Taming The Billionaire

Kabanata 1

THE REAL reason why my Lolo and Lola went back here in Philippines was to talk about my birthday party which will be held at Tito Rudeus' hotel in Manila. The visitors and other preparations will be discussed at the dinner table later, the very reason why every single Solivan will reunite here in Isla Verde tonight. Well, that's except for Tita Charron.

Lolo Asmodeous have three daughters and one son. Tita Charron, the eldest. My mother, Nivone, Tita Harper and Tito Rudeus. When my grandparents decided to live in California, where he was originally born, he distributes some of his property and business to his daughters and son. The plot twist was it wasn't given fairly. Hence, Tita Charron's grudge that has been living up until now.

The Mansion here in Isla Verde was passed to my mother, so is the resort. Tito Rudeus got the hotel while Tita Harper inherited the Villa in Manila. Tita Charron, on the other hand, was given a yatch and a lot in Laguna.

The Solivan Legado resort was initially owned by Lolo Asmodeous, hindi katulad ng Hotel sa Manila na ipinamana lang kay Lolo na siyang pag-mamay ari na ni Tito Rudeus ngayon. It was renovated the same year I turned college. Ang mga lupa naman na nasa ilalim ng pangalan ni Lolo ay nakuha niya sa paglalaro ng casino noon.

Bata pa lamang ako ay madalas nang i-kwento sa akin ng Lolo kung paanong mayaman na talaga ang mga Solivan noon pa lang. He promised me that when he die, I'd get sixty percent of it. Na ang nakuha niya mula sa pamilya niya ay magiging akin rin balang araw.

"Niy!"

Kumaway si Hericane sa akin. Anak ni Tita Harper at kapatid ni Benjamin. She was on the first step of the grand outdoor staircase. Suot ang isang manipis na itim na damit, hapit na hapit iyon sakanya kaya't kitang-kita ang kurba ng katawan nito.

The woman beside her, Shio, tilted her head and raised the glass on her other hand to greet me. I grinned and walked faster. I felt energized just by seeing the two of them. Hindi naman kasi kami palaging nagkikita dahil magka-iba kami ng skwelahan na pinapasukan. On top of that, they are too busy.

Nang tuluyang makalapit ay agad na yumakap sa akin si Hericane. There was an enthusiastic expression on her face. Si Shio naman ay nakangiti lang habang ang kabilang kilay ay bahagyang nakataas. I miss that look.

"I miss you!" Hericane exclaimed, her tone dripped with sugar. "Wow, you look even dashing."

I let out a mischievous look. "So are you, Dr. Solares."

Hericane shook her head and chuckled. "You should get used to calling me that."

"If you pass the exam, that is." Tumawa si Shio.

Napangisi ako sa narinig. "Aren't you gonna take the exam, too, Attorney?"

Pabiro itong umirap. "You know I never fail."

Hericane leered at Shio. "Sa academics, pero sa relationship? I don't think so."

"Shut up."

"What?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ko, my face was then immediately covered with bewilderedness. "Is there something I missed?"

Hericane raised a brow and smirked, as if taunting Shio. The other one just rolled her eyes and drank the wine straight. "Stop making me repeat it over and over again. I wasn't dumped, Hericane."

"Wait, wait, wait. I can't relate. Someone dumped you?" tanong ko habang nakatingin kay Shio.

Humalukipkip si Hericane. "The guy broke up with Shio because she was too busy."

"What? Who?" That's insane!

"Knock it off." Shio glared at her sister. "We broke up. That's it."

"Nieoni!"

Naputol ang tingin ko sa dalawa nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses. I looked on my side and saw Sadie on the doorway. She was smiling wide. Kumaway ito sa akin bago tuluyang lumabas para lumapit sa akin.

Ang panganay na anak ni Tito Rudeus. My bestfriend ever since and my most closest cousin. She smiled and I had a glimpse of her vampire like teeth. Impit itong tumili nang tuluyan akong maabot. "I was looking for you! OMG! I have a lot to tell you!"

"Hi, Sad!" Hericane beamed and let out a cheerful smile.

Sadie temporarily let go of my arm to greet the two. Unlike Shio, Hericane and I, Sadie is much younger. She's just a sophomore while her sister, Sordia is still on her last year of high school.

Sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa loob. We were welcomed by the huge hall of the house with two stairs on each side, both was the course leading to the second floor. We walked straight to the living room as they exchange conversation.

Nang makarating doon ay agad kong nakita sina Tita Harper at Tito Rudeus. Sa kabilang sofa naman ay ang dalawang babaeng anak ni Tita Charron na abala sa pakikipag-usap kay Lolo.

"Nieoni, sweetheart." Tawag ni Lola sa pangalan ko nang mapansin ang pagdating namin. Ngumiti ito at humarap sa akin. She then immediately held my wrist as soon as I got near her.

Tumabi ito sa akin nang maupo ako sa isang nordic sofa. She caressed my hair and tucked some of its strands behind my ear. Ang kabilang kamay naman nito ay nanatili sa kamay ko. Lola Catalina has always been clingy to me, but now that I aged, it feels a little.. awkward.

"You had a tour around the resort?"

"Yes, Lola." I smiled a bit. "Does my mother have any plans on changing the exterior?"

"Why, Nieoni? Is there something wrong?" Lolo Asmodeous chimed in. "You used to love how grand it look... or do you perhaps think the time has deminish the appeal of the resort?"

I shook my head. "No. It was the opposite. The resort's exterior and interior were too much that it doesn't elevate the beauty of the site. Didn't you chose to build the resort there because of its sorrounding environment?"

"The resort is owned by the Solivan. It was only natural for it to be fancy. That's how we are known." Si Edrianne ang nagsalita.

Of course, I love fancy places. I live for luxury. I just.. noticed, now that I went there to scrutinize the place and see what more it could turn into. Hindi katulad dati na kapag nagpupunta ako roon ay palaging karangyaan ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

Nagtaas ako ng dalawang kilay at humugot ng malalim na paghinga. "It was only my opinion."

"I'll have a talk to Nivone, then," saad ni Lolo, hindi pinansin ang sinabi ni Edrianne.

"You're getting good at it. Should I hire you for the construction of my house?"

My head automatically turned upon hearing my brother's voice. Inilabas nito ang kamay mula sa bulsa 'saka kumaway sa akin. Sa likod nito ay si Mommy pati na si Raphael.

"Your daughter is good, Nivone. Even better than you." Nagbiro si Tito Rudeus.

Imbis na mainis ay ngumiti si Mommy. "Kanino pa ba magmamana iyan?"

"Nieoni will graduate next year. Soon we'll have an Architect in our family." Tita Harper genuinely smiled.

"A doctor and a lawyer, too." My Mom added.

"So Charron's daughters are the only ones interested to business?" Lola Catalina asked.

"Well, Lolo and you are my inspiration. You taught me how to love it." Edrianne spoke.

Mahinhin ang naging pagtawa ni Lola sa narinig. "Come to me after you graduate and I'll teach you about everything that I know."

"And how about me?" pagtatanong ni Louvell.

"Including you, Louvell." Lola Catalina smiled.

Naputol lamang ang naging pag-uusap sa living room nang lumapit si Yaya Sol para sabihing handa na ang hapunan. I texted Vack to get here quickly before we start eating. Si Benjamin naman ay nasa dining table na bago pa kami makarating doon. It has been a while since the last time we shared a table.

The dining table was long. Kumpleto para sa amin. Hindi man nakarating si Tita Charron ay iniwan naming bakante ang upuan nito. Inutusan din ni Lolo si Yaya Sol na maglagay ng plato at kasangkapan para rito. Tita Charron should witness how Lolo respect her position in the family.

"Have you listed the names of your desired visitors?" Lola Catalina asked. "Any request about food and theme venue?"

"Meron na, Lola. When can I meet the party coordinator?" Balik na tanong ko.

"No, sweetheart. Si Nivone na ang bahalang makipag-usap sa event management."

"How about the stylist? My gowns and other attire?"

"You'll meet Ricona's team tomorrow. You get to choose the schedule for your photoshoot. You can also take a look at her designs."

"I'll come! Sa isang araw, Nieoni?" Magiliw na tanong ni Sadie.

Tumango ako sakanya at ngumisi. "Pwede rin. Habang hindi pa ako busy sa school."

"Pu-pwede bang isabay ko na ang akin, Lola? Tutal ay malapit na rin naman ang kaarawan ko." Sumingit si Louvell.

Hindi ko napigil ang pagtaas ng kilay ko. Her birthday is on January, it's still November. Anong malapit doon?

Pinili kong huwag na itong tignan pa. Pumayag nalang si Lola sa sinabi nito bago kami nagpatuloy sa pag-uusap tungkol sa birthday ko. It wasn't the last time she mentioned her birthday, though. Nang magsalita si Tito Rudeus tungkol sa venue na gaganapin sa pag-mamay ari nitong hotel ay sumali siya at sinabing sa kaarawan nito ay gusto niyang doon din iyon ganapin.

NANG MAKATAPOS kumain ay inaya ako nina Sadie at Sordia sa conservatory. She asked Yaya Sol's daughter to prepare a champagne for us. I was guessing that it was about the fight between Lola Catalina and Tita Charron.

"Napansin mo rin ba kung paano niya ipagpilitan ang tungkol sa birthday niya?" saad ni Sadie pagkaupo. Humalukipkip ito at humarap sa akin. "And what did she say? She loves business? As if! She doesn't even love studying!"

"Sadie! Hinaan mo ang boses mo!" Saway ni Sordia sa kapatid.

"Let's not talk about that girl." I raised a brow. "Why did Lola Catalina and Tita Charron fought?"

"Oo nga pala!" Umayos ng upo si Sadie. She motioned her finger right before my face, as if telling me to go near. Kumunot ang noo ko at lumapit. Si Sordia naman ay nanatili sa kinauupuan nito.

"Lola wanted Tita Charron to come back here in the Mansion.." She trailed off. "But Tita Charron said she'll only come back if Lolo Asmodeous will promise that Edrianne will inherit the resort."

Unlike Lolo Asmodeous, Lola Catalina is a simple person. Ayaw nito nang maraming pagtatalo. I doubt they fought just because Tita Charron put a condition.

"What did Lola said?" tanong ko.

"She said she will.. if Edrianne proves that she's deserving," sagot ni Sadie.

"Tita Charron was persistent. Giniit nitong dapat lang daw na si Edrianne ang makakuha ng resort dahil iba naman ang propesyon na kinuha niyo. She said Edrianne's already deserving." Pagtutuloy ni Sordia.

"And?"

"She was screaming when we entered the house. Lolo Asmodeous was mad hearing how Tita Charron raised her voice while talking to Lola Catalina."

I was right. Nang una kong malaman na nagkaroon na naman ng alitan sakanila ay ito na agad ang naisip kong nangyari. She wanted this the hard way.

Bumuntong hininga ako at umayos ng upo. I have always been thankful Tita Harper and Tito Rudeus are not like Tita Charron. It must have put Lola in a deep pressure.

"So my mother is the headline of the gossip now?"

I flinched. It was Edrianne's voice that I heard just now. Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa likod ko. She was looking at us with a stoic expression on her face. Nakita ko rin sa gilid ng mata ko ang paninigas ni Sadie.

Edrianne shot me a look. Hindi ko alam kung galit 'yon o' pang-iinsulto. How long have she been standing there?

"Edrianne."

"Nieoni.. how's your father doing in Manila?"