Chapter One
1154 Words
The Echelon headquarters at L.V. Lorenzo Building looked like it had been designed by a billionaire who whispered to his architect, “Make it intimidating, but in a tasteful, please-don’t-sue-me way.”
Sophia paused at the gleaming glass wall outside the elevator, swept her hair over one shoulder, pouted, and gasped softly.
“My face is outrageous today,” she declared. “Someone should really warn people.”
Dominic clicked his tongue, scanning her like she was a limited-edition fragrance drop.“Sweetheart, this is not a face. This is social disruption. Honestly, there should be hazard signs.”
The elevator opened; she stepped inside like she was entering Paris Fashion Week.Dominic followed like he was the Paris Fashion Week.
“I’m serious,” Sophia muttered, adjusting her lip tint even though it was perfect. “Alex is going to say no.”
“Obviously,” Dominic replied. “You’re his sister. Your emotional manipulation has no jurisdiction over siblings. It’s a known phenomenon.”
“I hate when you make sense.”
“It’s my curse.”
The editorial floor of Echelon was as quiet as a fancy museum that judged you for breathing too loudly.
Jessica Manlapig-Almeda looked up as they entered, radiant, serene, smelling faintly like newlywed happiness and freshly brewed optimism.
She smiled warmly. “You two are louder than the espresso machine.”
“I’m beautiful,” Sophia said, sitting down as if the chair had been expecting her.
“And I’m a miracle,” Dominic added, posing with zero shame.
Jessica laughed softly. “Alright. What are we dealing with today?”
Sophia gasped dramatically, touching her chest. “Wow. Straight to business? No compliments? No welcome parade?”
“You wore your ‘I need Jessica to fix my life’ dress,” Jessica replied. “The pink one with the convincing neckline.”
Sophia blinked. “Jessica, you’re scarily perceptive.”
Dominic made a drumroll on the table with his fingers.“Ladies and gentlemen, today’s episode: Sophia’s Big Ask.”
Jessica sighed fondly. “Go on.”
Sophia inhaled. “Alex offered me the Madanuan Crown project gig.”
Jessica froze. “The… nine-hundred-fifty-billion-peso crown jewel of Ilocos Norte?”
“Yes!” Sophia nearly vibrated. “The mountain resort. The skybridge. The waterfalls. The casino dome. The cable cars. The luxury sanctuary carved out of literal cliffs.”
She held up the rendering on her phone: cascading waterfalls, luminous skybridge, villas tucked like diamonds into the mountains, a geodesic dome glowing like a star.
Jessica whispered, “This looks like heaven if heaven had a VIP pass.”
Dominic gasped dramatically.“It looks like Avatar, but with gambling. I’m obsessed.”
Sophia grabbed Jessica’s arm.“I want in. I want it all. I want to be fully immersed. I want—”
A knock interrupted her.
The door slid open.
Carrie Tuazon-Lorenzo walked in with the emotional temperature of a very expensive glacier.
She scanned the room.“Sophia, why does it sound like you’re pitching the next Marvel universe?”
Dominic grinned. “Cousin! Perfect timing. We’re discussing Sophia’s rise to power.”
Carrie deadpanned. “God help us all.”
She crossed her arms, her version of “I’m listening.”
Sophia straightened her posture like she was on trial for crimes of enthusiasm.“Okay. So Alex offered me the marketing and communications position for Madanuan Crown. But the villas are still under construction, and I want, no, I need to stay on-site.”
Jessica blinked. “You want a villa?”
“No, no,” Sophia shook her head quickly. “The villas aren’t ready yet. I want a suite inside the main resort. One of the luxury ones overlooking the waterfalls. Preferably with a hot tub. And floor-to-ceiling windows. And room service that understands my energy as a person.”
Dominic leaned back. “Oh, she wants the suite that screams, ‘Yes, I’m here to work, but I also deserve to be worshipped.’”
Sophia snapped her fingers. “Exactly! You get me.”
Carrie stared at her. “So you want to relocate to Ilocos Norte… to breathe the project.”
“Yes!” Sophia beamed. “To feel the spirit of the mountain. To understand the architectural soul. To live and market from the heart.”
Dominic whispered loudly, “Translation: She wants aesthetic sunrises for her i********: stories.”
Carrie didn’t look away from Sophia. “Is this true?”
Sophia lifted her chin proudly. “Yes. And the lighting there will be immaculate.”
Jessica covered her laugh.
Sophia leaned in. “I want to do this right. I want to be on-site for the planning. For the cultural integration. For the branding. I want to be there when the very first cable car moves. And when the first waterfall lights turn on. I want to feel like I’m part of something monumental.”
Carrie watched her quietly, sharp eyes reading what Sophia didn’t say out loud.
“And Alex said…?” Carrie asked.
“He hasn’t said anything,” Sophia admitted. “Because I haven’t asked. Because he sees me as the family princess and not a marketing powerhouse.”
Dominic nodded solemnly. “She has depth. Hidden under the highlight and general sparkle.”
Sophia crossed her arms. “My puppy-eyed pout won’t work on him. It has a zero percent success rate.”
“Well,” Dominic chirped, “you could seduce one of the investors. Figuring out funding through flirtation is practically tradition in some industries.”
Sophia nearly choked. “DOMINIC!”
“I’m kidding! …Unless he’s cute.”
Sophia groaned; Jessica laughed; Carrie looked vaguely distressed by the genetic chaos that was her cousin.
Finally, Jessica reached out and held Sophia’s hand. “You really want this.”
Sophia nodded, eyes bright. “For once in my life, yes. I want something that’s mine. Not because I’m an Almeda. Not because I’m pretty. Because I’m good.”
Jessica smiled tenderly. “Then I’ll talk to Alex.”
Sophia squealed in a whisper, bouncing in her seat.
Dominic clapped like a proud stage parent. “Ilocos, here she comes! I need to pack. I need outfits. I need matching pajamas for the resort suite.”
“You don’t have to come,” Sophia said.
Dominic gasped like he had been shot. “I am spiritually obligated to witness your rise. Also, the hotel looks fabulous and I refuse to miss that.”
Carrie exhaled, whispering, “Please don’t terrorize the staff.”
“No promises,” Dominic replied.
Sophia looked at the rendering one more time.
The waterfalls.The skybridge.The future villas glimmering like promises.The mountains whispering empire.
This wasn’t just a job.
It was the beginning of the biggest chapter of her life.
And she intended to live it, preferably in a luxury suite with excellent lighting.
- Writer
