The Billionaire's Final Venture

Five

 Another mediocre man with a failed attempt to stand out from my recent ‘ventures’. I could last for about an hour while he was a one-pump chump, and we’re still sucking face that time. We did a total of two rounds before he was out cold. Of course, I was dissatisfied, having to achieve peak pleasure through personal means.

 I turned to look at the man sleeping beside me. His name and his performance had one in common: mundane, to which I didn’t even bother knowing. I stood up from my bed, stretched a little before heading out into the balcony.

 I preferred an arctic setting that’s why dismay was present in my face as I stepped out into the balcony. You can feel the city’s pollution, the temperature was about 28 degrees, much hotter than in Antipolo where my mansion resides.

 I would never bring anyone there. Not any man, not anyone. Even Hazell I don’t permit to be in the vicinity. Speaking of man, how am I going to escape this one-pump chump. I need to wait for the contract to be signed and I still had three days here.

 “You know, I’ve never been here before.” It was the chump, a glint of amusement in his voice.

 “Figures.” I muttered.

 “Rude!” He blurted.

 I turned to look at him. His eyes fixed on my shirtless chest. A faint blush forming on his cheeks as I stepped closer until I felt his ragged breath on my pecs.

 I leaned on to his ear, I can feel him shaking. “Just stating the obvious.” A smile crept on my face.

 He stepped back and stammered, I can’t even formulate what he just said. But it was irrelevant to me nonetheless. He can’t even stand his ground nor think of a rebuttal.

 I walked past his frozen body, still affixed on my shirtless body. I found my slacks just sitting neatly at the living room. I slipped it on and proceeded to head outside.

 “Leave if wish. If you would like to steal the amenities present, by all means go for it.” I obliged as I closed the door behind me.

 I breathed in the sweet aroma of roses, yet addictive like tobacco. It was a great combination. No wonder this place is always full. I should consider investing in this establishment. But first order of business, buy a new suit. I recalled my tailor is in the city. Perhaps I should buy there directly, and perhaps I may find something there of interest. So I exited the hotel with eyes ogling over my physique, went inside my Tesla, and drove into the streets of Manila.

                    ~~~~

 “EVE WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as she pulled my arm in the hallways, looking like a rag mopping up the floor. I can feel everyone staring at me, hiding their laughter and smile. God, I can feel myself turn cold. I don’t even want Eve to let me go anymore, just take me away from here.

 Finally, we reached outside. The familiar view of flowers and the vast grassy field coming to my attention. Eve lets go of her tight grip on me. I dusted myself off and cast confused expression.

 “We could’ve just walked out of here like, you know, normal people.”

 “But dragging you here is more fun! Plus our car’s here so.” She held out her phone to show it to me. She booked a car for us already?! When? How?

 “Come on, let’s go, let’s not keep him waiting!” Again, Eve dragged me to the car that was parked on the other side of the road. She opened the car door and pushed me inside, scooted me further in and slammed the door as she climbed in.

 “Ms. Evelyn Reyes?” The driver asked. He wore a bright red shirt along with denim jeans.

 “Yes, yes.” Eve nodded.

 And just like that, we’re on our way.

 “Where are we going?” I asked, more of badgering her for an answer.

 “I told you, we’re getting you a suit!”

 “But I have one!”

 “I am in our dorm 24/7 and I know that you don’t have one.”  

 I crossed my arms. Turning my attention to the window. We’ve already left the gates of the university. Patches of trees, shrubs, and wild plants lined the path to the city of Manila, the only time there’s gonna be a hint of green there.

 I don’t know what street this is but it looked fancy. The car went inside some dilapidated stone wall and it felt like we went traveled back in time. The buildings looked old, and the way it was built looked different to the normal city of Manila. There was a large church, restaurants that looked more Spanish times than modern.

 “Where are we?”

 “You’re kidding? You don’t know Intramuros?”

 “What?”

 Eve facepalmed, clearly in disbelief.

 “This was built by the Spaniards when they invaded us!” A brief history lesson from Eve. “They talked about this during grade 3!”

 Grade…3.

 I froze in my seat. A faint ringing gradually getting louder in my ear. Until it was unbearable. I had to cover my ears, trying my best to drown out the sound.

 “Diseased.”

 No…

 “I don’t have a son like you!”

 Please stop.

 Until, a hand fished me out of my nightmare.

 “Hey, we’re here, are you okay?” Eve asked as she handed the driver our payment.

 I looked around, the buildings still had the same design and there was another church that was dominated by the color orange. To my left, a large stone arch that looked like a driveway that lead to a small fountain on the inside.

 I turned to look at her and nodded, gulping away the lump that formed in my throat. I climbed out of the car and Eve followed afterwards. We went inside the driveway. The pavement was unevenly made out of bricks. It was wonky to step in. I even tripped on the way inside if not for Eve catching me.

 Thankfully, no one else was there but a single Tesla parked next to the fountain. It was the first time I’d ever saw one of those cars in person. I could only see in videos, but now that I see it. It looked really, really cool.

 “My great grandpa at it again.” Eve beamed.

 “Great grandpa?” I asked.

 “Oh, he’s a tailor, we will get your suit here since he’ll give it to me for free.”

 “Great grandpa…?”

 “He was already here when the Spaniards were still here.”

 “Ooooh.” It was all I could say to the fact this is place is much much much older than me.

 “Come on, he’s inside here, damn car.” She lead me to behind the car, where a glass door gilded with metal bars showed someone inside, an old man wearing a white apron with a measuring tape hung on his neck. The inside was not like the ones in malls. This looked vintage, like it stuck through to its history. Red tiles, capiz windows, and wooden walls. It looked cool.

 The two of us went inside, a bell rung signalling our entrance.

 “Lo!” Eve rushed to the old man and hugged him, to which he hugged back without hesitation.

 “Evelyn! Oh my gosh, you’re already so tall! You were just this short when you last came here.” The old man reminisced.

 Eve giggled. “Lo, my friend needs a new suit.” She pointed at me. “Can you like–”

 “Iha, is he your boyfriend?” The grandpa glared at me.

 My eyes widened, shaking my head and hands. The hardened expression of the grandpa softened, and a smile was present in his face.

 “Ah! Sure, sure. Just go to that room,” the grandpa pointed to a doorway with beads hanging from the top.

 “Free of charge, lo?” 

 “Sure sure, you came in just the right time, my regular customer just bought one of my expensive suits!” He leaned in on Eve’s ears.

 “1 million?!” Eve shouted, to which she was shushed.

 That explains the Tesla outside.

 Eve’s grandpa gestured me to the doorway. I went to it, but my eyes were occupied by the beautiful arrangements of shoes from the walls, that hanged from the ceiling, there was even a wall made of shoes!

 Suddenly, I felt myself struck down to the floor, like I got hit by metal wall or something. My whole body was on the floor, my hands propped on the red tiles as I gazed to what I got hit on.

 “Tch, mo–”

                    ~~~~

 A small kid wandering aimlessly and then he hits me. Goddamnit, kids these days. Is his head in the clouds? He could’ve soiled by suit.

 I saw the kid staring on the floor, until he gazed up to me.

 Who is this kid.

 His eyes were blue, a natural blue, not one caused by contacts. His hair dark blue, still of natural color as no streaks of blacks were present. He looked tiny. Like he’s just five foot three inches. But, I felt something indescribable in my chest. It felt heavy. Something different.

 And I didn’t even notice that I held out my hand to him.

 “I’m sorry I should’ve–” Now I’m apologizing AND stammering, this is absurd.

 I stared at his captivating eyes that was affixed on my face. It’s like a blue flame dancing to a beat of a dulcet tune. Mesmerizing. Addicting. He was special. There was no doubt about it. The first time I met someone and my primal instincts did not kick in.

 But why is he not reaching for my hand. Do I have something on it. Do I smell. What do I look like.

                    ~~~~

 Eve! Help meeee!

 I am mentally screaming right now. A middle-aged man with a scar that looked like from the Lion King towered over me. His hand. Is he going to hit me? No. No. Eve please come here now!

 Where did he come from. Why is he so tall. Is he angry. Is he gonna sue me. Please nooo, I only have a scholarship! Please!

 My teeth started to chatter and I went cold. Everything in my body stiffening as I await for someone to please come help me.

 “Elliot!” I heard Eve, her footsteps getting closer. She gripped my hand and propped me up, positioning behind her like she’s protected me, as I cowered behind her trying to breathe.

 “Ummm, may I help you?” Eve hissed.

 I can feel the man staring at me. What does he want with me. I’m sorry okay? I didn’t mean it. Please don’t sue me!

 “You see…well–because.” The scar-faced scary-looking man, even with his insanely deep voice, sounded funny as he stuttered. I can’t help but chuckle and look at him.

 His eyes locked on to me, I had to hide further behind Eve.

 “I–I must be off–Sir, I will drop the payment off–as–as usual.” He hurriedly went outside, hitting the glass door before disappearing to his Tesla.

 Eve turned around and examined me. “Are you okay? What happened?”

 “I accidentally bumped into him and I fell.” I explained.

 “Are you hurt?”

 “I’m fine.”

 “Good.” She gripped my shoulder, then I felt her warm presence like a mother even. I was okay again.

 She followed to the doorway, soon came in her grandpa. And now, he was using the measuring tape on me. But my mind can’t seem to shake off what happened awhile ago. He had a mean look on his face that I can’t look at, will I be okay? Oh God, I hope so.

                    ~~~~

 I gripped the steering wheel of my car. What went over me? I broke composure. That was not me. Luckily, my heart rate went back to normal. Why didn’t he use my hand. Why did he look terrified.

 Did I scare him? Wait, why do I care? People would ogle for me all the time. And yet him, he didn’t even jump in to get a piece of me. He’s rather a different subject. I can’t explain.

 I called up Hazell in a hurry. These new sentiments are tearing away every neuron in my brain.

 “Hazell, I need you to produce a dossier for someone.”

 “I need more information than that.”

 “His first name is Elliot, he looks about five foot three inches, and is friends with Evelyn Reyes.”

 “Is the friend related to your tailor?”

 “Yes!” I snapped.

 “Jeez, chill out, are you okay there?” She mocked.

 “Just do it.” I dropped the call.

 My mind can’t seem to shake off the events. His face was different among the others. He was special. Am I going to be okay? Heavens, I hope so.