Chapter 02: Banquet Homicide

- ANDREI'S P.O.V -

10 MONTHS AGO...

"GOOD EVENING, Mr. Zhong. Welcome to the Jingzhi de shi wu, a high-end banquet of all China," the Manager greeted us with a delightful expression. "Enjoy your stay, Mr. Zhong."

I simply disregarded him and just walked past the door, with my cousin-secretary at my side and with my best friend, Kyle Cohen. 

The three of us will attend my mother's birthday, I have no other option since my dear mother said she will use her authority to put my corporation down. She threatened her own son, how humorous. My power and company may be like a Zeus, yet her power is more striking than mine.

"Mamita must be really eager for you to show up, of course, for all of her birthdays, you have no time to attend her birthday banquets. She is ready to brag about her triumphant son," Kyle said, friendly-grinning behind my back.

"I agree, Mr. Zhong. Mrs. Zhong must be really downhearted whenever you do not escort her birthday balls. Now that she is sixty years old, you must really attend for her sake." my secretary, Lia, said.

I fronted them both and laughed, "Both of you act like my parents," I chuckled.

"Of course! Mrs. Zhong said that if we deliver you here at her party, we will get extra pay." My secretary said, chuckling attentively.

"Nice, Lia. How can my mother convince you? Of course, with money!" I sarcastically said at them.

"Let's just come, Mamita

might be waiting," Kyle said, seizing my secretary's hand. I knew it, they have a special relationship. "Kyle! We're in public, you cheeky little bast*rd." my secretary barked at him.

"Lia, let me just hug you," Kyle said, spreading his arms. Lia just ignored him. I suddenly pitied Kyle. Taking note that Lia rejected Kyle publicly.

Just for the record, I am not interested in my own secretary, I know Kyle likes her. I'm not the nature of the person who takes a woman. Well If I'm hell captivated with her, I don't think about a damn and instantly snatch a girl and she will be mine. No woman can deny my appeal.

The three of us continued to walk to the banquet room when we have reached the end of the hall. A dark doorway greeted us and we stopped, "What's this thing in front of me?" I asked.

"A door," Lia said, noting the cynicism.

"I know, it's a door. What I mean is why is this still not unlocking up?" I asked them. No creature can make me wait for this long. "Let's just patiently wait, Mr. Zhong. Maybe the guards are not alarmed that the president is here." Lia suggested.

I just gave a sigh and did my best to wait.

~~~◈~~~

"GOOD EVENING, Mamita~", Kyle greeted my mother with a kiss-kiss cue. My mother delightfully smiled at him. "My dearest Kyle! How I miss you!" she said, holding both of his cheeks. Her eyes are full of satisfaction.

"Heh, I also missed you, Mrs. Zhong," Kyle said, sweetly.

Kyle handed a wine bottle. It's not just a common wine, but a wine that is in the sixtieth year, just like my mother. One of the exquisite, I assume.

"Happy Birthday, Tita Vhan!" my secretary greeted my mom, handling a small gift box.

I almost forgot that my secretary is also my cousin for a moment. She only works for me because my uncle said she needs some preparation for herself so one day, she can be independent and run the company her parents gave her on her own.

"Lia! My sweet little girl! Kamusta pala ang trabaho? Pinahihirapan ka ba ng anak ko? Sabihin mo lang at malalagot siya sa'kin." my mom said, shooting me sharp glances. I just awkwardly smiled.

"No, Tita. Dapat nga na mas pahirapan niya ako because I know one day, kapag ako na ang naging C.E.O ng branch namin, mas mahihirapan pa ang trabaho ko." Lia said, having dreamy eyes. For some reason, I want to tease her to be my bodyguard instead.

I agree with Lia, she should be independent and tough on facing the business. She is a girl with a soft heart but I must warn her not to be too naive. There are many depraved and despicable persons who wanted to take the company she wanted away.

"That's good to hear," she said, taking the gift from Lia's hands.

"P.S I really think you would like the gift, Tita. It's one of the kind," Lia whispered at my mom's ear and winked. My mom softly laughed. "Well, if that's the case, itong gift ang una kong bubuksan."

Smiling, Lia let go of my mom's hands and grabbed Kyle's hand instead. Both of them walked to the stage to prepare for their message for my mom, intertwining their hands together.

"If you want someone who can also hold your hand, stop playing with business, and find a girl! Gusto ko na magka-apo!" my mom said, simpering foolishly while hitting my right shoulder.

"Mom!" I told her, pushing her away.

"Sa wakas at dumating ka na! I thought na kailangan ko pang maghintay ng ilang taon para makarating ka lang!" my mom said, bashing me secretly.

Then she started to hug me passionately.

I just hugged her back and smiled, I also wished to attend her party but I'm too busy handling work at my company.

"Drink?" she asked, giving me a glass. 

"I would love to," I replied.

~~~◈~~~

I AND MY MOM just finished having a drink and a pep talk. She suggested how can I cope up with myself since I have no time.

"Andrei!" Kyle called me, waving a glass of wine in his hands. I raised mine as well. He walked towards me and gave me a smile. "Where's Lia?" I asked him, sipping on my champagne.

"She's in the comfort room, she said she needed to apply a layer of her makeup," he told me, shaking the wine in his glass. "By the way, remember the secret organization that I told you? Where heartbroken women beat up so-called womanizers?" Kyle said, looking straight into my eyes.

I remembered, last month. That organization somehow had a past with our company. Last year, a scandal happened with my Chairman, turns out that Chairman sells woman's body for power and money. Kyle and I believed that that secret organization must be the one responsible for that mess. Both of us just got information from a reliable source and believed in it.

"Yes, I do. Continue..." I got interested in what happened.

"They did another action, the Director of the Yuan Holders is a rapist. He hooks up with the interns, by force. I looked over his files when I went to the police headquarters and found this out." Kyle told me, grabbing a recorder at his pocket.

"We should talk, elsewhere," I whispered at him.

I'm afraid that people may eavesdrop on our conversation.

~~~◈~~~

BOTH OF US sat on the black sofa in a private room, Kyle played the recording and I leaned closer to clearly give it an ear.

"Describe the woman who keeps you saying that she beat you up to almost death."

"She's gorgeous... Exquisite..."

Kyle stopped the playing and looked at me, "I apologize kasi yan lamang ang nakuha ko. It's like the police itself secured the information."

"No, don't apologize. At least we got a lead on her." I said, stopping Kyle from apologizing by raising my hand. "Gorgeous? Is that even enough lead?" Kyle asked. 

"At least I know she is gorgeous," I smirked at him while drinking a glass. 

Kyle just nodded and he took a sip at his wine. "Ang tagal naman ni Lia matapos."

Someone knocked on the door and it opened itself. Both me and Kyle looked at the door. Surprised, I saw mom weeping and her makeup is washed. Her hair is also a mess.

"Mom! What happened?! Why are you crying?!" I shouted due to my concerns.

"L-lia.." she whispered. "W-woman's comfort room."

Kyle's eyes enlarged and rapidly ran out of the room heading at the woman's room. Sh*t! What happened!?

"Mr. Zhong, we can handle Mrs. Zhong. You can go to your secretary's state so you can also check up on her." Mom's servant said. I just nodded and mouthed, "watch her". She is a trusted maid, so mom can be safe.

I handed my unconscious mom to her and ran to the comfort room. I can hear Kyle's screams of sorrow. "LIA, WAKE THE HELL UP!" D*mn! What the hell really happened?!

I kicked the woman's comfort room door and sh*t happened.

People in the comfort room looked at me. Some almost cried, and some are so beastly.

Then I saw a pool of blood.

I saw Lia, in Kyle's arms. Soaked in her own lifeblood, her eyes almost bawled out. She has some incisions and bruises all over her body. Her clothes are full of open tears.

W-what... i-is this... b-bullsh*it...?

Kyle looked at me and cried so awfully. He looked at his dead lover and screamed so loud that can make us all deaf. 

"She's gone," Kyle mouthed.

I suddenly punched the door out of anger. "F*ck!" I shouted and tears ran down my eyes.

Kyle sniffed and sniffed, he kissed the cheek of Lia and hugged her so tight. I can't help but also cry, for Kyle, Lia is his heart and life.

I lost my dearest childhood friend... I lost my secretary... and I lost a part of my life.

"This can't be! Call the f*cking emergency team! Bring Lia to the hospital!" I commanded my bodyguards and they ran out of the hotel. 

I'm sorry, Lia.