44 The Starting Point

ELLE

She was so nice like an angel before.

She offered kindness to people near to her more than anything else.

Cause she believed everyone deserves to be respected.

She believed that love conquers all.

But that was long time ago.

And that's her mistake.

For being fooled, manipulated and controlled by the society.

Treating people nicely and the kindness she has shown to them regardless of their identity.

What was the purpose of showing all of these when she only received hurtful feelings?

She almost drowned and found herself hopeless as she waited for the light to come and save her.

But heavens been so nice to her that it closed its door and send her back to life again as she will regain everything she has lost.

On top of that, she'll be more miserable as she will be continuing to live in agony.

And it almost killed her. Not because of any sharp materials but with the sadness and longingness for her child so dearly..

She added these feelings on the fire that keeps on burning. She won't waste any of her time. She will make them pay for what they have done.

--

I saw a lady filled with fire as she hide her face. She's being surrounded by a dark aura that anytime soon, she will be bursting into a wildfire.

I wiped my tears as I stared at the reflection in the mirror.

I checked myself and finds out my mascara has been a mess already. I immediately pulled out a roll of tissue and clean it..

Today, I have an important agenda to do. I need to compose myself. I need to show to them, that I'm strong.

They killed my old self and my precious child.

It's unforgivable.

What they have done won't be that easily to forgive and forget not even a mere sorry can fix everything.

They need to pay for it. No amount of money can cover their debt.

I heard someone's knocking at my door..

"Elle, sasabay ka na ba saakin?" I heard Jomari's voice. "Yes, lalabas na ako." Sabi ko.

Kinuha ko na ang bag at ang papeles tsaka binuksan ang pinto. Lumaki ang mga mata niya ng makita ang suot ko.

I'm wearing a black laced dress that falls below my knee paired with 3 inch boots. I'm also wearing a black hat that covers one of my eyes.

"W-what's with your look?! You looked so hot!" Manghang sabi niya saakin. "I know. Shall we go?" I asked. He nodded slowly as I started to walk..

"Pero bakit nakaitim ka?" Takang tanong niya. "You'll know it soon." Sabi ko at sumakay na sa kotse niya. Diretsong direksyon lang nakatuon ang paningin ko..

I heard him sighed as he started the engine. Minutes passed, dumating na kami sa company.

Agad kaming pumasok sa loob at pumasok sa loob ng elevator.

Nakareceived ako ng message from Kyle..

'Where are you? Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay! We can't start the event without you and nakakahiya sa mga investors natin.'

I almost burst out laughing because of his text especially the term 'natin'. Poor, Kyle. Walang kaalam-alam sa susunod na mangyayari.

Hindi ko siya nireplayan at ipinasok sa loob ng bag ko ang cellphone.

"No, Kyle. It will not be yours anymore." I mumbled. Tumunog na ang elevator. Lumabas na kami at headed to the room na kung saan nagaganap ang board meeting.

Nasa harap na namin ang pinto ng conference room. But pansin kong hindi pa ito binubuksan ni Jomari. I gave him my puzzled look.

"Are you really sure about this? He's still your husband after all. I know what's in that envelope you're holding." He seriously said. Hindi ako nagulat nang sinabi niyang alam niya ang kung ano at para saan tong envelope na hawak ko.

"It's none of your business anymore, Jomari. Kung ayaw mong buksan ang pinto, then I'll take care of that." I said attempting to open the door but he signaled that he'll be the one to open it.

And then he opened the door. As soon as the door opens, naramdaman ko ang mga matang nakatingin saakin. Probably, because of what am wearing. I started to walk the aisle unbothered of the eyes of people in the demesne.

"Elle you're here! Finally, we can start the meeting na!" Kyle said as he stood up. He was about to kiss me on my cheeks but I signalled him to stop. "Sorry to make you wait. Please take your seats." Sabi ko sa kanila nang makarating ako sa harap. Kita ko ang pagbuntong hininga ni Jomari at ang nakakunot-noong si Kyle.

"You may take your seat, Mr. Villafuente. I have something to discuss to all of you." Serious kong sabi. Umupo si Kyle.

"About saan ba yang iddiscuss mo, Elle? And what's with this event?" One of the investors asked. I smiled because of her question.

"Let me tell you a story." I started. "Long time ago, in a place called Villafuente's company, there lived a mighty and powerful King on his throne. The King has a son as he considered his Prince. The Prince is undeniably charming, skillful and talented." I didn't miss any of their reactions. I wanted to see their faces especially Kyle.

"The Prince was and is indeed a very skillful as he never failed to impress everyone on his kingdom. He's also very talented because he managed to capture the hearts of any woman he wished to. Until one day, he met this lady." I saw Jomari shaking his head. There's no point of backing out. I have waited for this day to come.

"Like the other woman, the Prince also captured the lady's heart and they got married as the lady filled with hope. On the first year of their marriage, everything went well.. Until one day..." I saw Kyle gulped.. The ambiance suddenly weighed and the people are listening attentively assuring they wouldn't miss any details.

"The Prince turned out into a demon. The Prince dated and have been sharing the same bed with other women he wanted to. The poor lady's clueless to what's really happening." I heard the hissed from people.

"H-hey! W-what are saying, Elle?! Can you please stop it already?!" Kyle uttered. He's tensed already. Who wouldn't be right?

"The fairytale-like marriage has turned into a nightmare and spooky marriage. The Prince hurt his wife emotionally and became careless and insensitive to her feelings. The lady has witnessed everything and she's hurt. She badly hurt by his husband." I sighed trying to hold my tears. I clenched my fist as I tried to hide my anger.

"She was accused of something she didn't do. She even got drowned because of love and the prince doesn't care at all. She hid everywhere. But not that soon, the Prince's empire became powerless without the knowledge of the King. The news reached the lady's cage as she decided to save the falling empire.. From that moment, she knew everything, she already knew what really happened to the empire. And it's all because of the selfishness and incompetence of the Prince." Sabay taas ko ng hawak kong folder.

"I have here the evidences that you, Mr. Villafuente is baon sa utang." Literal na nagulat si Kyle pati na rin ang mga tao sa loob ng room.

Iniabot na ng mga waiter ang mga folders sa mga bisita.

"What's this?! Ano bang ginagawa mo Elle?!!" Kyle screamed probably because of frustration.

"Printed documents are not enough baka isipin niyong inimbento ko lang yan kaya may isa pa akong ebidensyang hawak."

Ipinakita ko sa kanila ang USB na hawak ko..

"The real reason kung bakit nalulugi na ang kumpanya ay dahil naglalabas ka ng pera na pinaggagamitan mo sa hindi importanteng bagay, right?" But he remained silent, speechless actually. Lalong napuno ng bulungan sa paligid.

"Pinabayaan mong lumaki at malulong sa utang ang company mo, at nung nagbabadya nang mawala sayo ang company, saka ka pa nataranta and acted as if you don't know what's the real score here. You even used ME as one of those cheap reasons, right Kyle?" Saka ko siya tinignan. Gulat na gulat siya sa sinabi ko.

"N-no! T-that's not true! H-huwag kayong maniwala sa kanya!" He commanded desperately.

Huli ka na, Kyle. Huli na ang lahat.

I inserted the USB sa laptop at inopen ang files na nasa loob nito.

"Take a look at it. From June-July, you released 275 million from the company's earnings.. Tell me, Mr. Villafuente. How and where did you spend that 275 million?" I asked him na ngayon ay hindi na mapakali. He's back to his conscience already. Good for him.

"I used it for the orphanage! Why masama bang tumulong??" He said. I shook my head. "Don't tell me, 275 million ang ginastos mo doon? Don't try to make me laugh, Mr. Villafuente cause it's not funny at all." I sarcastically said to him..

"What are you trying to say, Elle? I told you, I donated 275 million --" I interrupted him by showing him pictures.

"If that's the case, can you explain to us kung ano itong mga pictures na to?!" Nagulat siya.. Pictures niya to kasama si Ally at nasa pasugalan sila..

"And how about this one?" And I showed to him the manager of that pasugalan habang pinapakita ang cheque of 275 million pesos na may pirma niya.

"I told you earlier, don't even try to make a joke cause it will not work. Don't try to use the orphanage as your excuse dahil ni isang sentimo, wala kang naibigay sa kanila!" May halong inis sa tono ng boses ko.

"H-hey! ---" Pero bigla kaming nakarinig ng isang boses mula sa likod.

"Is that true, Kyle?" Lalo siyang nagulat nang biglang magsalita si Tito Andrew. Yes, it's his father.

"P-pa." He tried to call his dad but Tito Andrew remained serious. "Answer my question. Is that true? Na ginamit mo ang pera ng company para sa sugal?!" Napatingin ako kay Kyle.. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya aamin..

"That not the only case here.. I know you have used some of the company's share as a collateral dahil nga sa nalulong ka na sa sugal, and to make the story short, hindi ka nakapagbayad dahil aware ka na mahina na ang kinikita ng company. Kasabay nun ay ang tuluyan nang paglugi ng company mo dahil sa laki ng utang.. And apart from that your biggest investors are starting to back off." Pagkasabi ko nun, biglang lumapit si Tito Andrew sa kanya at bigla siyang sinuntok sa mukha na siyang ikinagulat nang lahat. Except me.. I crossed my hands and watch them.

I saw blood in his mouth. I know it's painful but it's nothing compared to the pain am feeling right now.

"HOW DARE YOU! AT HINDI MO ITO SINASABI SAAKIN?! ANONG KLASENG ANAK KA?! HINDI MO ALAM ANG MGA SAKRIPISYONG GINAWA KO PARA MAIRAOS TONG COMPANY KO, PERO IKAW?!" Tito Andrew was about to kick Kyle's face again nang pigilan siya ng mga tao dito.

"Stop it, Mr. Andrew!" I heard Mr. Tan's voice. One of the investors here in the company.

"But don't worry, Mr. Andrew. Sakto lang ang balik ko and I saved the company from its falling. Yun nga lang, I have another revelation to make." I smiled at him and stared Kyle who's now giving me his angry glare. Who cares about you, Kyle? Who cares.

"Since I invested more than half of my shares here and with the capability of Kyle, I don't think the company is still in good hands.. Who knows baka maulit ang nangyari diba?" Tanong ko.

"What are you trying to say, Elle?! Nagmamagaling ka na naman ba?!" Kyle asked seriously. But it didn't bother me.

"Aside from being the biggest investor here in the company, we can't deny the fact that it is because of me kung bakit unti-unti nang lumalago ang kumpanya mo, Mr. Andrew." Pagmamayabang na sabi ko kay Mr. Andrew na ngayon ay nasa akin na ang atensyon.

"Well, since ako nga ang may pinakamalaking share dito sa kumpanya, it just means na ako ang mas may karapatan dito ngayon, tama ba ako, Tito Andrew?" I smiled at him. Alinlangan siyang nagsalita. "Y-yes."

"Since ako na nga ang mas may karapatan dito, would it be okay if I will ask you to terminate Kyle as the CEO of this company and make me the new CEO instead? Is that okay, Tito Andrew? After all, without my help, baka sa basurahan na pupulutin tong company niyo." I proudly said while raising my eyebrow.

"WHAT?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU CAN'T TERMINATE ME FROM BEING THE CEO OF THIS COMPANY PA!" Kyle exclaimed. I just smiled at him.

"SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD! Hindi mangyayari ang lahat nang ito kung hindi ka naging careless at irresponsable!" Galit na sigaw ni Tito Andrew sa kanya.

"B-but P-pa!" Tawag sa kanya ni Kyle. Tito Andrew sighed.

"Fine. Today, in front of you, I'm assigning Elle Lavender as the new CEO of this company after all, I owe everything to you, Elle. Without your help, baka nawala na saakin ang companya ko. I wouldn't want my company be in bad hands again." Tito Andrew said using his serious tone.

Unti-unting lumawak ang ngiti ko sa sinabi ni Tito Andrew.

"Thank you, Mr. Andrew. I assure you that your company is in good hands. I promise to be the best daughter in law ever!." I said confidently.

"No, Pa!" Muling tinignan ni Mr. Andrew si Kyle at dinuro-duro ito saka umalis siya at naiwang nakatunganga si Kyle.

Habang gulantang pa si Kyle sa nangyari, I grab the opportunity to once again speak to them..

"Good day, Everyone! My name is Elle Lavender Vilfuente, and starting today, I'll be the CEO of this company. Nice to meet all of you!" I said while smiling. Isa-isa nila akong binati at pinalakpakan.

"Okay, meeting adjourned. See you around!" And with that umalis na ang mga tao. Naiwan si Kyle habang nakatitig sa kanyang sapatos at nakaupo pa rin sa sahig.

"Elle, let's go." Jomari told me. Tumango ako. Nauna na siyang maglakad. Ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakalakad ay bigla siyang nagsalita.

"So you've planned it, right? All of these are part of your plans.." I didn't reply. instead I continued walking until I reach the doorknob of this room.

"Are you happy now?" Huminto ako at nilingunan siya there I saw him looking at me. Totally mess..

"Are you happy na napabagsak mo ako? Masaya ka na ba dahil nakaganti ka na sa ginawa ko sayo? I didn't know you will be this cruel, Elle. Ibang-iba ka na." Madiing sabi niya saakin.

"You created the demon in me, Kyle. Don't ask me kung bakit naging ganito ako." I replied.

"So tapos ka na ba? Masaya ka na ba sa nangyari uh, Elle?" He asked in his gritted teeth. I smiled.

"No, I haven't started yet. Brace yourself dahil baka hindi mo kakayanin ang mga susunod na mangyayari" And I had my finale.. - Grand exit.

"I can't believe na nagawa mo yun! Akala ko magdadalawang isip ka pa, but am wrong!" Jomari said.. I just smirked.

Nakasakay na kami sa kotse niya and he is now driving on our way home.

I checked my social media accounts at napangisi sa aking nadatnan.

'My, my. What did just happen?'

'Villafuentes' Company welcomes it's new CEO, ELLE LAVENDER VILLAFUENTE after her husband, KYLE VILLAFUENTE failed to do his responsibilities and the reason of bankruptcy.'

Yan ang headlines sa mga social media accounts ngayon.

"So who's your next target now?" He asked.

I smiled.

"The reason behind my miseries... The reason why my marriage failed and the lost of my precious child..

The mistress of my husband..." I spoke because of so much anger that am feeling..

"Get ready because you're next, Ally."

--

To be continued...