Love at Stake (BongLeni)

Chapter 23

Henry's talking to the phone when his assistant came in, "sir excuse me" he cover up his phone and look at his assistant "may mga nakita po akong documents ni mam Leni—"

He frowned, "Ikaw na ang bahala dyan" the assistant nodded and proceeded to check all the documents.

***

Tasia went inside Leni's room, Bongbong asked her to stay with Leni for a while since he has plenty of meetings.

She sit beside her bed and looks at her. "Akala ko ba matapang ka" she said. Trying to hold back her tears, "eh bat ayaw ko pa ding bumangon dyan. Alam mo madame, pinag piestahan na nila yung kompanya mo".

All she can hear is the sounds of apparatus, she shook her head, then held her mom's hand, "madame, gising kana. Huwag kang madaya" she cries.

"Hindi ko kayang hawakan ang buong kompanya ng wala ka. Huwag mo kong iwan please. Huwag mong takasan ang responsibility mo sakin sa pangalawang pag kakataon"

But still, there's no response.

Tasia cries.

***

After a whole week of no progress, Tasia's walking down the aisle when she saw Henry waiting for her. She rolled her eyes, knowing that their conversation will be about the next CEO.

"I don't have time for you Henry" she said.

"Do you happen to know Atty. Carlos De Guzman?" he asked. Tasia stop walking and face him, "sino yun?" She asked.

"Atty. Carlos De Guzman used to be Madame Leni's personal lawyer. Up to the day he retired, malapit ang loob ni madame Leni sakanya."

Tasia crossed her arms, "so?" She had enough of Henry's crap. "He's requesting ng meeting saatin with Ms. Belinda—"

"I'm here Henry" Tasia look behind and saw a tall old but still handsome man. His american accent is also noticeable.

"Atty. De Guzman..." Henry said then shake his hand. "You must be the COO" he said.

Tasia offer him a shake hands, "yes attorney, I'm Tasia Gonzales"

"It's so nice to finally meet you, anyway the reason why I'm here is to talk to both of you including Belinda Gerona" he said.

"Sir, nasa conference room na po si Ma'am Belinda" the assistant said.

Tasia's confused of what is going on and what does Atty. De Guzman wants. They all went to the conference room and saw Belinda seating on Leni's swivel chair.

"I like this chair, I may want to keep it" she said. Tasia wanted to pull this woman's hair, the only thing that stopping her is the fact that Belinda is still her mom's sister.

"The person I wanted to speak with" Carlos said.

"Ah tungkol saan po ba ito attorney? What is so urgent na umuwi ka pa galing America?" Henry asked in behalf of Belinda. Tasia sit on the swivel chair and observes them.

Carlos hand Belinda a brown envelope, "because of this" he said.

Henry and Belinda looks curious to what is inside the envelope. Belinda stood up then open the envelope and started reading it, "no, no this can't be real" Belinda said.

Tasia saw the horror in Belinda's face. Now, she's curious what is inside the envelope.

"But it is real Belinda, what you have in your hands is the last will and testament of Madame Leni Gerona" Tasia suddenly took the paper to Belinda to read it.

"Even though she's still alive, I think it's appropriate that we follow this order" Carlos said. Henry frowned then took the paper to Tasia.

Tasia felt suffocated after reading the document. "May last will and testament si madame?!" Henry exclaimed.

"I wouldn't be surprised if magugulat kayo kasi quite frankly ako din nagulat kung kanino niya ibinibigay ang kompanya niya"

"Sa anak niya?!" Belinda exclaimed in anger. "That's correct" Carlos said.

Henry and Belinda look furious while Tasia look so scared, scared that the public will be able to discover her real identity.

"Ang kanyang kaisa- isang anak sa ating current president Bongbong Marcos ang magiging taga pag mana ng lahat ng kanyang ari-arian, including this company" he said in authoritative voice.

Henry sit down as he scans the documents, "I know this comes as a shock to you Belinda kasi kahit ako, ngayon ko lang nalaman na may anak si Madame Leni."

"Yes attorney that's right, is this legal?" Henry asked.

Carlos nodded, "yes Henry"

Then he wipe his mouth, "paano ho yan? Eh hindi naka notarize ito eh. Paano magiging legal to?" He added.

"It will fall under the category of holographic will. Hindi kailangan ng notaryo. I took the liberty of having examined by an expert and hand writing ni Madame Leni yan and a lot of people can attest to the sound of position of Madame nung panahon na sinulat niya yan. 10 years ago nung ako pa ang company lawyer kaya sakin naka address yan.

It clearly specifies na ang buong kompany at lahat ng kanyang assets ay mapupunta sa kaisa isa niyang anak."

Then Belinda smack the table, "that can't be!"

"I understand Belinda, you are on step away from becoming a billionaire and CEO tas na purnada pa" Carlos said.

"How can she have a daughter when that woman couldn't even love someone else but herself!" Belinda screamed.

"Have you met her before the company happened?" Carlos said but Belinda remained silent. Carlos looks at Tasia and saw the worry in her face, different kind of worry, not like Belinda and Henrys'."

"So attorney what are you planning to do?" Henry asked.

"Find Madame Leni's daughter. Walang pangalan na naka lagay dyan kaya sigurado akong medyo matatagal but still I will not give up." Carlos saw the anger in Henry and Belinda so he just chuckled.

"Pano kung mapatunayan kong illegal yang will na yan or may legal loophole" Belinda asked then Carlos just smirked while Henry brush the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"pag sinasabi ni Carlos De Guzman na authentic and will na yan, he can make it stand sa kahit saang korte. Believe me, isang napaka galing na lawyer nyan" Henry uttered, glancing his way.

"Lahat ng tao may katapat Carlos, how much are you? Ilang percent ba ng company shares and gusto mo?" Belinda offered him.

"Let me tell you about my great great grandfather Belinda. Simpleng mag sasaka lang sya, may labing tatlong anak. Nung panahon ng gera, naging makapili siya. Nag saklob sya ng bayong sa ulo at tinuro niya lahat ng kilalang hook sa lugar nila kapalit ng hapunan para sa pamilya niya. Pinag kalulo ng lolo ko ang mga kapitbahay at kaibigan nya."

Belinda smirked, "am I understanding you correctly Carlos. Does that mean we have a deal?"

Then Carlos stood up, "I'm making a point of comparison" he said sharply.

"Between me and my great great grandfather." Then Belinda frowned.

"Panahon ng gera nun, wala ng Hapon ngayon. Mag sasaka siya, abugado ako. Mangmang siya, may pinag-aralan ako. Dukha siya, mayaman ako!" He said then it was time for Tasia to smirked knowing where this conversation will end.

"What makes you think na tatraydorin ko si Madame Leni?! That woman gave me nothing but respect, trust, and importance! At walang makaka tapat ng kahit mag kano sa pag titiwalang yan!" He scowled. He took his briefcase and walk closer to Belinda.

"Kapatid ka ni Madame, you should be beside her but instead you are here! Trying to get what rightfully hers and her daughter! Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa balat mo Belinda?" He asked calmly then walks out.

Belinda screamed and throw the last will and testament, Tasia laughed then followed Attorney Carlos.