The kidn*pped Billionaire

Celebration?

Vea

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS MAE!” someone popped a confetti popper. I was shocked. 

Everyone I love is here! My mom, my friends, and our business partners! A birthday surprise, wow. Wait-- father allowed this? A tear rolled down my cheeks. I was hopeful that someone would tell me that my father came up with this, even if it was impossible.

A tall guy approached me and gave me a bouquet of flowers. He smells good-- I mean, the flowers smell good. It’s a bouquet of pink tulips, my favorite! After the guy gave me the bouquet, the other guests sang the happy birthday song. My mom approached me while holding a cake with a lit candle on it.

“Make a wish sweetie.” My mother whispered. 

“I guess I need to repeat my wish from earlier.” I chuckled.

 I closed my eyes for a sec, and thought of my wish before I went here. When I opened my eyes, everyone was cheering for me. I hope my father will be here too. I quickly looked around the room, but he’s nowhere to be found. What I wished for my birthday was that my father would make me feel that he loves me as his daughter, and he recognizes all of the things I did for him and our companies.

“Thank you everyone! Y’all made me really happy. Shall we proceed to our meeting?” 

I suddenly remembered what my father told me when I was sixteen. “Celebrations must be done by the end of the day because it distracts you from doing your work well.” He’s right. These kinds of things waste time and make me forget my responsibilities. 

Everyone went to their places, and started preparing for our meeting. Five minutes before 10 o’clock, my father entered the room and sat on the chair designated for him. All of the meeting participants became silent, including me and my mother. 

“Good morning everyone. I am Maeve Amour Tala, the representative of Marilag Travel and Tours International, and Tala Group of Companies. We will now start today’s agenda.”

Every time my father would attend my meetings, I become very anxious. I feel like there are thousands of eyes looking, and waiting for me to make mistakes. 

“And that marks the end of our meeting. Do you have any questions? None? Then this meeting is adjourned. Have a nice lunch everyone.”

I wanted something fresh for my lunch so I went to my favorite restaurant. When I arrived, there were no other customers. It was strange because this eatery is always packed with both locals and tourists. I entered the establishment, then suddenly a server approached me to give me a slice of blueberry cheesecake, which is my favorite, with a lit candle on top. 

“Happy Birthday Miss Vea! Someone booked us for the day. They said we should not serve any other customers until you finish your lunch today.” I was shocked. 

“Who would do such a thing? I mean, I am well-known here in Sta. Corazon, but I never expected someone to pay a whole restaurant just to serve one customer. Did they tell you who they were?” This day is getting crazier!

“Yes, miss. But they told us that we shouldn’t tell you. Anyway, happy birthday again Miss Vea! Everything you will order today will be free.” 

The receptionist was very excited to get my order, but I was hesitant. I know the locals work very hard and I cannot afford to not pay for the services they provide me. 

“I am sorry but I wouldn’t allow that. It’s just my birthday, nothing special. If you really want to make my day happy, please let the other customers in. I want them to celebrate with me. Is that okay?” 

“I’m sorry, Miss Vea. I’m afraid that we cannot accept your request, because the person who reserved the restaurant clearly said that you should be the only customer until you finish lunch. I hope you understand.” 

I wasn’t able to do anything about it, so I just proceeded to order food for myself. I quickly ate my food so I could leave immediately. After a few minutes, I finished my meal and gave the employees the tip they deserved. They thanked me, gave me my pink drink, and I left the restaurant. 

I hurried back to the office because I didn't want my father to nag me. While running back to the office, a tall light-skinned guy bumped me. Oh no, my pink drink! It spilled all over me! 

“Are you blind? Not because you’re tall, you have the right to bump into anyone you like. ESPECIALLY ME. Don’t you know me? Or should I introduce myself to you?” Gosh. Sometimes people will really test your patience. 

“I--” The guy stuttered. 

“I don’t have time for people like you who don’t even know how to apologize. By the way, I am Maeve Amour TALA. Daughter of Achellous and Mahaelani Tala. Excuse me.”

 He wasn’t shocked because I know he knows me. But he can’t keep eye contact, I think he’s nervous. I don’t really care. I was running late.

I hurried to get my spare clothes and I changed immediately. 

“This is so embarrassing.” I fixed myself, and then continued to work. 

I ran some errands. Visited our business partners here in Sta. Corazon. I made sure that everything is going smoothly. I also visited some schools. I interacted with the children and their teachers. Time flew so fast that when I looked at my watch, it’s already 8 o’clock in the evening. I overtimed again. I am still upset about the guy who bumped into me. He wasn’t even apologetic for it. Ugh! I hope I never see him again!

“Hello, Kuya? Please come and pick me up now. I’m right here at the park. Please come quick.” I called our driver. I sat on a bench and looked at the sky. My mom said that when the stars are bright, the night is dark. Meaning, stars shine brighter in the darkest nights. If the stars can do this, humans should too. Thrive in their lowest. 

I checked my email, woah! Nothing? I literally finished three-days worth of work! But this doesn’t mean that I can rest. I need to find other things to do because my father will tell me that I’m lazy. I turned off my iPad. While I was waiting for our driver to pick me up, I noticed someone hiding in the bushes. I picked up a rock and threw it there. 

“Ouch. Oops.” 

“CREEP! Get out of here!” I shouted really loud so that the guy would run off. I didn’t see the man’s face, he ran off to the woods. I was lucky that he did not get to go near me. Thank the heavens our van is here. I hurried off to ride our van. 

“Let’s get out of here, Kuya. I think someone is following me. It’s giving me the creeps.” 

The driver quickly drove off. I got scared because what if the guy in the bushes was holding something deadly. I am not yet ready to die. I put on my earphones and played some music. I closed my eyes. I felt really exhausted. I slept the whole time we’re on our way home.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at your house.” Our driver woke me up. 

“Thank you, Kuya. Good night. Take care.”  I got out of the van and waved our driver goodbye. He’s a really nice guy. I entered our house, and there was no one inside besides our helpers. I greeted them, then I went upstairs to my room.

“Eww. I smell so bad. I need to shower.”

 A hot shower at the end of a tiring day is one of my necessities. I love smelling like coconuts. Everything I own smells like sweetened coconuts. 

I got out of the shower, put on some clean pajamas, and laid on my bed. I am still wondering about the people who made the surprises for me, and I am still hoping that one of them is my father. When will he notice me? He didn’t even bother to greet me today. And who was the guy who bumped into me? I hope I never see him again. He’s handsome but I know he ain’t worth it.