Unseen

"She has dreams to be an envy, so she's starving

You know, covergirls eat nothing

She says beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything"

- Scars to your beautiful lyrics by Alessia Cara

KYLE

"W-wait!! W-what?! S-she's our what?!" I unbelievably asked Dad making sure I didn't mishear anything.

"You heard it right, Kyle. She's our new investor. As a matter of fact, she's here to discuss her proposals as well as the formal signing of contract." Casual na sabi ni Dad. Hindi ako makapaniwala.

'E.L.V' bigla kong naalala ang acronym na yan doon sa email na nareceived ko.

"Elisa Lyre Valderama." Bigla kong sabi. Ngumiti siya. "I guess you figured it out now.." Mahinhing sabi niya.. Tinignan ko lamang siya, wala akong problema kung siya ang magiging bagong investor namin, siguro dahil lang sa pagkabigla kaya ganoon ang inasta ko.

Ngunit agad akong umayos at sumeryoso nang mapansin kong umupo na siya sa harap ko. Long table ito. Sa side ko nakaupo si Dad at ang ibang investors namin.

Kinuha ko ang papel na nagsasaad ng willingness niya to invest in our company at binasa ito..

"So you are sharing 60% of your shares dito sa company ko, Ms. Elisa.. What made you decide na maginvest sa kumpanyang palugi na?" Biglang tanong ko sa kanya. Narinig ko namang umubo si Dad giving me that warning cue of his but it didn't bother me anymore..

"Don't get me wrong, Ms. Elisa. I'm happy that you are investing in our company but I just want to know what is the reason of investing to a company that has no guaranteed that it'll be back to its mighty power." Muli kong tanong sa kanya.

This time biglang nagsalita na si Dad. "Kyle, will you please talk nicely? Don't be so rude." Seryosong sabi niya.

"No, Mr. Villafuente. It's alright." Nakangiting sabi niya kay Dad at tumingin saakin. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa hindi malaman na kadahilanan.

"About your question, do I need to give you a specific reason kung bakit naginvest ako sa kumpanya ninyong palugi na?" Tanong niya saakin na hindi mawala ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha. Ngayon ko lang napansin na mala-anghel pala ang kanyang mukha lalo na kapag nakangiti.

"What if I say yes?" Diretsong sabi ko sa kanya.

"Well, gusto kong mag-invest sa company ninyo upang tulungang makabangon ito mula sa paglagapak. Don't get me wrong, pero bakit ako magiinvest sa isang company na masyado nang maunlad? Why not invest to a company na kailangan na nang tulong para makabangon ulit? Do you get my point now, Mr. Kyle?" She said professionally..

Sa sinabi niyang yun, tila may nagbukas na alaala saaking isipan. Agad ko itong iniwasan dahil alam kong mame-mentally blocked na naman ako dito.

"If you say so, then thank you for investing in our company. Looking forward in working with you, Ms. Elisa.." Sincere kong sabi sa kanya at tumayo upang iabot ang kamay ko sa kanya. Tumayo naman siya at ngumiti saakin.

"The pleasure is mine.." She said habang inaabot ang kamay ko.

Tila may kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan ko nang magtama ang aming mga kamay.. Ako ang unang nabalikwas sa paghawak ng aming mga kamay at umupo ulit.

"So what are your plans in our company, Ms. Elisa? We are very open to any of your suggestions bilang ikaw ang may pinakamalaking shares dito sa company namin." Biglang tanong ni Dad sa kanya habang pumipirma siya sa kontrata.

"About that.." Biglang putol niya habang isinasara ang folder na pinirmahan niya. "I'm inviting you all sa isang charity gala which will be happening next month.." Nakangiting sabi niya.

"Charity gala? Wow.. I don't know na gumagawa ka rin pala ng mga charity works.." Dad said.

"Well actually sa friend ko yun, but we shared equally para maging successful yun. But It really feels good when you give back to the community.. I mean everything that you have received, mas fulfilling when you share this with others.." Lalo akong humanga sa sinabi niya. Tumatango naman si Dad sa sinabi niyang yun.

"So, I'll see you there?" Tanong niya saamin. Hoping for a positive response, I guess?

"Yes sure para naman makilala namin yung friend mo." Sabi ni Dad. Sumang-ayon naman ang iba..

Elisa stared at me.. Waiting for my answer uh?

Kahit ako ay hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko, pero there's something in me that pushes me to say yes.. I sighed at that thought.

"I'm in.." I finally said making Elisa more happier..

And it also makes my heart beats fast..