Recuerdo De Amor Island 3: I'm Yours, Now and Forever

Chapter 5

RAFAEL

Lalo akong naging busy nang mga sumunod na araw. I focus my attention to fix the VC. Halos kalahati ng tauhan ni Jake galing sa Pinas na law firm nila ay nandito para imbestigahan ang halos lahat ng supervisors, manager at other employees ng VC. It's total reformed. I know in due time maibalik din sa dating pamamalakad ang companya. I just need to get rid of all the parasites. Miguel also send some of his people to help Jake's team. Naging madali ang pagpalit ko sa mga tinanggal kong empleyado.

Christina's Debut passed, doon ko napag-slaman na may nagaganap pala na anomalya sa isla, na kagagawan ng dating Operation Manager na tinanggal ko at ilang matataas na official doon. Thanks to the amazing new Operation Manager, she discovered the fraud. Alvin is lucky to have her one day. He is smitten and whipped already.

Days passed, unti-unting umayos ang takbo ng VC. With new employees and strict rules na ipinapatupad ko katulad sa mga kompanya na pag-aari ko, I'm confidence na muling mabalik ang pangalan ng VC sa top business chart.

"Don't forget to go home early son. Everyone in the family will be at your Abuelo's villa tonight," paalala sa'kin ni Papa bago ito umalis sa opisina ko. I just nod at pinagpatuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga documento sa harapan ko.

"Bro, Heaven send our suits in your house. She doesn't know the password of the security system," sabi ni Elliott habang nakasilip lang ang ulo nito sa pintuan.

"I will message her," I simple responsed, quickly send a message to my siater and continue my work.

Hindi ko namalayan ang oras kung hindi pa ako pinuntahan uli ni Elliott at inaya akong umuwi. Pass 7 at night na pala kaya dali-dali akong nagligpit ng gamit ko.

Good thing hindi gaanung matraffic ang routa papunta sa bahaykaya madali lang kaming nakauwi. I immediately run to my room directly to the shower. After quick shower I enter my room, doon ko napansin ang tuxedo na nakalatag sa higaan ko.

A small note was in the top of the suit.

"Be My model!

I'm sure this suit will look good to you kuya."

Love,

Heav.

Napangiti ako sa nabasa ko. I simple words from my sibling makes a warm feeling inside me.

I wear the suit and it's perfectly fit on my body. Wala akong masasabi sa angking talento ng kapatid ko pagdating sa fashion. I wear necessary accessories in my body before I hurriedly ran to the door where my men are waiting for me to arrive. I don't like being late because it's only cause extra attention.

When we reach my Abuelo's villa, his guests are everywhere. I allow my men to mingle but still in alert while me and Elliott enter the house to find my family. They are all in the ballroom area, talking with rest of our relatives. Elliott excuse himself and join to his Aunt and tito Freddy's family.

"Good evening Ma," bati ko kay Mama sabay halik dito sa noo n'ya. Masuyo n'yang hinaplos ang pisngi ko at hinalikan ako dito. She excuse herself to her friends and she asked me to walk with her. I politely greet her friends before I join my mom for a walk.

"Good to see you here 'nak. How was your day?" my Mom asked.

"Busy Ma. I'm trying to finish my work here before the RdA Island Annual Fiesta. Kailangan ko ring pagtuunan ng pansin ang kompanya sa Pilipinas, " tugon ko. Inalalayan ko s'yang umupo sa bench ng garden.

"I'm sure magawa mong matapos 'yan anak. Si Papa mo muna ang bahala sa kompanya habang nandito ka. Kailangan ko na ring bumalik sa pagtuturo." Napatango na lang ako naiintindihan ko naman sila.

Nasa Pilipinas ang buhay namin, at kahit gaanu pa kami kayaman my mother will never give up her profession as professor in Le Surry University. She love teaching kaya ni minsan hindi ito pinahinto ni papa. My father love her so much to upset her.

"It's ok Ma. Kailangan ko munang turuan si Elliott sa pamamalakad ng kompanya dito bago ako umuwi. I think he like it here so me and Dad planned to make him an acting CEO." Napangiti nang malapad si mama sa sinabi ko.

"That's great 'nak. I'm sure Elliott will be happy to hear that. And I know you won't be disappointed, he look up to you and your father. He will help you bring back the glory of the company here son." I feel proud of my decision when my Mom said that. Deep inside im always a Mama's boy. I always share my ideas to her and her opinions always matters to me the most.

"Thank you Ma. You know I love you right," malambing kong sabi dito.

She lovingly caress my face again.

"I always know anak. Kahit hindi ka na marunong magpakita ng tunay na emosyon mo. I know you love and care those who are close to you. I also know that someday a one special woman will make you happy and be with you for the rest of your life. Always have faith!"

I nod. We envelope with silent just looking in the beautiful garden here in villa.

"Others are been looking for you Luis and I've been missing my wife thats why I'm here." Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. My mom chuckle, she get up and walk towards my father. She kiss him with so much love in his cheek before she lean in his chest.

I love seeing them together. They are the definition of true love and I can't wait to meet someone who will love me forever like my parents. Unconditionally and pure love.

"Son!" Tawag sakin ni Papa. Napakurap ako at tumingin sa kanya. "Dinner is serve. Lets go."

I nod. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa dinning room. Huge enough to hold 100 of guest. We sit in our designated table. May sarili kaming mesa ng mga magulang at kapatid ko. Heaven and Jacod are here like the rest of my cousins kaya completo kami ditong lahat. After dinner, I mingle with my cousins and few businessmen that invited here.

"What do you think the reason why all of us here?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Noah sakin habang natutok ang atensyon namin sa mga taong masayang nag-uusap at sayawan sa bulwagan. I shrugged. Ideas cross my mind but I don't want to voice out.

"I heard few things," sabat ni Elliott sabay bigay sa'min ng basong may laman na whiskey. Agad tinungga ni Noah ang sa kanya saka nakangising nagpasalamat kay Elliott. Napailing na lang ako. I just smell mine. Hmmm Chivas Regal.

"Well... you can share the news bro," Noah said eagerly.

"Narinig kong ang pag-uusap nila Lolo n'yo at ng Baron. Mr. Castañeda want either of you married her daughter now that Carlos is out. The agreement is still on." Mapatiim bagang ako sa narinig gano'n din ang reaksyon ni Noah.

Elliott look us sympathetically. Damn them!!!

"No way I'm going to marry his daughter. I already have eye on someone and I won't let anyone mess with my plan to have her," matigas na sabi ni Noah.

"I won't either. Arrange marriage is not in my vocabulary. Wala akong pakialam sa kasunduan nila. Buhay ko 'to kaya ako lang ang may karapatang magdesisyon para sa sarili ko," I said firmly.

Tinapik ni Noah ang balikat ko.

"I need fresh air before I explode later. Call me couz if magsisismula na ang family meeting natin."

Humakbang na ito palabas ng bahay papunta sa garden ng namayapa naming Abuela. Nanatili kaming tahimik ni Elliott. It made me think na hanggat walang Velasquez at Castañeda na magkatuluyan patuloy na manatili ang pinagkasunduan ng mga matatanda noon. Ngunit hanggang kailan kung tadhana mismo ay aywa itong mangyari? Ibat ibang dahilan ngunit isa lang ang naging takbo sa bandang huli. Hiwalayan. Kahit anung gawin nila...tadhana pa rin ang masusunod.

Where ever Catherine right now, she did right thing for herself, she chase her dream and freedom to choose whom she fall in love. Kahit hindi ko sya kilala nang personal I admire her courage to go against her father. Kilala ang ama nito bilang isa pinakamahigpit pagdating lahat ng bagay. Once a soldier will always a soldier in every aspect of his life. Discipline and honor were always comes first. Kaya kilala si Baron Damian Adolfo Castañeda bilang Despiadado General de España.

"¿Podemos hablar Luis?" Can we talk Luis?

Speaking of the devil! I turn around and face him. Sa buhay natin meron talagang tao na kahit wala man itong personal na ginawang masama sayo hindi mo s'ya magawang magustuhan. 'Yan ang palagi kong nararamdaman kapag nakikita ko ang Baron. We hate each others gut. He don't like me for being my father's son while I don't like him for who he is.

"Its nice to see you again General Castañeda! " pormal na pagbati ko sa kanya sabay lahad ng aking kanang kamay. He shake my hand strongly and he's expression match mine. Blank.

"Same Luis. I heard you own the Velasquez Empire now." Kumuha ito ng alak sa nagdaan waitress.

I sip my whiskey before I answer.

"You heard right General. "

"Hmmm... Its seems to me you have your Abuelo's approval and trust already." He glance for my reaction but I show him none.

I shrug.

"He should be," I simply said.

"Indeed. "

Silent surround us after that. But I know may iba itong dahilan kaya nakipag-usap sa'kin.

"What do you want General? " I blurted.

His demeanour change after I said that. He's expression got colder.

"You really don't know how to beat around the bush Luis."

Hindi na ako sumagot. He's feature harden because of my reaction.

"I want your friend to stop meddling on our family issue. Tell him to stop giving my men a wrong trail on finding my daughter. " matigas na sabi nito.

Kung ang iba lang ang kausap n'ya ngayon siguradong nanginginig na sila sa takot. Sadly he is talking to me, I smirk at him.

"We both know General I can't do that. Miguel's job was depend on his clients request. We never interfere their negotiations," calmado ko na sagot. Making him angrier. Ngunit alam nito na totoo ang sinasabi. He own a security company here, he know the rules.

"I don't f*cking care. I need to find my disobedient daughter to come home and marry either you or Noah. I'm so damn tired hearing complaint about your friend's team. The next time I catch them I will give them a lesson to learn," he blurted out.

My jaw clenched of what he said. Who do he think he is? Damn them and their stupid arrangements. Like I'm gonna follow them.

"Are you done General? Because I will tell you this for the last time. I'm not going to marry your daughter. And with Miguel's help, I don't think you can find your daughter. Maybe when she already have her own family."

Binigyan n'ya ako ng matalim na tingin.

"I wont let that happen Luis. She will end up any of you."

After he said that, he walk away leaving me dumbfounded.

"He look confidence saying it Luis." Bulong ni Elliott.

I glared at him, he just smirk. I forget that he is in my side all this time. "He dont even know where his daughter Elliott," baliwala kong sabi.

"Hindi mo alam ang pwedeng mangyari bro. Who knows baka sa isla lang s'ya itinago ni Miguel. At isa pa... marami din koneksyon ang dalaga mula sa iba n'yang pamilya na may kaugnayan RdA men."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Elliott. Tama naman ito. Ang isla lang ang lugar na hindi maaring puntahan nino'man hanggat walang pahintulot mula sa kanila. Hindi basta-basta makapasok ang kampo ni General sa isla.

"Good for her, but it doesn't mean I have to do something, now that im involve, " i uttered bitterly.

"Sabagay."

We silently watch everyone around us. Few of guests are starting to go home. Alam kong hinihintay ni Abuelo na kami na lang magpamilya ang matira bago tumawag ng pagpupulong. I really cannot read my Abuelo's mind. He just keep us hanging and leave us shock at the end. What gotten to him? Porke hindi na matuloy ang kasal ni Catherine kay Carlos maaring isa sa amin ni Noah ang papayag? Those old tradition in marriage here in Spain should be gone by now.

"A toda la familia y amigos Velasquez. Arnolfo mayor quiere que todos se reùnan en la sala vomun. Gracias!"

Pagbabalita ng butler ni Abuelo kaya nag-umpisa nang pumasok ang mga magulang ko at kaanak ni lolo living room.

"Please call Noah, Elliott. " Agad naman n'yang kinuha ang kanyang cellphone at tinawagan si Noah. Nakikinig na lang ako sa pag-uusap nila.

"He's drunk." Elliott stated. Napatango lang ako. Halata din kasi sa boses ni Noah ang kalasingan nito.

Few minutes later, we saw Noah walking towards us. Namumula-mula na ang mukha nito sa kalasingan pero nagkukunwari pa rin itong normal. Napailing na lang ako at nag-umpisang humakbang papasok sa loob ng bahay.

Velasquez Families and closest friends lang ni Abuelo ang nandito ngayon. We are waiting for his grand arrival and announcements.

I impatiently wait while listening to my drunk cousin and his assistant's lovestruck conversation. I mentally roll my eyes sa mga pinag-uusapan nilang walang kabuluhan para sakin.