THE ILLEGITIMATE DAUGHTER

CHAPTER 4: Did he arrange your marriage?

Aivi accompanied Lolo Dominico and Lola Fatima when they paid their last respects to Chairman Thomas Muñoz. So she got to see Theo again, as well as his sister and his girlfriend. So she felt a little disappointed since she had a crush on the Chairman’s grandson ever since they met. She knew they would not end up together anyway. Still, he had been part of her daydream and was also some sort of her inspiration to strive harder to reach for her dreams. She naturally admired smart people in general, especially if they displayed modesty about their intellect. That was how she saw Lola Fatima, Lolo Dominico, their son, their grandsons, Chairman Thomas Muñoz and his grandson.

Tessa immediately asked her brother upon seeing the Vernal Patriarch and Matriarch approaching the coffin with a very pretty young lady, “Who is that lady with the Vernals?”

Theo replied, “She is the young lady that Lolo talked about before. I will approach them now and attend to them. Then, please attend to the others.”

Tessa agreed, “Okay.”

It was already nighttime and Theo was having a rest in a room for family members behind the funeral chapel when his girlfriend, Kelly Anderson, approached and said, “I heard that the young lady that your grandfather was so fond of attended the wake with the Vernal Patriarch and Matriarch. Did he actually arrange your marriage with that b***h with the Vernals before he passed away? You already proposed to me, Theo. We already have plans to get married after I finish my MBA.”

Theo somehow got irritated, “Where did you even get the idea that Lola arranged for my marriage?”

Kelly responded, “Well, I have never felt that he has approved of me. But whenever he met that b***h by chance, he could help but talk about her all the time. You even agreed with him that she is very pretty.”

Theo reacted, “Because she is indeed pretty. What is wrong about it? I have no time for your petty jealousy, Kelly. Please try to respect my grandfather. He was merely impressed with the modesty and appreciativeness of that lady, which is not very common among young people nowadays, especially Gen Z. Most of them have a short attention span and are somehow addicted to technology. But whenever he met this lady, she was not using her smartphone or even had ear pods on her ears. She had been focused on her tasks at hand. Lolo also thinks that she is an old soul, older and wise than her current age reflects. And there is no arranged marriage. So please just stop and let me rest, even for just a while.”

After the interment, Theo Henri Muñoz indeed took over as the Chairman and CEO of W & M Corporation. And with the distance between him and his girlfriend while he was managing and expanding the business empire that he inherited and Kelly was finishing her MBA, they had grown apart and decided to go on separate ways. The separation was not that amicable.

Theo then just focused on his work and didn’t get into any new relationships. The country had also been affected by the volcanic eruption as well as the global pandemic. Thus, he devoted the majority of his time to how to retain the stability of the corporation despite the challenges. With their corporation having W & M Organic Farms, W & M Superstores, and W & M Express, their corporation’s revenues from those three subsidiary companies were still high. But W & M Investment, which he established during his first year as a Chairman, definitely took a stand still during that time of global crisis where the industries that usually thrived included food manufacturing, groceries/supermarkets, telecommunications/internet service, delivery services, among others.

So for the time being, while the rest of the world was affected by the global pandemic, W & M Investments’ five-person executive and subordinates team had been temporarily delegated to work under him as a special committee on crisis management along with the three other executives of the three subsidiaries.

On the other hand, life during the pandemic had also not been that good for Aivi. She and Shayne had to attend online classes for the rest of the year 2020. She also lost another loved one to death, her godfather’s mother. And his godfather was also in the midst of all the chaos of the pandemic, being a front-line health care professional. She felt very anxious about him every day.

Although they were still able to go out, they were not able to go out of the city because of travel protocols where citizens had been encouraged not to travel outside their cities. They also had to follow all the protocols that had been set. Even their library visits had to be scheduled in a way that social distancing would be observed strictly.

By December 2020, Aivi had also finished her degree in BS Psychology with the Latin Honor – Magna c*m Laude while Shayne still had another term to complete her degree in BS Fashion Design & Merchandising.

Her thoughts after her graduation were – Lola’s financial conservatorship had come to an end already. I am already on my own. I need to land a job right away so I can still continue with my dream of becoming a lawyer. I have already submitted all the documentary requirements and I also took the law aptitude examination at SBU College of Law. Whether I qualify or not, I also have to prepare for the Licensure Examination for Psychometricians in August. I would have leverage on any job application that way. There is also not much hiring since the pandemic is not over yet. And if they are hiring, they are not that appropriate to my degree.

Then, right after her graduation, her godfather, Dr. Manuel Ho had already succumbed to death after contacting the virus. Her Christmas and New Year were not happy at all. Shayne was already able to go home to Beaunne City to spend the holidays with her family, while she just opted to stay at home to look for job hiring online and submit her application and other credentials.

January 1, 2021. Friday. She was already preparing to leave the Vernal Estate that morning after celebrating the New Year’s Eve countdown with the Vernals when Lola Fatima requested her to come to the study room.

Lolo Dominico was also in the study room as she entered it.

After taking a seat opposite them in the sitting area of the study room, Lola Fatima asked her, “So what is your plan now? You are already done with your degree, and I am no longer your financial conservator.”

She answered, “I want to work right away since I am still waiting to see whether I qualify to SBU College of Law or not. I have already passed several applications to different companies here in Balsemea through their online portal. Although some companies do not have hiring already, they have already encouraged fresh graduates to fill out the application form and submit screenshots of their credentials. I also planned to prepare for the licensure examination for psychometricians scheduled for August whether I qualify to take a JD program or not. I intend to work while still pursuing further studies, whether in law or post-graduate psychology. If I don’t qualify for the JD program, then I intend to pursue an MS in Psychology and major in Industrial Organizational Psychology.”

Lolo Dominico said, “But you didn’t submit your application to Vernal Equity Firm. You can work as Damien’s assistant for a while since you plan on being a corporate lawyer if you qualify to take a JD program.”

Aivi expressed honestly, “As much as possible, I don’t want to be employed in any businesses of the Vernals, Lolo. I don’t want the other employees thinking that I only got the job because I was once Lola’s ward.”

Lola Fatima then made a proposition, “Then let us have a deal. You still continue working at my OPC just like you always do during your school break while waiting for other companies to call you for screening and interview. My property manager speaks highly of you because you are a fast learner, hardworking, and reliable. If you qualify for SBU’s JD degree program, then you can still continue working and prepare for the licensure examination for psychometricians. If you are capable of taking the fast track two-year JD program, taking the weekdays’ night classes as well as their whole day Saturday class, then take that route. But if, during the first term, you found it difficult, then you can reduce your academic load by the second term and just continue on with the three-year JD program route.”

She agreed, “Okay, Lola.”

Lola Fatima said, “Then I will tell my property manager that you will resume your position again by Monday.”

When she had already left the Vernal couple still continued talking about her.

Lolo Dominico asked his wife, “Do you think she will qualify for the JD program of SBU? She only applied there because of the ongoing limitations of the pandemic. She even said that it would be less fuel expense for her if she will pursue further studies in SBU rather than at other universities.”

Lola Fatima answered, “Well, Damien and Duncan gave her some pointers. They also gave her all their LAE review materials. She graduated as Magna c*m Laude, so it is most likely that she will qualify. After all, our genes are running through her veins.”

Lolo Dominico concurred, “You are right. She was even able to beat Damien in Go for the first time last night. She is very smart.”

Lolo Fatima teased her husband, “And you are one secretly proud grandfather for having her as a granddaughter!”

Lolo Dominico admitted, “Of course! But my stand about not telling her and Nick the truth remains the same. It will complicate both their lives. She might also stray away from us. We have arranged for her future anyway, once we are both gone in this world already. For now, we should just support her with all of her career plans.”

Lola Fatima then changed the topic, “Well, speaking of Damien, Celeste is already trying to set him up for a blind date with Rosie Abellana. Her parents are good people, but I don’t like that young lady for our grandson. She is too entitled. She does not even work like Daphne. I also don’t like how Celeste raised our granddaughter. She is becoming more and more impertinent as she gets older. She is not even doing well with her work at the firm. If we try to interfere then, Celeste’s face will definitely turn sour.”

Lolo Dominico said, “She is our son’s choice for a wife, and they are doing well. So, even if we don’t like some of her traits, we should just be mum so we could all just live harmoniously."

January 4, 2021. Monday. Aivi was already at the office of Legarda Rental Properties when her classmate-friend, Beverly Rosas, who also wanted to qualify for SBU’s JD program, messaged her up near lunchtime to tell her that the results had been announced to be out by 1 PM.

After reading that message, Lolo Dominico and Lola Fatima arrived at the office.

Lolo Dominico said, “Pack up now, Aivi. We will go out for lunch. We need to celebrate.”

She was a little confused, “Celebrate?! Why? Did you win over Lola in mahjong again, Lolo?!”

Lolo Dominico laughed, “Silly girl! You qualified for the JD program. We already confirmed it from the Dean of College of Law since we are both professor emeritus there. The Dean even said that you topped the LAE.”

She was surprised, “Really?! No kidding?!”

Lola Fatima said, “We even personally got your admission letter. Here, read it so you will know we are not kidding.”

She yelled with so much joy upon reading that it was indeed real. Then she hugged the couple who had been so good to her and treated her like a real granddaughter.

So they left and had lunch at the favorite Filipino fine dining restaurant of the couple, called Ilustrados.

Theo was also there for a business meeting. But he did not notice them at first, since they were all wearing face masks. But when he heard their voices from the adjacent private dining room, he realized that they were the ones in the next private dining room.

His thoughts were – No wonder their eyes were similar. But she is already wearing eyeglasses. And she cut her wavy locks short. LAE? What is that? They are talking about her taking a JD program at SBU. It seems that she passed the Law Aptitude Examination of SBU College of Law. Brandon had his two-year accelerated JD program there. Then Lolo also sent him to study in Harvard for his LL.M. where he specialized in business organization and finance. The Vernal Couple also had their LL.M. there. The patriarch specialized in constitutional law, while the matriarch specialized in human rights. Their son and two grandsons are all lawyers too. Damien took his LL.M. at Harvard too. Now, Duncan is also there. Then here they are, turning their ward into a lawyer too. She must be very smart. Wait. She topped the LAE. She is definitely very smart. No wonder Lolo was quite impressed with her. Abel even said that a month before Lolo’s death, he joined her on the picnic mat that she set in front of the tombstones of her loved ones, and they talked for more or less two hours. They even laughed together while sharing the snacks that she brought with her. So she is not just simply a pretty face. She is also intelligent and with a very pleasing personality.

After lunch, Aivi had already gone to SBU College of Law to process her admission and enrollment. She had just decided on a half-day's work, and it was approved by her immediate supervisor, who was the Chief Property Manager.

The Dean of SBU College of Education was already aware that she wished to work while trying to take the two-year accelerated JD program. Her request was conditionally approved. If she still performed well and didn’t find it too taxing on her health, then she could continue.

Beverly was already there. She also qualified and processed her admission nd enrollment as well.

Her classmate also congratulated her, “Congratulations, Aivi. You nailed psychology, graduating as Magna c*m Laude. Now you even topped the LAE.”

She modestly replied, “I just studied hard for it. The Vernal brothers also gave me some pointers and gave me all the LAE review materials. I even lent them to you, remember. Soon, they would also give me their school notes and books. We can be study partners again just like in the old times.”

Beverly acknowledged, “Thanks. I would not say no to that,” and then recalled, “But you said you would be working right after graduation. Yet you enrolled in the two-year accelerated JD program.”

She admitted, “Yeah. I am back working for Legarda Rental Properties. I need to work to replenish the education fund that Mama saved for me. Lola also agreed that if I ever had a call for screening and interview with the other companies where I passed my job application and credentials, then, she wouldn’t stop me if I decided to work for another company. Lolo even suggested that I work as Kuya Damien’s assistant. But you are aware how mean Daphne is towards me. So, as much as possible, I don’t want to work in the establishments owned by the Vernals. But I wasn’t able to say no to Lola when she made the proposition for me to continue working first at her OPC, while still waiting to be hired for the job that is more related to the degree that I finished. Anyway, I have worked there already every school break and the Chief Property Manager as well as the other employees are all very kind to me. Plus, I also need the money and the work experience. Daphne also does not come there since her work is at Vernal Equity Firm.”

Beverly affirmed, “Yeah, she is indeed very mean to you. But I think she is just envious of you, since you get to live independently in your own home and drive your own car without any parental supervision. Then you even performed better than her in school.”

She reasoned out, “But I only get to live that life because Mama died. If not, then I would still live there with her. Mama and I will also alternate driving that car,” and then asked her friend, “How about you? Are you just fine working for your parents?”

Beverly said, “Yeah, I am. I have been doing it for a long time anyway. Plus, I also get to assist Tatay in his small accounting/law office and notary. I also tried to submit my job application through the online portal of several companies here in the city for any entry position suited to our degree program. But up to now, I still have not received any email, text messages, or calls. So I just have to continue working for all of our small businesses.”

She suggested, “I understand. Anyway, you should review together for our licensure examination for psychometricians. That way, if we pass, we can have better job opportunities. We can go to my place after we finish our enrollment then check online for review centers. I scheduled my classes from Mondays to Fridays. So I might be able to attend review classes on Saturdays. Then Sunday will be my rest day.”

Beverly agreed, “Yeah. Let us do that. But we should stop by at our small restaurant first. The dinner is on me. Don’t cook anymore.”

She smiled and acknowledged, “Okay. But we should also celebrate. So let me buy our drinks. You can stay overnight again. So what drinks do you want?”

Beverly said, “Just had those mocktails that you learned to make from the chef of the Vernals.”

She responded, “Then we can have virgin margaritas, chai blossoms, mojitos, or mango-lime pritzer.”

They were already in the parking lot about to ride Aivi’s car when Shayne video-called her. They proceeded to travel, and then she put her phone in its holder and put the call on speakers.

Shayne immediately said – Mama said that you topped the LAE according to Lola Fatima. So I came back early. We need to celebrate.

Aivi smiled and replied – Yes, I passed and so is Bev. She will celebrate with us and stay for the night. We will just drop by their restaurant to get some takeout for dinner and also buy some ingredients for the mocktails.

Beverly then noticed her brand-new iPhone and asked, “Is that iPhone 13, Aivi?!”