Star Siren (Reluctant Bride No. 3)

Book 2 Chapter 26: A Cold Surprise

CHAPTER 26

"Star, my girl... looking great!" nagbeso ang kalbong lalaki kay Star. Malaki ang ngiti ni Star nang nakita si Luis Mondragon, ang Big Boss ng Sirens Global. Sa nakaraang limang taon napalaki na ni Luis Mondragon ang nasabing entertainment company kaya't naging Sirens Global na ito. From Manila na nagkaroon na ng mga branches sa Makati, Cebu at Davao ay nakapagexpand na ito at may branches na rin sa Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, at pati na sa Las Vegas.

"Thank you." Star hugged the tall and fit man before kissing the cheek of Emz at umupo na lahat sa bilog na mesa sa isang private function room sa loob ng MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

"Have you ordered?" tanong agad ni Star.

"Yes, Joey ordered lunch already. He is outside doing the arrangements for the meal. Bumabawi... hehehe..." ngumisi si Big Boss. "C'mon Star, lighten up. You are doing very good here." Komento ng lalaki nang napansin na parang anxious si Star.

"Yes, it's just that our meeting this evening is very important to the company. I have to prepare really well." Saad ni Star.

"Hija, sila ang lumapit sa atin. Obviously, they need us more than we need them. Their development in Atlanta is very ambitious. I am actually very curious why they did not risk it here in Las Vegas." Saad ni Big Boss.

"Well, apparently, New Jersey is the next frontier in North America in terms of casino, gambling and entertainment, most expecially that they have the entire east coast as a market. It is quite ambitious but really well calculated." Sagot naman ni Star.

"Very good hija. You do your homework very well." Saad ng Big Boss. He was really pleased with his decision to make Star the head of his North America operations. In three years napalago niya ang kumpanya dito kaya nagawa nilang mag-expand pa. This year, they are going to open a branch in Monaco as the base of their expansion into Europe.

"Well Boss, you also pay very well." Ngumiti si Star.

Ibang-iba na nga si Star Roces. She has matured in years but has kept her very hot figure. And yes, she still fills the hall up to the rafters in her once a year dance concert that she performs at the Las Vegas branch. But once she is garbed in her corporate get up, you wouldn't think she was a siren in her younger years. She looks every inch the corporate dragon that she is now.

"Kumusta naman ang development natin sa Monaco?" tanong ni Star.

"It's going very well." Sagot naman ni Big Boss. "Actually, we encountered some glitches as the Venetian wants us in their property. I'm still thinking about it. Malaki ring katipiran yun. We don't have to construct our own building. I'm still punching the numbers if the rent they proposed is viable." Tumango si Star. Kung mangyari kasi ang development nila sa Monaco sigurado siyang siya na naman ang ipapadala doon. Kailangan niya itong paghandaan dahil kailangan na naman niyang lumipat.

"That's good news. It seems every entertainment development wants us in. I heard from Joey that there is an offer to open in Dubai." Komento ni Star. Kung mag-push through din ang Dubai na ito, tatanggihan na niya ang pag-manage nito. Marami siyang kilala sa Dubai. Mahirap na.

"That's true. Joey has very good informants." Comment muli ni Big Boss.

"It's a moslem country, we will encounter problems there like Kuala Lumpur and Brunei." Sagot naman ulit ni Star na inabot ang mga nakahanda na kopita ng red wine na inilapag ng waiter na kakapasok pa lang.

"That's also true. I'm still thinking about it." Sagot naman ni Big Boss. Inabot din ni Big Boss ang isang kopita. Sa segundong yun dumating na si Joey kasama ang ilang waiter na dala na ang kanilang pagkain at isa-isa itong hinanda sa mesa.

"Ma'am Star, I'm sorry about the glitch with the ETA. Hindi ko po talaga sinasadya." Saad agad ni Joey nang lumapit sa kanya.

"Of course, dahil kung sinadya mo yun sisante ka na. Napataxi tuloy ako. It's alright. No need to get your boxers all twisted up about it." Sagot ni Star.

"Lunch is served. Let's start." Saad ni Big Boss at agad na nagsimula ang grupo ng kanilang tanghalian.

Makulay ang mga ilaw ng mga gusali na nakalantad sa harapan niya. Star suck in air from the stick of cigarette she is smoking. Nasa balcony siya ng hotel suite na kinuha nila Big Boss upang maging make-shift headquarters nila dito MGM habang pinaghahandaan ang meeting mamaya.

Star glanced at her watch. 30 minutes na lang at haharap na siya sa mga developer ng The Aquarius. Isa itong bagong development ng Aqua Group. Isang international developer ng mga resort type of development.

The Aquarius is envisioned to be the next trend in resort and lifestyle developments. A 1,000 hectare development that includes a man-made lake, the largest golf course, a theme park, a residential area, and a pleasure area that would rival Las Vegas. And they want Sirens on it and Big Boss wants in.

She took another drag from her cigarette. Somehow, her gut feel is telling her that something is not right. But then, she trusts Luis. He knows what's best for sirens.

"Star." The voice from inside the suite called to her. She turned to acknowledge the call. "It's time." Tumango si Star. Kinuha niya ang kanyang LV document bag at sinamahan si Luis patungo sa meeting.

"Ah, Luis, it is great to see you again kumpadre." Bati ng matandang lalaki na sumalubong sa kanilang dalawa. Nasa conference room na rin sila Emz at Joey na kinuha ang bag ni Star at inayos na ang mga dokumento sa mesa.

"Great to see you too." Nagyakapan pa ang dalawang lalaki. Tinungo na nila ang kanya-kanyang upuan. Sumenyas ang matandang lalaki sa isa sa kanyang staff na tipunin na at paupuin sa conference room ang team ng Aqua Group.

"Luis, siya nga pala. I want you to meet our Project Director for The Aquarius, Atty. Gabriel Santiago." Napadilat si Luis sa gulat, but it only took him a second to get his bearings. He met the familiar face with a stern look. Gab offered his hand for a shake which Luis took.

"We meet again Mr. Mondragon." Bati ni Gab. But his tone was cold. "I hope this time you will be a more cooperative negotiator." Komento pa ni Gab. Luis gave him a wan smile.

"As I always say Atty. Santiago, for the right price, everything is negotiable." Sagot ni Luis.

"Boss..." natigilan si Star na lumapit kay Luis nang nakita ang kausap ng boss niya. Ngumiti si Gabriel.

"This is going to be an interesting night." Nginitian ni Gabriel si Star, tinangoan si Star at umalis na harap nil at tinungo na ang conference table kung saan naghahanda na ang lahat para sa make or break meeting na ito.

Star gave a worried look to Luis. "Don't worry. I'll handle this." Luis whispered para si Star lang ang makarinig.

Napatingala si Star, before she composed herself and prepared for a stressful night of nerves.