A Kiss Before Betrayal

Rose “Congrats on winning the deal, lil sis! Celebrate tayo maya sa retrogade.” My brother winked. I sighed. Still on high na naipanalo ko ang billion dollar deal na ‘yon. I spent months on my proposal so I think it’s worth it. “Kay, my treat.” Ngumisi ako sa kapatid ko at nag saludo. “I’ll have to catch up some work kaya kita-kita nalang tayo ron.” Bilin ko kay Lucas. The retrograde is one of our famous restaurant franchise and the one and only dito sa Pilipinas. It was a deal won by my Father. I was surprised at first na hindi kay kuya pinamana ang business na ito knowing that he’s smarter though he didn’t have grudges towards me nung nalaman na sa akin ipapama ang Araneta Real Estate kasi sakaniya napunta ang Araneta Security System na pasimula pa lang pero medyo lumalaki naman na. I finished up some work before wrapping up for the day. I’m in a good mood kaya lahat binigyan ko ng early out. “Christa, I’m done for the day, I’ll have dinner with my family. Uwi ka na at magpahinga na.” I smiled. “Po? Ah, sige po, Ms. Araneta. Thank you!” She lowered her head and I nodded before my dismissal. Pati yung driver ko ay pinauwi ko na at ako na mismo nag maneho papunta sa retrogade. Kahit sariling resto namin yon ay tinatrato namin na hindi sa amin at sinasabi namin sa staff na tratuhin kaming regular customers kaya nagbabayad pa rin kami sa sariling resto. Pero alam ko hindi nila maiwasan na kabahan kapag mag dine na kami roon. Though, I appreciate them not hustling that much kapag andoon kami o kahit isa sa amin. Ako ang huling dumating sa amin though I’m only minutes late. “Hi, sorry the traffic was a bit bad.” Lumapit ako kay mama at papa para humalik sa mga pisngi nila ta’s nagmano na ako kay lola. “Rose, balita ko nakuha mo ang Astrogaze Deal? Congratulations, apo.” Simula ni lola at napangiti naman ako roon. “Told you, mama, she’s right for the job.” Singit ni papa kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. Kumindat naman si papa. Noong nag decide kasi si papa na sa akin ipapasa ang kumpanya ay medyo hindi nagtiwala si lola although she’s not fully against it. Ang in-expect lang niya ay si kuya ang makakakuha ng kumpanya. I just had to prove to her that I’m capable of handling the company lolo built for years. “Sino-sino ang mga nakalaban mo sa contract bidding?” Tanong ni lola. “Uh, mga Alvarez, Sanchez, Del Fuego, Castillo, ta’s...” Medyo nag alinlangan ako sabihin ang huling apelido. “Sevilla.” I saw lola pursed her lips the moment I mentioned that family name. I didn’t know the whole story but all I know is Araneta and Sevilla families are old best friends but since lolo died, it was rivalry. Lola didn’t want us to even speak with them. Her rage towards the Sevilla is on another level. Yes, we had company rivals or competitors but it’s a different topic regarding the Sevillas. I tried digging due to curiosity but can’t find anything because I think lola hid the records or whatever happened during her time. “Good thing you won then.” I nodded a bit and returned my gaze to my food. It was also pressure that she always wants me to win a contract against the Sevillas. I will not deny, that family is smart in terms of business. Yung pagkapanalo ko ngayon baka nachambahan ko lang talaga. Sa contract na naipanalo ko ngayon pwede ako kumuha ng isa pang kumpanya for merging or joint company regarding the contract or I can go and fly solo. Pero alam ko hindi ko kakayanin mag solo dahil malaking project ang Astrogaze. Although since I won, it makes me the sole owner and I can choose who can help me with the project. I mastered interior designing these past 2 years even though I’m already a licensed Interior Designer. I was choosing back then when I was in college either Architecture or Interior Designing. But since, my hobby was and always is designing interior, I chose what I love and it also helps in the company. “What is the duration of this project?” Tanong ni lola. “Within this year which is in the duration of 8 months dapat po may mai-propose na po na plano as well as finalize the plan then by January next year, the project must start.” Explain ko. “May balak ka ba makipag joint?” Tanong ni papa. I nodded. “Astrogaze is a big project. Baka ito na po yung pinaka malaking proyekto na mahahawakan ko at hindi naman ganun kataas pride ko para akuin lang mag-isa. Alam ko hindi ko kakayanin.” I chuckled nervously before looking at lola for approval. “Hm… choose wisely to be your partner sa project, Rose.” Bilin ni lola. “Mahirap na magtiwala sa ganiyan at baka traydorin ka lang sa huli.” I nodded at that. “I already offered them to present to me tomorrow if they want to help me.” “Rose, who is the CEO of Sevilla now?” I stilled at that question. Kinakabahan ako palagi tuwing ime-mention sila ni lola. “Si Xavier Sevilla po. Son of-“ “The son of Rafael Sevilla.” Tinapos ni lola ang dapat na sasabihin ko. I nodded at that. “Hm... I’m surprised at hindi sa anak ni Jonathan napunta ang SRE.” She nodded at her own statement. Tinignan ko si papa at nakitang naghihintay lang din si papa sa sasabihin ni lola. What I know about Rafael Sevilla and my father ay patago silang nagging magkaibigan hanggang sa nalaman ni lola pero pinabayaan din niya kasi hindi naman pala kay Rafael Sevilla mapupunta ang kumpanya pero ngayon nasa anak ni Rafael ang kumpanya. Lola sighed deeply. “Anyway, I will trust your choices, apo. Whoever you think is best to help you this project but best to not fully trust them and keep your walls up.” She reminded and I nodded at that. Nakita ko si papa na parang nakahinga na ng maluwag. Syempre, pati ako. Every time the Sevillas are mentioned, lahat kami ay kinakabahan na. Nagpatuloy ang dinner namin at si lola ay kay kuya naman angtatanong tanong. The moment dinner ended, hindi na muna ako sumama sa kanila pauwi sa bahay at sinabing sa penthouse ko nalang muna ako. Asa sasakyan ko na ako nang mapansin na nakalimutan ko ang laptop ko kaya mabilis akong nag reroute pabalik kumpanya. Wala ng tao sa kumpanya kungdi mga security na lang pero kampante naman ako. Kakuha ko ng laptop ko sa office ay agad din ako bumaba. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang makita kung sino ang nasa harap ng kumpanya ngayon. Xavier Sevilla. He’s in a black button down dress-shirt and black slacks while leaning on his car clearly waiting for someone. Halatang galing sa trabaho. Nakapark lang ang sasakyan niya sa harap ng sasakyan ko. “Mr. Sevilla.” Bati ko nang makalapit na ko tuluyan. He looked at me before smiling a bit. “Can I invite you for a drink, Ms. Araneta?”