The Cold-Blooded BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 7

*** Jacob’s POV ***

“s**t!” tanging nasambit ko nang muntikan akong mapasubsob sa kaharap kong upuan. Magkahalong inis, gulat at pagkataranta ang aking naramdaman. f**k! I could have killed that driver!

“Pasensya na po, sir. Bigla kasing humarang sa daraanan natin. Sandali lang po at haharapin ko lang ang driver ng truck.” There was a light tremble in his voice.

Mabilis na umibis ng sasakyan si Nitoy, ang aming family driver. I promptly called him by his cell phone.

“List down the company’s name, owner, and the driver’s detail. Get also the plate number. We have to go.”

Agad naman itong nakabalik sa sasakyan at ibinigay sa akin ang kapirasong papel na naglalaman ng impormasyong hiningi ko at nagmamadaling pinasibad ang sasakyan. I situated it inside my wallet, mamaya ko na lang ito aasikasuhin.

I firmly closed my eyes and released a deep sigh. I already had a bad morning!

Hindi pa man ako nakarating sa opisina ay muntikan na kaming maaksidente. Mabuti na lang at maagap ang pagpreno nito kung hindi ay sa ilalim na ng ten wheeler truck kami pupulutin, iyon ay kung hindi magkalasug-lasog ang mga katawan namin sa laki ng aming makakabangga. Katamtaman lang naman ang dami ng mga sasakyan sa ganitong kaaga kaya sakto lang din ang bilis namin subalit out of nowhere ay bigla lang sumulpot ang dambuhalang sasakyan na iyon. This is supposed to be my first day as the new CEO of KOWAMOTO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, but I have this feeling na kamalasan ang sasalubong sa akin sa buong araw na ito.

Pagdating namin sa harap nang malaki at magarang building ay hindi agad ako lumabas ng sasakyan. Kita ko ang mga taong nakaabang sa malapad at mataas na pintuang salamin. They were all wearing a corporate suit. Muli kong sinulyapan ang kabuuan ng edipisyo, ang bukod tanging nagbigay sa akin ng pag-asa upang makarating sa kinaroroonan ko ngayon, and I will be forever grateful to it.

“Good Morning! Mr. Madrigal,” they greeted simultaneously. Iilan sa kanila ay mga lalaki at babaeng may edad na.

Tanging tango lang ang isinukli ko. I can’t bear to release a smile after what happened earlier.

“This way, sir,” pormal bagamat may ngiting saad ng matangkad at matipunong lalaki.

I bet this young man is in his twenties. He was talking while we're heading to our destination. I silently listened to him without responding to any words. He must be doing this most of the time or it could be his expertise. I am impressed anyway.

Mabilis ang aming paglakad. Walang inaksayang oras. I can feel the stares of the people inside the premises. But I didn’t bother to take a sneak peek at them.

Sumakay kami ng elevator. Nang marating namin ang tenth floor ay lumabas kami at kalaunan ay huminto sa harap ng CEO’s office. A charming lady is waiting outside the door, wearing her sweetest smile. She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment and humbly opened the door for us to get in.

“Jacob! You’re finally here, son! Welcome back to KOWAMOTO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION!” masayang bati ng matandang maputi at singkit ang mga mata. He opened his arms widely, implicating for a warm hug.

Back. Yes, he was right. I've been here several times and that was only during weekends. And that happened about three years ago. I was able to pursue my studies with the help of this man, who was patiently there in my downtimes. He lifted me and molded me to be the man currently standing. He provided me with everything so I can be able achieve the best version of myself.

Kusang lumabas ang matamis kong ngiti at niyakap ito. We don't do handshaking like usual entrepreneurs formally do upon meeting up. We were like more than good friends; he is a family either. I treated this old man like my second father, the same way he treated me like his own son.

“Thank you, tito. It’s nice to see you now, healthy and looking great. Mas bumata ka pa po sa tingin ko ngayon from the last time we met.,” I honestlly said.

Mr. Gustavo Ching is a well-knowned businessman. Sa laki at lawak nang hinahawakan nitong negosyo local and abroad ay halos buong buhay nito ay roon iginugol. Wala itong sariling pamilya. Sa edad na pitong pu’t lima ay mag-isa lang ito sa buhay. Maputi na ang buhok at bigote nito. Singkit ang mata na nagpapakita sa pagiging purong hapon nito. Tuwid man ang katawan subalit mahina kung maglakad gawa ng katandaan. Bahagyang kulubot na ang maputi nitong balat. Dati ay mainitin ang ulo nito, iyon ang sabi ng aking ama. Subalit nang mabigyan ito ng pangalawang buhay mula sa trahedyang kinasangkutan naming dalawa sa karagatan ng Mindoro ay nag-iba na ang ugali nito. Naging mabait na ito at maunawain sa nasasakupan. Marami itong taong binuhay sa pamamagitan ng ibinibigay nitong trabaho, kasama na ang aking ama na siyang katiwala sa palaisdaan na pagmamay-ari nito. Doon rin kami humugot ng ikabubuhay sa araw-araw hanggang sa magkolehiyo ako.

The man just grinned. “Hindi ko alam na marunong ka palang mambola, iho. Pero kung totoo man, siguro ay dahil gumaan na ang pinapasan kong responsibilidad ngayon. It’s all thanks to you,”

“I should be the one saying that, tito. Kung hindi sa tulong mo ay hindi ko maaabot ang kinatatayuan ko ngayon.”

Iwinagayway nito ang ang isang kamay sa hangin.

“Enough for this humble conversation. We better proceed to the conference room because I am sure that the Board of Directors were so excited to meet the new CEO. Marami na rin ang naghihintay roon, iho, heads from different departments.”

“Sounds great. I am pleased to do that too, tito.”

“Well, let’s go then.”

Magkasamang binagtas namin ang daan patungo sa conference room. Sumakay kami ng lift at nalaman kong nasa ikasampung palapag pala ito. Habang naglalakad ay ipinakilala sa akin ni tito ang kasama naming mga lalaki at isang babae.

A middle-aged man named Dario Limpauco, tito’s personal assistant. Joseph Severino, in his mid-twenties I guess, from the technology researchers team. Nestor Baring, in his forties, if I’m not mistaken, is the marketing manager. Charie Escalante, In her twenties, CEO’s secretary.

Isang nakaunipormeng babae ang nakaabang sa labas ng pinto ng conference room. Malawak ang ngiti nito. Nang makalapit na kami ay yumuko ito habang bumati hudyat nang pagbibigay galang. Tumagilid ito at agad na binuksan ang pinto.

As what I expected, marami ang nasa loob na naghihintay sa aming pagdating. Elegante ang dating ng silid kahit pa halos lahat ng kagamitan ay gawa sa makikintab na kahoy gaya ng mga mesa at silya. Sa ilang beses kong paglabas-masok sa kompanyang ito ay ngayon lang ako nakapasok sa silid na ito. And I am a bit surprised. Pabilog ang hugis ng buong silid ngunit sobrang lawak na sa tingin ko ay kayang umukopa ng mahigit sa limampung tao. Naka-arko rin ang pagkayari ng mesa at mga upuan na kung saan nagmistulang nanonood ng sine ang mga uupo roon. Sa pinaka sa ibabang bahagi ay isang mahabang parisukat na mesa ang nasa sa harap at nalaman kong para iyon sa Board of Directors habang may isang bilogan at may kataasan na mesang nasa pinakagitna na agaw pansin. Pang-isahan lang ito kaya may palagay akong doon tatayo ang magsasalita. Sa itsura nito ay parang sasabak sa isang malaking paglilitis ang tatayo sa gitna. Sa likuran naman nito ay ang napakalaking TV screen kung saan naka-display roon ang buong pangalan ng kompanya.

Nagsitayuan ang mga nasa loob nang makapasok na kami. Nakipagkamay ako sa mga taong lumapit sa amin at bumati. Kumaway rin ako sa ibang nasa itaas. ‘Di nagtagal ay umalis na sa gilid ko si Tito Gustavo at naglakad patungo sa harap, sa pang-isahang mesa. Umupo naman ako sa bakanteng upuan sa mesa ng mga Board of Directors na siyang iginiya sa akin ni Dario.

Natahimik lamang ang lahat nang umalingawngaw ang boses ni tito na nakatayo na pala sa harap. He looked so happy and contented. Despite of his age, his body is still well defined. His aura today is bright. Kapansin-pansin rin ang pagiging energetic nito at palaging nakangiti.

‘’Ladies and gentlemen, good morning! We are all gathered here today for a very important announcement. It is an honor and satisfaction to address you again and tell you this good news and changes in our company. As the CEO of KOWAMOTO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, I heartedly give thanks to all of you here, from our Board of Directors, heads of different departments, and of course to your teams as well. You helped me achieve our goals from the beginning up to this time. We may have faced a lot of struggles years passed but through your faith, loyalty, perseverance, and hard work, we have overcome it and I am so proud to say that our company has achieved one of the best awards in this field this year,” mahabang panimula ni Mr. Ching.

Nagpalakan ang lahat ng nasa loob ng silid kasama na ako roon. Hindi maikakaila ang ngiting tagumpay ng lahat.

“And more to that, we will continue to make progress by enhancing purchasing processes. But I am pleased to say that we are beginning to see the outcome of our efforts. And I am pretty sure that in less than a year, an encouraging result will surprise us and will be visible worldwide.”

Muli ay nakabibinging palakpakan at hiyawan ang maririnig sa loob. Tanging ngiti at palakpak lang ang nagawa ko habang tinitingnan ang matandang nakatayo sa harap. I am so proud of him. His hardwork is obviously well paid. He’s a dedicated man, no wonder he has reaped more than what he planted.

“Above all this good news is an old man who wanted to step back from his journey. I have done so much in this company which made me forget that I am no longer that hunk man I used to believe. I have already decided this take over years ago when I met this young version of me in a fateful way. I have no doubts about his capabilities and skills because I saw him growing and learning and I must admit that I am a bit envious of his intelligence. To mold mud is like molding someone’s interest. Molding this man is like molding KOWAMOTO’s future. I am looking forward to your cooperation because if not, I will hardly kick your butts.”

Nagtawanan ang lahat.

“Good people of KIC, again, I am proud to introduce to you, my adopted son, the new CEO and heir of KOWAMOTO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION… Mr. Jacob Madrigal!”

Ramdam ko ang mga matang nakatuon sa akin nang ako ay tumayo at naglakad sa gitna. Applause is everywhere, I can feel their warm welcome. Nang makalapit ako ky Mr. Ching ay niyakap koi to nang mahigpit at nagpasalamat. Tinapik niya ang aking likod at bumulong, “This is it. I know you can do this,” at ngumiti bago pumunta sa mesang kinauupuan ko kanina. I saw him shaking hands with the people sitting in the table.

Pagharap ko sa karamihan ay nakita ko ang paglabas ng isang babae sa pinto. She looked so familiar kahit nakatalikod siya. Pero agad ko na ring winaksi sa isipan ang aking nakita upang pagtuunan ng pansin ang pakikiharap sa mga tao.

“A pleasant morning, everyone. It’s my first time to meet all of you here except for Mr. Gustavo Ching who served to be my spinal cord in this journey. Without you, tito, all of this wouldn’t be possible. I owe you a lot for this opportunity.

This position is tough yet I find this role a rewarding and challenging one. I am excited to give my inputs and contribution to this company as well. To be more proficient and resourceful are some of my personal goals to make this company bigger and wider. I hope we share the same thoughts and take this company to new heights. I can’t wait to start working with you all.”

Tumayo ang lahat at pumalakpak. I bowed. Kumaway ulit ako sa mga nasa itaas bago lumapit sa mesang kinaroroonan ng mga mahahalagang taong bumuo ng kompanya at muling nakipagkamay.

After the meeting, Mr. Ching properly introduced me to his office. Ako man ang pumalit sa pwesto nito bilang CEO ay maroon pa rin naman itong espesyal na posisyon sa kompanya. Doon na lang ito mamamalagi sa private room nito sa eleventh floor tuwing pumarito sa opisina. Kumpleto ang kagamitan nito sa private room, mayroong mini library, working desk, bathroom, bed room at mini kitchen. To make him comftable ay mas maigi nang naroon ito upang agad makapagpahinga kung sakaling mapagod sa trabaho. I know I will no longer see him often here dahil sa ibang negusyo na nito ilalaan ang oras. All I think now is to run this company sa abot ng aking makakaya.