LET THE GAME BEGIN

POV. Mateo Santiago (The man earlier in the rain.)

While Mateo’s secretary was driving, the car was pretty quiet, but the secretary couldn't help but ask, "Sir, if I may... is Miss Sandra the one you've been searching for all this time?"

Mateo, now with a more relaxed vibe, glanced at the secretary and smiled a little. "Yes, she is," he replied in a calm tone. "I’ve found her. Been looking for her for so long, but now, she’s here."

The secretary noticed the change in Mateo's mood. "Sir, I’m glad to hear that," the secretary said, still slightly confused but relieved to see Mateo's lighter attitude.

Mateo stared out the window, lost in thought for a moment. "I honestly didn’t expect to find her this way... but I’m glad she’s here," he added, feeling a sense of calm.

POV. Julius

At the big company, a group of executives were waiting for their CEO, Julius. A sleek, luxurious car came to a stop in front of the massive company building, and the people around didn’t realize that Julius was the one who had arrived. The driver opened the door, and Julius stepped out, walking confidently toward the conference room with papers in hand and a business-like look that said he was ready for anything.

Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded the kind of presence that made it clear he was the CEO, and all the executives who were waiting stood up quickly to show their respect. Julius had that aura, the kind of boss you just couldn’t disappoint.

Pagpasok ni Julius sa conference room, agad niyang naramdaman ang tensyon sa paligid. Tahimik ang lahat ng executives na nakaupo sa mahabang lamesa, habang ang mga report at graph ay naka-project sa malaking screen.

"Alright," sabi ni Julius habang naupo sa head chair, "what’s the issue this time? I need answers, not excuses."

Tumayo ang isa sa mga senior executives. "Sir, the main problem is the unsold stock. Despite the quality of the designs, they aren’t aligning with the current market demand. Customers are shifting towards sustainable and personalized fashion, and our inventory is being left behind."

Nagtaas ng kilay si Julius, ang boses niya ay matigas. "So, you're telling me we’re sitting on a pile of outdated designs? How did we let this happen?"

Sumagot ang isa pang executive, medyo kinakabahan. "Sir, we underestimated the market trends. The rapid shift to sustainability and customization caught us off-guard. We focused too much on volume and less on adapting to what customers actually want."

Tumango si Julius, ang mukha niya ay seryoso at hindi maipinta. "This isn't just a financial issue. This is a reputation problem. Our brand stands for innovation, not complacency. How do we fix this mess?, the chairman will be frustrated if he will hear about this.

Nagtinginan ang mga executives, tila walang makapagsabi ng konkretong solusyon. Isang younger executive ang naglakas-loob na magsalita. "We could try offering discounts to move the old stock, sir. At least we’d recover some of the losses."

Napabuntong-hininga si Julius. "Discounts? That’s not a strategy; that’s desperation. We can’t cheapen the brand just to clean up this mess."

Tumayo siya at lumakad sa paligid, ang mga kamay niya ay nasa likod niya. "Listen, this company was built on forward-thinking ideas, not chasing after trends. If we want to survive this, we need to pivot. I don’t care how hard it is—figure out how to repurpose or reinvent that stock. Collaborate with younger designers, tap into influencers, find new markets. I need real solutions on my desk by tomorrow morning."

Habang tahimik na naglalakad si Julius sa hallway papunta sa kanyang opisina, halatang malalim ang iniisip niya. Nakatingin siya sa tablet niya, binabasa ang mga sales report, pero halatang hindi siya natutuwa. Napansin ito ng kanyang secretary, si Claire, na laging nakasunod sa kanya.

"Sir," sabi ni Claire habang maingat na sumasabay sa lakad ni Julius, "if I may suggest something?"

Tumigil si Julius at tumingin kay Claire, ang kilay niya bahagyang nakataas. "What is it, Claire? I don’t have all day."

Huminga ng malalim si Claire bago magsalita. "Sir, Cassandra Cruz could help the company."

Napakunot-noo si Julius. "Cassandra Cruz? The designer? She’s at the top of the industry right now. You really think we can just walk up to her and ask for help? That’s not how it works, Claire."

Ngumiti si Claire ng bahagya. "I know, sir. But hear me out. Cassandra Cruz has a strong influence in the fashion world. She could completely revamp our designs and attract a new wave of customers. Plus, her advocacy for sustainable fashion aligns perfectly with what the market demands now."

Tumango-tango si Julius, pero halata pa rin ang duda sa mukha niya. "And how do you propose we even approach her? Last time I checked, Cassandra Cruz doesn’t just collaborate with anyone."

Nagpatuloy si Claire, mas kumpiyansa na ngayon. "Sir, Cassandra is best friends with Catherine Montemayor—Sandra Montemayor’s mother. If we can get Sandra Montemayor to talk to Cassandra, we might have a chance."

Sandaling natahimik si Julius, iniisip ang posibilidad. "Sandra Montemayor," ulit niya sa sarili, halatang nagmumuni-muni.

"Yes, sir," dagdag ni Claire. "Sandra is her daughter, and I’m sure Cassandra would at least consider helping us if Sandra makes the introduction. Plus, Sandra is talented in her own right. She has the potential to contribute something fresh to the company."

Huminga nang malalim si Julius, hinilot ang sintido niya. "So, you're saying I should approach Sandra Montemayor, use her connection with Cassandra, and somehow convince them both to help our company? Sounds like a gamble, Claire."

Ngumiti si Claire. "It might be, sir. But sometimes, the biggest risks lead to the biggest rewards. And honestly, sir, do we have any better options right now?"

Tumango si Julius, na para bang napipilitan tanggapin ang sitwasyon. "Fine. Let’s set up a plan to approach Sandra. But make sure everything is subtle. I don’t want her thinking we’re just using her."

Ngumiti si Claire at tumango. "Understood, sir. I’ll handle the preparations."

Habang nagpatuloy sa paglalakad si Julius, halatang conflicted siya. "Sandra Montemayor," bulong niya sa sarili. "Let’s see if you can really save this company."

Habang nakaupo si Julius sa kanyang opisina, nakatutok siya sa screen ng kanyang computer, sinusuri ang mga graphs at data ng company performance. Tahimik ang paligid maliban sa tunog ng pagtipa niya sa keyboard. Biglang bumukas ang pinto, at pumasok si Claire na hawak ang isang folder.

"Sir," sabi ni Claire habang nilalapag ang folder sa mesa ni Julius. "Here’s the information you requested about Sandra Montemayor."

Agad na kinuha ni Julius ang folder, binuksan ito, at binasa ang nakasaad. Tumigil ang tingin niya sa isang linya, at bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya.

"Sandra Vivienne Montemayor," binasa niya nang malakas. "Graduated from DLSU-D, degree in Fashion Design. Her mother is Catherine Montemayor... and her father..." Natigilan si Julius nang makita ang pangalan ng ama.

"Park Jihoon?" tanong niya, tumaas ang kilay habang tumingin kay Claire. "Are you saying she’s connected to that Park Jihoon? The chairman?"

Tumango si Claire, medyo hesitant. "Yes, sir. Based on my research, Park Jihoon is listed as her father. It’s highly likely that it’s the same person, given his ties to the fashion industry."

Napabuntong-hininga si Julius habang nakasandal sa kanyang upuan. "This complicates things. If her father is Park Jihoon, why would she even be struggling to make a name for herself? He practically owns half the industry."

"That’s what’s strange, sir," sagot ni Claire. "It seems like there’s some sort of estrangement between them. According to what I gathered, Sandra’s father doesn’t support her career in fashion. That could explain why she’s been working independently."

Tahimik na nag-isip si Julius, iniisip ang bagong impormasyon. "So, not only is Sandra Montemayor connected to Cassandra Cruz, but she’s also the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the industry. Interesting."

Tumango si Claire. "This could be an opportunity, sir. If you play your cards right, Sandra could be the key to getting Cassandra Cruz onboard and possibly gaining leverage with Park Jihoon."

Napaisip si Julius, hawak pa rin ang folder habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kanyang opisina. "If that’s the case, we need to approach this carefully. I can’t afford to mess this up."

"Understood, sir," sabi ni Claire habang lumalabas na ng opisina. "Let me know if you need anything else."

Habang nag-uusap si Julius at ang kanyang secretary na si Claire tungkol sa impormasyon ni Sandra, tahimik ang opisina maliban sa pag-uusap nila. Biglang bumukas ang pinto nang hindi man lang kumakatok.

Nakita nilang pumasok ang Chairman na si Park Jihoon, may seryosong expression sa mukha ngunit may bahagyang ngisi. "Looks like you’ve done your homework," sabi ni Chairman Jihoon habang naglalakad papasok at tumayo sa harap ng desk ni Julius.

Napatigil si Julius, ngunit hindi siya nagpahalata ng kaba. Pinanatili niya ang mahinahong expression. Sinulyapan niya si Claire at bahagyang sinenyasan itong umalis.

"Excuse me, sir," sabi ni Claire habang mabilis na kinuha ang folder at lumabas ng opisina, isinara ang pinto nang marahan.

Ngayon, sila na lang dalawa sa silid. Tumahimik nang saglit, naririnig lang ang bahagyang tunog ng aircon.

"So," sabi ni Chairman Jihoon, tumingin nang direkta kay Julius. "You’re digging into my daughter’s life?"

Nag-adjust si Julius sa kanyang upuan, pinapanatili ang mahinahong tono. "I wouldn’t call it digging, Chairman. I’d say I’m... doing necessary research. After all, she’s connected to Cassandra Cruz, and that connection could greatly benefit our company."

"Ah," tumaas ang kilay ni Jihoon habang tumatawa nang mahina. "So you’re using my daughter now? Interesting strategy, Julius. But tell me—do you even know who you’re dealing with?"

"I know enough," sagot ni Julius, diretso ang tingin. "I know she’s talented, determined, and connected. And I know you’ve been keeping your distance from her."

Tumigil si Jihoon sa pagtawa at naging seryoso ang mukha. Lumapit siya sa desk ni Julius, bahagyang yumuko at tumingin nang malalim sa kanya. "You don’t know half the story, Julius. Be careful. If you mess with her... you’re messing with me."

Napatingin si Julius kay Jihoon, pero hindi siya nagpakita ng takot. "Noted, Chairman. But if you don’t mind me asking—if she’s your daughter, why aren’t you supporting her dreams?"

Tumayo nang diretso si Jihoon, binaba ang tingin sa kanya, at nagsalita nang malamig, "That’s none of your business. Focus on your company, Julius. Don’t get too involved in things you don’t understand."

Scene: Julius’s Office

Habang paalis na si Chairman Jihoon, biglang tumigil ito sa tapat ng pinto. Tinalikuran niya si Julius, ngunit narinig ang malamig niyang boses.

"Let me make this clear, Julius," sabi ni Jihoon, bahagyang lumingon pabalik. "If this information about my daughter leaks out, or if it’s used in any way that damages her reputation—or mine—I will make sure you’re removed from your position as CEO. Permanently."

Tahimik si Julius sandali, ngunit hindi nagbago ang kanyang postura. Tumayo siya mula sa kanyang upuan at humakbang palapit sa desk, inilapag ang kanyang mga kamay dito habang diretso niyang tinitigan ang Chairman.

"Chairman," sagot ni Julius, kalmado ngunit puno ng confidence. "I’ve worked too hard to get here, and I’m not the kind of man who plays reckless games. If there’s one thing you can trust about me, it’s that I don’t make moves without a strategy."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Jihoon, tila nagulat sa tapang ni Julius. "You seem very sure of yourself."

Naglakad si Julius papunta sa harap ng desk, halos pantay na sila ng distansya ng Chairman. Tumitig siya nang diretso kay Jihoon, ang kanyang aura hindi nagpatinag. "Confidence isn’t just about knowing your worth. It’s about knowing your opponent, too. And with all due respect, sir, I’m not afraid of you."

Napangisi si Jihoon, bagama’t bahagya itong nagpipigil ng galit. "Bold words, Julius. Let’s see if that confidence holds up when the stakes get higher."

Walang sinagot si Julius, nanatili ang kanyang matalim na tingin sa Chairman. Ang tahimik na tensyon sa pagitan nila ay parang blade na tumatalim sa bawat segundo.

Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, tumalikod na si Jihoon at naglakad palabas ng opisina. Hindi siya muling lumingon, ngunit naramdaman pa rin ang kanyang presensya kahit na nagsara na ang pinto.

Napahinga nang malalim si Julius. Tumalikod siya at tinignan ang city view mula sa malaking glass window ng kanyang opisina, muling bumulong sa sarili, "Let the games begin."

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