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

Chapter 3

RAFAEL

I'm annoyed, knowing a lot of media are waiting for me to exit in the airport. Kailangan ko pang utusan ang mga tauhan ko na paalisin sila bago ako lumabas. They create diversion, allowing the reporters to think that I leave the airport.

I talked to my bestfriends s***h RdA Island founders yesterday tungkol sa pagpunta ko dito sa Spain nang biglaan, pagbigay ng RdA necklaces nila na pinagawa namin kay Dwight at ang paglipat nang pamamahala sa nalalapit na anibersaryo ng isla. Sadly, wala akong maitutulong sa pag-aasekaso doon pero alam ko na makakaya nila ang lahat. Beside I have this feeling that the next Operation Manager of the island will be a big help to us. I trust Alvin's judgement when it comes on hiring an employees. He called Ruthless Beast for nothing. He only take the best of people in his team.

"Elliott please call the head officers here that I want them for a meeting in the conference room in an hour." Utos ko kay Elliott habang naglalakad kami papuntang opisina ng Operation Manager ko dito sa Spain. Agad naman nitong kinuha ang kanyang mobile phone at tinawagan ang HR.

Being part of Royal Family of Spain naging madali ang pagpatayo ni Papa nang airport terminal for Luisa Airlines dito noon. Terminal 5 of Adolfo Suarez_Madrid-Barajas Airport is the home of Luisa Airlines and our airlines partners. We also have 16 airport terminal in 16 major cities around the world, but Philippines and Spain have the bigger terminal and main home of Luisa Airlines that have hundreds of flight operation a day, from domestic to international flights.

Luisa Airlines carries two flags in it's logo. The Spain and Philippines flag. Sa kabila ng complikadong relasyon ng mga magulang ko sa pamilya ni Papa, nanatili s'yang malapit sa royal familiy kaya hindi nito nagawang talikuran ang kanyang bansa at posisyon a Royal Court. And in 24 years of service nanatiling matagumpay ang serbisyo ng aming kompanya. Problems occurred all the time but thank God until now no major casualties. We always double check the maintenance of our vehicles and full security check before its go on into flight. With pleasant crew and well trained pilot... our airlines are one of trusted and safety planes to fly with.

Employees greeted us when they saw us coming. I'm not cruel all the time... only to those who made mistake and have a guts to disobeyed me. But I'm not friendly person either. Media people called me the coldest person they know because I always wore blank or cold expression. I grow up learning how to hide every emotion I have. My dad always told me that showing emotion was like showing your weakness, na maaring magamit ng iyong mga kaaway sa negosyo. Ngunit hindi ito ang rason kung bakit ako ganito... this is who I am ever since I can remember. I hide my true emotion beneath the blank face and I'm not really outspoken person.

In behalf of me, Elliott greeted everyone back. He know me better than anyone else, of course like my family and friends. They can read me behind those cold and blank mask. They can tell my action without saying words. At hindi naging hadlang ang ugali ko sa pagkaroon ng anim na matalik na kaibigan. My Operation Manager was already outside his office waiting for us when we arrive on his floor. His eyes light up when he saw us. Agad itong lumapit sa akin at sinalubong ako ng mabilis na yakap at mahinang tapik sa likod. He did the same thing to Elliott. Nasa mukha nito ang saya.

"Glad to see you both. I'm happy you are here Rafael but sad to know in this kind of circumstances," sabi nito ng may pag-unawa at lungkot.

I just shrugged of what he said but deep in side my blood boils every time I remembered why I'm here. My grandfather was in fvcking coma. While my idiotic cousin ay pinagpi-fiestahan ng mga media, pati kami nadadamay. Kahit anung gawin namin nang ibang pinsan at kapatid ko na panatilihing maganda ang imahe ng pangalan namin, my moron cousin Carlos well drag it done like fvcking idiot he is.

"How's everything here tito Freddy?" Elliot asked.

I let them talk while I keep myself busy reading the reports of my companies here. Ganito palagi ang routine namin ni Elliott. He asked question habang nagbabasa at nakikinig ako lang sa kanilang usapan. Magsasalita lang ako kung may makikita akong mali sa reports nila.

"Everything is fine so far. Few troubles from planes and flights but nothing we can't handle hijo." sagot ni Tito Freddy kay Elliott.

Tito Freddy or Alfredo Suarez is my father's second cousin. Dwight Hendrix Romanov is his nephew. He's half Spanish-Filipino. He also happened to married Elliott's aunt. Nanay Clara's younger sister. He meet his wife in the island noong maisipan nitong magbakasyon doon para bisitahin ang mga magulang ko. Sa isla din nabuo ang kanilang pag-iibigan hanggang sa napagpasyahan nilang tumira dito sa Spain, nang magtayo ng branch of Luisa Airlines dito si Papa at s'ya ang pinamahala nito. Binayayaan sila ng tatlong anak na ngayon ay mga binata at dalaga na rin. My second cousin's were much closer to us. Close din kami ng pinsan ko sa America pero iba pa rin siguro ang relasyon namin nila tito Freddy dahil magkapareho kami ng culturang kinagisnan. Sa paglago ng Luisa Airlines dito sa Espanya binigyan ni Papa ng 8% shares of stock in the company si tito Freddy. Making him one of shareholders and earning huge salary as employee for being most loyal and trustworthy.

Hour later, pumunta kaming conference room for meeting my employees here. It lasted almost 3 hours of reports and discussing new developments in the company. The same time my guards came back for me and Elliot. Nagpaalam kami kay tito Freddy para umuwi na at magpahinga. Not after I told my uncle to be at my parents house for family dinner tonight. We decide to eat our lunch in one Italian restuarant and head home.

May sarili akong bahay dito sa Spain, ganoon din ang mga magulang ko at si Heaven. In other countries, I owned penthouses either in Gonzalez hotels or Salazar Condominiums. Once we reach my house. I told my men and Elliott to rest. Like me alam kung pagod din ang mga ito sa byahe. Beside my house have hi-tech security system. Thanks for Camellion Security Agency for their advance technology and gadgets. I'm exhausted so I decide to take a nap to regain my strength. I set my alarm clock hour and half before my family dinner.

"How are you sis?" Hinalikan ko sa noo si Heaven habang nakayakap naman ito sa bewang ko. S'ya ang una kong nabungaran dito sa bahay ng mga nagulang namin dahil ito ang nagbukas ng pintuan. Binati din s'ya ni Elliott at ng mga tauhan ko bago ang mga ito nagsi-pasok at nakihalubilo sa mga bisita doon sa pool side ng bahay.

"I'm good kuya. I miss you all kaya pumunta na ako dito pero isang araw lang ako magstay, at bukas nang gabi ay babalik din ako sa France." She said while we walk towards the backyard. Good for her samatalang ako mananatili dito nang matagal kahit hindi ko gusto.

We casually talk the recent event in our life, as always my sister's life are full of mischief and fun. She's handful and wicked witch to others but to us who know her better, she is sweet, caring and loving person. A princess to me and our parents. A supportive sister to our younger brother.

Magmano ako sa mga magulang ko at malalapit naming kamag-anak na nandito. Only my Aunt Rosalinda and her husband is here. My cousin weren't here for some bullshit excuses just to avoid family drama. Like us, they are not fond of our grandfather. Hindi kasi aprobado ni Abuelo ang asawa ni tita and everytime he saw them, Abuelo would rub that to their faces. Tita Rosalinda supposed to be married some dude with high rank in Royal Court but she refused and married her American lover.

His disappointment towards his two children that disobey and ruin his plan were always been a constant greeting in his house. Kung tutuosin sa tatlong anak ni Abuelo, si tito Carmelo lang ang nagawang sumunod sa kagustuhan n'ya. Trying to pleased him and hoping to take his position in the house of Velasquez. Ngunit mesirable din ang kinalabasan ng relasyon nito. They maybe portraying the perfect family in public eyes but inside their home they are strangers. Both tito Carmelo and his wife have secret affairs. Cheating each other discreetly and agrue all the time, blaming their family on their business-like marriage. Kaya sa kanila din siguro nagmana ang pinsan ko. Our grandfather tolerate my cousin, pinagtatakpan nito ang kalokohan ng pinsan ko. But what happened right now is too much... I think he realised that already. He should because even the Royal family was not happy of the news.

The family dinner last night was relaxing and catching up with our family here in Spain. Most of the topic though was the issue we are facing and the business. Right now, we are here at the hospital where my Abuelo confined. He's out of ICU... thanks God and his condition is stable and out of danger anymore.

After visiting my Abuelo, I go to meet the King and the Crown Prince in their private villa. Being part of King's family, we are welcome to enter their sanctuary. Where he reside away from the palace. Even though he still the king of Spain, most of the royal duties are lead by his son, the next in line to the throne. But the final approval is always with the King until he pass the throne to his son officially.

The King's butler lead the way towards the library immediately when I arrived the villa, kung saan naghihintay sa akin ang Mahal na Hari at ang Principe. To discuss... I don't really have any idea what, basta lang nila akong pinatawag dito. Pasimple kong inilibot ang aking paningin sa dinaanan namin. Nothing change in the grand villa, still prestigious and glamorous even it's century old. This is not the first time I've been here kaya hindi na ako nagulat sa ganda ng tahanan ng Hari. But unlike before that I openly showed my admiration, now I just stare them like they are ordinary thing. I still remembered the time when my father brought me here and my sister. The hostilities of other aristocrats were visible when they saw us but not the royal family... the King and his family welcome us and accepted my mother sa kabila ng eatado n'ya sa buhay, at dahil doon lalo ko silang nerespeto.

Agad na kumatok ng pintuan ang katiwala ng Mahal na Hari.

"¡ Adelante!" We heard the Prince command from inside.

Binuksan nito ang pintuan at magalang akong sininyasan na pumasok. I did. Magalang akong yumukod sa Hari at Principe bilang paggalang sa kanila. Narinig ko ang nahinang pagsarado ng pintuan kaya napahakbang ako sa upoan kaharap nila.

Pasimple kong pinag-aralan ang hari. King Juan Carlos Nicolas II, been the king of Spain for 48 years. At the age of 79, he's still strong and healthy ngunit hindi na ito gaano ka-aktibo sa pamamahala ng kanyang nasasakupan. Makikita lang ang presinsya nito sa mga importanting okasyon dito sa Espanya. Since Spain became parliamentary monarchy, the Royal Family stay in the background of the government at the same time remain ruler of the country.

"¡Como estas hijo?" The King asked.

"Estoy bien su Alteza," magalang ko na sagot sa kanya.

Napatango tango ito at ngumiti.

"Llammame abuelo, mi nieto," he insisted.

" Si Abuelo, " I respectfully replied. Binati at kinamusta din ako ng Principe. Like the king he just want me to call him uncle. They never change on treating us as family. The King take our attention to him. Tiningnan n'ya ako nang seryoso. Now, I know its all about business why we are here.

"How much do you love the Velasquez Empire nieto?" He asked.

"Like I owned it Abuelo," I responsed immediately.

Kahit gaano man kalayo ang loob namin ni Senior Velasquez. He is still my grandfather and I cared for the company that our ancestors build for Velasquez generation to come. Which is us now. They work hard for it until they reach the top of it success.

"Good." Napatango-tango ito. "You know that we owned 25 percent shares of stock in the company right?" He asked again and I nod.

I know everything thats happening inside company. I have people working there for me, few people only know that.

Velasquez family is still the major stock holder of the company...the 30 percent shares. The rest of the stocks are divided or owned by few close family friends.

The Velasquez Empire in the Philippines and in the US that my Aunt owned are kind of expansion of Velasquez Corporation but sort of solely build from the ground of my father and his sister.

"Things are not right inside the company nieto. The management are crumbling slowly to the ground since your uncle and cousin take the position. We tired to talk to your grandfather about it but he just ignore and making himself believe that the company is still in good shape. He's too prideful to ask for your father's help. For him it's sign of defeat." napakunot ako ng noo sa sinabi ng Mahal na Hari. My informant inside told me everything is fine, so why the king said otherwise?

"To take over the company and clean your uncle and cousin's mess, someone have to step in. Me and my son decided to put you there. We want to sell our 25 percent shares to you and the 5 percent shares from Mr.Perez before he put them in public selling. We told him to hold it for you to accept our plan. Few other share holders are cautious now, our clients are questioning the company credibility. " King Jaun Carlos continued.

Parang dumaan lang sa pandinig ko ang sinabi na iba ni Abuelo. All I could think of was... they will sell their 25 percent shares to me. That was huge!

Money is not a problem to buy the shares but am I ready for another responsibility? The three major companies that under my reign was already stressful and a lot of work, dagdagan pa ng mga maliliit na company na pag-aari ko, wala pa sa investment ko sa ibat ibang kompanya. Now another one?

"I know we put another pressure in your shoulder nieto but you are the only hope of your grandparents company. We can easily take over once we buy the others share if we wanted Luis but we won't. Aside from the fact that our parents made a deal before that we only invest to help the company grow. The ownership will always remain to Velasquez family." Patuloy na paliwanag sakin ni Abuelo.

"That's why instead of breaking the agreement, we came up an idea to keep the company back on its track, by making you the owner and CEO of the company. Like dad said Luis we would like to sell the 25 percent share of stock to you. We have our own company and it's not big deal for us to let go the share for the sake of Velasquez Empire. We are family and family help each other," saad naman ng Mahal na Principe. Crown Prince Phillip Javier Maximo V Castillian is the eldest son of Abuelo. Future King of Spain. Happily married with 4 children na kaidaran ng bunso kong kapatid. He's taking place his father's position in every assembly in Cortes Generales.

"I don't know that something is going on inside of the Velasquez Corporation, Abuelo, Uncle. My people there never report to me about this." I said calmly but deep inside I'm furious. Wala akong report na natanggap mula sa tauhan ko doon na may anomalyang nangyayari sa kompanya ni Senior Arnolfo.

"That's because those who involves on this issues are higher official of VC Luis. From senior account to your uncle and cousin. They make sure other employees of VC walk blindly of this issue," sagot ni Uncle Philip sabay pasa sa'kin nang folder na nasa kanyang harapan. Agad ko itong binuksan at binasa ang nakasaad sa mga documento. Napakunot ako ng noo sa mga anomalyang inireport sa kanila. From company profit, to suspicious and oddly statement of account of high ranking employees of VC. Mga questionable project and charities ng kompanya. Halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa nabasa ko.

"How? Where did this come from?" gulat kong tanong.

"We have people in the company too Luis, like you have but the different of ours, they joined them. Pretending to embezzled in the company too like they do. And we found out that a year or two, Velasquez Corporation will be under the edge of bankruptcy if it won't prevented immediately Luis. Our spy said, your cousin and team of scumbag perfectly fabricated every reports, documents and transactions to embezzled company's money into their pocket. Your grandfather believe him. Still thinking that the company is in its success. He's oblivious of whats happening around him. Now that the news cause havoc around we made this decision. You're the only one can save the company Luis." Uncle explained patiently. My grandfather will be devastated once he find out about this. Lalo lang itong aatakihin sa puso. I can't let my moron cousin distroy our ancestors hard work.

"You have to act fast Luis before your cousin make another idiotic mistake. The scandal that happening right now was affecting the Royal family too. I don't know why my cousin still keeping the family agreement on Castañeda family. That supposed to be broken already after your father's eloped scandal with your mother." Abuelo said sighing that his voice was lace of worries.

I sighed. Hindi ko na kailangan pang pag-isipan ito nang husto dahil alam kung ako lang ang maaring makapagbangon ng kompanya. Beside malaki ang paniniwala nila na magawa ko ito.

I nod to the King and Prince.

"I'll take the offer Abuello. I'll make sure my lawyers as soon as possible process all the necessary documents for this deal. And the moment we close the deal, the money will be transfer to your account immediately. I will also talk to Mr. Perez for his share. Also I want to tell you that Mr. Clemente's 8 percent share is mine. " I agreed.

Lumiwanag ang mga mukha nila.

"Thats great news Luis. Once all this officially transfer to you. The VC will be yours without your grandfather approval." Masayang turan ni uncle.

I just nod while both of them congratulate me in advance. Not because I wanted this but because I need to save the company and get rid all the parasites that working there. Sa oras na mapasakamay ko ang kompanya, hindi ko hahayaan ang sino man na sirain at pabagsakin ang pinaghirapan ng aking mga ninuno. I will make sure its remain stable, growing and successful.

I'm Velasquez for nothing. Na minsan pinapasamalat ko na nagmana ako sa katigasan nang ulo sa aking Abuelo.