Chapter 2

3rd Person’s POV

Tristan glanced at his watch for the nth time. The traffic here in Manila is really irritating. Ang pinaka ayaw niya sa lahat ay iyong nali-late, kaya ganun na lang ang inis niya sa tuwing naiipit sa trapiko. He is known by everyone for being always on time. Maaga naman silang umalis kahit na 8:30 pm pa ang simula ng event na dadaluhan niya ngunit dahil sa tindi ng traffic ay paniguradong mali-late na sila. Oh well, may madadagdag nanaman sa bibihirang pagkakataon na nahuli siya ng dating sa isang appointment. 

“This is your last schedule for the day. Tomorrow is the start of your one-month vacation. Do you want me to book everything for you? You have a place in mind?” the secretary said as he scanned his boss’s schedule on his tablet. 

His boss is Tristan Simon Creston. One of the most sought-after bachelors in the Philippines and even internationally. Hindi lang siya basta anak ng mayamang business tycoon–he is also smart, competent, and a good businessman, and thanks to his Filipina mom and British dad, he is good-looking.

“No need. I already have plans. You should also take the month off. Don’t worry it’s a paid vacation” he glanced at his watch again. Alas otso na ng gabi. Kasalukuyan silang nasa sasakyan papunta sa isang prestilhiyosong event kung saan inimbitahan siya. He doesn’t actually like attending events like these but he can’t say no to a friend who’s been bugging him for a month just to get him to say yes.

“I’m not fond of vacations so, I’ll just come to the office.” 

Kung workaholic si Tristan ay ganun din ang kaniyang secretary. They’ve been working together for eight years and they both know that vacations are not their thing. Sadyang napipilitan lang si Tristan na magbakasyon ng isang buwan dahil iyon ang gusto ng kaniyang nakatatandang kapatid. Ayaw niya mang sundin ay wala siyang magagawa dahil iyon lang ang paraan para hindi na siya abalahin ng kapatid. Isa pa ay alam niya namang tama ito ng sabihin nitong kailangan niyang magbakasyon paminsan-minsan at magpahinga sa trabaho. He has always been working and managing their business ever since he graduated from college. Everyone close to him is worried for his health dahil masyado na siyang nilamon ng pagtatrabaho. Kaya para hindi na sila mag-alala ay pumayag na lang siyang magbakasyon. He lied to his secretary when he said that he already have plans. Ni hindi niya nga alam kung ano bang magandang gawin habang nagbabakasyon idagdag mo pang isang buwan iyon. What is he supposed to do during that long vacation? 

They arrived on the venue 30 minutes late. But it’s not a big deal. The big deal is his rare attendance. Kaya pagkababang-pagkababa pa lang ni Tristan at ng secretary niya sa sasakyan ay agad silang pinagkaguluhan ng media. Puro mga flash ng camera at dagsa ng mga tanong ng press ang sumalubong sa batang business tycoon. 

“Mr. Tristan Creston, this is a very rare occurrence. You attended a charity event. Is there any particular reason why you attended?” tanong ng isang babaeng miyembro ng press. 

“Aside from my friend, Seven, bugging me to attend–I also want to buy some paintings.” mabagal ang naging pagpasok nila sa venue dahil sa dami ng nakaharang.

“We heard that Miss Olivia Lim is one of the artists who have paintings for auction in this event. Miss Olivia is your rumored girlfriend after you two were spotted talking in a bar. Are you here to support her?”

Tristan stopped at that question. Tinignan niya ang reporter na nagtanong noon at tila ba na-intimidate ito sa tinginn niya. Akmang babawiin na nito ang mic ng magsalita ang binata. 

“Who’s Olivia? I don’t have a girlfriend as of now. But I am currently pursuing someone very private so I don’t want to give much detail. One thing I know is her name is not Olivia.” 

Pagkatapos ng statement na iyon ay dire-diretso na silang pumasok sa venue kahit pa maraming follow-up questions tungkol sa babaeng nabanggit niya na nililigawan niya. Sa totoo lang ay wala naman talaga siyang nililigawang babae. He is just so tired of being linked to girls who try to talk to him and make a move on him. Ayaw niya sa attention ng media at ayaw niya rin sa mga babae. Para sa kaniya ay pare-pareho lang namang manggagamit ang mga babaeng gustong mapalapit sa kaniya. Syempre maliban na lang iyon sa dalawang pinaka mamahal niyang mga babae, ang kaniyang ina at ang nakatatandang kapatid na si Demi.

“Simon!” malayo pa lang ay rinig na ni Tristan ang umaalingaw-ngaw na boses ni Seven. Palapit na ito sa kaniya kaya mas lalo tuloy na natuon sa kanila ang atensiyon ng mga tao roon. 

“Salamat sa pag punta. Sabi ko na nga ba, ako lang hindi mo matitiis eh.” anang kaibigan saka humalakhak. 

Kung si Tristan ay seryoso at workaholic, total opposite niya naman si Seven na maloko at happy-go-lucky. They were bestfriends ever since they can remember, they practically grew up with each other.

Binati rin ni Seven ang secretary ni Tristan na nasa tabi nito. “Rome, buti sumama ka dito kay Tristan. Nandito si Six hinahanap ka.” ngisi niya sa secretary ni Tristan na kaibigan din nila. Napa buntong hininga naman si Rome ng marinig ang pangalan ng makulit na nakababatang kapatid ni Seven. 

“Speaking of the demonyita.” bulong ni Seven na sapat na para marinig ng dalawang kasama. 

Agad naman nilang sinundan ang tingin ng kaibigan at nakita nila ang isang magandang babae na papalapit na sa kanila. She is wearing a yellow tube gown that really suits her fair skin. Her hair is tied on one side and the ends are  stylishly curled.

“Tristan,nice to see you attend an event!” masiglang bati nito at bineso si Tristan na tinuturing na nitong kuya. 

Nang bumaling ito sa secretary ni Tristan ay agad na parang mas nagliwanag ang mukha nito.

“Rome! I missed you.” she jumped and hugged him that taking him aback. Tristan and Seven laughed at Rome’s reaction to Six. Six has always been all over Rome since they were a teenager. She would often follow him around during highschool and even took the same course in college. Pero mukhang hindi umuubra kay Rome ang style ng dalaga dahil madalas ay makikitaan ito ng pagka konsume sa tuwing makikita ito. 

“You weren’t answering my calls.” ngumuso ang dalaga at inangkla ang kamay sa braso ni Rome. Pasimple naman itong inalis ni Rome na ikina-bunghalit ng tawa ni Seven na agad tinignan ng masama ng kapatid.

“Let’s leave them alone,” Tristan smirked at Rome who looked helpless as his two friends walked away leaving him with Six who was busy ogling at him.

“Tristan Creston, it’s nice to see you here. Minsan ka lang um-attend ng mga event that it sometimes feels like it’s an honor to attend the same event with you.” biro ng isang matandang businessman na isa sa mga nanliligaw sa Creston Innovations para maging partner ang kompanya sa isang proyekto. 

“Nah, Mr. Lim. It’s my honor to be able to talk to you again here. It’s been years since I last talked to you. Last time we talked, we made a building.” they both laughed when they remembered how they had just started talking about random things, and then months later they were signing contracts for a project in Baguio. 

“Well, who knows after talking tonight we might have another project to do.” pahaging ni Mr. Lim. There were a lot of businessmen who are dying to work on a project with Creston Innovations and Creston Holdings. Creston Holdings has always been the best real estate company in the Philippines and even in some parts of Asia. Creston Innovations is a newer company under the Creston Empire. It was founded by Tristan himself while he was still in college. Of course, it would not be possible without his father–Caliber, who mentored him and supported his ideas.  

“Caliber is really lucky to have a son who took after him being a business genius.” komento ng isa sa nasa small crowd na nakapalibot kay Tristan.

“You’re right. So, do you have new projects in mind? Baka pwedeng mag bid ang company ko.” 

Everyone focused and waited for what he’ll say. Lahat ay curious kung maaari ba silang makapag-offer na maging supplier o partner ng Creston. They knew that being in the same project as the Creston Empire is like establishing a reputation in the industry. 

“Well, I have a new building in mind. The power that will be used by the building is 80% coming from solar and wind energy.” he expertly gave an overview but made sure not to add too much detail to it. One thing he learned from his father is that other businessmen can either be your friend or an enemy. Never fully trust anyone except your family. 

“I am very much interested in your project.” they are all interested even with just vague information about the project. You’ll know that they are just dying to be in one project with one of the biggest corporations in Asia. 

“I would love to talk more to everyone interested but maybe let’s do that some other time. It will be great if we focus on the main purpose of this event.”

Magalang na nagpaalam si Tristan sa crowd ng karamihan ay matatandang businessmen. Hinanap niya ang mesa ng mga kaibigan na kanina ay namataan niya habang naglalakad sila ni Seven matapos nilang iwanan si Rome kasama si Six. Speaking of Seven, bigla na lang itong nawala kanina habang kausap niya ang ibang mga bisita. Allergic talaga ang isang iyon kapag usapang business. 

Agad ring natunton ni Tristan ang mga kaibigan na naipon sa iisang mesa.Four of the most sought-after bachelors in the Philippines are sitting at one table. No wonder women around their table are trying so hard to look refined and attractive. Seven Lorenzo was the son of Emily Young, a famous socialite/philanthropist, and also the one who organized this charity event. He is laughing and talking to a woman he just met. Knox Lee is beside Seven, he owns bars and an entertainment agency. Sa kanilang magkakaibigan, si Knox ang masasabing self-made billionaire. Beside Knox is Giovanni, he is half-Italian and he is the grandson of Viola Ricci the woman who owns one of the biggest winery in Italy. Sa tabi naman ni Giovanni ay si Leo Ishikawa, the quietest among them. He is half-Japanese and his family owns the Ishikawa Corporation, an affiliate of the Creston Empire. 

“Tristan, long time no see.” ani Seven ng maka-upo na si Tristan sa tabi ni Leo. 

“Iniwan mo ako dun, ugok.”

“Alam mo namang ayaw ko sa alien talk.” 

“So, is it true that you’re here because of Olivia Lim?” tanong ni Knox na sumimsim ng champagne sa kaniyang glass wine.

“I don’t even know who that is.” nagsalubong ang kilay ni Tristan. He really hates being linked to women. He hates women in general, of course, his mother and his sister were exceptions. When he doesn’t hate a girl, he is just civil to them and is not interested in any way. 

“As expected from you. She is an artist who’ll have two of her paintings auctioned later. That girl is not bad at all.” ani Knox na kilala ang halos lahat ng mga kabilang sa alta.

“Why don’t you get her instead. Para naman wala nang makaka sira ng gabi nitong si pareng Tristan.” Seven wiggled his eyebrows and grinned at his “brilliant” suggestion. 

“Ayaw ni Knox sa anak-mayaman, di ba?” paalala ni Giovanni kay Seven.

“What is up with my friends? Si Tristan mukhang walang nang interest sa mga babae. Ikaw Gio, I haven’t seen you with any woman nowadays. Nakakapanibago pare, dati apat na babae pinagsasabay mo i-check in sa hotel namin. Ito namang si Knox ayaw ng mga heredera. Si pareng Thomas naman mukhang magpapari na talaga dahil hanggang ngayon wala pa ring nagiging girlfriend o fling man lang doon sa U.S. Itong si Leo, paano magkaka girlfriend eh pipe ata.” problemadong reklamo ni Seven. 

“Who says we’re friends?” minsan na nga lang mag salita si Leo ay masungit pa.

“Aray pareng Leo ha! Mula nursery binibigyan na kita ng gucci scarf na ninenok ko sa wardrobe ng nanay ko tapos di mo pala ako tinuturing na kaibigan? Ano ako bodyguard mo?” Seven acted hurt. Halata naman na siguro kung sino ang pinaka maingay at OA sa kanilang magkakaibigan.

“Hi, Tristan.” a woman greeted Tristan. Napabaling sa kaniya ang lahat ng nasa table na iyon at maging ang mga nasa kalapit na table.

She is pretty wearing her green dress that hugs her slender figure. If she wasn’t known as an artist, everyone would think that she is a model. Matangkad at mestiza ito and her facial features are sharp but are still feminine. 

“Yes?” Tristan answered without realizing he have met this girl before. Most women he met is not so special that he doesn’t even remember them by their face or names. 

“Can I sit with you?” nakangiti ang dalaga

“Sorry, but who are you?” he didn’t even whispered what he said. Narinig tuloy iyon ng ibang mga bisita. 

You can hear gasps from the crowd and giggles from women from other tables, obviously laughing at someone’s embarrassing moment.

“I’m Olivia, I expected that you won’t remember me. I have introduced myself to you for the nth time now.” mukha namang hindi gaanong naapektuhan ang babae sa pagkakapahiya.

“Uhm, Olivia. Your dad is looking for you. Why don’t you go to his table?” si Seven ang nagsalita dahil alam niyang hindi papayag si Tristan na may maupo sa tabi niyang babae. Lalo lang mapapahiya ang dalaga kapag nagtagal pa siya doon. 

Maybe she get what Seven is trying to do and she looked over at her father’s table. She smiled at everyone at the table and gracefully excused herself.

“You’re really harsh to women you don’t know.” komento ni Giovanni na bahagyang natatawa. Lahat talaga silang magkakaibigan ay mabilis maka attract ng mga babae. Maybe it’s because of their wealth but for sure it’s also for their looks. Having Tristan sit with them adds more attention to them but he will surely repel girls because of how rude he is. That’s in favor of Giovanni because he doesn’t seem to be willing to engage with women recently. 

“Why would I be nice to them anyway?” kunot ang noong tanong ni Tristan.

“Because they are God’s gift to men?” Seven smirked as he wrapped his arm around the shoulder of the girl sitting beside him who just giggled at his action. May binulong ang babae at tumayo na silang dalawa saka nagpaalam sa mga kasama sa table.

“I’d gladly decline that gift. If there’s a way I can conveniently avoid women, I’d be down for it.” Tristan drank from his wine glass.

“I heard you got another death threat?” Leo asked Tristan. Leo is obsessed with their security. He even started an agency that provides security services to rich people like them. Kaya hindi na nagtaka si Tristan na alam nito ang nangyari. Malamang ay nasabi ito ni Rome kay Leo. 

“Yeah, hindi ka pa ba nasanay? But as always, nothing special. It’s just like every other generic threat I receive.” 

“Why won’t you agree to have a bodyguard?” 

“I can protect myself.”

“Iba pa rin kapag professional ang magbabantay sayo. Kinukulit ako ni Demi na bigyan ka ng bodyguard.” 

“I have an idea, Tristan.” Knox said. Nilalaro nito ang alak na nasa kopita.

“Spill.”

Lahat sila ay matamang naghintay ng idea ni Knox. Knox have many solutions to everything that’s why they are curious.

“You want to avoid women and Demi won’t stop until you get yourself a bodyguard. Why not hire someone to be your bodyguard at siya rin ang magtataboy sa mga babaeng aaligid sayo? I met someone perfect for this job.” ani Knox na nakangisi.