Chapter 3: College Graduation

A peaceful few years passed by. She is about to finish college yet she hadn’t any plan at all. Her parents encourage her to go back home but she doesn't want to do it. She hated the fact to see Brent’s successful activities done. She heard that Brent will take over the position of her Father as a CEO soon.  Out of curiosity, she checked Brent's Facebook account. Only a few posts were being posted and mostly tagged by those women who crazily like Brent.

A few days ago she suddenly bumped into a certain talent producer named Martin Miller who scouted several popular ramp models and artists. Nilapitan siya nito sa upuan niya at nagbigay ng business card and directly Martin offers her a modeling career. She had a white complexion and a beautiful face. She is able to speak English well that’s why Martin used to ask her several times to be a part of his modeling agency. She said yes to it but she also asked Him to give at least a few months since she’s about to finish college. She knows the fact Martin Miller is a gay yet a professional one. Every weekend and vacant time she went to their training place to do serious modeling training.

Finally, college graduation has been happening. Shantal’s parents arrived to participate in her graduation celebration. Last week, she saw some Facebook posts of Brent’s graduation celebration. It seems like it’s a happy moment for the guy because it was being held in one of Manila five star hotels with prominent people as a guest from the business world. Naiirita siyang tingnan ang mga larawan dahil nakita niyang proud na naman ulit ang Daddy niya rito. Graduate as Summa Cum Laude si Brent kaya no wonder her parents spent so much money for his graduation. Lalong lumalim ang galit at tampo niya sa magulang na matagal na niyang kinimkim. Lahat ng bagay binibigay naman sa kanya ngunit ang pagmamahal at atensyon nararamdaman niyang kulang. Ngayong araw dumating ang parents niya to celebrate her graduation too. Her Dad bought her a brand new Lamborghini as a gift yet she didn’t felt so much happy about it. They don’t spend much money on her graduation as her parents decided to have a simple dinner in a certain restaurant in NEW YORK. 

A Few hours later back home…..

She heard her  Mom knocking into her room. She immediately opened the door. Her mom gives her a gift too. A Chanel necklace with a flower pendant embroidered with a diamond. “ Thank you Mom, it's so nice and elegant. I really love it.” She gave her mom a kiss and a hug. 

“ I am so proud of you doing great here in the US, babe”, her Mom replied. What’s your plan after graduation? Would you head back to the Philippines?” tanong nito.

“ Mommy I can’t return back so soon because I’ve committed to joining modeling in Martin’s agency, I’ve signed a contract with Him. I really hope you will understand my decision,” she said with full conviction.

“Okay, I know because you’ve mentioned it to me several times. I will always support all your plans. But you know one day you need to learn how to handle our businesses. Though right now it is doing well and Brent is able to help us still we need your cooperation.” 

She never says anything at all because the reason why she doesn’t want to be with her parents is because of Brent. She hated the fact to become his shadow. Her Mom leaves a word to her. “ Be open-minded. I know how you feel towards the poor guy but He is quite good and humble. He follows everything your Dad had told him to do.”

Her reply is just a smile full of pain. She can’t defeat Brent and she said to herself one day she will create her own life and become popular in her chosen career. The next day her parents spent time shopping with her as an extended gift for her graduation. She witnessed how her Dad was able to find time to communicate with Brent back in the Philippines as she saw them having skype calls at night. Her father didn’t spend much time talking to her that’s why she felt mad about it. This old man seems so fond of having Brent as his son

Few weeks pass by and her parents return back to the Philippines and while Shantal focussed her time doing modeling training. “ Okay time is up, make yourself comfortable and do rest for a few days because your first modeling event will be happening soon.” she heard Martin's words. “ Darling, give your best on that day because it will be a big event.”  

“Don’t worry I’ll promise you I will be at my best because I chose to do this career. I know as well there’s another Paris Fashion Show that you will be going to do and I heard you several times telling me about it.” she smiled sweetly while answering him. 

At Rodriguez Mansion at that time…..

Brent wakes up so early and does his morning exercise routine. After doing it he heads to the dining room where Edward Rodriguez has his breakfast with his wife Cecilia. “ Brent sit down and have your breakfast, today you will start your training in our company. Once you will be familiar with the operation we will announce to the public and to our internal investors what you will take my responsibility as a CEO.”

“ Uncle I am not yet fully prepared for this big responsibility and I feel not suitable since I am not related to you”. Brent replied to Edward.

“Nah, don’t underestimate your capability because I know you’re good at different tasks,” Edward said it directly while staring at him.

“You need to be a better one. We rely on you and we know that you can perform very well. Remember you’ve promised us that you will be a great son-in-law.” smiling face of Cecilia uttering those words.

“Auntie, Shantal didn’t know this arrangement yet and I am afraid she will not agree” Brent felt so worried. 

“Wag kang mag alala mabait ang anak namin at maiintindihan niya ito dahil ginawa namin ang pasyang ito dahil kilala kana namin sapol ng ikaw ay tumira dito.” sagot ulit nito. Di na siya nakapagsalita hanggang sa matapos silang kumain.

Pagdating nila sa opisina agad siyang inindorso nito sa Human Resources Department para mag guide sa kanya na ikutin ang iba’t ibang department. Elvie Rios had brought him to the planning and marketing department. Elvie calls everyone’s attention “ Morning guy’s your attention for a while, please. Let me introduce you all, our future CEO, Brent Santillian. Today is his official training day to familiarize the entire business operation as per instruction of our CEO.” 

“Welcome to our company Sir Brent”!!!! Everyone replied. He felt a warm welcome from the employees so he replied to them with a sweet smile. Some female employees heard them saying he is too young and handsome.

When he headed back to Edwards office he sat silently as the old man had a conversation with his secretary. After the secretary left, Edward said: “ We will be going to have a banquet tomorrow to formally announce your participation in our company.”

Tumango lamang siya dahil wala naman siyang magagawa para pigilan ito. “ Uncle, how you’re going to inform Shantal of your plan?” Brent asked directly.

Edward says “ Do not think too much about it, Shantal doesn’t have any other choice but to accept my decision. Aren’t you happy that you will be a part of my family?”.

“Di naman po sa ganon kaya lang alam niyo naman na masama ang loob niya sa akin mula pa po nong lumipat ako sa mansion niyo. Ramdam ko yung galit niya sa akin .”

“Hahahaha natatakot ka ba sa anak ko? She’s pleasing in everyone’s eye and a princess, maswerte ang kahit na sino na magmamahal at maging asawa nya”. Sagot nito.

At Miller Fashion House…..

“Babe, you made me proud because your performance exceeded my expectation”, uttered by Martin.

Shantal smiles sweetly, “ Thank you for trusting me Martin, I really can’t make it good without your words of wisdom and inspiration. I’ve been able to have several product endorsements recently because you work hard too, to make me recognized with those biggest companies in the US.” 

“Nah, you worked more passionately in this industry that’s why you made it big,” Martin replied.

Nancy  ( her personal assistant ) came in into Martin’s office with a bunch of tulips flowers in her hand “ Babe, your serious suitor Mike Chan sent these flowers'', nakita niyang umirap si Martin at tumaas ang kilay ng tinanggap nya ito.

“Martin, c'mon. He is a good person and I think he is a better candidate for husband material, right?” she smiles looking towards Martin.

“ I don’t think so, honestly I didn’t see his sincerity at all, something must be behind his effort to court you. You might not recognize it but believe me or not I am a person who can identify someone’s actions in just a few observations.” Martin said.

Shantal grabs the note that she saw in the bouquet. “ Have dinner with me tonight” written on it. She felt so special every time Mike sent those beautiful tulips. Matagal ng nanliligaw sa kanya ito bagamat di nya magawang sagutin dahil wala rin siyang nararamdamang affection towards dito. Natutuwa lang sya sa atensyon na binibigay nito sa loob ng ilang taon. She felt uncommon emotions every time she stalked Brent on his social media account. Seems like there’s a certain curiosity that she cannot explain at all when she’s thinking about the guy. She managed to leave her own family and established her career in the US as a supermodel and product endorser because she wanted her family’s acknowledgement. She often communicates with her Mom through skype calls. It’s been six years living in the US independently and it feels so good to have a group of friends in a social circle where everyone established their names and businesses. The young generation who remarkably made names in the Fashion circle admired her presence as she walked down the runway. 

Nancy is busy collecting her belongings while she’s busy checking her Facebook account. She saw another post a few hours ago in Brent's account. She saw an extravagant banquet held in her Father’s company to recognize Brent as part of the organization. Bumalik na naman ang inis nya sa binata dahil sa sobrang atensyon at pagmamahal ng mga magulang niya rito.