Chasing Fire

Twenty-five

I'm slowly getting used to everything. Sa init ng panahon, sa mahabang traffic at sa bigat ng responsibilad na binigay sa akin ni Dad. Time flies so fast that I didn't notice I've been here for a year already. My café is almost done, all it need is the finishing touches and all is set for it to open. That made me busier than I already am.

"Tell me more," I immediately stated after I settled.

Biglang tumahimik ang kabuuan ng kwarto kaya inisa-isa ko silang tinignan. There's no humor in my expression as I raised an eyebrow questioning their silence. Time spent quietly and still none of them had the courage to open their mouths.

"I didn't come all the way here to watch you play mute on me" Mariing saad ko. "Start talking."

Mukhang natakot sila kaya umayos sila ng upo. One of the heads finally found her tongue and started talking. Sa kanya natuon ang atensyon naming lahat.

"The growth of local hospitality hosts and the rise of more competitions in this area are giving our hotel a hard time. There's a noticeable decrease in our digits for last month." Panimula niya.

"Why are you only reporting this to me now?!"

Muling tumahimik ang lahat nang nagsalita ako. I can feel the growing annoyance as this meeting progressed. I can't believe this is happening.

"N-Ngayon lang din namin nalaman na—" The head of the financial department spoke but I immediately cut her off.

"And do you think I'll buy your excuses?!" I spatted. "I asked for the whole financial statement, but you only gave me the end of the month report. Do you think I won't notice it? Hmm, Ms. Gosos?"

I noticed how the lady paled beyond her perfectly applied make-up. Ibinuka niya ang bibig para sa sasabihin pero walang boses na kumawala. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"K-Kasi Ma'am..." She trailed nervously. "P-Pumunta po kasi si Sir Wynd dito at sinabihan kaming... siya na daw muna pansamantala ang bahala sa financial reports—"

"WHAT?!"

What the hell, Wynd! Why are you meddling with my work!

Inis na inis ako habang pinagsasabihan ang ibang heads para sa mga dapat nilang gawin. Kahit na atat na atat na akong tawagan ang walanghiya kong kapatid, pinilit ko pa ring tapusin ang meeting na 'to nang walang pinapaiyak na empleyado. Sgad na sagad ang inis ko.

"Sorry po talaga ma'am" Hinging paumanhin ng Financial Head nang natapos ang meeting. "Mariing bilin po kasi ni Sir Wynd na sa kanya muna idadaan ang mga report at siya na daw ang bahalang magbigay sayo."

Mas lalo lang akong nainis sa kapatid ko. I was in a foul mood when I went outside of the conference hall. Nang nakapasok na ako sa hotel room ko ay agad kong tinawagan ang walang hiya kong kapatid. He told me he would be in the Philippines for a week for a convention. Nagkita kami noong isang araw at wala man lang siyang sinabi sa akin tungkol sa panggugulo niya sa sistema ng trabaho ko. I knew he was their former boss, pero anong pumasok sa kokote niya at maling report ang binigay niya sa akin? Bwesit.