Rex Pov...
Alejandro decided to expand the business, eyeing some of the best places to build hotels and resorts for travelers locally. Uncle set up a meeting with his business colleague in Manila and Baguio. We are ecstatic to meet these investors as Uncle James is fond of them.
I accompanied Alejandro as usual to finally close one of the biggest deals the Vida Corp had. He will be meeting one of the scariest businessmen and the top investor in this project. Mr. Paloma wants to expand his business locally and internationally, eyeing Visayas and Luzon since he already owns NCR.
Alejandro prepared himself for this meeting as he was excited and believed he would get it. He is not just my buddy, but a brother to me. I know everything about him as to his dark desires. Alejandro is already thirty - eight years old and still single as he doesn't believe in love and commitment.
For him, commitment is a tragedy. That's why he continues to live his freestyle life. I am responsible for every hook-up he was in local and international. He has a sibling whom he adores like his parents. Alejandro is one of the youngest businessmen conquering Asia and Europe. I can't comment anything about him as a businessman, but I can say something about his personal life. It's not that I'm mocking him, but he needs a woman to make him settle down as he gets older."Hey, buddy! How was your morning?" I asked him as I reached our table for our breakfast.
"Great buddy! I'm ecstatic about this meeting." He said, smiling as he sipped his coffee.
"Yeah! I'm sure you can close this deal as you used to." I said, sipping on my coffee too. I trust him he can pull this off.
We finished our meal immediately before the clock ticked eight for his meeting. I laughed as I watched him smiling, going out of his room. Yeah! That's Alejandro, the young business tycoon who can pull off everything.
As we entered the conference meeting room, Mr. Paloma wasn't there yet, which is a good sign since we first arrived, rather than the meticulous business tycoon. After fifteen minutes, Mr. Paloma entered with a stoic face just like Alejandro used to do when he was a bit nervous. For him, don't show weakness even when you are about to give up. Mr. Paloma is a bit scary with his whole package appearance and intimidating entering the room.
The meeting started perfectly as Alejandro delivered the business plan. Everyone agreed and applauded him. They said it was perfect and good to start, but things got messy when Mr. Paloma commented about Alejandro physically based on his judgment, but not about the business proposal. He gave an outstanding grade for his business proposal but criticized him in front of other investors.
"I love your business proposal, Mr. Smith, it is really perfect. The theme, place, and everything." Mr. Paloma said. Everyone supported and agreed to give Alejandro a good sign.
"Thank you, Mr. Paloma." Alejandro answered.
"But, I'm not sure about you! You are too young for this business. I don't think you can pull off and expand this business as we are expecting. I'm honestly adamant to drop millions." He said, intimidating Alejandro, which he hates the most. Alejandro always separates his personal life from business. Intimidating him is one of the things he listed on his no no list.
"I don't think you can judge me by that, Mr. Paloma. With my thirty - eight years of existence, and fifteen years managing our business, I could say I can expand any business I'm interested in." Alejandro answered directly to Mr. Paloma.
"But you are still Junior for this business even if you have been working on it for fifteen years. I also managed my business for twenty - eight years, local and international." Mr. Paloma said, making the other investors lean on their chairs as the conversation was getting interesting. I could say Alejandro is already beyond pissed, but he professionally smiled at everyone.
"Okay, Mr. Paloma. I'm sorry if being a young entrepreneur is not a good sign to do business with you." Alejandro answered, accepting defeat to this cranky businessman in front of us.
"Thank you, Mr. Smith. I hope you can find more business partners and be more diligent." He said before picking up his stuff and standing to leave. What does he mean by more diligent?
"Not to mention Mr. Paloma. Thank you for joining us today and I'm sorry for the inconvenience!" Alejandro maintained his posture, thanking him even if he was damn pissed and needed to vent out.
He had never been humiliated in his life in front of anyone. Alejandro was the one who expanded Vida Corp to become Corp. Recently he just invested in Australia for farming. He wants to have an imported organic shop in the Philippines. He bought ten hectares of land in Australia for farming and to take care of cows. He even wanted to buy another land near the mountains for a ranch. If I were a woman, I would fall in love with him not because he is handsome, but because he is capable of everything. Alejandro is already a complete package, but sadly, he is not into commitment, and here comes Mr. Paloma, who judged him as incapable of doing business. That sucks and he is totally pain in the ass to say that!
Everyone stands up as he leaves. We take our seats as we continue to discuss the changes to prolong the work out of the plan as we need one or two more investors to fill in the gap, Mr. Paloma declined though he had already promised Uncle James to invest and he was the one who suggested doing this kind of business in Cebu before chasing Palawan and Subic.
Alejandro is not famous as a businessman here in Cebu as he doesn't want people to recognize him. Uncle James is the one famous because he was the one who started to open the INN, expanding Vida before until Alejandro made it to a Hotel and Resort up to the present, but still uses Uncle James as the front line. I look at Alejandro who is trying his best not to vent out. They agreed to what he suggested before the four investors left.
"Alejandro." I called him as he stood up ready to leave.
"Ah! Yeah! Let's go. I need to breathe fresh air, Rex!" He muttered, grabbing his stuff. I followed him where his feet led us. He entered one of the sizzling restaurants.
"One bottle of beer after a meal, Rex?" He asked. I nodded, ordering my favorite rib eye medium rare steak.
"Sure buddy, best for a bottle of beer." I answered. I watched him sit back leaning on his chair as he crossed his legs.
If I were in his shoes, I would not just be pissed at him. How could he underestimate someone's ability because of age? Age is just a number, but ability and talent are something that is not measured by age. Maybe Mr. Paloma is intimidated by Alejandro's appearance.
Alejandro Pov... My urgent meeting this morning didn't sit as well as I had planned. I drop by this bar just to relax my mind from exhaustion and disappointment. This is the first time to been rejected in my thirty - eight years of existence. According to him, I'm too young and not capable of expanding the said business. Fuck! What the hell does he think he is judging me by its cover? I'm frustrated and furious, throwing the bottle of tequila on the wall. I've never been humiliated and embarrassed in my life. Damn, you Mr. Paloma! I cursed repeatedly as I opened another bottle of whiskey. I sank into my chair chugging all the remaining drops of my whiskey as I dialed and ordered a tequila again. I feel my head is already spinning drinking tequila and whiskey. I eagerly emptied the second bottle of tequila when the door of my room suddenly swung open, shoving a beautiful woman. I'm startled that I almost dropped my glass of tequila. Did Rex get me a woman tonight? I stared at the
Anita Pov... For my twenty - years of existence, I never partied nor went clubbing. I wasn't raised by my father to do foolish things. I love staying at home, traveling, or simply reading any books that will grab my attention or, most likely, alleviate the mood. Fiction or non-fiction doesn't matter as long as it can relieve my stress. I don't watch dramas on television, but I watch movies on N*****x, not a series of stories unless interesting.When moments like this, I always miss my mom, who passed away early when I was just thirteen years old because of a car accident. I felt my tears sting my eyelids.Dad raised us as a fighter, not a sloppy person. My two siblings have their own lives not as we really want, but we can say we started to love them since dad supported us all the way. I'm alone living with daddy and two housemaids. I had a few friends to call and luckily I'm working with one of my friends. I had a high school sweetheart until college, but sadly, we parted right afte
Alejandro Pov...I woke up to the loud sounds of my alarm. Fuck! Can I just sleep for a while? I whined still dizzy and my head was spinning like hell. Damn it! I didn't know how I came home last night. I just remembered I was drinking at the bar annoyed and exhausted. I'm startled at my phone ringing. Fuck! I cursed grabbing my phone. "Hello!" I burst groggy and have no recollection of what the day today is. "Damn Alejandro, what are you doing? Man you need to hurry, if you want to get this deal!" The caller whined. I bolted awake when I realized I had an important meeting today. "Fuck! Sorry buddy, my head still hurts and I could feel my vision blurry. I'll be right there. Hold on for me a minute." I responded quickly waking myself. "Drink the tea I put on your table with the capsule, it will help you. I already had your coffee and sandwich here. I know you'll be gonna late!" He added most likely like mocking on his last phrase. So, he brought me home last night, but how? Shit!
Rex Pov... When I went there to fetch him I was fucking amazed to see him messy and unorganized. It was his first time to be left alone and looks terrible. It's hilarious that he experienced all his first time at once. I took a picture and videos of him for souvenirs. Every time I saw his video I could retrain myself not to laugh but I'm curious who the woman was. I know she's not working there and slut as she didn't take his valuable belongings. Alejandro was wearing an expensive outfit that night. Sometimes I think this happened for a reason. Whatever fate reasons to intervene like this maybe it's for the better. Alejandro was pissed at the same time and becomes idiot thinking of that woman. Thus he recalls now what happened. I'm dying fucking curious!I left Alejandro in the hotel to meet Terry without telling him. I know he is still contemplating what he did to that poor soul. Based on his status that night he was damn pissed and exhausted. "Rex!" Terry exclaimed to see me co
Alejandro Pov...I'm unaware I am alone left at the hotel. After that incident, we left Manila to meet an unexpected client here in Baguio City with Terry as our convoy. Bored and couldn't find that woman on any social media I went to Rex's room only to be shocked and saw them together with Terry. They both look at me shocked and red as a tomato."What happened?" I asked them."Nothing. While you were thinking of her until we went to Wright Park unfortunately it was so packed and decided to come back." Rex explained uncomfortably."Ah! I'm bored! Can we go down and have some beer moment? Terry we only have you once in a while. Calls for a celebration of our brotherhood." I suggested. They exchange gazes before responding."Sure!" They both uttered."Hey! Are you two mocking me about what happened? Did you tell him?" I asked Rex doubtful. Their gestures are different."No, we're not! Who knows that woman will be yours forever. She will be the one to change you from being the casanova."
Anita Pov...AFTER TWO MONTHS… "Hey! Anita, what's happening to you, you always feel sleepy! Get up and we need to eat our lunch!" My friend Missy pleaded. "You should go. I'm still sleepy. I want pancakes with my Choco ice cream on top and a tub of rocky road if you don't mind." I mouthed still plopping on my desk. "Again! The other day and yesterday we ate that." Her hysterical response while raising her eyebrows reaching the tenth floor again. "I don't know what's wrong with me Missy, I'm always craving pancakes and ice cream! Foods that I don't usually eat." I felt weird, but shrugged it off. Maybe it's time to change as well."That's why you look fat, but your cravings are weird. Sometimes I think you're pregnant." She said bringing me back to my senses. Why I didn't think of the consequences? Now that she said that it reminded me of the night I lost something."Missy!" I bolted awake, staring at her. She almost dropped her purse shocked at my outburst."What? You're scaring m
Anita Pov...I ask dad to work with grandma in Cebu while having a year's vacation. Since I'm not an employee, I can get a long vacation as long it will benefit the company. Dad didn't ask any further since Grandma has a wide farm in Cebu. I can help to manage, dad wouldn't doubt I'm hiding something from him. I know this is not a good decision, but I have to. I'm already in Cebu waiting for my cousin to pick me up. Since I'm in a hurry to leave Manila I didn't have any chance to talk to Missy. I'll just send her a text though!"Hi babe! I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm already here in Cebu for a year's vacation, but it depends on the situation when I'll come back. I'm still shaking thinking about what will happen when dad finds out about my pregnancy." I texted her."Anitaaaa!!!! I can keep a secret! Why do you have to run immediately?" She whined in her reply. I know that but it's better to be early than be caught."Babe, better than late. Take care of daddy. You'll be her assistant
Alejandro Pov...AFTER A YEAR... I touch my office table and my swivel chair. Oh! How I missed my office, I was in Manila for a month because of a big project that needed to close. Sadly, the project didn't work well, but I got the biggest project of the year. I still plan to find other business partners for the Cebu project since I only got the Makati project."Alejandro, what happened at your meeting in Manila." Dad excitedly asks as he enters the office."Yeah! Dad, it's okay, they were happy with the nice presentation so they signed the contract immediately, but the Cebu partnership was rejected." I said lowering my head while flipping the pen in my fingers. I'm a bit ashamed of not getting that project."Good! Let's celebrate. Have dinner with us at home. You haven't been to our family dinner in a long time. Your mommy will be happy if you can go home now. About the rejected one we can still find some people who really want business with us, don't lose hope son!" Dad explained a