THE p*****t

CHAPTER 1: A Successful Lady

May 25, 2016. Wednesday. It was almost lunch break. Reina Myrrh Javier was already about to finish her meeting with the managers of her restaurant, inn, events place, and events planning and catering services, when she received a message from Matilda, her mother's caregiver/home companion, regarding another heart attack.

Her mother, Helena Roces, former international award-winning TV and movie actress had another heart attack. Her mother forcibly retired from showbiz after her first heart attack three months ago.

Despite the success of her business endeavors, the medical expenses of her mother, that was beyond the amount the medical insurance could pay for, were making it hard for her to manage their finances especially because her second inn and her second restaurant were currently undergoing construction.

The big savings of her mother had depleted swiftly because of the medical expenses. She knew bank loans could somehow helped her out but it had never been an option for her. Having an investor or a business partner had never crossed her mind as well. She liked having full control of all her business endeavors.

Myrrh immediately adjourned the meeting and instructed her managers to just send the reports she needed via email. She rushed to the Puerto Ava City Medical Center immediately.

On the other hand, Juan Enrique Ibañez VI, fondly known as Quen, was having lunch at Antonia's Restaurant with his parents and grandparents. His parents Juan Enrique Ibañez V and Letizia Montenegro-Ibañez, along with his grandparents Juan Enrique Ibañez IV and Elinia Suarez-Ibañez just had a meeting with the assistant manager of Antonia's Events Planning and Catering Services to finalize the details of the welcome/birthday party that they were hosting for him. Thus, Quen agreed to meet them for lunch.

Antonia's Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant serving international cuisine from 6 AM until 10 PM, was just a few blocks away from the main headquarters of Ibañez Group of Companies. Thus, meeting his oldies for lunch was an easy task.

Quen just arrived from his sabbatical leave a few days ago. He immediately took over as CEO of Ibañez Group of Companies (IGC) because of the force retirement of his father who had just a mild stroke a month ago. His father's doctors advised him to retire early so that work-related stress could be avoided.

As for his own technology firm, i Industries, it was still being managed by his maternal cousin, Pippa Montenegro. It was the reason why he was able to take a sabbatical leave. Pippa was a very reliable and efficient business administrator.

Mommy Letizia gladly shared, "The details for your party this coming Friday is all set, Quen. I'm already very excited for you to meet a potential life partner."

Quen had responded, "Mom, I'm still not agreeing on this bride hunting expedition during this party. I agreed to meet all the family friends and colleagues along with their daughters and sons after my five-year sabbatical leave but I never agreed on your planned arranged marriage on someone whom I get interested with during this party."

Daddy Enrique spoke out, "Well, you're not getting any younger, hijo. I still want to see you married and have children before I die."

Lola Elinia agreed, "I and your Lolo are not getting any younger as well. You're our only grandson. It will be our utmost happiness if we would still see you married and have children during our remaining days in this world."

Lolo Juan seconded, "True!"

He responded, "I understand all of you. But let me choose and court the lady I want. You all got married for love anyway. Let me experience such too."

His father agreed, "Fine! But you only have until the end of this year to find a suitable wife material for a girlfriend. If you don't find one then we'll push for an arranged marriage."

After the lunch, he saw that the side mirror of his brand new Lamborghini Veneno was damaged. His concern was immediately notified to the restaurant manager, who immediately acted by looking at the CCTV footages to know who was the culprit. To the manager's dismay, it was their boss who was in a hurry to leave to get to the hospital.

Meanwhile as Myrrh arrived at Puerto Ava City Medical Center, a surgical resident informed her that her mother was undergoing an emergency coronary angioplasty at the operating room. It could take an hour or two for it to be done. The waiting time made her feel so uneasy. She wasn't able to do anything. She was so worried. She didn't want to lose her mother. Her mother was all she got.

Myrrh wasn't very close to her father. Although she was acknowledged by Augusto Javier as a daughter, they seldom see each other. Her father had financially supported her schooling from pre-school until college. She had also received child support until she was twenty-one years old. Her only remaining connection to her father was the annual dividends she was receiving from the 10 percent shares from his company since her birth and the once in a while unplanned meeting or visit. She was just a product his father's infidelity. Augusto Javier had his legal family, who obviously didn't like her very existence.

As soon as the attending cardiothoracic surgeon of her mother informed her that the angioplasty was a success and her mother was out of danger, she felt relieved. She just visited her mother for a while at her hospital room and then she decided to return to work again.

On her way to her SUV at the parking lot, she felt the vibration of her smartphone. It seemed like the manager of her restaurant had called her several times already.

She answered the call, "Yes, Paula. I wasn't able to answer your calls immediately. Any problem?"

The voice of her restaurant manager was worrying her, "Yes, ma'am, we have a very big problem."

She asked, anticipating the worst based from the tone of the restaurant manager's worrisome voice, "What is it?"

"Based on our CCTV footages, you had damaged the side mirror of the brand new Lamborghini Veneno of Mr. Juan Enrique Ibañez VI when you left a few hours ago. He demanded to see and talk to you for the damages. He left his business card. He insisted that you see him as soon as possible," Paula divulged.

"Ughhh...," she sighed lengthily. "Please send me the photo of his business card. I'll contact him as soon as I'm out of the hospital."

The Ibañez Family was a frequent client. Since she started her events planning and catering service, all of the family and company functions had been handled by her company. She cannot afford to lose such big client because of the ongoing constructions of her second restaurant and second inn. She would need all the cash inflows she could have to keep her business endeavors and personal finances going.

She didn't like asking her father for financial help. Her return to Puerto Ava City in the State of Davou, after the death of her maternal grandmother Antonia, had already been a big deal to her father's family. Her decision to stay for good at Davou and establish her own restaurant at the large parcel of land she inherited from her grandmother four years ago upon her grandmother's death wasn't liked by the legal family of her father.

She immediately dialed the smartphone number from the photo of the business card sent to her by Paula. The chief-of-staff of Mr. Ibañez, named Louie, answered her call.

Myrrh heard the voice of a man, “Good afternoon. This is Louie, chief-of-staff of Mr. Quen Ibañez. May I know who is on the line, please?”

Thankful that it was just the chief-of-staff, she answered, “This is Miss Reina Myrrh Javier of Antonia’s Restaurant. I called regarding the damaged car of Mr. Juan Enrique Ibañez VI. I was informed that he wants to see me as soon as possible.”

The chief-of-staff answered, “Thanks for contacting this number, ma’am. I'll notify my boss regarding this call so an appointment can be set for your meeting.”

She replied, “Okay. I'm willing to talk to him at any time and place he decides on.”

The chief-of-staff acknowledged it, “Thanks for that, ma’am. I'll notify you alter on regarding the schedule of your meeting. Is this your contact number?”

She affirmed, “Yes, you may call or message me regarding the meeting through this number.”

The chief-of-staff said, “Okay, ma’am. Bye for now.”

On the other hand, Quen has asked his chief-of staff for the background information regarding the owner of Antonia's Restaurant upon his arrival at his home office at his bachelor's pad.

i Industries was the technology firm Quen established years ago after his first invention.

Its main office was located on the front side of the large parcel of land he purchased on the northernmost part of Puerto Ava City.

The production warehouse and the employees' apartment complex were on the middle most part of the land.

And his bachelor's pad was on the back side of the land curved up the hill. There, he had his own large underground workshop with a secret passage from the sea. The bachelor's pad had an overlooking view of the West Filipinas Sea. All three major sections of the compound had their own state-of-the art computerized high cast iron fence and gate with majestic concrete posts.

As Louie handed over the file having the background information of the owner of Antonia's Restaurant, he also informed his boss, "The owner of the restaurant already called, sir. She's willing to talk to you at any time and place you decide on."

Quen told Louie as he browsed the file given to him, "Inform her to come here at my office at exactly 5 PM. Also follow up the auto company regarding the cost of damages on my car. I need them before the restaurant owner arrives."

Louie answered, "We already received the email, sir. One of our staff is already in the process of printing it out."

A member of his staff came in with the paper regarding the cost of damages.

Quen read the contents of the background information thoroughly. He saw from the file that the person who damaged the side mirror of his car was not only the owner of Antonia's Restaurant but also the owner of Antonia's Inn, Antonia's Events Place, and Antonia's Events Planning and Catering Services. IGC and i Industries were both commissioning her events planning and catering services.

All those business endeavors were under a sole proprietorship business named Reina Myrrh Enterprises. He knew nothing familiar about the Reina Myrrh Javier except her surname who was the same as the multi-millionaire businessman Augusto Javie,r who owns a chain of malls, 24-hour convenience store, and 24-hour pharmacies all over the State of Davou and nearby states.

It seemed that the owner of the i Industries was also the owner of the car she ruined. Pippa told her before that her cousin was the owner of the firm as well as the bachelor's pad up the hill in one of their business meetings. Then the more that she should be careful in talking to him regarding his car. i Industries was also a regular client of her company for events planning and catering.

Myrrh called up Pippa before going to i Industries compound.

Pippa answered after a few rings, “Yes, Myrrh. What I can do for you?”

Myrrh mustered the courage to tell Pippa, the first ever friend she had when she decided to stay of good at Puerto Ava City, “I got a big problem, Pippa. I accidentally bumped your cousin’s expensive car. He wants to meet me at his home office at around 5 PM. Any advice you can give me on how I should talk to him.”

Pippa answered, “Well, just be who you are. You’ve got a very charming personality because of your kindness and humility so just maintain such. Quen is a good person.”

Myrrh was able to breathe in comfortably, “Okay, thanks. I'm really nervous right now.”

Pippa assured her, “Try not to. He'll immediately sense that. He's kind of good at reading one’s thoughts and feelings.”

Myrrh had become even nervous because of such, “I see. Again, thanks. Bye for now.”

Pippa uttered, “Bye.”

As Myrrh arrived ten minutes ahead of time at the front driveway of the car owner's bachelor's pad up the hill, she tried to calm herself down first.

Afterwards, she went out of her SUV and pressed the doorbell. The butler, who introduced himself as Hernan, opened up the door and let her in. She was escorted by Hernan to the office area. Louie, the chief-of-staff she had talked with over the phone, escorted her in to the spacious, clean, sleek, masculine and very well-organized office of the Ibañez Heir.

Upon seeing the Greek god looking Ibañez Heir, she felt even more nervous for he gazed at her intently from head to toe. She found him very attractive. His perfect tan complexion, a very masculine physique and a very handsome face was really hypnotizing.

But no matter how attracted she was toward him she won't ever act on it. No dating a very rich man was her relationship motto. She couldn't afford to follow the same mistakes her grandmother and mother did when it came to relationships. Her grandmother fell in love with a rich Spanish businessman, got pregnant outside the bounds of marriage, and got separated just a few months after her mother was born. As for her mother, she fell in love with a married man, got pregnant, and got deeply hurt.

Also, no matter how attractive the heir was, it won't change the fact that she damaged the side mirror of his very expensive car and she needed to take responsibility of it. She needed to be extremely careful talking to him regarding the matter.

On the other hand, Quen was quite impressed by the Spanish looking fair skinned young lady with freely cascading brown natural curly hair. He found her very captivating with those thick lashed brown eyes, natural rosy cheeks and natural pinkish lips, no cosmetics at all. The beautiful young lady was just wearing a pair of tiny diamond stud earrings and a two-toned wristwatch as her jewelry that perfectly blended with her casual chic business outfit composed of off-white blouse under an off white blazer, brown belt, khaki slim fit trousers, nude pumps and big brown leather tote bag.

He never expected the restaurant owner to be that young, pretty and sexy. He sensed her nervousness because she was biting her lips and squeezing her fingers with each other, which he found both very desirable. She remained standing while he gawked at her from head to toe.

Then he heard her sweet yet nervous voice, "I am Miss Reina Myrrh Javier, sir, the one who bumped the side mirror of your car. I deeply apologize for such." 

He replied with a calm voice, "Have a sit first, Miss Javier."

Feeling very nervous, Myrrh sat down on one of the black leather swivel chairs opposite the glass office table of the Ibañez Heir. She really felt intimidated. Despite the kind face of the Ibañez Heir, she couldn't help but be nervous especially that she had ruined not just a car but a very expensive one.

So she sat on one of the posh black leather swivel chair by his glass office table.

The Ibañez Heir walked in front of the table, leaned on it in a partial sitting position, looked at her directly in the eyes and asked her, "Are you somehow related to Augusto Javier?"

She affirmed, "Yes, sir. He's my father."

He was surprised. He knew that Don Augusto and his wife Doña Amalia only had one son and two daughters. Before he could ask further regarding her father...

She added, "I was the product of my father's infidelity."

"Oh," then he reverted back to the reason why they were having a dialogue, "So, will you be able to pay the cost of damages you did to my car?" He handed her the copy of the paper containing the cost of damages estimated by the auto company.

The cost of damage was almost equal to the entire cost of her budget for the construction of her second restaurant and second inn combined. She was so shocked. She expressed in all honesty. "I don't have such amount of money at the moment, sir. Will you allow me to pay you by installment basis?"

He was surprised with her response, so he pointed out casually, "Reina Myrrh Enterprises  does well. It is already a multi-million worth business. How come you won't be able to pay me immediately?"

She didn't want discussing her personal issues with the very intimidating man in front of her so she only said, "I got an ongoing business expansion and some personal matters spending on, sir. The damage to your car is my fault so I'll take responsibility. All I ask is that you give some more time to pay this large amount."

"You have until the end of the month to pay me back. If you can't pay then I'll decide what mode of p*****t," the IGC CEO had said with calmness but she still felt very intimidated.

She wasn't able to say much anymore. She felt so defeated. She only had 6 days to pay him back. Asking her father would definitely be not an option. She didn't want her father's family to think even more that she was after her father's fortunes. She stood up and said, "Thanks for your time, sir. I'll try my best to pay you back. If I won't be able to pay then I will accept the mode of p*****t you will decide on. Thanks for your time, sir." She stood up and extended her right hand for a handshake.

Quen accepted the offer of handshake, looked deeply into her beautiful yet sad eyes. Her very soft hands were very cold. He sensed that she was indeed nervous.

Her hand wasn't released by the Ibañez Heir not until she said, "I'll have to take my leave, sir."

He uttered, "Okay."

Quen asked Silas, his bodyguard and the head of security his security team, to facilitate the gathering of more information regarding Reina Myrrh Javier. He was puzzled on the whereabouts of the beautiful and young businesswoman he had just talked with.