Monteverde Holdings – Executive Boardroom, Manila
Monday, 8:00 AM
Tahimik ang buong boardroom.
Ang bawat board member na naroroon ay hindi makatingin ng diretso sa akin. Some pretended to look busy — opening tablets, reviewing documents. Others, blatantly sweating in their suits. Kahit airconditioned ang silid, damang-dama ang tensyon. Parang may paparating na bagyo.
Correction.
Ako ang bagyo.
I walked in wearing a dark charcoal pantsuit — custom tailored, sharp as a blade — and blood-red lipstick that matched the fire I carried.
Behind me, si Damon lang ang kasama ko. Hindi siya nagsalita. Pero ramdam ang presensya niya — tahimik pero pananakot, nakatayo sa likod ko like a shadow that could kill.
Sa harap ng conference table, isang upuang walang nakaupo. My old chair.
The CEO thr
