Chapter 10: Lucio- The Young Master
1576 Words
Lucio spent his teenage years in Manila and took his summer vacation in his home province of Siquijor. He was accustomed to doing that until he graduated with his college degree in Business Management. He was applauded for bringing the highest honors to his clan. His sister Keila has never left the province since then, but she has also gotten her college diploma. They speak only a few times if they are at a family gathering. The graduation rites have finally ended, and they are complete again after almost a decade of separation.
"Congratulations, Lucio Moreau! You are my son. You have outsmarted me and your sister there! We garnered the trophy for the first time in the family!" his father proudly proclaimed.
They are currently staying in one of the lavish hotels in Makati. He treated them to two nights stay, and meals were all included. The hotel has complete amenities and, for sure, they will be spoiled. They will be served and treated exceptionally. All services are made available to them. Aside from his family, his circle of friends, who also came from prominent families, were present at his event. Most are half-blooded Filipinos just like him.
"Thanks, Dad! To your honor and our family name. This is just the beginning!" he said with positivity.
"I have high hopes for you and I know you will never disappoint me, son. I will be retiring soon and you will be handling our family business, so I am counting on you," Alexander announced in front of everybody.
Keila is just listening in silence with hidden envy of her brother. He is the best in their father's eyes. He set the standard and he has been the ideal child ever since. Keila has to exert more effort to please their father, but it is always not enough.
"Congratulations, brother!" Keila was urged to laud her brother.
"Thank you, Keila! Especially for being here with us. I know how busy you get, but you find time for us to be together," Lucio answered happily.
He couldn't hide his true feelings for his sister. Even though they rarely talk, he misses her company. They may not be compatible all the time, but she is his sister and the only one he has in this world.
"You are welcome! You know, I couldn't leave Siquijor because of having so many things to watch over. I hope you can pay us a visit, or maybe a long vacation before you get addicted to working in the company." She offered.
"That sounds good! But I'll think about it. For now, let us all enjoy our stay. Let us all take advantage of this change to unwind in this beautiful hotel," he declared while holding his glass of alcohol to toss down for a drink.
"Cheers!" everybody cheered and consumed their glasses of wine.
"Father, are you going to stay with us?" Lucio asked Alexander.
"Of course. I can't just let this day pass without spending some time with the group, right people?" he cried.
"Right!" again, they cheered.
Keila has already left after dinner. She couldn't stay any longer with the boys. She wanted to go by herself to the places she dreamed of exploring with friends. Alexander allowed her to take the flight. He has never been stricter with his children, especially with Lucio. He imposed discipline differently.
On the third day, they checked out of the amazing place.
"We appreciate the invitation, Mr. Moreau. We hope to have you the next time!" one of his friends teases his father.
"Well, you are all grown up! You can afford your wants through your means," he chuckled.
"Don't worry buddies, we will be together for far more years and so we can celebrate merrier days. It's gonna be more fun, now that we can be money machines of our generation. We can do pretty much everything we want," Lucio hosted.
"I agree! You should never waste time on anything that has no value," Alexander reminded everybody.
They took separate paths after the celebration. Alexander left to travel abroad. He always had business trips outside the country, and Lucio never questioned his father about all the things he did. He provided what he needed, and this is the time that he will make things for himself. That was their agreement. After he finishes his degree, he can decide on his own for as long as he never lets go of the company and the family business.
"Bye, father! Please travel safely," his last words to Alexander.
Lucio went back to his unit with Kris, who drove him out of the hotel parking lot. He lived in the same condominium building when he first landed in the city. He never changed a thing for the reason that he was comfortable with the place and everything that was in it. He just keeps on improving what's inside his place.
"How was the celebration?" Kris asked when they arrived at the building.
"Great," he said happily.
"Congratulations, I almost forgot!" she greeted him.
"Thank you!" he answered.
He invited Kris to his unit because he needed to talk to her about their new arrangement. He made an agreement with Kris, which is also in her favor. He needs to have more privacy. Kris will be working for him as her driver, but she is never allowed to barge into his private area unless he says so. He will be cooking meals for himself and will hire a cleaner every week who also does his laundry.
"That sounds good to me!" Kris said, sounding excited about her new role.
She serves as his working mom who cares for him. He now realized why his father chose a woman to be his assistant a while back.
Kris left him alone and looking at his pad, he seemed to miss his privy place after a few days of being away from it. He was lying down when memories came flooding into his mind.
He was just thirteen when he began to live away from his own family. He was the most lonely kid at that time because his mom had passed away and his father had decided to move him from Siquijor to Manila. Kris had a hard time taking care of him and watching over him.
"Lucio, where are you?" Kris is agitated because she couldn't find her master.
She just left him in the corner while trying to fix their car. They were on their way home, supposedly, but in the middle of the highway, they encountered some engine problems. Kris called to have their car towed so it could be fixed, but eventually, she forgot about Lucio, who she thought was just standing in one corner.
"Oh my God! The master will be mad at me! Lucio!" she continued to look around, but he was not around.
She tried to look everywhere and called him on his phone, but he wasn't answering. Kris was so nervous and didn't want to make an early report. Lucio might be just around somewhere. However, no one has seen him.
"God!" she murmured repeatedly.
After that, she sent the car to the repair shop. She called the receptionist in the building to send someone to pick her up. The people in the building did not notice if Lucio had gone home. He went straight to his unit on the top floor. She couldn't see any trace of Lucio, but she pursued to get inside. He notices some stuff is scattered and it's getting noisy. There were sounds in the background, and he could hear people shouting.
"Kris, you are here already! How did you get home?" Lucio shouted, and Kris was stunned in surprise.
She wanted to scold Lucio, but she had no rights.
"How did you come home? I have been looking for you. You made me nervous, kid!" she cried.
She felt like she wanted to break down, but she was glad that her master was in the house. It is a good thing she did not make an early report of loss.
"Tim called me when he noticed me standing in one corner, so I joined them," the innocent boy answered.
"Thank God you are safe. Please never do that next time! It almost killed me!" she continued.
"Sorry, Kris! I didn't mean to." Lucio answered, grinning.
"Okay," Kris replied, and she looked at the other kids who were now enjoying their swimming gear.
"They are my friends! Tim, Danielle, Gregory, and Matt!" he introduced.
"Hello!" the little guys said in chorus.
"I invited them over. Please don't tell Daddy about this. I am just making friends and don't want to get bored all the time. I wish to do this often, like once a week." Lucio informed Kris without seeking prior advice.
"I get it. Just for you to stay here. For your safety, just don't go anywhere without letting me know. Deal?" Kris told the young boy.
Lucio agreed, and that's how Kris became his favorite.
Kris tried to calm herself and started to gather the things that were scattered everywhere.
He grew up and molded into a better man right in the eyes of his most trusted servant, Kris. He lived according to his dad's plan, but he connived with Kris so he could still enjoy his teenage life. He learned to go out from time to time with friends without his father's knowledge.
- Writer
