Philandering Romeo
Francesca, or Cheska as her friends affectionately called her was one happy soul. She had gone to university early, was engaged to her first love and boyfriend of 4 years and is an heiress of her family's real estate empire.
She just got done with her MBA and donned her "armour". While she is set to take over the CEO position of Hadelund Holdings, she had requested her grandparents for a more part time position.
While most would enjoy power and social clout, Cheska herself just wanted a nice, quiet family life. She imagined herself with the love of their life raising their children, enjoying playdates and family brunches on Sundays, no stifling functions and no obligatory niceties for the sake of politics.
She gave herself a once over in her full length mirror and liked what she saw. Yep, now she looked older than her 18yrs. She is also now fully legal to drive by herself in her own car.
Looking at her watch, she figured she had a bit of time so she decided on a quick detour to surprise her fiance, Joey. He hasn't known that she was back early so Cheska figured it would be a pleasant surprise with breakfast.
In a short while, she had parked her Jupiter Red Mercedes AMG Coupe. It was a present from her Nana for her graduation and decked out with all the bells and whistles.
She whistled as she made her way to his apartment and tiptoed quietly as she let herself in with the spare key. The stench of something primal and the lewd moaning sounds coming from his bedroom made her stop dead in her tracks.
Horror filled her as realization set in. She had hoped against hope that it couldn't be Joey or that she was in the wrong apartment somehow but her brain told her otherwise.
The sounds of flesh slapping against each other grew louder as she approached the bedroom. She took a deep breath before gathering enough courage to open the door.
The couple in bed was oblivious to her presence as they carried on with satisfying their pleasure. Cheska couldn't speak or didn't even know how to feel. She was in shock.
She turned around quietly but quickly, oblivious to the steady stream of hot tears cascading down her face. She left her spare key and her engagement ring unceremoniously in the middle of the dining table and headed out.
The whole drive to the company was a blur. What was supposed to be a nice milestone day turned out to be quite memorable in a different sense. What should've been joyous and triumphant has now turned bitter and painful.
Joey and her had been in love since they were 14 or so she thought. He came from a good family and was an athletic star in school. He was popular because of his good looks but she was the only one in his eyes.
It had started as something innocent from running into each other at the library one too many times. There wasn't much they had in common until they had their first conversation.
There was never any sparks of mad passion but there was a deep growing affection between them. They both loved the sea, the quietness of nature and even mid century literature.
By their 3rd anniversary of being boyfriend and girlfriend, he had proposed to her and presented her with a gorgeous oversized diamond ring. It was a foregone conclusion that she would say "yes" and they were blissful.
While they shared kisses and other physical relations like most couples, Cheska had made it clear that she had wanted to wait to go all the way until their wedding night . She wasn't in a rush and neither was he, or so she thought.
It was only after she had confided in her bestfriends that she discovered a whole new side to Joey. They had never told her since they couldn't prove their suspicions and didn't want to hurt her but now, the little stories and tidbits came pouring in.
Unbeknownst to her, he was a hard-core manwh*re. While showing her the perfect gentleman when they were together, he was a totally different person away from her. Mr. Jekyll and Hyde in the most literal sense.
In a way she was thankful. She had discovered his true colors before committing to him for life. There was always a little niggle in the corner of her heart that prevented her from telling him some of the family secrets and now she is glad she never did. Her wolf, Lux, was always indifferent to him. She had assumed that it was because he was just human and her wolf is a snob.
Her family comes from a long line of werewolves. She is relatives with other supernaturals by marriage and she is an heiress to the family business set to become the next head. She wasn't about to tell him about her twin brother Frederick and him being the soon to be Alpha of the strongest and most powerful pack in the northern hemisphere. That would be too much.
She had once contemplated telling him but always pulled back at the last moment. She couldn't understand her misgivings but decided to follow her instincts anyway. If her gut was telling her otherwise, maybe it wasn't the right time.
After trying to calm herself down as much as she could that day, she sent Joey a text to invite him over for a family dinner that night. She decided to be the bigger person and cancel the engagement to his face instead of just wanting to send him an email.
She could feel disgust rising inside her as she thought of that filthy waste of human flesh. She fell for it, hook, line and sinker. There , she had thought she found somebody who was perfect but it was all an illusion.
Joey was prompt as usual. He was at her door five minutes to seven with wine and a huge bouquet of flowers on hand. This will be the first time she actually invited him over and the first he is to meet her grandparents who raised her.
The door was opened by a dignified looking gentleman in tuxedo that reminded him of Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred. It was unexpected but knowing his girl and her little quirks, this might be her grandpa.
He stretched out his hand and with his most winning smile, tried to greet the man in black but he was cut off before he could get the words out of his mouth.
Wordlessly, he was ushered inside and Mr. Butler announced his presence to the rest of the house.
" Mr. Joseph Crane has arrived, milady" he spoke in a very cold, very British and very condescending Oxford English. Joey could sense hostility but as he looked, the man's face was stoic and expressionless.
" Thank you McKesson, please show him to the dining room" a lady who couldn't be older than mid 30s appeared out of nowhere and gave him a curt not. It was unnerving and Joey couldn't help the bad feeling growing inside him.
The exterior of the house itself looked pretty average for a suburban home, inside was a different story. It was spacious and decked out like a French chateau. He couldn't help but think of Dr. Who and his TARDIS.
He was taking it all in when he caught a glimpse of his beloved as she makes her way to the dining room, smiling happily up to an older gentleman she lovingly addressed as "Papa".
If he wasn't nervous before, now he was, and even a little fearful at the realization that he never really knew Cheska. He knew her family was old school and wealthy, but he did not expect old money almost royalty rich.
They all sat down and made small talk. They were joined by Eric, Cheska's twin brother and his bestfriend Mattias. Their parents, Matilda and Cyrus. It was the first time he had met her whole family and his nervous feeling turned to dread.
Halfway through dessert, Cheska finally addressed him in a cold and solemn voice.
" Joey, I have invited you here today for a single purpose and it is not only to meet my family. " She said slowly as their eyes met.
" I did not deem it proper to end things without them ever meeting the man I thought I was to spend the rest of my life with, so I intend to do it right. "
He couldn't quite process what she meant. He looked around the table and met with eyes full of anger, disgust and hurt.
"end things ? " he croaked.
" Yes Joey. I am calling off our engagement. With my family as witness, I wish for us both to go our separate ways, never to meet ever again. I hope you can honor this request of mine and we can keep it civil. "
His eyes grew round as saucers as he listened to her little speech. It was emotionless and dangerously calm. The kind of speech one might give to a history class stating obvious facts.
He stuttered trying to get the words out but only managed to ask why.
The silence around them was deafening. He tried to look around, to make sense of what was really happening. His brain couldn't process the calmness of what would usually be a hysterical and emotional situation.
His eyes were now met with hatred and a growing rage from the men in her family. As if in disbelief that he dared to question why she was dumping him. His gaze locked with hers and he caught a glimpse of betrayal in their golden depths.
" Joey, I know about your women. I have witnessed your prowess myself this morning as you were enjoying yourself . I had left the spare key to your house and the engagement ring you gave me on the dining table. But I see you haven't noticed. "
He felt his blood drain from his head and he felt faint. Her brother had placed a large stack of paper with a thud in front of him. On it were pictures of him, date, time and the names of the women. He couldn't believe his eyes.
Anger started to boil in him as he realized the photos were from various surveillance cameras from the clubs and hotels he frequented.
"h-h-how d-dare you s-spy on me ! "
" Leave. " her dad, Cyrus, told him with a low animalistic growl. Immediately, terror gripped his heart. He wanted to plead his case but he found it hard to breathe.
He felt McKesson take his arm and firmly escorted him towards the front door and practically threw him out.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Crane !" he said as he literallt slammed the door on Joey's face.
Nana was first on her feet as she gave Cheska a hug. By now, all the emotions that she had suppressed throughout the day were unleashed and she was shaking as her body was wracked in sobs.
Her mom Matilda and her brother Eric tried to comfort her while the older men looked like they were planning the most hideous murder for the boy that broke their little princess' heart.
"He will pay..." Eric muttered under his breath
" In each and every way... a hundred fold" Mattias answered. They may not be related by blood but Cheska will always be the little sister he never had in his heart.
2 years later
" I'm getting married !!!" Eliza, one of her bestfriends squealed happily on FaceTime. "You have to come !! please please please pretty please ??"
Cheska sighed. It has been 2 years but still, she couldn't see men in a romantic capacity. It wasn't that she was still in love with Joey, rather, she resolved herself that romance is just not worth the hassle.
After the broken engagement, she took a solo tour around the world to find herself with her family's full support. Exploring ancient ruins by day and learning the ropes about the company by night, it was impressive.
Nana and Papa had their doubts but she proved them both wrong. At the end of the first year, she was running most things via zoom with the help of 2 assistants. Before the 2nd year, they had expanded their holdings to 18 countries and partnered with several multinational companies.
Her parents were worried about her workaholic tendencies and constantly reminded her to mind her health. To which, she replied that she has never been better.
Eric, her twin, would call to check in and ask if she was OK. He worried non-stop for her. The nomadic lifestyle and nonstop work. It seemed all she did was tour, take notes, eat, sleep and work. She somehow found niches where nobody else thought to look and made them wildly successful.
" Alright, Eliza, when is the wedding and where are you planning to hold it ? " Cheska finally asked. She felt guilty that she had been scarce for the last 2 years.
As much as she loved their little squad, she couldn't bring herself to join in the usual fun. She took her time recovering and Eliza's wedding comes as a welcome event.
" Ches, we've decided on having it in Bohol, you know, in the Philippines? "
"Yeah?" .. Her ears perked up, she's never been to the Philippines but she is in Hong Kong at the moment.
" Well, you know, Cameron, my fiance, is a Marine Biologist and Bohol has so many beautiful dive spots. It even has Danajon Bank, like a double reef system...." Eliza drones on and on happily.
" Also, my grands opened a whole resort for supernaturals so we can get as wild and as rowdy as we want without being extra careful.." She added cheerfully. Cheska can't help but chuckle.
She had met Eliza in Germany during an international student conference. They had become fast friends sensing each other's supernatural tie. While she came from a family of wolves, Eliza's family were Diwata. A kind of fae.
" Alright, I'll be there. " Cheska promised. " Any special requests ? I'm in Hong Kong at the moment. I can be there tonight... " she teased.
"Yeah ? that would be so awesome ! " Eliza all but squealed, Cheska had to hold the phone away from her ear. " Bring me some dragon candy and moon cake, the one with the egg inside ! "
" Okies, anything else ? "
" Your sluttiest lingerie ! "
Cheska just laughed. Crazy old Eliza. They had given her so much grief over her decision to wait until after marriage. It wasn't that they were being promiscuous but they never really had put too much thought into it with their significant others.
They all had committed, long term relationships but somehow, Cheska just never felt the need or the inclination to move past heavy petting and Joey had never pursued it.
" You got it babe ! " she answered Eliza. " Prep me lots of seafood though. The aphrodisiac effect might make me want to lose the VCard during your nuptial celebrations. " She added.
Without missing a beat, the bride to be added, "And that shall be our challenge !" Both girls erupted into raucous giggles and Cheska knew the best wedding present she was going to present to her bestie and her hubby.
She lost no time packing her things and arranging her flight. She made her way to Central to pick up gifts the newly weds can open in public, then she directed her driver to Mong Kok.
Snickering to herself as she climbed out of the car, her bodyguard and assistant giving her a puzzled look.
" Yiyi, where can we find naughty things for newly weds ? " she asked.
" Erm..aahh.. what do you have in mind Miss ? "
Cheska whispered with an evil grin as Yiyi's face turned red as a tomato.
" I might know somebody.. " They slowly walked as Yiyi got busy on her phone. A few minutes later, a young lady waved them over and they were ushered into a showroom filled with everything s*x that is known to man.
An hour later, the two girls come out with several bags on each hand. The "presents" were wrapped discreetly and innocently without hinting to what might be inside.
Cheska couldn't help but giggle all the way to the private airfield. She laughed even louder watching Yiyi's embarrassment. The poor girl looked horrified when the sales people were enthusiastically demonstrating how each toy worked.
In the end, they had a huge assortment of vibrators, butt plugs, lingerie and all manner of lubes. Or course, Cheska just had to grab a few items from the b**m section. Eliza had once confided she was curious and Cheska felt it was her duty as a best friend to encourage her.
Their private jet landed at Panglao International Airport without incident. Marina, her Filipino assistant and bodyguard was already there and waiting for her.
She settled into the nice plush interior of the customized Suburban. The drive to Anda, Eliza's hometown was going to take a couple of hours. She took in the scenery as they pass by in a blur. Night time sure was quiet in the small towns.
Marina started briefing her on the usual facts that she required from her assistants. Demographics, business climate, language/s, superstition, common customs. Basically a summary of the location's business potential.
By the time they got to Engkanto, the resort, she was all caught up and even learned some basic lingo.
Eliza came running down the hall and launched herself onto Cheska. They have not seen each other in person for almost 3 years and they were squealing like newborn pigs.
Hugging, kissing, punching and tickling each other. Nobody dared to interrupt their little reunion. The other supernaturals stole admiring glances at the new arrival but knew better than to approach. Even without being warned by the clan elder, it was pretty obvious that she was of high rank and the aura she was subconsciously emitting made it clear that she was not to be trifled with.
