Bossy Bree

37 Fait Accompli

Bree POV

Chaos. That one word described what is happening right now. There are twenty-one people in the conference room and some of them looked dissatisfied, some even looked furious. The board members and even some shareholders were all present. As expected, Argueles is prepared to throw me out. Lahat ng naroon ay may sariling opinyon at lahat sila ay nagsasalita patungkol sa akin na para bang wala ako sa harapan nila. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa bawat isang naroroon habang may kanya-kanya silang sinasabi. Pero napatitig ako sa babae na buong kalma na nakaupo lang at nag-oobserba sa paligid. I know her. She's Lina, if I'm not mistaken, Clyde's secretary. The one that I almost fired in my company. Who eventually left, only to join Clyde's. Mukhang naramdaman niya ang paninitig ko ng lingunin din niya ako. Naging matalim ang mga titig niya pero kalaunan ay nawala rin iyon. A slight smile curved her lips. Nilingon ko si Aria na atubili sa aking tabi.

"Is that Mr. De Vega's secretary? Why isn't he coming when he's suppose to be the soon-appointed president?" Napatalim yata ang tono ko ng tarantang napakalikot si Aria sa cellphone na dala niya. Marahil hinahanap ang email na confirmation ng De Vega Empire.

"Uhm... wala naman pong nabanggit na representative lang po ang makakarating sa meeting." Sagot ni Aria na ikinabuntong hininga ko.

Nanigas ang likod ko ng biglang hinampas ni Argueles ang folder na hawak niya sa lamesa. Napatahimik ang lahat at napalingon sa kanya. The act was a lousy attempt to get everyone's attention, and he unfortunetly got it. Only Howard and Lucas boringly look up at him. The two looks disinterested. Lucas Devauer even went as far as yawning.

"Let us stick to the matter at hand everyone! We are all informed that De Vega Empire now owns the majority of shares. We've been kept in the dark. And this meeting is made to see if Ms. Montecillo is still fit to lead this company." Deretsong patutsada ni Argueles. Walang patumpik-tumpik ang matanda. Muli ay umingay ang buong conference room. Nakakatulig na pakikipagbalitaktakan ng pabor at di pabor na lisanin ko ang posisyon ko. Howard and Lucas even became the middleman pero kalaunan ay nakikipagtalo na din sila. I couldn't take it anymore. Napatayo ako ng mabilis kaya natumba ang inuupuan kong bangko. Lahat sila ay napatigil sa pagsasalita at tumingin lang sa akin.

"Members of the board and respectable shareholders... I came here with a heavy heart. I'm crestfallen to tell you that..." di ko natuloy ang speech ko ng malakas na bumukas ang pinto.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had another meeting prior to this." Anas ng lalaki sa aking likod. Napalingon ako pati na din lahat ng tao naroon ay napatingin din sa bukas na pinto.

Nakatayo sa pinto ang isang lalaking magulo ang buhok at may makapal na salamin sa mata. He is wearing a wrinkled blue polo paired with a wash out jeans. That nerdy look of his brings back nostalgic memories na mabilis na nagpahapdi ng mata ko. Nagtama ang aming paningin ng bagong dating at ang kalmang awra ko ay napalitan ng pagkabalisa. My heart began thumping wildly in my chest. My knees felt weak kaya napahawak ako sa lamesa sa aking tagiliran. Clyde walked towards me and smile. That smile that can melt my insides.

How could he smile like that?! Our last encounter was bad. When I left New York, I told myself that I should stop feeling this way towards Clyde. That I should move on. That he can have my company but that does not include me. I tried building my self worth that I lost. But here he is, smiling at me like he didn't crush me that night in New York. That stupid smile that can make me forget what he did! That stupid smile that can make my heart flutters! Gawd! I hate it!

I didn't want him to know the effect that he had on me, kaya naman inalis ko ang tingin ko sa mukha niya. But all my senses were awakened because of Clyde. I'm aware when Clyde pick up the fallen chair and push it behind me. I'm aware that he is so close I can smell his usual scent. I'm aware of the heat that expels from his body that made my body shivers. And I'm fully aware of his goddamn presence, as if I'm watching his every move. I cleared my throat before sitting in my chair again. Or else I'll lose my composure by falling to the ground because of my weakened knees. Clyde was still behind me, holding the back of my chair as if he's an esteemed gentleman. Dumukwang si Clyde malapit sa tenga ko kaya nahigit ko ang aking hininga.