THE BILLIONAIRE'S REVENGE

CHAPTER 1: Daniel's Return

After being jilted at the altar, Daniel left for the United States of America for a month-long vacation. But the vacation turned into a long stay. He decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree at Stanford University. Also, he landed a job in one of the world’s top architecture firms located in Los Angeles, California and quickly had his way up, onto the corporate ladder.

He saved his earnings and invested a portion of it in online stock trading. He had just lived a quiet life in the USA. He did not go out on romantic dates, but he did have a number of casual one-night stands once in a while. He also tried to enjoy some worthwhile activities. His venture in online stock trading became a very huge success in just as short period of time, making him a billionaire.

November 8, 2013. Friday. Daniel decided to return to Filipinas upon his family’s request. They all wanted him to return for good. His father needed to retire early because he had to avoid stress and live a healthier life to prolong his life. His father had just a mild stroke.

Upon Daniel’s return, he also accessed his trust fund worth multimillions already. He made some portfolio investments in the country. From his percentage to his mother’s shares in Filipinas Bookstore, the annual dividends he had received over the years since he was born were already worth multimillions as well.

He immediately purchased a house and lot in the newest exclusive luxury village in Vienburg City developed by CRDF. He didn’t want to live with his parents for long. Kuya Jun, his father’s second, and his eldest brother, along with his family, lived with their parents and grandparents at Cardenas Mansion.

His father wanted him to take over the firm because his two older brothers, Kuya Jun and Kuya Julian, were not interested. They already had their own business endeavors and their respective wife and children. Kuya Jun has his own auto dealership company, while Kuya Julian has his own travel and tour agency. Plus, his father’s condition might worsen if he did not slow down with work.

He also called Callix Valderama for the installation of computerized security system (CSS) software for his house, and computerized management operations system (CMOS) software and all the hardware devices needed for it for CRDF. He and Callix met at Stanford University when they were both taking their master’s degree. Callix had gone home to Filipinas ahead of him.

November 9, 2013. Saturday. In the morning, his father had introduced him to all the employees of CRDF as the new CEO. The team Callix had sent over had also installed the computerized management operations system (CMOS) software and all the hardware devices needed for it. The employees were also oriented regarding it.

In the evening on the vast lawn of the Cardenas Mansion, his parents had hosted a welcome party for him. It was attended by relatives, friends and business colleagues. His takeover of CRDF was formally announced among the guests. Mia's parents also attended the event.

That night, Daniel bumped into Leila, who was supervising the events planning company his parents hired for the occasion.

He immediately asked her calmly, “What are you doing here?”

“I am substituting for my Aunt. She is sick so I had to take over supervising our staff for this event. Your Mom hired our events planning company,” she casually replied, but she was still quite nervous. She knew he kind of blamed her for what happened at his wedding years ago.

He asked casually, “And what about your career as an interior designer?”

She replied calmly, “Well, I just lost my job yesterday. So, I am just planning to work as a freelance interior designer then eventually establish my own firm.”

He then said, “Then consider me your first client. I need an interior designer for the house and lot that I just purchased.”

She was surprised, “Are you sure of this, Daniel?”

He stated with conviction, “I am very sure, Leila. Do you not want to work for me?”

She said calmly in all honesty, “Well, the last time we saw each other, you were mad at me. You blamed me for what happened during your supposed wedding.”

He immediately apologized for that, “Well, I was not thinking clearly that time. I was humiliated by what Mia did. It was not your fault at all. And I am taking this opportunity to formally apologize to you for putting the blame on you. So, please consider this job offer my way of making it up to you. Will you accept my job offer or not?”

She answered, “Of course, I will accept it. And your apology is accepted.”

In his mind – It is nice to see you again, Leila. You have become much prettier. But you still have that same aura of your innate kindheartedness. You are a very talented interior designer. You are the right person to do the interior design of one of my masterpieces. I like your passion towards your profession. Good thing you do not work with Futuriste anymore. As much as possible, I am avoiding any further association with Mia. But I do not mind having artistic collaboration with you. You are also trustworthy, so I can only entrust the interior design of my dream home to you. I witnessed your passion with that B & B of your parents years ago. Have you opened it up already? That has been one of my inspirations to further my education. Your father was a very good builder and an excellent craftsman. You got his talents and skills, I think. And I am glad that you have accepted my apology. I was so wrong back then for blaming you about Mia running away with your godbrother. Mia has always been impulsive and irresponsible. And I am glad that the wedding did not push through. I do not like spending the rest of my life with her because I definitely do not love her. I have never ever loved her.

“Thank you very much,” he uttered, then he gave her his business card. “Let us meet tomorrow at exactly eight AM at Luxe Village here in Vienburg City. I will tour you around my house.”

“Okay,” she replied, and then Daniel excused himself because he was called by the emcee to give his speech.

Richard and Mia got married a few months after their elopement. Mia was already pregnant by then. When Richard graduated from his Agricultural Engineering degree he was already a father of fraternal twins. They had a son, Josef Richie, and a daughter, Claudine Myrrh.

Mia was already the new CEO of Futuriste. Mia was the one who fired her because they had some disagreement on the design concepts for their latest corporate client. Mia was also kind of jealous of her friendship with Richard, who already owned and managed the way much bigger and way much better Gonzaga Organic Farm, which was already considered one of the country’s top agricultural produce supplier in both local and international market.

November 10, 2013. Sunday. Aboard a taxi, Leila arrived at the guards’ house by the front entrance of Luxe Village fifteen minutes before 8 AM. The guard had accommodated her in the seating area of the guards’ house. Daniel had already notified the guards in advance to expect her arrival.

After five minutes, aboard his brand new luxury SUV, a black Land Rover Range Rover, Daniel arrived. The guard notified her of Daniel’s arrival and escorted her to the passenger seat beside Daniel who was seated in the driver’s seat.

She greeted him as she settled on her seat, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” was his short reply.

They were just silent on their way to his property. When his SUV stopped by the driveway of the biggest house in the entire village a few blocks away from the clubhouse and the village’s commercial area, he unlocked the doors. They got out of the SUV at almost the same time.

She just followed him as he walked toward the main door. He punched in the security code for the computerized electronic lock system of the main door.

The house was still unfurnished. They toured around all the parts of the house. Afterwards, they discussed his preferences for color scheme, appliances, furniture, decorations and other details on the island counter in the kitchen. She showed him her design portfolio. He had put together some of her design ideas that fit into his preference.

She asked him, "So what are your design preferences?"

He said, "I like the fusion of modern and classical styles. But I want it to have that homely feel. I also want it to be gender neutral because I intend to continue living here once I have found a wife I would want to spend my lifetime with. So just surprise me with your ideas."

She inquired, "Would you like some artworks for decorations?"

He answered, "Yes."

She then told her, "I can tour you around some shops for your preferences for furniture, decorations, and appliances. That way, I will be able to incorporate such into my design ideas."

He replied, "Yeah. That will be very nice."

She told him, "I have my design portfolio here. Of course, I will make my design of this house unique. You can browse them while I do some measurements."

He told her, "Yes, I will browse them. But there is no need for you to do any measurements. I brought the blueprint with me. I design the entire structure of this house along with its additional parts, which I intend to have constructed in the days to come. I will just get it in the vehicle so you can check it while I browse your design portfolio.

She agreed, "Okay."

After she studied the blueprint and he browsed his design portfolio, he expressed that he wanted the interior decorating done by the end of the month. They also decided on her compensation. He had already provided her with a check amounting to half of her actual service fee.

Afterwards, they had already decided to leave to look and shop for the appliances, furniture, and decorations aboard his Range Rover.

While in transit, they talked about their lives for the past few years that he was in the USA.

He initiated the conversation, “So, who was your last employer?”

“I never left Futuriste,” she replied.

He asked quite surprised, “Tita Miranda fired you?!”

“Nope! Mia fired me. She is already the new CEO,” she answered casually.

He could not believe, “She fired her own best friend!? But you were doing so well as Tita Miranda’s executive assistant back then before I left.”

She tried to offer an explanation, “I was already the head interior designer before I was fired. Mia has changed. I think she does not like my closeness to Tita Mir, to Richard, and even to her in-laws.”

He acknowledged it, “I understand. She could be insecure and unreasonable at times. She might be envious of your innate talents and skills as an interior designer.”

In his mind – Well, it is much better that Mia is somehow not close to you now. Our artistic collaboration will not be hindered by your friendship with her. Mia is indeed impossible! Leila here has been so good to her and yet she fired the most talented and most skillful designer of their interior design firm. Mia's insecurities have gone beyond her head already. I feel very sorry for Leila. She is a very good person. She is still the same kindhearted lady I had met years ago, very easy to get along with, a very good conversationalist as well.

She tried to change the topic, “So, how about you? How was your stay in the USA?”

He responded casually, “Initially, I just planned on a month-long vacation but then I was lucky to land a job in a large architecture firm in Los Angeles, California. So I decided to stay. Dad also encouraged me to take my MBA, so I did.”

She asked further, “What made you decide to return?”

“Dad had a mild stroke last month. His doctors advised him to slow down with work and to live a healthier life. My two brothers had no interest in running the firm. So I am left as the only choice. Anyway, I have worked there before and I already know the ropes,” he shared comfortably.

She stated apologetically, “I am very sorry about your father.”

He acknowledged it, “Well, he is getting better now. He needed to avoid a lot of food, exercise regularly, and have enough rest. Mom is making sure that he follows all of his doctor’s orders. The only problem I have is that they wanted to set me up on dates with the daughters of their friends.”

She kind of teased him, “It seemed like a good idea. You are thirty already, right? It is an ideal age to settle down.”

He then asked her, “What about you? You are as old as Mia. So, you are around twenty-five or twenty-six already. Why no wedding ring yet?”

“I am not that lucky in the love life department. My ex-boyfriend dumped me for my second cousin. His reason was I was too focused on my career. I had a few first dates afterwards but nothing progressed to second dates,” she expounded. “So I just focused more on work only to be fired because of a design disagreement with the new boss.”

He commented, “It is Futuriste’s lost. I think you will just do well on your own. I like your work ethics and design aesthetics. You know how to listen to your clients. You should better establish your own interior design firm. You can start with just a small one. And you will always be welcome to present your ideas for our projects at CRDF.”

“Thank you very much for your trust. But even Futuriste finds it difficult to win over on their bids for the interior design projects in your firm,” she said.

He told her, “Just grab every opportunity that comes along your way, Leila. You would not be graduating as Summa c*m Laude for nothing. Perhaps Futuriste had never taken advantage of your talents and skills at their maximum. Thus, they were not successful on some of their bids for the projects in CRDF.”

For the entire day, they roamed around Missi in all the shops she knew for the best appliances, furniture, and decor that suited his taste. They bonded so well, both having artistic inclinations. They enjoyed their tours around all the shops. They spoke the same language, being both involved in home-building professions. They both had comprehensive backgrounds in the arts. Leila could easily grasp Daniel's ideas and preferences about what he wanted the interior of his house to look like. They even had lunch and an afternoon snack together.

In the evening, they attended a charity dinner auction for several art collections. He invited her to accompany him so they could discuss artworks that would look best for his house.

Richard and Mia also attended the charity dinner auction.

After the dinner, when Leila was in the ladies’ room, Mia approached Daniel.

Mia asked him casually as if nothing had happened in the past, “When did you return?”

He answered with no emotions, “Last Friday. Your parents were at my welcome party yesterday.”

She asked further, “Are you dating Lei?”

He answered, still with a stoic face, “Well, she is my date for this event.”

The auction proper was announced. Leila also walked back into the room, so Daniel left Mia to approach Leila and escorted her to their designated seats.

He won his bid on several paintings and sculptures they had agreed to have as decoration pieces for his house.

On their way out of the auction room, they encountered Richard and Mia.

Richard greeted Leila and Daniel casually, “It is nice to see you again, Lei. And good evening to you, Daniel. Are you two dating?”

Leila noticed Mia’s uneasiness.

Before Leila could say no, Daniel already answered, “Well, she is my date for tonight.” He even wrapped around his right arm by her waist possessively.

Richard was surprised but he seemed genuinely happy, “Well, it is nice to know that my best friend is back dating again.” Then he looked at his wife, “Right, honey?”

Mia managed to fake a smile and replied, “Yes, honey.”

Richard continued talking while they all walked towards the waiting area by the driveway, “I heard you resigned from Futuriste, Lei. Are you ready to open that building in Gurvan as a B & B?”

Leila answered, “Well, I need to help Aunt Angela with her ever-growing events planning company. Uncle just died a few months ago, while Kuya JR and Kuya Angelo had no interest in the business. Their wives are helping in their own ways though. As for the B & B, I am still undecided about whether to open it up this December or not.”

Richard retorted, “Well, you are the one who helped them turn that small catering business into a big events planning company and I think you should already open the B & B in time for Gurvan Christmas Festival.”

Leila replied modestly, “I just made a few suggestions every now and then.”

Mia then asked her, “So, how did you and Daniel meet? He said he just arrived last Friday.”

Daniel had answered Mia’s question, “We met last night during my welcome party. My parents hired their events planning company. She was supervising the event in place of her aunt. We talked, then I decided to hire her to decorate my place because she had been fired from her interior design job. She has just decided to be a freelancer.”

Mia’s face went red upon Daniel’s revelation.

Richard was shocked, “You fired Lei, honey?! Does your Mom know about it?”

The valet parking attendant had already stopped Daniel’s brand new blue Lamborghini Aventador on the driveway. The attendant opened the door for Leila while Daniel walked to the driver’s seat on the other side. They left Richard and Mia, who were having a quiet argument.

Inside the car, she immediately asked him, “Why did you tell them we were dating?”

He answered, “I did not tell them we are dating," and he corrected her, "I said, you are my date for tonight. It will be up to them if they think of it as a business date or a romantic date.”

She then told him frankly, “If you are using me to infuriate Mia, then I am telling you now, I would not like to be part of it, Daniel.”

He seemed furious.

In her mind – Has he not forgiven Richard and Mia yet for what they had done years ago? I should better not speak up anymore. But wait! Is he using me to infuriate, Mia? Or am I just overthinking about it. Yes, we are on a business date. He did not say that we are dating. I should give him the benefit of the doubt. So far, he has shown me nothing but kindness. He is even encouraging me to pursue my plans to establish my own interior design office.

Daniel sped up the car, making Leila silent.

In his mind – Seeing them again had brought back those humiliating memories. I felt relieved that I was free from that arranged marriage. But Mia just did not do things correctly. So she has brought so much embarrassment to me and to my family. I have no ill feelings towards them anymore. But then, Mia still had not changed. She is still self-centered, and she is abusing Leila's kindness. I hate it! And Leila is just letting Mia do it. That is quite irritating. Why are you just letting Mia do that to you, Leila. You must know how to fight back or else, you will always be taken advantage of. Wait?! Why am I so much affected?! Why am I taking Leila's side? Why do I feel bad when someone maligns you, Leila? It seems like my interest in you is not purely business. You possess most of the qualities that I want for a woman I want to share my entire life with. I definitely enjoy your company. I feel so relaxed around you just like in the past. But then you might think that I am just using you to get even with Richard and Mia if I pursue you. I might as well be sure first of my feelings towards you before I make my moves.

They immediately arrived in front of Perez Residential Compound. He had not unlocked the doors yet.

She was unbuckling the seat belt when he stopped her hand.

He then expressed, “I am sorry for my outburst. I am not using you to infuriate Mia. But I really did not like the way she lied about your resignation from Futuriste just to cover up for her insecurities. And I also did not like the way you cover up for her in front of her husband.” He meant it. He did not like the idea of people taking advantage of her kindness.

“Well, I do not work for her anymore. Whether she told Richard that I had resigned or I was fired is not at all important to me. As you said, I can do it on my own just fine, so I will prove to everyone that I can. I just tried to be civil with her because I did not want to be an issue again regarding their marital woes. They are both my friends. Instead of escalating the tension between them, I would rather stay silent. They have two children, Daniel. So, if you have plans of ruining their marriage, please think of those two innocent children who would be gravely affected. Mia might not be behaving as a good friend to me right now like she is a good wife and a good mother,” she responded.

“You were the one maligned, and here you are, not even having any ounce of grudge towards her,” he commented, still disappointed that she was so kind when Mia had clearly put her in a bad light regarding her departure from Futuriste.

She replied, “No one is perfect, Daniel. I know you were hurt by what Mia had done running away like that with Chard more than three years ago from the wedding. You should let go of all the anger in your heart. Go out on those dates that your parents are setting up. Move forward without all those negative vibes.”

“I have already moved forward, Leila. Whether you believe it or not, I have no intention of taking revenge for what Mia and Richard did in the past. Also, I do not have to date those ladies my Mom has planned on setting me up because I think I already found interest in one specific woman,” he replied.

“Nice to know that,” she removed her hand from his touch. She felt uneasy with his intent gaze at her.

He unbuckled her seat belt. Their nearness had made her feel uneasy.

In her mind – Why am I feeling uneasy? My heart is even beating so fast. Oh God! Please do not let me be attracted to Daniel. I do not want to have problems with Mia. She might think I want to get even with her by being with her ex-fiance. He does not seem to be lying when he said that he has already moved forward. He was just angry that I let Mia malign me. But why? Is he interested with me? I do not think so. He is just a perfect gentleman. There is no reason that he might be interested with me romantically. We are from different social strata. We just get along because we are both in the building profession. We both do designs. I do more of the interior while you do more on the overall structure and exterior.

Daniel then went out of the car and rushed to the other side to open up the door for her. He walked with her up to the main door of the main house. There were two houses in the Perez Residential Compound. The main house was where she lived with her aunt, her Kuya Angelo and his family. The other house was where her Kuya JR and his family lived.

He handed her his debit card and the keys to his house. “I had already disabled the computerized electronic lock system of the gate and the main door. Use the keys.”

“Okay,” she replied. “Good night.”

“Good night,” he uttered, and then walked away.

Meanwhile, Richard and Mia quarreled while on their way home in their SUV.

Richard asked his wife, "Why did you fire Leila, Mia?"

Mia's response was, "We have different points of view about the design for one project. She won't change it based on my suggestions. She keeps on insisting that it was what the client wanted. But you see, we cannot just always follow what the client wants if their preferences are not workable. She can be stubborn at times. Do you know that?"

Richard said, "But then you are supposed to include the client's design preferences. They are paying for your services anyway."

Mia felt that her husband was siding with Leila, "You are siding with her again!"

Richard denied it, "I am not siding with her, honey. But she also has a point. You should not have resorted to firing her," and then asked, "Does your Mom even know that you fired Leila?"

Mia's answer was, "I am already the CEO of Futuriste. I will fire whomever I want to fire! You see her. She has already got an interior design client. And her first client as a freelance interior designer is even my ex. She is really infuriating me!"

Richard said, "So what if her client is your ex? You heard Daniel. He hired Leila to decorate his house. Leila is not an employee of Futuriste anymore because you fired her. She has every right to accept any client as a freelance interior designer. She is good at what she does. You should not have fired her."

Mia responded, very much irritated, "Just mind your own business, honey. Futuriste is my domain, so I will do whatever I want with it."