CARRIED FROM THE PAST

CHAPTER 4 – A SISTER’S LOVE

=AGATHA=

“I have dealt with all the things that I needed to deal with.” Dylan said after sitting down on his desk and I turned away from the papers to look at him.

“Which means?”

“Which means my time is already yours for at least a few weeks for that merger of yours.” I looked at him like he was crazy.

“Was that necessary? I only need some certain times of your day and that’s it.”

“Nope, we’re doing this to deal with the situation faster. The sooner I get you off of me, the better.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m all yours.”

“Okay, fine. Whatever.” She did not miss the sarcasm and bitterness of his last sentence. However, she sighed out loud.

“You’re not happy with it? Good.” He said and smiled mischievously.

“Look, if you want this to go your way, me off of you, then I think it’s a good idea that you stop being childish and cold.” I paused for a moment. “No, I think cold is good but being childish is not really helping.”

“Fine.” He said after staring me down.

“Good and there’s another thing.”

“What?”

“I already made plans next week to check on every single branch for follow-up procedures and to check if I have to tie loose ends.” He just looked at me for more explanation. “Which means I will be flying off to different countries next week.”

“Great.” He said as he turned around but he made sure he did not forget to glare. However, his body came alive as he turned back to me. “Then I will be going with you, there problem solved. This way, at least I know what I’ll be dealing with in the future.”

“Well, good point.” I secretly feel horrified but…what could possibly go wrong?. “For starters, I’ll be visiting Paradise Park tomorrow if you want to come.”

“Since we will be travelling all week, I’ll wrap some few more things tomorrow.” He said nonchalantly as he surprisingly heeded my advice very quickly. All I can see now is the man that is running this company, cold, aloof and domineering.

                I looked up the sky as I got out of the car. It’s a good weather but I can’t deny that it’s too hot for my taste. I hate the cold but it doesn’t actually mean that I also love the blazing heat. Good thing that I am wearing white. Eventually, I did not have to worry about the scorching sun when the General Manager came to the rescue with an umbrella. He was the only one there but the staff working by the entrance did not fail to be attentive at my arrival. It’s a known fact that I hated being flanked like having a stupid parade when I come to visit. I’m a CEO, yes, but that “parade” is entirely useless unless all the people have something important to say to me. Aside from my PA and the General Manager, no one else walked beside me as we walked across the lobby.

“Would you like to rest for a while ma’am?” The General Manager offered but I shook my head.

“My PA would go ahead to collect what I needed to see in the HR and Admin Office.” I said and nodded to my PA who parted ways with us to walk ahead towards the elevator. “Meanwhile, you will take me around.”

“Then I recommend we start inside to cool you from the heat ma’am.” He said and I could not agree more as a bead of sweat slithered down my back, making me shiver a bit.

                The hotel is in top shape as usual. The staffs are efficient and attentive, even the new ones as the General Manager indicated, are being trained well. It seems that this was more to carry favor with me because I had said it once that I hated employees that are mistreated in any way so even though this is the case, it’s not really a bad thing as long as it benefits everything and everyone. Of course, I predict changes to happen around here once Reginald Empire goes into action after the merger but I doubt they would even make a massive change. This resort is, braggingly, as good as it gets.

“I would like to see the pools and recreation areas by myself. You can go. I will meet you and Tanya later in your office.” I said to him when I realized the tour is more than enough to assure me.

“Would you like some refreshments sent over? We actually have a new dish that was introduced by one of our chefs. Would you like to taste it?”

“That would be lovely. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.” He said.

                With the air conditioned rooms inside chasing off the heat from earlier, the warm air that greeted me made me frown for a while before sighing. The heat is tolerable at this point though. I started walking around the pools making sure that I walk in the shaded area and a bit far from the pool’s edge, actually being paranoid that someone might accidentally push me or I might slip on the wet floor and fall in. It’s a great idea for getting rid of this heat but probably next time. As I finished looking around, I headed to the garden where, in all honesty, not a highlight of the hotel since people these days really doesn’t care much about gardens anymore. However, no one really wanted to remove the garden since it is actually a maze. I only intended to look but what greeted me was unexpected. There were cameras all over the place and a lot of people…in the garden. Well, one look though and I can already tell what is going on but not the specific detail. One of the staff of the hotel overseeing the event, came over to greet me.

“Good afternoon ma’am.” The plump girl greeted and I nodded in response.

“What’s happening?” Even though I was not looking directly at her, I can tell she’s surprised that I actually don’t know even though I’m the CEO.

“They’re shooting some scenes for a music video with Miss Veronica Reginald as the lead.” She quickly explained. I cursed inside when I heard the name.

                When the company’s name started spreading, more and more offers came that asked permission to use some parts of the resort for shooting. I decided to let the managers in the company and the General Manager of the hotel handle it. It’s still written in the reports I receive before they approve it but they can approve it without a word from me and unless I say no after seeing the report. It makes things easier and faster.  I do remember reading Veronica’s name but if I remember correctly, that was the time before I decided to work with her brother.

“What are you doing here?” Speaking of the devil. I turned to the voice and smiled. I never really thought of Veronica as ugly even though she irritates me plus she hates me. How could she become an actress and model then? She looks lovely in green. The gods must love this pair of siblings to give them good looks.

“Work. This is one of my resorts.” I said and Veronica just grimaced. I took her silence as my cue to leave so I started walking.

“Wait.” She suddenly said and it stopped me in surprise. At least, the tone or pleading in her voice did. “Can we talk?”

                The pavilion is well-cared for. It’s located in the middle of the small maze and even has a fountain in front of it. It’s a nice place to have a picnic or a nap. I can hear the birds chirping and there are butterflies fluttering nearby. The surrounding is peaceful and the wind is blowing gently but the person beside me is not talking. I sighed.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” I finally asked, breaking the silence.

“You know, my brother was never the same when you left.”

“He turned into a bitter man, yes but isn’t it awkward saying that after what you did?” She smiled bitterly.

“I’ve always hated that calmness of yours and I find it loathsome now. Ever since you entered the business world and made a name for yourself, you never once have taken revenge towards me or my brother. It’s like you’ve forgotten us, not that I never wanted that. That’s why I really wanted to ask why?” I sighed again.

“Is it that important? Anger and hate consumes someone completely when you let it control you. I felt it, I really did but I was strong enough to let it go. We never were in the same page on everything and there isn’t much difference now. If revenge was your way of solving things then that’s you but not for me.”

“How mature of you.” She said sarcastically. “You cannot blame me for what I did nor do I regret it. It was my job as his sister and I know myself, I would have done the same thing over and over again. He is the only family I have.”

                Veronica and Dylan lost their parents when they died on a cruise ship accident, a fault in the mechanism of the ship. Dylan was a senior in high school by then and Veronica was probably a freshman. Dylan had told me how hard it was for him and her sister back then. They were dealing with the loss of their parents while fighting off their relatives in regards of the wealth that their parents left behind. Naturally, the inheritance went to Dylan and Veronica but Dylan’s fight with their relatives never really ended.

“I knew you were a good match for my brother ever since then but my thought was you were not good enough. You were nothing, just a librarian then a housewife who started living off my brother. I hated it so I wanted you out but whether my reasons were justifiable or not, I did not think that my brother would change that much. I always saw him as strong, I thought a little heartbreak would not hurt him.”

“…” I listened patiently but this woman really knows how to insult people.

“I had a twin sister.” She suddenly said and it surprised me but the surprise was for another reason. I tried not to show it on my face.

“Really? I did not know.” It actually somehow clarify something from the past.

“That was only information that I made my brother swear that he would not tell you because it’s my greatest scar in life. Her name was Vivian. She died of leukemia.” She said without any trace of emotion in her face or voice.

“This is getting more confusing. Why exactly are you telling me this?”

“It’s my way of saying that if you and my brother get back together, I will never get in your way again. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“Thank you but you are assuming the impossible.” She looked at me.

“Why?”

“It’s just impossible.”