Broken Promises (COMPLETED)

Chapter 21 - True Colors

Flash update beshies! I know you're in a hurry to know what's up so I did an update even if it's just a quick one. But like always, my updates are crucial to the story, there's an element or hint of what is to come in every chapter I come up with, because  want to keep you guessing.

The hint in this chapter is really yelling at you in the face, I hope you all get where the story will go. I know some of you fer that they will separate because of a third party, but you guys deserve better than that. A love as strong as theirs should never falter with a third party angle. I am choosing the road less traveled by choosing a different reason for the breakdown of their marriage.  Stay tuned.

Hope you enjoy this chapter and as always, leave a comment, ok?

November 2015

Richard reviewed the Profit and Loss statement of the company, while he and their Finance Consultant waited for Sam and Daniel to arrive. So many items in their overhead costs just didn't add up, and it alarmed him that Design Asia was not earning as much as he expected. They closed quite a few design and fit-out contracts, such that their work schedule was already full until a year from now.

At last Daniel and Sam arrived from a meeting. They both sat down in front of him in their conference room, still sweaty from their site inspection meetings. Both had no idea what the meeting was for, and Richard meant for it to be that way. He wanted both to be clueless so that they had no preparation for this meeting.

"Guys, thanks for coming despite the short notice. We'll be closing the books for 2015 soon, just need to clear some things. Ang laki kasi ng expense natin this year, nakain na yung income kaya halos break-even lang tayo. Nakakadisappoint kasi sabi ko pa naman sa boys natin may bonus kapag maganda kita."

"Yan kasi hirap sayo Faulkerson," Daniel said with a sneer. Don't commit something na wala pa sa kamay mo. Saka discretion naman natin kung magbibigay ng bonus, di naman mandatory yan."

"Pero tama din naman na magreward tayo sa kanila eh,' Sam said. "Our boys work hard. Yung iba dito pa natutulog kahit weekend matapos lang mga rendering natin."

"Bayad sila sa overtime nila kaya wala silang reklamo dapat." Daniel said darkly.

"Teka, nawawala tayo sa topic eh. Yung expenses natin, ang laki. Renovation ng office natin inabot ng milyon? Why? Wallpaper and porcelain tiles lang ang ginawa dito, plus partitioning ng space for 60 square meters. Bakit umabot ng P1.3 million? Bakit yung billing nabayaran eight months after we moved in?"

Sam looked questioningly at Daniel."Bro, diba contact mo yung contractor na tumira ng office?"

"Teka, bakit naging issue na late tayo nagbayad?" Daniel asked incredulously. "Kakilala ko nga yan kaya nga pumayag na late tayo magsettle ng billing." But Richard continued to question him.

"Pero yung wallpaper na ginamit nila hindi naman commensurate sa halaga. Yung porcelain tiles natin galing China lang. Obvious bang porous yung quality, ang daling mapingas saka may water absorption."

He examined the excel file again, his brows knitting together. "Also, bakit ang daming hotel bills for weekend stays kung saan-saan? Wala tayong project sa Cebu, nor do we have a project in Cagayan de Oro. Pati flights puro business class."

"Why are you questioning my expenses? I went there to look for projects."

"Pati ba itong trip to Bali saka Phuket for project sourcing? Saka trip for two? Sino kasama mo?

"Baka si Trina," Sam said, snickering. He stood up when Daniel also stood to confront him, both eying each other with menace. "O, bakit? Naiinis ka sakin kasi binanggit ko si Trina? Gago ka eh, wala kang delikadeza."