MY ANGEL

CHAPTER 1: Meeting an Angel

Year 2004

Seth Andrew Villacorta was eighteen years old. He just recently came from New York for a short-term photography course. At the age of eighteen, he was already a multi-billionaire. He started to earn his first millions by the age of seven from his first art exhibit.

He was a gifted individual in the field of visual arts. His parents discovered his innate talent for painting when he was just three years old. They had supported him in his talent. They hired the best teachers to hone his gift. At the age of seven, he already had his first art exhibit.

Although he came from the rich and famous Villacorta Clan of the State of Rogan, he had made a name for himself because of his innate talent in visual arts. His parents were Don Alejandro Villacorta and Doña Elizabeth Lee – Villacorta.

The Villacorta Clan owned three small isles in Rogan, a state in the south region of the country. In those three small isles were also world-class beach resorts. The isles were called Isla Azul, Isla Verde and Isla Rojo. These three isles are part of the Municipality of Ioha, the town west of Veda City. The Villacortas also had an ancestral mansion in Veda City, the capital of Rogan.

The management company of the three isles resorts was Villacorta Lands. Its headquarters was located in Veda City. Aside from the three isles, the clan also had outstanding shares in different companies in Rogan.

Seth was not an only child. He had two siblings – an older sister, Sarah Elizabeth and a younger sister, Abigail Victoria. Eliz was three years older than him, while Avi was four years younger than him.

Seth knew that he had to take over the family’s business in the future and so he agreed to take up business administration at the School of Management of Athenaeum de Missi University located in Maunni City. He also planned to continue his MBA and PhD in Management at the same educational institution while continuing his career as an artist.

For such, he needed a personal driver/bodyguard, who had lived in the State of Missi for a long time.

He was about to start his college education in Athenaeum in a few more weeks. He had gained so much popularity all over the years. He was not only famous among art enthusiasts, art collectors and co-painters. He was also famous among young girls all over the world. He was in fact to receive a National Artist Award for the Visual Arts in a few more days.

He was very meticulous when it came to his employees. He just recently purchased a condominium penthouse in Victoria Condominiums located in Vienburg City.

Most art exhibits venues and art galleries were at Vienburg City, the capital of Missi. So his parents had helped him choose a condominium penthouse there. He needed a manservant and a driver/bodyguard. He couldn’t just rely on the servants who usually came with him and his parents whenever they had to travel from Veda City.

July 30, 2004. Friday. His temporary all around manservant, Benito, who was his grandfather’s butler just stopped the car in front of the employment agency’s building, where he was to personally interview and choose prospective employees. When he was about to enter, he saw a man reasoning out with the security guard to let him enter with his daughter. It was the little girl who caught his attention. She had this very angelic face. She was of a very light tan complexion yet her face was very angelic.

He approached the security guard and the man. The security guard knew him and greeted him

Seth then asked the security guard, “Why would you not want the man to enter with his daughter, Manong?”

The security guard answered, “Sir, children are not allowed inside.”

Seth then talked to the man, “Why did you bring your daughter with you, Manong?”

The man answered, “Sir, I had no one to leave my daughter behind but I need to come for a job interview so I brought her along. My daughter is well-behaved. She would not do anything wrong.”

Seth asked further, “What position are you applying for, Manong?”

The man answered, “Driver/bodyguard, sir.”

The employment agency officer tasked to assist Seth had already come out of the building to join them.

The employment agency officer asked Seth, “What seems to be the problem, Mr. Villacorta?”

Seth answered the employee, “There is really no problem. I just think I have already made a choice about my driver/bodyguard.”

The agency employee was surprised, “But we have not done the interview yet, Mr. Villacorta.”

Seth looked at the employee and asked, “Is he included in our list?”

The agency employee agreed, “Yes, Mr. Villacorta.”

Seth answered, “Then he is hired. Our business transaction is already done. I already had my butler yesterday and now I had already chosen my driver/bodyguard. That is all. Thank you very much for your efforts.” Seth talked to the man again. “What is your name, Manong?”

The man replied, “Herman Sandoval, sir. Thank you for hiring me, sir.”

Seth replied, “You can now go with us, Manong Herman. Manong Benito, please let him drive us back to the condominium. And don’t worry Manong Herman. Your daughter can come with us.”

After thirty minutes, they were already inside his four-bedroom condominium penthouse with a home office and a home art studio. The girl with an angelic face was provided with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.

Seth interviewed Manong Herman further, with his daughter just sitting beside him behaving properly. “Who will look after your daughter when you already start working for me, Manong?”

Manong Herman answered, “My sister usually looks after her, sir. She will be returning today from her vacation.”

Seth asked, “Where is your wife, Manong?”

Manong Herman’s reply was, “She died from giving birth, sir.”

Seth sincerely apologized, “I am very sorry to hear that, Manong. But what about your sister, does she work?”

Manong Herman’s answer was, “She works at home, sir. She washes laundry for some people near our neighborhood or sometimes does on-call housekeeping jobs.”

Seth then asked about the young girl, “What is the name of your daughter, Manong? How old is she?”

Manong Herman replied, “She is Hannah and she just turned nine a few days ago, sir.”

Seth then told the man his artistic interest in his daughter, “I want to paint her, Manong. I can just take a few pictures of her. She does not even have to pose. I am willing to pay for it.”

Manong Herman responded, “You do not have to pay, sir. But can I please know why you want to paint my daughter, sir?”

Seth answered, “I am a visual artist. She has this very innocent and angelic face. I seldom encounter a face like hers. She is your lucky charm, I may say.”

Manong Herman acknowledged it, “Yes, sir,” and bragged humbly, “She is my pride and joy. She was top of her class last school year. She will soon be at her sixth grade level when school starts this August. She would skip two grade levels because she was accelerated. So I really want to save up so she can finish a college degree in the future.”

“Then accept the p*****t that I will give for a few photos of her. I do insist, Manong Herman. Have it as an initial deposit for her own bank savings account,” Seth convinced his new driver/bodyguard.

“Okay, sir,” Manong Herman finally agreed.

Seth had managed to take photos of Hannah at different angles as he had allowed her to watch TV while eating some cookies and drinking milk.

Year 2014

May 26, 2014. Monday. Herman had transported Seth to Palmaine City (another city in Missi north of Vienburg City) to meet a friend who wanted a life-size painting of him and his wife, Ramil and Aimee Arevalo of Arevalo Group of Companies.

On their way back home to Vienburg, Seth reminded his driver/bodyguard of the favor a father had asked for his daughter. “So did you bring the papers I am asking for Hannah’s internship application, Tatay?” Seth considered his driver/bodyguard as a father figure. They were very close to an employer and an employer. He got great respect and admiration for his driver/bodyguard as a man, as a father, as a brother, and as a confidant.

“Yes, Seth,” Herman responded.

“So let me see them now so I can read them while we’re on our way, Tatay.” Seth had ordered the man calmly.

Herman extended his arm to give a transparent folder to his employer who was already the Deputy CEO of Villacorta Lands.

Seth accepted the folder and browsed through the cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcript of records, certification of good moral character and recommendation letters from Hannah’s three professors. He was impressed. The cover letter was very businesslike. The curriculum vitae was quite impressive.

Hannah still had that angelic and innocent face he had seen years ago. Her looks might have matured a little but she was still divinely pretty as an angel. She was just almost nineteen and yet she would already be earning a degree in Business Administration in Marketing from the most prestigious government university in the country, University of Filipinas in Vienburg City, by next school year.

Hannah’s transcript of records was marked mostly with 1.00 grades and only few 1.25 grades. She was of good moral character and all her three professors strongly recommended her. Seth had only thought of one person who could benefit the most from Hannah’s extraordinary qualifications.

Seth told his driver/bodyguard, “You must be so proud of her, Tatay. Hannah will be graduating already next year.”

Herman cheerfully replied, “Yes, Seth. And I really appreciate all your help through the years.”

Seth gave back the appreciation, “You are very good with your work, Tatay. We would not be together for long if I do not like the quality of work you are providing me,” and even joked, “I am stealing most of your time from Hannah so helping out in any way I can is my way of thanking Hannah for allowing me to take most of your time even if beyond our agreed upon working hours and days.”

After a few more minutes, they reached his penthouse.

Seth immediately faxed Hannah’s documents to Villacorta Lands Headquarters then phoned his older sister, Sarah Elizabeth Villacorta-Davis.

His Ate Eliz is currently the Vice President for Marketing of their family-owned business empire. She is married to Peter Davis, a half Filipino, half American marine biologist tasked with maintaining the marine ecosystem of their three isles. They have two kids.

His older sister answered, “Yes, Seth. Why did you call?”

“I’m faxing you some documents as we speak. I need to ask you this one huge favor which will definitely benefit you,” Seth had answered.

His sister was very interested, “Okay, what is it? I am all ears.”

He responded, “I want you to take in Hannah Sandoval as your personal assistant this coming summer. She needs a reputable company for her internship. Her major is marketing.”

His sister asked, “How is she related to Tatay Herman?”

Seth answered, “She is his only daughter.”

His sister had already browsed the documents he faxed. She replied, “Quite impressive. I will take her in. How about her living arrangements?”

Seth responded to the question, “I can make an arrangement for it.”

His sister then suggested, “I can have her here at my house. I will also provide her with free working clothes and a weekly personal allowance aside from the fee that she would receive as an intern. You know how much I needed a personal assistant. And on top of it, she’s a marketing major. She will be of big help to me. My chief of staff just got married and left me for good. I am finding it very difficult to find a replacement. If Hannah proves to be very capable in the real world of work, then I guess I can wait for another year and have her as my chief of staff. You are a very hard to please man and yet Tatay Herman has been working for you for so many years already. So when can Hannah start?”

“June 2 if I am not mistaken,” Seth answered. I will be going home by the end of the month. We will escort Hannah to your home then.”

That evening when Herman went home, he told his daughter the good news. “Seth had recommended you to work for his sister as her personal assistant. You’ll come with us to Rogan by the end of this month. Ma’am Eliz has already arranged for your accommodation. You’ll also be provided with working clothes and a weekly allowance aside from the fee that you will receive as an intern.”

“Your boss is really very kind, Tatay. But don’t you think we’re abusing his kindness,” Hannah replied, happy yet having some reservations.

“You needed a reputable company to have your internship. We do not have connections like your classmates. Hence, I had swallowed my pride and asked Seth this huge favor. So you better be good there,” his father responded.

“I will Tatay. I will not fail you,” Hannah replied.

May 28, 2014. Wednesday. Herman and Seth were on their way back to the penthouse from his lunch meeting in Maunni City (another city in the State of Missi, located east of Palmaine City and northeast of Vienburg City). The car was already at an intersection when a truck with loose brakes came charging upon them.

A few seconds after the impact, Seth found himself still in the back of his car. The front half of his car was severely damaged. He saw his driver/bodyguard severely wounded. He called the emergency hotline right away and rushed to the side of his driver/bodyguard, not minding his own injuries. Tatay Herman was trapped in the driver’s seat. He was still conscious but he was severely wounded.

Seth came out of the car and knelt down next to his driver/bodyguard, “Tatay, help is already coming. Please stay calm. Don’t make any unnecessary moves anymore.”

His driver/bodyguard still managed to speak, “S-seth, p-please l-look a-after m-my a-angel.”

He shushed his driver/bodyguard, who had been like a real second father to him, “Shhh…help is on the way, Tatay. We will both look after Hannah. You will still see her graduate, so please just stay calm.”

Tatay Herman still spoke, “P-promise m-me, S-seth.”

He assured his driver/bodyguard, “Yes, I promise that I will look after Hannah and Tita Carmen.”

Then Tatay Herman lost consciousness.

Seth shouted, “Nooooooooooooo…”

The paramedics had already arrived, Manong Herman was immediately attended, while Seth also received immediate attention to his wounds and other injuries.

Like a raving mad man, he begged the paramedics, “Please save him. I beg you, please. Don’t mind me. Save him first.”

Tatay Herman was safely removed from the badly ruined car. He was unconscious but still breathing. He was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital along with Seth.

Hannah was then at home already. She just came from the university campus to notify her class adviser regarding her approved internship with Villacorta Lands. She was already packing her things for her stay in Rogan for the duration of her internship. She was in the only bedroom of their small apartment which she shared with her aunt. Her father usually stayed with his boss. Whenever Tatay Herman stayed home, he slept on the long settee of the wooden living room set.

She heard the news from their TV. Her aunt was watching a noontime variety show when the flash news came.

National artist and playboy billionaire Mr. Seth Andrew Villacorta was caught in a freak accident. A truck with loose brakes came charging upon his car. His driver/bodyguard had managed to avoid much more severe impact with the truck. But the national artist sustained several wounds and sprains. As for his driver/bodyguard, Herman Sandoval, he was severely wounded and injured. He is still undergoing surgery as we speak. For the very first time, we had witnessed the national artist, Seth Villacorta, in an emotional wreck. In the video clip, you might all notice that he keeps on demanding, like a mad man, to all the paramedics, to all the ER doctors, and to all the surgeons to save his driver/bodyguard. This is one side of Seth Villacorta that we haven’t seen before. It seems that our playboy national artist has a compassionate heart after all.

Hannah froze upon hearing the news. Her aunt, a little hysterical, came to her side. They hugged each other and just cried.

Hannah told her aunt, “We should go to the hospital now, Tita.”

Tita Carmen, her father’s sister, agreed. “Of course, we will. So let’s hurry up so we could leave already.”

Seth had called up her aunt on her mobile phone number.

Tita Carmen responded, “Yes, Seth. We saw the news. How is Kuya Herman?”

Seth spoke, “He is still in surgery. My secretary is already on his way to fetch you and Hannah. He will drive you here to the hospital.”

Tita Carmen said, “Okay, we will wait for him then. Will Kuya Herman just be fine, Seth?”

Seth didn’t know how to answer that question. He knew that Tatay Herman was in very critical condition, but he managed to say, “The doctors are doing their best to save him.”

As they boarded the car driven by Seth’s secretary, Hannah was just silent. She opted to have a silent prayer asking God not to take her father away yet.

As they reached the hospital, the lead surgeon had just come out of the operating room.

The patched up Seth told them, “He is the lead surgeon of Tatay Herman. I think his surgery is already finished.”

Hannah felt very anxious as the lead surgeon approached them. She silently kept on chanting – Please tell my father is out of danger… Please tell my father is out of danger… Please tell my father is out of danger… Please tell my father is out of danger… Please tell my father is out of danger…

She just stopped when Seth introduced the lead surgeon to her and to her aunt.

After all the introductions, Hannah asked the lead surgeon, “How’s my father, doctor?”

The lead surgeon looked at her. Hannah couldn’t fathom what the doctor was about to say because he had this poker face.