MY BILLIONAIRE RESCUER

CHAPTER 7: Her Rescuer

Just as Alyzza was about to answer, her husband and their twins came in to the store.

The salesclerk greeted her husband, “Good afternoon, Mayor.”

“Good afternoon,” then Arnold asked, “What’s happening here, love? Why are you here, Dylan? Do you still need to receive a civil harassment restraining order to stop bothering, Lyn?”

Dylan still begged, “Lyz, please let me see her. She’s the only one who can stop my wedding to Mikaela.”

Cheryl and Lynette also decided to come out.

Lynette spoke up calmly but with great conviction, “I cannot stop your wedding, Dylan. I'll never ever agree on the elopement that you have in mind coz I don’t want to be married to a man like you. These past two weeks only made me realize that I might have not even loved you at all. I had just deeply admired your perseverance as well as your dedication with your work.  But as a boyfriend, you hadn’t been supportive of my endeavors. You have no regard for the things I like and want. You kept your imminent wedding engagement from me. You manhandled me when you didn’t like my decision to break up with you. And you keep on barging here even if I already explicitly said that we’re over. Just follow what your parents wanted for you.”

Cheryl added, “You heard her, Dylan. Please leave now.”

New customers came in.

Raegan had even asked, “What is manhandled, Mommy?”

Dylan had no choice but to leave. He couldn’t afford to make a scene with too many unfamiliar faces coming into the store.

They all returned to the workshop except for the salesclerk who already attended to the customers.

Arnold broke the silence, “Wow! Good thing we decided to come. You got lots of mouthwatering food here.”

Lynette then said, “I will get a plate for you then, Mayor.”

Then they continued eating as the twins were allowed to move around of the store with a strict instruction to be very careful so as not to break anything.

Arnold opened up, “Gabriel had asked me if you’re okay, Lyn. He told me that he happened to come by at your apartment to return the paper bag that you had accidentally left in his car when Dylan was manhandling you. Why didn’t you report it to the police just as he suggested? Dylan’s continuous bothering of you might have had avoided if you reported what happened to the police. Your bruises had been even seen by the twins.”

Cheryl asked, “Are you referring to Gabriel Altamonte? Why did Lyn leave something on his car?”

"Yes,” Alyzza confirmed and then explained, “They met at the twin’s birthday party. Gabriel offered her a ride because her vehicle was at the service center for maintenance. Good thing Gabriel came by at the right moment. Worse things might have happened if he didn’t came to your rescue.”

Lynette then told herself – So he's an Altamonte. The older lady he was with at the church that night was the famous plastic surgeon, Dr. Graciella Altamonte. That’s why she looked familiar.

Lynette then spoke, “I don’t think Dylan will bother me anymore. I think he still held on to some hope because he thought I still love him. Now that I had made myself clear, I think he would already stop.”

Arnold asked, “But what if he doesn’t?”

Lynette answered, “Then I guess Kuya Leo might arrange for that civil harassment restraining order against him. Apparently, he installed a hidden security camera at my apartment before I moved in. He, Dad and Kuya Ed decided on it without informing me. He already got the footage of what happened two weeks ago. He hadn’t informed my parents yet about the incident because he also knew they might overreact.”

Alyzza said, “Kuya Leo had already warned him but he didn’t listen. He came here again.”

Lynette further pointed out, “I’m not at all hurt, so let us not just make too much out of a minor issue.”

Cheryl disagreed, “Violence against women is not a minor issue, Lyn. Dylan might have done something worse if Dr. Altamonte didn’t come to your rescue.

Lynette told herself again – So he's also a doctor. What kind of doctor is he? I should search more information about him online. Why bother? Have you not learned your lesson? You had just broken up with a doctor.

Then Lynette decided, “Okay, let’s just wait if he will still bother me after his wedding engagement is announced tomorrow evening. If he still bothers me after such then I’ll allow my brother to file the civil harassment restraining order.”

Raegan and Maegan ended up choosing a lot of stuffs at the store. They were very amazed with all the creations of their Ninang Teacher Lyn. 

Her store was not that far from her apartment building as well as from Absedaire Montessori School. So it would be easy for her to move around.

In the evening, Lynette was already very tired, totally forgetting about searching information about Gabriel Altamonte online.

December 2, 2018. Sunday. Lynette, Alyzza, and Cheryl met for brunch at the Velarde Café, near the condominium building where Cheryl lives. It was also near Absedaire Medical Center, where Dylan and Mikaela work.

Velarde Café, which is beside Velarde Restaurant, is located inside Velarde Hotel, a five-star hotel in Absedaire City.

Dylan and Mikaela were already seated in one of the tables in the café when the three of them sat down after putting their orders at the counter.

It was really an awkward situation.  Good thing Mark Velarde, Cheryl’s boyfriend suddenly came and approached to greet them.

Mark bestowed a short peck on his girlfriend’s lips then a casual peck on the cheek on Lynette and Alyzza. 

After the pleasantries, they all sat down.

Mark remarked, “Just like the old times! The three of you are here! Karen is the only one missing.”

Cheryl imparted, “Well, she’ll be back by Christmas Break so the four of us will be complete again,” then said, “I thought you were busy with work, babe.”

Mark confirmed, “Yeah, I am. I just dropped by to greet the three of you,” then he stood up, “Enjoy,” then addressed his girlfriend, “See you later, babe,” and kissed Cheryl again before leaving.

Alyzza commented, “So sweet! Any wedding plans?”

Cheryl blushed, “None yet, Lyz. We have just been dating for a few months. I'm also not yet ready to settle down if ever,” then she recalled, “Well before I forget,” she handed similar paper bag to the two, “Open it.”

Alyzza and Lynette open the bigger box. It was a yellow gold Pandora charm bangle bracelet with four hearts charms each containing their names alternated with four love spacer charm beads.  Cheryl pulled up the long sleeve of her top and showed hers too.

Cheryl said, “Karen has the same bracelet. She bought the bracelet and I bought all the charms. We should all wear them whenever we have a get together.”

They wore the bracelet and put their arms on the table for the snap. Each of them took a snap of the photos and uploaded it to their respective i********: account tagging Karen with the hashtag – #bffbracelet

Their orders were then served so they started talking while sipping tea or coffee and eating cake or bread.

After a short while, Lynette excused herself to go to the ladies room to pee. There she encountered Mikaela Ong. They went out of the cubicle and washed their hands at the sink at the same time.

Mikaela removed the diamond engagement ring on her left ring finger before washing.

Lynette just tried to pretend she didn’t know her.

But Mikaela spoke up, “I am just taking what’s really mine.”

Lynette didn’t reply. She didn’t even look at her

Then Mikaela irritatingly said, “Are you deaf?!”

Lynette then faced her, “So you’re talking to me? Well, I need to go now. My friends are waiting,” then walked away but stopped for a while, looked back, and said, “Anyway I already dumped him two weeks ago as soon as I found his arranged marriage with you. He’s all yours. So, best wishes on your forthcoming nuptials.”

As she tried to get away as fast as possible, she didn’t notice the waiter carrying a tray of hot beverages who was about to bump into her.

Then somebody just pulled her and her face bumped into a well-toned chest. As she looked up at the face of her rescuer, she saw the familiar blue eyes of Gabriel. Their eyes locked.

He gently released her so she was able to compose herself.

She said, “Thanks for rescuing me again.”

Gabriel gave him a smile and responded, “No worries, Miss Lyn.”

And he escorted her back to her table as Alyzza waved at them.

Alyzza said, “Good thing you have pulled her just in time, Gab. Or else those hot drinks will be all over her,” then asked, “So why are you here?”

Gabriel answered, “I'm on call for an emergency surgery so I just dropped by to get myself a dose of caffeine.”

Alyzza then responded, “I see,” then recalled Cheryl, “By the way, Cher this is Gabriel. Gab this is our best friend, Cheryl.”

Handshakes had been exchanged.

Then Gabriel’s name had been called for his coffee, “Got to go now, ladies.”

As Lynette settled on her seat, Dylan and Mikaela already walked out from the café together.

Lynette told her friends, “She talked to me by the ladies room. She even showed off her engagement ring, saying she is just taking what is really hers.”

Cheryl and Alyzza asked together, “What did you say?”

Lynette said, “I told her this – I already dumped him two weeks ago as soon as I found his arranged marriage with you. He’s all yours. So, best wishes on your forthcoming nuptials. Then I walked away as fast as I can.”

“Fierce!” Cheryl then pointed, “But then you almost bumped into the waiter.”

Alyzza, “Good thing Gab was able to pull you.”

Cheryl asked, “Well, aside from the fact that he's an Altamonte and a genius surgeon with multiple specialties owning Archangel Business Investments, who is Gabriel Altamonte to Arnold and to you anyway, Lyz?”

Lynette attentively listened as Alyzza said, “He’s the godfather of my twins.  The two of you just attended the baptismal ceremony and not the reception. He was just at the reception. He didn’t attend the ceremony so you weren’t able to meet him. Arnold's father and Gab's father our cousins. I really don’t know much about him except for being an Altamonte. Arnold told me that he’s a very busy guy and spent most of his school years abroad.”

Cheryl then said, “Well, I got my information about him from Mark. Trina is dating Gabriel’s half-brother, Gil Altamonte. I think he's also an investor of Velarde Hotel,” then recalled, “I think I had seen him before. Yeah, it was in London. I saw him once in the fashion week with a supermodel.”

Alyzza said, “He just came from his sabbatical leave for his MBA in Oxford University last July. So yeah, it could possibly be him.”

Cheryl the commented, “He doesn’t look like the other Altamontes.”

Alyzza responded, “His biological mother was Caucasian. He was raised by Dr. Graciella Altamonte, his father’s sister. He's very down-to earth and generous despite being rich.”

Cheryl then teased her Lynette, “By the way, I saw some spark there, Lyn. You cheeks blushed as your eyes locked with him.”

Lynette denied it, “You’re hallucinating again, Cher! I already met him once at the birthday party of Rae and Mae.”

Alyzza attested to it, “That’s true. They already met. And he really looked at her intently. Perhaps, he has a crush on you.”

Lynette told her friends off, “Girls, wake up! Crush are just for teenagers.”

Cheryl then asked Alyzza conspiringly to tease their best friend further, “Do you think he has a girlfriend or wife, Lyz? Perhaps we can set them up.”

Alyzza responded going with the flow, “I didn’t see any wedding ring on his finger. I'll ask Arnold.”

Lynette exclaimed, “Haist! This isn’t funny anymore, girls.”      

Cheryl said, “Well, we all know that you don’t like dating rich guys. Both of your exes were from the middle class. But why not try? Who knows? It might work out.”

Lynette childishly responded, “He he he he”

Alyzza then spoke seriously, “But seriously speaking, Lyn. Gab is a nice catch.”

Lynette stated, “Let’s not entertain the impossible, girls! Yeah, he seems to be a nice guy, a gentleman I may say. He had also rescued me two times already. Still, he's way out of my league. Besides, how can a man of his stature be interested with a simple lady like me?”

Cheryl told her, “Don’t belittle yourself, girl! You have a lot of good qualities that money can’t buy. If you fall in love, then just love. Don’t over analyze everything. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Alyzza agreed, “True! Don’t also settle for less, Lyn. Counting in good looks, the man must also be of sound mind and noble heart.”

Cheryl expounded, “Disregarding socio-economic status, go for someone who will genuinely love and respect you, the entire you, all the good and the bad.”

Alyzza voiced out, “Sometimes, it really makes me wonder why you ended up dating a douchebag when you have three male role models in your family.”

Lynette answered, “Well, my two exes didn’t reveal their true colors right away. Say your cousin, you were even surprised that he was capable of physically hurting me but then he did.”

Cheryl somehow understood her, “I got your point, Lyn. Even your first boyfriend didn’t look the cheating type at first because he was kind of in the nerdy side but eventually he did cheat on you.”

Alyzza assumed, “Then perhaps you just don’t have the luck in men. But with those four-leaf clover jewelries from your secret admirer, you’ll probably get lucky next time.  Honestly, I already kind of like this man for you just based on his poems and letters. Let’s just hope he’s good looking and not as crazy as my jerk of a cousin.”

Cheryl then asked, “By the way, what did he send this morning?”

Lynette shared, “Another love poem, fitness gloves and running shoes. I think and I also feel that I might have interacted with him in the past. He seems to know that I love plants and working out. Your cousin knows that but never did he bring me stuffs like those.”

Before the lunch break time strikes, they went on their separate ways. Alyzza went home to her family while Cher had a lunch date with her boyfriend. Lynette went back to her store so that her salesclerk could take her lunch break. Her parents had already returned to the farm after they attended the morning mass.

While manning the store during lunch break, Lynette didn’t expect to see the new customer who just entered her establishment, Dr. Graciella Altamonte.

Lynette greeted her the way she had always greeted her customers, “Good afternoon, ma’am. What particular product are you looking for? I can be of assistance.”

The famous plastic surgeon/dermatologist was just dress casually but still exuded grace and elegance, “Good afternoon, Miss.  I've seen this beautiful Christmas Nativity Scene in your website. But it seems to be out of stock so I decided to personally go here.”

She confirmed it, “Yeah, ma’am. It’s currently out of stock.”

The doctor asked, “When will you have new stocks?”

She responded, “Honestly, the unpainted figurines will still be hand-painted tomorrow, ma’am.”

The doctor requested, “Can I have a look of its actual size?”

She agreed, “Yes, ma’am. They are in the workshop area. If you don’t mind then I can show you.”

“Yeah, please lead the way.”

On their way to the workshop area, the doctor asked, “Are you the owner of the store, Miss?”

She affirmed, “Yes, ma’am. I also design and create all the things I sell online and here. I just opened up this actual store yesterday.”

The doctor asked, “Do you just work on your own?”

She seemed to trust the doctor and so she shared, “My salesclerk is currently on her lunch break, ma’am. My additional staff will start working tomorrow,” then she showed the undecorated stables and the unpainted figurines.

The doctor exclaimed, “Oh, they are nice! The size is just right for home decorations,” then already started to go out of the workshop as she asked, “I want to pre-order three sets. You do deliveries, right.”

“Yes, ma’am. We do deliveries,” she affirmed.

The doctor asked further, “How soon can they be delivered?”

She said, “I will personally deliver them to you by Tuesday afternoon, ma’am. Will that be just fine with you?”

The doctor answered, “Yes, that will be fine. You can have them delivered at Altamonte Medical Aesthetic Clinic. Will 2 PM just be fine?”

She answered, “Yes, ma’am.”

The doctor even commented, “You’re a very artistic lady, I may say,” then casually asked, “Do you have other jobs aside from creating and selling these wonderful art pieces?”

She imparted, “I also teach pre-school pupils at Absedaire Montessori School in the mornings, ma’am. I am also trying to have my literary works get published.”

The doctor remarked, “That’s wonderful! I wish you success in all your endeavors. You’re still very young but you seem to be a very hardworking person. Plus you’re so pretty and kind. I actually have a son, who is very much single.”

Lynette just smiled. The doctor seemed to be selling her son to her.

The doctor asked, “Are you single, Miss?”

She casually responded handing the nice doctor with her business card, “I just recently had a breakup, ma’am,” then asked changing their topic, “So in which clinic of yours shall I deliver the items, ma’am?”

The doctor answered, “In my main clinic near Absedaire Medical Center. Do you know it?”

She responded, “Yes, ma’am. One of my best friends lives by that area.”

The doctor asked, “Shall I already pay for my order?”

She answered, “I can give you a sales invoice for now, ma’am. It shall include the price of the items as well as the delivery charge. I prefer the p*****t upon the delivery of the goods.”

But the doctor insisted, “I’d rather pay for it now, Miss Trinidad.”

She then agreed, “Okay, ma’am.”

After Lynette presented the receipt, the doctor started to move around the entire store and ended up buying lots of stuffs in her store. They were mostly decorative pieces.