Planned Coincidence

Chapter 17

I scrolled down into my text messages after texting Zamora to come to my office since it’s a business matter.

I stopped at Hara’s name. Hindi ako naka-reply sa huli niyang text at nakapagtataka rin na hindi na siya ulit nag-text pa. What happened to her?

After that night when we met again, she always texts me. Palaging nangungulit kaya nakapagtataka lang.

Did she get herself a boyfriend?

Why am I thinking of these things? I have so much to think about.

I jumped off from my bed and went to the bathroom.

Habang nasa shower ay natawa ako sa naalala ko.

Come to think of it. I offered her a two-million investment before I even knew her name. Is there anything foolish than that?

Thinking about names. I remembered clearly that I never mentioned my surname to her. Pangalan ko lang ang pinakilala ko sa kanya but...

“Ah Tiyang, si Lourd pala. Lourd Patriarda. Kaibigan ko?”

She introduced me to her aunt in a complete name. Matagal akong nagbabad sa CR sa pag-iisip. This woman really keeps me thinking about her.

I always make sure I know the people around me, that’s why I do background check. But her? I can’t accept that she’s making me confused. The other day, she acts like she doesn’t know a thing about me and then the next one, its as if she already studied about me.

Napapailing akong lumabas ng CR. Hanggang sa tapos na ako at papunta na ng opisina ay siya pa rin ang laman ng isip ko.

“Good morning, Sir.”

I wore my mask and smile to everyone who’s greeting me.

“Good morning, Sir. Pinapatawag ka ni Sir Lito sa office niya,” salubong sa akin ng secretary ni Dad.

Dumiretso nalang ako sa office ni Dad. Pagkarating sa office niya’y wala naman siya roon.

“Where is he?”

“Baka lumabas lang po sandali. Please wait, Sir, I’ll look for him.”

Tumango lang ako at umupo sa sofa. I crossed my legs and straight to my sight is his nameplate on the table.

Engr. Aneclito Patriarda

Chief Executive Officer

I smirked in my mind. I’m sure Alex has been dreaming about this position. Why did she even dream about it? It will be only her delusion because from the start she was never a choice. She even choose to follow Dad’s steps to become an Architect Engineer, just to prove herself to Dad.

“Congratulations, Arch. Alex!” Dad greeted her.

“Thanks, Dad!” And he hugged him.

“I know you would do it, you never fail,” dagdag pa ni Daddy.

Nagkangitian sila at nabaling sa akin ang tingin ni Ate. “I always double the effort, Dad. For myself and for Lourd. I will make sure to fulfill what Lourd lacks.”

I smiled bitterly. When Mom died, I thought I can rely on her. Pero wala siyang ginawa kundi maliitin ako. She never appreciated me. She never complimented me. She always sees my shortcomings leading to her conclusion that I cannot handle Patriarch Homes Co. in the future.

“Dad do you think, Lourd can do it?”

“Do what?”

“Taking over the company?”

Naibaba ni Dad ang hawak na iPad sa tanong niya. It was just a normal morning in the house, and she asked that question out of the blue.

Tahimik lang akong kumakain.

“Why?” tanong ni Daddy.

“I mean, he already graduated high school and he’s still like that. Gullible, indecisive, and is not even interested in the business.”

Muli niyang binalik ang atensyon sa ipad. He’s reading something that I admit, I don’t understand.

“He’s just about to enter college, Alessandra. We still don’t know your brother’s capability.”

Makikita na sa mukha ni ate ang pagkadisgusto. “So, are you trying to say that you’re rooting for him as a company heir?”

“You have both the right for it but...” Tiningnan siya ni Dad. “Even though you’re the eldest, I don’t want our surname to fade in the business industry, lalo na’t mainit ang lahat sa atin ngayon. Everyone in the business wants to get rid of our name. I hope you understand that.”

“Dad, I am a Patriarda. What’s the problem?”

 “You will be getting married soon.”

“I won’t use his name. I’m not obliged to use it naman diba?”

Bumuntong-hininga si Dad. “I don’t think that would be okay for Adam.”

“I will talk to him.”

Later that morning, Dad talked to me.

“Lourd, I will send you to England. Study there, make sure to obtain college and master’s degree.”

“England? Dad.”

Parang hindi ko kaya ‘yon.

“What? You know...I don’t have anything against your sister pero ayokong matapon sa wala ang nasimulan din ng Lolo mo sa industriyang ito. We’ll let them know that the business world won’t be complete if there’s no Patriarda. Okay? I’m sure hindi papayag si Adam sa gusto ng Ate mo.”

“Dad, pero bakit sa England pa? I can study here.”

“No, you can’t. Nag-aaral ka pa lang, enemies will want you dead. I’ll enroll you to Oxford, okay?”

Damn. Dad is not kidding.

“And do you want it? Lagi ka nalang minamaliit ng ate mo. Don’t you want to prove yourself to her?”

With Dad’s encouragement, I flew to England right away. I focused on studying there, honing my skills, and challenging myself to the best I can do. Alex is not aware of it. She thought Dad sent me because I have no future in here. That’s when she claimed that the position will be hers.

She wanted it first just like Dad’s goal, for Lolo’s legacy but time passed by, she became greedy. To the point she called off the wedding with Adam, her fiancé, dahil tama nga si Dad, hindi papayag si Adam. Everything is prepared, they just need to set the date when everyone is available.

Adam Finesa is a director and has its own entertainment agency. Alex can still live comfortably even without taking over the company. But she’s too busy chasing for something that is never meant for her.

Now, I came back and I’m ready, and she still think of me like the old Lourd she used to belittle.

I feel bad fooling her but how should I consider her feelings if she’s insensitive with mine, too? She never gave me value. I am just her little fool, gullible brother.

“Lourd.”

I came back to my senses when I heard Dad’s voice.

“Dad.”

“I told you to do something foolish, but how lucky is that woman to receive two million for a front act,” he said as he sat down onto the sofa opposite to me.

Just what I expected. Kahit hindi ko na sabihin sa kanya, he’ll surely knows about my moves and actions. How he’s doing that? I don’t know. Drac’s has been loyal to me...or just I thought? It’s not a big deal anyway. I’m not doing something that is against Dad.

“Naisip ko lang namang...gagawin ko lang din naman ito, might as well, help a little bit.”

“Who’s that woman?”

“Don’t worry about her. I have her checked and verified.”

“Okay, I’ll leave that to you. I trust you.”

Hindi ako nakagalaw agad. It feels like surreal. It’s the first time, I heard it from him.

“Lourd, are you listening?”

“Ah, you were saying?”

He blew a breath. “Be prepared and be careful. Even with your sister and... focus, okay?”

“I am, Dad.”

Tumango lang siya at tumayo na para umupo sa mesa niya. Tumayo na rin ako at lumabas na ng opisina.

Pagkapasok ko ng sariling opisina’y nandoon si Drac.

“The word just came out yesterday and Dad already knew about the two million,” I stated. “What can you say about it, Drac?”

Hindi siya sumagot.

“You know, I think I need to be careful with you, too.”

Umupo na ako sa mesa ko at naglabas ng cheke. Zamora will be here soon. I didn’t bother to prepare any contract. What for?

If I can’t trust her with a pair of shoes worth 85,000.00, what more for the money worth two million pesos? The shop she has in her mind won’t exist.

If I’m serious with this matter, I would have asked her a project proposal and present to me everything.

“Fetch Zamora at the lobby so she can go in,” sabi ko kay Drac.

Walang imik naman siyang lumabas ng opisina ko.

I turned my chair and face the city view in my floor-to-ceiling glass window.

I don’t have trust issues but the people around me...I cannot trust all of them. Even Dad. Sometimes, he’s doubting me that any minute he will withdraw his decision. I was just lucky to be a man in this family. Kung naging lalaki lang si Alex, wala na akong lugar sa pamilyang ‘to.

“She’s here, Sir.”

I turned around and was welcomed by her bright smile. I can’t help but to smile, too.

“Sam, welcome. Please take a seat.” Umupo na rin ako sa kaharap niyang sofa. “Would you like a drink? Coffee, tea, juice?”

“Naku, hindi na, baka busy ka.”

“It’s alright though. Well...” Muli akong tumayo para kunin ang tseke at ballpen sa mesa ko at bumalik din.

“So...” Ipnakita ko ang cheke sa kanya. “Is it okay to give it in form of cheque?”

She quickly nodded. “Oo naman, walang problema.”

I wrote two million on it and when I was about to sign, Dad’s words came back into my mind.

“...how lucky is that woman to receive two million for a front act.”

“Okay, I’ll leave that to you. I trust you.”

I brushed it off my mind. I’m doing it right.

I looked at her. “Is everything set?”

She smiled. “Wala ka ng dapat pang ipag-alala, inasikaso namin agad ni Tiyang.”

I signed the cheque bago pa magbago ang isip ko at iniabot sa kanya.

“Maraming salamat.”

“I hope it will go big. Your loss is my loss, too.”

Though, I’m not expecting anything in return anymore.

“Ipu-push namin ito. Pwede ko bang malaman…bakit ka nag-offer? Bagong magkakilala pa lang tayo, hindi mo pa nga ako lubusang kilala.”

I just shrugged my shoulder, lean on the backrest and crossed my legs. “I don’t know. I just trust you.”

“Paano kung hindi mag-boom ‘yon?”

“Investment is taking a risk. But you’ll do good naman diba?”

“Ay syempre, oo naman. Lalo na’t may nagtiwala na sa amin.”

I offered a handshake and she’s smiling widely taking it. Mas hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang kamay niya at wala na sana akong planong bitiwan pa ito pero may kumatok sa pinto.

Its Alex. Bumalik ako sa pwesto ko kanina. My eyes are fixed on Zamora. I want to know if she recognizes Alex, too.

“Good morning, my dear brother – oh, you have a visitor,” she said taking a seat.

“Yes, you knocked, but you still barged in.”

She kept looking at her while I’m looking at her. She seems like more in awe meeting my sister.

Lumipat ang tingin niya sa akin kaya nagtama ang tingin namin. Pero hindi niya ako pinansin, muli niya itong binalik kay Alex.

“Sorry…I want to leave right now so you can continue with your business but…I have this feeling that she’s not here for business.”

Napatingin ako kay Alex sa sinabi niya. She knows her?

Muli ko na naman siyang tiningnan. From fascination, her expression changed. She looks alarmed.

Pinilit niyang ngumiti. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang humigpit ang hawak sa cheke.

She’s really hiding something.

“Is she the romance part of your life, brother?”

She sighed. A sigh of relief.

“Ate...” I called her out. Romance? Maybe, kapag malalaman ko kung ano ang tinatago niya.

“Who’s she?”

“She’s Zamora Villamor, my new business partner. Sam, meet Engr. Alessandra Patriarda, my sister.”

“Ow, good morning po. Nice to…meeting you,” she greeted. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. She tried it, but eventually failed the grammar.

She looks cute.

Alex will notice it right away. She’s a perfectionist and meticulous.

“Uhuh, it’s nice meeting you, too,” she replied putting stress into her words. “Please drop the po whatever is your age.”

“She’s an Architect Engineer. You have not been yet to Patri Homes, right? She’s the one who designed it.”

“Well, anyway, since it's really business. Babalik na lang ako mamaya.”

“No, tapos na rin kami. What is it?” I want to hear what she will say this time.

“Well, my dear brother. Dad's gonna announce the heiress this month, on the last week maybe,” she said in excitement.

“Heiress?” Umaasa pa rin siyang siya talaga.

“Uhuh, and that's me.”

“Uhmmm...then, congratulations.”

“Right? Gulat na gulat pa ang ibang mga employees kanina. Like who are they expecting? You?” She even laugh about it. I gritted my teeth. “A big joke. I'm the eldest, hello? And I have the credentials. And you brother, you're still a baby. You still have a long way to go. For now, enjoy Dad's money.”

Let her be, Lourd. Let her be. She’ll get a taste of her own medicine when the time comes.

I forced a smile. “Can I enjoy your money, too? Once you take over?”

“Uhm yes, pero limit-limit nalang ha. I don't want you enjoying so much while I'm working my ass off — oh, that's bad.”

Take over your ass, sister.

The next days, just what I expected, I cannot reach Zamora anymore.

“Just keep looking for her,” utos ko kay Drac.

“Sir, ibang impormasyon ang narinig ko.” I paused what I’m doing. I’m writing this another report of Alex. Tsk. I should be checking the financial report of the company but I’m doing this instead.

“What is it?”

“Usap-usapan kayong magkapatid sa mga empleyado ngayon. Inaasahan na talaga nilang si Maam Alex ang susunod sa Daddy niyo.”

“And what about me?”

“Mas mabuti na rin daw po si Maam Alex kaysa sa inyo Sir. The rumor said, you know nothing handling the company and... you even have a cheap girlfriend.”

Drac stated it so directly that I wanted to punch him.

“Girlfriend? Do I have a girlfriend?”

“They’ve been talking about Hara Esconde.”

Hara? What the f*ck. Where is this coming from? How the heck did they know about Hara? Isang beses lang kaming nagkita ni Hara and that was in that hotel.

Tsk. I’m sure nakarating na ito kay Dad.

Hara Esconde? Doesn’t make sense. How – f*ck! Dagdag isipin!

Mas mabuti pang si Zamora ang nakita nila. That way, it’ll make sense.

I tried contacting Hara but she’s really out of reach.

“Look for Hara, too,” dagdag ko kay Drac.

He can do it. Dad has opened him into many connections.

Days passed by, I’m not even in the position yet but Dad’s keeping me busy in the office by giving me tons of documents to read and review.

I am in the middle of it when Drac called.

Sir, Zamora is spotted in Bayvinson.

“Right now?”

Yes Sir, nandito na po ako sa baba.

“Good. Wait for me.”

I bookmarked where I stopped and hid it in my locked drawer. It’s better for it to be safe, who knows who’s rummaging my office when I’m not around.

Agad na akong bumaba. Pagkapasok ko ng sasakyan ay pinaharurot ni Drac ang sasakyan sa Bayvinson.

What is she doing in a mall? Is she having the best time of her life having those millions?

Drac leads the way when we arrived, and I saw her clinging into a guy. Kumunot ang noo ko. And who is is this guy? I though he has no boyfriend?

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