Essi's life remains as a series of meetings. Except that Oneil makes the difference. The memory of travlling from Paris to Bordeaux together with him lingers in her mind. She could even insert Pachelbel's Canon in D to indulge in the reminiscence that time allows her to do. But the song from her music got interrupted by the call through their residential landline.
"Is this Essi?" a voice of a familiar woman emerged.
"Yes, speaking. Who is this?"
"I'm Niana Mercator. Can I have a time to talk with you?"
Essi barely remembers Oneil's distant relatives. The name remains familiar. But the intention was still unspoken.
"May I know for what is this about?"
"Somehow concerning Oneil. But I also like to meet you."
It wouldn't hurt her time if she has to spend it with some of Oneil's family members. She might as well just take it as a reason to go downtown and wait for Oneil after his work.
"Sure, where do you want us to meet?"
N
Oneil’s signature of attitudes is always about paying attention to details. Indeed, he had good times with Essi and it is also good to find out that she is fine. But since Niana’s intrigue to Essi remains unanswered, he couldn’t help it but try to find out if his mother directed Niana for that meet. It was supposed to be pleasant talk. He arranged his time good according to his mother’s preferences for a tea in the afternoon. He invited her to visit him in his house so that she would feel better. After all, this is not about his life that he has to talk to Latifa. “I’m glad that you finally invited me to your house, son,” Latifa said after taking the seat Oneil prepared for him. “Now I see why you’re somehow hesitating to return. You got a good place.” “This is for Essi and I,” Oneil sincerely replied. But even with a sweet intention of his response, Latifa’s smile begins to flat out. Latifa was only stirring her tea carefully but with the halt she ma
The news about the missing trade secret made the Mercators think that Grant would interrogate them one by one. But they are rather called together to surround the long conference table for a very important meeting. Grant wouldn’t want to start as long as he is sure that everyone discerning enough have already joined. Grant stares blankly at leather document holder that ironically doesn’t hold any piece of paper. Everyone waited more for Oneil since the holder was known to be residing in his office. When Latifa and Oneil arrived at the manor, the Mercators immediately prompted them to get in the meeting. Grant finally proceeded to his announcement after long minutes of being silent. “Someone tipped me that there will be a negotiation next meeting. Someone will sell off our trade secret to another hospitality company. It bothered me who else have access to our trade secret when it wasn’t meant to be stored in our computers to be compromised.” The secret
Gwyneth has been a ready substantial help for Essi’s desire to make sure that Oneil is doing fine. But after Gwyneth’s information that the entire immediate Mercators needed to return to the manor didn’t follow up further development, Essi felt sad for Oneil. She always knew the kind of temper that reigns over the old man and how a little disappointing thing could already affect his trust to other people. Essi believes that Oneil has nothing to do with the issue but the possibility to be treated as a scapegoat by other people in that house remains at a higher possibility than the last time she figured it out. She stands carefully, as if the special mosaic tile on the pavement of the public park outside the Amyrgia Holdings remained as the only life line across the urban escapade. While tapping the heel of her shoe on the tile, her thoughts remained directing towards Oneil. That is why upon hearing his voice, her heart skipped a beat. As if it is just the first time that Essi
When good things come, our past desires also reborn. It has been Essi’s hobby to stroll the Bordeaux market and find good deals there. Her stroll towards the inner parts of the market feels like her fresh meandering in the market of Bayanihan as well. From there, she learned that the best stalls are often at the hinter parts of the market and the best products are often hidden or covered by the old supplies. She happily picks up oranges and other fruits. A special stall offers fresh buko as well. She thought of preparing a buko salad as a special dessert for Oneil to enjoy. While she was waiting for the vendor to pack her items, some fruits rolled towards her feet. She looked around to find out where it came from and saw the familiar figure of Oneil’s mother, struggling through the destroyed paper bag where the other items she bought kept coming out. She took a reusable bag for the fruit vendor to additionally charge to her purchase. She placed the fruits in it and gave to O
Most of Oneil’s life is in Bordeaux. But his childhood is built with the memories of living in the commune of Saint-Céneri-le-Géreiin Normandy. In the gladness of Latifa’s heart, she decided to give the key to him with her sincere sorry. “I hope that you won’t hate your mom for hiding those things,” Latifa said. She couldn’t do anything when it is Oneil who volunteers to get it. Although she assures him of traveling there to get what Oneil needed, her son refused. Oneil shrugged to the negative assumption of his mom. “I don’t,” he added words as well. His mom still feels an insecurity about their distance with each other although Oneil is already restoring it by simple appreciations and interactions. “ I also missed your special dish.” It is different if it is his mom who would prepare La potée lorraine. Latifa has been visiting Oneil’s house for some time already. Oneil’s mother didn’t bring her own car and was only brought by a chauffeur to ar
Latifa pushed herself for another meet with Essi. It might be a shame to use this as a reason but because of Essi's wound, Essi and her can be prompted to meet again. Right now, inside the private hall of the Grand Mercator Pavilion, it is just her, the dead air, and her sole purpose of meeting Essi again. Waiting for her feels like returning again on her serious work inside the Mercator Group where she needs to wait for the bigger investors from international companies to meet with her. But now that she retires from that kind of work and focusing on handling the entire foundation organizations of the Mercator Group, it felt only familiar but nostalgic. Her assistant finally came around with a good news that her special guest is already checking in towards the dine hall she specially prepared for this time. Essi arrived like any other ordinary day of work. She is still in her corporate attire, except enhanced by her sense of passion and the lilac brooch t
Essi and Oneil arrived in Normandy to a country house long known to be entailed with the inheritance of “de Stafford.” That is Latifa’s maiden name. Oneil’s family lived in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei for 12 years until they moved to Bordeaux to be with the other Mercators. Entering again to the country house never felt new to Oneil. The interiors remained the same. Except that the items around are covered with dust sheets. His dad’s favorite figurines are still are still in place. The entire house barely felt the touch of the sunlight. Essi volunteered to open the draperies and set a new ambiance in the house. Because of the light shafts finally discovering that there are more pathways inside the country house that they can pass through, everything suddenly got so bright. Essi has to cover her eyes with her arm until she adjusted to the surrounding. What is directly set before her eyes are the various pictures of the Mercator family. But along the seas of the photographs, o
Normandy has been sung with the tales of D-Day. Wars were there. Accounts of de Stafford too. In the village of Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei is a thousand more of memories. Starting from that which drifting through River Sarthe, the song of youth meandering upon its stone bridge and the promise of rest by the curved roads to cob buildings and timbered houses, everything in the village creates a very special gem to keep in the treasuries of a visiting heart.It has been worthwhile to touch down upon this well-known land. While Oneil has to return to Bordeaux for his work, Essi still has to stay for her business."Are you sure that you will be fine here?" Oneil asked while packing the things he needed."Of course, althought I will miss you," Essi answered."To be safe, you should just stay here instead of checking in to hotels." Oneil has been reiterating that what is his shall be for Essi as well. Essi has been reluctant to
Essi has always believed that meeting people like the Binici Siblings meant a good thing --that be it in business or social partnerships. But what Karina offers to her is quite different. Her words have stronger meaning underneath their simplicity as if Katrina had been always trying to interfere in Essi and Oneil’s lives. “So you people are just engaged. It means there is still a greater possibility for any of you to quit, right?” she asked Essi with a hint of excitement. Her words simply do not respect the relationship between the two. Essi chose to not pay attention to it. But Katrina was bugging her in another way by trying to set Essi up with Wyath for coffee nothings and casual dinner. “I do not have much time. If this meeting does not make any sense, then I won’t go, Miss Binici,” Essi declined. “My brother is willing to marry the girl he likes,” Katrina inserted just to make the phone call go on. “Really? That’s good for him then,” Essi commented but was about to excuse he
When everything got settled, she found herself already bringing the large paper bag filled with the three casings where the jewels in their trinket boxes are placed. Her chauffeur waited for her outside and walked with her down the stairs of the auction house. Her car is also set to conclude her night from the Legalion. But before she took a step, Wyath went to her again. “Essi, since it is rare for us to meet, may I ask for your contact number?” Wyath was implying the personal one. “Okay,” Essi said and gave him her number. “But you should also give yours since my phone automatically sets an unknown number as spam.” When they got done exchanging numbers, Katrina went to Wyath to remind him that they must go home now. “Essi, it was nice to meet you. We’ll go ahead for now,” Katrina bid and dragged her brother to their car. “Will you still proceed to the hotel madame?” her chauffeur asked. “Yes, you can also take your time to enjoy things around,” Essi grinned and reminded him ab
It is the actual bidding night. With the preparation of the lights and the friendly interiors of the Legalion Action House, Essi knows this night shall be friendly to her vision. She takes a simple white dress with puff sleeves and white heels. She takes a silk cloth as her headband. Her appearance for the night is elegance mingled with youth and enthusiasm.“Welcome, Madame Essi,” the guard said upon recognizing her card. “This way please.”Essi followed the red carpet leading them to the Jewel Auction Hall No. 1. It is her first time to join an auction by herself. Oftentimes, she would just accompany a family member when they would like to purchase something from the auction. She continued walking around and not recognizing any familiar faces around the auction hall except Wyath. Wyath quickly noticed her too when he turned around. He approached her with a smile. He even introduced his sister to her.“This is my sister, Katrina. She’s the reason why we’d like to buy some of the Maes
Essi had a simple target in heading to Normandy. The Legalion Auction House announced its 25th jewelry auction. Essi was never attentive towards auctions. But this one sets a great importance in her agenda because it was the jewelry collection made by Maestro Marco. She had two important target items because of the discovery that she arrived upon studying the decoration and details on the jewelry portfolio of her grandmother Priscilla. Two pieces of jewelry are no more in the possession of the Paulsson household. It suddenly became included in the auction series of the Legalion because it is made by Maestro Marco.The first piece was dubbed as Ingrid’s because Essi’s grandfather had especially commissioned the jewel maker to make a bluebird-inspired jewelry as a ready gift for his daughter once she will be brought to the world. And yet the owner, continued sleeping.The second piece was a fancy yellow diamond about 80 carats filled with many more white diamonds on its side, forming l
Victor has to weigh many company concerns. First, for the Amyrgia-Gautarza. Second, to Essi’s Gautarza Company and third, to the Mercator Group. Concerning the first two, he can see the clear directions on how the owners would take their future paths. But for the Mercator Group, he couldn’t see exactly where it even errs or go on correctly.He became an instant breadwinner with a clear source of income because the other Mercators in their humble barn house have to lie low for a while. His great ally on the discussion for the Mercator Group was his father.“Our hope in raising this alarm is to the interim chairman himself,” Paulo said. “If only he could also be cooperative to us.”“I don’t see any reason though that he wouldn’t,” Victor stated. “That is why I talked to him about the deliberation of a new policy concerning the selling and purchase of shares.”“What do you see is the problem about the shares then?”“I see some problems of the old policy. It may allow the shareholders to
Sometimes, amid all trials, one couldn’t help but wonder how others felt for them. It was in Victor especially when he regarded how Mr. Arlelle must have reacted to the fate that chased the Mercators. Yet, hoping to be always in his favor, Victor could only remain in silent and work with perseverance. It must have been a good asset that he was not heard as a Mercator because no one would chase him in the hopes to scoop out a splice of an information that can serve a cup of tea. Victor was on his way back to Arlelle’s office, bringing the reports about the recent confirmations he received on his email. But while he was outside the office, he heard some key people of Amyrgia-Gautarza.“How come that you still keep him sir? Is he not a member of the Mercators? It is quite unsettling.”“How can I not when he is still officially a part of the Amyrgia-Gautarza? And what has he done then that he should be fired out?”“But he is a Mercator.”Victor couldn’t deny that maybe in the business wor
Because of the conversation Lady Imeldine and Latifa had in the dining room, Grant went to them with some mud on his jumper and polo. He was worried that Latifa cried again while no one was watching.A shine light hit his eye when he tried to look at what is on the table. He marched slowly until he could see what is inside the box.“Is this your last jewel that you would sell, Latifa?” he asked because he couldn’t recognize the jewel.It was pretty understandable. Because he was never able to see this ring right from its bidding and until his wife’s death. It was Paulo who kept it because Grant didn’t know about the many things that his wife bought.His daughter-in-law didn’t answer yet but his recognition was also now to the visitor. “Your highness,” Grant said. He bowed even lower because he is ashamed of his situation. Knowing that Lady Imeldine was a shareholder, it would be harder to explain his situation to the royalty.“Please, may you be comfortable in dealing with me for I am
It was surely a grave offense that Louis made only to stain the reputation of the house of the Emirvas. But Lady Imeldine couldn’t even make greater punishment against him by sending him back to their country because he would face more grievous repercussions from the entire royal clan concerning the ring. After all, she has compassion to this lad who was also alike to her, almost impossible to receive the crown. He is but a royal and yet has to live in a manner that could promote his name despite the absence of the crown.So Louis was grounded in the rest house and every inch of his move was under Lady Imeldine’s strict supervision. When he tried to beg to his aunt that maybe he could go with her to talk to Essi, she glared at him.“Isn’t it enough that you made a careless work here?” she snarled. “Louis! You even brought shame to our family in front of the Paulssons.”“I’m sorry,” Louis cried out barely having any sincerity since he said out of annoyance to his aunt’s endless squawk
When the prompt for writing kicks, it is sometimes hard to stop the feeling of typing it all. But when Essi got done, she was unsure on how she should continue her article. Because there was something missing about the details of the maestro. Until she remembered what Marco’s wife said when she asked why is it okay for them to look.“It’s just like our twins are also cheering for him.”Essi’s tears escaped from her eyes. Now she’s doubting if she should tell his story. She tried to call Oneil and glad that he had also picked up.“Why? Are you alright?” Oneil asked because it is still not yet 11PM. It means Essi must be still working for something. “But with all the curiosity that Essi has, she hesitated in asking.“Come on, you can tell me,” almost pleaded because when silence starts to answer, it means a bothersome case.“Did Sir Marco ever tell you that he would like some people to interview him? He’s quite famous as a master jeweler.”“You were inspired to write about him, is it?”