Elite Wars

Chapter 13

GUSTAVE

"Nice shot, Enrique!" Abuelo tapped my cousin's shoulder proudly. He looked so astound with Enrique's hole in one.

"Thank you, Abuelo..." He chuckled. "And Gustave? Good luck beating that." Pabirong aniya sa akin.

I scoffed and shook my head instead. Pure luck, that's what that was. I've been obviously distracted and I don't even know how I ended up here anyway.

"Hijo, you seem distracted. What's bothering you?" Abuelo said while looking for his favorite club.

I put my hand on my pocket and looked far ahead, trying to think where I'm gonna hit my ball next.

"Just, some things..." Maiksing sagot ko.

Abuelo cannot know what's really happening with me and my wife. We've managed to keep it from him for years. I can't mess this up now. I know how much he cherishes Sandrine, and if I would just do my part as a 'loving husband' my position in the company is secured. I know he'll  leave the empire to me in due time.

"Oh come on! We're having fun! Isantabi ko muna ang trabaho hijo. You've always been like this." Natatawa ngunit seryosong aniya.

I scratched the side of my brow and stopped myself from answering. He's right.

I've been working my fucking ass off for the last few days just so I could clear my day the day after tomorrow. I know I've been a complete dick to Sandrine lately and I wanted to make it up to her on our 4th anniversary. Usually, I would just ask my staff to buy her some jewelry, designer bags or a trip to Europe. But this time is different. I have this whole romantic thing planned for her. I know women love stuff like this but if you ask me, I think it's not worth the time. But hey, at least I am trying to exert some sort of an effort to make this work, huh?

I'm sure after this thing, she'll be floating on cloud nine. Too busy to oppose anything and everything I say. God, just thinking about her makes my blood boil. How can she treat me like I'm nothing? Like my effort is nothing to her?

Umiling ako. Ginugulo nanaman niya ang utak ko. I have to focus if I want to get my work done fast. Somebody knocked on my door and I felt some sort of relief. I didn't want to be alone in my thoughts again.

I focused my mind as I try to hit the ball. Tahimik naming tinanaw ang pag-lipad ng bola. I was almost so sure that it was a hole in one. Wala pa man ay hindi ko na maitago ang ngisi ko, mas malayo ang tira ko kay Enrique. Naglakad kami papalapit sa butas at tama nga ako. Nakangisi kong tiningnan ang dalawa kong kalaro at nakita kong humalakhak si Abuelo.

"That's what I was talking about, hijo." Aniya.

Mayabang kong binalingan si Enrique. That smug look on his face is gone. That'll teach him not to brag. Enrique's my strongest ally but what can I say? We're both competitive.

"Why don't we all have lunch? Huh? Hindi na katulad ng dati ang lakas ko. Napapagod na ako." Abuelo turned around and started walking towards the golf cart. Wala kaming nagawa ni Enrique kundi sumunod.

"Siya nga pala, kamusta na ang usapan ninyo ng Ecowind? I'm sure you won the bidding?" Tanong niya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Enrique. Tumikhim muna ako bago sumagot.