The Mafia's Brat

Chapter 1

"So, just like what I had suggested, we will build our newest branch in that area. Since the landmark was already stabilized, tourist, vacationist will be often to come, resorts, hotels and restaurants are needed, ofcourse. " Pagsasalita ko sa harapan ng long-table at tiningnan isa-isa ang aking team na matamang nakikinig.

"Well... Ms. Alviz, isn't it inconvenient for us to build another branch in that area? Two companies— big names, are already reigning in that area, and no one, as in no one dared to compete against them. We'll be better build another branch in different and more convenient place," biglang suhestiyon ng isa.

Ngumiti lang ako sakaniya saka pinindot ang hawak kong remote, dahilan upang mailipat ang powerpoint slide na nagpapakita ng total na kinikita ng dalawang kumpanyang sinasabi nito sa makalipas ng anim na buwan.

"See that?" tanong ko.

Nakita ko ang pangungunot ng noo nila.

"There is no inconvenient nor disadvantage in our side, pero syempre nakabase iyon sa performance niyo, these two companies are currently gaining low income and that's because of their strategic business ideas. Hindi nagiging patok ang kanilang mga pakulo, e' paano kung tayo naman ang magtayo doon? Paano kung makuha natin ang interest ng mga costumer na hindi nagagawa ng dalawang kumpanyang iyon? Every business is like a gambling, kailangan mong sumugal sa, what if's, at dahil nagtitiwala ako sa inyong mga kakayahan, this incoming project of us will be decided as YES, alam kong pag-iigihan niyo at magtatagumpay tayo sa project na ito." Sabi ko sa tono na tinatapos ko na ang pag-uusap.

I saw how they frown and sighed, saka nagsibagsakan ang mga balikat nila.

"Hayy, wala naman kaming magagawa." Dinig kong kumento ng isa pero nakangiti lang ako.

Ang iba ay nagsikamot lang ng ulo saka na tumayo at kinuha ang mga gamit nila.

"Hailey, set me a meeting one week from now with the company's Engineers and Architects, but most preferably if the Architect is Leon Salvatore."

Kausap ko sa assistant ko, tumango lang ito.

I was about to leave the room when I heard some claps entering the conference room, nangunot ang noo ko nang bumungad saakin ang isang taong pinaka-ayaw kong makita para sa araw na ito.

He is smiling sarcastically as he caught my gaze.

Kaagad naman umasim ang mukha ko kasabay ng dinig ko sa tikhim ni Hailey na nasa side ko, I sighed.

"How can I help you, Director Yu?" Seryosong bungad ko rito, nakangiti pa rin ito ng may sarkasmo at may panunuyam.

He is undoubtedly handsome with his three-piece suit and faded haircut, another thing is, siya ang kahati ko sa position bilang Managing Director ng kumpanyang ito.

"I saw your presentations, no--- I watched it." Nakangiting sambit nito, kaagad akong napatigil, parang mahihigit ko ang hininga ko sa simpleng pagkausap lamang sa lalaking ito.

But I remained my posture.

"... and what about it? Hindi ba dapat ang sarili mong projects ang pinagkakaabalahan mo? Look Director Yu, I'm busy, wala akong panahon sa mga walang kwentang bagay. So, if you excuse us. Hailey let's go." Matalim na sagot ko rito saka na kinuha ang bag ko sa may table.

Lalagpasan ko na sana ito nang bigla ako nitong hinigit sa braso, he looked at me furiously, and so I did, tiningnan ko ito ng pagalit nang ilapit nito ang bibig sa may tenga ko.

"I can kill you if you want, rather than being killed from those enemies you're planning to take on—

"Back off DIRECTOR Yu! This is my project, not yours! Walang problemang mangyayari kung hindi nila malalaman ang tungkol sa project, and not until one of our lawyers will successfully buy a land within that area, so back off. BACK OFF." Pagdidiin ko at pwersahang kinalas ang hawak nito sa braso ko, he seems to be taken aback for a while, kinuha ko na ang pagkakataong iyon upang banggain ang braso nito at lagpasan na ito.

I exhaled deeply as soon as I walked out of the room.

"That jerk." Inis na bulong ko hanggang sa makasakay kami ng elevator ni Hailey.

"Ms. Alviz, I understand how you feel, but don't you want to consider our suggestions like building that project in other place or area? Masyadong risky po kas—

"You are not part of this project and so Director Yu. I will not take any suggestions regarding this matter from anyone who's not part of the project, but looks like you're on the same side aren't you? Why not go and be his assistant then?" I answered back without looking at her.

Narinig ko ang pagsinghap nito kasabay ng pagbukas ng elevator kaya't diretso lamang akong lumabas at mabilis na naglakad patungo sa office ko.

"Ms. Alviz! H-Hindi naman po sa ganu'n! Ms—

"Shut up." Tumigil ako pagpasok ko sa pintuan ng opisina ko saka ito hinarap, malamig ko itong tiningnan, I saw how she gulped looking so pale.

"Go get Atty. Ramirez. Just few more seconds and I will think of firing you, so even before that happens, go." I coldly said and slam the door of my office before her face.

Kaagad akong napabuntong hininga at napatingin sa paligid ng office ko.

"Damn this start of the day." Bulong ko saka na dumiretso sa table ko.

Bumungad naman saakin ang dalawang makakapal na folders na naglalaman ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa dalawang kumpanyang binanggit ng mga ka-team ko mula kanina na makakakumpetensyahan ko sa lugar na napili ko.

I stared at them for a while, thinking about how low their profits are, based on my sources. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit napaka stable pa rin nila, not even launching any new projects or such pero hindi sila na ba-bankcrupt sa branch nila sa area na 'yon. So wierd, but I don't have any interest about their rates, my only interest is to build my project there with no any other delay.

Ang kaso lang...

Napahinga ako ng malalim bago abutin ang isang folder. Ragienza Corporation. That's what is written in the front page of the folder, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, that's the mighty surname of the owner of one of those two reigning companies in that area.

Hindi ko alam pero bigla akong nakaramdam ng kakaiba nang unti-unti kong buksan ang folder, maaaring epekto ito ng mga naririnig kong haka-haka na sila ay miyembro ng mga ilegal na organisasyon, ngunit lahat ng iyon ay walang mga ebidensya o patunay kaya't malaya pa ring tumatakbo ang mga low-income companies na iyon sa lugar na iyon.

Kaagad akong napailing-iling, I already did my research but none of these two companies are connected with any illegal doings.

Bumungad saakin ang mga iilang branches ng kumpanyang nasa ilalim ng pangalang Ragienza, such intimidating soundly name, it suddenly brought some chills within me upon reading the name of the current owner himself.

"Sammuel Von Ragienza, 29 years..of...old?!"

Kaagad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko, hindi ba mali ang mga impormasyong nakalap ng mga source ko? At such young age, he already runs the Vandiselcio group?

I smiled bitterly, just having to think of it brings me to remember something, something that I aim so bad...

Despite of being surprised, pinagpatuloy ko ang pagbabasa sa mga impormasyon ukol sa kumpanyang ito, no illegal records, just their background profiles and rates.

Wala akong balak na basahin ito ngayon ng buo, I'll just bring these two folders with me at home, kaya't kaagad ko ring isinara iyon at napasandal sa aking swivel chair.

Napatulala nalang ako sa hangin nang maalala ko ang pag-uusap namin ni Lolo ilang araw na ang nakalilipas.

I bit my lower lip trying to conceal my temper.

"Kung inaakala mong mapapasayo ang kumpanya pagkatapos ng termino ko, nagkakamali ka," kaagad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat dahil sa sinabi nito.

I'm currently at the Chairman's office, which is currently owned by my grandfather.

But hell... what is he talking about?

Nakaramdam naman ako ng kaba, no, no... this company must be mine at all cost.

Kaagad akong umiling nang magtama ang paningin namin ni Lolo, ang mga mata niyang may halong pagkaseryoso ay mas dumagdag saaking pangamba.

"Anong sinasabi mo Lo? Ako lang ang apo mo, hindi ba? Ako lang ang tagapagmana mo." I hardly stated the fact.

Napabuntong hininga ito.

"You've been working so hard, I know, and you deserve this company Apo. Pero para malaman mo... hindi lang ikaw ang nag-iisang tagapagmana." My mouth parted, napatulala ako sa narinig ko. As far as I remember, only child lang ang Ama ko, at only child rin ako.

"Hindi ko maintindihan Lo, all my life, you've been preparing me to inherit your company, I even abandoned my dreams just to be your respective Heir! So what nonsense are you talking about?! Isn't this bullshi—

"Watch your words, Sophia!" he suddenly shouted as if being the frustrated one, naihampas pa nito ang palad sa mesa dahilan para mangilid ang luha ko.

But I still need to say my feelings out loud.

"I didn't brought this to myself so don't blame me for being mad a—

"Sorry for the interruption, but Mr. Javer Yu has arrived."

As if that name rings a bell on me.

Kaagad akong napatigil nang walang pasabing pumasok ang secretary ni Lolo na nakayuko.

"J-Javer Yu?" I whispered in shock, I looked at my grandfather who's already sitting in his chair, nakahawak ito sa ulo na pawang naiistress na ito sa nangyayari.

"Let him in." He gestured to his secretary, mas lalong tumindi ang galit ko.

"We're still talking Lolo!" sigaw ko.

Tiningnan lamang ako ni Lolo na pawang hindi na niya alam ang gagawin saakin. This is so absurd!

Maya-maya lang ay pumasok na ang lalaking ayaw na ayaw kong makita, even though I'm still wondering what is he doing here, I can't help but to feel my rage towards him.

"What is he doing here?!" I whispered and was stunned for a moment upon staring at the man in front of me.

Gwapo padin ito, but I can still remember how he cheated on me. Yes he is, Javer Yu, my one and only ex.

Halo-halo na ang nararamdman ko sa puntong iyon, but what shocked me the most is what my grandfather said afterwards.

Javer's gaze and mine met, he looked at me blankly as if I was never his girl, and my heart broke even more.

"He is Javer, your competition for the Chairman position. Hindi ko rin inakalang nagkaanak kami ng Lola nito na si Roselda at ang Ama nito ay ang naging bunga, kamakailan kolang nalaman na may iba pa pala akong Apo, and I can't help but to make him one of my inheritors. Show your hardest work to me and prove yourself to be the deserving heir to the company."

My mouth parted... what the f*ck?

"Ms. Alviz, Atty. Ramirez is here. Papasok na po kami."

Kaagad na nawaglit sa isipan ko ang nangyari, nang makarinig ako ng katok at boses ni Hailey.

Tumikhim ako at itinago ang dalawang folder sa may drawer ng table ko. Bahagya pa akong napatigil nang may butil nang luha ang nakapa ko sa mukha ko, kaagad ko itong pinunasan at inayos ang sarili ko.

"Come in!" I shouted.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at inayos ang pagkakaupo ko, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, but I am not a crybaby, I cry a bit, yes, but I'm just so heartbroken, and I believe that I deserve this company more than Javer does, if it's competition they want, then I will give it to them, since then, naging kahati konarin siya sa posisyon ko, that jerk. I still can't believe that he is my cousin.

We used to be a great couple, damn. How twisted my life is. Parang naumay ako bigla sa isipan na ex-lover ko ang pinsan ko.

"Goodmorning Directo--

"Take a seat already, Hailey ipagtimpla mo si Attorney ng kape." Putol ko sa bungad nito dahil wala naman maganda sa umaga ko.

"No, no need. I don't really like coffee, let's just get straight to the meeting." Anito pagkaupo sa upuan kaharap ng table ko, I looked at him with a straight face.

Napatikhim naman ito, nasa may mid 30's na ito kaya't medyo may katandaan na ang awra.

"Alright." I started and sighed, pinagsalikop ko ang mga palad ko at humilig sa mesa.

"I want you to buy a land for my project." Pag-uumpisa ko, napatango naman ito.

"No problem, just a piece of cake. Saan ba ang lugar, Director?" Sagot nito, as if being so confident.

I smirked and looked directly into his eyes.

"District II, in Subic Zambales."

Nakita ko kung paano ito napatulala at mapalunok nang marinig nito ang sinabi ko.

"But the Ragienza and Vandiselcio owns that very par--

"So? They're just humans, just take it or leave it." Sambit ko saka na sumandal sa upuan ko, I crossed my arms and legs as I looked at him while smirking.

Bigla itong namawis kahit na naka air-conditioned naman ang silid.