The One That Got Away

Meet The CEO

"Someday, everything will make a perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through tears, be strong and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason." - John Mayer

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"Damn it!" Hapong ibinagsak ni Angelo ang katawan sa swivel chair. Tila nasasakal na niluwagan niya ang necktie. Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at isinandal niya ang ulo sa headboard at hinilot ng dalawang kamay ang sintido.

His father was giving him headaches.

Nagtatagis ang kanyang mga bagang. Anger was all over his face. Nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa mayordoma ng kanilang mansyon. Naglalasing na naman daw ang Mommy niya. Malamang ay nahuli na naman nito na nambababae ang magaling niyang ama. Lately, ay napabalitang mayroon itong kinababaliwang babae na nagtatrabaho sa club. His father is a noble and responsible man. Kahit kailan ay hindi pa nito binigyan ng sakit sa ulo ang mommy niya. But why now? Kung kailan tumanda na ito at nag retiro bilang chairman ng kompanya. Siya, bilang nag-iisang anak ang siyang pumalit sa pwesto nito. Their family owns one of the largest wine factories in Asia. Not to mention ang mga malalapad nilang lupain here and abroad. Isa iyon sa napakaraming dahilan kung bakit maraming mga babae ang naghahabol sa daddy niya. Besides, Don Leon Montefalco is a very good-looking man. He's every woman's dream.

Iminulat niya ang mga mata at itinuon ang tingin sa malapad na bintanang salamin. Nasa pinakatuktok siya ng Montefalco Tower. Mula roon ay tanaw niya malawak na lungsod ng Makati. Malalim ang kanyang iniisip at hindi niya napansin ang pagpasok ng kanyang personal secretary.

"Sir Angelo?" nakatatlong tawag na ito bago nito nakuha ang kanyang atensyon.

"Oh yes, yes... Sorry," He sighed and turned to his secretary.

Miss Leticia Castro is in her 40's already but still very efficient in her job. Kaya nitong i-handle ang arrogant at terror niyang pag-uugali pati na rin ang kanyang pagiging moody. Isa ito sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan niyang empleyado sa kompanya. Parang anak na rin ang turing nito sa kanya.

Nginitian siya nito bago inilapag sa mesa ang mga papeles na dapat niyang pirmahan.

"Got a problem?" nakangiti nitong tanong. "Obviously the company is doing well. In fact, tumaas ang sales natin this past few months. So I assumed, it's not about the company---" anito at ngumisi "May nakalimutan ba akong padalhan ng bouquet of flowers?"

Saglit na itinigil ni Angelo ang ginagawa at iiling-iling na tumawa.

"Naaaah..." He chuckled and looked at her. "Nope. It's just that something came up from home,"

"Oh," Hindi na nagsalita pa si Leticia. Alam niya ang pinagdaraanan ngayon ng pamilya Montefalco. Ayaw niya nang mag kumento at dumagdag pa sa mga alalahanin nito. She just shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him. "Why don't you take a break? You know, leave the city. Meet your friends and have fun."

"Kaya pa ba ng schedule?" tanong niya habang abala sa ginagawang pagpirma sa mga papeles. He's been into left and right board meetings, client meet-ups, attending business events and occasions. His schedule had been so tight lately.

Leticia laughed "You know I can always arrange that for you,"

Pagkatapos niyang mapirmahan lahat ng papeles ay nakangiti niyang tiningala ito. "Okay, I will think about that," he said. "May appointment pa ba ako this week?"

Agad na nag scan sa tablet na hawak si Miss Castro to check his schedule. "Hmm, Yes Sir. Mr. Sy is expecting you tomorrow afternoon at Aberforth Hotel for contract signing. The next day is the launching of Miss Hannah's clothing line and you're one of her most-requested guests,"

Harry rolled his eyes. Hannah is one of the famous Victoria's Secret Models na habol ng habol sa kanya. Isang beses lang sila nag date na nauwi sa kama. Like most of the girls that he bedded, they will just part their ways after s*x and live as nothing happened. He already told her that he's not up for a relationship ngunit ayaw pa rin nito tumigil.

"This Wednesday is our monthly meeting with the board, you are free this Thursday. This Friday is the schedule of our flight to South Korea to meet Mr. Hyun. Next week, we have to meet Mr. Ford in Los Angeles and Mr. Tan in San Francisco--- and oh, I received nine calls from nine different women who claimed to be your girlfriend. They are asking for your free time so you can date,"

He arched a brow. "What did you say?"

Miss Castro smirked. "Well, I told them that you're out of the country and I don't have any idea when will you be coming home," She smiled "how was that, sir?"

Harry made a throaty laugh. Maasahan niya talaga ang Secretary niya ano mang oras. Sunod-sunod siyang napatango-tango.

"Alright," he smiled at her. "maasahan ka talaga,"

"Of course---Oh!" Bigla itong may naalala "Oh, muntik ko nang makalimutan. By the way, Detective Brent gave me this," May inabot itong brown envelope sa kanya. "He said you're expecting this report today."

Biglang sumeryoso ang mukha ng binata.

Kahit si Leticia ay nakaramdam ng tensyon. Malamang ay may kinalaman ang report na iyon sa kasalukuyang problema ng pamilya nito.

"Are you alright, Sir Angelo?"

"Yeah," Inabot niya ito at nilapag sa kanyang mesa. Mayroon siyang tao na pinaiimbistigahan sa pinagkakatiwalaan niyang imbestigador. Hindi niya pa man nababasa ang laman niyon ay sumasakit na ang kanyang ulo.

Hindi madali ang magpatakbo ng higanteng kumpanya at magpa sweldo ng libo-libong empleyado. Hindi na dapat dumagdag pa sa problema niya ang kanyang ama. Sumagi rin sa isip niya ang mga babaeng tawag ng tawag sa opisina at hinahanap siya. Women are a big pain in the ass! Isa iyon sa mga rason bakit hindi siya pumapasok sa isang seryosong relasyon. They are unpredictable and complicated. A mess. Minsan talaga hindi niya alam kung dapat ba niyang ipagpasalamat na siya si Seth Angelo Montefalco. A billionaire and a certified descendant of Adonis. Who wouldn't want to be his girl?

He paused for a moment and made a long heavy sigh. Nilingon niya ang sekretarya. "Miss Castro, I want you to cancel all of my appointments today and next week. Uuwi ako ng Azucena today. I think I need a break," He then smiled at her "I will take your advice. I'll be staying at Villa Grande for a week,"

"Noted! Sir Angelo," Nakangiting tugon naman ni Leticia.

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VILLA GRANDE SERIES #1: Seth Angelo Montefalco (The One That Got Away)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #2: Harry Fortaleza ( Wilderness)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #3: Lenard Alfonzo Zabini III (Extraordinaire)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #4: Justine Conrad Laxamana (Apollo)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #5: Alexander Tantoco (Bewitched)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #6: Felix Arthur Dela Cuesta (One Night Fumble)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #7: Noah Cleo Romanov (The Possessive Billionaire)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #8: Walter Philip Bernadotte (Under Her Spell)

VILLA GRANDE SERIES #9: Maximillian Santillian (Put on Lock & Key)