Lance
"Our marketing strategy is good, so we do not have to change it. We just have to work hard and improve more. I want to hear a new business plan for our meeting next time. Is that okay?" I asked my employee.
"Okay, Sir!" They answered in unison, nodding their heads.
I nodded back at them, "Good then. You can now go back to your work," I said, and I headed out first in the meeting room. "Mikaela, did you look into the orphanage I asked you about last time?" I asked my secretary while we were walking towards my office.
"Yes, Sir. I have the documents prepared already. Sir, I will just get the documents from my table. Please excuse me." She answered and went to her table.
I entered my office and sat on the couch, getting a glass of water to drink. It's been two days since I asked her to look for it. Now that I am done with our meeting, I can look for other things to do.
After a short while, someone knocked at the door. "Mr. Guevarra, I will enter now." she said before opening the door.
Mikaela is one of the best secretaries I ever had. She knows what to do and what she should not do. I have never once scolded her because she makes her work neat and clean. You do not have to tell her, she will do it on her own and I am thankful for that.
"Take your seat and explain to me what you have learned." I told her.
She sat on the opposite couch and handed me a folder.
"Saint Angel Orphanage. They are really facing difficulties when it comes to sponsorship. They will always have a sponsor, but it will not last longer. After a few years, the sponsors will stop. Their longest sponsor is in a state of bankruptcy. It looks like it will not last for months from now on. Unlike the other orphanage we are helping, this orphanage has a lot of children." She explained.
I looked at the photos that were inside the folder. They showed children who were playing and smiling widely. A genuine smile. "What do you think about it?" I asked her.
Mikaela smiled, "I think we can help them, Sir. They need your help, and I do not see any problem with their management. I also heard that some of them were using their own money to help and sustain the needs of the children." she answered.
I nodded. "Okay," I said as I rose from the seat. "I wanted to check it myself today. We will go now. I want to explore their place. I also wanted to talk to the sister who gave you this letter." I added, putting the folder on my table.
"All right, Sir, I will get ready and wait for you outside." she replied before exiting the office.
"Just wait for me downstairs. Thank you." I said while fixing myself.
I removed my coat and brought my handbag. I will go home early and finish everything in our house.
After fixing myself, I went downstairs to meet Mikaela.
When we reached the Saint Angel Orphanage after half an hour of travel, I could already hear the children playing inside the moment we got out of the car. It seems like they were playing, because the noises they were making were full of playing language and giggles.
I pressed the doorbell once, making the children inside fall silent. After a few seconds, a man opened the door for us.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am and Sir. Welcome to Saint Angel Orphanage! Come in. May I know the reason for your visit?" The man asked while smiling happily, opening the door gate wide for us to enter.
As soon as we entered the orphanage, the children were standing side by side. Smiling widely, excitement was evident on their faces.
"Welcome to Saint Angel Orphanage!" They all said it in unison.
"Thank you." I answered back, while Mikaela just smiled and waved at them.
This orphanage is the most lively one I went to. The ambiance is too light. I do not feel any awkwardness here.
"Mr. Guevarra?" A sister called while walking towards us hurriedly.
Mikaela politely pointed out to the sister, "She was the one who sent the letter, Sir." she said.
"Good afternoon. I am Kevin Lance Guevarra." I said, introducing myself.
"Thank you very much for visiting us, Mr. Guevarra. I am Sister Ailee. I am the one who is managing this orphanage. You should have told us so that we would be able to prepare some foods for you as our welcome gift." Sister Ailee said.
I waved my hands, politely declining the offer. "You do not have to do that, Sister Aileen. Thank you for your concern." I replied. "I have read the letter you sent me a few days ago. Can we talk about it in private?" I asked.
Sister Ailee slowly nodded her head, "Yes, we can. Let's head to our office then, this way please." She replied and guided us to her office.
Before we began, one of their employees quickly prepared a juice and a piece of bread for us.
"How are the children? Are they all well and doing well?" I started asking.
Sister Ailee answered, "The kids are all good, they behave well and we are still able to overcome our problems." she said. "Although we have a big problem, we do not want the children to be affected by it." she explained sadly.
I smiled at her. "I can see how well you manage them. I am happy that you are entrusting the orphanage to us. I am glad to help the orphanage, Sister Ailee." I said that made her shock from her chair.
"Really? Thank you very much, Mr. Guevarra. You are a big help to us!" Sister Ailee happily said.
"Mikaela, I will leave and explore first. Sister Ailee, you can talk about the process with her. I want to explore the orphanage myself first." I said, and received a nod from her.
I went outside and started exploring the orphanage. The place is not shabby and the children are too lively. I can still hear the children playing at the front.
"Hello, Sir!" A young kid greeted me, waving his hands excitedly.
I waved back at him, "Hello, how old are you?" I greeted him and asked for his age.
"I am nine years old. How about you?" he asked back. "And what is your name? What are you doing here at Saint Angels Orphanage? Are you planning to adopt one of us?" The kid asked me continuously, dropping all his questions like a bomb. He was not giving me a chance to absorb his questions.
How cute. Kids tend to be curious about everything, and it makes them more cute.
I sat long enough to be at his eye level. "I am twenty-five years old. I am Lance, you can call me Brother Lance if you want to. And I am also not here to adopt. I hope I answered all your questions." I told him. "I am here to help the orphanage, and you will see me every month here." I explained.
"Really? Are we going to play like what we are always doing with Sister?" He asked excitedly. "Sister is still at school; that is why we cannot still play. We are waiting for her to come." He shared as he looked around his surroundings.
"Ahh, your sister is still at school. Do not worry, while your sister is still at school, we will play later." I said, and patted his head.
"Really?! Okay, I will tell the others now. Bye!" He suddenly said and ran to his playmates.
So, they have a student. It may be really hard for them, especially if no one is going to sponsor the orphanage. It's a good thing that Sister Ailee found me. I don't want them to suffer like she did.
I went on a tour of the orphanage and took notes so that I can go over what I saw and what I can do later. After that, I played with the children. Playing different games and asking them some things about themselves.
Our playing lasted for an hour. It was tiring, but it was fun.
"Wait for me next time. I will be back and we will play again." I told the kids.
They all nodded their heads happily. "We will, brother Lance!" they said in unison.
"Visit us again, brother Lance!"
"We will wait for you!"
"Do not forget us!"
"I will. Be good to your sisters and brothers. Do not make trouble for them, okay?" I told them and then turned to face Sister. "Sister Ailee, we will head now. Message me at the phone number I gave you. We will process everything, so you do not have to worry." I reminded her.
Sister Ailee nodded her head in relief, "Thank you very much, Mr. Guevarra. I know God has sent you to us to help us overcome this problem. Take care on your way home." She said this and sent us outside the orphanage.
"Mikaela, where should we drop you? I have to buy something for Lizzy." I told my secretary.
"You can just send me to the bus stop, Sir." She answered,
"Okay, rest when you get home. We have many meetings to finish tomorrow." I said and checked my phone to see if Lizzy had sent her wishes for what I should buy.
I texted her an hour ago and the last message she sent was 'Wait...', so I am thinking that the list is long because of her reply. I hope it's not, though. She is using this opportunity because I asked her, right?
Lizandrea shouldn't take Bricx's attitude. Please, no. It would be my hell.
She is slowly turning into my friend. They already have the same attitude, and it is their way of annoying me.
Should I just stop them from seeing each other?