Agad na lumabas si Paolo nang matapos ang huling klase nila para sa araw na ito. Pagkalabas niya palang ay nagdagsaan na ang mga babaeng may gusto sa kanya.
He is Paolo Gallendez. He is a 21-year-old graduating BA Creative Writing student and is famous for being a theater actor in their school. Heart-throb din siya at kilala bilang isa sa pinakamayayamang estudyante sa kanilang University.
Kasunod niyang lumabas ang kaniyang kaibigan. Or is he?
He is Vann Centivania. He is known as a cold and snob guy. Wala siyang pakialam sa mundo, unless you mess up with him. But no one dares, dahil lahat nang sumusubok ay sa hospital ang bagsak. Magaling siya sa karate and taekwondo. He also play with nunchucks with ease. Pareho sila ng course ni Paolo. He is the writer of their theater club. He is known for his horror stories.
Vann Centivania is considered as the king of the university by the students. But he just don't care. He is way more handsome than Paolo. He is damn rich. And is a genius. He could have aced engineering, medicine, or law , but he still chose his passion. Creative writing.
Deretso lang siya maglakad papuntang parking lot habang habol habol si Paolo sa likod niya.
They are already classmates for 10 years pero Vann still don't consider Paolo as his friend. Actually, he considers no one as his friend. Pero kahit ganoon, Paolo still proclaim himself as Vann's best friend, dahil naniniwala siya na Vann also cares for him. It was when Vann helped him get out of his trouble with a gang. The two of them versus a gang with 17 members.
"I'll go ahead," Paolo said. Vann nodded before entering his car. Vann waited for him to go first before starting his own car.
Pagkarating ni Vann sa bahay nila ay ang Butler nila ang sumalubong sa kanya.
"Master Vann, you are being summoned by the Lorde Master," Mr. Mendez said.
He just nodded and went upstairs para magbihis. He put on a plain black shirt and a blue jeans. Dumaan muna siya sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. Saka siya pumunta sa opisina ng kanyang ama.
"I've heard, pinatatawag mo raw ako, Lorde Master," panimula niya.
"Yes, I just want to ask how our business is going on," his father asked.
He is Lorde Centivania. He is the owner of the Centivania Mansion. He owns four resorts, 6 hotels and several restaurants around the Philippines. He also own a brand of appliances and it is being managed by Vann.
"It is doing great. Actually, I am paying a visit there tonight. So if you may excuse?" sagot ni Vann.
"Okay. That's all I want to know."
Vann turned around and about to get out when Lorde Master talked again.
"Wait, Vann. Son. Take care."
Vann looked at him and smiled.
Lorde smiled back. Alam niyang personalidad na ng kanyang anak ang pagiging malamig. Kahit siya ay hindi nakatatakas sa pagiging suplado at antipatiko ni Vann. Ngunit sanay na siya dito.
Sa kabilang banda, pauwi na si Vann galing sa opisina sa kumpanya nang maisipan niyang dumaan sa coffee shop.
Pagbukas niya pa lamang sa pinto ay sinalubong na siya ng isang babae na nasa mid 40s.
"Vaaaaaannn!" sabi ng babae at agad na yumakap sa kanya. Yumakap naman siya pabalik.
"Mrs. Gallendez," bati niya.
The woman smile before uttering, "Di'ba, sabi ko, tita nalang?"
Hindi ito pinansin ni Vann at dumeretso sa shelves para pumili ng libro bago umupo. Tumalikod na rin naman ang babae dahil sanay na rin ito sa ugali ni Vann.
Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay dumating si Paolo sa table na inuupuan ni Vann at may dalang tray na naglalaman ng isang teapot at dalawang tasa.
"Hey," bati niya bago umupo sa tapat ni Vann.
Sinulyapan lang siya ng huli, "What are you doing here?" saka niya ibinalik sa binabasa ang paningin.
"Duh! This is Gallendez Cafe. My family owns this," sagot ni Paolo.
"Tss."
"I should be the one asking you. What are you doing here? It's almost midnight."
Ibinaba ni Vann ang libro bago tumingin sa kanya.
"I went to my office, read and signed a pile of papers and I was heading home when I decided to have some tea here."
"Ang sabihin mo, na-miss mo lang ako. Hahahaha," pangaasar sa kanya ni Paolo.
"Asa. Si Tita talaga ang binisita ko rito."
Nagdala pa si Mrs. Gallendez ng cookies at dawalang slices ng cake para kainin ng dalawa.
Hating gabi na nang makauwi si Vann sa mansion nila.
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YOU ARE READING
Altered Ace
RandomA story of a boy who lost his parents when he was just a child. But a rich man adopted him and helped him get his vengeance. Nuh. Just read it.
