Chasing The Broken CEO

I phoned my mom after our simple celebration. Just like the usual, mom can't help but to cry the moment she answered my call. She greeted me and filled me up with some details about our failing company. She also told me that my father has been stressed out because of it.

I let out a heavy sigh. I think there's nothing new about it. The only think I want is for my parents to have enough strength to handle our company's problem and the stress it is giving. I know I can't do anything but I still worry about their mental wellness.

After that call, I saw Shaira's caller ID on my phone screen. I answered her call immediately and went to the balcony. The cold night breeze kissed my pale skin.

"Happy birthday to you, my dear cousin!" She greeted me on the other line.

"Thank you, Shaira..." I replied softly.

I heard her heavy sighs and I can really tell that she's having a hard time saving our company from being bankrupt. Our share holders have pulled out their shares and remained unconvinced despite how many times Shaira have tried her best to talk to them. Our company, which my father establied that was once growing bigger and better, is now failing so bad.

"It's alright, Shaira." I uttered in a cold voice. "You can tell me everything that's happening out there."

"I am very sorry, Nathalie..." she sighed once again. "I am not sure what else to do to save the company. I am running out of workarounds and the share holders remain tough with their decision. I can only think of one solution that would help us to operate despite these issues we can't even resolve. However, I am afraid that your father has to step down from his position and stick with the company as one of the board members or a share holder. If we don't do this option, there are so many employees that will end up jobless, Nathalie."

"What is this solution you're trying to propose then?"

She inhaled deeply. I bit my lower lip while waiting for her to respond. After a few seconds, she already spieled the solution she have.

"The option left is to sell the company to some business tycoons in the industry so we can retain the thousands of employees working with us. But once we do that, it's either your father will become a board member or a share holder, not the owner, Nathalie. I am afraid he won't like it though..."

"Then do it, Shaira..." I commanded her without any hesitation in mind.

"I think it is better if you talk to your dad about this matter, Nathalie. I tried to suggest it once but he only got mad at me. The company is already failing and the damage would be uncontrollable if he continues to protect his pride. I am sorry but this is the only option we have for now. If only there will be a miracle and our share holders will change their mind, know that this thing would never happen but we're already doomed, Nathalie. I am really sorry. I don't want to deliver this kind of bad news on your birthday."

"That's fine, Shaira. I understand that you're only doing the best you can for the company," I bit my lower lip firmly as I imagined how my father would react once I talk to him regarding this only option we have. "I will try to talk to dad by tomorrow. Thank you very much, Shaira. I am sorry for all these mess."

"No worries, Nathalie."

I ended the call and pursed my lips. I looked at the night sky. The crescent moon is shining perfectly even though there are clouds passing through it. The million stars are also shining and lively and the cold night breeze continued to embrace my skin.

I sighed in defeat.

What else could happen in our life? Everything is totally falling apart. If only I have a magical power that I can use to fix things up, I won't hesitate to hold on to that. However, I am just a useless and selfish daughter. It feels like these several issues we have are sucking the energy of my entire family.

As for me, my energy has been sucked up by someone else long time ago. But then, I can still feel the searing pain whenever I remember that unwanted event. It has been more than a year but it appears that the pain never left me. At first, I thought it already left me but I was wrong. It is just right here in the deepest part of my chest, currently shielded by the cold emotion that overpowered my entire being.

He was the one who started this misfortune in our life. This is all his fault.

My phone vibrated that means someone has sent me a text message. I unlocked my phone screen and checked it. My forehead creased when I read the text message from an unknown phone number. From: +63907-112-***

I miss you

I inhaled sharply and shook my head. I think someone has mistakenly sent me a text message. I didn't bother to reply and just deleted the text message right away. It seems that I need to change my phone number. The moment a stranger sends me a text message accidentally, I started to feel that I am violating his or her privacy. Reading text messages that are supposed to be for someone else feels like I am also reading some secrets too.

I decided to get inside my room and laid on my bed. I shifted my position and stared at the white tulips that I put inside a vase. I displayed it on my side table so that I can see it better. They look more lovely right now.

It's funny that I have this thought of sending white tulips to my parents. I know it sounds crazy but I want them to know that I am truly sorry for everything that is happening.

***

The next day, I gathered all my strength and talked to my father over the phone regarding the option Shaira has given us-- to sell the company. My cousin was right. Like how he reacted when she mentioned it to him, he also got mad at me for considering the option. He shouted at me and said that he won't sell or give up our company no matter what happens.

It is too early in the morning yet I am already upset with everything. I don't know what else to do to convince my father. I feel so guilty that my cousin have to suffer because of all this mess we are in.

What more could I do other than this, right? I'm just nothing but a useless daughter after all.

"You're wearing that kind of face again. Should I get used to it?" Chandria asked when she joined me for breakfast at the terrace where we can see the beauty of my grandma's garden.

"What now?" I asked back with my forehead still creasing like endlessly.

She gave me a smile and sipped on her coffee.

"Will it hurt you so bad if you act positively for today? It's too early but I am already seeing your grumpy face."

If only I could be just like her. Seeing all the positive in everything became her hobby. I couldn't blame her though. She can do everything she wants ever since we were kids. She can do everything that will make her happy. On the other hand, it wasn't the deal for me. I am stuck to obey my parents' rules at a very young age.

This is the only time that I can do anything I was but I feel like it is becoming useless to me. One thing is for sure, I already lost the interest of doing things that will make me happy.

"Our company is doomed yet my father doesn't want to sell it," I opened up and then sat on the available chair in front of hers.

"Oh, my goodness!" she frowned. "I am sorry, Nathalie..."

"No worries, I'm good." I said and then looked up at the dark gray sky. It appears that there will be a heavy rain today. Like it happens mostly everyday.

"That's a sad news. I was about to ask you to come with me as I wanted to visit the beach in Panglao but it's obvious that you're not okay. Maybe this isn't a good time to roam around..."

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I glanced at her and she's pouting her lips. I feel bad that she have to see me this way. Sadness filled her face and I can't bear to see it knowing that she doesn't deserve to feel the dark emotion I am feeling right now.

I don't want her to feel it too.

I sighed in defeat. Since I can't do anything else for our company, might as well make this girl happy instead. She's my visitor and she needs to see the whole place after all.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

"What? Are you sure?" She looks concerned but the excitement in her eyes became evident.

I nodded slowly. I need to get away from everything too before I get crazy. In addition, I haven't been able to roam around and visit some tourist spots in this place ever since I went here. The only places I knew is this place-- our home, and the office where I work everyday.

I don't even have the interest of going to different places just to have fun. It's tiresome and I don't have the energy. Yeah, I can do that before but now it feels like it's going to suck all my remaining energy so I had to give it up. But, I will have to try it now. I don't want to bore my best friend here so I'll gather all my energy and go with here to have a little fun.

Chandria smiled widely at me. She even clapped her hands and thanked me. She called her boyfriend on the phone right after our breakfast. I can't help but to observe her while she's talking to Sei Yamaguma. She seems very happy with her relationship with him and it's obvious that Sei is also taking good care of her, no matter how crazy and stupid she could get some times.

I smiled inwardly. My best friend is truly lucky to have a man like Sei. That man is incomparably different.

I suddenly felt the sting emotion inside my chest thinking that fate had given me a different story.

As for me, I was unlucky to have met his best friend, the very reason why my life turned upside down.