ARRANGEMENT

CHAPTER 1: The Ultimatum

February 18, 2019. Monday. It was already Andrew Ricarte’s 30th birthday. With his older brother Alaric already being happily married to Megan and with them having a first-born son by his very cute nephew Matt, Andrew felt no pressure about settling down. Their grandparents and his parents had not been bugging much anymore about stopping his philandering ways and finding a suitable wife.

But he was surprised when a lot of single ladies had been invited to the birthday bash that was hosted by his parents that evening in the grand hall of their ancestral mansion. All the single ladies from the upper-class families in Missi were present. All of the single ladies friends, old and new, of her sister Ashley were also there. A familiar face, Katherine Melendez, Ashely’s childhood best friend, was even there. He had not seen her since she and Ashley both left for abroad to pursue their respective bachelor’s degrees. Ashley went to Paris to study fashion design while Katherine went to Canada. He didn’t know the course she took though.

He approached his sister who was with Katherine at that time, and then asked, “Katherine Melendez, right?”

Katherine responded, “Yes, Kuya Drew,” and then exchanged a casual hug and a double-cheek kiss with the brother of her best friend.

Ashley added, “She had just gotten back from Toronto last holiday season to attend her brother's wedding.”

Andrew casually asked, “So, will you be back to Toronto again?”

Katherine’s answer was, “Dad and Mom have already asked me to stay for good. I had no work to return to anyway. So they just told me to stay and help out with the family’s business.”

Ashley said, “She is just telling me that she would rather pursue a career related to her degree in art history and visual culture than work in their publishing company, so I have already recommended her for the job opening at the fine arts department at Athenaeum. An art history professor had just passed away from a sudden heart attack, so they needed an immediate replacement. She got her master’s degree in art history anyway. So she is very qualified.”

Andrew commented, “Well, it will just be a little far for a daily trip. How about joining my marketing team? We are in need of someone who has a profound background in the arts.”

Katherine’s response, “I think I would rather take the part-time teaching gig if I cannot find a fulltime art gallery curatorship job. That way I can still enjoy travelling, writing and photography. I have already leased Ashley’s newly vacated studio unit in Monarch Tower just so I can just move out of my parents’ home. They are already setting me up on several blind dates. Even threatening to cut me off financially if I do not. Good thing, I got my savings. I also earn money from my art blogs where I write my art critiques and reviews. I just want a laid back life. I don’t mind being financially cut off for as long as I still get to enjoy life and I get to choose my own partner in life.”

Andrew reacted, “That is what I have also been telling my parents. I still want to enjoy life, so I am not rushing to settle down. Kuya Ric will be the one inheriting the helm of RGC. He even has an heir already.”

Katherine expressed, “Yes, I saw their baby. He is just so cute. And Kuya Ric’s wife is just so sweet. As for you, Kuya Drew, you are already 30, so you should also consider settling down.”

May 12, 2019. Sunday. It was the first birthday of Baby Matt, Andrew Ricarte’s nephew. The news about Megan’s second pregnancy came about just in time for Megan and Ashley finishing all the academic requirements for their 12-month fast-track program in PhD in Management.

Andrew met Katherine again late that afternoon. Although the studio units they were staying in at Monarch Tower were just next to each other, he did not get to see her even if he had been staying in his studio unit more often lately.

He sat at the most secluded table inside the grand hall where Ashley and Katherine were seated as he arrived at the birthday party for his nephew, “You are here again. So how is the teaching gig, Professor Melendez?”

Katherine replied, “It is fine, Kuya Drew.”

He said, “But I have not seen you around at Monarch Tower even if you just live next door to my unit.”

Katherine responded, “I have been busy not only with my part-time teaching gig but also as a Deputy Curator of the newly-opened art gallery of Marcus and Hazel Sy here in Sourisse from 1 to 9 PM. I need to work hard so I can pay for my bills. My parents had already cut me off financially when I refused to work for the family business and go out on blind dates.”

Andrew asked, “Is that the new M + H Art Gallery near Monarch Supermarket and Monarch Shopping Center?”

Katherine agreed, “Yeah, it is.”

Ashley added, “Her parents indeed cut her off financially. I recommended her to Kuya Marcus as soon as they decided to open up a new gallery for a new breed of artists. He and Hazel were both impressed by her curriculum vitae. Kat even gets to travel often to discover new talents around the country. Anyway, she only works for Athenaeum three hours every M-T-W. Her trips are usually scheduled from Thursday onwards.”

Andrew commented, “Well, good thing you have already found your niche here. You are even financially independent already. Plus, you even get to travel.”

Katherine admitted, “True. It was a little difficult at first but I am coping. Good thing I got Ash helping me out. I can pay for my bills. I also get to do the jobs I like. I even get to do all-expense-paid travel just to discover several promising new breed of talents while also taking lots of photos along the way.”

Ashley even said, “Well, I also get to have valuable critiques from you about my designs. You did not even want to charge me.”

Katherine bantered, “‘Coz I already got discounted rent on your studio unit. You have it fully furnished with furniture and appliances just so I just won’t spend it on them anymore.”

Ashley said, “I just updated the refrigerator, the electric range, the dishwasher, the washer/dryer, and added a microwave and smart TV. The furniture had been left by the former tenant. I just had them refurbished because the frames were all sturdy. Just a little bit of minor sanding and polishing, reupholstering, and buying a new mattress, and they are even much more posh and much better looking than before.”

Andrew was puzzled, “So your parents really cut you off financially because you don’t want to work in the family business and go out on blind dates?!”

Katherine admitted, “Yeah, that’s the reality of my life. All my older siblings are all married already. Even my grandparents back in Toronto also want me to settle down and stop living my life like a wanderer. I was actually sent to Toronto so my grandparents could control my carefree lifestyle. They made sure I finished my studies and also found a job while I was there for almost eight years to become self-sufficient. But now that I am already used to living independently, they want me to settle down. Credit cards had long been cut since I was shipped to Toronto. Now there are totally no more monthly allowances. No more expensive clothes, bags, and shoes from Mom. The car that was assigned to me was even taken back. But I am fine even without those things. I feel free and I am happy.”

Andrew then asked, “So why don’t you want to settle down yet?”

Katherine asked him back, “Why don’t you want to settle down yet too?”

Andrew answered, “I asked you first.”

Katherine responded, “I just don’t like the idea of the institution of marriage being steeped with patriarchal influences with women being considered the property of the father to be given away in exchange for resources, alliances, and status. From being the property of the father, the woman will then be the property of her husband. What about you?”

Ashley teasingly answered for her brother, “He just wants to play around some more,” but then seriously reasoned, “because one he settles down, our elders won’t tolerate his wild ways anymore. He has long been asked to choose a suitable lady to marry.” And then warned her brother, “But then Lolo is already determined to put a stop to your wild days, Kuya. He has already asked Lola, Dad, Mom, even our Aunts to find a match for you. Those ladies during your birthday celebration were somehow being screened already. They saw you flirting around. So those ladies are already included on the list of possible choices. They might schedule some blind dates for you already.”

Andrew’s reaction was, “No way!”

Ashley even added, “Well, it would not just be among heiresses, just like the way they did with Kuya Ric before. Even the ones from lower societal strata will be considered for as long as they have a good background and you will somehow like them. They have already learned their lesson from Kuya Ric and so they are also considering more of the ladies’ good manners and warm personality.”

Andrew asked again seriously, “You are not joking, right?”

Ashley stated, “What will I get if I joke? I am just giving you a heads-up. I don’t see anything wrong about those blind dates though. Dad and Mom are even asking me to attend social and business events with them so I will be more visible among men. I have already been asked by several men for a date. Some had also been sending gifts and flowers in my office. I am considering going on just one date with this certain guy already. Then just see what happens.”

Katherine said, “Well, at least you are given by your parents to freely choose among those who are interested to you, Ash. As for me, Mom even wants to employ a high-class matchmaker.”

Ashley teased her brother, “Perhaps, I should recommend such service to our elders, Kuya.”

Andrew then decided to stand up, “No you cannot. I am out of here.”

But then Mommy Eloisa approached them, stopping Andrew in his tracks, “Drew, your Lolo and your Dad want to talk to you in the study room, now. They are waiting for you there now.”

He could not run away anymore, and so he responded, “Okay, Mom.”

Mommy Eloisa then talked to Ashely and Katherine, “I saw your mother in our recent Sourisse City Women’s Club, Kat. She told me that you have not come home yet since you leased Ashley’s studio unit in Monarch Tower. She also told me that you refuse to go out on blind dates.”

Katherine admitted, “That is true, Tita. I am just not ready to settle down yet, but they already want me to get married within this year. I just returned from Toronto a couple of months ago. I just want to enjoy singlehood first for a few more years and just date like any normal young adult once I am ready.”

Mommy Eloisa replied, “Yeah, I told her not to rush you. We don’t rush Ashley. But we do encourage her to socialize more. A lot of men are interested in her, so we just advise her to be cordial to them. Agree on a date if she feels okay with going out with one.”

Katherine responded, “Yeah, Ash and I are just talking about that guy she would go out with when Kuya Drew joined us, Tita.”

Mommy Eloisa then sighed, “Yeah, among our three offspring, we are most worried about Drew. He just won’t stop his philandering ways. He is already known to be a notorious playboy in the entire state. No one among the upper class single ladies seems to even want to go out on a blind date with him anymore,” and then said, “What about you, Kat? Will you be willing to straighten out my son?”

Katherine was surprised.

Ashley then said, “Yeah, Kat. Will you consider dating, Kuya? He is really not that bad. Before he had this serious girlfriend. But sad to say that she became permanently disabled in a vehicular accident with another man, whom she eventually married. They even had a son and a daughter. Since then, Kuya Drew has been playing around already.”

Katherine responded, “He is not even interested in me. He just sees me like a sister like you. Besides, I had just been from a broken engagement before I left Toronto. I already told you about it. Dad and Mom knew about it, yet they still wanted me to plunge into the marriage bandwagon right away. I think that they are just afraid that I won’t ever consider settling down. But honestly, I don’t think there is anything wrong even if someone chooses to stay single.”

Mommy Eloisa responded, “Well, Drew treats you well, unlike any other ladies.”

Katherine reasoned out, “I am Ash’s best friend, Tita. Of course he will treat me well.”

Mommy Eloisa then said, “You have a point. Anyway, Ash, do not forget to pack some food for Kat once she has already decided to head home later on. You seem to be losing weight, Kat. So please eat more ‘coz you are working very hard.”

Ashley assured her mother, “I won’t forget about it, Mom. She likes food from Ate Meg’s food business. I will pack everything she could possibly have.”

They talked again as Mommy Eloisa left them.

Ashley asked her best friend again, “You have been back for five months already, Kat. Yes, you told me about the break-up, but not the entire story. What really happened between you and your ex-fiancé?”

Katherine was not ready to tell the full story yet and so she just said, “He had been physically violent towards me so I broke things up between us. That is one of my limits, other than infidelity. I cannot be in an abusive relationship.”

Ashley agreed, “Of course. How can we be in a physically abusive relationship?”

Katherine then tried to change the topic, “So let us talk about this guy again. Is he handsome? Is he kind? Just be sure he does not have any violent tendencies, huh.”

Ashley said, “Well, I agreed on just one date anyway. Of course, it will depend on that if I will still see him afterwards. Among those men who have shown interest in me, by far I think that he is the nicest.”

Katherine asked, “How did you meet?”

Ashley answered, “I met him through Dad’s network of business associates and friends. He is from a family of lawyers and judges but he is a software engineer who founded his own cybersecurity company. He is also a cybersecurity consultant for the IT team of RGC.”

Katherine inquired, “Is he from a rich family?”

She answered, “Yeah, but his grandfather also just started, like Lolo Augusto who was from the middle class.”

Katherine was hopeful, “Well, I wished you luck,” and then asked, “Will he be your first boyfriend if it works out?”

Ashley’s answer was, “Yeah. I had already dated back when I was in Paris. Several first dates but none just progressed into something more serious. Then, when I returned here, I just partied around most of the time until Ate Meg came. She inspired me to establish my own business rather than just depend on my elders’ financial support. She likes personalized gifts for Kuya Ric, so the fashion designer in me just came out and helped her out.”

Katherine assumed, “She is indeed sweet and thoughtful then.”

Ashley confirmed, “Yeah. What you see is what you get. But she was also raised by her parents to be independent. Even if the billions worth of money of her grandparents were transferred all under her name, she only made purchases for her Lola Luisa and Nanay Maia. She is used to earning her own money. She is not even comfortable spending the money that Kuya Ric provides for her when their engagement has just been announced. She had to resign from her job at RGC once their engagement was announced. Thus, her source of personal income was cut. So whenever she cooks for the family, Kuya would ask everyone to pay her. Everyone just did because her dishes are really good. We all appreciate her efforts. She didn’t have to cook for all of us. We have household employees to do that. But that is just her way of expressing her love and gratitude to the people who love her and are good to her.

Katherine further expressed her admiration, “She is just more or less a year older than us yet she has achieved so many things in her life already.”

On the other hand, Andrew had already joined his grandfather and his father in the study room.

Lolo Augusto was the first one to speak up, “Your playboy days should stop already, Drew. We knew that you had been hurt by the unfaithfulness of your first love. But not all ladies are like her. There are still ladies out there who are similar to all the women here in our family. Take, for example, your Lola Luisa. She only loved one man all her life and that is your Lolo Mateo. Your Lola Camila and I have also been together for more than 50 years. I had other girlfriends before I married her. We both stayed true to one another.

Daddy Antonio added, “If you don’t want to get married, then, we won’t force you anymore. Although, we still wish that you will find the love of your life, like your brother. But your philandering activities must stop. For once, pursue a lady seriously. Stop all this one-night stands and night clubbing. Lessen your drinking. Stop all of these activities that are painting you in a bad way. Please clean up your act.”

Lolo Augusto then gave him an ultimatum, “Do you still want us to resort to drastic measures just so you will straighten your life? I swear I will freeze all your assets if you don’t behave from this day forward, Andrew. I will also make sure to curtail your freedom. You can only go to work, then home. That will be your routine until we erase that playboy image associated with you.”