MHIAMB Fanshot #16

The Collision of Katana Roswell and Lovelle Birkins
MHIAMB Fanshot #16
[September 11, 2018]

KATANA's NARRATION

  I carefully laid down the folder that contains all the updates regarding the Heartily's business plantation for the last two weeks and turned my swivel chair to face the glass window of my office where I could see the tall buildings of Manila.

  "Prepare the panel for a board meeting regarding the sales and targets in my first vacancy tomorrow afternoon."

  "Yes, Miss Roswell. That would be 4:45 tomorrow afternoon." My secretary, who was standing behind me, replied.

  "Leave." Simpleng sagot ko.

  "Uh.." She sounded unsure. I waited. "I would like to remind you that you have a scheduled appointment with Miss Lovelle Birkins later at 9am, Miss Roswell."

  My brows furrowed both in confusion and annoyance. Ibinalik ko ang swivel chair paharap sa kaniya saka inilapag ang magkabilang siko ko sa mesa.

  "Birkins Enterprises? I already declined their partnership proposal."

  Alanganin naman syang tumango. "Yes. But she said that it might be because she sent you a representative so she decided to meet you herself daw po, Miss Roswell."

  "Cancel it." I leaned on my swivel chair.

  "But Miss Roswell---"

  "I. said. cancel. it." Madiin kong sabi.

  She was about to speak when I gave her a glare. Lowering her head seemed to be her only choice. Silence conquered the place until someone barged in. Parehas kaming napalingon doon at nakita ang isa sa mga employee ko na nakasunod sa isang babae sa isang skin-tone dress. In one look, I could tell who it was.

  "Oh, hi." Malawak ang ngiting bati nya sa akin. Tss. Pathetic.

  "Miss Birkins, hindi po kayo pwe---"

  "Get out." Pagpuputol ko sa employee. Tinapunan ko sya ng tingin at gano'n din ang secretary ko. "You two, get out." Pag-uulit ko.

  One quick bow and they hurriedly left. When the room was finally left for the both of us, I decided to stand up and leave my desk to meet Miss Lovelle Birkins in short distance. She was smiling widely. I wonder how good would it be to stretch that smile wider enough to tear her face apart.

  "So, you are Katana Roswell." Still smiling, she said.

  I maintained my null gaze. "Miss Katana Roswell, yes." I replied with an emphasis to the first word. "And you are Lovelle Birkins." I gave her a quick head-to-toe look and speak before she could throw my words back to me. "You are a rookie in business, I reckon." I fixated my firm look on her. "Businessmen are well-aware of the purpose of secretaries and appointments." Maintaining the professionalism in my tone, I added.

  This time, her smile turned awkward. Good for you. "Naisip ko lang na baka you thought it's rude for me to just send a representative for my company so I came here myself."

  I remained looking at her blankly. We were looking at each other for quiet a few seconds until her smile vanished. She was about to offer her hand for a handshake when I gestured the mini sala and speak. "If you may." She's already here. Might as well take a glimpse on Lionel's sister myself.

  Ibinaba naman na nya ang kamay. "Thank you, dear." Delicately. She occupied the seat with a smile.

  I occupied the seat across her. My secretary, knowing I had an uninvited visitor came in with a tea for the both of us. I took mine and sipped a little.

  "So, what brought you here?" I asked the moment I put the cup of tea back onto its saucer.

  "I don't understand why you declined my partnership proposal, Miss Roswell. Kilala na ang company ko and I'm sure we are both well-aware na isa na sa mga nangunguna ang Birkins Enterprise sa buong Asia."

  I took a glimpse on her dress and bag. Her peach bag's keychain caught my attention. There was a photo hanging on it. And from this distance, I could clearly see that there were three people in the picture. She with Lionel and Shaun.

  "Why? May mali ba sa hitsura ko, Miss Roswell?" Napansin nya yata ang tingin ko.

  "Everything." As if automatically, I quickly answered. I immediately waved my hand na para bang binawi agad ang sinabi ko. "No, your dress. That's not appropriate." Then I used my index finger to gesture her all-in-all appearance. "Then the presence of wants and the absence of needs."

  She arched her eyebrow. "Hindi ako pumunta dito para malaman sayo kung ano ang tama at mali sa gamit at panunuot ko."

  Sumandal ako sa inuupuan ko. "You were asking me why I declined your proposal." Calm, I replied.

  She scoffed. "So, your decision regarding business proposals are all up to fashion?" She seemed irritated which made me more entertained.

  Itinaas ko ang dalawang index finger ko sa kanan at kaliwa. "Look, the very basic of business, Miss Birkins." Itinaas ko ang kanang index finger ko. "The wants.." Binaling ko naman ang tingin sa kaliwang index finger ko. "And the needs."

  "I was taught what are wants and needs, Miss Roswell. Wants are like your irrational declining to an offer your company because of being subjective. Needs are like my action, coming out of my shell for the sake of the company." May diin na ang pagsasalita nya. The little rat manages to handle herself, eh?

  I leaned closer to her. "I just told you the presence of wants and the absence of needs in your physical appearance, Miss Birkins." I gestured her looks. "You had your too much make-ups on, jewelries and your bag. Those are the wants. Because they are not needed in this kind of appointment. Then, you have forgotten the business presentation. You don't have folders with you. Or if you had them in your bag, they were not prioritized because they are hidden, you probably thought it ruins your fashion. However, upon putting them in there, didn't you ever think papers would be crampled inside that peach feminine teenager bag?"

  She seemed to be irritated by now but managed to compose herself by clearing her throat and a chin up. "Birkins Enterprises has a lot of excellent ideas to offer that you would think of as a waste. You see, palaging nasa huli ang pagsisisi." She still managed to smile.

  Napataas ang dalawang kilay ko, as if amused of her bravery. I shook my head hopelessly. "No, no. You don't get it, do you? Sorry to burst your bubble, Miss Birkins. I choose quality over quantity in business. It doesn't matter how many ideas you have up in your sleeves. One is fine as long as it's remarkable for being excellent."

  She couldn't help this minute but grit her teeth and leaned closer to me. "Are you telling me Birkins Enterprise has low quality?"

  Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata saka bumuga ng hangin na para bang nauubusan ng pasensya dahil hindi pa rin nya makuha. "A good businessman wouldn't wear a party dress for a business appointment." Saka ko binigyan ng tingin ang suot nya na para bang ipinaparating na kaya ko iyon tinawag na 'inappropriate' kanina.

  Her breathing pattern became faster, a sign of getting uncontrollable anger. She gulped and sit up straight. The bag on her shoulder was pulled closer to her. She chinned up and gave me her still proud look.

  "I'm not dumb para hindi mapansin ang pakikipag-usap mo sa 'kin." She smirked. "You were talking about business world yet here you are, avoiding my handshake earlier. Aminin mo na, you are being irrational of declining my partnership proposal. Maybe because we have the potential to beat you."

  I looked at her, amused. Her choice of showing bravery even if ashamed inside. So, she noticed. Tumayo na ako at ganoon din ang ginawa nya. We both knew this meeting would already be finished. "You are not dumb enough." Pagtatama ko sa pangungusap nya. Mas lalong nag-igting ang panga nya.

  "So, you really declined my offer irrationally."

  For the first time during the whole time that we are together in here, I smiled at her. A short little smile. "Rational and irrationally, my decision's all the same."

  She couldn't take it anymore. A glare was what she could only reply and like an angered child, she walked out of my office after slamming my door hard. I followed her only with a gaze. Just then he popped up in my mind.

  I finally met your, uh, sister.