All or nothing

Chapter Five

Big and Strong

Saina's

"EVERYTHING looks good, Saina."

The air of dominance was so thick I could slice it with a knife.

That is what I always feel whenever I am around Gabriel Consunji. He came to the office that day, nagulat pa nga ako kasi pagdating ko ay naroon na siya, he was sitting on my swivel chair. Wala namang sinabi sa akin ang EA ko. I just went out to get something to drink from the cafeteria, hinanap ko na rin si Birada kasi ibabalik ko sana ang lunch box niya but the people in their area told me that he went out with some of Papa's team. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa, I just left the lunch box at his assistant's table and then I went back to my office to where I found Gabriel Consunji, sitting on my chair while reading the papers I was looking at earlier.

"I... I just went out to buy something to drink, Sir." Wika ko sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagpapaliwanag sa kanya, it's just that he makes me feel fidgety. Maybe it's because of the guilt that I am feeling. After all, my father is the reason why his family suffered for a long time.

"You used to call me Uncle Gab, what happened?" Napakunot ang noo niya. I shrugged. Napalunok pa ako.

"Well, it's just that... my father and Adriel..."

"You're not your father, Saina. It's not your fault, you are the mother for my grandchild, we should have a way better relationship than this." He sighed. Napatango na lang naman ako. "I suppose the investigation is doing well?" He asked me. Napailing ako. Hindi ko naman talaga masabing mabuti nga ang nangyayari sa investigation. Unang – una, my father wouldn't crack, he keeps treating this as a joke, pangalawa, kuha ni Papa pati ang mga tao sa finance, sa totoo lang, nasa loob ako ng kompanya ko pero hindi ko pinagkakatiwalaan ang mga taong nasa paligid ko. It's just that, it's too risky. Hindi ko alam kung sino sa kanila ang totoo. I am in my position today because of this man right here, I'm not even sure if he plans to keep me after this thing is done.

"Don't worry, Saina, everything is in place." Ngumiti sa akin si Gabriel Consunji bago siya tumayo. "Let your old man be as comfortable as he is." Lumapit siya sa akin at saka huminga nang napakalalim. "Let's just say that this is all an act to make him believe that he is safe – I hope you don't spill, Saina, you are the mother of my grandchild and I'd hate it if you become my enemy too."

My breath hitched.

"You don't want me as your enemy, Saina. Know your place."

Matapos noon ay umalis siya. Naiwan ako sa gitna ng office kong nakatayo at hindi makahinga. Hindi ko naman kahit kailan balak nag awing kaaway ang kahit na sino sa pamilya nila. I know what they can do and I am not crazy, it's just that I want this to end already. I want a peaceful life hindi iyong araw – araw akong stressed sa tatay ko.

I knew that Gabriel Consunji has a plan, and he's probably taking his time before he strikes, natatakot ako para sa Papa ko, but then, I couldn't blame Gabriel Consunji, he lost half of his son's life, kahit na siguro anong gawin ng kahit na sino ay hindi maibabalik iyon. I'm just glad that I'd be spared by his wrath. Selfish man pakinggan, pero mas inuuna ko ang anak ko kaysa sa kung anupaman.

xxxx

IT'S only four pm and I found myself walking the corridors to go home. Wala akong masyadong ginawa ngayong araw na ito. The investigators are already doing all they could to crack everything, hindi na ako nakikialam, basta kapag kailangan nila ako for questioning and for signing something naroon ako, hindi lang naman sa kanila ang focus ko kundi sa ibang parte rin ng kompanya, ako ang temporary CEO, I have things to attend to, meetings to show up to and people to meet – and I did all of these today that's why I told my EA to make sure that I don't have anything for four o'clock onwards because I want to go home early. I miss Haniel, it's just the middle of the week but I already want it to be a weekend so bad – kaya lang kapag naaalala kong sa weekend pala ay may playdate si Haniel at si Joshua ay na-stress din ako, makikita ko si Birada – sana naka-off ang kagaguhan niyang ugali sa araw na iyon.