Taming The Billionaire's Daughter

Chapter 4: She Comes With A Price Tag

YUAN

I was no stranger when it came to grand houses, but The Cotaoco Mansion was something else.

The family's mansion wasn't just the house—it was the house, like a palace in a secluded and insanely expensive subdivision in Antipolo, tucked away from the prying eyes and surrounded by thick well-manicured greenery. Pero hindi rin naman kasi kung sino lang ang mga Cotaoco—they were practically royalty in our circle.

The first time I visited, Tito Edmund showed me around and it took us all morning.

At the entrance was a wide, paved driveway that looked like a parking lot of a five-star hotel. Sa harap was a sprawling garden where the family hosted large and lavish parties. There was a lanai that overlooked the entire yard meant for summer night dinners or late afternoon cocktails. A few meters further out was the pool area, complete with fountains and statues na katulad ng mga nasa European resorts. If I were to be honest, one could probably live just in the pool house and call it luxury.

Hindi naman ako madalas na narito, kapag meron lang gustong pag-usapan si Tito Edmund o kung gusto niyang personal akong mag-report sa kung ano na ang status ng mga bagay-bagay sa QuantumGate. Minsan lang din siya mag-imbita ng lunch meeting on a weekend sa mansyon.

Sunday lunch—apparently a Cotaoco family tradition was sacred and everyone needed to be at The Big House. And so I had to park my Mustang beside a line of SUVs and sports cars.

Nakita namin si Iñigo na nakatayo sa portico nang papasok na kami sa main door ng bahay. Mukhang may kausap ito sa telepono bago kami dumating dahil ibinubulsa na niya ang phone.

"So, look who we have here," salubong ang kilay na sabi nito.

"Hi Kuya," bati ni Raegan dito at saka yumakap. "Is everybody here na?"

"Where have you been last night?" tanong kay Raegan ng kapatid, pero sa akin ito nakatingin. "The reception said you were at my place but it was empty when I got there."

"Uh..." Bumitaw si Raegan kay Iñigo. "I had to leave kaagad... uh... Denise needed me for her content."

"Sabi ko naman sa'yo, willing akong bigyan ng matinong trabaho 'yang kaibigan mo. Itigil n'yo na 'yang kaka–social media ninyo."

"She doesn't need it, Kuya. And Denise is happy with what she's doing."

"Yuan," tawag naman niya sa'kin as we nodded to each other. "You have something for Dad?"

I smiled. "Yeah, he invited me here."

Sabay-sabay na kaming pumasok sa mansyon. The main door was massive, handcrafted from dark wood and detailed carving, and screamed timeless wealth. The ceilings were high, adorned with chandeliers made of crystals. The wide living room felt familiar, almost homey, with its massive sofas in cream and burgundy upholstery, all strategically placed around glass coffee tables adorned with fresh flowers arranged in decorative bowls.Then there's the grand staircase with its mahogany railings na pinakinis nang husto. The walls were covered with oil paintings of family portraits and scenes from old Manila. There was also a grand piano in one corner, black and glossy.

We finally reached the dining hall, with its long massive table made of dark oak, polished to a shine. Enough to seat at least twenty people. Each chair was high-backed and upholstered in velvet, with gold accents to match the table's elegance. This was the kind of dining room where deals were made, family legacies were discussed, and Sunday lunches felt more like board meetings in disguise. Then may sliding glass doors gilid that led out to the garden, kung saan kita rin ang pool area.

"Uy, Yuan Henson is here," narinig kong excited na sabi ni Consuelo, pinsan ni Raegan. "Wait, sabay kayo ni Raegan dumating?"

"Yes," pag-amin ko. "We—"