DANA
It's not that I started from scratch but the company was on a low market back then. I had to strategize with the sales promotions and win more clients. The first year of me taking over was the worst. It challenged me, but I'm proud to say it only took me less than a year to recover and once again, Russel Clothing Inc. was back to the charts. We were back to being the country's best.
I did that. It was me. and I deserve to taste this success.
I employed Zyril as my personal assistant. I cannot let her go. She's a smart and hardworking person and I need more of those in the company. Also, she loves the company so much and I don't want to get rid of that love. It was admirable… and I know Dad would like her to stay with the company.
Now we're in a Tycoons' Summit, a yearly event for the biggest businessmen and businesswomen to meet in a gala. Father and I had been here a lot of times since I was 18 and today's the second time I came without him, with only Zyril behind me.
I wore a silver bodycon gown with a halter strap and a high slit on the right leg. The stiletto was caramel in color, five-inches in length and simple in design. My long brown hair was braided at the top of my head making a look of both messy and classy and my earrings were long silver chain. The makeup was also simple, with a lot of emphasis to my smokey, dark and foxy eyes. When I looked at the mirror before going here, I loved it. all of it.
After posing for the cameras, Zyril and I entered the gala. She, on the other hand was wearing a baby pink mermaid gown with a spaghetti strap. It was simple enough not to take away the attention from me.
"this way, Miss Russel." – a man in a white tuxedo and a red tie assisted me and Zyril to our table.
The event was looking expensive in every corner. The chandeliers were huge and plenty. The music was a live orchestra, the tables were filled with glasses and wines, flowers also adorned every corner. The motif of white, gold and red gave the place a sense of royalty it deserves.
"thank you." – murmured my thanks to the usher as we sat down on the nearest table to the orchestra. They were playing some sort of symphony.
"hi, miss Dana. It's a pleasure sharing a table with you." – said a man in a dark red tuxedo and a creamy white inner polo. he reached for my hand and kissed it.
Hmm, Paulo Santiago from Pau and Co. His business focuses more on dairy products they export outside the country. The table has six chairs and three were occupied. Me, Zyril and now Paulo. I smiled at him.
"no, the pleasure is mine." – I said. You know, the usual flattery
"I'm so sorry about what happened to your father. I wasn't here last year so I haven't…"
"it's fine."
I said, suppressing the tears… again. when will this be easy? When will the time come when they say his name and I won't be biting my tongue to distract myself from the threatening tears?
"yes. The company's doing fine, though. Congratulations."
I smiled. Fine? Just fine? We're on top again, man. I don't think that's just fine. But I see no reason to argue to that. Every business magazine and everyone on this field may prove him otherwise.
By time, the other three chairs on our table were occupied by the Giovanni Triplets. They were extremely shy and only smiled at the first three people in the table. They were all girls, early twenties if I may be right. they were the ones attending the gala every year but of course, everyone knows they don't have any clue about the business named after them. Everyone knows it's their parents running the business, it's just their faces on the cover. I smirked just thinking about it. They don't even deserve to be here.
"excuse me, Zyril. I have to go to the comfort room."
"do you need me to go with you?" – she asked innocently… or maybe she didn't want to stay here with these four weirdos. Of all the table….
"no."
I walked to the bathroom's direction like I owned the place. Many seated people turned their eyes on me, that's right. I want all the attention. They can look. I just gave them waves and smiles. When I reached the bathroom, it was empty. Thank God.
I looked at my reflection on the mirror. I looked gorgeous, that's a fact… but I also look tired and my eyes were welling with tears. Damn that Paulo. Does he need to bring my father's death up? it was a trigger, something that brought some unwanted memories back. I didn't want anyone in there to see me like a wreck that I am now.
"keep it in, Dana. Keep it in."
I was talking to myself in the mirror. But my eyes were a traitor. As soon as I said that, the tears fell. Damn it. my eyeliner would be ruined by this. I grabbed a tissue from the corner of the room and placed them just below my eyes. This is pathetic. Why am I here, crying my eyes out when I'm supposed to be there enjoying the night?
"keep it in, Dana. Keep it in."
I gave up. I guess the only way to make it stop is to let the tears flow. So I did… for a while. When it stopped, I crumpled the tissue papers and threw them to the trash can just below the sink. I inhaled, then exhaled before going out of the bathroom.
"this one's for you, dad."
I said and plastered a smile on my face. As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I heard someone say:
"Danny!"
I froze. I knew whom that voice belonged to I didn't move but it was him who moved to my front. He hugged me and I was still standing like I stepped on a land mine.
It was Neil Castro, looking the same but a few years older. My ex-boyfriend and the only romantic venture I had.
"wow, how long has it been?"
He asked, like we're just two friends who haven't seen each other for a long time.