Chapter 2 : MOTIVATION

I MUST say that this was where and when it all begun.

It started with me entering the high iron gates which painted an alternate of two colors – violet and gold. Two colors that represented elegance, and most of all – power.

Hindi ko pa man nararating ang mansion dahil naglalakad pa lamang ako sa mahabang driveway patungo rito ay kita ko na kung gaano ito kalaki.

Yes, I grew up most of my teenage life on the countryside but I was not ignorant with this kind of thing. I'm not clueless before I got myself here about how rich and powerful this clan was.

Panting a bit, I reached the entrance of the mansion. Like the gates, the exterior also had the color that represented the highest class location in society - the elites.

I was greeted by a man with a grey polo shirt that was tucked in neatly to his also grey-colored pants, so I supposed that's his uniform. I wondered what he was, a butler, perhaps? As the security guards guarding the gate wore different clothes. But before I could speak, a uniformed woman also appeared. It's not hard to determine by the white thing in her head which kept her hair together that she was one of the housekeepers. She led me to the nearest door by the receiving area.

There, a woman was seated gracefully at the chair in front of the office table. In her late 40's, or maybe even 50's, since I couldn't tell which because beauty, posture and authority are all still evident by her appearance.

She was reading through the white folder she was holding, and when I made my appearance acknowledged by greeting and saying my name, she raised her head then nodded, and let me sit opposite to her.

Gaya nga ng sinabi ko kanina, hindi ako pumunta rito nang walang alam. Siyempre kilala ko ang babaeng ito - ang nag-iisang Vina Astria - Esprerro, ang pinunong ginang ng mga Esprerro.

I learned that she was the head and the one managing the clan's charity works and foundation. Because as you could see, Esprerro wasn't just known for being so freaking rich, they were also known for one thing that most rich people lacks - kindness. Thus, the foundations, and programs they had made them stand out even more. But they're not involved into politics though. I wondered why.

And into the office table, where a man was comfortably sitting on his gold swivel chair. But of course, with so much authority way more than his wife had. Few silver hairs can be seen in his head, but they didn't cover the handsome features he had on his early days that he still had now on I think in his early 60's.

But his age didn't stop him from running the clan's empire. And he never failed to maintain the business's position as the country's number one textile company for over the years.

'Lo and behold, the Esprerro's family head- Leon Esprerro. Like the lion's position in the jungle, in this mansion, he is the one and only king.

A king who possessed the kind of authority which will make you intimidated just by his mere presence.

Opposite from the authority that his wife has, which felt safer.

And finally, the uncomfortable silence broke when Mrs. Vina decided to speak.

"So, Theo, we have been talking about you even before you got here. And I must say that we decided to put you in the most suitable and available position."

That left me confused. What other suitable and available position is she talking about? The only job I came here was to be their family driver. Unless there was a misunderstanding here.

"Oh, don't get confused. Wait 'till you meet our Angelica dear for your clear job position," she added, so, I stopped worrying.

The next few moments, it was silence. As the two were busy again with their own businesses like I'm not here at all. But it was not long after we heard the door creaks open then whoever entered made my heart skipped a beat.

For a moment I didn't know where that weird feeling came from. But I set aside it immediately. Tahimik kong pinagmasdan ang pagpasok ng babae hanggang sa pagsarado nito sa pinto. At nang matitigan ang kaniyang mukha ay napagtanto kong sino ito.

Angelica Esprerro. Ang unica hija ng pamilyang ito, ang natatanging tagapagmana. Napaka-akma ng kaniyang pangalan dahil tulad nito, ang kaniyang mukha'y talaga namang mala-anghel. 

"Hi, good afternoon, you must be Theo," nakangiting bati nito sa akin nang may napakatamis na ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi.

At doon nayanig ang kaloob-looban ko. Nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Kasing boses ng babaeng pinakamamahal ko - si Marie. Dahil dito'y muntikan na naman sana akong malunod sa mga masasakit na alaala ngunit narinig ko ulit siyang magsalita. 

"Hey, are you fine?" May pag-aalalang tanong niya nang mapansing bahagya akong naestatwa. Kaboses niya talaga si Marie!

Talagang mapaglaro ang tadhana!

Bahagya akong nahiya nang mapansing lahat silay napatigil at nakatingin sa akin. Umayos ka Theo!

"Y-yes Ma'am. Pasensiya na po. Magandang hapon nga po pala." I flashed an apologetic smile.

"Are you sure? By the way Theo, this is what I meant to you earlier. This is Angelica, and you will be her personal driver," saad ni Mrs. Vina.

"And that means we're trusting you with her safety. So never forget to always be careful," Mr. Leon, the protective dad, reminded.

"Dad, you're pressuring Theo. I think it's better na ako ang kakausap sa kaniya. After all, kami naman ang magiging madalas na magkasama , right?"

Oo nga, dahil hindi ko rin kayang makipag-usap ng matagal na hindi naiintimidate sa mga magulang mo. I relaxed a bit when I saw Mr. Leon nod. Then Angelica turned to me.

"So, Theo, tell me? What's your motivation in life?"

Kung kanina'y naestatwa ako nang marinig ang boses niya, ngayon nama'y hindi ko alam anong itsura ko ngayon nang marinig ang tanong na iyan mula sa kaniya.

Normal lang na interview-hin niya ako na tila isang aplikante at siya ang amo, ngunit iba ang impact ng unang tanong niya sa akin.

Isang tanong na kailanma'y hindi ko makakalimutan.