The Hidden Gem

Chapter 2

I clearly remember that time.

It was the day when I and my mom, Elloisa Queentette Mendez visited my dad who was currently having a meeting. I just had my 9th gold trophy from winning a whiz competition. Tahimik na bata lang ako. Hindi ako magsasalita hanggat hindi kinakausap. Hindi ako gumagawa ng walang permiso nila mom and dad.

My dad, Gustave Peter Mendez let us stay while they were discussing some business regarding shipments and expansions of our company by building Hotel and resort.

"Puro mga walang kwenta ang proposals na binibigay nio. How are we going to expand our assets when you guys always think rubbish?" Nasa tabing upuan ako ni dad kaya I have a full view of the proposals being discussed. "Parang hindi niyo pinag-aralan ang lahat ng ito." Galit at puno ng otoridad niyang sabi habang ako ay patuloy parin ang pagbabasa. Dahil din sa photographic memory ko, kaya kong magbasa ng isang libro sa loob ng 15-30 minutes. Magiisang oras na kami dito ni mom at bagot na bagot na ko.

"Now. I want ideas from anyone. Ideas that will make this empire rise to the top and I want a good one. Not like the previous. Speak now."

My eyes landed to the men in expensive suits in front of me and by looking at the way they reacted, I could say that they were nervous. Really nervous. Some shifted in their seats, some looked down and some refused to make eye contact with THE BOSS.

"I guess I'll be firing someone today!" Kalmado ngunit madiin na sabi ni dad. Si mom naman ay tahimik lamang na nanood sa kanila. My mom knows not to interfere with a mad husband in business mode. Pareho sila. Mom doesn't interfere with dad's business same goes to dad in mom's music and me.

Sa music talaga ako nahasa at wala akong alam sa business but when I spoke my mind on that meeting, it turned out that I knew more than anyone assumed.

"6 years. It will only take us 6 years to triple the profits." Lahat sila ay napaharap sa akin. Nakikita ko sa kanila ang iba't ibang reaksyon. I saw them giving me what-the-hell-is-she-saying and she's-making-things-worst look.

"Why? Was there something I said?" I tilted my head a bit to show confusion. I looked at my mom and to see a worried face.

"Sorry, Hon. She's just a bit tired. Maybe we should just wait outside." My mom grabbed my hand and led ourselves out. Just as she was about to grab the doorknob, my dad spoke in a very calm tone.

"Let her speak, Hon. I did give her permission to speak her ideas." My mom looked at me before we faced everyone in the room. I shifted my gaze from my dad to the other people seating across the table.

"C'mon now, My Gem don't be shy." Then he clasped his hands and looked at me intently.

Wala na kong magagawa. Nababuntong hininga na lamang ako at nagsimulang magsalita.

"Lahat ng pinasa nilang proposals ay maganda ngunit may mga butas. The first one shows a perfect location. Since the hotel will be build in the middle of the city. Other places such as malls, parks and schools are accessible to our customers. It will only take 10-15 minute drive to these locations. However, the timing to build the hotel according to the proposal I read is critical. Following what start date indicated on it, it will take almost a year for the hotel to be build and the functioning will start on December."

Tinignan ko sila isa isa at muling nagsalita.
"Sa tingin nio maraming taong gustong magpunta sa hotels sa ganong panahon? Mas gugustuhin pa ng marami na manatili sa kani-kanilang tahanan kasama ang kanilang pamilya instead of checking in a lifeless hotel."

"Sandali lang. Sa palagay mo ba iha na hindi ko pinagtuunan ng pansin ang mga yan?" Ani ng lalaking nasa tapat ni dad. Isang lalaking nasa middle age. Had salt and pepper hair at hindi maipagkakailang matangkad ito. Nakakunot din ang noo niang humarap sa akin.

"If yes, why do we need to wait for a year to build a hotel. Based on the capabilities of our company, kaya natin itong paikliin to 6 months time." Taas noo kong sabi sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit big deal sa kanila ang mga sinasabi ko. Opinion ko lamang ito na gusto nilang marinig.

"Anong alam mo sa kakayahan ng kumpanya. Isa ka lamang bata?"

Yes, I was only 12 but dad always did his work everywhere. Kahit na kumakain kami at nagba-bonding lang ay may mga binabasa parin siyang proposals o kung anong report. Do'n ko nakikita at nalalaman ang lahat ng alam ko sa kumpanya.

"Shut up Mr. Delgado. Don't you want to hear the flaws of your proposal?" Kalamado parin ang boses nia ngunit may pagbabanta.

Biglang nanahimik ang lalaking tinawag nia na Mr. Delgado. He looked at me signaling me to continue.

"I've been living with the people who built the company. Which are my parents. I have seen how they handle and manage our business. From a simple clothing line to malls, resorts, food chains and now hotels. Calculating the average managing and preparing time na ginugol nila sa pagtayo ng bagong establishments, they only took a year to build each of them."

Tinignan ko ang aking ama. I saw proud and amusement in his eyes. "Noon nga na hindi pa ganong kalaki ang company ay nagawa natin ito ng isang taon, pano pa kaya ngaun na isa tayo sa mga nasa tuktok? We should not allow ourselves to stay in the same position as before. We should lessen the preparation time and fasten the profit gain. But we also need to consider the quality of our business."

Gusto ko nang matapos ang pagpapaliwanag. Masyado nakong naboboring. Hindi ko narin gusto ang mga nangyayari.

"Can I go home now? I'm really tired Mom." Humarap muna ako kay mom bago ito sabihin. Tinignan niya naman si dad na may pagaalala.

"Hon. I think we should give her a rest."

"No hon. She needs to finish what she started. Continue Gem" Hinarap ko muli sila at nagpatuloy.

"The second proposal looks like it was well planned. The span is well studied and it is within the company's capabilities. However, as what I've said earlier. Quality is very essential. Dahil sa sobrang pagmamadali, hindi na napansin ang construction materials na gagamitin. Maglalabas din tayo ng maraming pera ng dahil dyan. Masyadong malaki ang magagastos for construction. Isa pa, ang nakalagay na gagawa nito any ang Prisms Design and Construction. Last year, an earthquake strike Davao at isa sa mga bumagsak na building ay gawa ng construction company na iyon."

"But that was caused by natural disaster. Why blame it on them?" Si dad ang nagtanong.

"The earthquake was not that strong para sa isang 50-story building. That earthquake should at least weaken the building. Not totally destroy it. Isa pa, bakit ung ibang building ay nakatayo parin. I believe we have a mall on that area and we recovered within a couple of months."

"Hmmm. Good reasoning. Now I want to hear about the 6 years gaining profit you mentioned first."

"Dad please. I'm tired. I promise to further explain this some other time." I said with pleading eyes.

"Sige na, Hon. Bata lang ang anak mo. Hindi pa sya handa sa mga ganito." Mom stood beside me and held my hand for support.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow." Humarap sya sa ibang kasama nia sa lamesa "You may all go."

Tinignan ko na lamang ang aking sapatos na para bang ito ang pinkainteresantend bagay sa mundo habang inaantay kong mag salita ang isa man sa aking mga magulang.

Nabasag ang katahimikan ng magsalita si dad.

"I think this will be the start of your new career." Nakangiti niyang sabi while shifting his gaze from me to mom. I also saw a worried face when I looked at my mom. Hindi ko alam ang mga nagyayari pero mukang hindi magiging maganda ito.