Chapter 3

Ysabelle's POV

Zander was having his afternoon nap when Wesley’s name appeared on my phone screen.

"Hello Wes, how's your day?" I asked him.

" It’s terrible sissy", I heard him sigh. "Our hotel in Greece suffered a major loss these past few months. The hotel General Manager went missing. I have to be there urgent to sort out things".

It’s not really a simple problem. No wonder Wesley sounds so problematic. “How did it happen? Do you think the General Manager has something to do with it?”

“I still don’t know. That’s why I need to be there the soonest. I have to dig deeper to get to the bottom of this”.

I felt too bad about it. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

" Yeah, I have an important meeting tommorrow morning with the CEO of Fontanella Group of Companies. Still remember the developer I told you last Saturday for our expansion?"

My breath hitched after hearing what he said.

“Fontanella Group of Companies Wes?" I silently hope that I just misheard it.

"Yes sissy. I want you to meet Mr. Andrew Fontanella in my behalf. You don't have to worry, this meeting is only a formalization. I already forwarded the contract to his secretary. He called yesterday to revise some terms which I agreed right away. I will ask my secretary to send you the contract for you to familiarize the agreement involved so that you have an idea if he ask you something”. He keeps on talking without any hint of my agitation.

I don't know what to say to him. I felt relieve when he said that it's Zandro's father whom I intend to meet and not him. But I don't want to cross path any of his family either. I felt totally confused. I can't say no to my brother. It so selfish of me if I do that. This is the time when he needed my help the most and I can’t let him down.

"Alright Wes…, just please include any more information about Mr. Andrew Fontanella when you send me the contract" I told him. It's a business strategy we always did. As a matter of fact, we even hired private investigator before we do business to any of them, for our company sake.

"Right away sissy" I felt his voice relaxed a bit. And I’m happy about that. Atleast I can help him my way. “I will then call inform Mr. Andrew the changes”.

An hour after Wesley called, I received what I needed from Jessica, his secretary. I proceeded to one of the 2 rooms downstairs. I made it a small office for me since I usually stays at the penthouse for my son. The next room is being occupied by Erma. It's a good thing that Zander is still asleep.

I scan the contract and set aside the other folder. That one can be attend later. I have to study first the contract.

So this might not be our only project with the Fontanella Group of Companies. It stated that there will be more coming. My brother is indeed a good businessman. With the Fontanella Group of Companies reputation worldwide, this will give Finn Hotel and Resorts a huge advantage. It's a win win situation to both parties actually. I know their company will also earn lot of benefits since we are stable in this field of business and we are on the midst of expanding our brand.

I open the next folder. It’s Mr. Andrew Fontanella's whereabouts. I was quiet familiar to some of his assets like the island they owned in Palawan, Philippines and ofcourse the multi- billion dollar worth Fontanella Group of Companies. I was surprised to know that they also owned several properties here in New York. Including the very popular Grand Central Tower located at Time Square. It is a high rise condominium offers first class services and high-end facilities to rich and famous, mostly billionaires. I felt proud of Wesley for owning one unit there. A 500 square-meter wide apartment at 50th floor with pool inside. I was there once when Wesley celebrated his 29th birthday.

I browsed the next folio. It's Mrs. Catherine Fontanella's photo. She is really beautiful. Memory flashed when I first met her. She was so friendly and accommodating.

"You're very pretty dear". She complimented me after Aunt Lillian introduced us. “ Are you into modelling?”

"Thank you Mrs. Fontanella", I smiled. “ But no…, I’m not”.

"Oh, I thought you are", she uttered. "You really have what it takes to be a super model. Believe me, I know when I see one".

"So this answered her statement about the model thing 5 years ago", I thought in awe. She is the owner of Primal Modelling Agency in California. Samantha Miller and George Estefan were just two of the sought after supermodels from her agency.

My heart tightened when I was flipping over for the next remaining pages. I was staring on Zandro’s latest picture. He’s still too handsome. I think the years that passed suits him well. He became more masculine and dignified looking. So he is the co-owner of Flynn- Perez Electronics base here in New York. Their products are mainly computers and other gadget spare parts. He's with his bestfriend Stanley Flynn. It stated here, it's their first ventured business after graduating Electrical Engineering from Harvard. Impressive!!! Already a billionaire on his few years in business.

The succeeding data caught me unprepared. I felt like being crushed, a resentful smile creeped my face. Those were recent stolen shots and newspapers clips of him with different gorgeous women in different occasion. And they were not just ordinary women. They were all successful in their chosen field. Most of them were models. Now it’s very clear to me that it’s really his nature. To use his charm to womanize, to get into every woman’s pants that he desired.

Out of impulse, I tore his file and crumpled it. I will not deny that after finding out my pregnancy, it crossed my mind to reach out to him. That there’s a possibility that the woman I heard was lying. See, I still gave him the benefit of a doubt back then despite the pain he’d caused me. Now, I commend myself for making the right decision.

It's already six in the evening when I got out of my office. I saw my son in the living room watching television while Erma was in the kitchen preparing dinner. I sat beside my son and kissed him. He hugged me while his eyes was transfixed on the Tv screen. I cuddled him possessively in return. I felt a sudden fear. It's a small world and his dad is very influential. "What if he finds out about Zander?" I released a deep sigh. I don't have any plan of keeping my secret a lifetime. I'm just waiting for the right time that Zander is matured enough to understand the situation.

Erma told me that dinner is ready. I step on my feet and hold Zander's arm. "Sweetheart let's have dinner now".

"Mom, can I finish watching it later?" He asked while his focus is still on the screen.

"Sorry sweetheart, maybe tomorrow okay?" I turned off the telivision.

"Mommy please". He showed me his puppy eyes.

"No! Zander listen to Mommy. Too much tv is not good for you. And besides, after dinner I have to talk to you in your room", I replied with conviction.

"Okey Mom”. He said and looked down. I know my son very well, he keep on doing that once he's guilty or it's his way of surrender.

After dinner, I bathed him and put him on his pajamas. I settled facing him on his bed looking serious.

"You know Mommy loves you very much right?" I asked in a low voice. He nodded his head and stayed quiet.

"So if Mommy saw you did something bad, Mommy will scold you. What you did to Rachel earlier was not good sweetheart", I stated sincerely.

There was a deafening silence. Then I saw tears flickered his eyes. I control myself to comfort him. I have to be strong in disciplining him or else he will grow hardheaded.

"It's okey to make compliment sweetheart but you should do it with respect especially that she is older than you. Actually even if you're in the same age or she is younger than you, you still have to show your respect. Do you understand Mommy?", I talked to him lovingly.

"Yes Mom, sorry", he cried

"Shhhhh, that's enough", I dried his tears and kissed him. “ As long as you will not do it again”. He nodded his head in response. “Would you like me to sleep with you tonight?"

"Ofcourse Mommy, I love that". He said smiling this time. I tucked him in bed and waited him to fall asleep before going to my room. After freshening up, I went back to him. He was sleeping soundly that I had to laid down beside him in a very conscious manner. I couldn’t help but hug him tightly when his father suddenly emerged in my mind. No matter what happens, I won’t let him take Zander away from me!