Chapter 5 - Bankrupt

Bankrupt

"Come here, Calliana," Tito called, bringing me back to the present.

I slowly went to them. My mind still can't grasp that the man I gave myself to is here in front of me. "This is Rafael Gray Zeigler. He was once a business partner to your papa. He went here to give some respects."

I bit my lip and nodded at Tito. I can't look him in the eye. He's too much to take in.

"Rafael, this is my niece, Calliana," he introduced.

"Nice meeting you, Ms. Calliana," he smirked and held out his hand.

That smirk told me that he remembers me but he's pretending that he doesn't know me. I'm happy he's pretending but why is my heart beating so fast. I suddenly remember how he called me 'sweetheart' a lot of times. The way his erotic voice sent shivers down my spine. D*mn! I'm out of my mind! What am I thinking in front of him and my Tito?!

I looked at Tito and they were both waiting for me to take his hand. I slowly held his hand. At the touch of his hand, electricity made its way from the tip of my finger to my whole body.

Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t!

"I'm sorry for your loss," he said with a cold expression. I don't know if he's sincere or what but our supposedly three-second handshake became more than that. He shook my hand firmly and sensually touched my hand before withdrawing. I felt a shudder run down my spine.

I immediately hid my hand behind my back. He saw it and looked at me with viciousness. I bit my lip. He's making me feel foreign emotions I never felt. How can he do that with one single glance?

"We are still in shock but we will get through this. Thank you for sparing your time, Rafael. I know you're a busy person," Tito Alex said.

"I would still make time even if I'm busy, Mr. Lewis. Laurier Company have been a great partner and friend from the past," he replied to Tito but I can feel his piercing stare on me.

But what really made me think was he was a business partner from the past? On our company? How did I not know this? Of course, you wouldn't! He said in the past so I'm still probably burning my ass on college.

They talked more about business and Arthur's death. I was just there standing and in a daze. Waiting for someone to take me out there because each passing second of feeling his presence and hearing his voice made me remember every single thing that happened last night. I wasn't supposed to remember anything given the fact that I'm so drunk at that time but...

"What will happen to the Laurier company? I supposed it will be handled by you, Mr. Lewis?" Raphael asked.

He got my attention. Suddenly, I remember our company. It's been two days since Arthur passed away. I didn't know what is happening to our company. Tito Alex never mentioned anything.

"No," Tito then looked at me. I saw Rafael glance at me. "I will let Calliana manage it. It's hers anyway but I will still guide her. There are a lot of things to teach her," Tito smiled at me.

I've already expected to manage Laurier company. When Papa was still alive, he never failed to let me visit and observe the company once a month. I have already grasped the basics of the company.

"Hmm... Is that so?" Rafael drawled lazily. He glanced at me.

I frowned and looked at him. Why does his tone feel like it's taunting me?! Is he belittling me?! I know he's a business expert, he wouldn't be the youngest billionaire in Asia if he isn't... But, how dare he mock me in front of my Tito!

"She seems very young and... innocent," he grinned before looking back at Tito.

The way he said 'innocent' gave me chills. You just took my innocence last night, you idiot! I blushed profusely thinking he's also remembering what happened last night. But a man of his calibre only does a one-night stand. I bet he doesn't remember every woman he had f*cked!

I was a bit startled when someone hooked their arm on my right arm. I glanced at that person only to see a grinning Ivy. She looked at me with so much malice. You'll think I did a crime.

"Hi, Tito!" she waved happily but she was looking at Rafael.

"Oh, where's your father?" Tito asked. Ivy's parents attended the funeral. Ivy didn't inform me that her parents are coming that's why I was shocked when I saw them. She only giggled when I scolded her for not telling me that Tito and Tita will attend.

"You know that father is always busy. They left just a while ago, Tito. Daddy said he will contact you soon," she smiled.

"I understand," Tito nodded then looked at Rafael. "By the way, Rafael, this is Ivy Castanieda. His father is Guillermo Castanieda, the owner of Castanieda Pharmacy."

Ivy's family business is medical drugs. They own the biggest pharmaceutical in the whole Philippines. They're planning to extend to some countries in South-East Asia.

Rafael handed his hand to Ivy. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Ivy. I've heard a lot about Castanieda Pharmacy."

Ivy giggled and took Rafael's hand. It was a brief handshake, not like when he shook my hand. Our handshake took five seconds and he sensually touched me! Ugh!

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Rafael. I'm your long time admirer," Ivy giggled.

My eyes widened at what she said! Oh my gosh! Does this woman even have shame on her body? She... Did she just confess in front of us?!

Rafael's laugh echoed in my ear. "That's a bold confession, Ms. Ivy." The three of them including Tito Alex laughed. Am I the only one who is disturbed? They took it so lightly, especially Rafael. Does he receive so many confessions that this isn't new to him? I bet he also receives a lot of confessions from a lot of women or from women who had already had a one night stand with him! This man in front of me is a womanizer. A certified playboy and womanizer!

What did you expect, Calliana? He doesn't even have to offer, women will crawl on his lap!

I exhaled heavily. Rafael noticed it. He looked at me and raised his right eyebrow. I rolled my eyes at him. Playboy!

The funeral ended in the afternoon. There were too many visitors. It was all over the media how Arthur met an accident and died. I didn't care about the rumors circulating because I was more concerned about our company.

"Tito, I'll visit the company tomorrow," I said while we're on our way to my condo.

"You don't have to rush, Calliana. You can start three days from now," he said calmly.

"No, Tito. Now that Arthur is dead, no one is leading the company. I can't let the company my parents built suffer more. I will start tomorrow," I said with finality, not letting Tito argue with me anymore.

He just sighed and nodded while driving. I can't compromise our company. I can't sleep peacefully knowing that no one is leading it. Tito has his own company to lead. I can't let him shoulder everything when I know that I can do something.

Ivy stayed with me that day. She wasn't satisfied with my vague answers and insisted to sleep in my condo for the day. I told her everything I remembered except the part on what happened inside that hotel.

"Oh my gosh! Is he good in bed?" she squealed.

I blushed. "Ivy!" I scolded her. I wanted to forget what happened last night but she keeps on letting me remember it! Ugh!

"Your blushing! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" she hit my arm a lot of times and screamed.

"Ouch!" I yelled but she was too engrossed in her imagination.

"You're one lucky girl, Calli babe!" she shrieked again.

"I am not! He's definitely a playboy, Ivy! I can't believe you confessed to him a while ago!" I still can believe it. Ivy is beautiful and she has a lot of suitors but she is very picky when it comes to a man. She only likes to do flings without commitments that's why she's always in a club. Seeing her confess to a man is shocking to me.

She giggled. "That's the only time I would have a chance to tell him how I feel because I know that I'll never get a chance again," she looked at me meaningfully. I rolled my eyes at her. If she thinks that I'll do it again with that man, she's wrong. I don't even feel anything for him. He's just a playboy who likes to f*ck women.

The next morning, I woke up early to go to our company. Tito said he'll fetch me. I have rejected him but he said that he'll check what the company is doing. He'll also teach me the things I need to start. While I left Ivy in my condo, telling me she'll visit me in the afternoon.

I majored in financial management that's why I know the basics of business and financial management. I purposely picked this course to help my parents. Even though Papa told me to follow whatever course I wanted, I still chose this because I know that I'll be needing it.

Our company building is located in Makati. I went out of Tito's car and saw the five-leaf clover, the trademark of Laurier Company, at the entrance of the building.

Tito handed his car keys to a valet boy. Men and women in their formal attires welcomed us.

"Good morning, Mr. Lewis and Ms. Laurier," a young-looking woman greeted us.

"Good morning," I greeted back and the woman gestured us to come in.

Tito and I entered the building, the woman following us. The employees just greeted us and Tito dismissed them to return to their work.

"Give us a brief description of the status of the company," in his business tone, Tito asked the woman.

"Yes, Mr. Lewis. Two days ago when Mr. Madrigal has passed away. There are nine checks that bounced back exceeding seven digits," the woman started that shocked me. Nine checks from where?!

"What?!" I asked shocked. "Nine checks?! Where did that come from?"

"Yes, Ms. Laurier. A total of nine checks and it was all from a failed business that Mr. Madrigal invested in and a lot from the casino."

"Casino?! He used the company's money for his caprices?!" My blood boiled. How dare he use my parent's hard-earned money for his gambling! He was just seated for almost a month and seven-digit checks bounced backed?!

"Go on," Tito ordered.

"The company lost a lot of money and three board members have threatened to pull out their investment if the money that the company lost will not be gained back."

This is what I've been fearing off. I shouldn't have let that jerk lead the company for even a day. I was too depressed to think about the company when my mother died. Now everything is firing back.

"The company will not hold out if the three board members will pull out. Laurier company will go bankrupt if that happens, Mr. Lewis."