The Tycoon's Redemption

Prologue

- Rhys -

Four years ago...

Being listed yet again as one of the richest bachelor under thirty might be an achievement for some but I find it bothersome since I am already ready to settle down. I threw the business magazine beside and held the hand of my fiancee, Tiffany Rachford. 

She was one of Manhattan's famous socialite and was my girlfriend for over a year now. She was blonde, statuesque and came from an influential family from New York. We met at a fashion show gala in Paris and I was enamored by her.

We are on our way to my home in California having flown from New York in my private jet.

"Do you think that we're a bit hasty on the wedding?" She asked while fidgeting with the engagement ring on her finger which I gave last night.

"No, it's the right time. I want us to get married as soon as possible," I replied while caressing her hand.

"I am three months pregnant, Rhys. It'll show on my gown. Can we wait until they are born? I want my wedding to be perfect." 

"You are beautiful even if you're showing. Your gown can cover it up," I smiled but she just nodded.

Before she can argue further, we were already entering my family's estate in Santa Rosa, California. The main manor is 50,000 square feet interior space with 40 acres of gardens and trees. We also have 10,500 square feet underground parking lot for our luxury cars. 

Our limo driver, opened the door and assisted Tiffany out of the door, while I stepped out after her. We climbed the stairs towards the two-door entrance of my home where our butler opened the door for us to enter.

"Good evening, Master Rhys and Miss Tiffany, your parents are expecting you at the dinner hall," he greeted while taking off our coats. 

"Don't be nervous, Tiff." I murmured to her as we entered our dinner hall where my mother usually dine with her guests.

We both took our seats facing my mother who looked displeased as she saw Tiffany smile at her.

My father was deceased so I inherited everything especially the running our business empire. We own Easton Inc. which is an American multinational conglomerate based in New York. We own Easton Chain of Hotels, Air Easton, and Easton Tech Inc.

"Hello, Manuela." Tiffany greeted.

"It's Mrs. Easton to you, woman." She barked with her eyebrows arching up.

"Mother!" I thundered, taken aback by her obvious hatred to Tiffany.

"Hijo, kailangan natin mag-usap." She ordered as she stood up from the dinner table and the maids halted bringing the food sensing my mother's foul mood.

"She's my fiancee now so if you have anything to say to her, say it here," I replied nonchalantly.

"Sige, sasabihin ko ang gusto ko. Tingnan natin kung maintindihan niya," she challenged speaking in Tagalog so Tiffany wouldn't understand.

"It's okay, Rhys. You should go talk to your mother. I'll be okay." Not wanting to antagonize my pregnant bride and mother, I relented by following my other towards the library.

As soon as the door closed, she placed her hands on both of her hips and stared at me angrily.

It was the rule in the house that when she wants to speak to me privately, I would have to talk to her native tongue which is Tagalog. 

I am half Filipino and American. 

She was proud of her heritage that she wanted me to learn all about it even hiring a Filipina nanny for me. My father met my mother when he was asked to be one of the judges for Miss California a few decades ago.

"Bakit mo dinala ang babaeng yan dito sa bahay? Di ba sabi ko tayo lang ang magdidinner." Bungad niya sa akin habang nakapameywang pa rin.

"Buntis si Tiffany at magpapakasal na kami," ang tanging tugon ko na ikinagalit niya.

"Buntis? Sure ka ba na ikaw ang ama? She's been everywhere!"

"Ma! We've been dating for over a year now at handa na akong magsettle down. Of all the people, I thought ikaw ang magiging masaya para sa akin. Magkaka-apo ka na. Twins." After mentioning the latter, my mother widened her eyes because we have twins in our bloodline.

"Masaya sana ako anak pero hindi ako boto sa babaeng iyan. There's something off about her." 

"Halos lahat ng babae ay hindi mo gusto para sa akin. I am nearing thirties for Pete's sake!"

"You're the only one that I have left, hijo." She murmured then went to give me a hug.

"Alam ko pero you have to accept her, ma. For me and for your future grandkids, please."

My mother only nodded but I know she wasn't really a hundred percent in accepting Tiffany but we pushed through with my fiancee's wish to have the wedding after she gave birth.

Unexpectedly, the twins were born earlier than expected and Tiffany underwent a Caesarean section procedure. They were fraternal twins, where one is male and the other is a female. 

I was the happiest man alive that day I held the hands of my son and daughter until two weeks after when the news broke all over the world.

I was in Puerto Rico for an emergency with one of our luxury hotels when I heard about Tiffany's accident where she died in the arms of another man in a vehicular accident. She was having an affair all this time and I hadn't known - was too naive to know she wasn't the woman I knew.

The prospect of having a serious relationship with another woman was now a thing in the past. 

The joy that I had felt holding my twins was now replaced with contempt and despair. I decided to put all my efforts and time in running our business empire instead wasting my time and emotions on that thing you call. . . love.

I will never fall in love again - no matter what happens.

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