"Justine Cairo Victoriano is a renowned cardiologist, hija. You should think about it. Hindi birong halaga ang offer niya!" Esperanza exclaimed.
"Yun nga, Ma. He's a surgeon. He's got nothing to do with academic settings. Ang layo ng Medicine sa Education, let alone Business Administration."
"This is our chance to expand the school. This is business. Hindi pwede ang stagnant. We must innovate, we must grow. Sayang naman ang pinaghirapan ng anak ko kung pakakawalan pa natin ang ganito kalaking investment."
"That's my point, Ma. Why are you so willing to sell Louie's shares? Pinaghirapan niyang palaguin ang unibersidad na to.Yet you're so into convincing the entire board to accept Mr. Victoriano's proposal."
"My son's gone and he's not coming back. Be rational Coline. Hindi sa lahat ng bagay pinapairal ang emosyon. I know it's hard for you but try to be logical."
"But--"
"I suggest, let the majority speak, Ezperanza, Coline. Let the board make the final say. Let's have a voting." Sabat ng ama ni Louie. "This is one major decision ladies and gentlemen. Who's in favor of accepting Mr. Victoriano's proposal?"
13 out of 15 raised their hands. So Coline lang ang hindi at ang father-in-law niya. Nagkatinginan muna sila bago muling nagsalita ang matanda. "I guess we're all clear. The board has decided. Tomorrow,we'll have a new President. Put that on record, Ms. Yya."
At mabilis na tumipa ang sekretarya ni Louie kahit mukhang hindi run ito payag sa nangyayari.
"So I guess I'm left without a choice then. Excuse me." And Coline left the conference room with a heavy heart.
***
Coline doesn't feel like getting up the next morning but she must. Ang bigat ng paa niya but she managed to get up early. Today is the Turn-Over Ceremony and Welcome Party for the new President. Yep. May bagong presidente na ang university na matagal nang pinangasiwaan ng nasira niyang asawa. Ganyan talaga ang buhay. Sabi nga ng mga in-laws niya, business is still business. And with the new president, kahit ayaw pa niya rito, she knows she needs to be professional.
She chose to wear an elegant salmon pink blouse under a black, high-waist pencil-cut skirt that emphasized her curves all in the right places. Kahit tatlo na ang anak niya, hindi parin maipagkakaila ang ganda ng pigura ng katawan niya. She's every man's wet dream.
"Good morning po, Ma'am. Na-late yata kayo?" Bati ni Yya sa kanya nang makasabay niya ito sa elevator.
She's two hours late. Gusto na nga lang niyang mag-leave.
"Good morning din...Ang Mama't Papa?"
"Kanina pa po nakarating, Ma'am. Kasama ang bagong President sa office nito."
Silence.
"Eh, Ma'am, wag po kayong magugulat. Pero, ginawa kayong secretary ng President."
"What?! Without my consent?!" Now she's not in her mood. She clenched her fist. Halimaw pa naman siyang magalit ever since her husband died.
"Eh, Ma'am nirequest po kayo, eh. Tsaka Ma'am, wag po kayo ulit magugulat. Magkasama kayo sa office niya."
"What?! Meron pa ba kong hindi alam na ikakagulat ko, Yya?"
"At kamukha po niya si--"
Ping! Bumukas ang elevator at tumambad sa kanya ang kanyang mga in-laws kasama ang pamilyar na mukha ng lalaking di mapuknat ang ngiti sa labi.
"You." She said it almost as a whisper as her eyes spat fire looking intensely at him.
