Chapter 4

Chantria

Notwithstanding my series of sighs, the undeniable fear failed to subside. Any moment from now, we would eventually reach the hotel where Dad was staying but I wanted to slope off.

Chanel was casually applying makeup on her face while we were inside the car. On the other hand, Carleigh was taking a quick nap at the back. I was the only one jittering among us out of perturbation. I honestly didn't know why I was anxious.

Our father called us early in the morning at the hotel he was currently staying at. He didn't mention why. However, if my suspicion was right, it was all about the passing of his company to me. It was expected for me to inherit the company. Nevertheless, I still felt the worry creeping down my spine as I thought of it.

It wasn’t just any business. It was our family’s business and one of the Big Three. The company which Dad and my grandfathers managed to build and prolong its top rank for how many decades. It was one of the biggest companies not only in the country but the whole world.

I turned eighteen this year. I couldn’t imagine myself going to meetings with people twice my age. They might devour me when we meet. 

But our father was growing old. He started building a family so late, hence, he looked old even if I was still eighteen. I couldn't let the company go bankrupt as soon as I inherited the business.

Whatever plan he has in his mind, the only thing I could do is to follow. However, I wished he could share it with me so I could do something for him.

When the car parked in front of our hotel, my nervousness doubled. I felt like my heart was going to burst because of its rapid beating. I needed Carleigh’s calm heart and mind at a time like this.

“Can you please stop fidgeting?” Chanel pointed out. “You’ve been doing that since we left home. We’re just meeting Dad. What’s there to be nervous about?”

“You know quite well why I’m like this. What if we’re meeting the board members right now? I’m not even prepared!”

It seemed like Leigh heard our conversation making her make a U-turn and averted her neck to talk to us.

“Calm down, Chantria. If your suspicion is right that Dad is going to introduce us to the members, he should have told us beforehand. He probably won't bring us before them to embarrass us, right?"

I was able to calm down somehow because of her remark. But not totally. There was still a spasm of nervousness in my chest. I guess I always get anxious especially when talking about my father and the company.

When we got to Dad's office, I immediately heaved a sigh of relief because there was no one else there except for his secretary, Joaquin. As usual, there was still a pile of documents on his desk that he needed to work on.

"Good morning, Dad!" Chanel greeted enthusiastically. She approached him first before kissing him on the cheek.

Carleigh and I followed silently and kissed him on the cheek before sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room. Dad stood from his chair before he positioned himself next to my siblings.

"How are my angels? Did you enjoy the party last night?”

Chanel answered, “Of course! We had a blast, right, girls?” 

Dad looked at me while waiting for our answer.

Since I knew that Leigh had no intention to answer his question, I nodded and smiled. "We did. Numerous visitors came so we had fun.”

Chanel snorted at my answer. "Of course, you did. You even dared to post that video last night.”

I giggled. She still couldn't move on.

"Anyway—" We looked at Dad when he spoke. “I called you here for your birthday present.”

I was startled when Chanel suddenly screamed next to me and jumped because of Dad's announcement. I couldn't help but smile widely as well. Well, Dad was so generous whenever he was giving us gifts. He was spoiling us this way.

"What is it?" Chanel beamed. “Gucci bag? Or maybe a new car? House and lot?”

Dad chuckled. "You already have plenty of those, dear. Don't you remember the last time I gave you something? You just donated it to the charity. That's why I'm going to give you something else."

Joaquin handed him something. I assumed that those were travel tickets like the ones he gave me as a gift. The question was, where was he taking us now?

"For your birthday this year, I want you to enjoy a vacation in the Maldives for three days." He showed me the tickets he was holding with a small smile on his lips.

Even I couldn't stop my wide smile after what he had said. We didn't go out of the country very often even though we had lots of money. As I've said, our parents did not raise us to always depend on money. We struggled with everything.

Not birthday presents, though. It was an exemption. We could get anything every birthday.

"I'm going now, Dad," Chanel announced. "I still need to go shopping for my bikini and some sunscreen." She faced Leigh. "Aren't you coming, are you?"

I looked when Carleigh stood up. "I'm going home. I need sleep.”

When Chanel stared at me I knew I had no other choice but to accompany her. After all, I also had to buy something to wear in the Maldives so I just followed her.

I haven't been there ever since, but I've heard a lot of good things about it. I've also been seeing a lot of great feedback on social media about that place. No matter where we go, it was okay. As long as I could get out of here in Canada, I would surely be happy.

But what I didn't expect was the surprise that awaited me on my way to the Maldives.