THE SECRET HEIRESS

CHAPTER 5: The Ricartes

Garry, Alaric’s other driver/bodyguard drove for them using Alaric’s blue luxury SUV, a Volvo XC90.

While they were seated at the backseat of his SUV, Alaric could not help but notice how anxious Megan was.

He tried to reach for her left hand with his right hand. Such had made her looked into his eyes. So he mouthed a soft reassurance, “Everything will be fine. Do not be too anxious.”

She gave him a sweet smile and just let him hold her hand. She was able to calm down a bit with their hands joined together.

Her smile was contagious and so all he could do was to smile back at her.

Garry was surprised upon seeing his boss smile for the very first time. He was already kind of used to his poker face. Seeing his boss smile was kind of a breath of fresh air.

Alaric tried to start a conversation to lessen Megan’s anxiety.

He informed Megan, “This village was the first housing development in the country which was established by my great grandfather Alfonso Ricarte in the early 1960s.”

She said, “I see. I think it is established already as an independent barangay.”

He confirmed it, “Yeah, exactly in 1971.”

She added, “A lot of prominent politicians, businessmen and celebrities reside in this community, right?”

He affirmed, “Yes, that is right. Most of them preferred living here due to the strict security rules. Outsiders like media entities could not enter right away if they do not have an approved electronic pass.”

She commented, “That is nice. Their privacy is really taken care of.”

He then told her, “Your privacy might be jeopardized once our relationship came out into the open.”

She acknowledged it, “Yeah, but we have to reveal it so your elders would stop matching you to every heiress in the country.”

Such directness in her words had made him smile. To others, it could appear that she was staking her claim on him. He did the right move choosing her to be his fake girlfriend.

As the vehicle entered the gated ancestral mansion of Alaric’s family, Megan felt anxious again.

Alaric already released her hand to open the car door on his side while Garry rushed to the other side to open up the car door for Megan.

Alaric extended his right hand to Megan for support as she stepped down from the SUV. 

All the household employees had lined up at the front porch leading to the main door of the mansion.

Such gesture had really surprised Alaric. Such was only given to very important family relatives or guests. He felt a little anxious. Did his elders have a background check on Megan? What did they find out to warrant such grand gesture for her arrival?

Dressed in a turquoise ¾ sleeve midi cloched lace dress from JADE, and matching cream clutch purse and low heel full shoes from QANZ, Megan fidgeted. Alaric looked at her, offered his arm, and encouraged her to hold on to him by just his eye movement. 

Arm in arm, they walked in. Megan’s hand was very cold. He knew she really felt so nervous.

When they entered the living room, his grandparents, parents, brother, sister, and paternal aunts, uncles-in-law, cousins were all present to welcome them.

He made a casual introduction, “Meg, they are my paternal family. Everyone, she is Megan Garcia, my girlfriend.”

“It is my great honor and pleasure to meet all of you,” Megan said and bowed her head.

Alaric did the customary pagmamano to his elders so Megan did the same. Specific introductions had been made.

Alaric added, “Meg brought some flowers and gifts.” Garry had given the flowers and the gifts to the elders and then exited.

Megan added, “I was not able to prepare much,” she stammered a bit mentioning his nickname, “R-ric informed me of this lunch just this morning. So please forgive me.”

Lola Camila was not able to contain her excitement already, exclaiming, “It is really her, Augusto! She looks like her.” His grandmother even approached her to inspect her heart shape stud earrings, heart locket pendant as well as the promise rings. “This is the locket Mateo gave Luisa. This pair of earrings was my birthday present to her. And the rings they are both wearing now were their promise rings. You look exactly like your Lola, hija except for your nose, which you got from your Lolo.”

Alaric felt confused but answered for Megan, who was speechless, “You know Meg’s grandparents, Lola.”

Lolo Augusto spoke out, “Of course, we do. Your girlfriend is Luisa Castro’s granddaughter from her daughter with Mateo Siazon.”

Alaric was surprised. He was not able to check on the surname of her grandmother. All the while, he thought that Lola Luisa was her father’s mother. “Is she the Luisa Castro you and Lola have been looking for all these years, Lolo?! The owner of the three percent shares of RGC?!”

Megan was still taken aback but managed to speak, “Yes, my maternal grandmother is Luisa Castro. Mateo is the first name of my grandfather but I do not know his last name. I knew that my grandparents were not together. Lolo died even before my mother was born. Lola went far away to hide so as to keep my mother safe from his family. Are you sure my grandmother owns three percent shares of RGC.”

Lolo Augusto confirmed, “That is true! Luisa was under our protection back then after your grandfather, Mateo Siazon, died. But Luisa opted to run away and hide. She had never contacted us ever since. Now, fate has lead you to us. We would want to visit her at the hospital after lunch.”

After all the pleasantries, they all decided to have lunch. Alaric removed his jacket and secretly signaled Ashley to shop more for Megan. Ashley just gave him a thumbs up which means that everything was taken care of already. Alaric also sent a message to Donald regarding the immediate processing of Megan’s resignation at RGC.

He did not expect that Megan would be so much loved by his family. He also did not expect her to be the granddaughter of the woman who had helped his grandfather maintained the major stakes in their company for almost fifty years. But he had no regrets. He really liked her and the possibility of marrying her was quite acceptable to him.

Alaric’s family asked so many question over the lunch.

Mommy Eloisa asked, “How did the two of you meet?”

Alaric answered, “Years ago, she had worked as a management trainee in my office for two weeks and another two weeks at the accounting department during her college internship.” Such was true then he continued with the lie, “I already found her very attractive back then but I did not court her,” then another truth, “After her internship, we met again when she applied for the vacancy at the accounting department after earning her CPA license,” followed by a lie again, "I still did not court her immediately. I was then too busy with all my duties and responsibilities as the new COO. It was only last year sometime in March that I started pursuing her. She only agreed to date me secretly by mid-May last year.”

Daddy Antonio reacted, “We might have known her sooner if you did not keep your relationship with her from us.”

Alaric reasoned out, “We are both unsure if you will approve of our relationship so we keep it a secret. She also did not like too much attention. She values her privacy so much.”

Such excuse Alaric had made up was true for Megan. She somehow felt that Alaric seemed to know her very well already.

Andrew, Alaric’s younger brother by two years, said jokingly, “I was not aware that the accounting department hides a very beautiful lady. I could have pursued her first.”

Alaric expressed, “You will not notice her. She dresses up conservatively and she used to wear those ugly black-rimmed eyeglasses. It is only now that I was able to convince her to wear contact lenses.”

His grandfather then said, “Well, with all her grandmother’s accumulated money, she could purchase as many contact lenses and eyeglasses she wants. She can perhaps undergo LASIK eye surgery to correct her vision.”

She reacted, “Such money belongs to my grandmother, Lolo. I still prefer earning my own keep.”

Daddy Antonio then said, “But you have to resign from your job and just focus on the wedding preparations, hija. Alaric is a Ricarte first-born son. His wife must undergo a training as a future RGC First Lady. Alaric can very well provide for you even if you don’t work.”

Megan pulled Alaric’s sleeve several times just to get his attention and looked at his eyes questioning him with her eyes about the wedding. Alaric was liking every bit of her reaction to his family’s words.

He liked the way she silently communicated to him so he told his father, “Dad, I still have not asked her elders’ permission regarding marriage. Her mother only knew of our relationship this morning. Her grandmother might not even be aware of such.”

Lola Camila spoke, “We will talk to them regarding the wedding engagement when we visit them later on.”

His Aunt Aurora asked, “So where are you staying, Meg?”     

Megan answered, “I am staying on a leased one-bedroom apartment unit outside the central area, Auntie.”

His Aunt Amelia followed up, “So where will your mother and your grandmother stay afterwards?”

“They would probably return home to Reoul when a month of follow up appointments are done,” Megan responded and then added, “Ric had already made some preparations on his penthouse at Monarch Tower, Auntie. He wants me and my family to have much more comfortable accommodation once Lola is discharged from the hospital.”

Emely, his Aunt Amelia’s daughter, expressed, “That is so thoughtful of you, Kuya Ric!”

Mommy Eloisa suggested, “Or you could all just stay here with us.” His mother also informed her, “Your training as a first-born son’s wife will also have to start immediately. I already have lined up so many activities for you. You would also have to attend several events as Ric’s fiancée.”

Ashley added casually, “Lola and Mommy would subject you with all those duties and responsibilities as a future First Lady of RGC, Ate Meg. So consider me as your shopping and relaxation buddy!”

Lolo Augusto then asked, “Do you know how to drive, Meg?”

Megan answered respectfully, “Yes, Lolo. My father had taught me when he was still alive. I do have a driver’s license but I only drive whenever I go home at Reoul.”

Daddy Antonio told Alaric, “Buy her a car, Ric. That way she can come here even without you, Donald, or your drivers.”

Alaric responded, “She will be using my SUV for the meantime. I already assigned Edgar to drive for her and her family around. But I will buy her a car later on.”

“Okay, have it your way,” then Lola Camila asked, “Does she already have an outfit for your birthday party this evening?”

Alaric answered, “I already asked Ash to take care of such last night.”

Ashley confirmed it, “Everything is set for pickup already.”

“Then Ashley will also help prepping her up for tonight’s event,” Mommy Eloisa acknowledged and then ordered, “Also arrange outfits for her here at the mansion so she won’t be bothered by packing and unpacking.”

Ashley added, “I already did order some and they are also ready for pickup.”

Alaric said, “Meg and Ash can do more shopping later on, Mom. I already gave Meg a cash card. She did not choose much this morning from the home shopping services of QANZ and JADE,” Alaric winked at his younger sister, “Ash, teach my girlfriend not to be thrifty.”

Ashley agreed cheerfully, “Sure, Kuya.”

Megan tugged his sleeve again signaling him to stop. Then he looked into her eyes and told her in front of his family, “You can always pay me back, babe.”

Her cheeks blushed with his use of the term of endearment, babe.

Lola Camila then asked, "Are you really this shy, Meg?"

Megan answered cheerfully, "No, Lola. I just did not expect this kind of welcome. The feeling is quite overwhelming. I never expected this much care and concern from all of you. Ric and I were even discussing this morning if you will like me or not even with my modest background."

He was really beginning to like her a lot as they progressed with their act. He liked Megan’s simplicity and light-hearted disposition. She was very different from those pretentious and brattish heiresses he met in the past.

Lolo Augusto admitted, "Consider it my fault for demanding Ric to marry a heiress. We subjected him to so many setup dates. We already heard that you still allowed her to attend to those setup dates so he will perform filial piety.  It is only now that I realized that the two of you chose to keep your relationship from us because of that."

Alaric admitted, "It is just one of the many reasons, Lolo. But honestly, we just did not like anyone pressuring us on what to do regarding our relationship. We also tried to avoid the workplace gossip. Because let us face it, such will have more impact on Meg than I am. So I have to protect her from such silly remarks that she might hear."

Daddy Antonio then stated, "But now that you already decided to reveal your relationship to us. It will only take a while for the public to know about it. We intend to announce your engagement once we had already gotten the permission of Meg's grandmother and mother."

Alaric countered, "Let us just wait for their decision before announcing anything, Dad. As much as possible, we still want to be very discrete about our relationship.  We can just let her attend my birthday party with out so much pressure."

Lola Camila decisively voiced out, "Once her grandmother and mother agreed, then we will announce your wedding engagement tonight. Then we can already do the preparations for the wedding. We are not getting any younger. We still want to see our great grandchildren from the two you."

Andrew diffused the seriousness in the atmosphere by joking, "Lola, do not pressure them too much. Meg just met us for the first time. Do not scare her away with those marriage and baby issues yet. She might run away. Kuya Ric would then be very devastated if that happens. We all did not like seeing his evil side anyway." 

Mommy Eloisa remarked, "Well, it is already decided! Once her elders consented to the marriage then their engagement will be announced this evening."

Aireen, Alaric’s cousin by Aunt Aurora then asked Megan, “Why are you not eating much, Ate Meg? Are the food not to your liking?”

Megan answered honestly, “Oh, I am not a picky eater. I eat almost all kinds of food. I just felt so overwhelmed meeting all of you. I feel so nervous, I could not seem to eat.”

Alaric reached for her right hand. It was very cold and so he gently squeezed it. In return, she looked him in the eye and then she felt calm.

Everyone in his family noticed how Alaric treats Megan so well. Their glances and other gestures were really making them feel so giddy like a teenager. They were all seeing the sweet and thoughtful side of Alaric that they had not seen much before. He was sweet and thoughtful to his family in a very different way. With Megan, it was just so awe-inspiring and enlivening. Their mutual concern for each other was just a sight to behold considering the fact that Alaric had always been so serious looking. They were happy to see Alaric smiling so often with Megan around.     

He smiled and then told her, “Trust me. They are delicious, babe.” He even forked a small cut of beef and fed her. She just smiled back and opened her mouth so Alaric could shove the beef into her mouth.

Uncle Rufus, Aurora’s husband could not help but  comment, “I did not know you could be this sweet, Ric.”

Alaric responded casually, “Meg is much more thoughtful and sweet than I am, Uncle. Meg often feeds me. She is a great cook.” He had read that cooking was one of the skills indicated on her employees’ information so he was able to make up such lie.

Uncle Thaddeus, Aunt Amelia’s husband, curiously asked, “What do you usually cook, Meg?”

Megan answered truthfully, “Almost all kinds of cuisine, Uncle. I can cook Filipino Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, French Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, and few Mediterranean, American, Korean, Thai and Japanese dishes. Seafood dishes are Ric’s favorites,” and followed it with a lie, “So, I usually cook seafood dishes for him like Seafood Salpicao, Sinigang na Sugpo, Seafood Gambas and Seafood Paella.” She had recalled that they were some of Alaric’s favorites. Good thing she knew how to cook them.

Lola Camila commented, “So, you kind of inherited Mateo’s business acumen and Luisa’ culinary brilliance.”

Megan humbly replied, “I just have a passion for cooking Lola. My Lola and my Nanay have taught me how to cook. So, I get to learned our family recipes and cooking style. As for the business aspect, I really just studied very hard so I was able to get employed at RGC. And I apply to my work almost everything that I learned from my degree.”     

Lolo Augusto added, “Nevertheless, I am looking forward tasting some of your dishes, hija. We had tasted Luisa's cooking in the past. If you've learned the family recipes and Luisa's cooking style then Ric really has the reason to brag about your cooking.”

Megan responded, “Anytime, Lolo. Just say it, and I will try my best to cook your favorites.”

Mommy Eloisa suggested, “What about cooking for the family sometime, lunch perhaps?”

It was then Alaric’s turn to pull on the sleeve of her dress, look her in the eyes, and ask her just using his eyes if she would really do it.

Everyone really felt surprised with Alaric mimicking Megan's previous action  It seemed that they really had their own way of communicating with one another. Without spoken words, they seemed to understand each other with just their eye movements and hands gestures.