The Billionaire's Lost Love

Gabe's POV Present Uncle Theo had insisted on this recent expansion of the Montoya Group of Companies and now, here I am in California to oversee the new branches that will be coming to the region. Montoya group had a piece of every profitable venture in the States, especially in the hospitality industry; restaurant chains, hotel chains, housing estates, airline business and the list goes on, with a major concentration in New York, Boston, and their environs. My brief stint on a pet project in California (a four-star restaurant) which I opened in my college days at UCLA had piqued Uncle Theo’s interest in the Southwestern region, and after all these years he was finally ready to pursue this interest. Who else to oversee it all but me. His failing health these past months had been a shocking discovery to him, myself, and my siblings, but his announcement during the last board meeting on retirement had been news to me. The new role of Chairperson of the Board, though quite befitting and not a new turf for me as Uncle had delegated a lot to me in the past years, was still taking me quite some time to get used to. As the car cruised out of SFO airport into the city of San Francisco, I quietly took in the city. I loved California. My years of college in California have been eventful, but it has been seven solid years since I was last here. My mind did a quick rewind on college, college activities, and all the fun/parties. “Those were good times,” I thought. I was drawn out of my reverie by the ringing of my phone as the lyrics of Middle child by J. Cole drifted into my subconscious. A quick glance at the display and I grinned. It was Mel calling. Melanie is the youngest of the brood of five my parents birthed. After my parents’ demise in an accident two years after her birth, Uncle Theo took us in and doted on her nonstop. With the recent news of his failing health, Mel had turned into a mother hen. We had been concerned that she wouldn’t take the news quite well, but we were rather surprised by her sheer force of will. Better a mother hen than a weeping mess, yeah? Picking the last ring, I proceeded to humor her. “Hi Melly,” I said. She hated the name, but we still called her that whenever we wanted to get a fit out of her. “I guess you already picked a woman before you ever got a chance to settle in,” she retorted, “and I’m making a wild guess that her name is Melly? Poor thing.” A throaty, deep laugh escaped my lips. Mel had developed a sharp mouth as she grew and, albeit annoying, occasionally her words were humorous as well as piercing. “I am glad to be on the receiving end of your booming laughter, Gabe. Glad I could amuse you,” she ended with. “Hey Mel,” I managed to stutter as I laughed. “Flight landed safely? How is San Francisco? Is the suite in the hotel to your liking? Have you had….” Mel rattled on until I cut her off. “Easy Sis. I landed safely. San Francisco is warm, I am yet to get to the hotel, and a series of yes’s and no’s to every other question you intend to ask. Just insert them where they are appropriate,” I said, adding the latter with a chuckle. “How do you know all that I want to ask Gabe?” “I know that you have a barrage of questions to ask. I’d love to entertain all of it, but I am tired, Mel.” “Okay. Are you still going to stop by at Big Bite?” “Yes baby sis, if I am not dropping dead due to tiredness by the time I get to the hotel” “You are hardly ever tired Gabe,” she replied, “I’m still surprised you have not been there in five years. That’s your restaurant.” “.....that is obviously doing great Mel. I hired good hands and, so far, they have been great so far. I can’t complain.” “Could have been greater if you ask me,” Mel said in her no-nonsense voice reserved for whenever she was trying to get her point across. “Okay baby sis, I get your point, and I am here now. I will look into anything that needs looking into. That’s not saying I see anything wrong in a well-run four-star restaurant, but okay.” Silence lingered on the other end of the phone for a few seconds and, taking that as a sign, I proceeded to draw the call to an end. “I'll talk to you later, Little One. Be good.” “Sure. Love you Gabe,” and the phone clicked dead. Staring at the window as I slid my phone into my breast pocket, I realized we were getting close to the intersection just right of Big Bites and I suddenly felt a great sense of urgency to step into the place. It must be my call to Mel. Yes, I wanted to see the place, but the current feeling was the kind that chokes words in your throat when you are in the presence of a loved one. “Jay, take the next intersection. I’d love to make a quick stop at Big Bites. Thank you.” Jay has been my chauffeur and bodyguard for the past seven years and an ex-MI6. Earlier on in our dealings, I had learned that a little politeness smoothed whatever ruffled feathers he had, and I learned to insert it even in the tiniest of conversations. His response was a curt nod. Very typical. Three minutes later, we pulled to a stop in front of Big Bites. The valet is quick to open the car door for me. I stepped out of the car and stood outside for a while to take in the exterior. Neat, sleek and in order, coupled with the top-notch service from the valets which I had already noticed. Max had and is currently still doing a great job. The security guard promptly opened the door with a welcoming smile. The interior was warm and welcoming. In the past five years, Max and I had only communicated via mail and teleconferences. He had kept me abreast of new implementations and all, but I had to agree that he had outdone himself. I took a seat at one of the corners on the first floor, a vantage point from which I could observe without being obvious. I was scrolling through my emails when I heard quite a familiar voice ask me what I would love to order from the menu. Staring up from my phone, I stared into familiar hazel eyes. Andrea, my heart whispered. Tongue-tied, I sat staring at her. Finally, after what felt like a decade, I was able to get her name past my mouth in a low whisper, “Andrea.” She had a stoic expression on her face. I wondered if the shock I had seen on her face initially was a mirage. In a calm, firm voice she asked again, “what would you like to order? If you don’t know the menu, or you are new, you just have to scan the code right in front of you.” I stretched my hands to touch her, and she moved out of my reach just as her name left my lips again and this time my voice was firmer and exuded an ounce of certainty. “Andrea.” “I will be back in five minutes to take your order, Sir” she said, and started walking away from my table. I stood up to go after her and just then the entrance door opened, two youngsters raced in with a young lady heavily breathing in tow and Andrea came to stop just as one of the youngsters, a boy, called her Mummy. I quickly stopped at my steps and stared wide-eyed. Just then, the second of the duo, a girl, turned facing my direction, and it was like I was sucker punched. Hazel green eyes staring right at me from a face similar to the one I saw in the mirror when observing my shaving routine. Mine, my heart whispered with a longing that has persisted for the past few years. I looked up to take in the face of the boy who was now in Andrea’s arms while the heavily breathing lady spoke to her, and it was like I was staring at a miniature version of myself in a mirror. Blue eyes like mine and the exact face like mine. At that moment, the world tilted and my heart sank. What have I done?