Recuerdo De Amor Island 1: Into My Heart - Completed

Chapter 1

ALVIN

Knock knock

"Sir?" My personal assistant said.

"Come in."

" Sir I want to inform you that the Operation Manager in RdA Hotel filed her resignation this morning."

"Let her, I don’t care. Inform the HR to find someone immediately. I want someone willing to stay in the island for long period of time and single. With a contract of 2 years in the island. Find some fresh graduate. ASAP." I said blankly.

I'm not in the mood to make it longer. Rafael really know how to fire them easily. Tsk.

"Yes sir! I'll go ahead." Nagmadali na itong lumabas.

I sighed.

I miss RdA island. Sa dami ng trabaho ko dito, hindi ko alam kung kailan na naman ako makakabakasyon doon. Kamusta na kaya si Storm? I miss riding him.

It’s been 3 years simula nang umpisahan naming magkaibigan na pagandahin ang RdA island. Still in it's natural beauty… we just modernize and show it to the world. 1 year and half na itong operational at masasabi kong successful ang ginawa namin kahit limitado lang ang taong makapunta. It’s a dream come true for me.

Simula ng pumunta ako sa islang yon. I fall in love with the place and dreamed that someday I would be part of it. And like my friends, I promise myself to become what I am today to reach that dream, which happened 3 years ago. Sobrang tuwa namin ng mag-agree ang parents ni Rafael to build our dream. I'm so bliss that even my parents supported me.

Well... money was never been a problem to me. I, Christian Alvin C. Gonzalez was born with the silver spoon in my mouth. My ancestors are Spanish colonists, leave the Spain with wealth in 1890s at piniling manirahan dito sa Pilipinas para magtayo ng negosyo na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na lumalago.

As eldest of new Gonzalez generation sa'kin nakaatang ang pressure ng pamamalakad nito. At the age of 18, agad akong tinuruan ng aking ama kung paano patakbuhin ang Gonzalez Empire that known as 5-star luxury hotels and resorts. After I graduated, I become COO of the company while taking my master's degree. Just last year when I became CEO after my dad take the sideline as Chairman. Since then they called me the Ruthless Beast. I don’t care though. Why would I? Mabuti nga 'yong matakot silang banggain ako. I won’t hesitate to crash them down if they cross me.

Now at 25, I can say I already succeeded. Enjoying my life together with my best friends. I maybe ruthless but it doesn’t mean I can’t have a social life. Women are all over us but I don’t care. They are like toys to me… who am I to blame? Sila naman ang lumalapit. They know the rules… no string attach, just f*ck and g---

Blagggg!!!

Napatayo ako sa upuan ko sa gulat dahil sa tunog.

"Kuyaaaaaa!!!!" My brat little sister shouted.

Damn it. Why she's here?

Humagikhik pa ito sa reaksyon ko. "Peace! Gulat ka ano?"

Kita mong maldita na 'to parang wala lang sa kanya na galit ako sa ginawa nya. Tsk! Sabagay spoiled kasi. I glared at her.

"What do you want Christina Angela Gonzalez? Do you know how improper to do that? DON’T YOU KNOW HOW TO KNOCK? PAANO NA LANG KUNG MAY BISITA AKO DITO HA?" I shouted pero baliwala lang sa kanya. Nagawa pa nitong tingnan ang nail polish n'ya at ngumiti sa'kin.

"Grabe ka naman kuya akala mo naman sa'kin bingi kung makasigaw ka d'yan, and FYI I asked first your secretary if may bisita ka dito. I'm really going to tell daddy you shouted on me." She pouted na akala mo kasing haba ng isda ang labi nito.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako malalim para kalmahin ang sarili ko at napaupo ulit. It's useless arguing with her. "So… what do you want? Why you are here?"

Now she changes her expression to a puppy eyes look. This won’t be good. Lumapit ito sa tabi ko at umupo sa mesa. "Kuya you know I'm going to be 18 next month right?"

Napataas ako ng kilay and cross my hands in front of my chest saka sumandal sa upuan ko. "So?"

"I was wondering if we could hold it in RdA island...please please kuya I want to celebrate my debut there together with my friends please?" With matching praying hand pa 'yan habang nagpa-puppy eyes sakin.

As if naman papayag ako. Even though I'm one of the founders, I don’t want to break the rules that only a maximum of 10 guests are authorize per day. "You know the rules sis kahit isa ako sa founder dun 'di ko gagawin 'yan. Isa pa we don’t accept occasions like that unless the founder or member is celebrating...which you are not."

Bigla na lang lumaylay ang balikat nito. I feel sad too. "Look sis... if you really want to go there. Next morning of your birthday choose 9 of your friends to be with you and stay in RdA hotel for a week, my gift to you...but all girls only."

Biglang lumiwanag ang mukha nito. Napatili ito. "Really? Waaaah! Thank you so much kuya. I'm sorry if I ask too much. I just give a shot to tell you baka kasi pwede but I know naman the rules eh."

Umalis ito sa pagkaupo sa mesa and hug me. I pat her back awkwardly. Kumalas ito sa akin at napalundag sa tuwa. Pagkatapos kinuha ang phone nya sa bag. "I’m going to call my besty for the good news kuya. Don’t forget that kuya ha… magtatampo talaga ako sayo."

"Of course not. Kahit na sakit ka sa ulo palagi... I love you brat." Masuyong sagot ko dito.

"Awww! Ang sweet naman ng kuya ko. Why are they calling you ruthless even though you are not?" She's hugging me again. Nang uto pa to eh. But as I always said I don’t really care, my family and friends know it’s just a mask to hide my true self.

"Don’t mind them brat. You knew the real me. Beside it’s better for them to back-off. Now go home. I have a lot to do." Saka lang sya bumitaw sa pagkayakap sakin. She straighten up and fix her dress.

She smiled sweetly. "Okaaayy! Hmmm before I forgot... mommy said you have to be at the family dinner this Sunday kaya dapat daw Saturday evening nasa bahay ka na. Bye kuya… love you."

Tuluy-tuloy nyang sabi sabay halik sa'king pisngi and march towards the door. She doesn't even wait for my answer.

What a brat! But I love my sibling though. I continued my works after my sister left. Moment later I remember na kailangan ko pa palang ipareserve ang 1 week stay ng kapatid ko and her friends.

" Lionel please tell Greg, both of you in my office now." I called my secretary through intercom. Minute later they are in speed coming in the room. I stare at them coolly.

"Sir?"

"Lionel please call the RdA hotel to reserve 5 rooms for my sister after her birthday. Write the approval letter for me to sign and send it to my sister ok?" Tumango ito.

"Yes sir."

"And cancel my appointments this afternoon. I have lunch with my RdA brothers at hindi na siguro ako babalik dito. " He nod again.

"Ok sir. Anything else sir?"

"No. You may go."

"Ok sir." I just stared at him. He bows his head a little and left. Binalingan ko naman ang aking personal assistant. I know this man for a long time since he’s my dad scholar and apprentice. He's 5 years older than me and a big brother to me. Also he's part of our family.

"Greg please tell HR that I'll be the one to conduct the final interview of applicants on Friday."

Tuesday pa lang ngayon siguro naman on Friday may mahanap na sila. I can manage the RdA hotel from here in 3 days.

"Best of 5 only. Pang ilan na yang nagresign sa isla. Hindi ba sila makahanap ng matinong babae sa ngayon." I can’t blame Rafael for firing that Operation Manager. Buti nga pinaresign lang s'ya eh. Seducing the RdA members is prohibited. At alam ng lahat ng employees ang mga rules bago pa man sila tinanggap pero ang lakas ng loob ng Operation Manager na 'yon ha. 'Di porke mataas ang posisyon n'ya sa hotel she can do that.

"I'll talk to the HR sir. By the way Christian, your mom called. 'Di ka raw nya macontact." Greg informed me.

"Tsk!" Sabay kuha ng phone ko. It was in silent mode. "It's on silent. What did she tell you?"

"Call her daw if you are free and your grandparents will be there on Sunday. Yon lang Sir." He said.

"Thanks Greg. Ikaw na bahala dito." I glance in my watch, it's already 10:30 am. Niligpit ko na ang gamit ko at mga papeles na dapat kong ireview at pirmahan. Sa condo ko na lang ito basahin mamayang gabi.

"Yes sir." He gave me a mock salute and let him handle the rest of my works.

"Ok. I’ll go ahead." Hindi ko na sya hinayaang magreply lumabas na ako sa office ko. Sanay na naman yan sa ugali ko. I may not tell him but I trust him out of all my employees. My father never failed to judge a person. Plus, the gratitude he owes to my dad.

Nilampasan ko lang din ang secretaryo ko kahit pa binati ako. Sanay na din 'yon tulad ni Greg. I prefer men as personal employees than women... nadala na ako. They just flirt kaysa magtrabaho and if they end up in my bed, they would demand too much of my attention. Mga bobo lang kahit sinabihan mo na no string attach. Tsk!

No way I'm going to marry a sl*t. I still want a descent woman to love… you know. I shake my head. I'm thinking too much already.

I'm on the way to the place where my brothers want to lunch. Traffic. Buti na lang maaga akong umalis. 11:45am na ng makarating ako sa restuarant. I park my car tsaka dumiretso sa loob.

"Good noon sir! Do you have reservation sir?" The receptionist said.

"Reservation of Rafael Velasquez please." She called a waiter to assist me. And face me again.

"He will lead you the VIP room sir. Mr. Velasquez was already there and few of your friends. Enjoy your stay."

"This way Sir." Sumunod naman ako sa waiter.

Minute later nasa tapat na ako ng VIP room ng restaurant. Hinayan ko munang makaalis ang waiter before I open the door without knocking… for what? Tsk!

"Yowwww!!!" Sigaw ko. No poker face na kasi kaibigan ko na ang kaharap ko. Nagulat ko yata sila. Napangisi ako. Kanya-kanya silang bato ng nuts sakin.

"DAMN! YOU SCARED US!" All of them shout in chorus. I only smirk to them.

"Kulang pa yata tayo ng dalawa ah." I said. Sabay hatak ng upuan at umupo. Hinanap ko ng tingin si Rafael.

"Luis bro you fired again one of our employees in RdA. Operation Manager pa 'yon." He stared at me with blank expression. Sobra talaga ang lalaking ito. I can show every time my true emotion with them. Sila nila Miguel, Blaire and David rarely show their true emotions.

"Seducing a member. She was an Operation Manager but she disregards her profession even the rules of RdA and flirt. For what? To catch a fish in a rich sea? Tsk! Stupid woman." Harsh talaga 'to magsalita. Tumahimik na lang ako.

"Isda na pala tayo ngayon mga bro ha. Hello everyone!"

Sabay kaming lima na tumingin sa nagsalita. Blade is grinning while waving his right hand habang nakaakbay ang isa kay Rence. Walang sumagot sa'min kundi tinaasan lang namin sila ng kilay.

"You see bunso buti nakatagal tayo sa ugali ng limang 'yan." Sabay turo samin. Umupo na sila sa bakanting upuaan.

"Buti na lang magkaugali tayo kundi nalusaw na ako sa mga blanko at malamig na tingin ng mga yan. Brrrr!" Dagdag pa nya. Tsk. Madrama talaga ang isang 'to. Napailing na lang kami sa sinabi nito.

"Wag ka na nga magdrama jan. Both of you are late." Blaire glare at him. 'Yan tuloy napagalitan ng kapatid.

"Enough guys." Pinutol na agad ni Rafael bago pa mag-asaran ang dalawa. Mali... si Blade lang pala ang hilig asarin ang kuya n'ya.

"Right. I'm hungry already." Sabat naman ni David. Sabagay ako rin naman.

"Yeah! Let’s order na para makapag usap tayo ng maayos." Blaire agree too. Waiter came in and take our order.

Napuno na naman uli ng asaran ang mesa habang kumakain. Rence and Blade really making their efforts to make us loosen up a bet. This is why I love my brothers. Kahit sobrang busy, we always make way to bond. Updating the happening in our lives, crack some joke and laugh. Asaran and pikonan, that makes us stronger. Even though the majority who have fun were Levi and Rence.

"Thanks God. Busog na ako." Rence said sabay himas ng t'yan niya.

"That's good bunso ang takaw mo pa naman." Bara sa kanya ni Rafael. Tanghaling tapat his already drinking whisky.

"Tingnan mo kayong dalawa lang yata halos nakaubos ng pagkain natin eh." Dagdag pa nito. Blade pouted. Four of us just tsk.

"F*ck Blade don’t pout." Blaire glared at him. Lalo pa itong nagpahaba ng nguso nya.

"Kuya naman. Alam kong matakaw ako pero sa ating lahat ako ang may maraming abs." Nagyabang pa talaga itong si Rence.

"Shut up Rence. Alam naming hindi totoo 'yan dahil ako ang marami n'on. Gusto mo pakitaan pa tayo eh." Ayan na naman ang dalawa. Hindi talaga magpatalo si Blade. Napailing na lang kaming lima at hinayaan ang dalawa magpasikat.

Napatingin ako kay Miguel ng bigla itong magsalita. "Let’s proceed to the main reason why we are here… can we?" Magaling talaga mambasag sa trip ng dalawa 'to si Miguel.

I smirk. Yong dalawa… f*ck! Ngumuso na naman.

"Damn! You two stop that...it’s disgusting." Kinikilabutang saad ni Blaire. Napailing lang kami sa kalokohan ng dalawa.

"Itong mga 'to... mga KJ eh. Palagi na lang." Pang-asar pa ni Blade. Nakangisi naman si Rence.

Rafael cleared his throat. "Ok guys... I have something to tell you kaya ko kayo pinapunta dito ng biglaan." We turn our attention to Rafael when he speak. Nagseryoso na rin ang dalawa. He cleared his throat again and continue. "I'm leaving the country for couple of months. I had to stay in Spain until we deal the family problem there."

Kwenento nya sa'min ang problema doon and we understand him. We are best friends kaya ang problema ng isa ay problema din naming lahat.

"Kaya kayo na ang bahala sa isla. My parents already left this morning and my flight is tonight."

"Huh?" Sabay-sabay naming react na anim.

"Yes. Its urgent na kailangang doon din ako agad." Sagot nito na parang alam n'ya ang itatanong namin. He took something in his bag. Five envelopes and seven small leather boxes. Rafael give the envelopes to Miguel. I guess Miguel need to investigate the 5 persons before we accept them to become members of RdA mens club.

"Ikaw na bahalang magkilatis sa mga applicants Miguel... ok? We'll talk again about them if you finish the task. I'll be here next month on Angela's debut, for a day only. I can’t miss it because she threatens me and you don’t wanna know what it is." He shakes his head as if he could remove the thought at napabutong hininga. We chuckle.

They love my brat sister too but I have a feeling that someone felt more than a sister in the group. He just smile but his eyes tells unfamiliar emotion when Rafael mention my sister's name. Interesting.

"Then 4 months from now is the 2nd anniversary of RdA Island." He look at me.

"Alvin ikaw na bahalang magsabi nito sa makukuha mong Operation Manager ng hotel. If needed, you have to be hands on in this… all of you guys." And look everyone with tired emotion. Ngayon ko lang nakita si Rafael na ganito. I can’t blame him though their problem is out of hand.

"I'm sorry if I can't be with you through the process. If only…" He sigh.

"We understand Luis don’t mind us here. We can handle everything. Your family needs you the most." David pat Rafael's shoulder while saying it.

"Thanks bros. A day before the event I'll be here. I won’t miss that in the world."

"Dapat lang bro dahil we are all in this together." I said. They nodded.

"I promise that." Then he distribute to us the small boxes. Each small box has our name on top of it. When I open mine. I'm amaze on what's inside. Tumingin ako sa mga kasama ko, gan'on din ang mga reaction nila.

Who wouldn't. Inside the box is a beautiful necklace with a pendant of RdA symbol. A platinum made rose with infinity chained connecting to the ruby and platinum made heart. The pendant is less than inch size. In the platinum heart, I can see the carve of my name. I'm sure it’s the same with other.

"Beautiful isn't it? Just yesterday afternoon when I receive this from Russia. They really make everything possible to reach our expectation in this necklaces." They did. Sinadya talaga ito ni Rafael sa Russia para ipagawa sa relative nya na may ari ng sikat na jewellery shops doon.

This is our own design kaya he make sure that hindi basta-basta ang gagawa nito. We even spend millions on this beauty. This necklaces can only be wear ng mga babaeng pag-aalayan at makakasama namin for the rest of our lives.