Chapter 8: Emergency Board Meeting

Just as Andrea was about to answer, Trina has suddenly arrived.

“Andrea the –” Trina stopped.

She was stunned when she noticed Miss Mina's presence inside. From her stance, Andrea could sense how her housemate tensed and faintly voiced Miss Mina's name.

“Oh, Trina you’re here!" Miss Mina recognized. "You know what? Now I understand why you said you'll be giving me the full payment of your unpaid three months house rental today because of this handsome guy huh!" Glancing at Miguel, Miss Mina loquaciously expressed, then lowering her voice, she turned and whispered to Andrea, "Good catch Andrea.” She winked without minding the tension around.

Recounting the heap of money, Miss Mina added, “Hmm... it's good for five months, so you have an advance payment good for two months. Since we're already settled here, so I think I shall take my leave now." She watched the bewildered expression of the two ladies back and forth, but when they didn't pay her any attention, she passively remarked, "Okay, I'll be going, bye!”

Miss Mina was about to leave when Trina went back to her senses. She quickly stopped her, saying, “Wait Miss Mina. The receipt?”

“Oh! Ha-ha, my apologies. I forgot.” Miss Mina answered as she gets the receipt inside her shoulder bag. She wrote the full amount of repayment then handed it to Trina saying, “Here. I have written there the two months advance payment as well.” After that, Miss Mina completely exited their place.

While looking at the receipt, Trina has turned around to meet Andrea’s questioning gaze. She tensely drools inside as she said in between her pitiful expression, “Andrea, please hear me out. Let me explain.”

“You should.” Andrea responded, suppressing her annoyance. Afterwards, she walked directly to the couch, waiting for Trina to follow her.

Glimpsing at Miguel, Trina walked woefully after Andrea.

On the other hand, Miguel can sense the buildup tension between the two ladies, so he just quietly went back to his unfinished meal and resumed from eating. He doesn't mind at all for he can still see and hear them since the dining and living areas are cohabiting closely in one place.

“I'm sorry Andre, but Jake made a promise that he would just borrow the money and return it right away. He has debts that should be paid via two installments. I don't have any money to lend him because you know that I don't earn enough from the jewelry shop, right? Last month I requested Miss Mina to allow me to pay the rent in full on our third month due date, since I thought Jake will keep his promise in paying the hefty amount today." Trina paused, sniffling, "B-but... I - I never thought he would run away from me and since yesterday, I couldn't contact him.” Shed in tears, she completely revealed.

Looking at Trina’s state, Andrea couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She knows that Jake is Trina’s boyfriend and before she even met her, they were already in a relationship. She also knows that he has hurt Trina several times, but she doesn't know why her friend loves that bastard so much. No matter how many times he was at fault; that even those times she caught him with another woman, still, she forgave him. Just one affection and favor from him, Trina will immediately gives in. Because of this, Andrea would sometimes think that maybe, the adage from the poster of Sergey Lavrentev is true and accurate: ‘It’s crazy what people do for love. And it’s even more crazy what love does to people.’

Andrea really wanted to curse Jake, but she doesn't want to increep at her resentments.

With a heavy sigh, Andrea caressed Trina’s back. She soothed her by saying, “Shh… It’s alright. It’s just a penny, and we could still earn it. Actually, I'm not mad because you didn't pay for our rent, it's just that, I wish you had at least told me so I wouldn't look like a fool in front of Miss Mina.”

When Trina’s emotions subsided, out of Andrea's concerns, she weighed and asked, “But Trin, how long will you let him treat you like this? You know you don’t deserve to be treated like this.”

In between her sobs, Trina answered, “But I love him so much Andrea, and I can’t afford to lose him.”

“So, will you just allow him to treat you like this all the time? Because Trin,” Andrea paused as she held Trina’s hands and she calmly resumed, “If he really loves you, he won't do this to you. He will not hurt you all over again.”

Trina was choked by her words. It seems like a needle is piercing her soul. Now, thoughts are silently popping up her head because frankly speaking, truthfulness hurts. But what can she do? She’s madly in love with her best friend. Yes! Jake was not only her lover, but also her best friend. She knew Jake was not like this before. He just started to change his behavior when his parents abandoned him, and she hopes by loving him; a day would come that the Jake she knows will come back.

Trina sniffs as she heaved a sigh. “Thank you Andrea for your understanding. You’re really a good friend." Trina retorted, she smiled resuming, "Don’t worry about me because I know him. I know sooner or later, Jake will just appear and show himself in front of me. And when that happens, I will be talking to him carefully and thoroughly.”

With her soothing and apologetic gazed, Andrea smiled, followed by a positive nod. Later, she embraced her to pacify her emotions.

Adjacent to their direction, Miguel repeatedly shook his head. He let out a disgusted moan with what he heard. Honestly, he really felt sick to that kind of person named Jake. For him, that person shall be punished.

Trina is slowly wiping her tears when in her direction, she unintentionally made a glimpse at Miguel's side. She remembered what Miss Mina said, so she whispered, “But wait Andre, is he really the one paying?”

Andrea released Trina from her embrace, and following her gazed, she also happened to glance at Miguel, and shortly after, she caught him shaking his head. “Why is he frowning again? And why is he shaking huh? Is he listening to us?” She silently asked herself.

 “Where did he get that stacks of money?” Trina probed, additionally asking after noticing Andrea’s silent response.

Andrea has focused her attention back to Trina and seriously replied, “That – I don’t know.”

“I think, I have to ask him that.” She thought in silence.

***

Monday came and all the executives, significant personnel, and the board of directors gathered in the conference hall.

When everyone was already settled except for the board’s chairman, a sudden confrontation could be heard from one of the company’s huge shareholder.

“Why you didn’t inform the board that Miguel is missing, Simon? He’s second in the chain of command, he’ll probably replace you, so don’t you think that we do not have the rights to know?” Sarah, the Vice Chairman of the board agitatedly asked.

“I didn’t take it that way. That’s the reason why this emergency board of meeting has been directed, so you and the board of members will know.” Simon who is the current CEO and President of Jackson Corp. said in a calm demeanor. He was sitting at the center edge of the huge rectangular table. His facial features show tranquility and explicit supremacy. No doubt, he’s one of the great leaders of the company after his father.

“I’m sorry Simon, but you know Miguel is also a family, so I’m literally hurt that I didn’t know what was happening to him.” Sarah answered.

Nevertheless, for Don Arthur's youngest sibling, Sarah should normally feel that way. After all, she and her eldest sister, the late Cindy Jackson have supported their brother in founding the corporation. That's merely the reason the company built as a Jackson Corporation, solely because of the 3-Jackson's siblings.

“To protect shareholders’ interests and ensure company stability, we need to address this issue. Since you mentioned stepping down, what are the plans moving forward?” Mark, a board member, inquired.

The board members nodded in agreement.

Simon scanned the room, noting the presence of 13 important attendees: excluding the chairman, his father, the vice-chairman, seven board members, and five executives including himself are significantly present.

Marcus scoffed, interjecting the meeting.

“Before our CEO and President could tell his plans, I’d like to ease the emotions of everyone that the company’s 50^th annual celebration has no recent issues and problems. Starting from the budget, programs, venue, menu, guests, and all, everything is already prepared and under control.” Marcus intervened.

His secretary stands from her seat and give everyone a copy of the report. Then, projects it on a projector showing the presentation which Marcus' team has made.

The attendees applauded Marcus for his thorough presentation, impressed by the organization of the company’s milestone event.

“I believed it has already been negotiated next week, on the annual celebration, you will be proclaiming to the public the next leader of our empire, right Simon?” Sarah hastily asked after Marcus' presentation.

She pointed out that since there’s no problem for the annual celebration, then a meeting about the future standing of the company through selecting appropriate leaders should be made.

With a positive nod, Simon replied, “Yes. And I know the board has already voted and decided that my heir would be my second son, Allen Miguel.”

“But with him missing, we should reconsider selecting another candidate,” Johnny, another board member, suggested. “The company’s future should not be jeopardized.”

Simon looked at Marcus and then at his eldest son, Edward.

Marcus anticipated Simon’s next move.

“I will appoint Edward as the new CEO and President of Jackson Corp,” Simon declared firmly.

Marcus observed Edward’s pleased reaction while the room buzzed with whispers. Simon had previously discussed this decision with Marcus, asking for his support to influence the board's decision. He had anticipated this move, knowing the board would consider other candidates: either him or his young Uncle Jason, Sarah's youngest son since it was distinct to the board that there are still three Jacksons capable of running and leading the business.

A cracking sound of the glass door has made everyone's attention to shift. And now, standing before them is the person who maintained the balance of the company; loud and clear, he announced;

“Let the capable Jackson be the next CEO!”

The room fell silent as the founder and Chairman of the Board, Don Arthur Jackson, made his unexpected entrance. His presence commanded attention, with his decisiveness and authority clearly felt throughout the room.