Chapter 3

“Good day, Miss Blythe!”

Isang masayang bati sa akin ni Kelly.

I arrived at my office building right after dropping Elisha off at her place.

I returned her smile. “Same to you, Kelly. How’s everything? The VIP client?”

“Yes, Miss Blythe. Nasa conference room po siya, naghihintay sa’yo.”

Bahagya akong tumango. I had no idea why the client had decided to show up a week before his scheduled appointment, but his insistence had piqued my curiosity.

“Wala ba siyang naibigay na portfolio?” tanong ko habang naglalakad kami papasok sa elevator.

“Actually, meron po, Miss,” saglit na tumigil si Kelly at inabot sa akin ang isang folder na hawak niya. “Iyan po, binigay niya ‘yan pagkatapos kong kumpirmahin na pupunta ka dito ngayon.”

While walking, I scanned the folder.

“Luminara Estate…” mahinang banggit ko saka binuklat ang sunod na dokumento.

I only glanced at the proposal as I walked, since I was more focused on finding the name of the company or the developer behind this project. 

I'll study the details more closely once I reach my office.

“Khrell?” ulit ko nang makita ang pangalan ng kumpanyang may hawak nito.

Bahagya akong napahinto. Nanatili ang aking tingin sa pangalang nakalimbag doon.

The name was familiar.

Oh, yes. I heard it before at a design summit in Canada during a panel discussion. I remembered wanting to know more about the company back then, but the owners never appeared publicly.

That company was praised for its rapid rise in Europe, ranking third among the top ten European developers in just two years.

The portfolio also mentioned that Khrell was co-owned by two influential businessmen in Europe, but no names were stated.

No profiles. No photos. That mystery stirred something in me.

If Khrell’s owner rarely made public appearances, then I considered myself lucky to have the chance to meet him in person today. 

The opportunity alone was exciting, but with a project as promising as this one, I had even more reason to look forward to the meeting.

“Kelly, pakisabi sa kanya na maghintay muna saglit sa conference room. I need at least fifteen minutes to prepare before I meet him.”

“Of course, Miss Blythe.”

“Thank you. Make sure he is comfortable and well accommodated.”

“Noted po, Miss.”

“Thank you, Kelly.”

After she left, I headed straight to my office and settled behind my desk. I placed my handbag beside the chair, opened the portfolio again, and began reviewing the documents Khrell had submitted.

The proposal was far more extensive than I had anticipated.

The project was an exclusive luxury residential estate designed for grandeur, privacy, and functionality, with spacious lots, landscaped open areas, and private roads. What interested me most was the interior design, which needed to balance refined finishes, elegant spaces, and practical comfort.

As I reviewed the plans and proposed budget, I realized this was no ordinary subdivision project but an ambitious development requiring a cohesive design vision. 

I leaned closer to examine the floor plans and design concepts, determined to understand the project’s scope before meeting the clients. Fifteen minutes wasn't much, but it was enough to prepare a few essential questions.

Securing this contract could become one of the most significant achievements of my company.

Just as I turned another page, a sharp pain throbbed at my temple.

“Hmmm…” daing ko. 

Bahagya kong minasahe ang aking sentido, ngunit hindi iyon nakatulong upang maibsan ang sakit ng ulo ko. Nahihilo na rin ako at parang masusuka.

Not now, please! 

I grabbed my phone and texted Geordane for a safe painkiller to take. When she replied, I immediately took the recommended paracetamol and reached for my mint inhaler to steady my senses.

When the dizziness eased, I sank onto the sofa to calm myself. 

I still had a meeting to attend and a proposal that could open an important door for SDI. I couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip away.

Not today.

I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I slowly moved my hands over my belly. If my little angel could somehow hear me, I hoped he or she would help me relax and feel better. 

Pangako, oras na ma-secure ko ang project na ‘to, magdi-day off ako ng isang linggo.

Nang humupa ang pagkahilo ko at unti-unti akong kumalma, bigla namang sumagi sa isip ko ang isang hindi inaasahang alaala, na para bang isang larawang muling nahugot mula sa kailaliman ng aking nakaraan.

It was the night of the majestic Ballo in maschera that became an intoxicating yet unforgettable whirlwind of a night for me. 

In those bewitching hours, I transformed from a fine woman into a lady of allure and mystery, a metamorphosis I had never anticipated in my twenty-eight years.

Nang gabing iyon, hinayaan ko ang sarili ko na malunod sa alak at isuko ang aking pagkababae sa isang estranghero.

The thought unsettled me as I realized he was far from being a stranger because I knew exactly who he was.

That man was the same man who held a special place in my heart. I never imagined that our story would both begin and end in Italy, the very place where my secret admiration for him began twelve years ago.

I wished I had never discovered his identity that night.

Kung bakit sa lahat ng lalaki sa mundo, siya pa?

“Ma’am, ready na po ba kayo?” saad ng sekretarya ko.

Naputol ang aking pagbabalik-tanaw nang marinig ko si Kelly mula sa labas. Agad kong iwinaksi ang alaala ng nangyari sa akin sa Italy.

Tumayo na ako at inayos ang aking damit saka lumabas.

Whatever personal problems I had been dealing with could wait. An opportunity like this deserved my full attention. I couldn't afford to let my personal affairs interfere with a potentially significant business venture.

“Let’s go,” I said, then smiled at Kelly.

As we walked toward the conference room, my gaze drifted toward the glass wall beside the hallway. From there, the city stretched endlessly.

The sun shone brightly, washing the skyline in gold. It looked like the kind of day that promised good news.

“Buona giornata a lei, signora Montreal.” (Good day to you, Ms. Montreal.)

Saglit akong natigilan pagkarinig sa pagbating iyon. 

Sa harap ko ay isang lalaking kaedad marahil ng aking nakatatandang kapatid. Nakasuot ito ng itim na amerikana sa ibabaw ng puting long sleeves, na may insignia pin sa dibdib. Pamilyar sa akin ang simbolo, ngunit hindi ko matandaan kung saan ko iyon nakita.

His overall appearance and the fact that he speaks fluently in Italian showed the features of a typical Italian businessman.

So, he is the owner of Khrell.

“Good day, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sir. Benvenuti nelle Philippines, benvenuti all’Istituto Solstice Design!” (Welcome to the Philippines, and welcome to Solstice Design Institute!)

He nodded in acknowledgment. “Anyways, allow me to introduce my—”

Nabitin sa ere ang dapat ay sasabihin ng lalaki nang biglang bumukas ang p***o ng conference room.

A tall silhouette took shape against the blinding light. My eyes snapped toward the unexpected figure who entered the room, radiating a commanding presence and the unmistakable aura of power and high status.

The man wore a perfectly tailored three-piece midnight blue suit paired with a burgundy silk tie woven in a subtle paisley pattern. The crisp white of his shirt peeked cleanly beneath the layers.

That pair of eyes!

He looked even more striking while a bouquet of tulips rested effortlessly in his hand. The soft petals created a gentle contrast against his composed and powerful presence.

The sight of him felt almost unreal.

“È un piacere poterle finalmente consegnare questi, signora Montreal.” (It’s a pleasure to finally give these to you, Ms. Montreal.)

A subtle, chilling baritone voice laced with a familiar Italian accent left a trail of shivers down my spine. The underlying tease in his casual greeting filled me with jitters.

Masuyong niyang inabot sa akin ang hawak na bouquet ng tulips. Tinanggap ko naman iyon, ngunit nanatiling nakakapit ang mga kamay niya sa mga tangkay nito.

Ginamit niya ang mga bulaklak para hatakin ako nang mas malapit. Isang mapangahas na kilos na nagpatingala sa akin at sinalubong ang mga titig niya.

“I spent every spring for the last five years wondering if these were still your favorite,” he finally let go of the bouquet, then smiled. “It turns out, they still look better in your hands than they do in the shop.”

Napatitig ako sa mga bulaklak. Yung kaba at pagkagulat sa aking dibdib ay nanatili.

Ang mga bulaklak na ito ay eksaktong kaparehong ayos ng magagandang tulip na lagi niyang inihahanda tuwing binibisita niya ako sa Greece o Spain. Ito rin ang parehong ayos ng bouquet na ibinigay niya noong nag-debut ako.

“T-Thank you…” I said, but those words barely caught in my throat.

Napilitan akong mag-iwas ng tingin. Hindi dahil hindi ko gustong makaharap siya, kundi dahil natatakot akong baka bumigay na naman ako sa tila may mahika nitong titig, lalo na at tumingkad ang kulay asul nitong mga mata.

Naagaw lang ang atensyon namin nang may marinig kaming tumikhim.

“By the way, Ms. Montreal, I’m Orpheus Moretti, his executive assistant,” the man I had mistaken for my client introduced himself.

Napalingon ako sa lalaking nagbigay sa akin ng mga bulaklak, only to catch his subtle smirk.

What the hell is he doing here?

I saw Orpheus gesture towards him. “Allow me to introduce my boss, Khyfer Chevalier Casteliogne, CEO and Founder of Architettura de Casteliogne.”