Chapter Four

"Sorry about that boss," Graham said after he abruptly stopped the car on the way to Ender’s future in-laws' estate. His boss was not paying attention on the road, his eyes and hands busy checking his phone for the updates on his businesses back in the city.

Raising his head, Ender looked out the window. It seemed that it rained the night before. The roadside was wet and muddy. There were a few houses on their way, humble ones. His great grandparents came from the same background and hard-work got them to where they're at.

Ender had never been to this place before. His business meetings with Renato Santillan had only been in the city. Luck was on Renato’s side as Ender agreed to come all the way there. The latter’s parents were the Santillan’s partners before and now that Ender’s running the family empire; he was the one to meet Renato from time to time.

Renato’s daughter came to their conversation one time when Ender’s mother mentioned about settling down. Ender didn't object nor ask any questions. There was neither pressure nor demand for him to come with this agreement. There was nothing to lose either. So here they are. The Ayutthaya heir will be marrying someone's daughter as a business agreement.

His mother said love can be learned. Ender does not believe it. He was sure his mother knew that. Money was everything to the family. His parents had an arranged marriage but she said to him, "I learned to love your father. I couldn't help it."

“It's not for me,” Ender thought to himself. At twenty eight years old, he still had not felt that kind of feeling.

***

"Mr. Ayutthaya, it's so good to finally have you at our home," Jenna Santillan greeted Ender as soon as he entered the ancestral house the Santillan family live in. It was the only mansion he saw on his way there Earlier, he stopped at an orchard where Renato showed him his family plantation of a variety of fruit-bearing trees. Now it was lunchtime and they had gone to the house for a meal.

"Ender, this is my daughter. Tricia," Renato made the introduction between the two who were getting married. It was the first time the two met. Their engagement was even done without showing themselves to each. Hence, rumors came around saying the young Ayutthaya was getting married. He didn't confirm nor deny anything. Only a few people knew just yet.

"Nice to meet you," Tricia said as she held out a hand and when Ender held out his, she came close to him for a hug. Ender stood there unmoving, not returning the embrace.

Ender could sense the awkward atmosphere but he could care less. He let her go and went on to tell them that his parents would be at the wedding. They were flying straight from London. It was just him and his driver who would be staying for a few days until the ceremony.

"So what do you like to do as a hobby, Ender?" Tricia asked as they began to eat lunch. The latter shrugged off the question. There was nothing he could tell her. Hobby wasn't for him. He was always working.

Tricia’s parents began to ask their future son-in-law a series of questions regarding his personal life. Perhaps they thought they had the right now that he was marrying their daughter. He answered straightforwardly but with no elaboration to the "why" questions or any other related to that. When they asked him if he dated anyone, he said no with a thin smile at the question ‘why’. They asked him how many kids he wanted. He said one. Why not two? He gave them a thin smile.

Ender wanted to get the ceremony over with and be done with it.

"We don't need to wait for five more days," Ender declared after he was done eating. "I have people coming to help with the preparation. Let's do it the day after tomorrow." Turning to Renato, he added, "we did agree to get it done in three days after I arrived. You're not backing out of that, are you?"

"O-Of course not," Renato replied to him.

"Then it's settled," Ender concluded. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get to my room."

"Yes, of course." Jenna Santillan nodded at him and asked someone to take him to the guest room. "And Tricia, why don't you help Tanisha as well to get Ender to his room."

Ender walked ahead and followed the elderly lady named Tanisha. Tricia was right next to him. "We're not yet married, sweetheart, so I suggest you give me my space when I want it," Ender told his future bride before approaching the door to his room. She smiled as she brushed a hand down his arm.

"I'll be yours in two days. Does it matter?"

His eyes followed her hand on his sleeve. He took her hand off him and returned her smile with a cold gaze. "Don't expect anything from me until I come to you. We just met and you know what you're getting into." He headed to the room after the elderly lady opened the door for him. "I'll take my luggage in. Would you mind showing my driver where his room is," he asked.

"Absolutely, Sir."

Graham left with Tanisha. Looking behind him, Ender found Tricia still standing a few feet away, She was staring. Ender ignored her and walked into his room. He had a long drive and an even longer night before that. He was tired but he didn't want to sleep just yet. He made his way towards the bed, took his tie off and dropped it on top of the mattress. He then proceeded towards the balcony when he noticed that the doors were open.

It seemed peaceful everywhere. Ender could hear quietchatters from workers around the estate but I couldn't see anyone. Until a dog came into his view, running playfully across the back of the mansion.

A young man, probably in his teens, was running after it with a collar in his hand.

"Clay! Buddy, you need to wear this!" He shouted as he ran after the dog. A wind blew his way. The wind chimes sounded as Ender looked down to get a better look at the boy.

“How could he be so fair-skinned in this part of the country?” he thought. He's even fairer than his bride was. Ender’s eyes were glued on him as he laughed with his pooch. Yes, the dog seemed to be laughing with him. A smile curved on his lips when the boy finally caught the dog and put the collar on him. His heartbeat suddenly went haywire when the boy looked up and saw him.

The said boy’s head tilted and he smirked at Ender. He gave him a side eye and walked away with the dog in tow.

"Hey!" Ender shouted. He the urge to call him back yet he didn’t know why. He didn't know either why he felt... happy when he looked back. Ender saw the boy’s lips move but he couldn't make out what he was saying.

Those lips got him speechless after he said something aloud, "Yes, Mr?"

This beautiful boy...