Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

The next morning, I found myself standing in front of the towering glass building of Rosales Group of Companies.

My heart pounded as I looked up at the familiar name engraved at the top of the structure. This was supposed to be Papa’s kingdom. Not mine. And yet, here I was, about to walk into a world I had long rejected.

Mama stood beside me, composed despite the exhaustion on her face. “Handa ka na ba, anak?”

I forced a small nod, kahit na nanginginig ang loob ko. “I don’t think anyone’s ever ready for this… pero kailangan.”

Pagpasok namin sa loob, halos lahat ng empleyado ay napatingin sa akin. I could hear the whispers.

“Siya ba ‘yung anak ni Sir Ramon?”

“Akala ko nasa abroad siya?”

“Bakit siya nandito?”

I straightened my posture, masking the unease bubbling inside me. If I show weakness now, they’ll eat me alive.

When we reached the executive boardroom, the atmosphere was already thick with tension. The directors, mostly older men in suits, were seated around the long mahogany table. A few younger executives sat at the far end, eyes curious, lips tight.

Pagpasok namin, tumayo si Mama. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming on short notice. As you all know, my husband, your CEO, is currently confined in the hospital. Habang siya ay nagpapagaling, someone needs to step in to ensure the company continues to move forward.”

All eyes turned to me.

Mama placed a hand on my back. “This is my daughter, Thaliya Rosales. Starting today, she will act as interim head of Rosales Group.”

A murmur of disbelief immediately rippled across the table.

“Interim head?!” bulalas ng isa sa mga directors, si Mr. Villanueva, matagal nang kaibigan ng Papa ko pero kilalang matigas ang ulo. “With all due respect, Señora, she has no experience in this industry.”

“Hindi ba nasa fashion siya?” another chimed in, smirking. “What does fashion have to do with construction?”

I felt the heat rush to my face, but I stood tall, refusing to let them see me falter.

“Yes,” I spoke clearly, surprising even myself with the strength in my voice. “I built my own clothing line in Spain from the ground up. Without my father’s name. Walang koneksyon sa construction, totoo. Pero may koneksyon sa negosyo. I know how to manage people, how to handle clients, and most importantly……how to survive when everyone expects you to fail.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Some of them exchanged glances, unimpressed. Others leaned forward, curious.

Mr. Villanueva sneered. “Running a boutique is not the same as running a multi-billion peso company, Señorita Rosales. You’re playing in a different league.”

I met his gaze head-on. “Then watch me play.”

For a moment, the room stilled. Mama placed her hand on mine under the table, giving me silent strength.

“I’m not here to pretend I know everything about this industry,” I continued, voice steady. “But I am here because my father trusted me enough to call me home. And I will not let his legacy fall apart. Kung iniisip niyo na kaya niyo akong baliwalain, think again. Because starting today, I’ll be watching everything closely…..every contract, every account, every move.”

The weight of my words hung in the air. Some of them shifted uncomfortably, while others smirked, clearly underestimating me.

But one thing was certain. They heard me.

Mr. Villanueva leaned back in his chair, smirking. “Brave words, Señorita. Pero negosyo ang pinaguusapan dito. Emotions won’t save contracts or pay debts.”

“Exactly,” I shot back. “That’s why I asked for all the financial records last night. Kung tama ang nakita ko, we’ve been bleeding money for months now. Projects delayed, funds unaccounted for. At kung hindi natin ito aayusin agad, baka wala nang Rosales Group na babalikan si Papa.”

Halos sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa isa’t isa. Some frowned, some whispered. Kita ko ang pagkagulat…hindi nila inasahan na alam ko na agad.

“Where did you get that information?” one of the younger executives asked cautiously.

“I stayed up all night reading the reports Mama gave me,” sagot ko, diretso ang tingin. “At kung ako ang tatanungin, may mga butas na kailangang busisiin.”

“Accusations won’t help the company,” singit ni Mr. Villanueva. “Hindi biro ang sinasabi mo, hija. If you’re claiming there’s mismanagement, be careful. You could be stepping on powerful toes.”

I leaned forward, both hands flat on the table. “Kung may tinatamaan man ako, then maybe that’s the problem.”

A tense silence fell over the room.

Mama cleared her throat, breaking the tension. “Enough. My husband entrusted this company to our family. If Thaliya is willing to take responsibility, then I expect this board to respect that decision. I suggest you cooperate, unless you’d rather explain to Ramon himself why his company is falling apart.”

The older men exchanged glances. No one dared to answer.

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. This is it. Walang atrasan.

“Simula ngayon,” I said firmly, “I want weekly progress reports from each department. Transparent, detailed, walang itinatago. I will review them personally. Kung may makikita akong inconsistency, expect me to question it.”

One of the younger executives, a man in his early thirties, finally spoke up. “Señorita, kung talagang seryoso kayo, then you’ll need allies inside. Hindi niyo kakayanin mag-isa.”

I turned to him, curious. His expression was calm, professional…pero may kung anong ningning sa mga mata niya na parang sinusubukan akong sukatin.

“And you’re offering to be one?” I asked.

A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. “Let’s just say… I’d rather see this company survive than sink with the wrong hands steering it.”

I held his gaze for a moment. Interesting.

The meeting ended with tension still hanging in the air, but one thing was clear…….my presence had disrupted the balance they were used to. Some were openly against me, others uncertain, and maybe… just maybe, I had found one potential ally.

As the directors filed out, Mama squeezed my shoulder. “You did well, anak. Pero maghanda ka. This is only the beginning.”

I looked at the long table, the empty chairs, and the heavy folders left behind.

My chest tightened, but I straightened my spine.

“Yes, Ma. I know. And I’m ready.”

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.