Elite Wars

Chapter 2

Gustave

Marriage.

What a powerful word, right? It's some people's dream. To find someone that will stay with you unconditionally until you die. Bunch of fools. There's really nothing special about it. I used to laugh at people when they got married. Talking about how they've waited for it to happen and how happy and fulfilled it made them feel. What is so special about having one sexual partner until you're old anyways?The concept of marriage is just an illusion. Why settle for someone if you can change your partner every now and then? Hindi ko talaga kailanman maiintindihan iyan. Sabi nila, pangarap nilang ikasal. Pero iba ako. Iba ang pangarap ko.

Ano nga ba ang pangarap ko? Gusto kong maging numero uno ang Salguero Tropics sa buong asya kung hindi man sa buong mundo. I would do anything to achieve the success of the company. I know I said I don't believe in the concept of marriage. But if marriage will open a lot of opportunities for me, why not? I just have to stand before a judge, exchange vows with a woman that I barely know, sign the marriage contract and viola! I'm married.

Narito na ang Salguero Energies mag-mula ng magka isip ako. Sa utak ng isang limang taong gulang na bata, mahirap intindihin kung bakit laging wala ang magulang mo.  For as long as I can remember, my dad was never home. It was my mom that took care of us from morning to night. I was always curious about my Dad's work. Ano nga bang meron sa trabaho niya at hindi niya nagawang magpaka tatay sa amin ng mga kapatid ko?

Hindi ko alam kung kailan nag-simula ang interes ko sa negosyo ng pamilya namin. Pero hanggang pag-tanda ko ay hindi ko na nakalimutan ang palaging sinasabi sa akin ng tatay ko.

"You are my descendant. Make sure you have what it takes to run this company. Wala akong anak na incompetent, Gustavo. Tandaan mo iyan."

I can still hear it clearly. In fact, I think it was the last thing that he told me before they both died on a plane crash. Siya ang rason kung bakit ako nag-sikap sa pag-aaral. I poured everything in studying. I graduated from Harvard but it seemed like he's still wasn't impressed with me. Kulang pa din lahat ng paghihirap at efforts ko.

Noon, hindi ko maisip kung ano nga bang meron ang negosyong ito. Pero habang lumalaki ako, naiintindihan ko na. There's just something about being at the top of the pyramid. The power, the money and almost everything. It gives me this pleasure. This, whole new meaning to my existence. Para sa akin talaga ang posisyong ito at kapag pumanaw na si Abuelo, mapapa sa akin na ang lahat ng ito. Everything will all be paid off.

Sandrine suddenly moved beside me. Lumipat siya ng posisyon at mas sumiksik pa sa akin. Nalihis ang puting kumot na naka tabing sa kanya kaya lumitaw ang balikat niya. We don't want her to get cold now, do we? Ibinalik ko ang pagkaka kumot noon sa kanya. She's sleeping peacefully beside me, naked and gorgeous. If only she is this soft when she's awake. I didn't realize how long I was staring at her. Natigilan lang ako nang gumalaw siya. Kumunot ang kanyang noo at unti unti siyang dumilat. Shit, it's too late to look away.

"What time is it?" She asked and then roam her eyes around the room.

Papasikat palang ang kahel na araw. It's still early but I'm used to waking up at this hour.

"Matulog ka pa. It's only five thirty." I answered, trying to hide every bit of feelings.

"Hmm." Mahinang ungol niya at muling pumikit.

Look at my dear wife... Kung bakit ba naman kasi kailangan niya pa akong pahirapan? Why can't she just stay on her lane and let me handle the job? Kaya kami hindi magkasundo eh, ang hilig niya kasing makialam. Ini-unan ko ang isang braso ko at muling tinitigan ang pag-sikat ng araw sa langit. The master's bedroom is facing east, which gives me the perfect view to see the sunrise. Some might think that I'm living my best life. Hindi nila alam ang kaakibat ng pagpapatakbo sa numero unong kumpanya sa Asya.