MY ANGEL

CHAPTER 3: Compromised

March 4, 2016. Friday. Seth Villacorta had just arrived from his business trip in Japan the previous day. He just rested for a while and then started painting very early that Friday morning.

For quite some time, his parents had been bugging him about settling down already.

In the past, he had been in two serious relationships. He had dated Margaux Villena, a daughter of a former president of the country. Margaux was his first serious girlfriend. They dated when they were still both studying at Athenaeum. The relationship lasted for two years but then they just fell out of love. They had different interests. They parted amicably. Margaux married already five years ago.

He was already finished with his college education when he had another serious relationship with Kimberly Cheng, who was from a rich and prominent Filipino-Chinese family in Palmaine City. Their relationship lasted for more than a year. Kimberly had broken up with him because she didn’t like the way he had been ignoring her whenever he was so focused on painting. Kimberly wanted more time from him. She could not understand the life of the visual artist in him. They parted amicably as well.

After those two serious relationships, he had been on several flings with upper-class socialites and celebrities. The last one was almost three months ago, with Beatrice Lim, the younger sister of Martin Lim, CEO-President of Filipinas Telecommunications Inc., which was the biggest rival of the Cojuangcos’ Filipinas Telephone Company. Both companies and families were in Maunni City.

Beatrice was a spoiled brat. They just had a one-night stand but the brat kept on barging into places where he was.

He would soon turn thirty in two months. He needed to introduce at least a girlfriend to his family so that they wouldn’t set up him on dates.

Avi, his younger sister, had already warned him the previous day when she called, “Kuya, Dad and Mom are already planning to set you up on dates. They are already so eager for you to settle down that they might even resort to an arranged marriage.”

He responded, “That can’t be! Try to cover up for me, sis. Tell them I am secretly and seriously dating someone already.”

Avi assumed, “So you want me to lie for you,” she insisted, “You should better find yourself a girlfriend first and then I will tell them you’re serious about this lady.”

He remarked, “Whatever?! Thanks for the heads up anyway. Bye for now.”

Avi uttered, “Okay. Bye.”

That call had made him think of ways to evade the setup dates. But he stopped thinking and just focused on painting.

It was already late in the afternoon. He was in his studio doing some finishing touches on his art work when the telephone rang. He basically just lives alone. His personal staff don’t stay over for the night. He also didn’t want to be disturbed when he was painting and so his personal chef would just prepare him meals for the entire day so that he could just heat up if he wanted to eat already.

He answered the telephone call. It was a call from an employee from the front desk.

“Sir, there is a young lady here by the name of Hannah Sandoval, who wanted to see you. Shall I let her up?”

He responded, “Yeah, I know her. Please let her up.”

As he was waiting for Hannah, he couldn’t help but think why she suddenly came to see him. It had been almost two years since they last saw each other face-to-face. The last report he heard from his new secretary about her was that she resigned from her job due to unfair treatment and was having difficulty finding another job because her former boss was spouting lies about her so she wouldn’t be hired. He was also aware that they had moved in to a much better apartment due to a housing development project to be done on the location of their old apartment.

Hannah had never personally sought him after her father’s death. She would just send him thank you messages via smartphone for all the assistance that he had been sending. She also called him one time and respectfully asked him to stop transferring her father’s salary because she already had a job. He agreed but reminded her not to hesitate to give him a call or pay him a visit if she needed help. That had made him think – Does she need his help? Why is she personally visiting him?

When the doorbell rang, he didn’t look anymore at the monitor of the state-of-the art security lock system on the main door. He opened it and was shocked to see Beatrice Lim.

He immediately asked, “What are you doing here?”

Beatrice answered with a wicked smile, “I live in the same building now. Wouldn’t you even ask me to come in?”

He was not able to reply immediately. The elevator opened up and a tall with very light tan complexioned beautiful lady wearing white classic long sleeve button down shirt, blue denim skinny jeans, and Manolo Blahnik ivory pumps, which were quite familiar to him, had walked towards them.

Beatrice voiced out, “So you are expecting a guess? Who is she, Seth?”

Seth, mesmerized by Hannah’s beauty, told his former driver/bodyguard’s daughter, “Please come in, Hannah.”

Beatrice blocked Hannah’s way and then asked him again, “Who is she, Seth?”

Seth shoved Beatrice lightly and led Hannah to come in by the door. Then he blocked Beatrice from coming in, “We have got nothing more to talk about, Beatrice. So please excuse us and leave,” then he closed the door.

Hannah apologized as he led her to the living room, “I am sorry. I think my timing was not good.”

Seth casually responded, “Do not mind her. She is just here to infuriate me. I had once hooked up with her, then she had started stalking me. I think she even moved into this building just to torture me even more,” he motioned her to sit down, “So what’s up? You already look so grown up.”

Hannah opted to sit down on the couch opposite to where he sat and then answered anxiously, “I had no one else to turn to. I have been jobless for a few months. Tita with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Our savings had already dwindled due to the preliminary medical procedures done to her. I really need your help. She needs to undergo an operation and a series of chemotherapy afterwards. I don’t have enough money anymore. I can work for you as a payment. I will do anything, so please help me save her.”

Seth saw the tears she had been trying hard to hold back just flooded. He sat down beside her and offered her his handkerchief and then gently patted her shoulder. “Of course, I will help you. As for the payment, let us just talk about it some other time. So, where is Tita Carmen now?”

She answered, “She is at Filipinas General Hospital now, sir.”

Seth stood up, “I will just take a quick shower, dress up and then we will go to her.”

He notified his driver through his smartphone about his departure. He went to the master’s bedroom, removed his painting attire, took a quick shower, and dressed up in much more presentable clothes.

When he went back to the living room, Hannah immediately stood up. They went out of the main door and walked towards the elevator. Beatrice was not in the corridor anymore. She might have already left.

When they reached the lobby, they were both surprised to see a lot of news reporters and photographers outside taking their photos and videos together. Primo, his driver/bodyguard, got out of his black SUV. Primo, along with the male employees at the front desk and the security guard by the entrance door, escorted them out.

The media personnel asked so many questions like –

Who is she, Mr. Villacorta?

Why are you not with Miss Bea Lim?

Is Bea Lim not your girlfriend?

Why are you with another lady instead of Bea Lim?

Is she your new girlfriend?

What is your name, Miss?

Miss, are you dating Mr. Villacorta?

Miss, what is your relationship with Mr. Villacorta?

Miss, are you Mr. Villacorta’s girlfriend?

When they were already secured inside the SUV, Primo started to drive.

Seth apologized to her, “I am sorry for the media incident. It could be Bea’s doing. Your face will definitely make it to the evening news and online news.”

He was surprised when Hannah asked him, “So what will you do about it, sir?”

Seth answered casually, “Nothing for now. Let’s just talk about it later.” But at the back of his mind, he knew that Hannah’s dignity might get compromised if he did nothing.

Seth didn’t want to discuss personal matters with his driver around. After losing Hannah’s father, he had avoided getting attached to his personal employees.

Seth then called up his secretary.

Gene Reyes, his secretary, answered, “Yes, boss.”

He instructed, “Please immediately arrange for a security back-up and ask them to be at Filipinas General Hospital as soon as possible.”

Gene spoke, “Duly noted, boss. I will send a security back-up right away.”

His personal staff had living quarters in an upscale apartment complex he had purchased in Vienburg City as an investment. Gene was in charge of the management of the apartment complex and his other endeavors in Missi which also included the management of his personal staff.

When they reached the hospital after half an hour, four bodyguards were already there to escort them in. Most of the news reporters and photographers were also able to follow them. They had patiently waited outside until one of them came out.

Seth had talked to the doctor attending to Hannah’s aunt. They had talked about the surgery as well as the treatment plan. Seth had personally asked the doctor to arrange the best possible treatment care for her aunt.

When the doctor inquired about his connection to the patient, he just said, “She and her niece are like real family to me, doctor. So please provide Tita Carmen with the best possible treatment plan.”

After a few more minutes, Tita Carmen was transferred to a hospital room with just one hospital bed. It had a siting area, refrigerator, TV, and its own bathroom.

Her vitals were checked and then later on she was prepped for surgery early that evening.

Seth didn’t leave Hannah. While waiting for the surgery to get finished, they talked again about the news reporters and the photographers. Seth was aware that some were still outside.

Hannah had asked, “You told me a while ago that my face would make it to the news, sir. What made you say that?”

Seth answered, “You heard them asking about our relationship, right? They are assuming that we are dating…”

Hannah cut in, “But we are not! I will not even pass as your girlfriend.”

Seth replied, “Well, you will definitely pass as my girlfriend. Any pretty lady seen with me is considered to be in a relationship with me. You probably know already about my reputation as a playboy national artist.”

Hannah said, “I am not usually dressed like this. I just went to the bank for my business loan application. I plan to establish my own small marketing firm first. But sad to say, it was denied.”

Seth then told her, “I am already aware of what happened to you at the marketing firm you worked for. Ate Eliz had told me that she offered you a job at Villacorta Lands in advance. But you did not return after your graduation. Why?”

Hannah answered his query, “Tita Carmen preferred living here at Missi and I cannot just leave her behind. So I decided to accept that offer from that marketing firm instead.”

He finished for her, “But they took advantage of your skills and your naivety,” and then told her, “Ate Eliz would soon be taking on the Chief Operations Officer position. Her position as Chief Marketing Officer will be vacated. You already know the ropes at Villacorta Lands. You are already quite familiar with all the employees there.”

She was hesitant and she voiced it out, “I think I am still too young for that position. There are a lot more employees much senior to me there.”

He countered, “But they don’t have the qualifications you have.”

She said, “I can start with a lower position perhaps.”

He acknowledged that, “I will then talk to Ate Eliz. She will be very happy to know that you will consider returning.”

She then asked, “But then I have to move to Veda City.”

He assured her, “I can arrange for a transfer for your aunt there. The family had outstanding shares in Veda City Medical Center.”

She responded, “It is a private hospital. So the medical expenses might be more costly compared here at FGH.”

He understood her predicament, “Okay, then I will talk to your aunt’s doctor. Maybe they have the same chemotherapy facilities as their affiliate government hospital in Rogan.”

She felt relieved, “I think that is much better.”

When the operation was concluded, the surgeon talked to them. The surgery was successful. Seth then decided to leave.

Hannah stayed with her aunt in the new hospital room Seth had arranged. When she left early in the morning, she was surprised to see Seth’s SUV with his driver and two bodyguards.

Primo approached her, “Boss, tell us to escort you anywhere you go, ma’am.”

“I will just go home to get some stuff,” she wanted to complain more, but she saw the news reporters and photographers about to swarm them.

Inside the SUV, a not so handsome familiar-looking man in a dark brown suit who looked as older as Seth spoke to her when the driver had already started to steer the wheel.

The man introduced himself, “I’m Gene Reyes, ma’am. I am Mr. Villacorta’s secretary. Boss is currently in Rogan. And so he delegated us to maintain your privacy and security until he returns in two weeks or less. Ramon is the driver. Then the two other men on the escort car following us were Primo and Nomer. The three of them will be in charge of maintaining your privacy and security. Boss fervently wished that you must not tell anyone about your connection with him. He also advised that you shouldn’t be affected with the news about the two of you all over all forms of the media. He will eventually release an official statement regarding the two of you.”

Hannah then spoke, “Mr. Reyes, please just call me Hannah,” and then asked, “How serious is the media attention I am getting?”

Gene answered, “Very serious, Miss Hannah. Your face is all over the internet as well as the morning papers. You had also made it to every entertainment news in different TV channels last night. And this morning, your relationship with Boss is still being talked about on early morning shows. No one seems to know your real identity yet and so they have just addressed you as ‘beautiful lady’ for now. Your connection to Boss is trending online as we speak. Boss’s official website had already crashed down because of the voluminous comments and inquiries about the two of you.”

Hannah wanted to tell Gene about her real connection to Seth but she recalled his wish. Her silence was then cut in by Gene.

Gene handed her a brand new smartphone, the latest model of the most famous brand in the country. “Boss had asked me to hand this to you, Miss Hannah. His private number is stored there along with the numbers of Primo, Ramon and Nomer. He said that you may contact him anytime. For your privacy, he also advised that you refrain from using your old number.”

Gene then asked Ramon to stop the SUV by the shoulder of the main road. The secretary boarded another car, which had followed the SUV they were in.

When Hannah reached the comfort of their small but clean two-bedroom apartment unit, she immediately called Seth.

After two rings, she heard the voice of her father’s former boss speaking – Yes, Hannah.

She responded with a calm voice – Sir, why didn’t you tell me the severity of the media attention we got? I was just surprised to see your secretary this morning with the driver and two bodyguards.

He apologized and explained – I am really very sorry for that, Hannah. I’ve gotten you involved with my messy personal life. Beatrice Lim had invited the news reporters and the photographers to trap me into admitting my one-night affair with her as a serious one once the two of us are seen together emerging from the entrance door. Her plans backfired because the lady I had first seen with as I came out was you. I need to make sure of your privacy and security, so Gene suggested this set up until I am still very occupied here at Rogan attending to some business problems. I will return as soon as I can. By the way, I have already talked to Ate Eliz. She advised that you enroll for your MBA. It could be at UF – Vienburg or Athenaeum. You will be hired immediately as her chief-of-staff as soon as we can arrange the transfer of Tita Carmen. Once you are done with your MBA then you may already have the position of Chief Marketing Officer.

She responded – That will be perfectly fine with me.

He added – I have already asked Gene to secure information regarding the MBA programs at UF and Athenaeum. He will provide you with the hard copy as soon as he can. You do not have to worry about school fees. As for the hospital expenses of Tita Carmen, let us just discuss the payment plan later on. For now, just focus on your aunt. I will see you in two weeks or less.

She uttered – Okay, sir.

He replied – Okay. Bye for now.

After his phone conversation with Hannah, his father had talked to him.

His father immediately asked him, “What is your real relationship with Herman’s daughter? Do you know that the lady you are supposed to meet for a setup date wanted to back out?”

Seth then realized that he could kill three birds in one shot. “Hannah and I have been secretly dating for a while already, Dad. And I am very serious about her.”