It seems like someone is shy. Paco cannot escape Gwyneth's scrutinizing eyes although he already revealed his honest intention to not harm Essi. He tried keeping his pace faster but Gwyneth's steps are longer. Gwyneth is of the same height as him, 5'5. There are times she gets to walk closer next to Paco but would also get a little farther as if she wants to look at him from another angle. Her blond hair reveals the gentle touches of the wind as they stroll past the hill towards Essi's house. She keeps looking at him, with a sheepish smile. Her eyes also sparkle to a degree of knowing his little secret. Paco stopped for a while to stare at her. "Is there something you want to say?" "No, nothing," Gwyneth said but her grin would like to tell otherwise. "Just wanna make sure if Essi's admirer passes my standards first before hers." Paco felt stepping again on the cold floors of an ancestral house that they can no more reclaim. He can act that Gwyn
It’s a small world after all… and Bayanihan Town is just a speck of dust. All its corners cannot hide from the storm. It cannot keep Essi and Oneil aloof. After all those pleas yesterday, the two only have a little distance at the market. Oneil is up for his work in the rice store while Essi is in aim to stock some groceries. The sky is in the mood for bad weather, and the people are in the business to get ready for a coming storm. “Son, why are your thoughts away? I told you I want this variety of rice instead of what you are preparing,” the old woman told Oneil. “I’m sorry, ma’am.” The old woman understood him. “Young man, strengthen your mind to be in focus amid all problems. Don’t let your youthful years be clouded with worry.” Oneil smiled while scaling the rice. The old woman asked him of his name. Instead of the one he used to wear, he intended to mention Oneil. Perhaps, by this, Essi will forgive his words of yesterday near-evening. He glanced
Stale cold air. Beehive noise. Movements of people. The only boundary Oneil has between them is the designated tent for him. But he kept it open to see his surrounding. His eyes scrutinize the place until he gets familiar. There is a nearby charging station and distribution of solar lamps to the evacuees. New batches of evacuees are coming with their needed items. Their eyes are filled with the question if there are more available tents for them. Oneil went out from the large tent and thought of giving the unit to a larger family. “I think they need it more, Sir,” Oneil said to the evacuation coordinator. He was carrying his bagged bedding while pointing to the influx of people who needed spaces in the building. The officer was moved by his genuine effort. He offered a tent space near their station for this lonesome caring man. Oneil thanked the officer before moving to place his bedding inside. “By the way, did you eat already? There’s a releasing of food fo
Riley had many sleepless nights and the last one was painstakingly long. It is not because his nipa hut bowed to the storm five days ago. Neither does it have something to do with Marika. Indeed, he was not even hurt by Captain Arturo’s declaration of sending Marika to study in Japan. After all, Riley is used to Captain Arturo’s claim that Marika will not have a good future if she will end up with a useless man like him. It did not move him either make him remorseful that Marika left after their slight argument.Insecurities surrounded Riley. He didn’t notice himself plunging to it uninvited. A poignant possibility just hit him like a deer caught in the red light. What if falling in love with Essi also meant having her away from him? What if Essi also needs to return to Bordeaux at the expense of his trust? What if Essi was altogether wrong in believing that he is Oneil? What if he will also be left as a hapless man as he is now? All of these questions are a
Essi has something to say. Whatever it is, Oneil is more than willing to listen. He groomed himself a formal one for his visit to Essi’s company building. He knew that his apparel is already fancy. But the people entering there are wearing clothes of greater elegance. Even the building is an impression of a modern palace where Essi is the princess. He entered there without constraints. The guards greeted him. Inside the building are a different huge world of metal beams and glossy floors. The tiles reflect his astounded countenance. Ceiling lights and chandeliers join the orchestra of luminous hymns. The lobby is wide and polished with fine materials. He was distracted for a while but composed himself again towards the conference room. A dim glass with large letters of the room’s purpose awaited him. There are LED lights at the edges and glows in harmony with the interiors of the wooden accent. And yet, in all these beauties and designs that mark the talents of workers combi
Publicity does not last. But the people of Bayanihan will always find the reason to crown Essi as the talk of the town. It is redeeming that it is no more primarily on her relationship although there’s no guarantee of avoiding a bad light. They now look at her because of her equestrian talents. They would pass by her house and check how she is. They would never forget supplying their reminder about the festival and why she needs to join. Tata Ramon is not an exception as well. Just like them, he asked Essi what she has been doing lately. “I’m still looking for someone who is also named Riley. His alma mater didn’t respond to my letter yet,” she answered. “How about your time with Oneil?” “He’s friendly. I think it got a lot better now.” Tata Ramon nodded as if he expected this to happen. Just as he declared to his wife, he will always take Essi’s side. He proceeded to reveal something he witnessed at the mango orchard. While Essi was w
How does an Essi Paulsson sulk? Instead of locking herself up in the room, she got to the office to get all her focus on work. There, the hopes to not think of Oneil reside intransigently. Clipped folders are on her desk, still waiting for her scrutiny. Emails are logging to her online address and appointments are waiting for confirmation. Gwyneth cannot even disturb her. On behalf of her cousin, she bears the shame of hurting Essi Paulsson. She can choose to have a serious talk with Oneil again but Essi pleaded with her to not do it. Instead, she is brought with her in the building, as a talking companion for whatever Essi would like to chat about. But it’s past six hours and Essi didn’t start another conversation. Little inquiries were for necessities like meals and company events. Still, Gwyneth is to bear the silence in the room. She cannot even find something else to waste her time about. For on playing chess alone would make a fool in herself. And reading
The concept of talents cannot be lovely in its own right. For while all the processes of works and designs are in their hands, the question of attitude will always be the weighing scale. There are a few people who hold that scale in Gautarza as if it is the only boundary of the many applicants coming in and out of the building. The HR Manager always imposes direct hiring to know each of the potential employees of Gautarza. It is her favorite roller-coaster of disappointment and excitement --such an experience she is privileged to have while not being a CEO. She always gets thrilled to see new people staging their desirable characters. For they are unconsciously inviting her to a game of hide-and-seek just to bust out some horrors before they plague the workplace. Many coated skills and the sweetened stench have not passed her. Then for the past ten sessions of facing the candidates, none of them personally impressed her. They are good in talents but might have
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?”