Chapter 2: Ten Years Ago

Kraius was feeling annoyed because of EDSA’s overwhelming traffic. He had been on the road for too long but the trip he had felt unending because of the long queue of various vehicles. Vehicles that were making horn signals here and there— where it was the only thing he could hear around him. Also, here’s the unmaintained jeepneys that’s emitting foul smoke from their exhaust and people walking on the narrow side of the road which completed the list on how to put him on the bad mode traveling. 

Sweat was forming on his forehead and he was already feeling irritated. The coldness from the built-in air condition of his BMW isn't enough for him. What he wanted was to get out of the traffic jam. To get out of that place and get to his destination.

He even got more annoyed because of his thoughts. He hated to be late. His motto in life is, Time is Gold. That’s why he graduated law at a young age. But, he seems to have no choice and waiting was his only option for the traffic to move in EDSA and unfortunately it looks like it will take a while.

Kraius looked at his iPhone. He cursed when he saw the time on its screen. He was thirty minutes late for his meeting with a well-known actress. He had enough confidence to be handsome but sometimes he also get run-out of patience. So when the heavy traffic moved, he quickly pulled the car over and headed to a well -known restaurant.

Krauis’ car stopped at a Chinese restaurant in BGC. He immediately handed his key to the restaurant valet and got out of the car. Carrying his attaché case and cell phone, he walked around looking like an Abercrombie model. Wearing a business suit and tie. Black slacks and shiny loafers.

The moment he entered, he immediately scanned the surroundings. He was amazed at the interior of the whole place. This is not only a typical Chinese resto but also exclusively for rich and prominent people. The ambiance is cozy and neat.

Luckily, he immediately saw what he was looking for when he turned his gaze to the left side of the restaurant. The person sits in a double chair and looks to be leaving. He made quick strides to get to her fast and held her arm from behind to stop her from leaving. 

“Sorry, I'm late!" he said and quickly moved in front of her. He smiled when he saw her completely. The famous Laura Moran was in front of him. She looks sophisticated but the simplicity can still be seen.

She was wearing a white blouse and jeans. A simple watch in the right hand. Her long black hair was tied on a ponytail. Also, a light make-up and red lipstick on the lips. Krauis estimated her age and that she was only five years older than him.

"Kraius Montreal at your service," he joked and held out his left hand to her for a hand shake. 

"Laura Moran," she replied with a smile.

Krauis smiled to himself. Although he was annoyed with the traffic at EDSA, the beautiful face in front of him made it gone. If he only didn't know that she was married and was going to annul it, she might have been on his list as well.

He loved virgin girls. He prefers innocent women to get in bed. He loved to train them in bed. Pleasuring them like a pro and claiming them senseless. He liked it better seeing them hurting and crying when he’s giving them pleasure when they’re with him in bed. He felt satisfaction in that way of intercourse in bed. 

Kraius shook his head with his thoughts.  The sun’s heat was still overwhelmingly hot because it was only two o'clock in the afternoon and he’s thinking of such worldliness. He had to brush his mind off of his thoughts and be professional with a client, so he reprimanded himself from thinking those things. 

"Of course, I know you!" Kraius answered enthusiastically after a while.

He seriously presented the plan in Laura Moran’s case. It was the same case with her friend who had been also his client, her husband also cheated on her and planned to annul their marriage. And just like before, he will do her a favor again. He knew that she wanted to get away from her husband but she’s still protecting someone out of their marriage. 

"Leave it to me, Miss Moran. You made the right choice. Apart from being handsome, I'm also good at turning things around," Kraius said. He is very confident that handling her case will end quickly. All he had to do was to dig deeply and gather information from her husband and his family who are probably  part of the powerful people in their area.

It was exactly two hours later when their conversation had ended. They agreed on everything they’ve talked about, even his refusal of the payment she had offered. When there’s nothing to talk about anymore, Kraius told her that he would leave the restaurant first because he still had something important to go to.

Kraius drove another half an hour before he reached his destination. His car entered the parking lot of a tall building located in the center of Makati, the Monterio Empire. Owned and managed by the most sought after bachelor in town. A young billionaire Andrius Monterio.

Everything throughout the building is made of glass. Everyone can be seen through their offices and floors. The interior as well as its exterior are pure white mixed with black. Andrius is obviously fond of minimalist style which Kraius was not surprised because even himself also liked the design. It is light and easy on the eyes.

Kraius felt happy and light while riding in the company elevator. There were few employees who rode with him that kept on greeting him throughout his ride to his floor’s destination. He also greeted them back because it is natural to be friendly, especially with women.

When he reached the twentieth floor of the building Kraius immediately came out of the elevator. He headed towards Andrius' office. The place is very quiet because only Andrius Monterio occupies the whole building. It is also very clean and fresh to the feeling. 

Outside of his office was the secretary's desk. Kraius was laughing a bit when he saw that there’s a new secretary again. He was still smiling as he opened the door. As always, Andrius secretaries do not last long.

"What?!" Andrius immediately asked him upon his presence in a hard tone. 

Kraius shook his head. Andrius’ office is fresh and well-ventilated but it’s the opposite of his attitude. Furrowed as his blue eyes stared hard at him. His friend was obviously irritated and not in the mood.

"Relax, Mr. Monterio. I have good news for you," Kraius said to him. He was smirking when he approached the young man and immediately sat down in his visitor's chair.

As usual, his table was messy again. It was full of papers piled on the side of the table. Next to its mini shelf is its MacBook. A study lampshade on the other side of the table and a glass full of its pen.

"What is it?" Andrius asked him lightly. But the hidden annoyance was still obvious in his voice. Kraius just shrugged it off. His friend always looked like he carried the burden of the world.

"It’s about your sister Sofia. I will visit San Vicente soon because of a client. Do you want to come?” he asked him. 

"Just do your job, Kraius. Take the marriage record out. I will show up if I want to," Andrius said emphatically as he laid both hands on his desk.

He nodded. He has long done with the task effortlessly which Andrius assigned to him. That  was the first thing he did as a practice when he was just beginning with his career as a lawyer. He did not fail even though what he did was illegal. What he did was to simply block the marriage of his sister Sofia to an old haciendero. And his new mission, to be a lawyer and get to Zeus Vergara’s favor.