The Man Of Her Dreams (COMPLETE)

Chapter 18 continuation

Hindi maganda ang araw ni Vince dahil ang isa sa miyembro ng board na kinukumbinsi nilang magbenta ng share ay ayaw talagang pumayag kahit napakalaki na ng offer nila. Ano ang ipinakain ni Diadem dito at nagpapaka-loyal? Well, he had just learned that the bitch conducted a loyalty check among GOC Board Members. And he was infuriated.

Akala pa naman niya ay okay na ang lahat. But the work wasn't done yet. Hindi pa niya nakukuha ang shares na gusto niya. He instructed Kiehl to just negotiate with another board member, and that he had to use his contacts extensively for the success of their plan. Pasasaan ba at mangyayari rin ang pinakahihintay niya.

Nagkukukot ang kalooban na naligaw siya sa GOC. Well, he just wanted to have an ocular inspection. Dahil malapit na niyang makuha ang controlling shares ng kumpanya. And he was eyeing to put up an office there. Nagkasalubong ang kanyang mga kilay nang mapadaan sa labas ng opisina ni Diadem. May nakita siyang dalawang lalaking naka-uniform na tila mga bodyguard at may dala-dalang bulaklak at basket ng prutas.

Tiyak ang mga hakbang na tinugpa niya ang desk ng PA/secretary nitong si Roshelle. "Hi!" He smiled at the woman who gave him a sweet smile. "I want to talk with Ms. Elizalde, Roshelle..." Sinadya niyang langkapan ng lambing ang boses.

"Ay Sir, Ma'am Diadem has a visitor, eh," sagot nito na tinapunan ng tingin ang pinto.

"Sino?" kaswal niyang tanong.

"Si Mr. John Sy, Sir."

That old man? His eyebrows cocked. He looked at the two bodyguards again. Tuwid ang likod ng mga itong nakatayo.

"What is Mr. Sy doing here, Roshelle?" tanong niya sa maigting na tinig.

"Umaakyat yata ng ligaw kay Ma'am Diadem, Sir Vince. Ang dami nga niyang dalang mga bulaklak at prutas. Napakagalante." Bahagya pa itong natawa.

Umaakyat ng ligaw? Umalingawngaw iyon sa kanyang isipan. A very rich, dirty old man was courting Diadem? Something so vile formed in his throat at the thought.

"Matagal na nga iyang nanliligaw kay Ma'am eh," dagdag pa ni Roshelle.

"Kanina pa ba siya?" He was already furious and in a bad mood a while ago and he was more furious now.

"Medyo," sagot ng sekretarya. The woman picked up a Hershey Kissess in a cute basket, peeled it, and put it inside her mouth.

"Galing din ba kay Mr. Sy ang chocolates na 'yan?" He eyed the basket with squinting eyes.

"Yes, Sir," si Roshelle na muling kumuha ng tsokolate sa basket.

"I wana talk with Ms. Elizalde now, Roshelle," he said seriously, and he didn't want a 'no' answer.

"Pero may bisita pa siya, Sir Vince. Mamaya na pagkatapos nilang mag-usap ni Mr. Sy..."

He walked to the door. He couldn't wait anymore. Ano na kaya ang nangyayari sa loob? And his mind wandered to a lot of possibilities. Possibilities that he loathed so much.

Tarantang napatayo si Roshelle. "Naku, Sir Vince, magagalit si Ma'am Diadem kapag-"

Pinihit niya ang doorknob. He breathed a sigh of relief when it wasn't locked. Then, he swung the door open. And he saw blood the moment that his eyes caught John Sy, his hand clutching Diadem's elbow. He wasn't prepared to feel such rush of violent emotion upon seeing someone else holding Diadem, even if it was just the tip of her elbow.

Nagtagis ang mga bagang niya. Kung hindi lang niya naagapang kontrolin ang sarili ay baka inundayan na niya ng suntok ang may edad ng negosyante. How dare this old man court a lovely woman twice less his age?! But then again, he was filthy rich, with lots and lots of money to woe a young woman he wanted. And with the likes of Diadem, who wanted more money and power, she just might go for this old man. Damn!

She looked at the door and their eyes met. Hers were cold while his were fiery.

"Ma'am Diadem, ayaw niyang papigil eh," nag-aalalang paliwanag ni Roshelle.

"What do you want, Mr. Boulos?" malamig na tanong nito. She seemed as if not pleased to see him interrupt her sweet moments with her old suitor.

He just smirked, and took big strides towards her. "We have to talk, Ms. Elizalde..." wika niya sa pormal na tinig.

"Is it a matter of life and death?" nakatikwas ang kilay na tanong nito sa kanya. "You see, I'm still occupied with John here. You could have just waited outside."

Hindi niya nagustuhan ang pagtawag lamang nito ng John sa matandang lalaki. Heck! She could even call him lolo, for Pete's sake!

"Well, I can't wait, Ms. Elizalde..." he answered with sarcasm, and shrugged his shoulders. He slid his twitching fists inside his pockets to control them. "Hi, Mr. Sy..." pormal na baling niya sa may edad ng lalaki.

"Hello, Mr. Boulos," magiliw na bati nito sa kanya. Binitiwan nito ang pagkakahawak sa siko ni Diadem at nakipagkamay sa kanya.

Tinanggap niya ang pakikipagkamay ni John. He was actually thankful of that. Dahil binitiwan nito ang babae. "It's nice to see you here, Mr. Sy. This is just one of the few instances where I get to meet one of the keyplayers of Philippines' Wall Street." He firmly shook the old man's hand.

"It's nice seeing you again, Mr. Boulos. Thank you!" Malapad ang ngiti ng may edad ng lalaki.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's something important that I have to discuss with Ms. Elizalde here..." But he didn't sound apologetic.

"It's okay, Mr. Boulos. Actually, I won't take long. I have a very important appointment to attend to. Isiningit ko lang itong pagbisita ko rito kay Diadem." Tumingon ito sa suot na relo. "I guess I have to go now."

Nakahinga siya nang maluwag sa narinig. Thank God and the old man was leaving!

"O siya, Diadem, sweetie," baling nito sa babae. Muntik na siyang mabilaukan sa endearment na itinawag nito kay Diadem. "I'm afraid, but I don't have time anymore to spare. I have to go now, but I'll be back."

"Okay, John. I'll wait for you," malambing na sagot ng babae rito. "You can also give me a ring anytime."

Nagliwanag ang mukha ni John sa narinig. "Of course, I will, Diadem. Lalo na ngayon at pinahihintulutan mo na akong tawagan ka. I'll give you a ring later. Palagi kang mag-iingat, okay?"

"Okay, John. Ikaw rin. Ingat ka," she tiptoed and kissed the man on the cheek to bid goodbye.