THE BILLIONAIRE: First Love (Book 1)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

EVANDER BLACK is a 29 years old 1/4 Filipino, 1/4 American and half Colombian businessman based in America and in the Philippines. He speaks Spanish, English and Tagalog. Lumaki siya sa Colombia at nag-aral doon hanggang High School. He graduated college in the University of Oxford. He is known as one of the most ruthless businessman and one of the most sought after bachelor around the world. He is worth a billion dollars according to the World's Bachelors Magazine.

The BLACK family owns the BLCK International Airports, BLCK Airline and Shipping Lines, BLCK Cruise and BLCK Chains of Hotels and Resorts. They are considered one of the richest and powerful families in the whole world.

Evander is the eldest son of Mr. Gregory Black and Mrs. Elyza Morgan-Black. He has two siblings. His 27 years old brother Kristoff Black is running the BLCK Shipping lines with their father while his 25 years old sister Amirah Black is helping their mother running the Hotels and Resorts Businesses. His mother is a well known fashion desinger in Asia and she has a clothing line business.

Evander stretched his arms. Katatapos lang niyang makipag meeting sa dalawa niyang kaibigan. They're thinking of putting up a new business but his friend will be the one to run it. He has loads of work already. Being the CEO of BLCK group, wala na siyang oras para magtayo pa ng ibang business!

Nang makabalik siya sa kanyang opisina ay tsineck niya ang cellphone. Nakita niya ang tatlong missed calls ng kanyang Mommy kaya naman nagpasya siyang tawagan ito dahil ayaw niyang magtampo ito sa kanya.

"Evander Black! Sabes qué hora es ahora?" Do you know what time is it now? Galit na tanong ng kanyang Mama. Hindi niya alam kung bakit nagagalit ito sa kanya. Bumuntong-hininnga siya.

"Mamá, tenía una cita. Por qué estás enojado?" Mom, i had an appointment. Why are you angry?

"Ya la 7:00 de la tarde y nos pusimos de acuerdo para cenar aquí en BLCK III con su padrino o madrina con su hija." It's 7 o'clock in the evening already and we agreed to have dinner here in BLCK III with your Godfather and Godmother with their daughter."

"Okay. Coming. Lo siento Mamá. I totally forgot about it. See you in 20 minutes. Bye Mamá." Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot nito. Ibiniba na niya ang tawag.

Ito ang pinakaayaw niya sa Mommy niya. Masyado itong nakikialam sa kanyang lovelife at kung sinu-sino nalang ang mga pinapakilala nito sa kanya. Hindi niya kailangan ng girlfriend, sa ngayon. Well, kung makikita niya ulit ang babaeng nakita niya sa New York, siguro gugustuhin na niyang magkaroon ng girlfriend. He doesn't really do a boyfriend-girlfriend thing. Well, there is always an exemption to the rule right?

It's been a month since he met her and he keeps on thinking about her beautiful face. He can't seem to forget her and it's weird. Very weird!

Nang dumating siya sa BLCK III ay agad na sinalubong sya ng kanyang Mamá.

"He is very busy at kakatapos lang ng kanyang meeting kaya nalate siya. Hijo, remember your Ninong and Ninang?" Tanong ng Mama niya habang may malawak na ngiti sa mga labi.

"Of course." Of course I don't! Pagkatapos niyang magbigay galang sa mga ito ay saka lang niya napansin ang isang magandang babaeng nakasuot ng white off-shoulder dress. She has a short wavy brown hair and brown eyes. Pretty. I'll give her that.

"Remember Kaye? You used to play with her before when you were still young sa tuwing nagbabakasyon kayo dito sa Manila." Sabi naman ng kanyang Ninang sa kanya.

"Of course. Nice to see you again, Kaye." Nginitian niya ang dalaga at ganun din ito sa kanya. Napansin niya ang pamumula ng pisngi nito matapos siyang makipagbeso-beso rito.

"C'mon, let's have dinner." Naupo siya sa tabi dalaga.

"So, what do you do Hija?" Tanong ng Mamá niya sa dalaga.

"I took over our hotels and restaurants businesses last year. I am a Business Management graduate in Harvard University." Proud nitong sabi pagkatapos ay mahinhing ngumiti.

"Impressive! I'm so proud of you, Hija."

She is not his type. Masyado itong mahinhin. Evander took a deep breath and then sighed. Nakakawalang gana ang panay na pagsulyap nito sa kanya. At saka may kutob siyang irereto na naman ito ng Mamá niya sa kanya kaya bago paman nito gawin iyon, kailangang unahan na nya ito!

"Do you have a girlfriend, Hijo?" Tanong ng kanyang Ninang. Napatingin si Evander rito. Good question, Ninang.

"Yes. I have." Nakita niya ang pagkunot ng noo ng kanyang Mamá. Lihim na napangiti si Evander. Pasimpleng sinulyapan niya ang kababata at nakita niya ang pag-iba ng ekpresyon nito. She looks pissed? Whatever...

Natahimik ang lahat habang kumakain at lihim na pinagpasalamat iyon ni Evander. Ayaw niyang magtanong pa ang mga ito tungkol sa kanya at mas lalong ayaw niyang ireto siya sa anak nito!

Pagkatapos nilang kumain ay isinerve ang deserts at wine. Gusto na niyang umuwi sa penthouse niya kaya kailangan niyang makagawa ng rason! And then he remembered his best bud. Kararating lang nito galing Spain at may pag-uusapan sila tungkol sa business. He secretly texted his best bud to call him and in a few minutes, tumawag talaga ito. Napangiti siya.

"Please excuse me for a moment. I need to take this call." 

Tumango lang ang mga ito. Isang nakamamatay na tingin naman ang ipinukol ng kanyang ina sa kanya.

"Hey bud."

"I am f*****g tired, Black. What is your f*****g emergency?" Inis na tanong nito mula sa kabilang linya.

"We need to talk now? Nasa family dinner ako but if this is very important then, let's meet in 30 minutes."

"What the f**k are you saying?"

"Alright. I'll be there. Bye!" Mabilis na pinatay niya ang tawag. Alam niyang narinig ng mga ito ang sinabi niya dahil sinadya niyang sagutin ang tawag malapit sa mga ito.

"Sorry Ninong and Ninang, Kaye, Mamá, i need to go first. This meeting is very important. Let's have a dinner again next time."

"No problema, Hijo. We understand that you are a very busy person. And yes we can have another dinner next time." Nginitian siya ng kanyang Ninang.

He smiled. "Thank you very much Ninang."

Humalik siya sa pisngi ng kanyang Mamá bago umalis. Finally, makakauwi na siya. He needs a f*****g rest!

With his black Maserati Quattroporte, he drove fast back to his penthouse in BLCK I.

He took a quick shower and lay down on his bed. When he closed his eyes, he saw the beautiful face of the woman he met in New York again. Bakit hindi niya makalimutan ang napakaganda nitong mukha? She is always haunting him in his dreams!

Bumuntong-hininga siya. Kailangan na niyang matulog dahil may schedule siya pa bukas. Bibisitahin niya ang mga airports at uunahin niya ang mga airports na nandito sa Pilipinas.

ALI'S POV

BLCK International Airport

"Finally! I'm back! So, mauna na ako sa inyo." Paalam ni Ali sa dalawa niyang bestfriend na sina Sky at Rain.

"So, saan ka pupunta? Sa bahay niyo sa Baguio?" Tanong ni Sky sa kanya.

Hiwa-hiwalay kasi silang magbabakasyon dahil iba-iba ang trip nilang magkakaibigan. Sky likes mountain climbing at marami na itong naakyat na bundok sa iba't-ibang bansa while Rain likes Cities. She loves shopping, food trippin' and bar hopping. Ito ang lasenggera sa kanilang tatlo habang siya naman ay mahilig sa beach activities. Despite of their differences, they're best friends. Nagclique pa rin sila.

"Yep. I'm gonna visit my parents' grave too and then island hopping in Cebu." Sagot niya.

"Take care, bestie." Sabi ni Rain sa kanya bago sila naghiwa-hiwalay. Napagdesisyonan ni Ali na pumunta muna sa isang coffeeshop para doon magpalipas ng oras habang hinihintay ang kanyang flight papuntang Baguio.

She ordered Caramel Macchiato, Double Chocolate Pecan Bar and Triple Cheese Ensaymanda. When she was about to eat, she saw a handsome man in her 12 o'clock. He is doing something in his laptop while sipping his coffee sexily. Napalunok siya nang mapatingin ang kanyang mga mata sa mga labi nito. When he licked his lower lip seductively, she couldn't look away at gusto niyang pagalitan ang sarili! Paano kapag napasin siya nitong nakatitig rito? Ano nalang ang iiisipin nito sa kanya? Again, she swallowed. His red seductive lips, light brown eyes, perfect highbridge nose, stubborn jaw line, broad shoulders, well-toned body - everything about him is screaming perfection!

She was lost in thought when their eyes met and when she realized that he's looking at her, her heart pounded fast. Kahit na parang may nagkakarerahan sa kanyang puso, hindi magawang iiwas ni Ali ang mga mata sa binata. Damn you, Ali. This is the right time to look away.

Finally, nagawa niyang magbaba ng tingin. Narealize niyang hindi pa pala nya nagagalaw ang kanyang mga inorder. Nahihiya man, sinumulan na niyang kainin ang Triple Cheese Ensaymada. Pinigil niya ang sariling huwag mapatingin ulit sa gwapong lalake. He looks hot with his beard.

Suddenly, Ali felt uncomfortable. Pakiramdam niya ay may nakatingin sa kanya kaya naman muli siyang nag-angat ng mukha at tiningnan ang gwapong lalake. Bumilis ang t***k ng kanyang puso nang makitang nakatitig pala ito sa kanya. Nakasandal na ito sa upuan at umiinom ng kape at may nababasa siya sa paraan ng pagtitig nito sa kanya. Mukha itong naaaliw. Biglang kinabahan si Ali. Pasimpleng kinapa-kapa niya ang gilid ng labi. Baka may dumi? Uminom siya ng tubig at iniwas ang mga mata rito. May pagmamadaling inubos ni Ali ang mga pagkain. Gusto na niyang umalis sa lugar na ito! Doon nalang siya magpapalipas ng oras sa Waiting Area.

Nang makalabas siya sa coffeeshop ay saka lang nakahinga ng maluwag si Ali. She felt suffocated there and that is because of the sinful good-looking man! Goodness! He is breathtakingly handsome. Her heart was beating so fast at iyon ang unang beses na nakaramdam siya ng ganoon.

She was about to take a step when someone grabbed her arm. Nilingon niya ang mapangahas at nagulat siya nang makita ang gwapong lalake.

"Wait - what's your name?" She felt her heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice. Pati boses nito ay sexy pakinggan!

"A - Ali." Nabulol pa siya. His pheromone is too much for her! What the hell is happening to me? What is this guy doing to me?

"I'm Evander. Sorry, i had to grab you. I just need to know your name." Ali felt butterflies on her stomach when she heard his reason.

"M - me too." Wala sa sariling sagot niya rito. Ngayong nasa harapan na nya ito, napagtanto niyang napakatangkad pala nito. Maybe around 6' 2? And she's only 5'8.

"I have an important meeting and i want to see you again. Can i get your number?" Tanong nito habang titig na titig sa kanya. Pero ano raw? Number? Wala siyang cellphone! f**k! Well, hindi naman siya ignorante. May cellphone siya noon pero nasira nang maapakan niya habang nasa isang importanteng misyon siya kaya simula nun, hindi na siya bumili pa ng bago.

"I - I don't have a phone - " Nahihiyang sagot niya sa lalake.

He held her hand and handed her a phone na nakakabit sa isang powerbank. It's an iPhone X. She knew because Rain has the same model. Nagtatakang napatingin siya sa gwapong lalake.

"Use this then. This is my personal phone. I will call you later." Bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay bumalik na ito sa loob ng coffeeshop. She checked the time in her wrist watch. 45 minutes nalang ang natitirang oras niya and she needs to check in her luggage so she decided to accept the phone and go.

She is hoping that they will be able to see each other again. I have his phone and he said he'll call me later..

Napangiti si Ali at pinagmulahan ng mukha. She is looking forward to it.

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