Chapter Fifty-Two: First Day

Chapter Fifty-Two: First Day
“Who is she?”

“Is she a new employee?”

“She looks so beautiful! Gorgeous, in fact!”

There were employees in the lobby when the elevators opened and saw me walking. I was from the parking lot. They were whispering, exchanging words as they watched me walk towards Timothy, who had no idea that I was approaching him, because he was talking on the phone while his back was to me. The bodyguards heightened their attention and raised their shoulders when they saw me nearing.

“Timo-“

But before I could even call him, I bumped into someone along the way. The woman grunted. She fell to the floor, and it sounded so bad that people gasped. She was wearing a Chanel dress and white heels, but I could say that they were knock-offs. Not the original ones.

“I’m so sorry!” I instantly exclaimed and offered my hand to help her.

The woman looked up and glared at me while gritting her teeth. “Will you just look where you are going? My dress is very expensive, you know?!” She raised her voice and even slapped my hand, standing now by herself.

I pouted and watched her point her index finger at my face. I didn’t budge, though, because I knew I was at fault for bumping her.

“If you ever do this again, I will not let it pass!” she said and walked away.

My eyes followed her. She had a red face out of frustration, but she was indeed pretty. If I were in her position, I would also be mad at not looking in front of me. I shrugged and finally went to Timothy, who just hung up. When he saw me, he relaxed and spread his arms like a bird so he could hug me. He even sighed in relief.

“Thank goodness you are not late!” he said and released me. “Now we have to go because the directors and investors are already in the conference room!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes!”

We didn’t waste time and immediately went to the elevators with the bodyguards surrounding us. The employees, on the other hand, were still curious about who I was, just from the look on their faces. It was the last thing I wanted to entertain, and I just listened to Timothy, who was pattering instructions, while I just nonchalantly maintained an elegant and straight posture in the elevator with them.

“Are you done?” I asked when we reached the floor and took off my glasses to look at my cousin. “Can we go inside the conference so I can meet the important people in my company?”

He took a deep breath. “Yes, but please don’t look down on them like you have always done because this is not college anymore. I know you as obnoxious, spoiled, and-“

I chuckled to cut him off. “You don’t really believe that people do change, cousin, do you?” I said and shifted my weight so I could hold his shoulder. “Don’t worry, okay? I won’t embarrass you. You have done well in managing the company. It’s my turn now.”

Timothy stared at me for a second before nodding. The elevators opened. I led the way, while they all just followed behind me as we approached the conference room. There was an employee outside who opened the doors when they saw us, but she didn’t make eye contact. I guessed Timothy nodded at her as a sign.

So what, Minerva, if they don’t know you? It’s your first day! No need to feed your ego!

I stepped inside and saw unfamiliar faces in front of the long conference table. They were all old, serious, and boring people, maybe the same age as my parents. But I knew I shouldn’t say it out loud because they are the same people who made our family’s businesses prosper and profitable for all these years. That’s why it is only right and dignified to pay respect.

“Good morning,” Timothy greeted as he held the small of my back in front of them. “How is your morning?”

“Good morning, Mr. Santiago,” they greeted back. “Good, good. How are you?”

“Thank you for asking. I am fine.” He looked at me and bestowed a smile. “Beside me is Mrs. Minerva Santiago-Rodriguez. She is the daughter of Mr. Dranreb Santiago and Mrs. Erich Santiago. In short, she is the family’s heiress and the only one who can manage the company, following in the footsteps of her parents.”

“Good morning, everyone,” I greeted and sweetly smiled with my head held up high. “It is nice to meet you.”

“Good morning!”

They all clapped their hands and greeted in synchronicity. I observed all of them, familiarizing every face. Automatically, their names came to mind since I have been studying the hierarchy of the positions in our company from Timothy’s manual that he gave last week.  

“I am Minerva Santiago-Rodriguez. This is my first day working as your Chief Executive Officer. I might have no experience in managing our company, but I worked hard and studied hard during my college days and took my MBA abroad. It has been my dream to lead the company and businesses my parents molded over the years while they were still alive,” I started and casually placed my bag on the table before putting both my hands behind me. “I will do my best to manage this company as much as I can. I want to express my gratitude to you for being loyal to our company. Thank you so much, sirs and ma’ams.”

Watching them nod their heads and clap again for me made me feel better. It feels like they have acknowledged me. I looked at Timothy, who was clapping for me also. After that, he guided me to sit in the capital chair and steered the meeting.

“These are the projects that you have to review and get approvals before we establish them. I didn’t want to sign them because I believe it was based on your parents’ decision and not mine. It’s been pending for a year now,” Timothy shared as he handed me a bulk of folders on my table.

I stared at the folders and saw the names of the projects. One, two, three… shit, twenty-three projects pending? I unknowingly massaged my temple.

“I didn’t expect this would be so many,” I commented while shuffling the folders.

“Yes,” Timothy agreed and shrugged. “Tito Dranreb had a vast number of ideas in his mind. He would make something in his mind and build it into success. I don’t know if you know this, but he never once failed.”

I bit my lower lip. Instantly, my pride kicks in. I have never failed anything in terms of my education; that’s why I became a summa cum laude way back in college. Well, yes, I may party a lot, but I also dreamed of being big in the future just like my parents.

But this is real life already. I am now the CEO, and one more wrong move, and failure will catch me. I should be more careful in taking this from now on.

“After you review and sign some of them, just message me, and we will talk about it. I will be in another office.”

“Sure, sure, thank you, Timothy.”

I watched him leave my office and closed the door. Then my eyes surveyed the interior of the office. It was vast, and everything I would need was here. It is the old office of my dad. Black, grey, or white is the color theme, and it smells like him.

I remember him taking me here when I was just a kid with my mother. After that, I didn’t go here anymore because I was busy with my own personal life. Sometimes I visit, but I didn’t appreciate their work here.

There were two black sofas facing each other with a marble table at the center. A large wolf carpet underneath the table. A bookshelf in the corner held books about anything related to business, engineering, and law. The restroom was a bit hard to see because the door was painted pitch black. A large frame from afar caught my attention. It was my parents and me when I turned eighteen because I was wearing a huge pink gown there.

A pinch on my heart went through my chest, and I had to caress it gently.

I nearly jumped when my phone rang. It was Karlo. I immediately answered it.

“Hey,” I softly called.

“How’s your first day?” he asked on the other end of the line.

“Fine. I liked it,” I said and rested my back on my swivel chair. “Is your meeting done?”

“Yes. I am in the office right now, taking care of paperwork,” he said and sighed like he was very tired. “I just kinda miss you…”

I closed my eyes, hearing him breathe from the other end of the line. I miss you, too.

“I can’t wait to go home and see you, Minerva,” he whispered. “God, I sound crazy…”