"Mornings are new beginnings, new hope and new dreams."

                                 *marga*

I dedicate this chapter to all Glimpsers! cutemaxx, marlaxy, lookatthatweirdguy, thefreakyflamingo, Tring24, cgStiles, _bloodyGAIL_, AteTabachingching, xxxsuhoxx, DanielleTolentino24, nyxapollox, OneEyedPurpleAddict, allungX, twinxs21, castillerhershey

Mornings are used to be dull and boring except Thursday morning. But my morning was great when I saw Kenji's face on the pillow beside me. I had a good night sleep and I don't have bad dreams. Maybe because my heart is happy and one less stressed unlike before Kenji arrived.

I close my eyes and uttered a short prayer thanking Him for my brother. I went straight to the shower while he's still asleep. My bedside alarm clock says it's six in the morning. I have a meeting at nine o'clock and contract signing at ten.

I was smiling and singing while on the shower. My heart is undeniably happy. At least I only have one more problem to solve and that's quite big but I know my heart won't give up.

I was checking on my clothes at my walk in closet when I heard Kenji talking to someone. I continued changing for my office attire and went back to my room when done.

Kenji was sitting on the bed with his phone on his hand but his face looks gloomy.

"What happened?" I asked as I patted him on his shoulder.

"It's Penelope. He said he can't stay long and had to go back home ahead."

"And why is that?"

"Got her tantrums maybe. I don't know." He said and went straight to the bathroom after he left his phone on my bedside table.

"Find me downstairs for breakfast after you freshen up. I'll introduce you to the investors today."

He uttered "okay" and I went down to find Gus. He's already at the "Fresco", one of our in house restaurant that caters a variety of cuisine. It's my favorite here coz I can choose what I want to eat depending on my mood.

"You still remember his favorite?" I ask Gus when I settled on the chair he pulled for me on  my favorite spot of the restaurant, on the corner left wing.

"Yes. I had it prepared."

"That's great Gus."

My coffee was served and it add up some better moods early the morning. It was a great day indeed and I don't want this day to end.

But reality strikes when I saw a group of five men approach Ken as he was about to join our table.

With the looks of it, they're his workmates and I realize this day will end soon.

I focused on my coffee and waited for Kenji join us in the table.

"Happy now?" Ask Gus as he stir his coffee

"Yes Gus though I know he will left again. I am the happiest today."

"Happy to hear that." His brief remarks while I took a sip of my coffee.

"Trina!" I heard Kenji and was surprised when I saw his friends standing in front of me beside our table.

"Ken! What is it?" I tried to be calm. He's companions were all gorgeous and handsome.

They're like a group of good looking boy bands. I remembered how good Kenji when it comes to playing the drums. He got good voice quality too which I often deny myself for having the same.

"I want you to meet them. My friends. My workmates!" He's all smile and it makes my heart leap in the air knowing how happy my brother with the people he's with while we are not around him.

"I'm glad to get to know them." I replied while I noticed one of them who's smiling sweetly while looking at me.

"Guys, this is Trina, my sister." He started. "Trina, these are my friends. My workmates." He introduced me. I get uneasy in front of his friends knowing I should act as his little sister and not as the CEO of this hotel.

"I'm glad to meet all of you. Ken their names." I remind Kenji who forgot to share his friend's name.

"This is Lexus, Nixon, Charleston, Tres and Trevor." At last he introduced and their names sounds great.

"Nice to met all of you gentlemen." I smiled sweetly as I took their hands for a shake one by one.

After a short chitchat, they left and went to their table and started taking their breakfast.

Ken joined me and Gus in the table and enjoyed breakfast with all his stories while he is away.

I put in mind every details Kenji shared with us coz it made me get oriented with my brother little by little at those times that he's not with us.

I was right after all, first few months of his journey in Greece was not easy until he worked in a fast food chain as an all around staff. I can't imagine Ken doing those task when he's not used to do it at home.

He said he tried his best to learn everything he has to learn to support himself while he is away and I almost cried imagining all the hardships he went through just to find himself.

We're done with breakfast but still engrossed with Ken's stories when Abba came to our table and inform us that the investors are coming any minute.

I excused myself from Ken and Gus and went straight to the conference room for the signing of the contract. I checked the time and it says 8:45 in the morning. Abba assured me that everything was prepared and I know when she said everything's prepared everything is.

The investors arrived a few minutes before the clock strikes nine. We started the signing of the contract after some pleasantries.

A few minutes after the signing of the contract, the investors left for Napa for their last tour on our branch there. They were accompanied by Cedric whom it know can do his duties well as expected.

"Abba, did Callie called me?" I ask when we're alone in my office.

"No Miss. Shall I call her for you?" She answered in return as she ready her phone in her right hand.

"No Abba. I guess you can do some other things for me." I told her which made her prepare her pen and notepad.

"Anything Miss."

"Get me a dress for Perantes party Abba. You know my taste and please be careful with what I don't like."

"Is that all Miss?"

"That would be for tomorrow. Tell Kyle to come at five in the afternoon."

"Okay Miss. If you'll excuse me, I'll start finding that dress." I nod to dismiss her and she gladly made her exit out of my office.

I did some checking on new proposals at my table and a smile tugged in my lips when I received a text from Ken telling me that Gus showed him around the hotel.

I texted Gus to introduce Ken but he replied that Ken declined and wanted to look around unnoticed.

I respect his decision and focused on tons of work which needs to be done.

Lunch time came and I eat with Gus. He told me Kenji was with his workmates for some work to do. I remember he's here for work and not for a tour.

"Perantes party is tomorrow. Are you coming?" I heard Gus ask.

"I guess so. Dad wanted me to be there. He said I should get to know Mr. Perantes and his son. For possible connections." I said as I continue to eat.

"I heard his son was able to successfully manage their business in Napa." It gives me a reason to look at Gus. "And not just manage, he made expansions in other cities for the last 5 years."

"He seemed to be interesting." I exclaimed as I finish my food.

"Then you should be there. Create connections." And I nod in agreement to what he said.

The rest of the afternoon was all work, work and work. I didn't get to see Ken for the rest of the afternoon till I went up to my suite.

I called him and he said he'll be out form work till midnight and he'll see me in the morning.

I decided to go home and rest for the night in my bed. I miss it for a night already and I want to see Mom and Dad since they'll be leaving for the Philippines the day after the Perantes party.

They're having dinner when I arrived home. I kissed them both and went upstairs to change before I joined them for dinner.

Mom and Dad are enjoying a conversation and I can see two people happily in love with each other. They're always my inspiration in life. They're my treasure despite all the challenges I've been through, I am always thankful everyday that they're my parents.

I reside in bed that night with joy in my heart and full of hope knowing that someday we'll be able to be with Kenji again.

Perantes party will be tomorrow and I'll ask Kenji in the morning to escort me at the party coz I wanted to surprise my parents and grandfather of his visit after a long long time.

A smile accompany me in that adventure to a good night sleep knowing that the next day will be full of joy and happiness.

****
"Good morning Gus!" I greeted Gus when he opened the car door for me and I settled comfortably inside. He went to the wheel after a short "Good morning K" as his response.

"Will Ken join us for breakfast today?" I ask as I scan the morning paper in my lap while we start to travel the road to the hotel.

"I'm afraid he can't. They haven't return to the hotel yet."

"Oh! So they're spending the night On that place they said they did some work?"

"I guess so."

That made me think. What was Ken's work anyway? I haven't asked when I got the chance to.

I treated that day as my usual day with the sadness now that I haven't seen Ken since yesterday afternoon. I guess I can't have him as my escort since he must be caught up with his work and my watch says it's already four in the afternoon.

Abba made a peak in my office door and announced Kyle's presence. I told her to let him settle in my suite and I'll join him after 30minutes.

I finished the remaining papers which needs my signature and joined Kyle and Mel in my suite. They're my HMU team.

I took a shower and let them work on me after. My head started to wander on what will I see at the Perantes party. My sadness of not seeing Ken still lingers in my heart thinking that my plan of surprising my parents and my grandfather will not happen tonight.

Kyle was done with my make up while Mel is doing some finishing touches on my hair when Abba came in with a white box. It was my dress which I ask her to get for me.

She put it slowly on my bed and took off the cover showing velvet blue fabric. She knows my fondness on blue colors and I guess she relied on that fact when she chose my dress.

She take it off from the box and laid it on my bed. It was a string strapped long gown with diamond studs sprinkled like raindrops below the waistline going down to the hemline of the dress. It has silver flower studs lined up intricately on the waistline area which serves like a belt.

I like the dress for its simplicity and for having no Lacey things. It fits me well when I step into it. It shows my sexy body which I hide from the naked eye with my everyday corporate attire.

"Perfect!" I heard Kyle said while he look at me in the full body mirror.

"Thanks Kyle. You always make me unrecognizable. And thanks Abba. You did great on this thing." As I gestured the dress I am wearing. "And of course Mel, thanks for doing wonders on my crowning glory. I don't know if I can do this without all of you." I thank then one by one.

"It's always our pleasure to be of service to you Kitty." That's Kyle. He used to call me that since he started working as my make up artist in all events and gathering I attended. The two ladies beside him gran me their sweetest smile.

"Oh Abba, my shoes." I remind her when I noticed that I am still on my bedroom slip on.

"Oh I'm sorry Miss. I forgot to take it out." She took a blue shoe box on the couch and open it. I saw a three-inch blue stilettoes with diamonds on the heels. I don't wear really high heels because of my height.

It's comfortable on my feet and it matches my dress.

"You're good to go." Kyle said.

I smiled as I make a last glance of myself at the mirror.

The party will stat in an hour.

"Just enjoy yourself Katarina." I told myself.

***********★*********★***************
The struggle is real and I'm drained.

I hope you'll like this chapter. I did my best here and it's up to you to judge this piece.

The party will start soon. Katarina will meet new faces. Faces who will become part if her next chapters. Faces of the present and even... From her past.

Don't forget to vote guys. It will be my inspiration to write and tag some of your friends too.

*marga*