The Thorn-filled Beauty

Game

Monica's pov

I really hate flying overseas. The jetlag is giving me a toll and I'm not in my proper mind if I'm sleepy.

Hindi ko na nga naenjoy ang view na nadaraanan ng tren habang papunta kami sa isang lugar South of Italy. I slept the entire time. And when we reached the station it's almost night. A chauffeur fetch me sa station at nagtungo kami sa isang mansion. Ang sabi ng driver ay dati pag-aari ng isang angkan sa Italy ang mansiong yun. Pero nang nagsimula ang world war II ay tumakas ang pamilya dahil ayaw nilang pumanig sa rehimen ni Hitler. Leaving the mansion to be occupied by the Nazis. Nang matapos ang digmaan ay bumalik na ang pamilya pero ang apo na lang nila which happened to be my dad's friend and cofounder ng Castillo.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan ay may isang matandang lalaki ang sumalubong sa akin.

"Good day Signorina. Welcome to Castillon Vedicelli." Bati sa akin ng matanda.

Ngumiti ako sa matanda at binati rin siya. Pinapasok niya na ako sa mansyon at laking paghanga ng makita ko sa kabuuan ng loob nun. It seems like I've been transported back to the Victorian era with all the antique furnitures na nakikita ko.

Iginiya niya na ako paakyat sa ikalawang palapag. At inihatid sa aking kwarto.

It's a big room actually para sa isang tao. But all the same, okay talaga para sa akin. I unpacked my clothes good for the entire month.

Isang buwan lang Monica. Just represent your dad.

I started putting my clothes at the closet when my phone rang. It's Peggy my personal assistant/secretary. I dont know how would I get through anything without her.

"Miss Monica. Just a run through of your schedule. At 8:00 you have a breakfast meeting with Mr. Vedicelli for the orientation, then afterwards a on-site inspection of the restaurant, and then lunch on the restaurant. Later at night Miss, a soiree in honor of the two families, the Larsons and Vedicelli."

"Noted Peggy. Thank you."

I prepared to sleep. Mahaba-haba rin ang araw ko bukas. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na siya ang haharapin ko bukas. Naalala ko pa ang araw na iyon sa New York...

I went inside Dad's office and I saw Jason already there. I smiled at him sweetly. Close talaga ako sa kapatid ko. Sinuklian niya ako ng ngiti rin. Maliban kay Jason ay nandoon din ang ibang members ng board at ilan sa mga executive chefs ni Dad. Even Pietro is there. What I really did not accounted for was him.

Yes, him, Alissandro Tyrone Vedicelli, ang taong nagpagulo ng utak ko ng ilang mga gabi sa Pilipinas. I never thought that we are going to cross paths again.

He was sitting quietly there.  But shit! He's really stunningly handsome. Kahit anong gawin ko meron talagang epekto sa akin kahit mere existence niya lang.

Umupo na ako sa isang upuan doon at saka siya tumayo at sinimulan ang presentasyon about sa mga pagbabago ng Castillo.

"How do you suppose to increase the market by a crappy advertising strategy?"  tanong ko. Yeah, I know it's mean but if I'm going to be part of this I have to point out weak points.

I know that the restaurant has stood the changes of time. It has prided itself as a restaurant that preserved traditions and the true sense of Italian life. I know all of this, of course, I did my research.

His forehead wrinkled upon hearing my comment. He faced me with a scary face, like any time he'd devour me given the chance.

I faced him with an equally intensed gaze. I'm Monica Larson and never did I cower back. Not, especially, to the likes of him.

"And what do you suggest Miss Larson?" The people at that time felt the tension between the two of us.

Ah...a challenge. Okay, I won't back down. Bring it on.

"You can focus on the strengths of Castillo first. That is good food that transcends time. We will still value the traditions of the restaurant that is truly what it is all about. But we can't just stop there. We have to cater to the fast changing world. We can target the younger market by having Castillo be a place for friends and lovers. A place to who you can be and a place you can also dream and be somebody. It's like opening your home to a bigger family by changing some of the house rules and that is by putting a conference or private room."

The board seemed to like what I said and nodded in agreement. I smiled quietly. Yes, panalo ako. I took a little glimpse on him and gone is the grim face earlier. What I saw is a grin and an eyes filled with fascination.

Now I got your attention...

The meeting with the board went smoothly after that and it seemed that everyone agreed to everything. May mga ilang bagay na pinagdiskusyunan but it was nontheless, minor.

Nang matapos ang meeting ay nilapitan ako ni jason at kinamayan. "You're starting to sound like a businesswoman, Nica." He said.

Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Talaga? I didn't know na magagamit ko rin kasi ang degree ko sa marketing at advertising from UCLA. Hahaha."

Yes, after ko nagmigrate sa America ay pinakuha ako ni Dad ng Marketing sa isa sa mga universities. I never knew na may angkin din pala akong talino sa ganitong mga bagay. Ang naisip ko lang noon ay I have to do well. Baka kasi mapahiya ang ama ko.

And who would have thought na magagamit ko ang napag-aralan ko.  Napangiti na lang ako sa thought.

Palabas na ako ng pintuan when I felt a presence behind my back. Sa sobrang lapit niya ay ramdam ko ang init ng hininga niya sa punong tenga ko.

"Fascinating. And I thought you're only a pretty face. I'll enjoy working you..."may kakaibang chill akong naramdaman sa sinabi niya. Anong ibig sabihin sa 'working you' ?
Nakaalis na siya sa likod ko bago ko pa man siya matanong.

Sa isip ko lang, kung paglalaruan niya lang ako ay maghanda siya. Two can play the game. At kung siya ang player, certainly I am the game...

Napangiti ako sa alaala kong yun. Nakakaexcite na nakakatakot. But I wanted to participate in this game that he's creating.
Hmm. Bukas magsisimula na ang 1st quarter. Tingnan natin kung sino ang mananalo sa  larong ito.

Let the games begin...