Chapter 11: Andrea's Note for Miguel

‘cock-a-doodle-doo’

Miguel mistily opened his eyes. He was awakened by the alarm clock's roaster sound on the bedside table. Seconds later, he got up and hastily turned it off.

“Ops! You shouldn’t turn it off. I set the alarm for you to take your medicine on time.” Andrea’s words popped out and echoed into his mind.

In his recent stay with Andrea and Trina, he actually used to turn the alarm off because he was annoyed on its weird roaster sound. But, no matter how many times he’ll turn it off before he’ll sleep, Andrea would still and repeatedly sneak into the room to set it back. He could still remember the past few days she ran into him to steal the clock on his hold and turn the alarm once more. She keeps on retelling that it’s to remind him on taking his medicine on time.

Thinking about it, Miguel merely lift his eyelids indifferently, smile and repeatedly shook his head like a villain, “You really got me, nerdy!” He commented idly.

He got up from the bed and walk into the closet to grab a new set of clothes. He would freshen up before going out. He grabbed the knee shorts and a black V ‘shirt that Andrea purchased the other day. He was about to close the closet when suddenly, he noticed his Rolex wristwatch that Marcus brought the other week. He clutched the watch and stare it for a moment.

“I swear that your million dollars’ worth wouldn’t be put in vain.” He asserted.

He remembered clearly how he obtained the wristwatch in a million dollars’ worth. It was actually auctioned 2 years ago at the neighboring city by the most laudable and famous actor, at the same time a philanthropist. The auction was to fund the medication of the cancer patients of his chosen charity. Due to the watch owner’s popularity and its rare and precious metal, the auction had garnered vast audiences from the different elite and aristocrat groups. In fact, this is the most anticipated item among the seven auctioned items that many of the attendees want to acquire. Miguel joins in as he wants to meet the famous actor and philanthropist for a business proposal; this is his way to catch his attention since the man was so private. That time, Jackson Corporation wanted to purchase the man’s inclusive hectare of land for the company’s additional new housing project. But, unfortunately, the man neglected on selling his potential property when the team of their company approached and made the negotiations through his manager. This made Miguel to appear at the auction to win the young man’s favor and fortunately, through his competence, he didn’t only win the Rolex wristwatch at the auction, but he also managed to close the deal and purchased the man’s land property. For him, a million-dollar wristwatch cost nothing than the thrice-fold-profits worth deal he closed for the company. This deal and Miguel’s prowess had made the company’s board to agree and select him as the next capable CEO and President of Jackson Corp.

Miguel let out a sigh when he remembers that – behind the wristwatch’s value.

After anticipating, he closes the closet and carefully enter the bathroom.

Miguel finished bathing as the sun overdrawn the clouds and glow lightly over the city. He slightly smiled as he stepped out of the room feeling energized and refreshed by the beautiful morning. He’s done not only in bathing but also in applying ointment to his wounds. He expects for Andrea to call him over for a meal, but silence greeted him the moment he appeared at the dining and living area. Because he's thirsty, so he just ignored the silence around and went straight at the refrigerator to quench his feverish thirst.

As he was about to ask himself if where are the ladies, he suddenly saw a note pasted on the refrigerator. He grasped it with his left hand and read it wordlessly:

“Hey, Mr. Hidden Billionaire, FYI, I just went outside because I've got an order from my early-bird customer. Trina goes to work. I already cook and prepared your meal, so just eat it and don’t forget to take your meds.” -Andrea

“Geez… Mr. Hidden Billionaire!” Miguel beamed, grinning and smirking. He was amazed by her note. He never expects for her to still care and cook for him as he had seen her annoyance about the news last night.

He pocketed her note and after drinking water, he turned his head to see the dishes on the table. As he drew nearer to it, he perceived not to close his eyes when the food's aroma has drifted on his nostrils which made him eager to dig it in.

Later…

“Nerdy’s dishes never fail to satisfy my appetite.” He remarked after a mouthful of the buttery mushroom.

***

In a room where walls painted luxuriously with a silk drape covering the glass wall at the left side of the king-sized bed, two souls were still lying under the blanket. One was sleeping peacefully while the other one was staring at the ceiling.

Marcus retracted his gazed in the ceiling and turned sideways to have a brief glimpse at the lady beside him. He got up soundlessly and sit straightly – barefooted on the marble, shiny, and smooth surface of the floor.

He actually spent the entire night in his girlfriend’s condo unit at the Jackson Towers Brixton to make up for his absence on her birthday. It is one of the condominium buildings which belong under their family's business - the Jackson Corp. Actually, Marcus was in a relationship with Charise Fuentes for not long ago, and like him, she was also an architect and one of his right hand at his very own architectural firm. It’s the same girl that he supposedly had an appointment last week, but he chose to postpone it due to the unforeseen events he encountered. In fact, Charise celebrated her birthday in their Province and he promised to go after her, but unfortunately, though his firm was good, but he was too busy on the family’s business that he couldn’t make it, so here he is now, making up for his failed promises.

Moments later, Marcus stood and headed directly to the restroom. He opened the door, thereafter, he washed his face at the lavatory’s mini-faucet. As he saw his reflection in the mirror after, he swiftly felt a surge of going home.

“I have to go.” Marcus said the moment he came out from the restroom and had seen Charise woke up but still lying on the bed.

“Hmmm… Babe why not stay for a while and eat breakfast with me?” Charise said artfully.

Marcus put on his navy shirt first and said, “I can’t babe. I have an important appointment to deal at home, so I’ll eat breakfast there.” He paused as he put his wallet and phone inside his pocket, then he resumed, “See you at the firm this afternoon.” He kissed her cheek and made his way to the door without waiting for Charise’s response.

Marcus’ phone rang as he’s about to enter the waiting elevator. A smirked was formed in his lips when he recognized the caller ID.

“Yes?” He hailed after the call is connected.

At the other line, Miguel who’s sitting in a composed and dignified manner after eating his meal calmly asked, “Are you at the mansion?”

“No!” Marcus answered as he pressed down the elevator.

Miguel checked the time as he stared the clock hanging on the wall and commented, “It’s past half 7:00 in the morning, don’t tell me you didn’t go home?”

Marcus slowly chuckles as he asserted, “I stayed at Charise’s place.”

“Oh! That flirty girlfriend of yours!” Miguel remarked as he raised his brow.

Marcus laughed off-guard, “Ha-ha! She's flirty only in me dude, you know, you’re just jealous because you don’t have a chic babe.”

“Tsk, I don’t buy it!” He jeered as he replied with an idiom, after a while he seriously added, “Anyways, do you have time now to bring over my laptop?”

Marcus smiled at Miguel’s question. He responded as he heard the ‘ding’ opening sound of the elevator, “Well, you're just asking for it but I already making a move. Actually, I’m going to you right now, because I already have your laptop – I have it in the car. I got it from your office instantly after our talk yesterday.”

“I can really rely on you, Man.” Miguel remarked after a brief chuckle.

The call ended the moment Marcus reached the parking area. He looked around first before getting into his luxurious car. After contemplating, he decided to maneuver and drove straightly to see his cousin, Miguel. He’ll just have coffee on his way there. He actually made a lie with Charise about going home, but the truth is, he has actually waited for Miguel’s signal regarding of his laptop. They already have plans and they’re starting to act on it.

Marcus has already been driving 8 kilometers away from Charise place. He glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed a black SUV car is tailing him like a shadow. He tried to turn right, then left to shake it off, but the car was still on his tail. He tried to lose it, but it was really persistent, so, he has no choice but to mislead it. He steered his car around and drove straightly to the Jackson’s mansion.

On the other hand, Miguel is already waiting for Marcus. He felt so strange because it’s been an hour, yet Marcus hasn’t shown himself. He is literally worried. He was about to call him when suddenly Andrea arrived. She was panting as she pushed the door from the outside.

“C-come on! Get inside. Don’t you dare come out when I didn’t tell you to do so. Okay?” Andrea beckoned as she speedily grabbed Miguel’s arm and pulled him over inside the room he used to occupy.

“But why –” Miguel didn’t finish his words because Andrea has already closed the door.

“Just please, hide and be quiet!” She whispered on the door with the tone enough for him to hear.

After a while, Andrea could hear series of knocks followed by a yell outside.

Andrea walked through the door where the noise came from. She’s holding her breath as she touched the doorknob. She felt a cold sweat on her forehead and a bulge on her head.

She hesitated for a moment if she should open the door, but when she heard again the call coming from the outside, with a sigh and a trembling hand...

she opened the door.