The CEO
1219 Words
Alyssa just got out from bath and started preparing her clothes when her phone rings. She hurriedly accepts the call without knowing who it is.
"Hello?"
"Alyssa" that instant she knew it was her grandfather.
Alfredo Valdez III, ValCorp's CEO, major stock holder of the corporation and head master of the Valdez Mansion.
"Yes papang, napatawag po kayo?" Aly nervously ask.
"Meet me in my office today. We need to talk"
"Yes papang"
After the call she immediately starts to dress herself. Just a pair of jeans and polo shirt. Her papang would always tell her to wear this whenever they set up a meeting. Neat and simple.
She went to the parking lot and took one of her bikes to easliy escape the traffic. She doesnt want her papang to wait that long for her. But before she starts her bike, she dialed gretchens number first. Uses her earpiece phone then wears her helmet.
"Hello ly? So early..." Gretchens husky voice.
"Gretch, pinatawag ako ni papang sa office" Aly told gretch while driving her bike.
"What?! Anong ginawa mo?" Gretch sit up her bed.
"I dont know! His voice was very serious" Aly while taking a right turn.
"Papunta ka na ba dun?" Gretch scratch her eyes.
"Yep. I'm on my bike" Aly stop when the light turned red.
"Nako aly, goodluck nlang sayo"
"Baliw! Pinalala mo pa ang sitwasyon. Sige I'll hang up na"
Few minutes later, she arrived at Taguig where the main branch of Valdez Corporation is located. The ValCorp Staple. Where the CEO, CFO and other Board Members offices.
Aly valet her bike and entered the Staple. She was greeted by every staff. She went straight to her grandfather's office on the 50th floor. And was greeted by his secretary.
"Ms. Valdez, he's waiting inside" The secretary led Alyssa to the doors and opened it for her.
"Thanks" She said before entering. "Papang?" She called her grandfather because he was sitting near the windows and looking outside.
Her grandfather stands up and is walking straight to Alyssa. Aly couldnt move an inch, she is really nervous right now. When her grandfather was near her, he raised his arm and Aly was expecting a slap so she closes her eyes.
"Whats with that face?" Aly opened her eyes and saw her papang's smile "Come and hug me!" papang with open arms.
Aly hugs her papang so tight "Akala ko po galit kayo sakin" still hugging.
"Why would I? Hindi kaya ako nagagalit" As her papang laughs hard.
"Hindi ako naniniwala papang" Aly breaks the hug "So, bakit niyo po ako pinapunta dito?"
"To give you this" Papang said then hits his granddaughter's head.
"Aray! What was that for? Akala ko ba hindi kayo galit sakin?"
"Ako hindi but Abigail is. Ipinadala niya yun para sayo" he giggled.
"And why is she mad at me?" While rubbing her head.
"For not taking care of yourself" Papang's face softens "Alyssa, pinayagan kitang magsarili but you need to take care of yourself. Kayo nlang ni Aby ang meron ako"
"That is not true papang, meron pa nman po sina tita at tito and yung mga pinsan po namin. Marami pa pong ibang Valdez jan" Aly reasons.
"But both of you are special, lalo ka na Alyssa" Papang sighs "Pano nlang kung mawala ka? Sino na magaalaga kay Aby? Pano na si Aby? Pano na ako?" As her papang sits down the sofa.
"Papang, lagnat lang nman po yun eh. Theres nothing to worry about" Aly holds his grandfathers hands.
"But-"
"Papang tama na po. You're showing too much softness, baka mapagkamalan kitang bakla niyan" Aly laughs. She tries to lighten the atmosphere. Papang also laughs.
"Ikaw bata ka, you never fail to make me laugh. Manang mana ka sa mamà mo" Papang lets out a deep sigh.
"Talaga po? Kay mamà ako nagmana? Sabi kasi nila kay papà daw"
"Yes, your jolliness, smiles and your whole personality. Sana nman hindi lang ako ang nakakawitness nitong side mo" Papang slide his fingers to Aly's face "Physical features mo lang nman ang namana mo sa papa mo. Also, your dedication to work"
"Tama na drama papang. I know you want to get out of this hell" Aly paused and saw her papang's brow raised "I mean office. So lets go?"
"I cant now sweetheart, I've got tons of paper to sign and I have investors coming" while pointing his desk full of papers.
"Papang nman, sa edad niyong yan dapat magpahinga na po kayo. Ibigay niyo nlang po ang posisyon niyo kay tita"
"No Alyssa. Kapag ginawa ko yan, paano kayo? I wont let that happen" Papang cares Alyssa's cheek "Kaya kung ayaw mong mahirapan ako, bilisan mo ng ikasal"
"What?! Papang nman, I think I can handle the company by myself"
"Yes you can handle the company but not the people around you" Aly seemed to understand what her papang is trying to say "You need someone to hold on to. Someone who would fight beside you"
"Sige po, maghahanap ako ng taong matitisod" both laughs hard.
"Oh btw, is your agency still running?" an out of the blue question.
"Oo nman po but nothing to worry about, the tower is my priority"
"That's good to hear but..."
"But what papang?"
"Hija, you know that manipulating love is different from true love right?"
"Papang, we are not manipulating it infact we are cupids of love!"
Her grandfather was about to protest when the door opened wide. An elegant looking woman walked in, its Cynthia, Aly's aunt.
"Long time no see Alyssa"
"Yes tita" Aly stands up from the sofa.
"You call me that way but dont treat me that way, how rude. Give your tita a kiss" Cynthia while pointing her cheek.
Aly went near Cynthia to give her greetings. Papang stands up and calls Cynthia's attention.
"Why didnt you knock Cynthia?" He creased his forehead.
"I just wanted to surprise my niece you know" Cynthia then looks at Aly "So how are you?"
"Doing good tita. How about you?"
"I've been great since you left in this company, I can breathe fresh air and my eyes and ears arent swelling like they always do when you're around" Cynthia with hand gestures.
"Cynthia!" Papang exclaimed.
"Okay, I just wanna greet you two. Farewell for now Alyssa" Cynthia exits the office with her evil laugh.
"Nakakatuwa tlga si Tita Cynthia" Aly with a smirk on her face.
"Alyssa, I hope you wont hate your Aunt" while shaking his head.
"I dont papang. I accept those conversations as a challenge. That I need to prove myself more to the Valdez family and to step up in their expectations. I also do my best for you papang, and aby"
Both were having fun chatting when they heard a knock on the door. It was Papang's secretary.
"Sir, the investors are here"
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute" His secretary closed the door. Papang faced Aly "Alyssa please take care of youself first before anything else"
"Yes papang. Sige na, the investors are waiting for you" Aly kissed her grandfathers cheek "Goodbye papang"
Papang looks back at Aly before opening the door "Goodbye Alyssa, papang loves you" then the door closes.
"I love you too papang" Aly whispered in the air.
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- Writer
