Pleasure? No Pressure( Chapter 1)

DANIELLA

The Rousseau Holdings Tower gleamed like a knife in the afternoon sun.

I'm currently in the lobby, not as a guest like 5 years ago, but as a business woman who would do anything to convince the chairman of Rousseau Holdings.

I looked at the clock on the wall.

My appointment start's at 10 a.m.

I've been begging Mr. Rousseau's secretary for months para lang sa meeting na ito.

Hindi katulad nang mga nakaraang taon na magsabi lang Ako na anak ako nang may-ari nang Veyra Textiles ay interisadong interisado na ang mga ito.

My dad's company, Our company if nearing to it's downfall. Ang hindi ko inaasahang mangyari ay nangyari.

4 years ago dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. At first he never told us, but the his symptoms showed.

I was afraid.

At first I was. Hindi ako ang Daddy ko. I can't run the whole company. At Malaki ang pagsisisi ko dahil mas inuna ko pa ang pagpa-party before learning from him.

"Ms. Veyra."

Rinig kong tawag sa akin nang receptionist.

"Yes?"

"You have a call."

Nakangiting sabi nito.

Lumapit Ako sa kaniya at inabot ang desk phone na hawak nito.

"Daniella Veyra speaking."

I politely said.

"I'm so sorry Ms. Veyra, Mr. Rousseau needs to cancel the meeting due to personal reasons. We'll have to reschedule."

Nang marinig ko iyon ay parang nawalan Ako nang pag-asa.

"When?"

"Well Mr. Rousseau's schedule is loaded in the next months."

Napahinto ito at muling nagsalita.

"Next year ma'am."

"What?!"

The sound of disappointment.

Next year? After months of waiting for just 30 minutes of his time, he reschedules?

Hindi ko na kinausap pa ang nasa kabilang linya at ibinalik na ang telepono.

"Miss Ella?"

Umangat ang tingin ko sa lalaking nagsalita.

It was Laurence.

Ang dating janitor sa building nang kompanya namin.

Napansin ko ang Dala nitong trolley na may mga cleaning supplies.

"Laurence? Dito ka nagtatrabaho?"

He had to find a new job, since we had to lay off workers.

Agad na nabuo ang Isang Plano sa isipan ko.

"Can you take me to the top floor please?"

Na para bang nagmamaka-awa.

I can't wait anymore. Habang punapatagal ko ito, padami nang padami ang mga empleyado namin ang mawawalan nang trabaho. Maraming pamilya ang maaapektuhan.

I saw the hesitation in his eyes but he took me to the elevator anyway.

Walang nakapansin sa akin habang papalakad ako sa hallway. Parang Hindi naman gaanong kahigpit ang security dito sa top floor.

Napatitig Ako Kay Laurence.

"Thank you."

Tumango ito nang nakangiti.

"Wala pong ano man. Malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa papa ninyo. Kaya naman maliit na bagay lang po ito."

Itinuro niya sa akin ang opisina ni Mr. Rousseau at umalis na.

I tried to be careful, ayaw ko naman na mawalan nang trabaho si Laurence kapag nahuli ako dito.

"I don't want that mom. Setting me up on a date is just a waste of my time. I'm not going. I'll come with Lucas instead, we're going to the bar. Maybe there I can't find a woman who would want to crawl his way up by using me, then you'll get to be a mother in-law."

Dining na dining ko ang sinabi nito.

Date?

Bar?

Is that the 'Personal Reason' his secretary was talking about?

His 'love life'?

Napapikit Ako sa Galit.

I took a deep breath at binuksan ang p***o.

"You cancelled your appointment to go to a bar?"

Malakas at natatawa kong sabi as I walked inside.

Confusion flashed across his face.

"I'm sorry for barging in, but I just can't help wondering the Chairman of----"

Napahinto Ako sa pagsasalita nang humarap ito sa akin. His face was so familiar, yet I don't remember where I saw him.

"I'm sorry...You are?"

Napakurap-kurap ako.

Bigla akong Hindi makapag-salita.

Napakatapang ko pa naman nang pumasok Ako dito.

"I'm sorry..."

Napalunok Ako.

"Please Mr. Rousseau."

He was about to press the intercom when I stopped him.

"Just 15 minutes of your time."

My voice cracked as I plead.

He returned to his chair, expression unreadable.

"Talk."

His voice like a command.

Agad akong nahimasmasan.

‎I took a steadying breath before opening the folder in my hands.

‎

‎"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mr. Rousseau,"

‎I began, my voice calm despite the nerves threatening to betray me.

‎

"I'm Daniella Veyra, I'm here on behalf of Veyra Textiles."

‎

‎I moved forward and slid a file across his desk.

‎

‎"Veyra Textiles has been in the industry for over three decades. We specialize in producing high-quality fabrics for local and international brands."

‎

My grandparents were weaver whose craftsmanship was known throughout our thometown. My father built Veyra Textiles to honor their legacy, turning their handmade fabrics into a company that has provided livelihoods for hundreds of families for over thirty years.

‎

‎" Unfortunately, we've been struggling financially for the past two years. Rising production costs, canceled contracts, and mounting debt have pushed us to the edge of bankruptcy."

‎

‎I paused, meeting his unwavering gaze.

Its been hard for us these past few years.

‎

‎"I'm not asking for charity."

" I'm asking for a chance. With the right investment and strategic partnership, Veyra Textiles can recover. We already have loyal clients, skilled employees, and a solid manufacturing foundation. What we lack is the capital to keep the company alive."

‎

‎My fingers tightened around the folder Im carrying.

‎

‎"More than three hundred employees depend on this company for their livelihood. If Veyra Textiles closes its doors, they will be the only ones to lose everything."

‎

‎I swallowed hard before finishing.

Before I didn't care, but after I met them, after I realized how important dads company, I saw how dumb I am to not care.

‎"I believe your company can help us turn things around, Mr. Rousseau. That's why I came to you."

‎

‎"You said it yourself Ms. Veyra, I don't do charity. Their are other companies, also with quality as good as yours."

He shifted his chair, gaze still locked on me.

" I believe, 5 years ago we offed a big amount to buy your company. Back then did you think about the three hundred employees you are talking about right now?"

Natahimik Ako.

That was not a decision I had to make 5 years ago.

"I'll do anything Mr. Rousseau."

I murmured.

"Anything?"

He stood. Roaming his eyes on me, as if he was examining me.

Walked to the door and locked it.

Napalunok Ako. Why does this fells familiar.

Tumayo ito sa harapan ko.

He pulled me close to him.

He lowered his head and whispered.

"Even when I say, the one I want in return is you?"

I gasp for air as he pinned me against the wall. His face slowly moving towards mine.

I've heard rumors about the Chairman.

That he was young, some says his a playboy. That every girl who walks in his office, comes out sweating. Not from pressure but from pleasure.

I swallowed hard.

“You came here knowing what I could offer.”

““I came here because you’re the only person with the resources para maisalba ang kompanta nang pamilya ko.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

I lifted my chin.

Na para bang Hindi natatakot o kaya naman ay kinakabahan.

“Whatever it is you want, it has to be something I’m willing to give.”

For a moment, Mr. Rousseau said nothing. Then his expression shifted—not amusement, but something closer to approval.

“Interesting.”

“What?”

Tanong ko.

“Most people walk into this room already prepared to surrender because they need something from me, and they don't think they have something I want in return.”

My eyes narrowed.

“And you think Iba ako?”

“I don't think that you are. I KNOW you are.”

Mr. Rousseau stood and walked back towards his desk.

Agad ko namang inayos ang pagkakatayo.

“You think I want to use your situation against you,” he said quietly.

“Hindi ba?”

His gaze held mine

.

“No.”

The answer caught me off guard.

I really wasn't expecting that.

“I don’t want something you give because you have no choice, Daniella. That would mean nothing.”

When I heard him say my name it sounded perfect. Like my name was made for him to say.

“Then what do you want?”

A pause.

“Your trust.”

The word felt heavier than I expected.

Hearing that from the man who wants to own me?

“I want to know if the woman who walked into my office, that's ready to fight the world can also choose to let someone else take the lead when he wants to.”

I studied him carefully.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then you walk away.”

“Without consequences?”

“Without losing yourself.”

Silence filled the room.

“And if I agree?”

His eyes stayed on mine.

“Then we make a different kind of deal.”

“What kind?”

“One where you choose to submit to me—not because I demanded it, not because you owe me, but because you decide I’ve earned your trust.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I refused to look away.

“You’re asking for a lot.”

“I know.”

“And you think I’ll say yes?”

A slow smile appeared.

“I think you’re the kind of woman who would never give something valuable to someone who didn’t deserve it.”

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable.

And for the first time since I entered the room, I wondered if the deal was not about what he could take from me.

Maybe it was about what I'm was willing to choose, to give to him.

I was about to talk when his phone rang.

"I'll take care of the papers. My secretary will call you."

Sabi nalang nito habang naglalakad palabas nang opisina niya.

That was the most intense 15 minutes of my life. Other than enjoying a good sex of course.

Whats his reason exactly?

I've never heard anything like this before.

A contract?

Trading my surrender and obedience for our company.