Our celebration became the talk of the office for 3 days. Some says it's too early but we don't care. We are already happy and confident that we will acheive our goal though monthly sales analysis is not yet out. I didn't get any report of the sales. It went directly to Veron's office then to the Chairman. It will be part of the board meeting report today. Finally I will know the outcome of my very first project at Ponti Enterprise. Veron reported a good increase in sales to the stock holders and investors. He also reported that it happened on the period that his father became the chairman. He calls for a celebration to solidify the Chairmanship of Mr. Alejandro. According to the report the company used a budget of 1 Million instead of 10M. And gained 60% increased in sales. So the credit went to his father who did actually nothing but wait for the result. Though this is a normal scene and I should not ponder over this silly matter. The people inside congratulate the chairman while the old man happily accepted the praises that are suppose to be mine. Anyway atleast we will get 9 Million more from these people. As long as we get the money I will be happy already. Veron stayed behind to congratulate me and mention my brilliance while I answered him with a sour smile.
"Let's talk on your office after this." I told him.
"Alright!" He answers back. I followed him as he walk. "So what do you want to tell me?" He inquired with neutral tone. Not even raising one of his thick eye browse.
"I want to claim my remaining 9 Million from you! Like now!" I told him.
"Ow I need to send the report to the Chairman first then you need to wait for his approval. This is not urgent right?" He use his business tone again to me. As if he is not looking into my eyes but I know he does. He is a little hesitant but of course he must be ashamed of himself since he lost the bet. The whole day had passed but I received no cheque from his office. I came to check the next day. Early in the morning I'm at his office to bother him about the chequè.
"I came for my 9M. Hello I'm waiting. It's not hard to make the sales climb up to 60 percent Sir. Compared to your 5% increase from last month I guess I need an incentive for my good work. And beside you promised me that money since the day we started. Hello?" He is speechless and kind of forgetful about my money so I have to knock his head a little bit.
"I know but I'm still working on it!" He answered pressured of my stubbornness. " I will finalize it tomorrow."
"That's what you told me yesterday. Come on, your not busy. Do it now! I can wait here. In just few minutes you can easily finish a letter to your father stating you need to pay me and my team 9M more in addition to the 1 M that you already gave us since 10 M is the original budget. And we had a bet which I know you still remember! I won that bet just so you know. So pay up!" I can't wait for another month for that cheque, we gotta celebrate while the victory is hot coz it will be useless to party after a month. The fire will be gone. Please I need the money!" I told him even strongly.
"The thing is the 9 M is not approved. I'm sorry!" Veron answered me. His face is ashamed of what he said. "But you know this is not my decision right? I will really give you that 9M but I don't have it right now." I'm bursting in anger I want to punch somebody. I've been used. Again and again I'm being used. "Wait Andrea please listen." He hold my hand to stop me from leaving. "How about I give you my own money. I have 5 M right now when I get another 4 M I will send it to you right away." He proposed apologitically.
"I don't need your money. What I want is what you promised me." My heart is broken, my tears started to flow down. I'm so disappointed. I walked out of that room to confront the chairman but Veron stopped me.
"Please Andrea, you don't have to go there anymore. It's his decision. Technically you can't do anything if he decided not to approve that budget. I just don't want you to fight further. Plus it's such a waste of energy for you to do that. Please!" He begged me but I forced my self out and went directly to the chairman.
"You claimed the credit of my work, received all the compliments that are suppose to be mine but failed to pay what your son promised me. I need my money now!" I demanded.
"How dare you enter this room with that tone. I'm still the chairman and just so you know I received the budget report of 1 M not 10M. I don't care about my son's promise to you but that's his promise not mine. I will only pay the actual expenses which is 1M." He explained straightly.
"But it is supposed to be 10 so your son promised that if I manage to reduce the amount of advertizing budget I will get 9 remaining million for myself. I betted my own money for this. And you will give me this answer. The brand won't be a success if not because of me and my team. We deserve incentives for this project." I demanded strongly.
"Ow yes you will. You will all receive 1 box of 1 point and I will throw a party for your team. But that's not 9 million. I'm sorry but you are not getting more than that, whatever tantrums you throw and where ever court we go. You can't do anything about it. The decision is on me." I started crying in front of that old man. I feel so weak. It's all useless. I've been used. My muscles are shivering with all the anger inside me.l
"So if there is nothing else. Can you please exit my office. I have other things to do than hear you shinanigans." That old man is cruel. I left the room then went to my office I threw whatever item I can get. I'm so mad. Veron followed to check on me.
"Andrea please, blame it on me. I should have not promise you that money. And I told you I will use my own money to pay you. Here take my card. Please don't get so upset over this matter it's bad for our baby." Veron tried to pacify me. But instead of listening to him. I grab something hard to throw at him.
"I hate you. I hate your Dad and I hate your child inside me. I want you all to die...." I'm crying so bad. I'm so mad. Veron endured the pain from the flying objects and walk close to me. He manage to grab the last item I'm about to throw at him. He hugged me and calm me down. He called Talia for help. I continued crying for 15 mins. I didn't noticed my blood pressure is getting to high for my condition. I felt a surge of blood coming from inside me. I told Talia to check it. Her face is in tears after confirming I have blood on my skirt. She immediately ordered Veron to bring me to the hospital. Veron carrìed me on his arms. I participated since I'm scared to lose my child as well. I can't stop from crying to think that I'm losing my child. It's my fault for not controlling my emotions. I can't stop myself from crying knowing that it's all my doing. It's my fault this is all happening.
"Andrea please. Just breathe, inhale exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Yoù have to calm down if not you will lose your child today." Talia ordered me. I hugged Talia.
"I don't want to lose my baby. I'm sorry I get so angry. But please don't take my baby away." I told Talia like a child bargaining for her very important toy.
"No it's not gonna happen but please be good this time. Alright?"Talia stayed beside me the whole journey.
I hugged her then closed my eyes, I followed her breathing exercise command. Good thing she's beside me because I will not know what to do if I'm alone. When we arrived the at the hospital. The Doctor confirmed spotting. And possible miscariage if we didn't arrive early at the hospital. The Doctor prescribed a medicine to keep the baby hold stronger inside. He advise bedrest for the whole week. So I can't work.
After hearing that. Talia told me that she needs to go out to buy some snacks. I think she's already hungry by now. Silence strike when she went out of the door. Only me and Veron is left inside the room. I chose to turn my back away from him. I closed my eyes to rest. I felt a warm hand touching mine. It is Veron.
"I know you hate me and my father but please don't include our child to your anger. Our child is innocent. My sins and my fathers' are not his." He sat next to me with his eyes full of tears. "I tought I will lose my child today. It hurts so much inside. I know you felt it too. So please just take care of yourself. With him inside you, It feels like I still have hope. I feel like I have reason to go on." He gave me a hug from behind while I'm laying down on the hospital bed. My tears are on again but I chose to relax this time and just let it pass. I still hate him and his father. Now my baby almost died because of that anger.