Beyond Gorgeous

Chapter One

Scottie

I scrambled two egg whites into a bowl and checked the pan if it's hot enough to use and when it isn't, I turned the stove up. I went back to chopping cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms and preparing some spinach for the omelet. Just as I was plopping the egg whites on the pan followed by the tomatoes, my dad's personal help Manang Jocelyn came to the kitchen with both surprise and smile on her face.

"I thought you moved back to your place yesterday," she said as she opened the top cupboard in the massive kitchen, ready to arranged my dad's medicine into a small pill organizer.

I didn't look up but continued placing a handful of spinach on the pan, "Are you trying to get rid of me, Manang?"

Her gentle smile appeared with the delicate lines from corners of her eyes. "You know we all love that you're here. At least we can see someone who isn't wrinkly."

I laughed at that. The staff in this house had been serving since I was a baby. I remembered exactly how they looked like decades ago - young and sometimes, reckless. Now, Manang Jocelyn is forty-five, my dad's driver Lacson is now close to fifty and my dad is sixty-five. Still feeling young and sometimes, reckless. I know I am not even on their demographics anymore but somehow, being here with them felt very safe. And with what I've experienced in my life, safe is what I needed.

I am preparing breakfast for my father in this sunny Tuesday morning. Judging from the papers stacked on his office desk, I knew that this is going to be a long day for him. I plated the omelet and placed it in a neatly-arranged spread of breakfast on the dining table.

"Tell Tristan to wait for me because I am not signing that goddamn thing." I heard my dad's voice as he descended from the staircase. He sounds chillingly angry. My dad never felt the need to raise his voice to prove a point. With the phone still on his ears, he gave me a peck on the cheek and a wink. I gave him a smile and raise of an eyebrow to show slight irritation at the early work he's taking. I pushed the omelet towards him and he made a face of disgust. He continued his phone call, "I am sure that there are reasons why I hired you, Richie. Help me remember that." He listened to the explanation of his assistant on the other line but I can see that he's not having it.

My father, David Villa, has seen better days but the memory of his youth is still apparent. His hair has a little grayer and wrinkles marred his chiseled, handsome face. Instead of making him look old, it made him looked more seasoned, wiser and more respected.

"Did the new architect arrived yet? Make sure he's comfortable, Richie. We've been chasing that man for a year." He said and took a sip of his orange juice.

Despite the years he lived, his commanding and intimidating presence still shows – in both his towering height and his eyes.

"Fix this, Richie. I'll be in the office in..." He checked his watch and said, "Thirty minutes. The papers should be on my table by then or if not, I'll take your resignation letter instead." He clicked the call off and huffed.

"Eat." I said, trying hard to sound stern as I was cutting fruits with yogurt from my bowl.

"I can't, sweetheart." He said as he took a piece of bread and stood. "As you've heard, there's a crisis I need to attend to."

"No, dad." I stood. "You have to eat. Doctor's orders."

I took his stuff from the chair beside him, laptop bag and his duffle. Just when he was about to walk two steps from the table, his driver Lacson took his stuff and walked out the dining room with a stealth, calculated move.

"Sweetheart, you need to stop worrying about me." Dad said as he faced me. "Or you'll end up unhealthier than your old man." He kissed my forehead and smiled at me. I let him go because despite my efforts to slow him down, David Villa still needs to run his multi-million-peso empire.