My Happily Ever After

1 - Today

Abby's POV...

"Aaaaaahhhh!" I let out a piercing scream as I saw an insect in my dress. "Aaaaaahhhh! OMG!"

Nobody is currently with me now 'cause I asked them to go and bring me my favorite chocolate chip cookies. I just closed my eyes and continued screaming as tears started filling them. I hate this little crawling and flying insects and I'm feeling helpless now without Carmela and my other maids.

"Hey, what's the matter?" a voice from behind me asked.

"There...there's an insect...in...in my...dress!!" I stammered. I kept my eyes closed. "Gosh! Remove it! Remove it! Take it off me please!!!"

"Hold on. Stay still." The voice said and I held my breath. After a minute, "No more, it's already gone."

"No more?"

"Yes, no more."

"Promise?" I asked as I peep through my eyes. He chuckled.

"I promise."

"O-okay." I said as I wiped the tears that has rolled down my cheeks and opened my eyes. I rechecked my dress and saw that the insect is no longer there. I sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"Y-you're welcome, princess. " he said with a shy smile. "But you see, it's just a bug. It doesn't even bite."

"I don't care if it was a bug or something else. It's still Eeewy! Like really gross and it looks scary! Gosh! I hate insects! I hate-" I  exclaimed but then I suddenly stopped when I looked up. 

There goes the guy who saved me from the insect. And he is the most handsome guy I've ever seen in my entire life. He has dark brown hair, gray eyes and a cleft chin. Really handsome. 

Could he be the one I was dreaming for? 

My prince charming?

"Hmm. You're new here, aren't you?" I asked with my furrowed brows.

"Ehmm. Err- Yes." he answered and smiled a bit nervously.

Gosh, he is cute! Definitely my type!

"I see." I said and fixed my dress and hair. I tucked some of my long straight hair on my ear a bit shyly, trying not to make myself so obvious.

Do I look like a mess right now? Ugh!

"W-what are you doing here alone?"

"I was not alone. Actually, I just asked them to go get cookies for me."

"Cookies?"

"Yep!"

"Oh. So it's true."

"What's true?"

"T-that a..uhm..a beautiful princess lives here." he said and smiled again.

Did he just call me "princess"? 

Oh, yes he did!

I blushed but shrugged it off. 

Gosh, he's really cute!

"Princess?" I dared to ask.

"Yeah. They told me a princess lives here. And I believe that's you." He answered.

"Being too nosy now, aren't you?" I asked back with a brow raised.

"Oops. My bad. I didn't mean to be appear nosy." He said nervously and I chuckled. "I...I'll take my leave n-now."

"Wait." I said and grabbed his hand. His body jolted and looked surprised when he turned to me. "What's your name?"

"Oh.." Then he wiped his hand on his jeans and held it out for me. "Gorio."

"Abigail." I replied with a smile as I shake hands with him.

"P-pleasure to meet you, my princess." he said a bit nervously and blushed.

---

I woke up when I felt a gentle shake on my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes to adjust to the light coming from my balcony. It was another dream. 

Another dream about him.

I sighed and adjusted my gaze. I saw Carmela fixing the curtain and she faced me with a warm smile.

"Good morning, señiorita."

"Good morning, Carmela."

"How are you feeling now?" She inquired as she stepped towards me and placed a hand on my forehead. "Fever's gone now. I'm glad."

"Sorry to have bothered you."

"Hey, you will never be a bother to me. Always remember that." She said and smiled warmly.

"Thank you." I smiled back.

"Welcome, señiorita."

And she went out of my room. I went to refresh myself first and stared at the mirror. I dreamed about him again. The person who broke my heart. The person who made me realize that happily ever after don't really exist in real life. But then I'm glad that he taught me that lesson when I was still young. At least I learned earlier. So now, I know better. I sighed. I have other things to think about.

My parents died 8 years ago, only right after my first heartbreak. Since then, I have never been the same. I am still devastated. I still can't believe that they're gone. And it was all because of me. 

My fault.

If not for my best friend, grandfather and Tito Julio, I would have gone insane. They have always been there to support me. Today, I have to attend a very important board meeting. And so I smiled bitterly. I don't know anything about the business. It hasn't been my interest ever since. But my grandfather isn't getting any younger, so I must start stepping up now and learn to manage the business. Since my parents death, our company's been having problems and my grandfather would always come home looking stressed out and exhausted. And so he also hinted on my that sooner or later, he needs someone to help him with the business. Because of that, I studied business and even took masters for it in a local university. However, even after I graduate and started to helping Pop in managing the business, the losses kept getting bigger and bigger and we just can't figure out where the problem is coming from. And if we don't find a solution soon, we will be forced to apply for bankruptcy. I have never imagined my life to turn out this way. But due to everything that has happened to me, I realized that a lot of people depends on my family and I just can't betray their trust. I can't give up now. I wiped the tear that fell down when I thought of my parents. If they were still here, maybe the company would still be in good hands.

Mom & Dad, I missed you so much!

***

"Iha, I am now getting old and I wanna make sure that you have finally settled down before I die." My grandfather started. "I hope you know what I mean."

"I understand, Pop. That is why I am here now. Helping you with the company." I replied to him as I looked into his eyes.

He shook his head and looked up. "Yes but that's not what I entirely meant. The business world is evil, iha. I cannot just put you on the spot and let the wolves out there eat you alive. You need a partner, a husband."

"Pop, I can handle myself just fine." I rolled my eyes. Here he is again insisting that I should go and find a partner and get married soon.

"I actually have just one person in mind who can definitely be a very good partner for you." He said seriously and my eyes widened. "I have already made the necessary arrangements."

"You got to be kidding me, Pop." I whispered when I saw his serious face..

"Iha, I've waited for years and yet you never even bothered to date anyone. So an arranged marriage would suit you best." He reasoned out.

"No, no, no." I shook my head. "You can't make me."

"It's for the best." He insisted.

"I know I am not that good with business but I am a very fast learner. I have studied so I have a great background to make all of this work." I said firmly. "Besides, I have already started with the hacienda."

"Iha, the hacienda is just a miniature of what is supposed to be managed." He sighed.

"But you always said that if I can be responsible in small things, then I can also be in big things." I reasoned out.

"That's true. But time's running out."

"Do you not trust me, Pop?"

He shook his head. "No. No. Don't ever think of it like that, iha. I will never ever doubt your capabilities."

"Then why? Pop?"

"You see, as the years passed by...Me and your dad have made a lot of big decisions for the hacienda and for the corporation. And a lot of it may have been bad decisions, I believe." He said sadly.

"What do you mean, Pop?"

"We're already on the verge of losing everything because of those decisions." He answered and looked down.

I covered my mouth as I gasped in surprise of what I'm hearing.

"For years, I tried my hardest to restore what was lost but it just got worst." He said. "I am very sorry, iha. Your father and I have worked so hard for all of this. Especially your Dad. He had thousands of sleepless night for all this. I just can't believe I'm losing it."

"Oh, Pop! No need to be sorry! You did your best." I told him and hugged him tightly. "Pop, I promise. I'll do what ever it takes to get us back on track. We will not loose the hacienda nor the corporation. I know how much Dad loves it. We will not put all of your hardwork to waste. I'll help you, Pop."

"There's not enough time left, iha. The shareholders already want to pull out." he said sadly.

"Oh, Pop."

***

I massaged my temple to ease the throbbing headache that I am feeling right now. I removed my glasses and leaned back on my chair. I closed my eyes as I recalled the board meeting that was held earlier.

"All of our stocks are depreciating, Don Luiz." one of them commented.

"I understand but please just give us more time to fix this. Pulling out your shares will never be the right solution." My grandfather answered firmly.

"But it's the only way out now." Another one commented and some all nodded their heads in agreement. "Or else we'll be left out with nothing."

Now, I'm getting pissed. 

Shameful jerks! 

How can they do this to us? 

Not even an ounce of loyalty.

"Your attention please, let me say these to all of you once and for all. For 30 years, all of your stocks and shares were stable. For 30 years, you've benefited from this corporation. For 30 years, you all have profited with the success of this corporation and those profits may even be ten times greater than the amount of your investments. Now, I am asking all of you to at least give this corporation a chance to stand up again." Pop said loud and firm and they all kept quiet. Some of them sank on their seats, a bit embarrassed. "I am doing my best now to get investors and deals which could definitely benefit the company and save it from bankruptcy. Give me more time for now."

Way to go, Pop. I silently cheered.

"We are touched, Mr. Luiz. But this is still business." One board member boldly said.

I glared at him with all hatred. "As far as I know Mr. Sarmiento, you only have 1.2% shares for this corporation. So I would never EVER hold you back if you decide to pull it out! I don't need a shareholder who doesn't even know the meaning of the word loyalty. And I will not stop you from leaving."

His face turned red like tomatoes. I can hear silent murmurs in the background. I was nervous but desperate. I didn't know that Pop had to go through this all the time.

"So, is there anyone else who would like to pull out their shares?" I boldly asked. I was desperate and I know I'm a taking a risk. But I would do everything to protect our family and the fruit of him and my dad's labor.

"We still want to pull out." one shareholder said.

"Me, too." another one said.

"And me." the one at the read end also said.

"Give us a month to fix this. I have already talked to an investor and we already made a deal." my grandfather interrupted. "If you still decide to pull out in a month then I won't stop you."

After a moment of silence, I sighed in relief as no one dared to insist.

"Fine." one said and the other nodded.

"Meeting is adjourned." Pop said and they scattered like bees from a beehive.

I let out a deep sigh. I know what I did was way beyond being professional but I was desperate. I know what Pop said will just hold them temporarily unless we find a real solution to this problem. In a matter of time they'll come like spark again igniting the flame. And I might not be able to hold it anymore. 

Why didn't I think of studying business from the start?

If only I wasn't out of my mind for years. Then maybe, I could have been a great help to my grandfather.

"Hey, am I disturbing you?" A familiar voice knocked me out of my thoughts.

"Tito Julio!" I excitedly exclaimed as I run towards him and hugged him tightly. "I missed you!"

"Missed you, too." He said as he ruffled my hair.

"Hey. Stop doing that. I'm not a kid anymore." I say.

"Nah, you're still a kid for me." He said and I pouted. He just chuckled. "So, I heard you handled the board meeting well?"

"Of course." I winked and went back to my chair.

"Someone's getting fierce." He teased.

I just let out a sigh.

"I hate seeing you getting stressed so much, sweetie." He said and sat on my couch. "That's why I've always told your Pop to just let me handle everything."

He winked and I chuckled. He was just kidding but I have always thought about that as well. I mean, Tito Julio was there but Pop never let him handle the business. I know he was just an adopted son but I can see how Pop loves him as much as he loved my father. Throughout my childhood, I have never seen my Pop to have his favorite except me. Of course, I was his only grandchild. Well, going back, I asked Pop about it once and he just laughed and said 'if I handle him the business then we would all end up in the streets the next day'. And my grandfather was partly right about that. Before, he was actually handling some of the departments that I have started handling now. And it didn't work out well. It created problems on the company. So Pop took him out of the management. Tito Julio was always the happy-go-lucky type. He's cool about everything. And he just didn't care. He still handles some now, but not for major operations. See? He's already 45 years old and he was still single playing around with different women. I love my Tito but I cringe at the thought of him with several women. I sighed . To be honest, it's his life and he can live it the way he wants to. As for me, I don't have any idea on how this will work. I studied fine arts and photography because I love it.  And then, I'm back to this now, it's way beyond my interest and knowledge.

"Oh, yeah? So you can have more sexy blondes to come and woe you?" I teased and he chuckled.

"You know me very well, sweetie." He smirked.

"Gross!"

He just chuckled. "Wanna go out for dinner?"

"Sure."

"Italian?"

"Nah."

"Mexican?"

"Nah."

"Ah. I know. Chinese?"

"Yes!"

Don't get me wrong. I love all kinds of food from different countries and continents BUT I just feel like I am craving for Chinese food today.

"Then, lets go, sweetie!"

***