Air and Fire

01

"But dad, why?" Iritado akong tumayo matapos sabihin sa akin ng daddy ko na kailangan kong sumama sa business trip niya.

"Darling, it's for you. What do you want? Someday, you'll lead our company, but you don't have any idea about it?"

Ah, here we go again with the business shits.

"Dad, hello, senior-high school student pa lang po ako—graduating pa lang po, to be exact. I have lots and lots of time to study those! Tyaka, I'll take the corresponding course for our business, Dad."

He shot his brows up, making him look more stern; I am actually intimidated. Takot na ako sa mukha ng Dad ko, kaso kasi ayaw ko talagang sumama.

"Aeian, remember that experience will always be different from just studying." Tinalikuran na ako ni Dad para lumabas ng office niya at wala na akong choice kung hindi sumama sa business trip na 'yan.

"Girls! Cancelled ang gimik! Gosh, Dad told me to come with him for that business meeting shit." I am now here at my friend's house kasama pa ang iba naming barkada.

"Wala, iba talaga ang magiging future CEO!" biro ni Alein at tinira ang beer. I so love hanging out with them.

"Silly. I don't think I'll be able to handle it."

This is what I hate. If other people think that I am lucky to be the next CEO of our company, well, they are right—but I do not think I deserve it. It's just that I am the only child, so I do not have any other choice left. Business doesn't really interest me, lalo na at ang company namin ay nagfo-focus sa mga furnitures. I would rather take up Political Science but I am sure as hell that my parents won't like that idea.

"You can do it. And even if you can't, you should." Yes, dear. I think so, too...

It was the day of our flight and I'm in a call with Alein.

"Talk to you later, girl! Last call na for our flight,"sambit ko bago ibaba ang phone ko. I'll spend three days in Spain. Great goodness, I like the country but I don't like the purpose of visiting there.

"Dad, sure ka? Wala nang atrasan? Daddy, oh!" Dad just chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"Silly child. Tara na."

When we went aboard at lumipad na ang eroplano, I just drowned myself with positive thoughts like maganda naman ang sights doon, at maraming gagawin. Maybe I can also do man hunting? Spaniard guys are one of the hottest human beings ever.

"Dad, by the way, if they also have a building in the Philippines, why do we need to fly just to go to their building in Spain?"

"Because that is their main building. And besides, naroon ngayon si Adelmo, the CEO. Since we're the one who's proposing the partnership, it's much better to make an impression that we really want them to be our business partner."

Well, their company, Valenciano's Construction, or VC, is one of the topnotcher construction firms in the whole world. Kaya naiintindihan ko si Dad kung bakit gusto niya silang maging business partner. Though our company, Facento's Interior and Furnitures, or FIF is well known, it is still not enough to be recognized in other countries. Pero sa Philippines, top one kami.

This will be a long ass ride for dad.

Ang gusto niyang mangyari ay maging partners na, so that all-in-one na. VC will be in-charged of the construction while we'll be the one who will focus on the interior design and furnitures. Well it is a win-win situation for both parties—sana lang ay mapapayag ni Dad.

It took us about 15 hours to arrive to our destination. Dad booked two rooms para sa amin. Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia, Maspalomas. Sobrang pagod ko, so after naming nag dinner, diretso tulog na ako.