EUROPEAN BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR SERIES 1: One Night Pleasure (Completed)

CHAPTER 3 — LUCKY

ONP 3: Lucky

"Is that true?"

Nilingon ako ni Elisha matapos ang balita na nakita namin. Nauna akong nakabawi sa pagkagulat.

"Yes. It won't be on the news if not," nakangiting tugon ko.

Well, it was announced that my brother and Giselle Jimenez would be getting married in the next three months. Even if it is an arranged marriage, it seems that Bryce is fine with it. Hindi ko naman siya narinig na tumutol when the first time Lolo announced it through a private dinner together with Giselle's family.

Matagal na rin naman kasi ang pagpaplano ng kasalan na iyan and Giselle is a perfect woman to be my brother's wife. Nakakasalamuha ko naman siya in some events in my family.

"The Jimenez went to the mansion for a private family dinner about five months ago. I was there when they break that news to everyone. Pero nagulat ako na sa weekend na ang engagement party. Nasa New York pa naman si Kuya until now," kuwento ko sa kanila.

"Geordane, alam mo 'to?" baling ni Elisha sa kaharap namin.

Napailing naman siya saka sinulyapan ako. "I think I was out of the country when the proposal began."

"Well, wala namang problema sa akin ang tungkol dito. Giselle is a good woman, and Bryce is at the right age to get married," I said while scanning my phone.

Ang bilis ng pagkalat ng balita and that even the social media are buzzing. Mabilis din akong pinutakte ng mga followers ko sa i********: and Twitter asking my opinion about it.

"It's for business purposes only, right? Bryce is single for a long time, and Giselle is linked to her on-screen partner . . . Hmmm . . ." Saglit na nag-isip si Elisha bago napapitik. "It's with Arnaud Arcilla."

Sumang-ayon ako. "Well . . . showbusiness is full of drama and lies. Who knows who?"

"P-pero mukhang mabilis naman yata . . . m-malamang hindi naman mahal ng kuya mo 'yang si Giselle."

Taas ang kilay kong hinarap si Geordane nang sabihin niya iyon. Blanko lang ang mukha niya at tila hindi masaya sa balitang narinig.

Though she has a point, I still don't care. Buhay na ni Kuya 'yon, ako kasi sumusuporta lang ako sa kung ano ang sa tingin ko ang gusto ni Kuya. Since, hindi siya tumanggi sa kasalan na iyan, edi siguro pabor din siya doon kaya sino naman ako para pumagitna sa kaligayahan niya.

"Bakit parang tutol ka sa kasalan, Dane?" singit ni Elisha na may mapang-asar na ngiti.

Hindi naman agad nakapagsalita si Geordane kaya mas lalo siyang tinadtad ni Elisha. Umaariba na naman ang kadaldalan at mapang-asar na ugali niya.

"Hindi ako tutol. Hindi ko lang ini-expect—"

"Hindi mo expected na iba na ang mahal niya? Akala ko ba wala ka nang pakialam sa kanya? Hindi naman na kayo best friends, 'di ba?"

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Elisha! Kahit paano boss ko siya. Kaya ko lang nasabi iyon dahil 'yon ang opinyon ko. Walang malisya ro'n."

Napailing na lang ako. Baka mag-away pa itong dalawa kung hindi ko pa aawatin. Elisha really loved teasing Geordane.

"Stop it, you two!" Tumayo na ako saka sinukbit ang bag ko. "I have to go. I need to go to Solstice."

"I thought you're going to rest?" Elisha asked me.

"I will. I need to fix my schedule first and tell Kelly about some changes." Napatango na lang siya.

We decided to go and bid goodbye to Geordane. Sakto rin na may mga pasyente pa siyang aasikasuhin at dalawang meetings with the board. Bago kami umalis ay nagplano kami na mag-dinner in Saturday evening para naman makapag-relax at makapag-bonding like we used to be during our teenage years.

Hindi na sumabay si Elisha sa akin dahil sa kanyang kabi-kabilang modeling stints.

As I arrived, my secretary approached me immediately with her lively image. "Good day, Miss Blythe!"

"Same to you Kelly, how's everything here?"

Solstice Design Institute is an Interior Design Company known worldwide. The building is in white and gray paint. Most of its walls are made of high-class fiberglass.

The whole five-story building was personally designed by me, of course. It also has a rooftop which that can convert into a function hall for a purpose. The design is a mix of modern geometrical and futuristic Greek design. Doors have technologically functioned. My employees are neat and in proper working attire.

I saw the ground floor was so busy. The receptionists politely attend to the client's inquiries while some pass by with work stuff in their arms and greet me.

"Okay, naman po, Miss Blythe. By the way, ibinigay sa akin ni Yohan ang project proposal nila for the Expo in Australia."

"Well, that's good."

We went to the elevator. Good thing, hindi ako nakakaramdam ng pagkahilo. Kelly pushed the last floor button where my office is located.

"By the way, Ma'am Blythe, tumawag pala si Don Demetriou kanina at pinapasabi na tumawag ka sa kanya kapag nakarating ka na rito."

I'm stunned. Tumango lang si Kelly nang makitang hindi man lang ako nag- react dahil sa gulat.

Matagal na panahon na rin akong hindi nakakabisita sa mansyon. After I graduated in college umuwi kami rito sa Pilipinas at agad akong bumukod. I bought a condo unit in Proscenium, where I am currently residing for almost five years na.

Tuwing may espesyal na okasyon lang ako umuuwi sa Montreal Mansion, especially Lolo's birthday and my parent's death anniversary. Mostly kasi umiiwas ako malagi roon at laging napapag-usapan ang tungkol sa kompanya na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya.

Montreal Empire is the Poseidon of the Business world. Pamilya namin ang gumagawa at nagmamay-ari ng mga malalaking barko, cruiseship, cargo vessels, a yacht at mismong gumagawa ng sasakyang pandagat ng US, Russian and Philippine Navy.

"Sige, ako na ang bahala . . ." I said.

Kinuha ko ang phone sa bag saka nag-type ng message para kay Bryce. Matapos ko iyong ma-send ay narating ko ang floor ng opisina ko. I instruct Kelly to prepare the Conference Room for my client meeting later.

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko ng makaupo at kinalma ang sarili. I opened my MacBook and go to the Skype App.

"Oh! kaló apógevma engoní mou, Mou leípeis Blythe my dear!" (Oh, Good afternoon, my granddaughter, I miss you, Blythe, my dear!)

My Abuelo greeted me in his good mood. I can see that he is enjoying the beach. Oh, he's in Greece.

"Mou leípeis pára polý Lolo . . ." (I miss you, too, Lolo . . .) I managed to smile in front of the camera.

I still can't believe he is now turning seventy. My grandfather really knows how to take good care of his health. At his age, he can still play golf and do some running. Seeing him enjoy in Agape Coast for some unexpected summer escapade is happiness for me.

"How are you, hija? Your secretary told me that you were sick yesterday kaya hindi ka nakapasok," puno ng pag-aalala na sambit niya.

"I'm okay now, Lo, don't worry. Kaunting sinat lang 'yon dala na rin ng trabaho . . ." I almost startle knowing that I am lying to him.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! No need to worry now." I smiled a bit.

"Why don't you try to go for a vacation? Magbakasyon ka rin muna pansamantala, apo . . ."

Well, that's a good idea, if ever. Saka baka nga magbakasyon rin ako, but because of my current situation and not because I want to relax.

"No need. Okay lang naman ako tsaka lumalabas din naman ako paminsan- minsan kapag maluwag na sa trabaho."

Hindi naman agad nakapagsalita si Lolo dahil dumating ang isang waiter. Napangisi ako nang makita ang mga pagkaing Griyego na lahat ay paborito niya. Narinig ko na nagpahabol ito ng white wine.

Parang bigla ay na-miss ko ang Greece. The white-sand beaches, our château at the cliff, at ang mismong Agape Coast kung nasaan ang aming private resort.

"So, bakit n'yo nga pala ako gustong makausap, may problema ba sa kompanya?" I asked. Iyon din naman kasi ang gusto kong malaman.

I heard him groaned.

"It was no longer my company, Blythe. I passed it to your father, and as he died, the company was automatically under Bryce and you. Kayo na ang mamamalakad nito. I am too old for this, hija . . ."

"And you knew my answer to that, Lolo."

Ayoko saluhin ang Montreal Empire. Una pa lang alam ko na hindi iyon para sa akin. Ang humawak ng ganoong kalaking kompanya ay hindi ko kaya. Lalo na ngayon na nag-expand sila into seafood products. It's too much to handle.

Hindi na nagsalita si Lolo pero alam ko na disappointed siya sa sinabi ko, but he can't for me.

"Anyways, tumawag ako sa mansyon at nalaman ko na wala roon si Bryce simula pa noong mga nakaraan linggo."

"He's in the US. Tinututukan niya ang bagong bukas na branch ng MC doon."

"He could have sent Geordane there instead. Alam na ba niya ang tungkol sa pag- announce ni Giselle ng engagement nila?"

"I don't know. Hindi ko pa nakakausap si Kuya about that. Tsaka hindi puwede si Geordane Lo, busy siya sa MC dito. Kakabisita ko lang doon and madami siyang pasyente."

"He should focus on his upcoming wedding! Baka naman doon na niya kinikita ang babae niya?" Bakas ang galit sa mga mata niya nang sabihin niya iyon.

Here we go again. I can't help but hold a hard breath. Ilang beses ko na bang narinig ito kay Lolo? He always likes this, accusing my brother of infidelity.

Malakas daw ang kutob niya na may ibang babae si Kuya kaya nga minadali niya ang kasalan ni Bryce dahil doon.

"Tigilan mo na ang kakaisip na may ibang babae si, Bryce. Ikakasal na siya at kilala ko si Kuya . . . he won't hurt any woman's feeling just for his libido," I firmly said.

I know my brother more than anyone else.

"How can you be so sure of that? Hmmm . . ."

"Mahal man niya o hindi si Giselle, sa puntong hindi siya tumutol sa kagustuhan mong ipakasal siya sa babaeng ni minsan ay 'di niya nakilala nang lubusan ay sapat na patunay na 'yon na may isang salita siya. Besides, lahat ng oras ni Bryce ay nasa trabaho lang kaya please lang Lolo, stop accusing my brother," I defended. Hindi ko na rin gusto na humaba pa ang issue tungkol dito. It's so pointless.

"My sources are reliable. Soon hija, the truth will prevail." It was calm yet dangerous.

Hindi ko maiwasang kabahan nang sabihin niya iyon. His serious aura is trouble for anyone. He can easily manipulate everything.

I ended the call with a throbbing heart. Wala sa sariling napapikit ako. Hindi malabong gawin ni Lolo sa akin ang ginagawa niya kay Kuya. The fact that he admits he had my brother investigated, that's a threat.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you need to rest? Huh?"

I suddenly get my senses back when I heard that. Elisha tapped the table with her brows arched well. I thought she's not going to go here. Nagtaas din ako ng kilay sa kanya.

"And what are you doing here? Akala ko may Modeling gig ka?" I asked back.

"Ako ang naunang nagtanong!"

I closed my laptop and faced her. Hindi talaga magpapatalo ang isang 'to!

"Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Hindi naman ako nagbubuhat ng mga mabibigat na bagay," sagot ko na may halong pagkairita.

I don't know. Naiirita talaga ako ngayon lalo na kapag pinapakialaman ako.

"Kahit na. 'Yang mga paperwork na 'yan . . . it can give stress—"

"Eli, stop it! I'm okay. Hindi palugi ang kompanya ko kaya malabong ma- stress ako sa mga papeles na 'to." Itinaas ko pa ang dalawa sa mga katatapos ko lang pirmahan na dokumento. "These are my anti-stress because I'm signing new contracts, which mean another multi-million will be on my bank accounts. So please stop overreacting!"

I saw how she was shocked by my sudden behavior. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako saka ibinalik ang tingin sa mga papeles. Hindi ko siya narinig na nagsalita pero nagkibit-balikat siya saka nagtungo sa sofa. She pulls out her iPad and keeps herself busy.

"This idiot is really testing my temper!" Hindi mapigilang sigaw ni Elisha kaya napalingon ako sa gawi niya.

Mukhang alam ko na kung sino ang tinutukoy niya. Kanina, rinig ko kasi ang tungkol sa bagong blind item patungkol sa kanya.

"Hindi ka pa rin ba tinitigilan ng Leander Moskov na 'yan?"

Napairap si Elisha. "What do you think? Ito nga't nag-IG Live si gago. Excited daw sa photoshoot namin para sa Cartier. Aba!"

"Iyan 'yong ipupunta mo sa France bukas, 'di ba? Siya pala ang partner mo sa shoot na 'yan. Daring? Sensual? Or Erotic?" I asked with my sarcastic remarks.

"What?" Elisha wasn't amused by the question rather how casual I said the last part.

I grinned at her. "I was referring to the theme. Don't be green, Elisha."

"Damn it! I'm not! s**t! It's casual—a thirty-second video commercial and some photoshoots," paglilinaw ni Elisha sabay balik ng tingin sa i********:.

Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako at nakangising bumalik sa aking ginagawa. Natatawa na lang ako sa pagiging allergic ni Elisha sa mga lalaki lalong-lalo na sa mga nali-label ng mga millennial na "fvckboy".

"Hindi ko lang talaga makakaya na ang manyak na 'yon ang makakasama ko. Hindi ko lang mahindian ang project dahil matagal na 'yong naka-line up para sa 'kin," pasaring pa niya. She's so problematic over that thing.

"Professionalism talks."

Cartier is a golden name in the fashion world. No one dares to say no to it. Isang big opportunity sa isang tao na kuhanin bilang model nila and exclusive VIP Pass to their collections and all.

Hindi na siya nagkomento hanggang sa makarinig kami ng mahinang pagkatok sa pinto. Iniluwa nito ang secretary ko.

"What is it, Kelly?"

"I just received a call from Italy. It's a new client po. Nakausap ko lang ang secretary ng kliyente na siyang nagsabi na gusto raw ng boss niya na mag-set ng appointment sa inyo Ma'am."

I shifted into an amused expression. Without minding the further details of my secretary's news, I smiled and relaxed.

What a good news!

"Schedule it on Saturday. 1 p.m.," I confirmed.

Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. Having an International client is another opportunity for SDI. Hindi magiging mahirap ang expansion ko in other countries.

I saw Kelly opened her journal. She suddenly became hesitant.

"Pero may appointment kayo sa Mega Magazine buong araw ng Sabado, Ma'am. Tumawag na rin 'yong editor na 'yon para sa approval n'yo sa kontrata."

"Then tell them, I have an important meeting on Saturday. Moved it on Monday, but if they disagree, then abolish the contract."

Rinig ko ang pagsinghap ni Elisha. Malaking magazine company ang gustong mag-feature sa akin bilang country's most successful bachelorette at naging woman of the year din ako for three consecutive years.

"Sigurado ka d'yan, Blythe?" she asked, still in shock.

I nodded. "I can't let another blessing slipped into my lucky hands, Eli. International client ito."

". . .Kelly, please clear my schedule on Monday. But first, you need to tell the Mega people about the sudden change of plans," baling ko kay Kelly.

Bago umalis ay inilapag pa nito ang itim na folder. Naglalaman ito ng impormasyon tungkol sa big time na kliyente namin. Agad kasi itong naipadala sa company E-mail na siyang ipina-print nito para ipresenta sa akin.

"Swerte talaga kapag buntis," utas ni Elisha na nakangisi. 

I smirked.