“Ma’am Sheena, handa na po ang lahat” Bungad sa kanya ng kanyang personal assistant paglabas niya ng VIP Room.
“Good.”
“Ma’am, nariyan na din po sila Mr. Vince Alfonso, nasa lobby na po sila”
“Oh my god…” nagulat siya nang marinig ang pangalan ni Mr. Alfonso ang chairman ng Alfonso Group of Companies. Ang matalik na kaibigan ng kanyang papa ngunit kasalukuyang kakumpitensya nito sa kanilang negosyo.
“Hurry up!”
“Yes, Ma’am”
Makalipas ang kalahating oras ay nagtipon tipon na sa malaking bulwagan ang mga kilalang investors at stockholders. Kahit kinakabahan ang dalaga ay pilit niyang iwinaksi sa kanyang sarili ang pangamba na mag kamali sya sa harap ng malalaking tao.
“Kaya mo ‘to, Sheena…” Sambit niya sakanyang sarili at huminga ito ng malalim.
“Good morning everyone, welcome to the annual meeting of International-Goldencentury Company. To present the company’s current standing and performance for the year, I present to you Miss Sheena Ocampo, our new president“
“Greetings to our stockholders and investors. I also like to extend my warm welcome to our guests. Mr. Rolando Suarez of Alfa Group Holdings, Mr. Miguel Las Rosa of NZG Investment and lastly Mr. Vince Alfonso of A-Group of companies. After the presentation, we will open the floor for your questions and clarifications…”
“Our sales for the year have grown by 29% which is above the industry standard of 18%. We would like also to mention that in the past 3 years, our company has grown by 21% on an average, this is despite stiff competition and slowdown of some sectors.”
“Our production line capacity is at all time high of 87%. We also managed to keep our inventory at 1:1.4 ratio.”
“Another breakthrough the market tests of our new product have shown large potential and may get into production in 8 months time as soon as the production tool is updated.” Paglalahad ni Sheena.
Matapos ang ilang minutong presentasyon ng magandang dalaga ay muling emeksena ang kanyang host.
“Overall… The President will continue with facts and figures for the duration. Next will be the q&a part.”
“Can you elaborate on the new product? ” Pinasimulan ng tanong ni Vince Alfonso.
“Our current product has been in the market for 3 years and still showing a healthy uptrend. We are introducing a new product to expand our market base. It was developed to address another age group which the existing product cannot serve. We don’t want to rest on our laurels over the success of the existing product, thus after one year of launching our new product, an update of the existing will be launched ” Paliwanag ng dalaga kay Mr. Alfonso.
“Though your growth rate is higher than the industry do you have an idea on the profit ratio vs capital? What are these companies you use as comparison?” Tanong pa ng isang investor.
“Thanks for asking that question. As you can see in the chart we have prepared. We compare our performance index with our three closest rivals. These figures are based on their published reports. Only cause competitor V came near to our own figure while the 2 were not able post a double digit” Sagot ni Sheena
“Is it the time table of the new product too short? ” Muling sinegundahan na tanong ni Mr. Alfonso.
“We assure you the time is adequate. In view of this development, in front of you is a folder containing our investment proposal. We will highly appreciate to discuss further details in one on one meeting”
*
Matapos ang mahabang discussion ng bawat isa. Sa wakas ay natapos din ang lahat, ang pangambang nararamdaman ng dalaga ay naglaho na at masaya siyang nakipag halubilo sa kanila.
“Our annual meeting is adjourned please enjoy the cocktail we have prepared. ” Wika ng host.
Nang mga sandaling yun ay kapansin pansin naman ang mga nakaw na tingin ni Mr. Alfonso sa dalaga na tila ba nabighani sa kanyang kagandahan. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ito ni Sheena bagkus ay sinamantala nya pa ang pagkakataong makuha ang atensyon ng matanda. She’s highly confident of herself kaya alam nyang tatalab kay Mr. Alfonso ang kanyang alindog na kagandahan kaya minabuti nitong lumapit sa kanya.
“Hi, Sir Vince Alfonso. Mabuti naman po at nakarating kayo, i’m glad to meet you, sir”
“Pleasure to meet you, hija.” Sabay abot nito ng kamay kay Sheena.
“By the way, our team has reviewed your proposal and I’m here to relay that we will be making the investment.”
“Well, that’s great news! You made the right choice on trusting your money on our company” Nakangiting sagot nya sa matanda, hindi sya nagkamali mukang gumana na nga ang kanyang karisma.
“We believe that your company is doing great and please arranged the documents so our internal affairs department can legalize everything”
“We will be sending the files within the week. We will be sending our finance people to meet up with your internal affairs officer within this week. “
“So, that’s it for now, I have to go since I have another meeting to attend to.” Paalam ni Vince Alfonso sa kanya.
“Again thanks for investing with us. I will not hold you up longer and we are very pleased to be your chosen partners”
_____________
2 weeks later . . .
“Good day, Mr. Rolando Suarez. I would like to make an appointment with you this coming Friday.” Pagbati ni Sheena sa kausap niyang investor sa telepono.
“Wait for a moment, I will check on my schedule. Hmm, it’s only open at 11 am on the said day and I’ll be off to another meeting by 1 pm. So, I guess, it will be a working lunch meeting.” Sagot nito.
“Oh, that will be fine. We will just make some arrangements in the restaurant nearest your office.”
“Okay then, it’s set. Thanks! I guess this is regarding the proposal of your Company?”
“Yes, Mr. Suarez. I would like to discuss further about it.”
“Actually I was also thinking of arranging a meeting with you Ms, Ocampo , but since you beat me to it, the timing will be just perfect. I will be with two of my partners so please make the necessary reservations.”
“Yes that will be just fine. Thanks for entertaining our call.”
“It’s my pleasure and goodbye for now.”
Matapos ang naturang pag-uusap sa pagitan ng investor at ni Sheena ay agad siyang humarap sa kanyang sekretarya.
“Good morning, Ma’am. For today you’ll have a meeting with the production manager in the morning, then in the afternoon with the marketing department.”
“Good morning too and thanks. By the way, is the finance doing well with their talks with CNC group?”
“Everything is going smoothly, ma’am.”
“Oh, great! Can you send me the documents? I need to review them before going to the meeting with production. Thanks!”
Pagkalabas ng kanyang sekretarya ay agad siyang bumulusok ng upo sa harap ng kanyang desk at mariing hinilot ng daliri ang kanyang magkabilang sentido.
“This is bullshit. Uurrghhh!” Tiimbagang na bulalas niya sabay tabig sa mga papeles at ilang kagamitan na tumilapon sa sahig.
Napahagulgol siya ng iyak, Hindi ito ang pinangarap niyang buhay at lalong lalo na ang ipagkasundo siya ng kasal sa matandang si Vince Alfonso para lamang sa katanyagan at ambisyon ng kanyang ama ngunit wala siyang magawa dahil nag iisa lamang siyang anak na tagapagmana. In short, sunod sunuran.
Nang mahimasmasan ay tinawagan niya ang kanyang bestfriend.
“Where are you?” malungkot na tono ng boses ni Sheena.
“Hey! What’s wrong?” Tanong ni Abbie sa kabilang linya. Nahalata nito ang boses ng kaibigan na tila may problema.
“I need you now, bes. Please help me.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Wait for me.”
Makaraan ang ilang minuto, agad na pumasok sa opisina ang kanyang bestfriend na si Abbi…