The Executive and the Commoner

Chapter 1: The Will and Testament

“MISS Ana Maria Mendez?”

Isang lalaking matangkad, guwapo at nakasuot ng pormal na damit ang bumungad sa kanya pagbukas ng kanyang pinto. Susme! Ano’ng ginagawa nito sa bahay niya nang ganito kaaga?
The man awkwardly cleared his throat before proceeding to speak. “I am attorney Grant Wilson---”

“Attorney?” kunot ang noong putol niya rito. She even looked for policemen anywhere in the area but she found none. Baka kasi makukulong na pala siya, hindi pa niya alam. “Ako ba ang kailangan ninyo, attorney? Mukhang namamali po kayo ng bahay na pinuntahan.”

“No, Miss Mendez. Tama ako nang pinuntahang bahay. At tungkol ito sa manang tatanggapin mo. We couldn’t reach your phone number so I decided to formally pay you a visit.”

Her ears perked up upon hearing the word ‘mana’ and her system became alive. Not when she’s desperately in need of money!

Mana? Kanino naman iyon manggagaling? Sigurado siyang hindi sa mga magulang niya. Tatlong buwan na siyang walang trabaho simula noong mag-resign siya sa bangko. At tatlong buwan na rin siyang bagot sa buhay. Wala na siyang naitulong sa kanyang pamilya, problemado pa siya sa kakainin niya.

Kaya ngayong gipit na gipit siya ay may biglang isang taong kakatok sa bahay niya at sasabihing mayro’n siyang tatanggaping mana? Dang! Ito na ba ang sagot sa mga panalangin niya?

Pero legit kaya ito?

Naningkit ang kanyang mga mata at tumitig dito. “Is this some kind of a joke? Dahil kung oo ay---”

“I’am afraid it’s not, Miss Mendez. You really are an heiress,” Attorney Wilson said with seriousness in his voice. “I know that my chosen approach is quite inappropriate and untimely but I would like to invite you to my office together with my client, to discuss things once and for all. This is serious, Miss Mendez.” May kinuha itong calling card at iniabot sa kanya. “Here’s my office address. Pumunta ka, Miss Mendez.” Iyon lang at iniwan na siya nitong tulala.

Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali ay isinara niya ang pintuan at naghihinang sumandal doon. Napatitig siya sa kisame ng inuupahang bahay. Is this for real? she thought to herself. She’s still trying to wrap her mind about it when an impatient knocks hit her door. Muli niyang binuksan iyon at halos matulala siya sa bumungad sa kanya.

There. A tall man in a dark blue three piece suit stood proudly outside her door, staring at her eyes straightforwardly. She swallowed at his domineering aura. His overpowering presence is definitely making her feel nervous all of a sudden. His eyes held so much authority in them.

“Have you finished reading it?” he asked with his voice full of authoritativeness.

“H-ha?” nauutal na balik-tanong niya. Hindi pa siya nakaka-recover sa presensya nito tapos tatanungin na siya ng bagay na hindi niya alam ang sagot?

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito. “I asked you if you have finished reading the letter.”

“What letter?” Punyemas! Nagmumukha siyang walang alam! What’s happening to the world?

His scrutinizing gaze looked over her appearance, from head to toe. Parang na-stress yata ito nang makilatis ang kanyang itsura. She’s in her pajamas for crying out loud!

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” narinig niyang bulong nito na ikinataas ng kanyang kilay.

At ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Hah!

Inilabas nito ang wallet at may dinukot doon. Isa ring calling card. He handed it to her. “Sa opisinang iyan ka pumunta. I’ll call attorney Wilson about it. I’ll see you in an hour,” he commanded before leaving her.

And for the second time in an hour, she’s left by her door, astounded and confused. Ilang minuto na itong nakaalis nang tingnan niya ang ibinigay nito.

Sebastian Marko De Silva Bossman, Vice Chairman, Lexus Asia Pacific Corporation.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa kalsadang dinaanan nito.

Who the heck is he?

PARANG lutang pa rin sa sariling isip si Ana habang lulan ng elevator patungong ika-limampong palapag ng Lexus Tower. She is still debating in her mind what the hell is she doing in that tower. Malay ba niya kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari sa kanya. Anything can happen in his territory. O baka isa itong scammer. Maaari rin siya nitong ipa-shoot to kill. Napangiwi siya sa naisip. Wala naman sa itsura nito ang pagiging maitim ang budhi.

Marahas ang hiningang pinakawalan niya nang tumunog ang elevator, hudyat na nakarating na siya. Nang bumukas iyon ay bumungad sa kanya ang isang magandang babae na tulad ng karamihan sa loob ng gusali ay nakasuot ng corporate attire. Maraming rolyo ng mga papel ang nakasalo sa mga kamay nito.

She wanted to offer a helping hand but when she brushed her off, she decided not to. Halos mabangga na rin siya nang palabas siya ng elevator. Napataas ang kilay niya pero hindi na nagkomento. Not sparing her another glance, she marched to the door that has an Office of the Vice Chairman on it.

Maluwang ang palapag na iyon. Ayon sa empleyadong kanyang nakausap ay ang palapag na iyon ay ang kinaroroonan ng opisina ng mga boss. It is solely for them. Humugot siya nang malalim na hininga bago kumatok sa nasabing pinto. Seconds later, it opened and revealed a very very beautifully sophisticated woman in her corporate dress. Again! Pang-ilan na ba itong maganda sa kompanyang iyon? She has to admit also that the woman in front of her is the prettiest.

Ana plastered a small smile at the woman, trying to peek inside the office. “Hi!” masigla niyang bati. “I am here to speak with Mr. Bossman. Nariyan ba siya sa loob?”

Without returning her smile, the woman maybe in her late twenties, nodded her head after eyeing her up and down, then gestured her to come in. She ignored the way she looked at her, pumasok siya at tahimik na isinara ang pinto dahil naupo na ito sa puwesto nito. She is maybe the secretary.

“Do you have an appointment with him?” she asked after a while, addressing her boss as only him. Gusto niyang magtaas ng kilay ngunit nagpigil siya. Daig pa nito ang isang kongrisista sa kaseryosohan ng ekspresyon ng mukha nito. She did not even offer her a seat. Gusto niyang mapailing.

“Ahm, yes. The name is Ana Maria Mendez,” she offered.

Miss secretary picked up a notebook, maybe a planner, and checked out her boss’ schedule. “I’m sorry but I don’t see your name here.” Muli itong tumingin sa kanya at nangunot ang noo. “Are you one of those---”

“I know her, Stephanie,” a deep voice interrupted her.

And Ana stiffened.

****

Realice ♥️😼