Chapter 5

Chapter 5

                   Emilia’s

                        Who is she to begin with?

  

                        She is not a celebrity.

                         She is not a politician.

                         Never became a director!

  

                        And never will become successful, unlike me.

  

                       She can never humiliate me like that!

   

                       My thoughts kept bugging me. As I paced the mall back in forth.

                      After that argument with Sumeria, I left the restaurant and just walk back in forth in this crowded mall.

I stopped pass the escalator and glared at the bystanders who're looking at me like I was a fool for doing this for almost an hour.

  

                    I admit, I am pissed and offended. I need some time to think and get this feeling away from me. Stress would do me no good, so walking must be preferred.

                  “Sumeria Miranda Del Rio, what the fuck happened to you?” I whispered to myself. Mumbling my thoughts about how she reacted like that.

                  I’ve known Sumeria since we were in high school. We do not attend the same school since I was admitted to an all-girls school, while she had her education in a prestigious university in the region. We met in a camp along with my best friend, Andreana, who is now very successful in her career outside the country.

  

                    Excuse me, miss. Can I know what your order is?” A server interrupted my thoughts. I didn’t realize I was already inline to buy my comfort food, burger.

  

                               “I would like to order a quarter pound patty, topped with tomato, lettuce, famous dressing, and extra cheese.” I ordered and gave her my credit card.

                                 I hate bringing cash with me. It is extravagant and so old fashioned. Also, it is a waste of time every time I try to get some bills and wait for the change.

                               The crew smiled at me when she saw the name in the card. I rolled my eyes and look at her sarcastically. She shyly looked down and continued to process my bill and order.

                              She was quite fast to move, I admit. Now I have my burger on the tray, while I am looking for a vacant seat, where I can enjoy this delicious meal.

                             I walked pass a teenage couple who are taking selfies with their food. The girl had her hair in pigtails. She is wearing glasses, and happily biting her burger. The boy on the other hand is holding the phone, extending his arms far, just to capture a perfect picture of him kissing her girlfriend’s cheek. They are both wearing their school's uniform.

   

                           How cute! I wish that they would break up soon!

                          I smirked with that thought and headed towards the vacant seat that was located in the corner.

  

                        Don’t get me wrong, I love to watch romantic films and couples do their thing in public. But I don’t like teenage love. For me, it brings nothing but double D, distraction and destruction.

                        I sat in the chair and immediately opened the box where my burger is. Inhaling the sweet beefy scent brings back memories. Good and bad ones.

  

                       How long has it been since I’ve went to this place?

  

                      I took a bite and let all the flavors of the burger melt in my mouth. The salty sweet tendered meat really hits the cravings I didn’t know I have. It gives me warmth, a feeling I have never felt in years. This burger is really my comfort food.

  

                      Savoring every moment in every bite is all I did. I don’t know how many minutes or hours has it been since I’ve come to this fast food. But one thing’s for sure, I am not going to leave anytime soon.

  

                      I let myself be washed by the feeling of being full while I sit in this chair. I am so grateful, to the sender of that message. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be in an argument with Sumeria and end up in this burger place.

  

                      “Such a great alone time,” I muttered and glanced the envelop that I placed on the table.

                    Should I open it?

            Well, you just crumpled one photo, I think few more won’t do any difference.

             How so?

  

            A debate is going on between my mind. Cairo Jose might know something about me. Worst case, he can be the anonymous sender. Knowing that man, he would do everything in his power to chase his prey. Unluckily, I was one of them. Somehow, I can sense that it has something to do with him!

             “You left me with no choice.” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Carefully, I opened the envelop. My hands are trembling and I began to enhance my senses, preparing to feel every emotion that I may reckon.

  

            With deep breath, I heedfully look at the paper I grabbed from it. It is his profile.

  

            “Damn you!” I muttered as I saw his face. He is still good looking even in his late twenties. And I hate how I can still compliment him, when I should be tearing this paper into pieces!

             “Cairo Jose Buenavista!” I say aloud. It was enough to catch some of the public’s attention, but I don’t mind. They don’t know him, and they don’t know me. They can wander for all they care!

            Address:

            Currently residing at the province where he grew up.

                        I remorse laugh escaped from my mouth as I read it from his profile. He is still living his luxury life in that province. How I wish he can rot there forever!

  

                        I bitterly arrange the papers and returned them inside the envelop. I left the fast food chain with some people as my audience.

  

                        Stare me for all you want people!

  

                        Getting back in my car was as easy as how I went out of it. I turned on the engine and stayed at the parking lot for a few minutes. Composing myself, battling with my thoughts if I should meet that fucker in person or not.

                         

                        “No, Lia,” I whispered to myself. “You will just give him the opportunity to destroy you again.”

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                        Cairo’s

                     “My deep condolences,” my lawyer said and pat my shoulders. I gave him a nod and let him look at the casket.

                     At the age of 74, my grandfather, Arturo Buenavista left his riches to his family. He never wanted to leave his foundation behind, but his health failed him. His favorite son is not here either to claim it. He has no right to do so. Only my father and I are legible for the position to take over his seat as director.

  

                  “You are his favorite grandson,” my grandma said. I just smiled softly and gave her a comforting rub in the back. She cried letting her emotions flow from within. She really loves her husband despite of the mistresses he had.

  

                 I silently watch the people who mourn for their lost friend, leader, and mentor. As his casket being lowered to the ground, we throw roses and bid him goodbye for the last time. My grandma wailed and we just silently comforted her.

                “Arturo!” she cried. My mother went beside her and gave her a hug. All I did was watch them and conceal my sadness within.

  

              I never saw my grandmother act like this before. She never cried this much. When my great-grandfather died, her father, she cried silently. She wanted to mourn alone, but today, that proves to be wrong.

  

           But who am I to judge her anyway?

  

           All she did was love my grandfather regardless of his imperfections.

  

           “Do want me to accompany you?” I asked her softly when the funeral was over. We are walking outside the cemetery where most of our ancestors were buried.

            “I can manage, hijo,” she whispered and went inside her car. I waved her goodbye and the car left, leaving me alone with our family’s lawyer to discuss about the inheritance each of my grandfather’s children would take.

            I can see some of our employee’s around the perimeter so asked Mr. Sullivan to meet me in the parking lot, where our cars are located. It is secluded and safe to discuss the personal matter.

  

          “I must say you are quite ambitious for the position.” He laughed.

  

         I let out a huff and faced him.

  

          “You’ll never know what lies deep in that position.” I answered and lit a cigarette.

            People say smoking can kill, but how come that they still do it? For some they say that it became a habit but for me, it is just a past time. I don’t smoke that often yet the feeling of my nerves calming in every breath is exhilarating.

  

            “Seven children, thirteen grandchildren,” he said and shook his head, “a total of twenty suitable heirs for the position.”

  

               “A messed up, family.” He paused and lit his own cigarette. “I must say.”

               “We are always this messed up.”

  

              He laughed and shook his head again.

              “Don’t worry. His will and testament will be announced tomorrow.” He patted my shoulders and walk towards his car. Before he can get inside, I smirked and told him something that made him stop his tracks.

             “I’ll pretend that you didn’t steal his most valued ring.”

  

            “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said unsuspecting.

              A cold smirk is still written in my face as I walk towards him. I adjusted his suit that was slightly crooked. A hint of fear is evident on his eyes.

           I slightly bent forward and pat his shoulder.

          “Doña Matilde, need to know that you are keeping that ring for your late mother, uncle,” I whispered to his ear. Just because he knew about us and how we walk as sinners in this land, doesn’t mean I won’t know about his true identity.

  

         My late grandfather did a lot of mess in this family. I hate him for that. Now that he left this earth, I will take over his throne and turn everyone’s world upside down.

  

         “How did you—”

  

          I cut his words with an empty laugh.

  

         “No secret can get away from me,” I said and added, “uncle.”

  

        “You think you can keep yourself away from the feud just because grandfather made you his right hand?”

  

       “Papa, trusted me enough to be the family’s lawyer,” he explained.

  

         I scoffed and throw his cigarette to the ground, stomping it until it crushes, piece by piece.

  

          “Lie all you want, Sullivan.”

  

           He shook his head with fright. He knows what I am capable of. And I can show him the monster that everyone fears right here, right now.

  

          Many feared me for what I am. Even my own mother can’t look at me as her son. How pathetic! Just like the rest of the world, she fears me for what I can do to them. The only ally I have is my grandmother, and I vowed that I will crush everyone who did her wrong, even if they are my blood relatives.

  

         Good thing that the great Arturo Buenavista died just before he can get his hands to the chess board I am playing. Now I have to deal the whole pieces for myself. Even the king in the game will obey me.

          “I-I can give you what you want.” Upon hearing it, I made a ghost smile and looked at him intently. He is sweating, and if I push him a little more, he will be on his knees begging.

  

        “Really?”

  

        “Yes, just don’t tell, your grandmother about me," he begged. "Please leave my family alone.”

        “Tell me about his last testament, and how I can get everything for myself,” I cruelly commanded to him. 

  

       “I will, tomorrow.”

  

       “I want it now.”

        “But that would be unfair for everyone.”

  

        “Don’t lecture me about being fair, when you don’t have the balls to tell them your true identity,” I countered. He flinched upon hearing rage in my voice.

         “He will give you the foundation, and the company,” he whispered.

  

        I smirked upon hearing it. Looks like the king can really give in to my command.

        “But you must have a wife and an heir before you turn 29 this year.”