When I Met You

Tuscany, Italy Quitos Ortiz received the wedding invitation from his childhood friend and first love- Kitkat Romualdez. Parang kailan lang ay inalok pa niya si Kitkat ng kasal at nagpahayag sa dalaga na willing siyang akuin ang responsibilidad sa pinagbubuntis nito, kahit pa hindi sa kaniya ang dinadala nito. He just couldn't believe that he lost his chance with Kitkat because he only had little time with her, which made him think of what might have been. At that time that he had the chance to court her in Italy, he was in his first year in college, seventeen years old, while Kitkat was sixteen. He recalled that he knew Kitkat had a crush on a Filipino boyband member who was about his age in South Korea but he did not expect that that guy would snatch Kitkat away from him. When Kitkat decided to study college in the Philippines, he knew why that it was because she wanted to secretly save her allowance and go to South Korea, without her parents knowing. She confessed it to him, but at that time, it sounded ridiculous and he did not take it seriously. He regretted that he did not treat that as an omen for his heartbreak. "Cara mia, magari..." he uttered feeling upset about the circumstance. He paced in his workshop room, where he had been occupied with creating the prototypes of his robot CCTV creations; and then sending them to his trusted manufacturer, and utilizing them for his personal use. Just recently he had done two inventions-- a CCTV which could detect intruders and turn into a dangerous laser gun, and the other one was a key that was disguised as a vibrator. The latter was to ridicule and spite the woman he trusted and allowed inside his own, only to learn that she was spying on their family, just so they could search where their family secret was-- and that was the tons of gold, which they inherited from their great ancestors' expeditions. Nang mag-aral si Kitkat sa Pilipinas ay nakilala niya si Alessandra Morabito. She was a beautiful Italian girl, four years older than him. He kept bumping into here wherever he went. Yun pala, pinlano talaga ni Alessandra iyon upang magkalapit ang kanilang loob, at makapasok ito sa kanilang kastilyo. They had several intimacies, and that was the time Alessandra took that opportunity to search for the underground room, where the Ortiz family hid their secret wealth. Quitos at that time immediately learned that Alessandra was searching for their family's secret through the roaming prototype CCTV robots he created as he had a penchant for creating and inventing different things, even when he was still a teenager. He was able to make CCTV robots back then because he had the money to do so. He was a living Richie Rich after all. Alessandra asked him to help his older brother Flavio Morabito, who was a Mafia boss in Italy. She wanted him to support her brother using his inheritance, and her brother would give him and his family protection in return. But, he refused and they broke up. Because of this, her brother had been harassing his family. His parents had hired and paid tons of money to build a secure metal room underground the castle. He created robots to lift their secret wealth in its new location with a thick vault door that has a standby hole for a second security lock, which he had worked on as he and his parents transferred to different countries. The vault door's second lock could only be opened by a secret key. To fool the Morbito mafia group as to the whereabouts of the key, he disguised the key into the Sparkle rechargeable pen that vibrates, washable, puwede maging warm, ice-cold, puwede mag-expand, and comes in different colors. He knew that the Morbito mafia would never assume that the Sparkle rechargeable was the key to the vault. Paano nga ba siya magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na maligawan si Kitkat, kung inaalala niya ang buhay niya at ng kaniyang magulang? Palipat lipat sila ng bansa dahil mayroon banta sa kanilang buhay, simula nang makarating sa isa sa mga kilalang mafia dito sa Tuscany ang tungkol sa pinakatago-tagong sikreto ng kanilang pamilya. But, as soon as he learned that Kitkat returned to Italy and had been scandalized by her unintended pregnancy, he immediately asked permission from his parents to return to Italy to be with her. Although his parents were worried for him, they agreed as they trusted him that he could already take care of himself. But then, the boyband member, GP of Infin8, followed Kitkat here in Italy, too, and I knew he wouldn't leave her without a fight. He could give GP a hard time, but then it was clear to him that Kitkat loved him, and they were already going to have their own family. He couldn't bear to be a hindrance to them. "Cara Mia..." he grunted and dropped the invitation on the table. He pressed a button on the wall and the ceiling opened. Iniluwal nito ang isang mataba at makapal na punching bag. Hinila niya ang kaniyang t-shirt pataas at inalis. He looked at the bulletproof glass window where he saw his reflection. He had been training for self-defense and his body muscles had been evident. He wanted muscles, but he did not want it to be obvious that it would give Flavio Morabito the inkling that he had been preparing for them, should he be cornered and have a close encounter with his men. It was part of his strategy for war, to protect himself and his parents. As he looked passed his reflection, he saw the Romualdez castle just beside his own. Naaaninag niya mula doon na marami na ang nagdadatingan na mga sasakyan para sa kasal ni Kitkat at GP of Infin8. He started hitting and kicking his imaginary enemy hard through the punching bag. He combed his fingers through his hair because his brain wouldn't stop thinking of possibilities he could and should decide about his current dilemma. "They love each other!" He reminded himself. "Signorino Kit," tawag ni Felipe, ang kaniyang pinagkakatiwalaan butler. Tumigil siya sa pagsuntok at sipa sa punching bag at inintay ang sasabihin nito. "Gentle reminder that Signorina Kiara Romualdez's wedding is at 9:00 am. You should get ready." "Thanks," he just nodded his head. Mas lalo niyang sinuntok ng mabilis at buong lakas ang punching bag, hanggang hingalin siya at mapagod. Napayapos siya sa punching bag habang hinihingal. "By the way, Signorino, the enemies are attempting to enter in the backyard." Felipe casually informed him, with calmness in his voice. "I shall notify the police. Shall I activate your new robot inventions from the tower?" "No," kalmado niyang tugon. Just secure the iron locks so they can't get in." Payo niya at kinuha ang isang remote control. He pressed the button on a black wall that slid and presented multiple screens for the CCTV. Pinanood niya ang limang Italyanong lalaki na patagong umuusad papunta sa kaniyang kastilyo na minana itinayo ng kaniyang mga kanunu-nunuan. "They never learn!" Iling niya habang nagpupunas ng nakahanda ng tuwalya sa pawis niyang katawan. He walked towards the controller board with a touch screen. He pressed the contacts and called Alessandra Morabito's number. "Hello, darling." He heard the seductive voice of his Italian ex-girlfriend who tricked and spied on him to confirm if his family was really keeping tons of gold in the castle. "You sent a new batch to try to penetrate my home, sweetheart. Vaffanculo! It seems that you and your brother Flavio never learn." He said as he took a sip in his water bottle. "Well, as they say, try and try until you succeed." She seductively answered. "Is that the only reason you called, or do you miss me?" "'I'm sorry, Alessandra. I'm too busy creating my new toys, and excitedly counting my inheritance to miss you, sweetheart. " He playfully answered. "Vaffanculo a chi t’è morto, stronzino!"! (Go f**k the souls of your dead family, asshole!)" She said exasperated. "Rivoltanti, Allesandra! (Disgusting, Allesandra!) "He laughed. "È disgustoso, ma immagino che tu ti stia scopando il tuo gemello? (It’s disgusting, but I guess you’re f*****g your brother?)" He heard her swear as she screamed at him. Masakit sa tenga dahil naka-speakerphone siya at umaalingawngaw ang boses nito sa buong kuwarto. "Ciao, Allesandra!" He sweetly said and ended the call as he watched the intruders climb the terrace near the vineyard. Napailing siya sa mga lalaking iyon. "Signor, the police have arrived." Felipe informed in the intercom. He watched as the intruders tried to escape but were caught by the police. Muli siyang bumaling sa lugar nila Kitkat. Mabuti na lang at malawak pareho ang kanilang lupain, at hindi makakagulo ang ingay at gulo doon. Napabugha siya ng hangin at napahawak sa matabang hugis fountain pen na ginawa niyang pendant sa mahabang white silver na kwintas na nakasabit sa kaniyang leeg. Ito ang target ng mga masasamang tao na pilit gusto makapasok sa kaniyang kastilyo. Hinahanap nila ang susi ng vault door. Nag-ring ang kaniyang mobile phone. It was his Papa. He was sure that his father was worried about him because he has been staying in their castle for three months now. He and his family rarely stayed in the castle. The longest would be a month, and they would travel again. "Kit, unico hijo, when are you coming back to be with us? Your Mama is very worried." His father said. "I'll follow you in Denmark, Papa. I will just finish something I've been working on as extra security for our home." He explained. His father sighed. "You have done enough, Kit. Whatever happens, will happen. What matters to me and your Mama is that we are together. We are safe and away from danger. Let the security handle the mafia." "Papa, it was my mistake that caused us to have this situation. And I want to set it right. Besides, I don't want to involve security men here. They could lose their lives and not even money can compensate the loss especially to their families." "Kit, my son, I am not blaming you for what happened. But we are also worried to lose our one and only soon, too! The last descendant of our family! All I want for you to do is be safe, find a girl, marry her, have a family, and give us grandkids to continue our real legacy- our family!" Paliwanag ng kaniyang Papa. "I understand, Papa." Mahinahon niyang tugon. "I am working on that, too." He jokingly said. "Yes, iho mio!" Narinig niya ang boses ng kaniyang ina. "That's what you should do! Make our family big!" She demanded. "I don't want a robot for a daughter-in-law!" "You know what, Mama, you just gave me an idea there!" He teased. "Oh no, you won't do that, Kit!" Nagagalit na sabi ng kaniyang ina. Tila nagha-hyperventilate ito. "I'm just kidding, Mama!" Napatawa siya sa sinabi ng kaniyang ina. "Well, Mama, the supposed daughter-in-law is no longer available." I sighed. "She's getting married today to a famous boyband member of Infin8. And, your son is about to get ready to attend their wedding and wish them well. Who knows, I might find your daughter-in-law in there, too." Kibit balikat niya. "Then, why are you still there? Go now and give me grandchildren!" His mother demanded. Muli siyang napatawa. "If your son is not impotent!" He said. "Kit, if you are, I'm going to find the best doctor. Are you impotent? You are making me worry!" "No, Mama." He laughed. "Don't worry about me." He assured. "I'll see you very soon. I love you, Papa and Mama!" He said. "Please take care." *** "Signor Kit, the banker has arrived." Narinig niya sa intercom ng kaniyang kuwarto. "We will now proceed to your office." Ani ni Felipe, ang kaniyang tinatawag na ever efficient na butler at tinuturing na kapamilya. Felipe has been serving his family before he was born. His family has been with their family for generations, too. Matapos maligo at makapagbihis ng kaniyang black suit and tie para sa okasyon na kaniyang dadaluhan ay tinahak na niya ang hallway papunta sa basement. Mula sa basement ay pinindot niya ang lock code ng pinto. Ito ay nag-slide upang makapasok siya sa kadugtong nitong hallway papunta sa underground. Pumasok siya sa loob at awtomatiko itong nagsara. Bumaba siya ng hagdan. Tinahak niya ang hallway at tumigil sa vault door. Kinuha niya ang matabang fountain pen na ginawa niyang pendant sa mahabang white silver na kwintas. Tinanggal niya ang takip nito at inilapat ang dulo nito na hugis tatsulok sa butas ng vault. Na-unlock ang vault at bumukas ang pintuan. Binuksaan niya ang ilaw at tinungo ang isang glass cabinet na puno ng bulto ng ginto. Kumuha siya ng dalawang gold bar dahil ibebenta niya ito sa suki niyang banko na bumibili ng ginto. He would convert it to cash because he was going to send the fund to three of his chosen foundations in the Philippines and all over the world. Hindi niya isang buhusang ibinibigay ang funds sa mga foundation na kaniyang tinutulungan. It has been the principle of his family after witnessing so many times in their lives how many of the deadly sins could come to play because of their wealth-- those tons of gold bars. He stepped in the lift of the castle and brought the two gold bars to his office. He then gave the gold bars to his trusted banker and instructed him to deposit the money to the three foundations. *** He rode his Rolls Royce Phantom 8th generation from his place to the neighboring castle. As he did so, he also noticed two black cars near his own castle that followed his car. He knew it was Flavio's men. He was confident that these men wouldn't dare enter the Romualdez castle, especially that it had so much security scattered everywhere since high-profile people were also guests in the wedding. He would be safe along with the people inside. He gave his key to the chauffeur of the Romualdez family who he already knows and walked towards the function room where the wedding was being held. He entered from the side door so as not to be noticed. As he slowly walked and sat at the end row of the comfortable long banquet chairs, he watched Kitkat and Gab or GP of Infin8 profess their love for each other and their 'I dos'. It hurt him and regretted watching them. He thought he should've just come to the reception. As the invited family and friends of the Romualdez and Ponce cheered on the newlyweds, he stepped out of the wedding venue and went straight to the men's room. He went to the cubicle and locked himself there to compose himself before he faces the newlywed couple without looking glum and jealous. Suddenly, he heard a female voice running inside the men's restroom and locked the door. Sumilip siya sa awang ng cubicle door. Nakita niya ang isang babae na nakaharap sa sink at salamin. He was mesmerized as he stared at her face from her mirror reflection. Black perfect eyebrows pointed nose, hooded eyes with naturally thick and naturally long lashes, and small dewy red lips. He feasted his eyes on her long satin long hair, which she was trying to flip away from her face by her movement. He was also able to ogle at her slender figure from the satin old rose cocktail dress. Then, he remembered she caught his attention earlier as he joined the ceremony. He knew she wasn't Kitkat's relative, so he surmised she was a relative of the groom-- the man he currently hates for getting the woman he loves. He immediately wondered if it would make an impact if he toyed with her to get even with Gab. But he recalled he has already noticed her earlier. She was aloof and would distance herself from people, which he found snobbish of her to do. This was also why he ignored her eye-catching presence earlier. Perhaps this beautiful woman thought that just because she was blood-related to a famous person, it made her special, too. "Ew! Ew! Ew!" He heard her utter as she cringed while washing her hands thoroughly. Napangiti siya habang pinagmamasdan ang babae na sa tingin niya ay mahilig sa sabon, tissue, at alcogel. He must admint she caught his attention. This chic is a neat freak.