Chapter 4

“We will be working with Engr. Valdez and Architect Abalos on this project. On Thursday, they will be ready for a meeting. Sir Rome and I will be the ones to orient them. I prepared a complete–” natigilan ang empleyadong nagre-report sa harap ng biglang bumukas ang pinto ng conference room kung saan sila nagtitipon.

Tristan who was focused on the report was almost instantly annoyed by the interruption. Ngunit nang makita niya kung sino ang pumasok ay parang gusto niya nang tumakbo para tumakas. Demi Creston was standing by the doorway and was directly glaring at him.

“Excuse me Miss, we’re in the middle of a meeting.” anang empleyado na naantala sa pagsasalita sa harap. She is a new employee that’s why it is understandable na hindi niya kilala kung sino ang kinakausap niya. She is actually doing good in hiding her annoyance.

“It’s fine Ms. Lovino. She’s my sister. I’ll take my leave now. You guys can continue. I’ll just catch up on this meeting through Rome.”

Halata ang gulat sa mukha ng babae ng marinig ang tinuran ng kanilang CEO. Ngayong nalaman niyang kapatid nito ang babae ay para siyang napahiya. She wish she could have been nicer in talking to her.

Tristan stood up and went to his sister who was still glaring at him. If looks could kill, he would probably have dropped dead right at this moment. Tristan apologetically smiled at her and escorted her outside the conference room. Dinala niya ang kapatid sa kaniyang opisina. His office is soundproof and only Rome can come in without knocking, so, it’s perfect to talk to her here. His sister can be really loud sometimes.

“What do you think you’re doing here in your office?” Demi was still glaring at him.

She’s wearing a very simple but classy white dress paired with 2-inch heeled strappy sandals. Her hair is in a low ponytail with a pearled black bow in it. She has little to no makeup. Everyone who saw her entering the building thought she was so beautiful and that she looks like a doll. But now that she’s annoyed and looking mad at Tristan, he is having the thought of calling her Annabelle–you know, the haunted doll from the horror movie?

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, okay? I just have to wrap everything up so I can take my vacation in peace.” palusot niya kahit pa naayos na niya lahat noong isang linggo pa. Isa pa ay hindi naman magbabakasyon si Rome kaya kahit iwanan niya ng isang buwan ang kompanya ay kampante siyang babalik siya na hindi pagpa-file ng declaration of bankcruptcy ang aatupagin.

“Kailan ka pa dumating?” he asked her trying to divert the topic away from him being caught working on his first day of vacation.

Demi is working as a managing editor in a New York-based Magazine. Bihira itong umuwi sa Pilipinas dahil madalas itong busy sa trabaho. But Tristan knew the real reason why she rarely visits. She likes living in New York as an average working class. She is a private person and she even managed to hide her identity as the Creston Empire’s heiress from the public. Tanging mga close friends and relatives and nakakakilala sa kaniya at mga taong may mataas na katungkulan sa Creston Empire. They never worry that they might reveal her to the public because like a lunatic–she made everyone sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).

“I arrived kaninang madaling araw. Rome picked me up at the airport. Akala ko alam mong darating ako kaya ako sinundo ng isang iyon.” sagot ni Demi at saka naupo sa leather sofa na naroon. Tristan followed her and sat on the one-seater.

Hindi na nagtaka si Tristan sa pagsundo ni Rome sa kaniyang nakatatandang kapatid. Rome can be overly efficient most of the time. Hindi niya nga alam na darating ang kapatid niya pero ang secretary niya pala ang sumundo rito.

“Have you had your breakfast? Let’s go for brunch?”

“Good thing you asked. I’m starving already. Let’s go for Filipino food. I missed authentic Filipino food.” now she seems excited. Ang bilis talaga ma-divert ng atensiyon nito. But, he knows he’s saved just for now. Maya-maya ay maaalala ng ate niya ang ikinaiinis nito at makakatikim na talaga siya ng katakot-takot na sermon.

“You know what, I changed my mind. Punta na lang tayo sa U-belt. I would like to visit my friend. She owns a coffee shop and I promised that I’ll pay her a visit when I come back.” Demi said out of the blue.

“Momo has a coffee shop now?”

“Yeah, how did you know I was talking about Momo?”

“You only have one friend.”

“You didn’t have to point that out! Tara na nga.” Demi rolled her eyes and got up. Though he’d rather eat in a nearby restaurant, wala naman siyang magagawa dahil hindi pwedeng hindi masunod ang nakatatandang kapatid. What Demi wants, Demi gets–ika nga ni Seven noong mga teenager pa lang sila matapos pababain ni Demi sa pwesto ang student council president ng campus at itinalaga si Rome bilang president. It was a good decision because Rome was the best student council president the campus ever had.

“Welcome to Momo’s!” masiglang bati ng babaeng crew sa counter pagkapasok na pagkapasok ni Demi at Tristan sa coffee shop na pag-aari ng kaibigan ng una.

The two were unsmiling and doesn’t have much of a pleasant expression causing the girl behind the counter to feel intimidated.

“Hi, I’m looking for Momo. Is she here?” tanong ni Demi. Hindi niya sinasadyang maging intimidating at mukhang cold ngunit ganoon talaga ang ere nilang magkakapatid. She feels bad for people who are obviously scared or intimidated by them.

“Ahm… Just a minute po, Ma’am. Tatawagin ko lang po si Miss Momo.” nagkukumahog na nagpunta sa kitchen ang dalaga at pinuntahan ang opisina ng boss niya.

Naabutan niyang nakatututok sa laptop nito ang magandang may-ari ng coffee shop. She knocked on the door to get her attention. Pumasok na rin siya kaagad ng lingunin ng boss niya ang pintuan.

“Miss Momo, may naghahanap po sa inyo na magandang babae. May kasama po siyang fafable.” Andy can’t really stop her mouth. Yes, she was intimidated by the two beautiful creatures outside, but, that won’t stop her from raving about their stunning visuals.

Kumunot ang noo ni Momo ngunit agad ring tumayo. Sino kaya ang tinutukoy ng kaniyang empleyado? Hindi niya maiwasang kabahan ng marinig na may gwapong lalake na kasama sa naghahanap sa kaniya. She has a person in mind but she doesn’t want to expect para hindi siya ma-disappoint. Sumunod lang sa kaniya si Andy at bumalik na sa counter.

Her eyes widened when she saw who was waiting for her on one of the tables by the window. Demi is looking around the interior of the shop. Tristan on the other hand is busy looking at his phone.

“Demi!” she exclaimed. Demi’s face immediately lit up when she saw her dear friend. Tumayo siya at sinalubong ng yakap si Momo. They have been friends for almost 3 years now but Demi has always been based in New York kaya minsan lang sila makapag kita. Last year ay puro video calls lang sila at nakapagkita ng isang beses noong nakabisita si Momo sa New York para suportahan ang kapatid niyang modelo. Hindi pinalagpas ni Demi ang pagkakataon at nag leave siya ng two days sa company para samahan si Momo sa kung saan-saan.

“Oh my god! I missed you.” Halos magtatalon pa ang dalawa sa excitement. Tristan stood slowly and gave Momo a small smile and nodded. She was kind of disappointed that the man Andy was talking about is not who she hoped to see. But she’s happy to see Demi again. Ngumiti rin si Momo at muling natuon ang atensiyon sa kaibigan.

“Kailan ka pa dumating?” she inquired as they sat down.

“I’ll sit on the other table.” Paalam ni Tristan at tinanguan naman siya ng dalawang babae na parang wala nang pakialam sa kaniya.

Tristan wanted to go ahead and order their food but he doesn’t know what Demi would like. Tumayo siya at nagdesisyon na um-order na lang ng para sa sarili. Andy, the girl attending at the counter was busy taking orders from the other customers. Saktong lumabas naman mula sa kusina ang isa pang babae na nagkakabit ng name tag nito. Mukhang kapapasok niya lang ngunit agad namang sumabak sa pagkuha ng orders. The girl looked at Tristan and smiled. He was mesmerized for a while. She looks younger than him. She’s stunning and has a really nice smile. Her hazel eyes seems to twinkle the moment she smiled. Surprisingly, he did not feel any irritation unlike how he always felt for girls he didn't know. Maybe because her smile seems genuine.

“Hi, Sir. Are you ready to order?” tanong ng dalaga kay Tristan na nagpabalik sa kaniya sa wisyo. He was mesmerized but it wasn’t obvious to the lady. She just thought that he was serious and intently looking at the menu behind her trying to choose what to order.

“One shot of espresso and your sandwich recommendation,” he ordered what he usually orders in a coffee shop but he didn’t have the time to even look at the menu to choose a sandwich or even pasta, so, he’ll just go with whatever this girl recommends. He just hopes that she has good taste. 

“Okay, Sir. What’s your name so we could call you when your order is ready?” 

“Tristan.” 

Matapos umorder ay bumalik na si Tristan sa kaniyang table at muling bumalik sa pag gamit ng cellphone niya. He checked his email and when he saw nothing important or urgent, itinago niya na lang ulit iyon. 

Mabilis na nagawa ang order ni Tristan. The girl on the counter do have a good taste. Masarap ang grilled chicken sandwich na ni-rekomenda nito. Hindi pa nga sana siya pinagbabayad ni Momo pero pilit niyang inabot ang pera sa staff nito at sinabing huwag na siyang suklian. Sa kabilang table ay umorder na rin ng pagkain ang magkaibigang Demi at Momo. Buti naman at naalala nilang kumain. 

“I’ll see you on Friday night, okay?” Paalala ni Demi habang palabas sila ng coffee shop. Napag kasunduan nilang magkaibigan na magkikita sila sa darating na Biyernes. They wanted to go drinking like how they used to everytime Demi visits the Philippines or when Momo visits her in New York. 

“Yes, kailan ba kita in-indian?” they hugged before Demi left with her brother just following her without saying anything. He opened the car door for his sister and nodded at Momo as a sign of goodbye. 

“Are you going somewhere else or should I drop you off at your condo?” 

“Nah, just drop me off at my condo. I want to rest.” she probably still has jet lag. Talagang mas excited lang siya na mabisita ang kaibigan kaya kahit masakit ang ulo ay nagawa niya pang puntahan ito. Tristan understands that Demi cherishes Momo so much, she is her only friend after all. Though Tristan doesn’t like women except for his mother and his sister, he is civil to Momo because he is thankful to her for being a good friend to his sister.

Demi walked into her bedroom as soon as they entered her condo unit. Si Tristan naman ay naiwan sa living room kung saan niya inilapag ang maleta at shoulder bag ng kapatid. He looked around her unit. It seems like someone is maintaining the unit. Hindi maalikabok at tila hindi nabakante ng mahigit isang taon. He went to the kitchen and checked her fridge. Puno iyon at mukhang kaka-restock lang. Whoever Demi hired to take care of her unit is very efficient. Mabuti na lang at mayroong watermelon sa loob kaya kinuha niya iyon at biniyak gamit ang malaking kitchen knife. He expertly peeled it and sliced it into bite sizes. Inilagay niya iyon sa tupperware na nahanap niya sa isa sa mga cupboards at tinakpan iyon bago ilagay muli sa refridgerator. Demi’s favorite fruit is watermelon. Tamang tama rin na maganda itong pang hydrate sa katawan na makakatulong para mas mabilis na maka recover sa jet lag. He got the sticky note lying on the counter and fished his pen from his suit pocket to write a note for Demi to read later when she wakes up. 

Tristan was driving home when his phone rang. He did not mind answering it because his phone was connected to the car’s Bluetooth. 

“Hello, Son.” He heard his dad’s baritone voice from the other line. They have almost identical voices except his voice is raspier than his dad’s voice. 

“Yes, Dad?” 

“I heard from Rome that you’re on vacation. Why don’t you come here at the De Villa Golf Course? Let’s have dinner later. I’m with Akihito and Leo. We’ll be waiting for you.” matapos sabihin iyon ng kaniyang ama ay agad nitong ibinaba ang tawag. 

He sighed. Ano pa nga bang magagawa niya kung hindi ang pumunta na lang doon. Hindi naman kasi siya binigyan ng chance na umangal dahil binaba kaagad ang tawag. Isa pa ay wala na rin naman siyang gagawin sa ngayon kaya might as well hang out with his father with Leo and his father. 

After a 20-minute drive, Tristan arrived at the golf course owned by the De Villas. His friend and cousin, Thomas, who’s currently in Paris, is a De Villa. Kapatid ng ama ni Tristan ang ina ni Thomas. That makes the Creston and De Villa inseparable giant companies. 

He was led by the staff to where his father is. Agad naman siyang nakita ng kaniyang ama na kasalukuyang nagpapahinga sa lilim ng isang malaking puno ng acacia kasama si Leo at ang ama nito na gaya ng kaniyang ama ay nakangiti na rin sa kaniya habang papalapit siya sa mga ito. 

“Tristan! Akala ko ay di mo na ako sisiputin.” humalakhak si Caliber at inakap ang anak sabay tapik sa likod nito. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Akihito na ama ni Leo. 

“I was gonna say no when you dropped the call.” 

Leo and Tristan did their fist bump before they heard a group coming their way. It was a loud group headed by Mr. Lim. The same older businessman he worked with for a building in Baguio and the one he met at the charity event he attended last time. May mga kasama itong iba pang matatandang businessman at iilang kababaihan. Beside Mr. Lim is Olivia beaming at Tristan. He now remembers her because she is the daughter of Mr. Lim. 

“Wow, look who we bumped into.” Mr. Lim exclaimed when they were finally standing in front of Tristan and his father.

“I see you’re having a father and son bonding but mind if we join you, Caliber, Akihito? I am teaching my daughter golf para naman makasabay siya sa kung sino mang mapangasawa niya.” 

“Not at all. It’s nice bumping into you. I really liked the last project you did with Tristan.” nakangiting ani Akihito. 

“It was all thanks to this brilliant young man.” Mr. Lim looked at Tristan and then at his daughter who was still looking at him.

“Let me introduce my daughter, this is Olivia.” 

Everyone paid attention to the girl beside Mr. Lim. Magiliw na kinausap ni Akihito at Caliber ang dalaga habang sina Tristan at Leo naman ay tahimik lang sa tabi. 

“I called Seven and Knox over.” ani Leo habang busy sa anak ni Mr. Lim ang lahat.

“Tristan, do you have a girlfriend as of the moment?” si Mr. Lim kaya nabaling nanaman sa kaniya ang atensiyon ng lahat. 

“I am courting someone.” magalang na sagot niya. Of course it was a lie. Ni wala nga siyang nagugustuhang babae ngayon. But he can tell that Mr. Lim is aware that his daughter has her eyes on him. Kaya para makaiwas na maireto rito ay sinabi niya iyon. He even saw Leo smirked when he heard what he told the old man. Mabuti na lang at nakisama ito at hindi siya binuko. Kung sabagay, tamad na tamad naman magsalita si Leo kaya karamihan ng sikreto na alam nito ay safe na hindi makakarating sa ibang tao. 

“Ganun ba? Sayang naman, mukhang bagay pa naman kayo ng anak ko.” humalakhak ang matanda. Nahihiyang tumawa rin ang anak nito at ang mga kasama nila. Even Caliber laughed, alam niyang ayaw ni Tristan na ipinapares at inirereto sa mga babae kaya hindi niya magawang gatungan ang sinabi ng matanda.

“Dad, nakakahiya.” bulong ni Olivia sa ama ngunit rinig naman ng lahat.

“Kapag hindi ka sinagot ng nililigawan mo ay sabihin mo lang sa akin. My daughter might be the one for you.” 

“I’ll keep your offer in mind.” pakikisakay niya sa biro ng matanda.

Ilang saglit pa silang nag usap-usap tungkol sa negosyo bago nagkayayaang maglaro. Saktong dumating na rin si Seven at Knox na agad nakisali sa kanila. Seven is in his usual loud self kaya natuon ang atensiyon nina Mr. Lim dito. 

“We met again here. I must be really lucky.” Olivia is now standing beside Tristan. Nakatayo lang si Tristan sa gilid at hindi niya namalayang nakalapit na ang babae. Agad siyang umurong palayo dito. Olivia noticed what he did and frowned.

“You don’t have to move, wala naman akong nakahahawang sakit.” 

Hindi niya ito pinansin at nanatili na lang ang tingin sa mga kaibigan na naglalaro sa di kalayuan.

“Why won't you talk to me?”

“I’m not interested in you.” diretsahang sagot niya

The woman’s jaw dropped as she stared at him with disbelief in her eyes. She’s used to meeting men who are interested in her. Kung meron mang walang interes sa kaniya ay hindi naman ganito katabang ang pakikitungo sa kaniya. Ngayon lang may nagsabi sa kaniya ng diretsahan na wala itong interes sa kaniya.

“You’re really something else.” anang dalaga ng makabawi at saka ito naglakad palayo para lumapit sa ama nito.

“You better pay for that.” babala ni Knox kay Seven na hawak ang isa sa mga pinaka mamahaling alak doon sa bar.

Mr. Lim and his entourage had to leave early dahil may event pa itong dadaluhan. Hindi na sumabay sina Tristan, Seven, Leo, at Knox kina Caliber at Akihito na magdi-dinner sa isang Japanese restaurant. They decided to go hang out at Knox’s bar instead.

“Of course, I will. As far as I know, we’re still rich. I can still buy even all of your stock.”

“So, who’s the woman you’ve been talking about?” usisa ni Giovanni na kararating lang. They were talking about Knox’s idea of how Tristan can avoid women and also have a bodyguard at the same time. Demi won’t stop until he gets himself a bodyguard and he wants to get rid of the unnecessary number of women dying to get his attention.

Unang nabanggit ni knox ang ideya niya noong magkakasama silang um-attend sa charity event na in-organize ng ina ni Seven. Because of frequent death threats that Tristan receives, Demi wants him to get a bodyguard kaya lang ay ayaw ni Tristan dahil ayaw niyang makita ng kung sino mang nagpapadala ng death threat sa kaniya na gumagana ang pananakot nito.

Knox happened to know someone who according to him is very fit to be his pretend girlfriend and a bodyguard.

“I have done background research about her just to make sure she won’t be a disaster.” inihagis ni Knox ang isang folder papunta kay Tristan. 

Nang masalo niya iyon ay agad niyang binuklat. 

“Her name is Gabriella Dixon. Her friends call her Ella. She’s a graduating student, a black belter, and she works as a part-timer in a coffee shop near the university where she is currently studying.” Knox really did a background check on her.

Napakunot ang noo ni Tristan ng madako ang mata niya sa 2x2 picture na kasama doon. That beautiful smile that reaches her eyes is so familiar. Mas lalo pa itong tinitigan ng binata hanggang sa naalala niya kung saan niya ito unang nakita.

She was one of the staff at Momo’s coffee shop. The one who’s so beautiful she got him mesmerized for a few seconds.