Bridgetine Heirs | Lexi

Chapter 1

Lexi

Everyday seems the same to me. I get up early, shower, get dressed, drink coffee and run to work and get home late. That's my life for the past five years and now I am 30.

When I got my driver's license and turned 18, Mom and Dad gave me the latest sports car. Of course I only get to drive it when I go home to the Philippines during university break. I studied business in Boston -- the famous Harvard where my awesome Mom finished medicine. Yes -- she's a freaking doctor. My Dad on the other hand completed his business degree at Oxford.

My parents, Nicole & Hunter — I sometimes think they're hybrids. They are a tough act to follow. They excel in everything they do. And I guess that's why for the last five years I've been working my ass off. Trying to prove myself that I am worthy of my position -- as the current CEO & President of Bridgetine Empire.

Dad still sees Pritzker Corp based in New York and he is retiring at the end of this year. When he does, I will be taking over that company and this position that I have will be passed along to my brother Nic, being the second oldest of the bunch.

One night, I heard my parents talking after dinner. It's one of those dinners that I made it on time.

Bumukod na ako sa kanila pagkatapos ko ng kolehiyo. Mom did the same when she was younger at kahit ayaw man nyang umiba ako ng tirahan ay wala syang nagawa.

"Hunt, I am worried about Lexi. She's working way too much. She seemed to have forgotten the time and she's 30. She doesn't party anymore. She doesn't race or surf. I am worried about her well being. God! She doesn't even date men anymore since she took over the company." Himutok ng aking ina

"Baby, you worry too much. I will take care of this okay?"

"Hunter kapag hindi tayo nagka apo kay Lexi ay kasalanan mo." Naiimagine ko na ang mukha ng aking ina. Pinaniningkitan na sigurado nito ng mata si Dad. Mahina akong napatawa at nagtungo sa balkon.

Was I really working too much? Is that so bad? I don't like wasting time and I like to think I already had enough fun when I was younger. At ngayon ay naghahanap na ng apo si Mom. Napahilot ako sa sentido ko. Apo agad? Ni wala pa akong boyfriend!

I was lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear my father's footsteps. Mom is not with him.

"Princess, drowning from your thoughts? I hope you're not thinking about work." Ngumiti ang aking ama at lumapit sa akin. At age 51, matikas pa rin at magandang lalake para sa edad nya. Iginiya nya ako sa sofa at pinaupo habang sya ay pumwesto sa harap ko.

"Nothing important Dad." Sabi ko sa kanya

Tumikhim sya. "I heard you fired two employees last month and another two this week."

Alam kong malalaman nya yun but I had to do it. "The first two were incompetent and the other two are lazy as f—" he cut me off

"If your mother hears you swear in this house, you'll be living here for a week." Yes — Mom made up that rule when Nic and I moved out.

"I mean — they are lazy. Period." Napatawa si Daddy.

"I think you're working way too much. You need a break." Simula nya.

"I'm fine Dad, I don't need a break." Okay, maybe I do.

"You do, trust me. So I have decided to give you a month's vacation."

"A month?!" Nagulat ako. I need a break for a week maybe but a month? No can do.

"Yes. A month in a place where you don't need to think about work. All you hear is the ocean.. riding the waves and just relaxing." Nakangiting sabi nya.

"Ipapatapon mo na ba ako sa isla ng mga pirata? Dad naman ang tagal ng isang buwan!" Angal ko sa kanya.

"Don't be silly. You're going to Hawaii. I already made arrangements for your flight and hotel." Inabot nya sa akin ang print out ng ticket ko at hotel reservations. "You're flying the day after tomorrow. I also emailed that to you just in case." Nakangiting sabi nya.

"But Dad what about the company?" Mukhang nakakalimutan nya na ako ang CEO at Presidente nito.

"Don't worry about a thing. Your brother will take over while you're away."

I can't help but sigh. At napansin yun ni Daddy, umupo sya sa tabi ko. "Dad.."

"Everything is going to be just fine. Enjoy your vacation and we'll see you in a month."

The day I leave for vacation came.  Nakaupo akong naghihintay dito sa lounge ng may umupo ng padaskol sa tabi ko. Lalake. Matangkad. Tingin ko ay kasing edad ko o mas matanda sa akin ng ilang taon. Mahaba ang buhok at.. naka headband. "Whew!" narinig kong sabi nya pagkaupo.

"You should take a picture, it lasts longer." nakangiting sabi nya sa akin.

I smirked. "No, thank you. I've seen better." mataray kong sabi sa kanya na ikinataas naman ng kilay nya at nagpangiti. Yung ngiting makalaglag panty. Banas na banas ako sa kanya dahil sa kanina. Gwapong gwapo sa sarili!

Nang makasakay kami sa eroplano ay parang nananadya. Talagang katabi ko pa! Naglagay ako ng earphones at pumikit para hindi nya ako kausapin. 11 hours lang naman ang flight mula Maynila hanggang Hawaii. I've been to Hawaii before but that was ten years ago. It probably has changed since then.

Nang magising ako ay wala na akong katabi pero may mangilan ngilang pasahero pa rin na hindi pa bumababa.

Kinuha ko ang maliit kong travelling bag sa compartment saka hinila palabas.

Welcome to Oahu! It is the best spot to catch the perfect wave.

Nagcheck in ako sa hotel at pinaubaya sa bell boy ang pagdala ng gamit ko. Bumili ako ng bagong surfboard bago ako nagtungo dito dahil hindi ko alam ang quality ng madadatnan ko. Pyzel is the best. I bought a red one.

The truth is I miss surfing. I miss my life before I took over the company. Now that I'm here, I'll make the most of this vacation.

Nagpahinga ako saglit at umidlip. Alas onse lang ng umaga ngayon. Bumangon ako at nagshower saka nagsuot ng wetsuit. I'm going surfing on my first day. I'm comfortable showing my skin. Kahit palagi ako sa office ay alaga ko ang katawan ko sa gym at past time ko rin ang mixed martial arts. Kumain lang ako ng prutas at uminom ng madaming tubig. I don't feel like eating yet but I need a little bit of energy.

Umupo ako sa buhanginan at pinanood ang malalakas na alon. Pagkaraan ng 45 minutes ay nagtungo ako sa tubig dala ang surfboard ko. I waited for the perfect wave and paddled like the dickens and surf to my heart's content.

Life is good! Araw araw akong nasa tubig at sa pang apat na araw ko ay nagpahinga muna ako.

Swimming lang ang plano ko ngayon at maglalakad lakad. Alas singko na ng hapon at maganda ang kulay ng langit. Hindi ko namalayan na malayo na pala ako ng mangyari sa akin ito.

Umahon ako sa tubig at naupo sa buhanginan saka tiningnan ang paa ko. I have a stinger near my foot. Damn jellyfish! Ang hapdi at parang hindi ko kayang maglakad pabalik ng hotel. Sa tantya ko ay isang oras akong naglakad.

"Are you okay?" Hindi ko namalayan ang pagdating ng isang lalake sa tabi ko dahil sa iniindang hapdi

Tiningala ko sya at nag-squat sya sa harap ko. Ang lalake sa airport at katabi ko sa eroplano.  "I'm fine. Just a jellyfish sting." I don't feel like talking right now. Ang hapdi talaga at kakaiba ang sakit.

"I assume you don't have vinegar with you."

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Hindi naman ako maiintindihan nito, he looks foreign. "Bakit naman ako magdadala ng suka sa pagswimming? Mag-aadobo ba ako?" mahinang bulong ko. Pero narinig nya at bumunghalit sya ng tawa.

"Masarap akong magluto ng adobo."

"Nagtatagalog ka?" gulat kong sabi

"Oo naman, tinuruan ako ni Nanay Auring." nakangiting sabi nya. Pagkuway tumingin sa mapulang bahagi sa bandang paa ko. "That looks like it hurts and we need to do something about it right away or else.."

"Or else what?" Hindi ako katulad ni Mommmy na may medical background.

"You could die." seryosong sabi nya.

"Seryoso ka ba?" Die? In this island? Holy f*ck! Ayaw ko pang mamatay! Hindi pa nga ako nakakatikim ng luto ng Diyos!

"Yup. I've read books at yun rin ang sabi ng tiyuhin kong doctor."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What do you suggest we do?"

"I have to pee on it." nakangiwing sabi nya.

"Whaaaaaaaat?!" napahiyaw ako sa sinabi nya. Iihian nya ang paa ko. Seriously?!