The Callejos' Emperor

Everyone was rushing. 20mins ago, code red was signal at the top executives floor. It means na parating ang Emperor ng Callejos Technology. It means an urgent meeting has to take place and all executive requires urgent reports to their staff including the VP's office.

In the VP's office, kalmadong nilapag ni Yumie ang mga dokumentong kailangan ni Zeek. Zeek was fixing his tie on a mirror. Nilingon ito ni Yumie.

"I have everything here prepared, do you need me to run through a summary?"

Zeek did not reply. Abala ito sa pagkakabit ng neck tie. Tila, natataranta rin ito. Yumie thought that Zeek must've been pressured sa pagdating ng ama nito. Was he scared of him?

Kinabit-kalas ni Zeek ang necktie, hindi maisip ni Yumie bakit ito tila balisa. Halata sa reaction nito ang frustration. His lips is pursing na tila naiinis. Nilapitan ito ni Yumie. Kinuha ang necktie sa kamay nito and she fixed it herself.

Napatingin lang si Zeek sa kaniya. She silently tie him with a slight smile in her face. Zeek seemed calm for a moment. Bahagya pang nilapat ni Yumie ang coat na suot ng binatang VP.

"You'll be fine," ani Yumie with an assurance smile.

Zeek just stared at her. Saka sinipat ang sarili sa salamin. He seemed contented sa pagsuot ni Yumie sa necktie niya.

"You never met my Dad. He's scarier than his name," ani Zeek.

"Well, that's what Dads do," Yumie shrug her shoulder and smiled. "Pero hindi ka naman niya siguro itatakwil or sisantehen at the end of the day. Besides, I have the complete files. Do you need a quick summary?"

Yumie showed excellent work ethics. Tila sanay na sanay ito as EA. His work have never been easier when Yumie came. Plus factor na he liked seeing her everyday. Somehow, tinanggap na niya sa sarili niyang Yumie was attractive. And that he like her stubbornness. For the first time, baka magkaron siya ng permanent EA.

"You're making me feel incompetent. I don't need a quick run through. I know what to report," sarcastic na turan ni Zeek.

Inirapan ito ni Yumie in a teasing way and mouthed, "fine."

Bumukas ang pinto ng opisina ni Zeek and Mrs. Ersao came in.

"He's here, Zeek."

Mabilis na kumilos si Yumie and picked up the files saka sumunod kay Zeek na lumabas ng opisina. Nagtungo sila sa conference room. It was already packed with executives. Umupo si Zeek sa dulong upuan beside the chairman's chair. Yumie sat at the chair behind the VPs back. In 5mins, muling bumukas ang conference door and a meticulous looking old man came in. Everyone stood up.

Ismael was still good looking in his 50s. He has that strict aura and simpatiko look that at his 50s girl will still swoon over. Zeek's eyes was the same as his. Matalim kung tumingin, authoritative and masculine. Mas pangahan si Ismael compare kay Zeek but Zeek was more charismatic while Ismael was - - - -

'Scary,' bulong ni Yumie sa sarili.

He never met Ismael all through his life but she had seen him in every news and magazine. For 12 years, she studied the man underground. And to Yumie's eyes, kahit gaano pa kaganda ang features nito sa panlabas, he still look as the devil.

Yumie couldn't help it. Hindi niya namalayan, masyado na palang matalim ang titig niya rito. She felt the anger she kept inside for 12 years rising. Thanks to this man, she never saw her parents again and pretend a life that isn't her's.

Napatingin sa direksyon niya si Ismael. Napatitig ito sa kaniya and Yumie thought tila may pagka-surpresa ang binatong tingin sa kaniya ni Ismael.

"Is she your new assistant?" tanong nito kay Zeek. Kunot noong nilingon siya ni Zeek. Maging siya'y nagtataka na rin sa inakto ng Emperor.

"Yes," patango-tangong sagot ni Zeek.

Ismael smirk. Saka umiling-umiling. "I wonder what happened to the last one," ani Ismael na tila nang-aasar lang. "Anyway, let's start."

Everyone sat down and the meeting started. But it left a confusion in Yumie's thoughts. There was definitely something fishy in the way Ismael looked at her. Tila kilala siya nito. She felt uneasy. She shook off the thought and tried her best to focus on the agenda.

The meeting ended after 2hours. Ismael seemed contented with everyone's reports and results. He seemed happy that his empire is growing. When he got up and started to leave, huminto ito sa tapat ni Yumie. He looked at her with a smile. Yumie was so confused.

"Nice to meet you, Miss?" ani Ismael. Tila inaalam ang pangalan niya.

"A-arguellez. Y-yumie Arguellez," she stammered as she replied.

Ismael's one eyebrow raised. He has that meaningful grin on his face. Lumingon ito kay Zeek as if teasing. Saka muling humarap sa kaniya. "Welcome to the Callejos Technologies," sabi nito as he left the room.

Napalingon siya kay Zeek and Zeek was staring at her in disbelief. Nakakunot noo rin ito at tila nagulumihanan sa inakto ng ama.

She just shrugged her shoulders...

*****

Ismael was grinning hanggang sa makarating ito sa pribadong opisina. He was surprised seeing Mayumia in his company. He knows she was hired but he doesn't have an idea kung saang department. Thanks to his loyal servant everything about Hernan Dela Torre's unica hija have been reported to him over the last 12 years.

She looked just like her mom. It's also a given clue para makilala niya ito. Rumina was all beauty in her youth and she have all her face feautures. Kung hindi niya ito kilala, he will still know that she is the daughter of Hernan by her looks.

"Elena get me coffee and call my son," utos niya sa Assistant niya. Napasalampak siya sofa. He had never felt excited. Mas natuwa siya sa kaganapan ngayong araw.

'Hernan, I hope you're seeing this wherever you are,' ani Ismael na napapangiti pa sa sarili.