HEART OF THE ROSE

CHAPTER 2

"HOW'S BUSINESS?" Charles was asked by her mother Carmela one evening while having dinner together. 

"So far so good, Mom, " he replied and smiled at his mother.

"That's good, very good actually. Sooner or later you will be ready to have a family of your own" it was his father Rico who glances at her mother meaningfully and smiled. 

Charles clicks his tongue, although he is smiling. "Dad, I don't even have a steady relationship so how can that be possible?" he said finishing the food on his plate. 

Maybe because he is an only child that is why his parents are both excited for him to get married. Because for him, his age of twenty-eight is still young to rush into something that can actually wait.

His parents run a lending business. The Salveron Lending has many branches here in Manila and several nearby provinces. He knew the time would come when he would also inherit that business. In fact, he helped his parents manage it. Last year his Mama retired and took her place as Vice President of his father.

Charles wanted to have his own legacy someday. So he decided to put up his own business which is Bluebook Book Store which for over a year since opening has been making good money. And if the business continues to do well, maybe in a couple of years or three, he will be able to build its first branch somewhere in Makati, Philippines.

"It is because you are not getting any younger Charles. I'm sure you know that, don't you?" his father Rico as he finished the food on his plate. 

"Your father is right, we also want to experience having grandchildren. So hopefully we won't have to wait that long" Carmela added.

Charles smiled at what he had been heard. Took a glass of water and drink."I promise you, Mom, when I see her I will do everything just to get her. If I had to tie her around my waist I would" it may sound like a joke, but deep in his heart, Charles meant what he said.

He may not admit it, but Charles knows for himself that he really wanted to have his own family too. Just like his friend who is peacefully fulfilling their roles as a good husband and father. One happy family as his parents had given him.

He is actually tired of the same routine he has been doing from the start when he meets a girl that he can freely bring into the hotel anytime he wants. Just like that, s*x and lust. All of them are beautiful, there is no exemption to that.

They were all like him living a good life, graduated from well-known universities. But he couldn't understand why after all none of them lasted even a year. Because after two months of dating, it seems like nothing has happened. It seems like they just know each other.

After dinner, he proceeded to his bedroom and took a bath. After that, he pours a little amount of wine in his wine glass, enough to make him fall asleep, that was when he heard his cell phone ring on the top of the side table by his bed.

From the veranda, he entered his room and took his phone. It was Shara, the woman he is currently dating for almost a month now. After noticing that the woman seems to have no plan to end the call he had no choice but to take it. 

"Hey," he said, trying to sound a little cool.

"Charles! What took you so long to take my call?" Shara asked in an irritated tone. 

His eyebrows immediately met because of what he heard. "I was so busy the whole day, I'm sure you know that," he said.

"Well, that's bullshit you know! You always use that as an excuse! Are you really busy at work or busy flirting with another woman?" Shara said in a high pitch voice. "all I thought was you were going to come to my unit! I was waiting for you all day!" now the woman is screaming.

Charles sighs annoyingly. "Listen, Shara, I did not remember telling you that I am coming to your unit today. You know I am busy, I have work, I thought you understand?" 

"Busy! Work! Business! Damn! If it will going to be like this that you have no time for me then it's better to call it quits! I am so sick and tired of you ignoring me!" Shara screams furiously.

It was then that Charles pissed off. "So you're breaking up with me? Well then, fine! Let's call it quits! Goodbye!" he said ending the conversation immediately. 

Charles allegedly returned his cellphone to the side table. He knew that tomorrow or a couple of days after, Shara would call him again. But it is not in his vocabulary to come back to any woman who gave up on him or even the other way around.

 There is no special feeling and that means there is no reason for him to do that. And for him, he will not be able to see the right woman for him if he will continue to chase those who decided to leave.

KEIRA woke up early the next morning. She cannot explain, but she feels so positive that something good is about to happen to her this day. 

That is why as soon as he went off the taxi right in front of the building of the Bluebook Book Store, with ease she on her feet she walked into the vast parking space of the bookstore. 

She always trusts her instinct as a woman and for sure this day is her lucky day. Not long until she had to pass through shinny and very gorgeous BMW.

She could feel the sweat on her face so she had to stop right in front of a black BMW and then stare at the tinted glass. Her face was quite oily so from her bag she took out her press powder and retouched. She then applied her lipstick and eventually combed her slightly messy hair.