BRATINELLA: Alexandria Hermosa

CHAPTER 2

        ON THE OTHER HAND, while Alexandria and Alita were talking with each other, Matthew's also having a conversation with Alexandria's father Alejandro Hermosa.

        After a few moments, a guy joined their conversation.

        "Matthew…"

        "Chase!" they shook their hands.

        "My brother Charles would like to ask for apology to Mr. Hermosa, for not being able to attend because he had a sudden business trip to go to. That's why he sent me instead."

        "Oh, is that so?" Matthew nodded, he faced Alejandro Hermosa and introduced his friend. "Do you still remember Charles, Uncle?"

        "Charles Montefalco? Oh yes, I do remember him.  The head of Fico Holdings."

        "This is Chase Montefalco, his younger brother." he said. "Chase, this is Mr. Alejandro Hermosa the husband of the celebrant Lucille Hermosa."

        "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Hermosa." He said, reaching out his hand.

        "The pleasure is all mine." Alejandro shook his hands while smiling.

        The celebrant went near them to call for her husband, when she noticed them. "Oh Chase! I'm glad you could attend."

        "Happy Birthday and thank you for inviting us Mrs. Hermosa, but my brother could not attend due to his sudden business trip so I went in favor of him.”

        "It is fine, I understand." She smiled at him. "By the way I have to borrow my husband for a while, Matthew I'll leave him to you."

        "Sure Aunt Lucille, no problem."

        After the celebrant and her husband left, Chase scanned the crowd and noticed someone.

        "She looks familiar Matthew. I feel like I've seen her somewhere, maybe in some magazines or television?" he said while still staring at the other girl.

        Matthew's forehead wrinkled while trying to find whose Chase is pertaining to. "Who?"

        "That lady in red dress."

        "Alita Montevallo is the newscaster at the prime time news patrol remember?"

        "Oh, I remember now." Nodding his head. "How about the girl she's talking to? My, she's an epitome of beauty and elegance…"

        "Who? Alita?!" he questioned him with wrinkled forehead.

        "No no, I was referring to the other girl."

        "Good." He exhaled not noticing that he's been holding his breath. "You can't be attracted to her, she's my girlfriend."

        "Of course bud." He laughed while tapping Matthew's shoulder. "No wonder you were looking at me differently while I was asking about them."

        "Just a bit." He shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, it's Alexandria Hermosa whom she's talking to. The only daughter of Lucille and Alejandro Hermosa."

        "Can you introduce me to her?"

        "Sure."

        ALEXANDRIA NOTICED the looks Chase has been giving her after Matthew introduced them with each other.

        Chase Montefalco is the Chief Finance Office in the Accounting Department of Fico Holdings. Brother of Charles Montefalco, who is the Chief Executive Office of Fico Holdings. Their mother, who is Nicola Montefalco was the President of Fico Holdings and the only daughter and heiress of the Chairman of the board which is a multi-millionaire businessman who raised his own company by himself at the age of 25.

        Nicola died young at the age of 43 leaving the inheritance to her two children, Charles and Chase. But her spouse Leonard was the one who's been handling the company while their children have not reach the legal age yet. Leonard remarried again to Camilla Flores and she's carrying their child when an unfortunate accident happened where Leonardo and his wife Camilla together with their baby died.

        Charles is 5 years older than Chase, since the day that their parents died it's been Charles who's been acting and caring like a parent to Chase though they're both are at a very young age. Charles was a very protective brother to Chase but not all the time it is him who decide for everything, sometimes he let his little brother decide for himself so that he won't be too dependent on him and he will be able to stand up all by himself.

        And Chase will not reach his current position if he didn't do well on his job, he worked hard for it and has not received any help from Charles but only guidance from a brother. His brother served as his inspiration in doing well and it paid off.

        Whoever Chase will marry someday will be so lucky for having him. Because aside from him being smart and has a high position in the company, he also has another business he's starting to build. It's a 50 floors condominium from the lot he inherited from their parents located in Pasay. Alexandria learned all of this during her conversation with Chase and he was enthusiastic while telling her this things.

        It's not only his character which is good about him but also he is a very attractive guy. He has sharp features and eyes that is so deep and beautiful, broad shoulders and muscles that are located in the right places. Alexandria can't help but to be attracted to him.

        "I have already told you many things about me. Isn't just fair for you to say things about yourself?" Chase said, smiling.

        "What do you want me to say? That I'm the only child that is why I get everything I wanted?" laughing.

        "I know that already. What about your love life? Do you have a boyfriend?"

        Alexandria smirked before replying. "What do you think?"

        "I think, you don't. Because if there is already someone, I wouldn't be able to come near you and have this kind of conversation with you. Because for sure, he will keep on tailing and guarding you." He winked.

        Her cheeks got tinted with pink. When suddenly her cousin Gidget approached them.

        "Oh Gidge! Meet Chase Montefalco. His brother Charles is Matthew's friend and mom's visitor. Chase, this is Gidget my cousin and also my best friend."

        "Is she Alita's sister?" he asked.

        "Yes, they're three siblings."

        "So that explains her similarity of features with Alita." He said nodding.

        Gidget didn't stay long talking to them and left after a few moments saying she will be at the kitchen. Noticing that the two of them needed some time to talk alone.

        "I knew you would be here." Alita said as she approached Gidget.

        Gidget got startled while she's yawning when she heard her sister's voice.

        "Oh it's you, Alita."

        "Alexandria told me about your plans of moving on another place, while your and Gil's condo is being renovated. And she also said that you didn't want to stay there even after the renovation is done. Why don't you stay on my apartment instead?"

        "I have already told Aunt Lucille about staying here while I have not found a place to settle in and I'm shy to take I back. And I know that there's only one room in your apartment. I don't want to disturb you."

        "Yes but I can share my room with you, I'm not always home at night anyway. Plus do you really think that mom and dad would let you to live alone on an apartment or condo?"

        Gidget didn't get to answer at what her sister said.

        "And about Gil, he's a guy so it's fine if he will live alone since he can take care of himself whenever someone will try to enter inside his condo. And he's really hard headed so you can' stop him from living by himself and also because of his career, he will need to have his own place so that no press will be staying and ogling outside our gate."

        Gidget just nodded at what her sister said. "Fine, but I'll stay here with Alex even just for two days okay?"

        "Okay."

        "But are you really sure it's fine for me to stay in your room? I know you work a lot at home when you're working on something."

        "Yeah it's fine with me, there's really no problem if you stay there. I'll be more assured for your safety if I know you're just near." Gidget again just nodded to what her sister said. 

"I WISH THIS NIGHT  would never end." Chase told Alexandria while staring at her cue little face.

She smiled but not letting Chase see it. "Why so? Whether we like it or not, this night will definitely end. But there will be a lot more to come, and even morning not just night!" she jokingly said.

"Did you know what's so enticing about you? It's about how you smile so easily. And whenever you do, your dimple on your left cheek shows up immediately."