My First Love's Son

Chapter 41

KATE WINSLETT stared at the gleaming screen of her phone, her perfectly manicured acrylic nail tapping aggressively against the glass. The headline from an exclusive society blog glared back at her: Arthuro Velasco, Patriarch of the Velasco '86, Single Again After Split with Japanese Supermodel.

A wicked, slow smile crept across her lips.

"Sweety? Are you even listening to me?" Clarence, her CEO boyfriend, sighed as he poured himself a glass of expensive whiskey from the penthouse minibar.

Kate immediately softened her features, masking the venom in her eyes with a practiced, sweet look. She stood up, her silk robe trailing on the floor, and wrapped her arms around Clarence from behind.

"Sorry, hottie. I'm just... stressed," Kate whispered, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Nakita ko na naman kasi ang mga trending posts about Derek and Sapphire. It's so humiliating, Clarence. He literally called me a liar on national TV just to protect that cheap designer and their son. Sirang-sira na ang image ko."

Clarence turned around, gently holding her waist. "Hey, forget about Derek. You have me now. The biggest modeling agency in the Philippines is backing you up. Walang pwedeng manira sa'yo. I'll have the PR team clean up these new mess tomorrow."

Tama, walang pwedeng manira sa akin, Kate thought, her blood boiling as she recalled the sheer embarrassment of Derek publicly dumping her on national TV. She had manipulated the media to announce their wedding, only for Derek to mercilessly shut it down and flaunt his perfect family with Sapphire.

"I know, Clarence. Thank you for saving me," Kate said, tracing his jawline playfully. "But I think I need a breather. I need to get away from the Manila paparazzi for a few days to clear my head. Maybe. Tokyo?"

"Tokyo?" Clarence raised an eyebrow. "Wala tayong booked shoots doon, Kate."

"Exactly. Just me, some luxury shopping, and a little peace of mind. Please, hottie?" She pouted, widening her eyes to feign innocence. "I'll come back completely refreshed and ready to headline your next campaign."

Clarence sighed, entirely falling for the act. "Fine. I'll have my assistant book you a first-class ticket to Narita tomorrow morning."

"You're the best!" Kate squealed, giving him a passionate kiss before turning away, her eyes turning cold and calculating the second he couldn't see her face.

While Clarence walked into the bathroom, Kate picked up her phone again, zooming in on the photo of the older, distinguished Arthuro Velasco. He was wealthy, powerful, and most importantly—he was Derek's father. The old man has his own world, doesn't even know about her and Derek. So she'll be safe from her plans.

Her revenge strategy quickly formed in her mind:

Locate the target, track down the exclusive golf clubs or high-end sushi bars Arthuro frequents in Tokyo. The accidental meeting, orchestrate a flawless, dramatic run-in where she looks absolutely irresistible. The hook, play the graceful, misunderstood victim to earn his sympathy and eventually, his obsession.

"Derek thinks he can just trample all over me and live happily ever after? Let's see how he reacts when his own father brings me home to the Velasco mansion."

Kate stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror. Arthuro was a lonely widower who had just lost a supermodel girlfriend; an empty void just waiting to be filled. She was going to make sure that by the time she left Japan, Arthuro Velasco would never forget the name Kate Winslett.