Wifely Duties - Published by PHR

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

Reeve thought that there will be a general meeting this morning. Ngunit, pagpasok niya ng conference room ay hindi niya nakita ang mga board of directors. Instead, his father was the only one who's just there, sitting comfortably on the capital seat.

"Pa? I thought were having a general meeting?"

Ngumiti ito. "This meeting is between you and me, son."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. Umupo siya sa kaibayo ng kina-uupuan nito.

"So, what's are agenda?" he sarcastically said.

"I'm planning a business merge."

"And?" bigla siyang naging interesado sa sinabi nito.

Sumandal ito sa kina-uupuan. "Monteverde Hotels had been here since the 40's. We accomodate the finest. But in the late 60's, may isang Filipino-American na nagtayo ng isa pang hotel na napantayan ang serbisyong kaya nating ibigay."

Tumango-tango siya. "It's the Andersons, right?"

"Right."

"You're planning to merge with them?" Maganda ang plano ng kanyang ama.

Noon pa man ay laging magkakompetensiya na ang Monteverde Hotels at Anderson Auberges. Kung saan sila may branch ay meron din ang mga ito. Tuwing may season rin ay laging parehong fully-booked ang Monteverde at Anderson.

At nang minsang magkaroon ng poll tungkol sa may pinakamaganda at accomodating na hotel last year, nag-tie ang dalawang hotel sa first place.

But they never set rivalry with them. Ganoon din naman ang mga ito. Walang naghihigitan sa kanila. For the two hotels; the most important things were not being a beautiful and elegant five-star hotel, but giving the guests great accomodation, pleasure and comfort.

"Isn't it a good idea?"

"Well, it is. Incorporating with them will surely make a good news," aniya. "Maraming kailangang asikasuhin at kausapin tungkol diyan, Papa."

"I know."

"When are you planning to get business with them?"

"I already did."

Nagulat siya. "What?" Without him knowing?

"I talked straight to the owner. We had a golf game last Saturday."

Sa pagkakaalam niya, kaedad ng kanyang ama ang presidente at nagmana ng Anderson, si Mr. George Philip Anderson.

"What happened, then?"

Tumayo ito at tumanaw sa floor-to-ceiling glass window. "He wants to retire like me. Marami kaming parehas gustong gawin. Like, just touring around the world pleasurely and no business. Play golf everyday. Pero wala siyang mapagpasahan ng kanyang position."

"He has a child, right?"

"A daughter. Only daughter. Ang kaso, although her daughter was willing to manage their business, still, napansin niya daw na iba ang gustong gawin nito. May mga pamangkin naman siyang lalake mula sa mga kapatid niyang babae. Pero, napansin niya ring gusto lamang saluhin ng mga ito ang posisyon upang makawala ang kanyang anak sa responsibilidad. Lahat ng pamangkin niya ay deserving naman sa position ngunit gusto niya, ang papalit sa kanya ay totoong dedicated at mamahalin ang trabahong minahal niya rin."

"Looks like Mr. Anderson's daughter is so dear to them."

"Sa latest generation ngayon ng mga Anderson, ang anak ni Philip ang pinakabata at nag-iisang babae sa magpipinsan. That's why her boy cousins adore her."