arm. Mera clicks the slide and I just stand there holding myself steady as I regain some of my strength and gather a few of my patience. Everyone is so silent until the end of the slide.

“Now, DOES everyone want me to explain, or are you all smart enough not to listen at all?” I said still ice cold making everyone I know really well frozen.

“Good – Z.A.M project is not just a school but a profitable Academy that centers on the production of products. It can help the country, those helpless children but most of all – this project will benefit us. The slides you saw are just a representation of what the school will have. This is an economical and an academic school – yes it costs us billions but just thinking of its benefit to us will return our money with so much more. Z.A.M offers the homeless a home and free education.” I sign Mera and a picture of a wide land appears.

“This land you see is a government land costing 100 million in a normal market. I talked to the holder showing the benefit of Z.A.M and they agreed to sell us the land in the amount of 50 million, it is a very wide flat land good for constructing a wider school. The school will have each of these facilities.” Sketches of each panned facility appear.

They all seriously look into it, this time I am relieved to see that I had taken their attention and that they like the project. It is funny that even my uncle and aunt are looking so interested and are silent as they look at the projector.

“Dormitory, where the children will stay until graduation, then there are the laboratories for science class, classrooms, and the facilities for the students’ vocational courses like poultry rising, gardening, cow and horse rising, piggery and other facilities where we can gain more profit under the work of the students. I know some of you might be thinking that it is so impossible BUT the project can be made possible if the money is in and the people will work on it. But what is more special about this project is that – though they learn for free we profit from their hard works. Imagine the fruit of their gardening, the fruit of their poultry, the fruit of all end products the students will have in just months. Imagine it sold to the world all over the markets. It will give us more than what we had spent.” I said as I shake my head to stop myself from fainting.

I know I am already reaching my limit and my vision is now blurring but I have to finish this. I grab my arm when I feel a liquid sliding down my arm; I look at my hand to see blood. I take a deep breath then immediately wipe it on my jean behind me.

“Now I understand why she said that it is a win to win situation. She’s really that smart.” Mr. Roland said as I look at my grandfather to see him discussing to the man beside him that looks so rich and powerful.

From what Mr. Roland told me on my training before this man must be Mr. Robert Lind if my vision of his face is right. One of the richest tycoons and he is one of my grandfather’s friends and investor. Then I see them looking at me while discussing. With the seriousness in their faces, I feel it is a somewhat serious matter. I take a deep breath as I close my eyes and shake my eyes to clear my blurring vision.

“My dear can I ask a question?” the old man asked sounding so stern and powerful but I am in pain to feel nervous or fear right now.

I take a deep breath before looking at the cold but formal man with the same coldness as my grandfather once he is so serious. Mr. Lind, if I am correct, have this long hair until his shoulders, he is wearing thick eyeglasses, a clean-cut beard, and some eyes looking like the eyes of a Lion.

“Yes sir, I’ll do my best to answer.” I said as I hold back again my left arm when I feel that liquid nearly dropping behind me since I have my hands behind me.

“How long do you think the school will be accomplished?” Mr. Lind asks and I see my stupid cousins look at one another.

“Give or take, 1 year but I already talked to people who are professional in this matter who can help if ever, decreasing the days into… give or take 6 to 8 months.” I said.

“Hmmnn everything has been planned ahead. Are you confident that your project will be approved?” Mr. Lind asks and I smile coldly.

“My dear sir I’m not confident that it will be approved. Even though I’m a Villaflor I was hoping for it to NOT succeed in here.” I said and everyone gasps as I look at all of them with honesty in my eyes.

“Then why did you plan and talked to professionals when you want to fail. I am amazed you even talked to the government about that wide land.” Someone from the crowd said.

“Why? Because…… I’m lazy.” I said and Merajane laughs loudly breaking the serious cold room.

Henry, Cole, and my parents also laughed with my friend. I don’t know what the others are thinking but who cares. I am in more pain now as I am losing a lot of blood.

“BUT –certain people really want to mess with me so I have to make sure that they will not feel relieved. I made sure to come and present so to tell them that I am not that weak to be easily rattled by death. If you want to play dirty I’ll play the game your way.” I said coldly and I see how my crazy relatives’ faces changed into mere anger.

I look at how the 20 power holders whisper and talk as they flip on the pages of the clear book Mera distributed to them.

“Ahmnn anyway this is actually a good project. I never thought that a young lady can come up with such. It is so detailed from the simple details into the general she had solved it all. This project is well made.” I heard as they continue to whisper.

After a few minutes, Mr. Lind stands and looks at me trying to see any weakness and fear from me but I am way in pain to fear so I just stared back at his blurry feature coldly and emotionless. Well! My attention is already central to the pain in my arm and the flowing blood dripping behind me. Thank God the light is a little dim so they can’t see the blood creating a small pool behind me.

“Victorio I must say, I never saw such a brave young lady. She is even more amazing and fearless than my granddaughter who is so hard-headed and brave. Every presenter I will ask and stare at will shaver in fear knowing who I am but she just looks back calmly. I’ll invest 50% in the project.” The man said making the room utter in shock.

“So will I.” another older rich lady on the table said and the others even follow saying they all want to invest making my stupid relatives look so angry and pale.

My grandfather stands and shakes hand with Mr. Lind. I just widen my eyes as I shake my head to clear my thought… did he just say that he is investing in my project? Isn’t this just a trial competition among Villaflor grandchildren?

“Huh!?” I uttered in surprise not comprehending what is happening.

“Congratulation dear – this is really shocking.”  My mom said while tears are flowing in her eyes.

“Where is the contract and I will sign?” Mr. Lind asks as my grandfather looks at him questioningly.

“What made you think Robert that a contract is already made?” my grandfather asks.

“Your granddaughter looks into everything. I assume she already prepared it.” Mr. Lind smiles as he looks at me making me take a deep breath.

“She sure did, Sir.” Mr. Roland came to him with the contract paper inside a folder.

As the old man sign and so are the others, I can see how angry my so-called stupid relatives are. I see Cole and I just smiled at him. He gives me a wink then he casually raises his thumbs up at me. I feel fine now knowing that among my relatives who wanted me to fail someone is cheering at me even if he is doing it secretly.

“I came here just to judge your grandchildren’s work but I never thought I’ll sign such a contract. The school will be named after her I supposed?” Mr. Lind said as my grandfather laugh in agreement.

Everyone is speechless and some are happy as Mr. Lind and my grandfather sign the contract. I know I am already at my limit with my spinning vision and my slowly dropping body. I see everyone cheering as the signing is done and they are clapping their hands as they all look in my direction.

“Al- Alright… goodnight.” I said in a pun before I blackout and drop to the floor but still conscious but my vision is blurring and spinning.

“No!! Zam!!” Mera’s scream caught everyone’s attention as they all look to where I am.

The last thing I see is Mera’s teary face and Henry calling my name with Cole peeking at me behind him… I even see my parents’ distressed faces and even my grandfather’s worried face coming behind Cole.