CHAPTER 2

SHINA POV

My brows furrowed. Napaangat ako ng mukha. "DVX? The very famous DVX? The endorser of our company too?"

"Yes."

"Dad!" I snapped.

He was startled.

"Are you raising your voice on me?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Huminga ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang aking sarili. Though I don't know much about that boy band but I'm fully aware of their extraordinary fame.

"Chairman how can we set up Suzie with this guy? He's famous around the globe. Fans, reporters, social media are maybe tracking him 24 hours a day. As much as his management hates scandal, I think our family don't like it even more."

"That's why I'm telling you to take a break from the office work and work this out instead or else..."

"Or else what?" kabadong tanong ko.

"You can't take over the CEO position yet."

I wanted to laugh but I was afraid I'd offend him again. "Ano hong kinalaman ng pag-aasawa ni Suzie sa job description ko bilang CEO?"

"This is a test of how you solve difficult situation. This is not just about your sister's marriage, Shina. it's about the union of the Shin and Young family. If this happens, we'll be the most powerful family in the country."

Hindi ko pa rin masukat sa aking isipan kung gaano kakumplikado ang gusto niyang ipagawa sa akin. "This group is the country's pride now. Most of our country's merchandises are getting recognition worldwide because of them. Why ruin their career when their boosting our economy? Kahit ang sales ng mga sasakyan natin ay domoble simula nang maging endorser natin sila. How can we interfere now when they are in the peak of their career? Can we just wait a little more time chairman before we work out on this marriage arrangement?"

"But Chairman Shin is serious about finding a match for his son now. If we lose this chance he might make agreement with other conglomerates daughter." He tapped his finger to the guy's picture. "Make this guy fall for your sister and same with Suzie to him.... do it all very privately, without ruining the career of the boy band and without making any scandal."

Mas lalo akong natulala sa sinabi niya.

"Your office work break begins today," dagdag pa niya.

Napalunok na lamang ako sabay tango. "Y-Yes chairman."

"I have faith in you. I know you won't disappoint me Shina," ngiti-ngiting saad niya.

"I-I'll do my best not to disappoint you," wala sa sariling sagot ko.

"You can leave now."

"Ah yes. Thank you chairman."

Nakatingin sa kawalan na tumayo ako. Nanghihina ang aking mga tuhod. Lutang ang isipan na naglakad ako pabalik sa aking opisina. I'm begining to imagine my days away from the office and to think of ways on how to survive them.

"Ma'am okay lang po ba kayo?" tanong ni Heena, ang aking sekretarya, nang mapadaan ako sa desk niya.

Hindi ko siya sinagot sa halip ay diretso lang akong pumasok sa aking opisina. Tulalang tumayo ako sa tabi ng aking mesa. I stared at the city view through my glass windows, baka sakaling mapagaan nito ang aking dibdib. But it had no effect. Napakuyom ako nang mariin sabay sigaw.

"Ahhhhhh! Ahhhh! I don't deserve this!!!"

"Ma'am ano pong nangyayari sa inyo?" tarantang pasok ni Heena.

I looked at her panting. "Can I have a glass of water?" Mahinahon ang aking boses ngunit nakahawak ako sa animo'y naninikip kong dibdib.

Wala pang isang minuto ay bumalik siya na may dala ng isang basong tubig. Tarantang inabot niya iyon sa akin na inubos ko naman ng isang lagukan lamang.

"Okay na kayo ma'am?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

I ignored her question. Nanghihinang naupo ako sa aking mesa at malalim na nag-isip. I got my phone and googled DVX picture. I zoomed out the picture of Chairman Shin's son. I showed it to Heena.

"Can you bring me information about him like age, interest, hobbies, ideal woman, personality and beliefs," walang ganang utos ko.

Her face brightened. "Uh it's Jin!"

"Is that his name?" tingin ko sa kanya.

"Oo ma'am si Jin to. Fan din pala kayo ng DVX. Wow! Akala ko ay wala kayong pakialam at panahon sa mga ganyang bagay. Si Jin din ba ang bias niyo?" medyo kinikilig na sabi niya.

"Anong bias?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Bias. Yun pong paboritong member within the boy band. Si Jin din kasi ang bias ko ma'am!"

I shook my head and massaged my forehead. Dumadagdag pa sa sakit ng ulo ko itong aking kausap. Heena is still on her mid 20's kaya di nakapagtataka kung mahilig pa siyang mag-idolo ng mga ganitong celebrities. "I'm not his fan or their fan. I have my reason kaya sundin mo na lang ang utos ko."

Imbes na umalis na sa harap ko ay mas inilapit pa sa akin ang kanyang excited na mukha. "Ma'am if you have connection to him, the rumor about him must be true," tila detective agent na bulong niya.

I suddenly stop massaging my forehead. "What rumor?" angat ko ng mukha.

"That he's from a very rich family. Anak daw siya ng CEO ng isa sa mga pinakamalalaking kumpanya dito sa bansa." Inilayo niya ang mukha sa akin at tumayo nang maayos. "Pero tsismis lang naman yan dahil wala namang mailabas na ebidensiya. Nakakapagtaka lang kasi na among DVX members siya lang yung hindi inirereveal ang pangalan ng mga magulang o maging kahit ano tungkol sa family background niya. Pero sa tingin mo ma'am totoo kaya ang tsismis na yun?" She looked at me as if she's fishing a highly valuable information.