Sweetest Chase

Chapter One – Wicked

Gyiah’s POV

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin. However, we always recommend that you keep your seat belt fastened while you’re seated. You may now turn on your electronic devices.”

            Upon hearing the voice of the flight attendant, I’ve reached out for her tablet and turned it on. Before when this kind of gadget was not yet popular, I would be spending her travel time sleeping. It used to be my favorite past time and for me to have a fifteen-hour of sleep was precious.

            Now, due to my busy schedule, I seldom enjoyed a nine-hour sleep even on weekends. When I'm not occupied with work, I spent my time attending business or social gatherings.  I would never miss an event especially those organized by the elites because she knew that it will be featured in the lifestyle section of every broadsheet the next day.

            In this way, I wouldn’t have to spend millions on advertisements, her association with those that matter helped to promote their bank.

            My father, Hendrick Sy-Ramos was one of the major shareholders of the largest bank in the country. My father role was mostly to oversee the profitability of the bank while I was assigned to be the head of the Asset Management Group. When I assumed the position two years ago after I finished her master’s degree at Standford, everybody raised their brows but since I'm the only legitimate heir of the Chairman of the Board, no one dared to voice out their disapproval.

            The first year was a tough one. I needed to be out of the country in search of a suitable investment vehicle. I also initiated the aggressive campaign ads and volunteered to every speaking engagement to educate people on how to be ‘money smart’.  

            My hard work paid off with a margin increased of thirty percent.

            Those who belittle my worth would forever mum their mouth. It’s my turn now to have a final laugh.

            But it never stopped me from working my ass off.

            I continued to amaze everybody. On the outside, I might look like a stupid weakling blonde but in fact, I could turn down a raging bull. Those who dared to cross my path would end up slammed on the floor.

            But last week I received a memorandum from my father to take a mandatory leave of absence just like every employee of the bank. Of course, I had no choice but to comply. I chose to spend it in New York City so I could also check on the current status of their investment.

            I'm a big spender but I wisely managed my precious time.

            I checked my inbox and found one new email. It was a link from my monthly online subscription of various business and entertainment magazines. I opened the message and found several links. I clicked on the important stuff first and browse through the pages of a business magazine.

             I hadn’t found any interesting article. I yawned and looked at my wristwatch. It was three in the morning. No doubt my eyes were betraying me. I'm about to close the page when an advertisement popped up featuring the latest issue of Hot, a male fitness magazine.

            I froze.

            Pinaglalaruan ba ako ng mga mata ko? Inaantok lang ba ako kaya nag-iiba na ang tingin ko sa picture sa kanyang tablet? Or am I just imagining things?

            Isang pamilyar na mukha ng lalaki ang nakikita ko pero malayo sa itsura ng taong kilala ko. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa picture at sa pangalan na nakasulat roon.

            William Tan.

            Was he the William Tan I knew from high school?

             My William Tan?    

            I leaned forward and looked closer. His eyes and smiles were still the same but the similarity ended there. The William Tan I was looking at right now had no shirt on. He was exposing his one, two, three, she continued counting those pack abs.

            What happened to his roundness?  

            Where did his love handles go?

            How could an obese boy turn into a hunk good looking man?

            My eyes were focused on his body. Mabilis na napahawak ako sa bibig ko, muntikan ng tumulo ang laway ko. Hindi namalayan na nakanganga pala ako habang pinagmamasdan si William Tan.

            Never, I drooled over a guy so how come I just did with her fat, nerdy loser ex.

            Ako.  si Gyiah Sy-Ramos naapektuhan kay William Tan?

            Impossible!

            That was not our story, he’s the one who was foolishly in love with me and I never reciprocated. Nag-iba man ang katawan ni William, pumayat at gumwapo man ito, ang tingin ko pa rin sa kanya ay mananatiling ang lalaking patay na patay at mahal na mahal ako.

            I smiled when I thought of a wicked plan.

            Kinuha ko mula sa purse ko ang cellphone niya at hinanap ang number ng aking secretary. I dialed it and waited. After a few rings, I heard a sound. I looked at my phone and saw a warning message that it would be empty batt in a few seconds.

             “Answer it!” I uttered in annoyance.

             “Hello.” Tonong inaantok na sagot ng nasa kabilang linya.

              “Misha, I need you to book me a---“

              Another warning sound before my phone shut down.

              Darn!

              Hindi ko pa nagawang matapos magbigay ng instruction. I searched for my power bank but then realized I had put it on the other bag which I forgot to hand carry. I looked around and saw the guy on my right side, he was sleeping.

            I stood up and smoothed the crease on my dress.

            “Excuse me.” Tinapik ko ng mahina ang lalaki sa tabi ko para gisingin ito.

            He opened his eyes and blankly looked at me.

            “Do you have a power bank I could borrow? I need it badly.” I saw his brows crossed. “Please…” I put her sweetest smile.

            He reached for his luggage and hand it over to me without saying anything. I grabbed it and went back to my seat.

            “Thank you.” Sarcastically he uttered his first word.

            I met his eyes and smiled. “You’re welcome.”

            I plugged my phone on the power bank and turned it on.

            “Misha, as I was saying,” I said after I successfully connected a call to my secretary. “Booked me a flight back as soon as I land on NYC.”

            “Bakit po Ma’am? Akala ko po ba, two weeks kayo mag-stay sa New York?”

            “An urgent matter came up. I need to be in Manila ASAP.” A mischievous smile was plastered on my lips.

            “Yes, Ma’am. I’ll call your travel agency. Anything else?” Misha asked.

            “Nada. Just call me once you have the details of my next flight. Bye.” Then I hanged up.

            I felt my blood pumping. I never been so excited in my life. Pakiramdam ko bumalik ako sa pagkabata, to the days when I ruled the world when everybody bowed their heads on my whims and followed my orders.

            How I missed being the Queen Bee!

            If I'm the Queen, definitely I would love to have him back, my most humble and loyal servant, my William Tan.