CHAP 2

"You are going to leave?" my friend Nexus said in shock when I announced my plan to resign.

He's an architect like myself, and we both work for the same company. We are currently working on site to repair the landscaping; this was my final assignment for the organization to which we both belong.

I softly nodded in agreement as I examined each design that the team we hired was working on.

He asked inquisitively, "Why? Where are you going all of a sudden?"

I paused what I was doing to look, then spoke to him politely. "In our company. Mommy requested me to go some errands," I replied.

His slender eyes grew with time. "Did I hear it right?

I couldn't help but find his response amusing. When Mommy dropped the bomb yesterday, he made me think of myself.

"Yeah. Even I can't believe it." I stared in disbelief at the employees. "I need to secure a deal with Mr. Revelar."

I felt Nexus shifted from his place. "You mean Agustine Bhryll?" he asked, catching my interest.

I gave him a frown. "You know him?"

His lips separated. He took some time to respond and gave me the impression that my question was absurd.

He snarled, "Jeez! Khrystal, he's a magnate tycoon! A billionaire for Pete's sake!"

"He's that famous? I thought he was just an investor," I muttered.

His mouth fell open even more. It led me to come to a realization in some way. I was unable to conduct a background check on the target person since I was under too much time constraint to finish the project proposal.

Wrong move, Khrystal. It should be balanced.

"Something's strange."

The moment Nexus became serious, I returned my focus to him.

"Why did your mother choose you to handle the transaction," he continued. "Mr. Revelar is a big fish, Khrystal. He's always been so precise when it comes to business."

I gave him a sneer and raised my left eyebrow artistically. "Am I a joke to you, Nexus?" I spoke. "You don't seem to trust me, huh?"

He shook his head right away. "That's not what I want to emphasize, Khrystal. Just consider that you previously informed me that your mother doesn't permit you to interfere with or approach your family business. What's with the sudden change? And honestly, in an important person. Yes, you can handle a transaction, but this is a different topic. It's a huge project."

As he spoke, I remained silent before slowly starting to think.

Nexus is right.

Why did they assign me to look after Mr. Revelar since he's such a big person?

Last night, I didn't give it much thought because I was more concerned with planning and carrying out the project. Since I am new to it, I am interested in learning how to handle situations involving our family business. I wish to avoid making mistakes.

I assumed Mommy might have taken me since Mr. Revelar is a boy. He might be a womanizer or something. The way Mommy Francheska told me to seduce that man made me think it's the reason why she picked me.

I bit my bottom lip as I had an unfavorable notion.

"Maybe... she wants me to fail miserably," I muttered.

"Khrystal," Nexus called me with a tone that blended consolation and disapproval.

I mustered a grin as I raised my gaze, and stifled a giggle. "It's okay. I know they don't like me. Well, who's going to be relieved if you see your husband's daughter to another woman every day."

Nexus heaved a deep sigh and slightly patted my head. "You can do it," he said, talking about the deal.

I made a fake smile.

Can I really make it?

Then the thought of living alone in America flashed through my mind.

I should make it happen, no matter what.

I was about to smile and thanking him when I noticed the girls conversing not far from us. I could tell what they're talking about just by the way they look at me. They had contempt and disgust in their eyes.

Of course, it will always be, Khrystal-the-flirtiest-girl-in-town.

"People these days have a lot of spare time. Hopefully all," said Nexus when he must have noticed what I saw.

I just smiled and shook my head.

"You're still affected?" he asked, referring to the people I was talking about.

"No. I'm used to it, it's not new to me." I chuckled.

I do mean that. Since I was still little, I was the center of attention. Given that all of my buddies were boys, they treated me even worse when I grew older. They are disgusted with me because of this. It was as if I flirted with my male friends—including Nexus.

"Harry was whining to me earlier that you were ignoring him," Nexus jumped in accusingly as if I had done it because I didn't want the two of us to converse.

I rolled my eyes. "He's my sister's boyfriend," I explained. "I just don't want a trouble on my sister's part, that's a different matter," I added then addressed him properly. "By the way, I'll go first."

"I'm going to buy some stuff. I might not be able to buy in the next few days, so I'll do it now," I answered.

Nexus gave a nod. You go first, then I'll take care of this."

I smiled and said, "Thank you.

He patted my head and motioned for me to go, like he had earlier. I carried out his request.

SOMEHOW, the short moment of leaving Vista Querencia has been my peace for over the years. In the same way that I do now when I'm in the mall, I'm strolling leisurely while considering what I want to buy. There aren't any eyes looking or following.

I wanted to get new office supplies and clothing. Yes, I feel under pressure and also eager.

First, I went into the renowned store where business apparel is sold. I picked out the clothes I wanted right away and gave them to the assistant who was walking behind me. One, two, three... until it became six. Then I made the decision to pay for what I picked since I had nothing else to select.

"Php 56, 600.00, Madam," the cashier said.

I retrieved my card from my purse. I smiled slightly as I gave the woman the item. She used the machine to swipe it, and the receipt printed up immediately.

I think the only benefit of being a Dagsinal is this. I can easily purchase the things I want because our family is wealthy.

I then proceeded to the shop where the shoes were. I selected one pair of stilettos, one pair of kitten heels, and one pair of almond-toe pumps while toting the enormous paper bag.

"Total of Php 72, 000.00, Ma'am."

Like what I did at the clothing store, I paid it using my card—or should I say father's card.

At last, I entered in a famous bag shop. I was searching for something good when a certain Hermès bag caught my attention.

"I want this."

"I will take this."

I looked at the individual who spoke after me. Like me, he indicated the bag I had selected.

Wearing a white V-neck T-shirt paired with a faded denim jean, the man raised his eyebrow at me.

He looks familiar, though.

The woman who helped me, apologized profusely. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, Sir. As of right now, that's the only one accessible." I could sense by her tone that she wanted someone to be understanding of both of us.

"I will take it," the guy spoke to me.

I gave him a sophisticated look. His manner was not friendly.

I quickly had the chance to look at his face. He has thick brows, hazel dark hooded eyes, and lips that are the ideal size.

Attractive yet an asshole.

"Mister whoever you are," I started and took the bag by myself. "I picked this first so I should get it, right?" I tried to explain as I showed him the bag.

He fixed me with a stare as his jaw clenched. He abruptly seized the bag from me and gave it to the woman who was looking after him, which caught me off guard. He was also startled, so he didn't react right away.

"It's not about who chose it first, Miss. It's about who paid it first," he stated.

My mouth dropped open.

What?

"Miguel, give her a billion." He turned away after speaking to the man on the side, which I had not previously noticed.

The woman who was taking care of him, followed walking, carrying the bag that we both chose.

I blinked twice.

What did just happen?

"Ma'am," the man who was still standing behind me said and then handed me a check.

I let out a short laugh and shook my head in disbelief. Annoyance gradually consumed me when I looked in the direction of the mister who grabbed my bag.

Yeah, a positive asshole.

Out of nowhere, I grabbed my purse and took out my card. Without further ado, I walked towards the man who is now done with his purchase. As he did, I grabbed the paper bag he was holding and just slipped my card into his pocket.

"I never once hated a gay before. Only now, only you. You even ordered your boyfriend to pay me!" I hissed.

His eyes slowly widened in shock.

"This bag is mine," I stated and left the shop, leaving him dumbfounded.

He ruined my day!