The Thorn-filled Beauty

Castillo

Monica's pov

Maaga akong nagising and start my usual early run. Nagpaturo na rin ako kay Mario, yung isa sa mga katiwala nila dito, sa mga pwede ko matakbuhan para magjogging.

Napakaganda talaga ng estate na ito. I ran and passes by some of the vineyards na pag-aari ng mga vedicelli. Kung ako talaga ang papipiliin, gusto ko ng ganito. Tahimik, simple, malayo sa gulo ng syudad na nakasanayan ko both in New York and Manila.

"Buongiorno signorina." Bati sa akin ng ilang trabahador nila sa vineyard.

Napangiti ako sa warm greeting sa akin. Oo, may pagkabitch ako pero  bitch lang ako sa mga masasama ang ugali.

"Buongiorno signore" balik kong bati sa kanila. Natuwa akong pagmasdan ang ginagawa nila. Tig-ani na pala ng mga ubas. Ang sarap pagmasdan ang ginagawa nila.

Nagpaalam na ako sa mga trabahador at nagsimula na akong bumalik sa castillon Vedicelli. I went directly to my room and took a shower. Well, this is officially my first day as my father's representative anf the first day of the game. Well, I have to make sure that I'm ready for anything. Thus, I chose a white wrap-around dress partnered with beige pumps. I have to look modest and presentable. I have to mean business with these men. Specially him-- Tyrone Vedicelli.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kabuuan ng hitsura ko sa salamin nang may kumatok sa pintuan.

"Miss Larson? It's Peggy."

"You can get inside Peggy." Sagot ko sa assistant ko.

Pumasok naman si Peggy sa loob looking serious again as ever. Hindi talaga marunong magloosen up ang isang ito. She tried to give a quick rundown of my achedule again. Hirap pag OC talaga ang assistant mo noh? Anyway, that's the main reason she lasted long with me. She's very efficient and I really like that about her.

"Thanks Peggy. Is Mr. Vedicelli already here? " I asked.

"Yes Miss Larson. He actually sent me to call you for breakfast."

"Tell him I'm coming."

Lumabas na si Peggy leaving me fixing my make up. Hindi nagtagal at bumaba na rin ako. I was greeted by some of the maids and was accompanied to their garden.

Hmmm...garden. This guy knows to impress a girl indeed. It was a beautiful area. And there I saw him sitting quietly while he scanned through his smartphone.

"Buongiorno Mr. Vedicelli." Bati ko flashing my most beautiful smile. Yung tipong pangtoothpaste campaign.

He threw a glance at me and went back to his phone. Napasimangot ako sa ginawa niyang pambabaliwala. I sat at one of the empty chairs accross him. At dahil wala namang saysay na kausapin ko siya habang busy siya sa phone niya ay nanahimik na lang ako at kumain. I took a small bite on my croissant and threw a fast glance at him.

He looks sexy with his white long sleeved polo that seemed to be crumpled but I guess it was how it should be. Two of the top buttons were open. I wish it was more but it's ok I can still have a small glimpse of a chiseled body underneath that polo.

Ano ba yan Monica. Kay aga minamanyak mo na yang kaharap mo.

"I know I'm delectable amore but you dont have to so obvious about it." Tyrone said with his thick italian accent.

Nagulat ako sa tinuran niya at mabilis na binaling ko ang tingin sa aking kinakain na lang. Ibinaba ni Tyrone ang phone niya at tumitig ng taimtim sa akin.

"Too much make up for an already beautiful face. Shows so much insecurity."

Napatingin ako pabalik sa kanya. Aba, sumusobra na ang bruhong ito ha. How dare him of accusing me of being insecure. At ano makapal ang make up? I barely put anything on except for a red lipstick which in my opinion is very important for any woman.

"Insecure? Last time I checked I'm pretty sure that I dont give a damn to what people say. I'm pretty much confident and happy by the way I look. "

I took a sip on my coffee. And he just smirked on my reply.

"Feisty...hmmm" he said again with that smirk.

Naiinis ako sa ngising ganyan. Usually in normal circumstances ay hinahayaan ko na lang ang mga ganun at hindi ako nagpapaapekto. Pero bakit simpleng ngisi lang ng taong apektado ako agad. Kainis!

"Anyway, after this we are going to Castillo. They adapted to what you say about our marketing strategy. I guess it worked. We have to thank you for that comment last time."

Natuwa naman ako. Kahit pala paano ay napapansin niyang may sense pala yung sinabi ko last time.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay pumunta kami agad sa restaurant. It was actually a beautiful restaurant. It sure feels like home in here. Kaya nga nagtataka ako ng sabihin ni dad na medyo papunta na sa bankruptcy ang restaurant na ito. We went inside the kitchen and there I saw the problem. Ang kupad ng mga workers.

While we were there. I talked to some of the cooks and said that the previous chef seemed to neglect them. The result is crappy food preparation. I inspected the entire kitchen. It's so unorganized! Mas organized pa ako sa kusina kesa sa kusinang ito. Mabuti na lang talaga at nasesante na ang previous chef.

Speaking of chef, kitang-kita ko rin ang pagkadismaya sa mukha ni Chef Pietro.

Pietro is dad's protegé. Italian din siya pero sa America na siya nakapag-aral at sa ngayon doon na rin nakatira. Pietro and I have a long history back to when I was new in America. Well, aaminin ko, we had a thing before but it did not blossom. Kasi pinatay ko yun dahil sa ayoko ng seryosong relasyon and he was going towards that direction. 

Pagkatapos ng inspection ay nagsimula na kaming magmeeting with regards sa renovations and upgrading ng lahat. Pietro suggested to have a new menu. Kaya lang parang ayaw ni Tyrone. So in the end, we just decided to retain some of the original signature dishes and add a few new ones.

It was an exhausting day. Tyrone and I went back to the house and was welcomed by numerous workers trying to prepare the house for the gala later.

I went directly to my room and decided to have a nap. The party will be at night so I still a few hours to rest.