Just Because You Are

Chapter 6 (Part 2) - The Piano Recital

If we would see the color of our future, we must look for it in our present; if we would gaze on the star of our destiny, we must look for it in our hearts.

- Canon Farrar

"Every time I drop by your office you always have that dismal expression."

Quino's eyes were glued on his laptop as Reese Wong entered his office. She was holding a mug of Cappuccino on one hand and a folder on the other one. "Ah, Miss Wong, have a seat...Lani's supposed to bring me that coffee...where is she?" he asked, looking puzzled.

Reese placed the mug on a side table and settled on the cantilever guest chair in front Quino. "Well, I requested her to get me Cappuccino, too, so I could join you here for your coffee break...I'm sure you wouldn't mind," she said with a self-assured smile. "Besides, I want to show you the latest profit and loss statement as well as the financial forecast aligned to the plans we have discussed last night..pinagpuyatan namin yan ng staff ko just as Sir Raymund ordered para lang ma-finalize. He had already checked it, and this is your copy."

She handed him the folder and then rested her back on the chair, looking quite composed.

Raymund, Quino's older brother, is the Chief Financial Officer of the company who's directly handling Reese and her staff.

"Okay, titingnan ko 'to mamaya. I'm still reviewing proposals from the product development and marketing departments," he said in a very businesslike tone.

"You're obviously as busy as a bee...as always," Reese said. "...but hey, you've got to learn how to loosen up!"

Quino shook his head and leaned forward on his table. "Look, Miss Wong, bumaba yung sales natin sa Mindanao for three consecutive weeks and that news immediately reached the President. How can I relax? I really don't know what those people from the marketing department are doing! Siguro nga dahil nag-rerelax sila!" he pointed out, frowning. "I can't afford to relax and just watch our sales decline just because some people in this company aren't efficiently doing their job. For all I know that's the main reason why they can't optimize the marketability of our products and now the company's new competitor is up on the forefront!"

Raising her brows, Reese said, "My goodness, Mr.Chua, araw-araw may panibagong business na tinatayo sa iba't-ibang lugar kaya hindi natin maiiwasang magkaroon ng competitor! Two months ago lang nga di ba yung fashion accessories natin bumaba yung sales, but now it's picking up again. Ngayon yung cosmetics line naman natin ang naaapektuhan dahil nga dyan sa bagong labas ng kabilang kumpanya...pero pasasaan ba't tataas ulit yung sales natin? Established na ang brand ng product lines natin, there's nothing to worry about."

"Reese...uh...Miss Wong, that's easy for you to say since you aren't the one who's directly accountable to the President," Quino asserted with exasperation, almost forgetting to address his business colleague professionally.

Although their meeting ended early last night, he merely slept for a couple of hours because he still stayed late in his office trying to analyze some of the proposals presented by the different departments.

It was quite easy for him to lose patience right away whenever he wasn't able to get enough sleep.

He took a deep breath and tried to control his annoyance. "Next month na yung year-end meeting with the board, and after that we'll meet with the shareholders. We need to be sure the sales quota will be met so that the overall reports will be positive."