Essi was expecting Oneil to pursue her or to at least attempt to communicate with her. She intended to remain in her office right at noon, without lunch, to see if Oneil will check on her situation and will surprise her with lunch packs. But nothing happened. She walks back and forth across her office, peeking at the door like a monkey, thinking that she’s probably making her life a comedy.
She keeps on hoping that maybe Oneil will pass by and check the cleanliness of her office or at least wonder if Essi already has lunch yet. But she is still in solitary and her stomach already churns in pain. With her arms holding her stomach, she ran on her stilettos back to her desk with the hopes she might find some month-old biscuits. But there are only sachets and scratch papers inside of it. Her drawer is indeed a hidden world inside her office where secrets are but the foods she doesn’t like to finish, rough ideas scribbled on strips of paper, and her notebook that is filled with t
Essi could never resist the need to look after Oneil. Even at the sting of her wound beneath the bandage, she wanted to check if he was doing fine. Another day in her work passed when she did not even see Oneil. She pleaded with Victor to drive the car across the street near Oneil's temporary facility. But she noticed that the lights were out and it seemed like there were no people in it. Oneil is probably not home yet. "We'll not wait for him, right?" Victor asked while looking at Essi through the mirror. Essi is at the backseat, looking at the right side as if hoping that Oneil might arrive anytime sooner. The orange light inside the car has projected the side features of Essi sparkling along with her amethyst earring. She did not even look away from the facility to answer Victor's reiterated question. “Shall we go now?” Essi finally nodded. While on their way, she is enduring the paradox of tranquility and vague emptiness. She cannot remove from her mind the impen
These days, no matter how far Oneil would wish to avoid Essi, he would always end up finding himself next to her. His feet were uncontrollable in pace just to see her. His arrival may seem like a coincidence, but he meant it by following her. Unintended things might include the graceful grant by the heavens for him to see Essi’s silhouette, casually walking the half gates of the rural park. Oneil was able to escape a young director’s appeal for him to join the interns and other workers to have dinner outside. He rather went to a hardware store for canvassing house-building materials. On his way home, the park lamps allowed Oneil to see Essi’s features, radiant in stillness and aimless walking. He was hesitant to walk next to her. He watched first where Essi was heading. Understanding that Essi was walking to the park, his feet drove him to check her. When he went to Essi, his heart was beating in fear that Essi might put him away or leave him hanging. Wha
Essi could be unbecoming when she confronts her people. But she never knew that she could meet the worse of her when it comes to how they treat Oneil. She does not prohibit their ways of bonding. It’s their way to wind up. But maybe her ire got the best of her by questioning why they invited Oneil to drink. She becomes a disciplinarian even outside the workplace. “Tell me, have I done it wrong? Have I become so much of a nagger?” Essi hopes that she will hear another thing. “Yes,” Victor replied without a filter. “People are afraid of you. They wise up when you’re around.” Essi felt shackled by the gravity beneath her chair, weakening her firm soldier’s back. “But that’s alright. Leadership style changes when you take different positions. You handle more than 500 staff. Your case as a disciplinarian shouldn’t be a wrong point,” Victor added. “I’m talking about what I have done at the restaurant.” Victor takes his seat
After the negotiation, the new CEO of PHYGIN left the building, earning the good service of the famed Gautarza Company. Essi and Victor are still standing at the building entrance. Victor remained a polite smile. But Essi resorted to a serious face, impulsive to reassess the next step of her plans. But this gloom is espoused by the worry that Oneil might think of her being deceptive. For this is the misunderstood side of her character that she never shared with Oneil ever since. It will be another question if she is a villainess operating behind Oneil. Whatever the answer is, she needs to continue. Essi returned to the office with her unusual behavior. She would respond to the people when they called but she would return on looking at the floor with a nonchalant expression. But deep within, her question lingers. How can she face them when she was irate last night? “Madame, how is…” the employee was not able to tell Oneil’s name. “He’s recovering,” Essi still
There are no sweeter moments than little things starting to become part of Essi’s life. Oneil’s hug is one of them. She could have stayed in that hug. But it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Gwyneth who needed more coins to pay the exact fare. “I’m really sorry for disturbing you guys,” Gwyneth said while being chased by urgency. She is already ashamed of letting the tricycle driver wait for her payment when she took the public vehicle to find out how Paco was practicing with his classmates for their street dance competition. The tricycle driver even assisted her in pulling the empty ice cream drums to the front door. “I’m sorry for the troubles,” Gwyneth added after thanking him. “No worries,” the tricycle driver was tolerant enough. Gwyneth nodded and headed back to the front house. “Gwyn, you bought all of this?” Essi asked while pointing to the dreams. “What for?” “I just want to support Paco’s classmates.” They
If fate never plays tricks, maybe Oneil will never realize what great treasures he has after all this time. His eyes cannot believe that a silent mansion was waiting for him. The attendants in the manor are more formal than him. But they were ever so hospitable to him and it scared him that they follow him wherever he goes. “Do you like your mansion, Sir Oneil?” Frederick asked that bothered Oneil. Why does he ask as if Oneil forgot everything? “Sir, I led the effort on renovating this. We called the best interior designers to fuse their talents to make this place more likable to Madame Essi.” Oneil glanced at Frederick. He wanted to ask if Essi has ever stepped in this place. “Don’t worry, Sir. This is still kept from her. We don’t want to spoil your surprise for her. So we diligently renovated the place.” “It’s all great,” Oneil felt relieved. Without bearing any remaining suspicion on Essi, Oneil has often wondered that if he owns a company, why do
Life, as it seems for Gwyneth, is to answer many questions. And its answers are not bound to be rendered to the one who asked. “Do you have other plans in life?” Paco asked her for the second time. He asked it out of concern. For they are already heading to the second semester of their senior high school life. But Gwyneth is still in Bayanihan, like a carefree spirit, spending money to support his team and use time on training. “When are you supposed to go back to pursue your studies?” “Why do you ask me about these things?” Gwyneth has never been an enthusiast of academics. She was leaning toward her vocation although everyone around her seemed to push her shifting careers for better wages. Paco is no different from her family. “I’m just concerned,” Paco said while looking away. “You told me that your purpose in staying in Bayanihan is to help Essi. Your mission is now done. You can leave the two deal with themselves without your intervention. Yo
Perhaps, it would have been a thankful farewell. A night of priceless gratitude and appreciation, even just for the little kindness and welfare that Captain Arturo has advanced for Oneil. The young man has finally adopted the ways of Bayanihan Town by moving out in the night to not get feasted by the nosy neighbors. He wanted to approach the man to hear something from him. But after all the grief, distrust, and regret that he caused Oneil to bear, Captain Arturo shamefully questions himself if he deserves it. Maybe Oneil is transferring his luggage to the van with a promise to never look back on his experiences with the Sanchezes. Well, the captain cannot blame Oneil if he would think in that manner. If only Marika had just given up on Oneil and respectfully return him to where he belongs, then his daughter might have earned respect from Essi and Oneil’s family. If only Marika was not selfish and did not insist on her interest, Captain Arturo’s family wouldn’t have e
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?”