Beyond the Glamour

Prologue - Sick

"Ms. Evie?" A lady with pristine uniform has requested my attention. Naka-bun ang buhok at pilit ang ngiti. I should know. I do it all the time.

I was spacing out. Again. She was talking to me about financial stuffs. This year has been really boring. It's summer. I should have gone to Monaco like Kristy or Japan like Amanda. But no, I had to stay in this hotter than me country. Wala pang 20 minutes sa labas pagpapawisan ka na.

God! Buti na lang there's an aircon inside this office.

We are currently in a huge office inside our house, the walls were antique brown with elegant paintings and furnishings. European style. A spectacular arched window, showcasing a traditional muntin pattern resting on the center before the desk throne.

"Err... I'm sorry, you were saying?" I showed her my enchantingly beautiful smile. She smiled abruptly but it didn't reach her eyes. I could almost see her annoyance.

We continued discussing the matter and then I finally got to get home and free my self from the discomfort of fashion and obligations. Princesses has work too, you know?

I took myself to the bathtub and sinked my whole body onto the bubbles. It hasn't been 10 minutes until my bath was interrupted by an incoming call from I don't know whom, probably Dad or Mom. I let my inexorable eye balls orbit around.

"Hello?" I said in my utmost friendly tone.

"Iha..." A voice soft like feather but enigmatic like the moon filled my ears. It's mom.

"I heard from our helpers na you shouted at your piano teacher. Is everything okay? Anak, alam mo'ng we don't shout at our employees, ha. That's not what I taught you." She was calm with a bit of reprimanding in her tone.

"He hitted on me. He's a jerk, Mom." I didn't try to hide my irritation. Totoo naman eh. That asshole tried to touch my thigh. Argh, disgusting little fuck! Kadiri siya. Bukbukin pa naman 'yong mukha. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. A million times EW.

"What?!" Her tone changed.

"Yep. That ugly little bastard just molested me, Mom."

"WHAT?! Where is he?! Do you need me to come home?" She sounded angry and a bit panicked now.

"No, Mom. I'm okay. I'm a big girl na 'di ba? I can handle pretty much everything here." That guy would never see the light of day. Clearly, he's stupid trying to molest the multi-billionare heiress. He doesn't know what I can do with all this money.

One thing about Mom and Dad, they know I'm their daughter. That means I am as scheming, bold and fearless as they can get. They trust me.

"I'll take care of it, iha. Don't worry I will be back next month. I'll let Mr. Alonzo."

"No need, Mom. I'm really fine. Sinapok ko na po 'yon and you know me. I'm cunning like you. Diba?" Pagkukumbinsi ko sa kaniya. She sighed. "Okay, baby, I'll see you soon. I love you, call me if you need anything."

"I love you, too." I hanged up the call at bumuntong hininga. I drowned myself in the refreshing water.

Now, I have to hire a new piano teacher. I could do guitar but piano's really hard. I need to find a female teacher this time.

The next morning was better because I wasn't just reading in my room or talking to someone about boring stuffs like business even though I'm still 19. Well, I am an only daughter. I'd love to learn the world my Mother and Father built. It's the 20th Anniversary of Genevieve Marketing Group, it's a good reason to shop my way out in this Brobdingnagian mansion.

I pressed a red button on a rectangular white intercom. "Yaya? Can you come up here? I need you."

Wala pang limang minuto ay nasa pinto ko na si Yaya. Yaya has always been my bestfriend aside from Kristy and Amanda, of course. Alam niya lahat ng nangyari at nangyayari sa buhay ko, and she doesn't judge me. She's dressed in an elegant all-white uniform. Yaya is in her 40s, but honestly looks younger and still slaying, she's yaya because her name is Elaya Yasmine.

"Yaya, I don't know what to wear. It's frustrating the hell out of me." Pagdadabog ko sabay upo sa dulo ng kama.

"You know naman the people they're always looking at me. Magsuot lang ako ng baduy na damit, they'll have a say already. Talo ko pa mga artista."
Pag-d-drama ko in front of her.

Naupo si yaya katabi ko sa dulo ng kama. She placed her comforting smile and her warm hands reached for mine. "Edi....suotin mo ang kung ano'ng gusto mong suotin, Anak. Ano naman kung ayaw nila sa suot mo? Ang dapat mo'ng isipin ay kung saan ka komportable at kung saan ka masaya. Sa huli kasi...sarili mo at ikaw lang ang maiiwan. As long as wala kang tinatapakang tao at totoo ka sa sarili mo, 'yon ang importante." Her voice is soothing as well, it suits her face kasi medyo chinita si Yaya and has soft features.

I smiled at yaya and hugged her. "You always know what to say, Yaya. Thank you." Hinaplos niya naman ang buhok ko.

Humiwalay ako kay yaya at hinarap siya. "Now, please can you help me look for my Chanel skirt? I've looked everywhere and I couldn't find it." Ngumuso ako.

We eventually found the skirt and I looked classy as ever. Yaya went to tell Manong Gustav, our personal driver, that I'm ready to go.

I looked at my self in the mirror once more and smiled at how gorgeous I look. Nang magsawa ako I finally went downstairs.

"Anak, mukhang wala daw si Gustav eh. May sakit daw. Pero wag kang mag-alala. Andito naman daw 'yong anak niya, siya daw magc-cover ng shift ni Gustav."

Oh, okay. Kuya Gustav has never been sick. Like ever. This is a first time. I didn't know he has a son too. I thought he was alone in life.

"No biggies, Yaya."

I went to the car already saka sinuot 'yong prada shades ko. I looked at the driver sa rear view mirror.

"Uhmm...kuya sa SM City tayo please. Thank you." I said then leaned my back sa car seat tapos I fixed my glasses.

"Okay po." Anak ni Manong Gustav said. Wow, his voice ha. I got startled of how manly and baritone it is.

SM city is a 45 minute drive from our house kaya I let myself sleep muna. After a while, I felt the engine stopped. Nasa parking area na kami. I quickly fixed my self and waited for the driver to get the door for me.

The door opened and sumalubog sa akin ang anak ni Manong Gustav. He's wearing a fitted plain black shirt and a jersey short. Naka-cap din siya, pabaliktad.

What the hell.

My mouth opened a bit at the sight of such hot and gorgeous man in front of me, extending his hand out to help me get down. He doesn't look poor at all.

I reached for his hand and got out of the car with my heart pounding so loud in my chest. His hand was rough and big. My gosh. He's so hot. By the way he looks para siyang boyfriend ko na sinundo ako sa'min para samahang mag-shopping.

I stood there as he close the car door. He's matangkad, sobrang tangkad; he's got a really manly sex appeal, I noticed his lips too: They were full and luscious.

Damn, Evie! Stop fantasizing about your driver's son!

Humarap sa akin ang lalaki. Nakaka-intimidate 'yong aura niya. This is the first time I got intimidated by someone. Even Piolo Pascual didn't have this effect on me. I've met a lot of celebrities and never have I ever got intimidated. EVER!

Humarap sa akin ang lalaki, towering me with his height. "Miss? Let's go?" His voice a mix of coffee and vodka, morning and night, dreamy and mysterious. His biceps could make you swoon. I bet I look like a manyak now. God this is sick! He's wearing just that and he's already the manliest man I've ever met.