VI. Intruder of Secrecy

The news was like a splash of cold waters, harsher than the torrential rains that Essi once witnessed during her mountain trek. Her paths drew her to an impulsive drive, almost flying, just to catch up with Gwyneth before anything might get out of control. She managed to take her corporate attire to maintain the demeanor that the Mercators got impressed with her. She counted it as a reason why the Mercators regarded her with respect even though other families look at her as undeserving to be with Oneil.

With many things driving in her mind, she still had the mental strength to execute her intention spontaneously. Essi had no other choice of transportation means but to run towards a motorcycle terminal, hoping that a driver is available to send her downtown.

“Essi, it is night already. I’m afraid that your fare will get higher,” the driver was reluctant. It is noticeable that he was already planning to go home. A pack of roasted chicken was already tied to the maneuver of his motorbike.

“I’m willing to pay, mister. There’s an emergency and I cannot afford to let it pass,” Essi pleaded.

The driver was moved by Essi’s appeal, recalling that his daughter would have been out of road danger if a good driver gracefully sent her home safely instead of letting her walk along the national highway with the night as her lonesome company.

“Alright then. Let me just send this meal to my house,” the driver said while inviting Essi to take the seat already. The driver counted it as a small gesture to send Essi in front of a huge building. But the sight of the huge bill in his hand brought him almost out of his seat. He called Essi to pay him a lower price.

“Take it as my appreciation, mister,” sending him thanks, Essi scurried through the halls of the building, leaving a great impression on the driver. 

It is not surprising that Essi could pay him a thousand pesos but what remained him staring at the grand doors was an unlikely sight. The imposing authoritative guards that no man would like to mess with just greeted Essi like boys in elementary schools. They followed Essi like ready assistants. Their weapons were no longer sufficient to keep up the dignity that had them dubbed as bosses of the building’s grounds.

“Perhaps, that woman is no joke,” he uttered after realizing that his mouth was agape. His lips turned a bitter smirk as his gaze passed through the nearby hospital. He remembered his daughter’s devastating state that almost had him lose hope of recovery. His daughter is now in a better state except for himself. Even with his wife’s constant reminder to let that situation pass, his heart persisted in silence. It is only louder every time he remembered it, he wanted to uncover the details of the accident. Exasperated, he drove away from the building of Gautarza Group.

“Madam Essi, we are glad of your sudden visitation,” the receptionist said, resolving herself to join her boss wherever she might go.

Essi nodded while looking for a place to change her clothes. The workers thought that she had an emergency meeting for them but she only required a few people to join her in the office.

“Any requests for appointments with the higher offices of the PHYGIN Manufacturing Company?” Essi asked.

One of the workers who joined Essi never heard of the mentioned company yet. “What company is that?”

“That’s the company of Ma’am Essi’s fiance. She has portions with that company to know crucial negotiations,” the co-worker answered.

“Madame, the officers did not regard it to be company-related. But Miss Gwyneth Mercator phoned an appointment meeting with the CEO of PHYGIN,” her secretary named Victor answered. “I believe it is now settled as instructed by your office.”

Essi may seem calm in their eyes but her heart is drum-like beating. She pursed her lips while nodding to the reminder about Gwyneth’s call any time of the night. Without intending to waste her worker’s time and effort entering her office, she brought to the table the consultations and opportunities to take both the PHYGIN and her company’s endeavors.

Victor noticed that some of the workers had a relentless wonder about Gwyneth and Essi’s decision to prepare a reception for her. Before they could bring it up, Victor took them outside with a warning to not cause any rumor in the building. 

They hated how Victor is strict with them even though Essi seemed easygoing. A faint smile grew on Victor’s lips because they never knew Essi after all.

Everyone in the building declares that Victor is the embodiment of the stringent and critical architect of plans. They have never seen Essi yet. But Victor knew her behavior just as his cousin Steffan shared with him. He wished that he never asked about Steffan’s ultimate customer of his shop. But his cousin’s mouth was unstoppable in describing Essi not just as a customer but as a future leader of a company.

Having concrete clues about Essi’s goal to find Oneil, Victor accounts for himself as Essi’s silent helper even without Essi’s declaration of reliance on his efforts. Victor takes Essi’s proximity to him as the basis for cooperating with a heavy thing. He would not dare others to spoil the secrecy. Securing the doors from inquisitive ears, he gazed at Essi whose eyes were staring at the slowly developing city through the window pane.

“Miss Essi, I suggest that you call her now before she follows up with the PHYGIN,” Victor said.

Essi smiled at Victor’s thoughtfulness. He is indeed a reliable friend, someone who can understand the situation without exhausting the people to get him to empathize. 

“I can also relay your message to her,” which he did after Essi’s permission.

Confused about PHYGIN’s reluctance and the sudden invitation from the Gautarza Company, Gwyneth took no other choice except to proceed to the designated hotel mentioned by Victor Pingris. 

“Interesting, she made the room comfortable for me,” Gwyneth appreciated Essi’s effort and the motivation for all these things. “She could have just brought me to her rest house instead of this fancy hotel room.” Her bed smells pleasant and her surroundings invite her to a pleasant sleep. “It’s not a bad thing to meet them tomorrow instead of tonight, right?'' Gwyneth convinced herself. Yet, it never settled her down. 

She wanted to call Oneil for other things, given that she wanted to know Oneil’s reaction after her breakup with Caleb. It is not enough to talk it out with Essi although she has an extreme fondness for her cousin’s fiancee. However, there was no ringing at Oneil’s end, even until this time.

Gwyneth tried calling Essi but there was no response as well. Bothered about Essi and Oneil’s reception of her, she had different thoughts.

What if something happened to my cousin and his fiancee? What if some bad people took PHYGIN and knew that I would be coming? What if they are all working to stop me from taking the company back?

“What if they set me up in this hotel room?” she asked hysterically. After all, it was never confirmed if Essi brought her to this place. She only heard the office worker’s voice. She ran towards the door with her facemask still on. She opened it abruptly and she garnered the attention of other customers and hotel staff. Some were almost frightened of her ghost-like appearance. Gwyneth’s smile didn’t resolve it all.

She wanted to call her parents but she saw Essi’s familiar silhouette, walking towards her. Gwyneth wanted to cry, realizing what a great danger it could have been if her thoughts were real. Seeing Essi safe and sound, she cannot help herself but walk towards her with her arms wide open.

“Essi, I thought that I was doomed and you and Oneil are in danger,” Gwyneth cried.

“Did she know already?” Essi worried herself as well. She kept her voice soft for Gwyneth to not notice.

“Are you guys alright? Where is Oneil?” Gwyneth’s inevitable question has finally come, in a familial form, while her arms are trying to wipe her tears.

“Well, he’s not with me,” Essi replied, knowing that her answer only sounded stupid. But Gwyneth did not bother to hush out her response. She only clarified her question for Essi to answer correctly. But Essi smiles while staring at Gwyneth. “You afforded to secure your skincare routine?”

“Indeed, I already had a skincare cheat day last time and I don’t want it to happen again,” Gwyneth answered. “Would you like me to help you take care of your skin tonight? I have many supplies with me. The hotel has some freebies too.”

“That’s cool but I also have to proceed to my place for now since there are things I have to fetch for the office.” It is not a good thing to tarry the night with a Gwyneth Mercator who had not yet seen her cousin. This young lady would just surround Essi with her repetitive question about Oneil.

“Really? I think you should entrust that to your secretary,” Gwyneth suggested.

“He has other things to mind about. I’d like to meet with you tomorrow, early in the morning to finish some things. How about that?”

Gwyneth didn’t say a word. She nodded but had a different plan. Essi left with the confidence that Gwyneth will rest in the night without checking how things are going on between her and Oneil. But Gwyneth was persistent. She has a different realization again which led her to a brave decision. “What if Essi and Oneil broke up? What will happen to our family? What will happen to them? I have to make sure that their relationship is going strong.”

Essi left the hotel, packing up her remaining strength to return to Bayanihan and wait for the morning of reckoning. Yet, even before the dawn could march with the sky, the dreaded knock was already upon the door.

Gwyneth was standing in front of her house, with the luggage, and her innocent smile. “I don’t know where Oneil's rest house is. So I thought of coming here with Victor.”

Essi never felt her strong walls shrivel together with her weakness until this time.