The Rancher's Soulmate

CHAPTER 7: Sister

When Iñigo told Ingrid to come over to his residence because he had a big surprise to her from his trip in Tokyo, she did not expect it to be her idol Teia.

Ingrid was not able to meet her brother during Iñigo’s morning rounds at the ranch followed by his morning visit at the farmhouse because she was busy at the store and at the restaurant which opened every day from 6 am until 10 pm.

Aside from managing the restaurant and the store, she also managed the financial aspects of all the family’s businesses being a graduate of business administration and accountancy and being a certified public accountant.

When she went to the kitchen, Ingrid saw her brother with her favorite neighbor, her idol, standing next to each other. 

She screamed from so much happiness upon seeing her idol. “Ahhhhhhhhhh!” Then she approached Teia and tried to calm down but she couldn’t help herself asking so many questions, “Why are you here? You are even on your sleeping attire? Did you sleep here? When have you actually arrived?”

Then Teia spoke out, “You are right, Iñigo. She is really a big fan of mine.”

Iñigo then told her sister, “I and Teia met in Tokyo during my business trip in Japan…”

Ingrid cut in, “So that was where you had been hiding after the scandal.”

Iñigo continued, “She just arrived at their vacation home yesterday. But her ex seemed to have been looking for her and already found out she’s there. She needed to stay hidden so I asked her to stay here until her family arrives for the Christmas break. You can keep her company for the time being. You should sleep over as well. I already instructed the housekeeper to prep your bedroom and the guest room adjacent to it where Teia would be staying. Nobody else should know she’s here except the family and our few trustworthy employees. Manong Dario and Manang Lara are allowed to visit her as often as possible because Teia had some things to do for their family reunion this Christmas Break. And she hasn’t taken breakfast yet. Maybe you can convince her to eat some of your specialties. I will leave the two of you for now. I need to go to the office. Ronnie had already called up several times.”

Ingrid assured her brother, “Okay. You may go now. I will feed her and keep her company. You do not even have to ask me.”

Iñigo left for work already. Manang Lara had arrived with Teia’s luggage and the puppy; and she was accommodated by Andrea.

Ingrid started making brunch for her brother’s very special guest.

While cooking, Ingrid told her idol, “You are way much prettier up close and personal. I have seen you a lot of times in the university from afar. But we seldom saw each other here at Jinan whenever you visit your beach vacation home. Ever since you won the Binibining Filipinas – International title, I have started following you in all your social media accounts.”

Teia commented assisting Ingrid, “So you know everything I shared on those social media accounts.”

Ingrid acknowledged it, “You may say such. I also purchased all the magazines where you are the front cover. I used all the products you have endorsed. I have clothes and shoes from the fashion line you modeled for. Can you sign all my magazines?” 

Teia expressed her true feelings, “Sure. But I think that is not important at all, Ingrid. I do not consider you just a fan. You cooking brunch for me and helping out your brother to keep me hidden means a lot to me. I felt I have found a soul sister in you. I always wanted to have a sister and I really felt I have found one in you. In the past, we might not have the chance to interact more. But now that we have actually known each other, I really feel like I have found a sister.”

“The feeling is mutual, Teia. Anyway we are both the youngest in a family of four. I also have a protective older brother like you,” Ingrid responded while serving here strawberry chocolate crepe, and freshly brewed coffee. 

Teia casually inquired, “It could be a reason why I felt immediately comfortable around you. So how old are you?”

“I turned twenty-four last November 9 and you turned twenty-five,” Ingrid informed her.

Teia took a bite of the crepe, chewed it, swallowed and said, “So we shared the same birthday?! That is exquisite! And this crepe really taste good. When did you learn how to cook this?”

“Nanay is a good cook and she taught me all her recipes. Then as a graduation gift, Kuya  had sent me to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to study culinary arts. When I returned, the restaurant building was already constructed. He knew it was my dream to have my own restaurant where I can showcase all of Nanay’s dishes. We are also selling on the store he gifted to our parents all of Nanay’s  home-made recipes of jams, meatloaf, beef loaf, sausage, white cheese, goat cheese, yogurt among many others. They are all being processed in the food processing building in the ranch for longer expiration,” Ingrid had shared. “Kuya is a very generous man but he is very choosy when it comes to his love life.”

She said, “When we were still both studying DVM, he was in a quite serious relationship.”

Ingrid imparted, “Well, Noreen cheated on him because Kuya was the perfect gentleman. She got pregnant with another man’s child.”

In between bites, Teia responded, “So where is she now?” 

Ingrid imparted, “She went to Missi with the father of her child. They got married and then had a son but after a while, she also cheated on her husband. Their marriage is annuled already and their son is with ehr husband.  She currently works as an agent in a real estate company in Palay City.  She has been trying to get back with Kuya since she returned but Kuya just kept on ignoring her. It was quite obvious that she was just after my brother’s fortune. She really never liked the idea that Kuya just wanted to stay here in Jinan and enrich our farm with Tatay so she cheated on him back then. Things had just changed for all of us for the better when Kuya had won in the lottery. He has everything now except for his own family.  He already turned thirty last July. He doesn't easily trust ladies. So I was really quite surprise when I saw you here.” 

Teia shared, “We have always been cordial to one another even when we were still veterinary medicine students. He really seems a very righteous man. When we met in Tokyo, the cordiality was still there. I really feel comfortable talking to him. Maybe because we have things in common. We were both cheated on.”

Ingrid added, “You're also both animal doctors. You both love my strawberry chocolate crepe. You're both down to earth, generous, and kind-hearted. I idolize both of you.”

Such had made Teia smile, she asked, “Why do you idolize me? I'm just an ordinary lady. I haven'tt even had a real career as a veterinarian.”

Ingrid said, “Well, you have a plan to have your animal clinic. You were just sidetracked with your reign as an internationally-acclaimed beauty queen. You're not just beautiful outside but most especially inside. Your advocacies are all worth-supporting. I supported them all. When I checked on Kuya’s financial records, he has also supported all. You're very well loved by your family, relatives, friends and fans because you’re very true.”

Teia reacted, “And yet I was cheated on by the man I thought indeed love me.”

Ingrid’s reaction, “I do not think that he truly loves you. He just does not look at you the way a man in love does. It was more of a look of a proud man having a very nice possession.”

Teia asked, “How did you know?”

Ingrid shared, “My parents had been married for more than thirty years. Up to now, Tatay still looks at Nanay as if she is the only woman in the world. I am looking for such kind of man as well. That is why up to now I am still single.”

Ingrid had seen that look again from his brother toward the wonderful lady in front of her. But she knew Teia was still not ready for such. She would be her brother’s foremost ally when it came to Teia. She was rooting for them already. in her mind – It seems like my brother has already found his match on you, Teia. Oh, that will be really great! I really hope that you will be my sister-in-law! This is going to be very exciting! How will my brother be able to win your heart? Knowing that you are quite the control freak when it comes to what other people thinks of you, I bet that Kuya will find it very difficult to convince you to be his girlfriend even if it is quite obvious that you are mutually attracted to one another. I had seen you look at my brother in the past. That was the look of a lady deeply admiring a man. You have a long standing crush on my brother during your college days but you had never acted on such. And I could also recall the way Kuya had looked into you when we first met your family byt he beach when your family had your first weekend together at the beach house. He was still with Noreen back then but he had also looked at you as a man deeply admiring a lady.

Teia then asked, “Will I not get in the way of your work at all? You can still go on with your tasks. I will just be fine here.”

Ingrid responded, “I can do my accounting and auditing work here. I can also oversee the store and the restaurant with the CMOS Kuya had arranged from V+ Tech Company. It is installed in all the family businesses. He is already a member of FEBC. The solar energy powering up the entire ranch as well as the farm was commissioned from Carlos Legarda’s solar power company. He purchased his private jet, private yacht, speedboats and helicopters from i-Industries of Quen Ibañez. Daniel Cardenas did the architectural design of this house and his wife Leila did the interior design. The renovation of the farm house, the store and the restaurant was done by Francis Luvienco’s firm. He purchased all his cars from the auto company of Andrew Zaragoza. All his penthouse units were from the condominium buildings of Jed Yñiguez. The accounting firm of Ramil Arevalo does the external auditing of all of our businesses. The law firm of Ace Enriquez handles all the legal matters of his businesses. There is only one thing he does not have in common with all of them. He is not married yet. The few ladies he had dated after Noreen were just after his fortunes so I really could not blame him for being too choosy. So I usually host the dinners and parties he throws. I also accompany him in his social functions.”  

She commented, “I am sure that you are just doing fine hosting all his events and escorting him on those social functions.”

Ingrid divulged, “Honestly, I do enjoy it except for all those mean rich people who feel that just because they are rich they are already free to step on others of lower social classes.”

Teia inquired, “Have you encountered mean rich people already?”

Ingrid shared, “Yes, from both sexes and all ages actually.”

Teia asked particularly, “Does one have actually been mean to you?”

Ingrid said, “A lot of ladies actually who thought, I am Kuya’s girlfriend. Then they would be very sweet around me once they found out I am actually his sister.”

Teia asked a much more personal question just to tease Ingrid, “Have you been courted by a mean rich guy?”

Teia had been surprised with Ingrid’s answer, “Yes. But as I said I have never found someone like my father. Most men who approached me thought that just because Kuya is a multi-billionaire then I am rich as well. Honestly speaking, I do benefit from my brother's fortunes but I still want to be successful on my own. The restaurant building that he gifted to me along with the startup capital for the restaurant, they were all been paid back already. I worked for him as his chief accountant and the store manager and I do receive a quite generous salary from such work with all the usual employees’ benefits. I refused being just dependent on him financially. But, I did accept the car and the Le Cordon Bleu schooling that he gifted me for my graduation and passing the licensure examination for accountants..”

“That is impressive! You are already a successful restaurateur plus you have a side job as an accountant and store manager. Me, I cannot even start up my animal clinic even if I have the capital because I am still not ready to come out,” Teia commented.

Ingrid assured her, “Well, you are a successful model and you have given the country such a great honor winning such beauty title.”

Teia confessed, “I just entered modeling because of my Mom. In the long run, I also kind of enjoyed the money I earned from it which my parents saved for me. That  is the capital I would be using for my animal clinic. I was also able to buy my own car from such. My priority right now is really establishing the animal clinic and continuing with my advocacies. I will just do the modeling on the sides for backup earnings. As they say, strike the iron while it is hot. I have some scheduled product endorsements, magazine cover shoots, and fashion magazine spread by January. Since my wedding is cancelled, I now have all the free time to just relax and focus on the preparations for my animal clinic.”   

Ingrid stated, “I am very sure you will succeed on this animal clinic. Any, you are the type of person who knows how to focus on something you really want to achieve, say finishing veterinary medicine without having a boyfriend, and having rigorous training for the international beauty pageant to give honor and glory to our country.”

"You really know me quite well. Then I guess it is my turn to know you better as well. Teia then asked, “Anyway, how about your parents? How are they?

Ingrid answered, “Nanay just retired from her work as a public school teacher last October when she turned sixty. As for Tatay, he had already fully recovered from the horse accident he met almost two years ago,” then added, “Nanay will definitely be ecstatic once she finds out you are here. We are both big fans of yours. She particularly loves your soft-spoken personality.” 

Teia smiled, “I am looking forward meeting your parents again and perhaps know them much better since we are neighbors. They both seem to be very nice persons having both a nice son and a nice daughter," then she reminded  Iñigo’ssister, "But I really do not like to be seen in public for a while.”

Ingrid asked, “Would you mind if I tell them that you are here?”

Teia responded, “Not at all.” 

Ingrid said, “We can go to the farmhouse. Kuya had a private path going there. It is the shortest route going to our farm residence. You will not be seen by the customers of the restaurant and the store or even by the ranch workers.” 

Teia agreed, “Then I guess I need to take a shower now. I just woke up when Iñigo rushed to fetch me because my ex was already by the gate of our property.” 

Ingrid smiled, “I will escort you now to the guestroom. Then I will notify my parents to expect us for lunch.”

Teia expressed her gratitude, "Thank you very much, Ingrid. You and your brother are just heaven sent. I could have already been found by my ex if your brother was not able to recue me in time. And now here you are, making my stay here very comfortable.

Ingrid said, "You don't have to mention it. We are neighbors after all. And neighbors do help each other especially during the times of need. And any friend of Kuya Iñigo is a friend of our family."

In Teia's mind – Iñigo and I were not even friends. We were schoolmates. We were also bedmates just a few days ago. And we were also kissing mates barely an hour ago. Oh no! How will I be able to resist my deep attraction towards him? If I stayed here, what happened in Tokyo might possibly happen again. Get hold of yourself, Teia!