Timid Heart (Eligible Heiress #3)

Prologue

Fifty years ago, my grandpa bought a hotel with 35 rooms. And as years passed, he bought additional hotels and named one of those hotel with a Saavedra on it. He established a company and is now knowned as Saavedra Worldwide Holdings Inc. The business flourished in the hands of my grandpa and even spun off internationally.

It was passed to my Father, who is the only born son of my grandfather. And as the only son of my parents, I'm honed to know everything about our business. I believe that I'm destined to do this and I have accepted it long before I have given a freedom to choose what I wanted to do in my life.

I worked elsewhere after finishing my Hotel Management course and Dad lets me join the forums he is attending, as well as networking with a group of dozen or so with similar businesses.

He wants me and my annoying sister to make our own decisions about our careers. I'm lucky that I'm given a freedom to choose what I like. Fortunately, I find our business interesting and I also want to venture in it if given a chance.

Working in different establishment and working my way to the top made me understand the real job in the real world. I knew what it meant to be hired, transferred in a different city, promoted, and to be pushed and pulled by my Father.

After a year and half, Dad had a mild heart attack which prompt him to pass the baton to me earlier than expected. I believe that I can take over the business anytime, but for this to happen to my Dad? It is shocking and it frightened me to death because I worry for my Mom.

"You are entitled to be the next hotelier, not simply because you are a Saavedra, but because I know that you are very much qualified, possessing both the skills and passion to grow our business."

I remember Dad telling me that while he is lying on the hospital bed. We're lucky to still have him healthy but he need to watch his health or we might lose him next time. I pray that there would never be that next time.

He entrusted me with our business and it made me more responsible than I've ever been. I stuck by my Dad's guiding principles and values which served me well in every facet of the business. Of course, things are not perfect but I work hard and play hard. There is a solution for everything and I can't let my Dad down, I have to make him proud of me.

I am running the business for two years now and I clearly enjoy it.

"Aston." I answered my sister.

We're having a dinner at home like the usual because Mom wants us to see each other and bond like a happy family. I am actually fine by it if it weren't because of my drama queen sister that I love.... to... kill.

"Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

My Mom's voice echoed in my mind that made me guilty, so I just sighed and continued eating never minding my thoughts of killing my sister....... with Love.

"Aston?? That's... an ugly name." She commented. "Don't you think, Dad? Mom?" Baling niya sa aming magulang.

I gave her warning look when she looked back at me, daring her to comment more. Alam niya na hindi ko papalampasin ang pagka-bratinela niya kahit kaharap pa sila Dad kaya she just rolled her eyes at me and continued eating.

Aston Hotel is one of my projects that will be opened after two months. It's another elite hotel that has great amenities, such as my favorite poolside which I personally thought of. Plus, the hotel has a casino inside.

May kausap rin ako na entrepreneur na magtatayo ng bar kadugtong ng hotel sa bandang likuran which I already approved. Hindi naman basta-bastang bar ang mayroon siya at gaya ng Aston, elite bar din ito. Nakadagdag pa sa business ang pakikipag tie-up sa kanya because he owns a brewery-distillery company. He will now be our supplier for alcohols and liquors.

"Mom, I will attend an event tomorrow. Hindi ako makakasama sa pag-attend ng mass." Si Charity.

I snickered not so loudly, just enough for my sister to notice me. Alam ko na umiiwas lang siya at ayaw lang niya na magsimba.

"Afraid to get burn?" Singit ko sabay bigay ng ngiting mapang-asar. "Gabi pa naman ang event na sinasabi mo at maaga ang mass. You should attend." Dagdag ko nang binalingan ako ni Mama.

Alam ko na pagsasabihan niya ako. She is a saint, ayaw niya na nagtatalo kami ni Charity at sobrang banal niya na kahit hindi ko na basahin ang bibliya ay ma-mememorya ko na dahil sa kanya. Sobrang hinhin pa at puro kabutihan lang ang nakikita ko sa kanya. Kulang nalang palitan niya sa Mama Mary.

"Your Kuya is right, listen to him." My Mom smiled and so did I, but not so nicely to my sister.

Hindi dapat ako makakasama na magsimba dahil kikitain ko pa si Dex Ortega para pag-usapan ang bar na pinopropose niya, pero ayoko ma-disappoint si Mama kaya kailangan kong pumunta at aalis nalang kaagad ako pagkatapos.

"Let us all offer each other the sign of peace." The priest said.

I bowed my head in front, to my back, and kissed my Mom and my sister without saying anything. I believe every person in here that saw me already understood my gesture, no words needed.

"Peace be with you, son." My Mom and Dad, and I just nodded my head once.

Nang matapos ang misa ay agad akong nagpaalam sa aking magulang para makaalis na. Hindi ako sumabay sa kanilang sasakyan at dinala ko ang aking silver Audi RS5. I don't want a driver-bodyguard, I can drive my own car. Hindi ko iyon binili para iba ang magmaneho.

"Sabay nalang po ako kay Kuya, Dad." Paalam ni Charity.

Napatingin ako sa aking kapatid saka ko siya tinaasan ng kilay. Hindi niya ako pinansin kaya hinila ko ng marahan ang kanyang braso para humarap siya sa akin.

"Akala ko ba may event ka? Bakit ka sasama sa akin? I'm going to work, Charity. Ayoko ng may kasamang panggulo." Sabi ko ng siya lang ang nakakarinig.

She nodded. "Sabi mo nga, mamaya pa naman iyon ng gabi." She smiled. "I want to see the bartender."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya pero ngingiti-ngiti lang siya and tapped my shoulder that I brushed off really quick. And as I'm about to turn her down, bigla akong hinawakan ni Mama sa aking braso.

"We'll go ahead. Mag-ingat sa pagdidrive, Warayne. Take care of your sister." Bilin niya.

"Mom, she's old enough to take care of herself." Sagot ko pagkatapos siyang halikan sa pisngi.

She looked at me sadly like I've disappointed her, and I instantly felt guilty.

"Okay, Mom. I will." I added.

Dumiretso ako sa Aston para makipagkita kay Dex at saka namin pinag-usapan ang bar na sinasabi niya. I already gave a go signal to him at nilalakad lang niya uli ito sa akin. Hindi naman ito makakagulo sa hotel, makakaganda at dagdag attraction din sa mga tao.

"So... The name is Saudade? Unique. I like it." I said.

"Does it have a meaning?" My sister asked.

Napabaling ako sa kanya. "Huwag nakikisali sa usapan ng mga guwapo. Saling daga ka lang dito."

"Excuse me?!" OA niyang reaksiyon. "Siya guwapo..." Turo niya kay Dex at pabalik sa akin. "...ikaw? Ewan ko nalang. Minsan iniisip ko kung kapatid ba talaga kita." Iling niya.

I made a tsking sound and looked at my sister sadly. "I'm sorry. When did my parents told you that you are just adopted? Don't worry, Dad and Mom will not give you away. Sa amin kana lumaki at napamahal na sila sa'yo."

When I see her eyes just about to pop out ay agad na akong humarap kay Dex na nakangiti lamang habang pinagmamasdan kami na magtalo ng aking kapatid.

"Sorry about that. Don't mind her." I shrugged. "Anyway, we are all good. What is your target date of opening? Aston will be opened after two months."

"After three months. May ilang inaayos lang and then we are good to go." He answered.

He looked cool at nag-usap pa kami ng ilang minuto. Napaka-komportable niya kausap na parang magka-barkada na kami dati pa, nakadagdag din na magka-edad lang kaming dalawa kaya agad kaming nagkasundo.

We were walking out of the building when my phone rang. I looked at it just to see my secretary's name on the screen.

"Yes?" I answered professionally.

I ignored my sister and walked away from them to talk to Chelsea for a bit.

"What is it?" I added.

"Sir, I just want to confirm if you have changed your mind about the offer of the magazine company to invite you in for a photoshoot and an interview?"

This magazine company said I'm included in the most eligible bachelor list this year. And as a number 5 on that list, they want to interview me together with a photoshoot and I'll appear on their magazine.

"Decline it." I said sabay baba ng tawag.

Wala naman akong makitang benefit doon so I turned it down. Madaming oras din ang guguhulin ko para roon kung sakali man na paunlakan ko sila kahit na may kapalit pa kaya huwag nalang. Magtatrabaho nalang ako at sa trabaho ay may mapapala pa ako.

"How are you?"

Rinig kong tanong ng aking kapatid kay Dex nang papalapit ako sa kanila kaya binigyan ko siya ng mapanuring tingin. I didn't know na magkakilala na pala sila. And don't tell me....

"Am I missing something?" I asked.

Dex smiled and tapped my shoulder. He is taller than me pero pareho naman na matipuno ang aming katawan. Hindi ako naghihirap na magworkout para sa wala, I love my body and I'm proud of it.

"She is just being friendly."

"You mean annoying as hell?" I answered.

He laughed at nagpaalam na rin pagkatapos. Masama naman akong tinitigan ng aking kapatid kaya pinitik ko ang kanyang bibig ng kaunti.

"Kung ayaw mo magcommute pauwi, ititikom mo 'yang bibig mo and you will behave like a good girl." Banta ko.

Few weeks passed at isang magazine company na naman ang nangulit sa akin na paunlakan sila para sa ranking ng '50 Most Eligible Bachelors'.

As I remembered, this company is different from last time. At sa tingin ko ay hindi nila ako titigilan hangga't hindi ako pumayag sa isa sa kanila kaya habang nasa kundisyon ako ay pinaunlakan ko na rin ito. Isa pa, I can make a trade on doing this one that will benefit my soon to be opened hotel.

"That's good. Can I come?" My sister asked after we had our dinner.

Nasabi ko ang pag-appear ko sa isang magazine at tuwang-tuwa naman ang kapatid kong socialite raw. Kung ako ang tatanungin ay mas gusto ko na magkaroon siya ng totoong trabaho kaysa makipagkiskisan sa mga taong wala naman ginagawa kundi ang ipangalandakan ang kanilang kayamanan.

We do Corporate Social Responsibility, at pwede naman siyang tumulong sa mga iyon. She doesn't need to go to those lavish events to help people in need. Nakatapos din naman siya ng kolehiyo at pwede siyang pumasok sa aming kumpanya, o magtayo ng sarili niyang business.

"If you are a bachelor, then you can come." I answered nonchalantly.

"Anong magazine company ba 'yan? Baka hindi naman kilala, sayang lang effort mo. Dala mo pa naman ang apelyidong Saavedra."

"Simplicité Publishing." Tamad kong sagot sabay sandal sa upuan.

I'm so tired to battle with her tonight. Gusto ko nalang umakyat sa aking kwarto para makaligo at makapagpahinga. Napapagod lang ako lalo kapag nakikita ang aking kapatid, she is so handful.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at kulang nalang ay malaglag sa sahig ang kanyang panga.

"Lopéz?!" She asked na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"Lopéz?" I asked.

"It is owned by a Lopéz. Oh... My... God. Do not affiliate yourself with a Lopéz, Kuya. Saavedra and Lopéz cannot be put in the same sentence." Maarte niyang sabi.

I sighed deeply and then stood up from my chair, kissing Mom and tapping Dad's shoulder on my way out of the dining room.

"Kuya!"

Hinabol ako ni Charity paakyat ng hagdan at saka humarang sa aking dinaraanan. Pagod ko lang siyang tinignan at hinayaan siyang magsabi-sabi. Lahat ng sinabi niya ay lumabas lang sa aking tainga, I'm so tired that I can't listen to her whining.

"Okay." I answered even though I didn't catch all that she had said.

Alam ko na mortal niyang karibal ang Lopéz but I don't know which one. Lagi ko lang naririnig iyon sa kanyang bibig na hindi ko naman pinapansin. And as far as I know, tatlo silang magkakapatid and the older Lopéz is already married to a very rich businessman. So, it's either the middle one, or the youngest. Can be both.

"Thank you." She said with relief.

"Welcome, good night. Don't go knocking on my room or I'll throw you outside." Sabi ko habang patuloy na umaakyat sa hagdan.

Nakatulog din agad ako dahil sa pagod and I slept peacefully. Pagkagising ko ay agad akong naghanda para sa mangyayaring photoshoot at interview mamaya sa Simplicité.

I wore my navy blue suit with grey waistcoat, and brown formal shoes that match my belt and watch. Konting ayos lang din sa aking high-maintainance na buhok to make it a little sleek that will enhance my overall look.

Pagbaba ko ay agad akong sinalubong ni Mama at niyayang mag-almusal.

"Sorry, Mom. I don't want to be late on my schedule. Babawi nalang po ako mamaya sa dinner."

"May date lang si Kuya, Ma." Singit ni Charity.

"Oh. You should bring her here, hijo." Mom smiled. "And remember what I told you, Warayne. You should respect women like how you respect your mother. According to the bible-"

"Yes, Mom. I got it." Pagputol ko sabay bigay ng matalim na titig kay Charity.

She gave me her well-practiced smile and I gave her an evil one in exchange. Pasimple akong lumapit sa kanya para kunwari siyang halikan sa pisngi habang nakangiti.

"I can freeze all your accounts, sister. Don't test me." Banta ko sabay ngiti uli sa kanila ni Mama.

I went straight to Simplicité at agad naman akong inasikaso ng mga empleyado. Dinala nila ako sa isang kuwarto kung saan mangyayari ang photoshoot saka ako sinabihan sa aking gagawin before starting.

The shoot starts a few minutes when I arrived and they started taking pictures of me while standing.

Few shots here and there, konting movements and then I'm asked to be seated on a stool which I obliged without any complaints.

After a few repetitive slight posing, lahat kami ay napabaling nang may malaglag na kung ano sa aming gilid.

Kunot noo pa akong tumingin doon hanggang sa mapatitig ako sa babaeng staff na nag-aayos ng reflector.

May inaayos siya sa itaas nito at bahagya pang tumikad para maabot iyon. Her pink top rid up her torso na hindi na niya namamalayan at bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanyang tiyan.

"Damn... Honey abs." Bulong ko sabay kagat sa aking pang-ibabang labi.

As a guy, and as someone who is actively going to gym, I know how hard it is to maintain a good body and to stay healthy. She seemed to be dedicated and disciplined to have that body. I am not really an ab person when it comes to women but hers attracted me the most.

I coughed a bit para makuha ang kanyang atensiyon pero sobrang busy niya sa pag-ayos sa reflector at hindi man lang ako pinansin.

Maya-maya pa ay parang narinig ko sa aking utak ang paalala ni Mama, to respect women kaya mabilis akong tumingin pabalik sa photographer and just focused on getting the shoot done.

Pagbalik ko ng tingin sa babae ay likod na lamang niya ang nakaharap sa akin habang may kausap. She has this long blonde hair and nice legs as she is wearing a skinny jeans. I tried faking a cough again, louder this time to see her face clearly. Ang honey abs lang niya ang natitigan ko at hindi ko na nagawang matitigan ang kanyang mukha.

"Sir, do you want to have a break?" Tanong ng photographer which I ignored.

Halos lahat ng tao rito sa studio ay na-bother na sa aking pag-ubo pero ang babae na gusto kong humarap sa akin ay hindi ko talaga makuha ang atensiyon. Is she deaf or something?

"Mr. Saavedra, can we proceed to the interview po?" One of the staff asked me after the shoot and handed me a bottled water.

"Yeah, I'm ready." I answered as I removed my suit.

Hindi naman na nila kukuhanan ng picture ang interview na ito at ilalagay nalang sa magazine ang napag-usapan.

While waiting for that someone, I'm praying that the blonde girl will be the one who will do the interview. But unfortunately, it's not.

"Tell me what you think is the sexiest thing about yourself." Her twentieth plus question.

"My humor." I chuckled.

It's not like this is all serious. I mean, what am I gonna lose? Might as well make this fun and interesting.

"What is the sexiest thing you find in a woman?"

I tried not to be on the pervert side as Mom might throw another 'respect women' lines on me again. So I answered safely but honestly.

"I find a woman attractive with her smartness and simplicity."

Followed by a series of questions and after like half an hour, the interview is done and everyone wraps up. Pinasalamatan naman ako ng kanilang Creative Director ng ilang ulit bago ako nakaalis ng tuluyan.

Hindi ko na uli nakita pa ang blonde na staff kanina at payapa na lamang na bumalik sa aking opisina para magtrabaho.

A few more weeks passed and I went home early as for Mom's request. Dinatnan ko si Dad na nakaupo sa stone coloured sofa sa living room reading something kaya sinamahan ko siya at umupo sa kaharap nitong tan na upuan.

"What's up, Dad? Don't let Mom see you reading a men's magazine." Biro ko.

He laughed and set the magazine aside.

"How's our business?" He asked.

Simula ng ipasa niya sa akin ang business ay hindi na siya nag-abala na makigulo pa. Hindi na pwede sa kanya ang stress and Mom scolds him kapag sumusobra na siya sa tanong sa akin tungkol sa trabaho. Lalo na pag nasa hapag kainan kami.

"I already got my business plan developed for next year. And with the burgeoning demands and upping technology, we will start afresh with crisp ideas." I said in a businessman tone.

In work, I am the boss. But here at home, my parents are. I respect and value them so much as they gave me and my sister everything we have right now. At hindi sila nagkulang ng paalala sa amin.

"Kuyaaaa!!!" Charity screamed.

Dad smiled at ako naman ay napapikit nalang sabay yuko. I don't know what to do with my sister, she is always on high at paminsan ay hindi ko na masabayan ang energy niya.

She walked in to the living room holding a magazine and showed it to me.

"Akala ko ba matino na tayong nakapag-usap? Bakit nandito ka??" Inis niyang turo sa magazine.

"Calm down, Charity. Wala ka sa palengke. Baka akalain ng mga tao rito nasusunugan na tayo." Kalmado kong sabi.

"Nooo... No!" Brat niyang sabi sabay upo sa tabi ni Dad at saka ako masamang tinignan.

Mahinhin naman na dumating si Mom saka kami pinagmasdan na tatlo.

"Charity, what's wrong with you? Don't shout at your Kuya." Sabi niya sabay tingin sa akin.

Mabilis akong tumayo at lumapit sa kanya para magmano at halikan siya sa pisngi. Alam kong ako na ang sunod niyang pagsasabihan kaya inunahan ko na siya.

"She's just so ecstatic to see me in that magazine, Mom. Have you seen it already? What can you say about your handsome son?" I smiled.

She smiled and shook her head slightly. Umupo siya sa tabi ni Charity at bumalik naman ako sa upuan kaharap nila.

"You are turning 28 this year, son. Wala ka pa bang ipapakilala sa amin ng Mama mo?" Si Dad.

Lumipad ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Wala pa akong pinapakilalang babae dahil simula noong bata ako ay lagi ng si Mama ang pumapasok sa aking isipan everytime I look at other women. Hindi ko na nga nakukuhang tumitig ng mahalay sa mga babae, paano pa kaya ang halikan ang isang babae na hindi ko pa asawa? Feeling ko ay malaki na ang aking pagkakasala sa Diyos.

Alam kong inip na si Dad dito sa bahay at gusto na rin niyang magka-apo. But, I think na malayo pang mangyari iyon. That is on my part, ewan ko lang sa kapatid ko. At sasakalin ko talaga siya kasama ng lalaki niya kung sakali man na unahan niya ako.

"And to me." Singit ni Charity.

"Watch it." Banta ko sa kanya.

I'll make sure she will be speechless when she meets my girl.

"Basta hindi siya mas gaganda sa akin at mas lalong walang L, o, p, é, z ang kanyang apelyido, then I'm fine kung sino man siya." Dagdag niya.

"Remember, Charity. In the book of 1 Samuel chapter 16, verse 7: But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'." Mom recited making my sister crumble on her seat.

"Oh, I believe she has an e on her name." I said and smiled just to irritate my sister more.

"Be careful what you wish for, brother."

I smiled evilly at her. Even if we always want to strangle each other's neck, I'm still thankful to God for giving me a sister. Sabi nga ni Mama, always see things as a blessing. At kung wala ang kapatid ko, I can imagine how boring my life would be. But I pray really hard to God to give me the peace that I needed in my life.

Yeah. So, help me God.