THE SECRET HEIRESS

Ricarte Group of Companies Headquarters Sourisse City, Missi June 2, 2017 Friday   It was immediately after the lunch break, when the head of the accounting department went to the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ricarte Group of Companies (RGC). She was led inside by the COO’s executive secretary, Donald Ferrer. Alaric Ricarte, the COO spoke as the accounting department head sat down upon his gesture, “Have you already decided on an employee to nominate for the scholarship grant abroad?” The female department head had replied with great pride, “The only one qualified in my department for that scholarship program is Megan Garcia, sir. She is very smart, diligent, dependable and well-mannered. But sad to say she is still undecided to have her name included in the nominations due to some family issues.” Alaric seemed to have recalled the name, Megan Garcia. She used to be an intern on his office right years ago, “Yeah, I kind of recall her. She worked under me as an intern just when I returned from USA from my studies years ago. How long has she been employed in the company?” The department head answered, “More than three years already, sir. Right after her graduation, she took first the CPA board examination and when she passed, she applied for the vacancy at the accounting department.” Alaric then surmised, “Do you have another nominee from your department if Miss Garcia decided to decline your recommendation?” Lourdes Capili replied, “I guess none, sir. Although all my staff are quite good, Meg stands out. Compared to the nominees from the other departments, only Megan is at par with them. The department head just left his office when it started to drizzle outside. For Alaric, the drizzle could only mean two things, a good news or a bad news. Suddenly, the telephone line on his office table rang with the caller ID indicating that it was a call from the Office of the Chief Executive Officer. His father, Antonio Ricarte, is the current CEO of RGC. His father just had a talked from Manuel Siazon, the CEO of Siazon Constructions Company. Through Antonio Ricarte's mother, Manuel was a distant cousin with their great grandparents being first-degree cousins.  They had agreed to set up Madeline, Manuel’s retired prima ballerina daughter, on a date with Alaric. If things worked out well for the two then they could announce the wedding engagement of Alaric to Madeline on the former’s 30th birthday party. Alaric hesitantly answered the telephone call. He felt that it could be another set up date that he had to attend. “Yes, Dad.” Daddy Antonio stated, “Meet Madeline Siazon tonight at 7 PM in the same venue. I already made the reservation.” Alaric knew Madeline. They had been playmates when they were younger. Upon his return from his studies abroad, they had met quite a few times on several social gatherings. Madeline is definitely a beautiful lady. The problem is she has this prima-donna attitude which he really did not like. But as a dutiful son, he responded, “Okay, Dad.” After his telephone conversation with his father, he immediately called in Donald. As Donald entered, Alaric had inquired, “Do I have any schedule at 7 PM tonight, Donald?” Donald answered, “Aside from your usual overtime work, you got none, boss.” Alaric asked, “What about the fake girlfriend I am asking you to hire? Have you already found someone? These setup dates are really frustrating me so much already.” Donald responded scratching his head, “You got so high standards, boss. So up to now, the ones who responded on our advertisement for special assistant haven’t even passed the initial screening.” Alaric then imparted, “Dad has scheduled another setup dinner date. How I wish I could have a valid excuse not to come!” Donald shared, “The CEO called a while ago asking for your schedule. I told him that we’ll be working overtime reviewing the advertisement proposals for the Monarch Supermarkets.” Alaric stated, “For my father, my overtime work doesn’t count as a valid excuse not to attend a setup date.” Donald then asked, “Have you not  found yet anyone among those heiresses someone you like, boss? These setup dates have been going on since you return from your studies abroad.” Alaric casually said, “You said it already. I got high standards. All those heiresses are rich, beautiful, and educated. But they all lack one thing.” Donald inquired, “What is it that they lack, boss?” Alaric responded stoically, “They all lack a compassionate heart. All of them are overindulged and conceited including the one that I have to meet tonight.” Then he reverted their topic to work, “Anyway, I want you to save all the soft copies of the files of the scholarship nominee from the accounting department on my tablet. Her name is Megan Garcia.” As 7 pm neared, Alaric prepared for his dinner date, and the later on boarded the exclusive elevator for the top executives, shareholders, directors, and VVIP & VIP guests. The venue of the date is just a few minutes ride from the RGC Headquarters. The setup dates had been going on for years and he would always do things so that the heiress would feel turned off towards him. He usually followed everything his elders wanted for him being the first-born son except for this. He did not want his elders to have a control over the lady he had to marry. Meanwhile, Megan Garcia was working overtime with her colleagues at the accounting department. They were finishing up reports needed by the office of the COO for the following Monday. Suddenly, she received an emergency call from her mother regarding her grandmother, who would have an emergency surgery in Absedaire Medical Center.  Absedaire City is another city in the State of Missi, north of Sourisse City. The medical case of her grandmother was referred to Dr. Gabriel Altamonte, the famous genius billionaire cardiothoracic surgeon, for a pro-bono case.  Megan’s family owned a small restaurant near the coastline of Reoul City in the State of Ramad. Her health card from RGC would not be able to cover for the hospitalization bills of her grandmother. Parents and minor siblings were the only ones allowed to be beneficiaries. She already filed all the possible loans the company offered to cover for the previous medication and hospitalization expenses of her grandmother. That evening her grandmother, Luisa Castro, was transported via helicopter along with her mother. So she immediately asked for an early departure from her strict but kind-hearted department head. She also informed her immediate supervisor that she wouldn’t be able to work overtime the following day. She immediately boarded the elevator beside the exclusive elevator for the top executives, shareholders, directors, and VVIP & VIP guests. With Megan’s old smartphone by her ear and not looking to the direction to where she was headed, she suddenly bumped into a man wearing a designer navy suit, an expensive wrist watch, and designer leather brown shoes. Her large black-rimmed eyeglasses and smartphone had flown away while her messy hair bun was undone from the impact. Alaric was able to see a divine beauty with the lady who bumped into him. She looked familiar. She used to work as an intern in his office when he just returned from his studies in abroad. She looked way much beautiful with her eyeglasses removed, and with her hair freely cascading by her shoulders. Her face was flawless but a little dry. Her lips were natural pink but a little dry as well. She wore a green knitted jumper, a white skinny slacks, and an old brown flat suede boots with an ecru tote bag. To Megan’s shock, she had bumped into the notorious COO known for his foul temper. She used to work for him as an intern. He was strict and only wanted the best from his subordinates. The COO reached for her eyeglasses and already screen broken smartphone, and handed them to her. She immediately apologized, “Oh, sir! I am really very sorry. I was not looking…” After looking at her ID card to confirm if she really was that intern, Alaric cut her explanation short. He had heard her speak regarding hospital and tight financial situation, “Yeah, I know, Miss Garcia.” Then he asked, “Who is in the hospital?” Surprisingly and reluctantly she replied, “M-my grandmother, sir. She, along with my mother, had just been transported to Absedaire Medical Center for an emergency coronary angioplasty.” She could not believe that the notorious COO had asked about her grandmother thoughtfully. In the past, when she worked for him as an inter, he had always talked in a formal businesslike manner. Alaric took such opportunity to abandon his date. The female employee she bumped into seemed to be a perfect candidate to be his fake girlfriend. He said, “I will go with you. My secretary is already waiting by the driveway.” She was still taken aback but she dared not question the COO. “Okay, sir.” She had just followed him. He did not seem to be in a foul mood even if she had bumped into him. He was very calm and collected towards her. Even in the past, when she worked for him as an intern, she never experienced his foul temper. But she was thinking  –   Why will he go with me? Why concern himself with my family matters? Did he hear her conversation with her mother? As they were seated by the backseat of his BMW 5-Series Baron Mediterranean blue sedan car, he spoke, “Absedaire Medical Center, Donald.” Donald dared not to question his boss for the sudden change to their destination, “Okay, boss.” He somehow felt that his boss already found a valid excuse to abandon his setup dinner date. Alaric then talked to the lady beside him. At first, he asked for confirmation, “So your grandmother will have an emergency coronary angioplasty?  “Yes, sir,” the lady confirmed. She assumed that the COO might have overheard her phone conversation with her mother. He stated, “The health card our company provides can only extend to the medical expenses of your parents and minor siblings,” and then asked, “How will you be able to pay for the medical expenses of your grandmother then?” Still a little anxious, she responded calmly and honestly, “The doctor from the government hospital in Reoul City, where my grandmother was admitted, referred her to Dr. Gabriel Altamonte. According to my mother, the doctor will operate on my grandmother for free. So I just need to pay for the other fees.” “I know Gabriel Altamonte. He also operated on my grandfather in the past. The other fees at AMC might cost you dearly. Your department head had nominated you for the scholarship program so I happened to review all your company information. You are in a tight financial situation. So, let the foundation help you out. You are an RGC employee so you are our responsibility,” he imparted then told his secretary, “Donald, contact the foundation regarding this matter.” Donald acknowledged it, “Noted, boss.” “Thank you very much, sir,” she expressed feeling so much relieved. At the hospital, Megan did the customary putting of her forehead on the back of the palm of her mother’s right hand (pagmamano) and introduced the COO and his secretary to her mother. Seeing that her mother was looking so haggard and might fall down any minute, Megan told her to come home to her apartment, “Nay, it seems that you have not slept much. Please take some rest in my apartment. I will take care of everything here and I will notify you with updates.” Her mother agreed, “Okay.” Alaric instructed Donald, “Donald, please drive her mother home. Then return after doing some errands for me. I will message you with the list.” Donald responded, "Yes, boss." When Donald and Megan's mother had already left, Alaric excused himself from Megan Garcia, and talked to Gabriel privately. He told Gabriel that he’s the granddaughter’s boyfriend and he would want the best health care for her grandmother. After sending Megan’s mother home, Donald did the errands his boss wanted him to do before returning to the hospital. Donald checked the database of the company as to the extent of the financial situation of Megan Garcia. His boss wanted to know if she would still be able to file a loan. He double-checked everything but it was not possible. She already filed all the possible loans available in the company. The only left for her take-home pay was the cost of living allowance and overtime pay. Donald also inquired for the medical assistance program of Ricarte Foundation Incorporated (RFI). Donald then talked to his boss privately over the phone regarding the first two errands while he was driving on his way to do the third errand, “Boss, she had already filed all the possible loans available in the company. She did not receive much from her last salary because of all the deductions. She is merely left with the cost of living allowance provided by the company plus her overtime pay. Then, the existing medical assistance provided by Dr. Altamonte might not qualify her application for medical assistance at Ricarte Foundation.” Alaric responded regarding the issue with the foundation, “I know. That is why I already told Gabriel that I will pay for everything. Still, please secure an application form for her at the foundation. If the foundation does not approve of it then I will pay all the medical expenses of her grandmother. She is the answer to my problem, Donald. Prepare the files for ‘Operation Special Assistant’ and have them saved on the new tablet.” Donald already guessed what his boss was thinking, then told him, “Yes, boss. I am now on my way to the mall to get the new smartphone and tablet you want for her.” Alaric replied. “Okay. Bye.” Alaric knew that their company only hired the bests. So he knew that Megan’s educational information would be impressive. As he checked all her files later that afternoon, he was definitely not disappointed. Megan Garcia graduated Magna c*m Laude at University of Filipinas – Vienburg for her degree in business management and accountancy. She was also Top 8 in her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam.  She had her internship at RGC but she only applied for a job in RGC after earning her CPA license. Her father, Gavin Garcia, a college graduate, was already deceased. Her mother, Maia Castro, also a college graduate, was a restaurant owner. She had no siblings. When her grandmother had already been wheeled inside the operating room, Alaric invited her at the hospital cafeteria and insisted that she ate. They ate together. After the meal, he told her, “Donald already made inquiries at the foundation regarding the medical assistance you can apply for. He might already have the application form tomorrow.” She felt at ease sharing to him, “Thanks, sir. I really appreciate it. I could have personally borrowed money from my work colleagues to cover up for the other hospital expenses.” He informed her, “With your high-paying job at RGC, Gabriel can only waive his fee. He is not aware of your current financial situation. I already talk to Gabriel and the management. They will provide the best possible care for your Lola.” She vented out, “Lola had been in and out of the hospital for years. My mother supports their day-to-day expenses. My father died after my college graduation. So I have been supporting all the medication and hospitalization expenses of my grandmother since then,” then voiced out her worry, “The medical assistance from the foundation might take some time.” He assured her, “I am your guarantor. So I will pay for everything while your application for medical assistance is on-going. They would provide your grandmother with the best possible health care.” “Thank you very much, sir,” she expressed her utmost gratitude. He asked, "How do you plan to pay for the hospital bills? Who are the colleagues you are referring to that are willing to lend you money?" She said, "Ma'am Lou, my boss, might be of help. I have not borrowed any money from my colleagues before but for my grandmother, I am willing to try it. She and Nanay are all I have. We do not have much relatives who can help out." He imparted, "Miss Lourdes Capili speaks highly of you as a person and as an employee. She recommended you for the scholarship grant even if you have not accepted it yet. You seem close to her to the point of thinking of her as your first option in borrowing money." She shared, "Ma'am Lou is a very kind supervisor, sir. She is very strict yet very kind-hearted. She's a very good work mentor." He said, "You're lucky to have such a boss then. But other hospital expenses here at AMC are too dear. You might need more person to borrow money from." She then shared, "If borrowing money will still not be enough then,  I might have pawned our house and lot in Reoul," then she said, "So I am really thankful to you, sir.  I just worked under you for two weeks as an intern years ago but you took some time off your busy schedule just to accompany me here and offer me your help. You are an angel sent from heaven. How could I ever repay you for your kindness?” He did not like the idea of taking advantage of someone, especially a kind-hearted young lady. But he was already desperate. The setup dates should already stop. He already had enough of those brattish heiresses. He did not like hearing of their senseless chatter anymore. He needed a fake girlfriend even for just a few months. Megan was a perfect fit for such. He already knew her to be a responsible employee. As he recalled, she had performed exceptionally well. She was able to do all the tasks he assigned to her. She had never ever experienced his foul temper. She is very smart and she is also pretty. Just a few minor changes on her looks and way of clothing, she would be a very suitable girlfriend.  Thus, he took such opportunity, “There is one favor that you can do for me if you really want to pay me back.” She was curious, “What is it, sir?”