"Good Morning Ms. Maxuelle"
I was immediately greeted by my staffs as I stride my way to my office, tottally ignoring and passing them. Hindi na bago sa akin ang ganitong set up, everyday I get up, have breakfast and have most of my time consumed for work.
I passed by my secretary's desk and signaled her to follow me at my office. She opened the door by the use of entering the code, it was my idea na magpalagay ng passcode in order to secure my office and to save myself from unwanted visitors.
"What do I have for today?" I was just casually sitting in my swivel chair and looking around to check if something changed, I'm very sensitive in my surroundings at kapag ano ang gusto kung pwesto ng mga gamit ay dapat ganun pa rin yun pagbalik ko.
"Meeting at the Devianne's Hotel at 9:00 am and a dinner meeting with Mr. Maxuelle in the Le Bienna at 7:30pm, yun lang po at may dumating pong mga business contracts from last months meeting from the Delgado's. Nag pa set rin po ng appoinment si Sir Camerone for tom----"I cut Agatha off before she could finish by raising my hand. The mere mention of my brother completely took my full interest. It has been two years since we had a formal conversation even if his just few kilometers away from the subdivision where I live.
"Cancel all my appointments tomorrow excluding my brother's and tell him to meet me in my office, you may go."
AFTER some few business talks ,I finally got to have a dinner meeting at Le Bienna with my father.
He was already there when I was escorted by a staff to our table. He never gave me a glance until I decided to break the ice. "What is our agenda for tonight Mr. Maxuelle?" I was never allowed to call him Dad when it comes to business, lalo kapag nasa conference meeting kami. He finally gave his full attention on me then motion a black folder in my direction.
Without any speculations, binuksan ko ito and I found out it was a contract. A contract about me and a certain bachelor which name is not stated for me to............marry.
Tinignan ko siya sa mata and all I could see is a stern and fierce look saying 'you better agree on that'. Isinara ko ang folder tsaka itinulak ito sa direksyon niya pabalik, a motion which meant 'I would never'
He was about to say something ng dumating and isang server at inilapag sa table namin ang dinner namin and serve us some wine.
"Let's eat first before we discuss this" theres a hint of restraining in his voice, maybe trying his best not to brawl with me in public because of how I acted.
We ate in peace without neither of us saying a single word. I even requested for another bottle of wine as we were constantly drinking it down as if it was water.
"What is your reason this time?" He asked after finishing our meals and at the same time taking gulps of wine.
"We discussed about this around five years ago. I thought it was already terminated the moment I said No" I played with the wine glass in my hand,watching it as the bloody colored content creates a wave every time I move it in slow circular motion.
"Eyes on me Avery" I looked at him instantly as the way of how he spoke my name sounded like a death threat every time he calls me in my second name.
"I never had a coward for a daughter"his words felt like a sting on a open wound. I tightened my grip on my glass, trying not to burst out after what he called me.
"I'm not a coward, in any means everyone knows I'm not Mr. Maxuelle" I said emphasizing his name and obviously showing my loathness of him with each word.
He smirk like a devil he was, I know well than to test Coninn Maxuelle's patience. But I'm Camryll Avery Maxuelle and I'm a spawn of that devil so theres no reason in backing out with the battle of cunningness.
"Then prove me that you're not and sign this contract" he pushed the folder in my way again. Talagang pareho kaming hindi nagpapatalo at dahil dun mas nagiging delikado ang pag uusap namin, we knew better than cross paths with each other especially at home, and that's the main reason why I decided to live in my own when I started working in the company para makaiwas sa away.
"The last time I ask you to consider this contract is about five years already, you said that you were too young for marriage and you have a fetish with that boy Le--" I slapped the table before he could finish his sentence, I know very well what was he doing and I know that he was only playing my emotions to get what he wanted. The mere mention of that certain name made me lose my senses. A waiter was about to approach us to maybe ask what was happening but I just motioned him to stay away from our business.
"Do not bring that up, I lost a lot just to follow your trail,you don't have the right to dig from my past"
I almost lose my cool when he chuckled, one that mocks you and that is degrading my part.
God knows kung paano ako nagtimpi para hindi siya buhusan ng hawak kung wine glass, the content is quite enough to clean his dirty person he is.
The moment he stop from laughing gave me the cue to leave him but before I could even stand, he called me again.
"We are not done yet Avery" I feel disrespected by how he commands me. His treating me like his dog, giving commands when I sit, stay and eat the food he gave me. I heaved the heaviest sigh I could make in my whole life just to restrain myself from growling at him.
I sat down once more and faced him with a firm expression."You will get married within this year, I talked with your Lolo and Grandma about this and they agreed that this would be the best for you" Lolo and Grandma? I wanted to ask if I heard that right, there will never be a possibility in this world para pumayag sila not in a million years!!
"They will never agree to this bullshit!" I finally lost my shit, I could feel my gaze on him as if it was burning with anger, he just triggered a wildfire and I can't hold back anymore. I could feel my breathing hardened, trying to ease the growing fire inside me.
"Then ask them yourself, I'm giving you a week to decide"
He picked up his phone from the table and left a few bills before he left me uncertain about what was happening.
I fixed my composure and pick up the black folder and stood up as people begin to give me unusual stares.
