The Innocent Wife

Chapter 01

M A L Z I A

Hindi mawari ang aking kaba dahil sa mangyayare ngayong araw, It's been weeks since the incident at nahirapan si Faith magpa-schedule sa big boss ng Zhang dahil he's too "exclusive" and "busy" taking care of more "important" things than this. 

Napapikit na lang ako nang maalala ang mga hinatid na mensahe ng Zhang, he is very rude and inconsiderate, how come that our company is "less important" when hundreds of employees are working there? 

Hindi porket nakaka-angat siya saamin eh he has the right to call or consider people who's lower than him as "peasants" 

Binaba ko ang paint brush ko nang dahil sa frustrations dala ng Zhang na 'yun. 

"Ate Zia.."pagtawag sakin at lumingon ako nang makita ko ang kapatid ko na si Lianne. 

"Oh Hi.."mahina kong pasambit at niyakap ito saakin. 

Lianne is my youngest sister, ako kasi ang panganay then yung sumunod saakin ay kambal, which is si Gianne and Gionne. 

"Can't finish your painting?"she asked at tumango lang ako sa tanong niya. 

Painting is like an antidote of my poisonous feeling. Pag alam ko na anytime pwede ako mag burst out, sa painting ko binubuhos, in this way nagiging kalmado ulit ako at mas nakakapag-isip ako ng maayos. 

But now, I can't really focus making an art dahil problemado ako sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

It is why I got the title of being the most "prim and proper" lady, it sounds so funny but it is interesting to see in some of the article that I was the living "Mother Mary" who doesn't know how to be mad and ruthless. 

Wala rin naman sa bokabularyo ko ang maging masama sa tao, just like the logic of snake, Its nature to bite any human that go near him but it doesn't give me a right or mean that I should attack him because of his behavior, I have to understand that it is his nature to bite so I should find way on how will I deal on such behavior instead of killing that snake, after all, it's still innocent. 

"Ate hindi ko talaga kaya ginagawa mo, you're still calm kahit na sobrang dami mong dalahin. " tawa ni Lianne at napailing. Even Lianne, she never saw me got mad and been violent. 

"Remember that "snake" thingy? And Its inevitable nature? Lagi 'yun naka tatak sa isip ko and I don't get the idea of bursting out, dapat mas nag-iisip ka ng solusyon instead of getting mad and throw all your frustrations to others, it's unhealthy and toxic."I explained and examine my unfinished painting. 

This is the second to the last I think that I will make, and I only have 4 months to finish these two remaining works dahil within months, exhibit na ulit ng paintings ko. 

"Ate kahit ganoon, you're still a human, and just like the snake, it is also our nature to be mad, angry and cry. Just never hold yourself from those emotions kasi kung minsan nakakagaan pag nilabas mo 'yun."she said at tumango ako. 

"I guess wala pang nagpapa-trigger sakin."tawa kong batid at ginulo ko ang buhok niya. 

Kinuha ko ang paint brush at muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa canvas ko.

L I A N N E

Habang nagpipinta si ate hindi mawari ang pagka mangha ko sa itsura niya, she really is the real life angel and a living saint. 

She is beyond beautiful, halos lahat ng kalalakihan nagkakandarapa sakanya pero ni isa walang nakatagal sakanya dahil hindi talaga pinapansin ni ate gawa ng mas naka-tuon ang atensyon niya samin. 

Halos lahat asa sakaniya na, madami naring magazine ang kumukuha sakanya dahil kilala siya as the most "angelic" face in the asia sabayan mo pa na matalino at well-oriented si Ate, halos lahat ata ng mabubuting salita naibigay ko na. 

But honestly? she is the most calm, kind and good person that I've ever known in my life, she devoted herself to help others than focusing only on herself.

She's also forgiving and trust worthy person. Kung kaya't walang umaaway sakanya. 

But I believe that despite of those traits, I consider my sister as deep as the ocean, she may be the "quiet" type of person but she is deep and dangerous. 

Once na magalit, sobra ang magiging apekto sa ibang tao at grabe kung maglabas ng galit. Kumabaga isang bagsakan. 

"Ate how's Dad?"I asked at napatigil naman ito at lumingon sakin. 

"He is fine, kasama niya ngayon si Mom, kahapon nung pumunta ako okay naman ang kalagayan niya and if you're going to ask our company, it's on hold."she answered at napatango na lang ako. 

"Ate..."pagtawag ko. "Will we lose everything?"I asked. Ngumiti lang ito ng tipid at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. 

"I will do everything not to lose our company, kahit ano pa yan."she answered. Her hug gives me comfort, Ate Zia is really like the light, she can give you comfort and best assurance. 

Kumalas siya ng yakap at hinawi ang buhok ko. 

"Basta focus on your review, you'll be a lawyer okay? Si ate ang bahala."she added while giving me an enthusiastic tone. She smiled widely and continued her painting. 

M A L Z I A

Habang pinagpapatuloy ko ang painting ko ay nakamasid naman ang kapatid ko, kung kaya't hinayaan ko ito. Lianne is very fond of my painting and saaming lahat siya ang may magaling na observation sa tao, accurate and well-precise. 

"Ms. Zia, Ms. Faith is here.."napalingon ako at napagtanto ko na ang kasambahay pala namin ang tumawag sakin. 

"Ok then."I said at nginitian ako ni Lianne at umalis ito, kasalukuyang nasa garden ako ng aming bahay dahil mas maganda ang ambiance dito unlike sa loob. Mas nakakapagisip at nakakahinga ako pag nasa labas ako.

Bumungad sakin si faith na maraming dalang folders at envelope kung kaya't binitawan ko ang hawak kong paint brush at umalis ako sa pagkaka-upo sa stool ko, lumakad ako at umupo sa sofa. 

"These are all the records I have gathered from the annual financial statement, then here are the list of accounts...receivable, accruals and the balance sheet. And lastly..."saad nya habang hinahain sakin ang mga documents na pinakuha ko sakanya sa office. "Mr. Zhang background." She added. 

Agad naman akong napatingin sa folder at binuklat ko ito. 

Nalula ako sa mga informations na laman nito at maging sa credentials and assets na meron ito. 

Dad is right, this businessman isn't just a typical businessman, halos siya ang may hawak sa lahat ng businesses dito sa asya, and there are articles states his enormous achievements that put him on the seat.

Shipping line...

Airline.....

Casino.....

Hotels......

Vehicles.....

Napalula ako sa mga nababasa ko, he really is a powerful man? 

Kaya pala ganoon na lang niya tratuhin si Dad, for him, our company is just a piece of cake compare to what he has. 

"The bottom line is, he really is a filthy and wealthy person. Balita ko rin na he's a dangerous man, marami nang naluging kumpanya sakanya and tinawag din siya ng iilang respective business experts as one of the youngest successful businessman in the world. Halos lahat ng business ay takot sakanya."Faith explained at tumango lang ako sa mga sinasabi niya. 

"He can shut someone's business in just a snap, no one dared to insult him or touch an inch of his clothes."she added. So he's powerful man? 

"What about the appointment?"I asked. 

"the appointment is set at Grand Hotel, 9:30 sharp. Pinapasabi din ng representative nila na don't be late dahil it will be your last appointment with him pag nagkataon."she answered at tumango naman ako. 

Binasa ko ang iilang financial statement at balance sheet ng kumpanya, unlike past years, bumaba ng 5% ang revenue namin ngayon.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at muling nagsalita kay Faith. 

"Faith after I talk to Mr. Zhang please make an arrangement for me, I would like to have a meeting with all the directors and investors." i said at pawang nabingi ito sa sinabi ko. 

I never meddled to any businesses like this, I have my own name to work on and may iba akong gustong gawin rather than sitting in the office. Minsanan lang ako kung pumasok para lang i-double check ang documents na binibigay nila kay Dad. I never been in a meeting kaya naiintindihan ko kung magulat man siya. 

"O-okay Ms. Kim."she said and opened her iPad to take notes on what tasks I want her to do. 

"Then I want to see the audit record of our expenses, and please tell to the accounting department that I want it separated, mapa- accrued, fixed, variables, operational man yan, I want them to be separated."I said. Kailangan kong pag-aralan ang financial stability ng kumpanya, I'm not convince about the report that they sent dahil alam ko na malaki ang kinikita ng shipping namin especially the car ships. 

"And please tell to Jan that be ready at 8:00, sunduin niya kamo ako sa front gate. That's all."I said at tumayo ako para ihatid si faith sa loob.

"You're doing a good job Faith, thanks for your effort."I said at ngumiti lang ito habang iniayos ang mga records and documents na dala nito. 

"Iwan mo na lang sakin yung financial statement at yung balance sheet."utos ko at tumango naman ito. 

"Thank you din Ms. Kim."she said atn naglakad kami papasok ng bahay. 

I have to get ready within 6, the person whom I'll meet is far from being nice and considerate. 

Nang maka-alis si Faith ay napahinga ako ng malalim at tumungo sa taas, I think I need yoga, isang malaking sako ng pasensya ang dapat kong dalhin mamaya. 

Napahilot na lang ako sa batok ko at tumuloy ng tumungo sa taas. 

....TO BE CONTINUED