Taming The Heiress

Chapter 10: Vaughn Mavros

(XAVIEN'S POV)

It's been a month since I hired a private investigator to follow Zara Mavros to everywhere she goes, and the thing is I am really annoyed by the fact that she's really too good in almost everything.

Matapos kong mabalitaan that Chairman Zack arranged everything for his daughter, I came up of a plan to start moving by getting close to Zara.

And my first move para mapalapit ako sa kanya is to move place near her. Nalaman ko na sa V-Quest Empire siya nakatira ngayon kaya nakipag negotiate ako sa may-ari ng katabi niyang unit a week ago that I'll triple the amount of the unit they bought and since pamilya ang may-ari at mukhang nangangailangan din sila ng malaki laking pera, I had no problem convincing them with the large money I offer.

I smirk now that Zara finds out that I'm her new neighbor, glad that I made everything sounds like a coincidence although it's not.

I'll be able to get you much quicker right now, Zara.

~

-NEXT MORNING-

Maaga akong nagising at nag handa ng sarili, I have to move fast at hintayin si Zara na lumabas sa unit niya para magkasabay kaming umalis.

Time check: 8:00 AM

She will be leaving any minute from now. Nag abang na ako sa main door ko para abangan siya.

5 minutes...

10 minutes....

20 minutes...

What the f*ck, why she isn't leaving yet?!

I received a call from my phone and see that it was Jared.

[Good morning, sir Xavien. M-May I ask where are you right now sir? You have a meeting with a client this 10:00 AM.] Panimula ni Jared.

I check my watch, malapit ng mag-nine. Ugh.

"I got it, I'll be there before ten." naiinis kong sagot at pinatay ang tawag.

Okay let's wait for another minute...

Another 10 minutes had passed...

15 minutes...

30 minutes...

Sh*t why is that she's not coming out from her unit?! That's it, I have to go now or else I'll lose a client.

Lumabas na ako sa apartment ko at ilang segundo may matandang babaeng huminto sa main door ng apartment ni Zara at pinindot ang passcode nito.

Kunot noo akong lumapit dito, "Who are you? And why aren't you ringing her doorbell?" tanong ko.

Gulat naman itong tumingin sa akin at parang natakot sa aura ng mukha ko.

"A-Ah sir.. Isa ako sa personal assistant ni Ma'am Zara, ako yung tagahatid ng groceries niya dito sa unit niya..." sagot nito ng matino.

"Then why aren't you asking her to open the door for you instead?" suspicious kong tanong.

"P-Po? Ah eh kanina pa po umalis si Ma'am Zara, sir. Tsaka tumawag po ako sa kanya bago ako nagpunta rito." naguguluhan niyang sagot.

WHAT?! SHE'S NOT INSIDE?

Then, did I just wait here for nothing? What time did she left? I didn't even notice any noise outside that she's leaving for work. D*mn.

" O-Oh.. Okay, sorry for that." naiilang kong tugon doon sa matandang babae at naglakad na paalis.

Tumungo na ako sa parking lot at pumasok sa kotse ko,

"AISH!" hiyaw ko at sinuntok ang manubela,

Zara... Don't you know how precious my time is? How dare you make me waste it?

~

(ZARA'S P.O.V)

I decided to go to Mavros Group as early as 6:30 AM today.

I need to prove to them that I'm not mocking with the position that Chairman Zack gave to me. I realize that aside from disciplining them and taught them to respect me, I need to gain my people's trust to form an alliance. I need to show them my intentions are good and that I am capable of making a stronger future for Mavros Group than what they imagine.

Nakaupo ako ngayon swivel chair sa office ko at nakatutok sa computer.

Lumipas ang oras at 7:30 ng umaga ng nagsidatingan ang mga employees ng department ko.

As you can see here in Mavros Group, every higher position have their own team leader and member, and as the Deputy Chairwoman, I also have my own team who's been assisting my everyday work.

Nang pag silip ko sa glass wall sa labas ng office na marami rami na sila I decided to stood up at lumabas ako ng office para batiin sila.

"Good morning?" Panimula ko.

Nataranta naman silang nagsi-tayuan, ang ibang nag tatawanan at nag uusap ay natahimik din para batiin ako pabalik.

"Good morning, Miss Mavros / Magandang umaga po, Ma'am Zara." chorus ng mga empleyado ko.

Napansin kong tumabi naman sa gilid si Jessi, ang secretary ko.

"Miss Mavros arrived 6:30 this morning, and you all just came right now---" Anunsyo sana ni Jessi pero agad kong binara.

"It's okay, Jessi. We all know that the work hours here starts at 7:30 AM, am I right?" tanong ko. Tumango naman halos lahat at yumuko.

I smiled sweetly, "I'm sorry for my late introduction everyone, I wasn't able to greet you properly yesterday due to my busy schedule with the board. You probably knew and heard a lot about me before I arrived here, right?" tanong ko pa ulit.

"Naku hindi naman po, madame." deny ng iba,

I just smirk.

"No problem. I just want you guys to know that you are all in good hands. Since you are on my team, I will take a good care of you all and make sure that your hard work will be paid off more than what you deserve. Let's help each other and work hard together, okay?" masayang tugon ko sa kanila. Nagsi-tinginan naman sila at nag simulang magpalakpakan habang nakangiti.

"So, does anyone wants coffee? Who's the team leader here?" tanong ko.

Nag taas ng kamay ang isang lalaking nasa mid 30s kaya sinenyasan kong siyang lumapit sa akin, kinuha ko ang company's black card na hawak ko at binigay iyon sa kanya.

"This is the company's card, from this day forward, coffees every morning will be on me. Don't hesitate to approach me anytime if you have any concerns, okay?"

Natuwa naman halos lahat at nag simulang mag bulong bulungan.

"Mabait naman pala si Ma'am Zara."

"Whew kinabahan naman ako, akala ko pahihirapan talaga tayo ni Miss Mavros." rinig kong bulong ng iba. Napangiti ako ng kaunti.

Bago ako tuluyang tumalikod at bumalik sa loob ng office, hinarap ko pa sila ulit,

"And oh by the way, let's have a dinner celebration this weekend after work. I want to get to know you all, everyone." tugon ko pa at tuluyan ng tumalikod.

"Thank you, Ms. Mavros!"

"Maraming salamat, Ma'am Zara!" rinig kong pasasalamat nila.

Sumunod naman si Jessi sa akin na parang nagtataka sa kakaibang kinikilos ko, tinaasan ko siya ng kilay ng makapasok kaming dalawa sa opisina ko.

"What are you staring at?" mataray kong tugon.

"Miss Zee, is that you? Nabagok ba ang ulo mo sa semento at bigla kang bumait?" nagtatakang tanong nito.

Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin,

"Eh kung ang ulo mo kaya ang ibagok ko dito sa pader para matauhan ka?" pagtataray kong sagot pabalik sa kanya.

"Ay hehe eto naman si Miss Zee, hindi mabiro. Salamat sa kape, ma'am!" dali dali siyang umalis at nginitian ako ng malapad. Umiling iling nalang ako, hay naku.

~

Lumipas ang oras at umalis na ako sa opisina dahil ini-message na ni Dad ang location ng lunch namin with Tito Vince and Vaughn.

Dumating ako sa venue ng exactly 11:30 AM dahil hindi naman din traffic. I guess it was Tito Vince who booked this private suit.

Kahit na sa V-Quest Empire na pag mamay-ari ni Tito, hindi kami nakakapag-usap ng personal because he and Dad always have a big gap between them that made me uncomfortable too.

Matapos kong sundan ang isang waitress ay binuksan na niya yung private suit at nakita kong ako nalang pala ang hinihintay nila.

"Finally, she's here."

Napatingin ako sa nag salita, it's Tito Vincent.

"I'm sorry if I kept you from waiting, tito. Nice to see you again, Tito Vince and..." napahinto ako at tinignan si Vaughn na nakayuko at may tinitignan sa phone niya.

"Vaughn." saway ni Tito Vince dito kaya agad siyang napaangat ng ulo at nag tama ang mata naming dalawa.

Is this really my cousin, Vaughn Mavros? Woah, I'm surprised that he really grows up to be a handsome man. The last time I saw him was during our 6th grade, nakauwi ito dito three years ago during he graduates but we never see each other since I'm busy.

"Zara, it's been so long. How are you?" nakangiting tanong niya at tumayo para ibigay sa akin yung isang bouquet ng bulaklak na nasa table kanina.

"Vaughn.. It's nice to see you again. I'm doing great, thank you. How about you?" tanong ko pabalik.

Nag kibit balikat siya, "I guess I'm doing great also." tugon niya. Umupo na kaming apat at napansin kong wala si Mom, himala ata at hindi siya bumuntot kay Dad sa mga lakad na ganito.

"Let's eat." anyaya ni Dad kaya kumain na nga kami.

Tahimik lang kaming kumakain hanggang sa...

"Zack, you should have told me about your plans regarding the inheritance of Mavros Group before you made a risk." biglang panimula ni Tito.

I knew it, kaya ako kasali sa lunch na to dahil ako ang main dish for this meal. Ugh.

"Why would I approach you in the first place my dear YOUNGER brother? As far as I know, you don't have any business in Mavros Group." sagot ni Dad dito.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni Vaughn pero napatigil na sa pagkain ng makaramdam kami ng kakaibang tensyon sa magtitinginan nila Dad,

"Yes but since your only son died, I can't help but to be concerned, KUYA Zack. Father never let a woman rule his company. Mavros Group should be led by a strong leader, not with just a famous good looking chick." mariin na tugon ni Tito at tinignan ako.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko, excuse me?! Sinasabi niya bang hindi ko kayang maging successor ng Mavros dahil babae ako? And by bringing Vaughn here, does he implying that Vaughn should be the next heir of Mavros Group instead of me?!

"VINCENT! You're crossing the line again! You don't have have the right to speak ill of my daughter!" naiinis na tugon ni Dad.

"Why are you even considering this child as your own, Zack? Anak mo lang naman siya sa labas. We knew that the only rightful heir left in the family is my son, Vaughn." sagot ni tito Vince.

"Mavros Group is mine, sa akin pinamana ni Papa ang kompanyang 'to at dugo't pawis ko ang pinuhunan ko para mapalago ang Mavros!!! Are you planning to covet what's mine, Vincent?!" ayun na, galit na nga si Dad.

"Enough, tito, dad." pigil ko sa kanilang dalawa at napatayo mula sa kinatatayuan ko.

Malamig kong tinignan si Tito Vince,

"With all due respect tito, I am capable of running Mavros Group. Chairman Zack already made an official announcement and we both signed the official inheritance documents. No matter what you say right now, I am the new heiress of Mavros Group. And I'm not going to give up my right and hand over the company to you and Vaughn." I said it in a poker face look at napatigil si Tito.

Parang na-speechless ito ng makita ang matapang kong mukha. I already give up my career, there's no way I will let anyone steal Mavros, I can't be left with nothing so I must protect what's given to me also.

"If we made everything clear to you, then we should go. Dad, let's leave and have a separate lunch instead." tugon ko at tsaka tumalikod na at nag lakad paalis.

"How disrespectful. Is that how you raise your perfect daughter, Zack?"

Napahinto ako sa sinabi nito akmang ipagtatanggol ko ang sarili ko pero nagulat ako ng sinuntok siya ni Dad.

"Tito Zack!" saway ni Vaughn.

"D-Dad!" akmang aawatin ko sila but...

"Leave, Zara!" sigaw nito sa akin at bakas ang galit na galit na ekspresyon nito.

Sh*t this lunch is a total disaster. Wala akong magawa kung hindi ay talikuran sila at nag lakad ako paalis kasama ang isang bodyguard habang ang iba ay naiwan doon para pigilan ang pag aaway ng magkapatid na Mavros. Hays.

I am on my way to the parking lot when I heard someone calling my name.

"Zara! Wait!"

Napahinto ako at nakitang si Vaughn ang humahabol sa akin, lalapit sana ito pero hinarangan siya ng bodyguard ko.

"It's okay, palapitin mo siya." utos ko sa guard. Nag dadalawang isip naman yung bodyguard na sundin ako.

"Move away, he's my cousin! Bulag ka ba? Hindi mo ba siya nakita kanina?!" hiyaw ko ulit kaya dali dali itong nag bigay daan.

"T-Thanks." Sambit ni Vaughn ng makalapit ito sa akin. By the way, he's the same age of Zaino.

"What do you want?" malamig kong tanong.

Hindi siya agad nakaimik at seryoso lang akong tinignan.

"If you're also here to tell me that you want to steal away Mavros Group from me---"

"No, Zara. I'm here to ask you if are you okay?" bara niya sa sinasabi ko.

Natigilan ako. What?

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, "And who are you fooling around, Vaughn? We both know that we're not close enough to be concern with each other." kontra ko dito.

He sigh, "Zara, I'm not here to fight with you, okay? And... I will apologize in behalf of my Dad, he shouldn't treat you like that earlier. I'm sorry." he look at me with a sincere and apologetic eyes.

Is he really serious?

Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin,

"I don't need your apology. Yun lang ba?" mataray kong tanong.

"H-Huh? Oh yes." nalulungkot nitong tugon.

"Kung wala ka ng ibang sasabihin then I should go. And it's really nice to see you, but I hope we won't see each other again, Vaughn." malamig kong tugon at tinalikuran na siya.

"Tara na." baling ko sa bodyguard ko na nasa gilid.

Pinag drive niya ako pabalik sa main office ko, kakainis hindi tuloy ako nakakain ng maayos.

Nang makarating ako sa entrance ay lakad na ako papasok at sumakay ng elevator papuntang 10th floor kung nasaan ang opisina ko.

Si Dad kaya? Ayos lang kaya na iniwan ko siya doon kanina? Napahinga ako ng malalim.

Nang makarating ako sa 10th floor, agad akong binati ng mga empleyado ko.

"Have you taken your lunch already, everyone?" tanong ko.

"Yes, ma'am Zara!" sagot ng halos lahat.

"Good." nakangiting sagot ko.

Dali dali namang tumakbo si Jessi sa gawi ko,

"M-Miss Zee, uhm ano kasi..." nag dadalawang isip na panimula ni Jessi.

"Is there any problem?" tanong ko.

Hindi siya makaimik at pinapak ang kuko niya na parang di mapakali.

"Jessi, answer me!" sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Ano kasi... Y-You have a guest waiting inside your office Miss Zee." natatakot na sagot niya.

"What?!" kunot noong tanong ko.

At sinong bwisita ang pinapasok ng magaling kong secretary sa loob ng opisina ko?

"Huhu sorry po, alam kong ayaw niyong may ibang taong pumapasok sa office niyo na wala kayo pero hindi ko po kasi matanggihan si Mr. D---"

"Ugh forget it!" naiirita kong tugon at dere-deretsong tumungo sa office ko.

"Who the hell insist to wait here in my office without any appointment---"

"You again?!" napasapol ako sa noo ng makita ko kung sino ang nakaupo sa couch ko kasama ang lalaking lagi niyang kasama.

Napatayo naman ito at nilapitan ako para halikan ang likod ng palad ko.

Sino pa nga ba? Edi ang magaling na Xavien Kainoa Dawson na naman, ugh.

~