Not So Innocent
MyJaffStories©2018

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“CEREESE, kailangan ko iyong presentation na ibinigay sayo ni Engr. Lacoste para sa renovation ng H. Hotels sa Surigao.” It was Calvin Aiton Heluxus who called her early this morning.

“I'm about to send it to you anyway.” She said while brushing her hair and looking at the mirror. She was preparing herself to go at Hotel. “Clyde's going?” Pababa na siya ng hagdan, sinalubong siya ng isang maid para buhatin ang dala niyang ilang papeles.

Cereese went to the kitchen to have her coffee.

“No, you're going. Alam mo naman si Clyde, wala tayong aasahan sa kanya. He's busy flinging around with his girls, baka mapabayaan niya lang ang renovation ng Hotel sa Surigao kapag siya ang pumunta.”

She looked at the man, sitting at the main chair of the dining table. He was looking at her with a pissed expression all over his face, early this morning.

He's up, e?

“I'm okay with that. Maybe I can ask my secretary for my flight to Surigao on 13th,” Pinaghila siya ng upuan ng kasambahay kaya naupo naman siya roon. They served her, her favorite latte. “How about you? You're not going?”

“I'm in charge at the renovation of H. Hotel in Boracay.”

Tumango tango naman siya na para bang nakikita siya ng kapatid.

“Anyway, I saw at the newspaper that Laxus Ausiryo is back? Is he bothering you again?”

Napasulyap siya sa binatang tinutukoy ng kapatid bago niya ito sinagot. “Not really,”

“Green can handle him, Cereese. Don't stress yourself too much.”

“I know.” She said casually.

“Bye Cereese. Take care. Love you.”

“Love you too...” Kumunot ang noo ni Laxus. “...kuya.” Aniya saka ibinaba ang tawag.

Tahimik ang hapag nang wala ng katawagan si Cereese sa kabilang linya. Honestly, she didn't expect him up to this morning. Laxus usually had his breakfast around 10AM. That's why she's surprise to see him early here. It's just 6:30AM!

“If you're busy enough to your own family business, why don't you let me handle the SCC?”

She wanted to sigh. They're going to talk about this again?

“I can give up being the Vice President of H. Hotels for SCC.” She answered casually before sipping at her coffee.

She saw the side of his lips curved into sarcasm. “Why? Because SCC has a lot of money than being a Vice President of your family's business?”

“My husband asked me to took care of SCC, Laxus.”

“You forced him to give the rights to you by killing him! You're a gold digger bitch, Cereese.”

Halos padarag na ibagsak niya ang hawak na tasa. “How can you say that to the woman who was born with wealth and power?” She explained. “You're not making any sense here, Laxus. Just give it up.”

“Your family's money isn't enough to woo your needs, right? That's why you married my brother and eventually killed him, just all for money.”

The conversation isn't going somewhere. She's tired explaining to him her side. But she's not going to give up what's right. She's innocent. Period.

“I didn't kill your brother. The people around me knows how much I loved him. Even in his death, I want to be with him. I love him with all my heart... Even my soul is in love with him. Everyone knows that I am willing to do everything for him. I can even exchange my life for his, if only its possible...”

“Shut up!!” Padarag nitong ibinagsak ang mga palad sa mesa. Halos tumalbog pa nga ang mga tasa at pagkain na nakahain doon. “Don't lie to me! You will never fool me with your innocent act!” He roared. “You're not the same Cereese Aimee I used to know before...”

Natigilan siya, tila umurong ang dila at mga salitang ilalabas hanggang sa tumayo na ang binata at padarang na umalis sa hapagkainan.

What is he talking about?! Kailanman hindi siya nagbago! Dahil si Laxus ang totoong nagbago sa kanilang dalawa!! Anong karapatan nito?!

Tila namumula na ang mukha nu Cereese sa galit. Napahawak na siya ng mahigpit sa table napkin na naroon hanggang sa nagpakawala ng hingang malalim bago kumalma.

Yes, Cereese. Composed yourself.

“I THINK we should add another pool in Surigao branch? Much unique is better. Our clients are loving the new version of H. Hotels in Boracay. Maybe we could add landscapes too...”

C.A was discussing to her the renovation of their H. Hotels in Surigao. She didn't actually think that it was a discussion because she can't focus herself, masama ang pakiramdam niya kanina pa.

“I can ask Engr. Lacoste to review this part... Ree? Ree are you with me?”

Tumalima siya ng tapikin ni C.A ang kanyang balikat. “Ah?! Ahh yes, the designs are good...” Kunwa'y aniya para pagtakpan ang hindi pakikinig pero bigo siya ng makitang umiling ang nakatatandang kapatid.

“Are you okay? You're not in your usual self today. Something happened?”

She didn't want to sigh that's why she just rest her back at the backrest of the swivel chair.

“Nothing.”

“Are you stress? You can't handle the SCC alone? You can ask some help with Red or the Swavory boys. Maybe they can help you.”

Hindi naman siya sumagot.

“Or is this about your brother-in-law? I heard from Green that he's back?”

“Kuya... Its not about him. Actually a bit.” Pag amin niya. “If you're going to send me in Surigao to monitor the renovation of the H. Hotel there, I can't handle the SCC properly.”

“Is that so?” Tanong nito. “I'm not sending you there for good. You can just visit the Hotel to see if the renovation is doing good.” Paliwanag nito. “I really admire you, Cereese.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Kahit na ikaw kasi ang bunso mas may pakinabang ka pa kay Clyde. That bastard!” Umiling iling pa ito. “Kahit na wala kang idea sa SCC, you're trying to give your best to handle it. I'm so proud of you Cereese.”

“Thanks, Kuya.” Niyakap niya ang kapatid.

Kahit paano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam niya, in the first place hindi naman niya alam kung bakit nga ba nasira ng ganito ang araw niya.

She just don't want to mind what Laxus said to her kanina, she wants to focus like she always do. Ayaw na niya ng kung ano-ano pa.

After taking another meeting and visiting their Makati Branch, Cereese ate her lunch at the nearest expensive restaurant. She ordered one of the expensive dish there.

She was about to finish her meal when she received a call from her husband's secretary in SCC and now hers too.

“Yes, Carlo?” She asked before wiping gently the sides of her lips.

“Madame, please immediately come here at the office! Sir Laxus is holding a meeting at the conference room!”

“What?!” Halos mapatayo siya sa gulat.

“He's planning to take over Madame! The boards are here.”

“I'm coming, Carlo. Do anything as you can to stop the meeting until I reach the building, okay?”

“Yes, Madame.”

Naglabas siya ng ilang bills at nilapag iyon sa mesa. Never mind her change! She needs to go at SCC as soon as possible.

What is he up to again? Kung alam niya lang na ganito ang mangyayari, dapat ay nagpadrive na lamang siya sa driver kanina! She didn't know that Laxus will done this far! Alam niyang hindi pa tapos ang TRO na isasampa nila ni Green kay Laxus for him to stay away from SCC! And now he was making his moves this fast?!

Nakarating siya sa SCC. She didn't mind those people who greeted her because she was on rush!

Sinalubong siya ni Carlo pagkapalabas niya ng elevator.

“Where is he?!”

“I'm sorry, Madame. I did everything to stop him...” 

“Where is he?!”

“At the conference room, Madame. With the board members.”

Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng panahon at mabilis na naglakad papalapit sa conference room. Carlo opened the door for her way at the huge conference room and all the gentlemen looked at her sudden arrival.

“Perfect timing. The subject is here, can we start the voting now?” Laxus broke the silence, nakita niya ang ilang pag ngiti ng mga board members! Most specially yung mga hindi siya gustong maupo sa pwesto!

“What voting are you talking about, Laxus?” May halo ng pagbabanta ang kanyang boses. “Leave that place and let us talk to my office!”

“You're just the acting CEO of SCC, Cereese Aime, I'm the brother of the owner — true blood related.”

“I am the wife!!” Giit niya.

“For those who are in favor to Miss Cereese Aimee Heluxus to remain in her position please stand up, and for those who wants me to take over, please remain sitting on your chairs, gentlemen.”

“Laxus!! Don't make me force you out of my company!!”

“It's not yours to begin with!” Balik singhal nito sa kanya. “Gentlemen, if you please...”

Napalingon si Cereese sa mga board members, nakita niya ang pagtayo ng mga kilala niyang malalapit na kaibigan ng asawa ngunit hindi niya mabilang kung ilan din ang nanatili sa kinauupuan hanggang sa lumapit ang isang babae na mukhang secretary ni Laxus at mukhang ito ang nagbiling.

“12 votes for Mrs. Samaniego and...” Ngumisi si Laxus sa tinuran ng sekretarya. “12 votes for you too, Sir. Engr. Cuaresma didn't vote.”

Nawala ang ngisi nito sa labi, nakahinga naman ng maluwag si Cereese.

“Can I suggest something?” It was Engr. Cuaresma. “Kaysa pinag aagawan niyo ang kompanya ng yumaong Samaniego bakit hindi niyo paghatian ang pamumuno? Mrs. Samaniego has all the rights to remain since her husband told her to manage the SCC before he died, that's an oral last will. She also has potential, upon our observation, after Mrs. Samaniego took over the SCC, the company remain thick and stable. While the younger Samaniego has knowledge in the company, we can't rely on you that much base on your failed investment. But we can't undress you all your rights in this company. Since you two have the same votes, we're expecting for you two to work hand in hand, is that okay with you gentlemen?”

Tumango tango ang mga board members, nakita niya ang iritasyon sa mukha ni Laxus. Alam niyang hindi nito tanggap kung ano man ang naging suhestiyon ni Engr. Cuaresma. Ganoon rin naman siya! Bakit pa ito manggugulo kung kaya naman ni Cereese na patakbuhin ang kompanya.

“Can't you see that they don't trust you?” She said, nasa office na sila ngayon ni Cereese.

“I have all the rights to be in this company.”

“Laxus!!” This is the first time she lose her temper. “Why are you doing this?! You're making your way to revenge because you couldn't accept what happened to us in the past!”

“Shut up, Cereese!” Dinuro siya nito. “You don't have the rights to bring that up!”

“Bakit?! Kasi totoo? Na hindi mo matanggap na ang Kuya mo ang pinili ko at hindi ikaw?”

“You choose him because he's the heir. You choose him for money, Cereese.”

“No.” Tanggi niya. “I choose him because I love him very much.” Matapang na aniya. “And you're just a piece of garbage who tried multiple times to ruin my relationship with him.” She said brutally. “Remember this, Laxus, past or present, you don't stand a chance.”

“You, bitch!”

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