Chapter 4 - The First Day of the New CEO

I

The announcement of Damian Lincuja has been scattered all throughout the social media including in newspapers. This caption “THE NEW CEO OF LINCUJA REAL ESTATE IS DAMIAN LINCUJA’S ONLY SON AND SOLE HEIR, THE RECENT BAR TOP NOTCHER” became a piece of trending news not only in the Philippines but also worldwide.

Such trending news almost made Lucia Raguya’s head burst out in anger. She tore into pieces the newspaper and threw her mobile phone. Whenever she browses her F******k account, Twitter, G****e, and even Youtube, the news about Damian Lincuja’s announcement was there. “The hell with you Damian, how could you do this to me?!” Lucia shouted.

The maids in the living room who are starting to clean the area were frightened. They knew, just like before, this old woman will turn her wrath on them. She is like a crazy violent woman.

Lucia out of the blue called her driver and commanded him to drive her going to Damian’s office. Although hesitant, the driver could not do anything but follow.

At the residence of Carolina and Wilgreg, the two are having a serious conversation while drinking their favorite brewed coffee on their veranda.

“Mom, I have seen the news all over.” It was Wilgreg, who said while intently looking at his mother.

“Yes, I saw it too. I am wondering what happens to Damian. What made him suddenly totally change his mind about us, about you?” Carolina could not yet believe actually. For so long, there was no attempt in any way from Damian to see his son.

“I am thinking Mom; would it be that Damian is sick? That he needs to fix everything before he dies? He wanted to die peacefully?”

“Wilgreg, he is your father, even though he was not good to us in the past, still he is your father. Call him father, if you cannot call him Dad, not just Damian.” Carolina lectured her son.

Wilgreg shrugged off.

“And, let us hope that he is healthy. Just think that maybe God already made a turning point in his life and this is it,” Carolina further stated.

Wilgreg looked at his mother and kiss her temple. “Alright Mom, don’t worry, I will.

II

While in his study room, now converted into his mini office, Wilgreg remembered how Damian reacted when he saw him arrive in his office two days ago. His father immediately stood up like he really wanted to embrace him, but suddenly stopped when he saw his emotionless face while he was standing in front of his executive desk.

“Mr. Damian Lincuja, I am Wilgreg Monaro, your son with Carolina Monaro.” With an unfathomable expression, he extended his right hand to his father, for a handshake.

Damian Lincuja accepted the offered hand of his son and without any word, suddenly made a step closer and hugged his son tightly while tapping his head gently. A tear almost fell from Damian Lincuja’s eyes. He cannot control his emotion. He has waited for this moment for so long. It was just; his ego a long time ago, which was more powerful than his heart.

“Wilgreg.” It was Carolina, who showed her head at his room’s door. The young man’s reminiscing moment has been interrupted.

“What is it, Mom?”

“Would you date your mother today lunch? I wanted to eat some pasta in an Italian Restaurant.”

Wilgreg cannot control laughing at his mother’s question. “Wow Mom, how about you, would you want to date your son, who almost exactly looks like his father?”

Carolina laughed out loud. “Of course! Let me guess, someone will mistakenly think again that I am your girlfriend.” Both of them laughed so happily.

Lucia reached the office of Damian. Like a prima donna, she walked with her head high, not even smiling when some staff greeted her. She went directly to the CEO’s office. Rowell, the executive secretary of Damian, tried to stop the prima donna, but the latter just shoot him with a dagger look. Rowell was not able to stop Lucia from entering the office of his boss. He just gently closed the door when the woman was able to enter already.

“Damian!” Lucia called the man sitting in his swivel chair.

Damian was surprised upon seeing the woman in his office. “What are you doing here Lucia?!”

“What am I doing here? Hah, you think the news will not reach me?”

“So you know already,” Damian flatly said.

“Yes, why Damian, why now that you are recognizing your bastard!”

“Don’t you ever call my son a bastard Lucia! This should be the last time that you will call him that!”

Lucia sarcastically laughed. “Wow, like a good father, you seem to care for your son already, huh! Since when Damian?”

“Since the day he was born Lucia, so don’t you dare question my actions as a father to my son.” Damian this time speaks calmly.

“So, he will be replacing you as the CEO of this Company? What more Damian? Are you going to give him now all your assets to him? Tell me?”

Damian looked at Lucia with a profound expression, “Who are you to question what I am going to do with my wealth? You have no contribution in any way to it. As a matter of fact, instead of contributing, you just wasted so much on luxuries, to brag to your so-called friends in the society.”

“How dare you Damian, my sons are helping you with your businesses!”

“Really? I am paying them more than they deserved. So, Lucia, stop now; go back to the mansion or just go to the salon, your favorite spot.” Mockingly, Damian sent the woman away.

“Lucia angrily marched heavily going out of Damian’s office.

III

A week has passed and today, the whole staff of the Lincuja Realty Company seems all tense. Today is the first day of office of the new CEO.

Everyone came so early. They heard that the new CEO, unlike his father Damian Lincuja, is an early bird.

Some single women are tense but excited at the same time. The new CEO is still so young, hot, and definitely a man to swoon for. To top it all off, he topped the recent BAR Examination aside from being the sole heir of Damian Lincuja, the Billionaire Realty and Shipping Tycoon.

Everybody became silent when Rowell informed them that the new CEO is already in the building. It’s only seven-thirty in the morning.

As Wilgreg entered the premises of Lincuja Realty Company, all the staff greeted him. He just nodded a bit and walked directly to his office.

Some ladies are giggling.

“Marie, I will always be early from now on.” Said Ronalie, one of the administrative and HR staff. Marie giggled too and made a thumbs-up sign with her colleague.

When Atty. Ninia Salamera, entered the office at eight-thirty in the morning, she was so surprised to see that almost everybody is already present unlike before, many are always late. Seems like, she was even the last to come to the office today. “Hmmm, did Jesus Christ already come to earth and visited the office, that suddenly changed the attitude of most of the staff here?” Atty. Ninia laughed at her own joke.

“You are the last to come to today Madam, and yet you are even secretly laughing.” A baritone voice with authority speaks, which almost made Atty. Ninia to jump.

As she looked up, she saw Atty. Wilgreg Monaro in front of her executive table. Oh my, she forgot, today is the first day of the new CEO!