MUCH to my surprise, the next week, Guidotti Enterprise was all over the news... globally. From their embezzlements, scandals, and even the worst of the worst. Their downfall was decisive from being one of the richest companies in Europe. They can't even use their name to assert influence because of the confessions and evidence being thrown at them.

"Remind me not to make him mad," naisatanig ni Yvette sa aking tabi habang pinapanuod pa rin ang mga news outlet na nagbabalita tungkol sa mga Guidotti.

I chuckled, "But you always do, and nothing happens. And I wonder why." I teased.

She just rolled her eyes at me and said, "Don't even get there,"

"Aba, marunong ka palang gumamit niyan," natatawang pang-iinis naman ni Maria when she slacked herself on the nearby sofa while she's giving me a wine glass to sip. "Ayaw magpa-straight-to-the-point."

"Nagagawa nga naman kapatid ko sa... bestfriend niya." I added while quoting my hands in the air and roll my eyes.

Inikutan niya lang rin kami ng mata and looked at the television again. I sighed, my dear brother... ang bagal mo.

"How's Jorgy and Aurora?" tanong ko nang maalalang wala pa akong nababalitaan tungkol sa kanila.

Maria held her cup of tea and placed it on the tray while responding, "Ayun, Aurora is dreading too much because of that scheming woman. She's blaming herself for letting Adrianna escape from her grip. Alam niyo naman 'yon, perfectionist when it comes to her work."

Napailing iling nalang ako. That woman, probably because of her nature to follow just what she was told, if things turn south, it will have a huge impact. Been there so I know.

"Where is she now?" I asked.

"Well, she is busy running your errands. You're skipping events and some meetings remember?" Maria ridiculously replied while her eyes are bawling out.

Oo nga pala. For sure, the media is flocking to every establishment that we own because of what happened to our parents. However, since my brother is doing all the side work, somehow the incident didn't become a hot topic. But I doubt it...

"What can you say that the heiress of the Fontanilla Group came back, Miss Serena?"

"Are you on good terms with your step-sister?"

"How about your brother? Does he concern that being the heir of your family business might be transferred to the eldest?"

"We got an insight that your current boyfriend— Troy Monteverde, has a child already. Is it true?"

The media who heard that question became more aggressive.

"Is it true, Miss Serena? Is it a child from your eldest sister and Troy?"

"Does Troy know that she's alive and he hid it from everyone?"

"Do you have any idea who is the mastermind of your parents' abduction?"

As soon as I entered the premises of the Fontanilla de Royale lobby, my breathing came back to normal. I was suffocated by the mere fact that almost all media outlets were here plus other internal media journalists too. I underestimated our recent issue.

"Your brother is in the conference room, Lady Elle," Aurora said in her business usual tone and assisted me in going there.

I took a glance at her for a bit to check if she was already okay. But seeing that she's trying her best to look normal and do her job. I shrugged it off. She can handle herself just fine.

"I can't believe that I regret coming here, Trav," I said exasperatedly. "I haven't officially taken any work but I'm already exhausted."

"What did you expect, my dear sis? They'll flock here for sure." Travis replied.

"And you didn't do something about it?" I curiously asked.

Trav shrugged while he was still busy reading a report on his tablet. "I only covered a few parts of what happened. Depriving the media of the kidnapping issue will only lead to bigger problems. Besides, it's a good cover-up so that no one will ask anything deep further especially that the focus of their interest was with our eldest sister."

"As if you'll stop them from digging," I replied.

"That... I made sure that no one will go beyond the line."

"You are protecting the name of Troy," I said it as a statement and not a question.

Travis looked at me as if what I said is foreign to both of us. "As if you're not here just for that sole reason?"

Napailing iling nalang ako because he got me. I am here to talk about what's going to happen next. Genesis won't dig into anything further because they didn't expect that my brother did destroy Guidotti's. Although, they are watching out for Adrianna on the sideline just to be safe.

"Our stocks plummeted because of what happened to Mom and Dad, was that okay with you?" I am concerned because of this. I know I wanted to help in preventing the Monteverde's from being drawn to Adrianna's mess, but Dad has already experienced too much drama.

Travis closed the tablet he was holding and looked at me. "Plummeted? That's just a scratch. It will be back and will soar high again in a week don't worry. Our sister's appearance also affected the business, and some investors are either happy or worried because she went back from being dead."

"And Helena knows this too, right?"

Travis nodded, "Upon her arrival, the succession to the chairmanship of Fontanilla Group will commence rumors and confusion in the business. I informed her about it to ask what's her plan. Though I didn't pressure her—well, maybe just a little, I can always bend the board to give her more time. Dad's not in the condition to run the business that's why I need you back to help me for a couple of weeks or months. Or until our sister knows what to do."

"I don't mind, but how about you? Are you okay with this? Dad's firm to give you the company by right though, surprisingly, I didn't foresee that some people expect Dad to follow the Primogeniture now that the eldest is back and alive."

I asked that because I know how my brother invested his entire life studying the family business. Since he's the only one who can inherit it, the pressure was palpable. That's why I wanted to check if he's willing to lose what he worked on.

Travis shrugged... "I'm good, I think I'll be fine. At least I'll have more time for myself and for..."

"For her," ako na ang nagtapos ng gusto niyang sabihin na parang ayaw niya pang sabihin sa 'kin.

"Really, sis. Whatever Helena decides to do with her privilege, I'll be fine. I want to work on something that I worked for."

"But you worked hard to put our business in a bigger picture."

Travis sighed. "And I wanted something that I was the one who started it and it grew because of me... like what you did to your business."

I see, well, I can relate to what he's feeling. Though, before I established my name and business. I didn't have any ounce of hope that I could handle Dad's business. The financial support and acceptance from my dad and my stepmom were enough to ask for more. My stepmom is a pure-hearted woman she even accepted me as her own despite what happened to my biological mom and dad. Who am I to ask for more, right? That's why I climbed up the ladder on my own.

"I guess, good luck with that, brother. You know that I'll support you in any way I can." I responded when I sat beside him and hugged him.

"So, you'll help me to manage the business?" he teased. I rolled my eyes.

"I will only help within the prescribed work hours, Trav. I'm an advocate of work-life balance."

"Sus, you just wanted more time with my friend." He teased even more.

"Which I deserve, hello? 'Di ako natandang paatras. Besides, paghihirapan ako ng kaibigan mo. Hindi niya ako madadaan sa mga charm."

"I think it's too late to say that?"

I scoffed. "Excuse me! I know how to be a hard-to-get woman!"

"Sure," he replied while walking back at me going back to get his tablet. It made me irritated because the sarcasm in his reply was too palpable.

"I hate you!"

"Love you, sis! See you later!" tanging wika ng kapatid while I am marching away from the room.

"T-Troy?" I uttered upon seeing him outside. He's leaning on the adjacent wall as if he's waiting for someone. "You're waiting for my brother?"

Troy smiled at him and immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and gave me a peck on my lips.

Ugh! So much for being hard to get.

"Well, I was supposed to talk with Travis but when they informed me that you're here. I changed my mind." He replied that he earned a kilig and that almost escaped my lips. 'Buti nalang napigilan kong ngumiti. I still have a dangal to be makipot—I mean, pakipot. Ugh! Are you too lusty, Serena? Hold your leash, damn it!

"Are you busy?" He asked while we were now walking along the hall. I sighed as it made me focus to reply to him seriously.

"After my talk with Trav, I'm supposed to settle some things I left as Serena Fontanilla all because I was busy being a secretary to someone, remember?" I replied and gave him a rolling eye because of the last part that I mentioned.

Troy chuckled and kissed the side of my head. "I only remember the steamy moments with you being my secretary though."

I am glad that he's tall enough and I am walking beside him so that I can hide the redness of my cheeks because of what he whispered.

Damn him!

"Miss Serena! I'm glad you're finally here!" I want to give this woman a rolling eye. Kung hindi lang dahil sa mga kasama nitong babaeng 'to na mga taga-media ay tatarayan ko talaga 'to.

"Maria, I was with my brother for a meeting, didn't expect that you'll be this... early." Syempre lalabanan ko 'tong babaeng 'to sa plastikan. 'Kala ba nito ito lang ang may kayang gawin 'yon?

"No worries, that's fine! Your brother's people are so nice and very accommodating to our needs. I just hate being late with this important..." Maria made a side-eye look at Troy standing beside me while holding my waist. "... scoop."

I gave her a knowing look to stop her dahil kung wala lang ang mga kasama namin rito sa nireserbang kwarto ay baka nahila ko na ang patilya ng babaeng 'to.

Maria is a journalist in a media company—that's why walang nakakaligtas sa kanyang impormasyon and despite her being known to be a gossip Queen, she never released any information without getting facts. And since she'll slice me to death if I'll give this important scoop about what happened to their competitor, their team—being this early, is a warning for me. Not that I'm scared, sampalin ko pa 'to 'eh. Ayaw lang talaga nito na may nauuna sa mga bagay bagay and since she anticipated that other media outlets will flock here, mas inagahan pa ng gaga.

Our interview started as to why I was not present recently and I replied using the short course that I took in PUP. As much as I want to disclose that I also took a part-time side hustle being the secretary of Troy, I defer that from sharing because that's too much info to share.

"Recently, your family faced a tremendous change: the eldest daughter of your familia—Helena, is back that everyone knew that she's dead, and the kidnapping incident of your parents. I also heard that Troy's father was almost kidnapped too but it was prevented early. Is it okay to get information on this incident?"

Naging alanganin ang ngiti ko sa huling sinambit ni Maria. Don Alfonso's was almost kidnapped too? I didn't know that!

I cleared my throat, "I don't think I can share anything more than what the people know. My eldest sister's situation is something that we want to deal with within our family only.  As for what happened to my parents, I can only share that they are both resting and fine. And for Don Alfonso... I'm also glad that he is safe too."

Maria nodded, "I appreciate the info you shared and I'm sure that we'll get more updates from the authorities about the culprits. So, let's talk about you and... Troy." She even smirked at me. Kakabahan ba ako? Shit!

"There are rumors that your parents and Don Alfonso are against your relationship with Troy... because of his... reputation like having a child from a different woman. Is this true?"

I scoffed inwardly because of what I heard. I thought she'll say because of his reputation with women but the child? Gabgab? Well, isa nga naman 'yon sa mga narinig kong pinagsisigawan ng mga reporters sa labas kanina.

Tiningnan ko muna si Troy whose face turned sour and probably more worried about whatever I have to say. Sabi niya babawi siya sa'kin and we'll start anew, right?

I want to answer that Gabgab is a biological son of Helena but it will only bring more follow-ups like paano nagkaroon si Helena ng anak kung ito ay tinuturing na patay na? Paano maipapaliwanag na hindi si Troy ang ama at kinupkop lamang ito nang iwan ito sa labas ng kaniyang bahay noon?

I only smiled at Maria. "It's not my story to tell, but I do know..." then I looked at Troy who was watching behind the camera... "I know him well more than the rumors spreading."

If only the camera was not on, Maria would roll her eyes and I only smirked at her.

When the interview wrapped up, I only nodded at Maria and went outside only to be waited by Troy who was looking at me intently as if he didn't let his eyes off of me.

"Why don't you just go and meet my brother? You are here to speak with him. I might be taking too much of your time." I told him because I really thought he'll meet Travis. It might be related to Adrianna who was still at large.

"He can update me later, I'm spending this time with you. Where you will be next?" tugon at tanong nito pagkahawak niya sa aking baywang at sinabayan sa paglalakad. A churn of butterflies is swirling around my gut because his reply was too sweet as if his answer just came out naturally from his mouth.

Bawing-bawi, ah.

"It might be your sister," I insisted.

With a sour face, Troy looked at me and replied, "Why are you shooing me away?" he asked straightforwardly.

I chuckled because his frown was too evident that it almost turn to annoyance because of what he assumed. "I am not! Sinasabi ko lang na baka importante 'yon."

His face turned serious and said, "You are more important than her. She'll be captured soon and she'll face the consequences of what she had done throughout the years."

Captured? I hope we can get a hold of her first because as much as I want to be lenient because she's still blood-related to Troy but that doesn't mean Adrianna can breathe fully. I planned on torturing her... for real this time. I am just being careful, but I know for a fact that my dad is planning something too.

Dad's priority is my stepmom's well-being and safety. He's the type of person who can be nice to everyone but lay a touch on his beloved, he'll bring the hell up from the ground.

"Let's just observe, Dad. He may be fine outside, but we got his getting-even attitude from him. So, for sure, he'll do something we don't like." Iyon ang sinabi sa 'kin ni Travis the night the incident ended.

"Do we need to go there? You can ask for the report by asking him to send an email." Tanong ni Troy while his face is sour. He's driving me to meet the man he is whining for. He kept on insisting that he wants to spend his time with me so I told him my next agenda for the day.

I have an appointment after the media interview, and I don't want to be late since I owe that man a huge favor.

"Enrico helped you capture the rest of the abductors; you should be thankful since he helped you."

Troy clicked his tongue with annoyance and his face was still gloomy. "He did not, someone helped us. A group of women."

"Women?" I asked feigning innocence—slightly... gulp to know what he was about to share.

He sighed deeply, "Just... don't be too close to him. I'll be with you—"

Someone called Troy and we saw that it was one of his friends— "Ethan. What? Are you sure? Okay got it. I'll be there."

"What happened?" nagtataka kong tanong nang bigla nitong kinambyo ang sasakyan.

"Just an emergency, will you be okay to go there? Your PSGs are following us so they'll give you a ride. I am really sorry. Just had to assist a brother." tanong nito nang naghahanap ito ng maaari kong mababaan.

"Y-Yeah, sure. I don't mind." I replied sincerely with worry. It might be really urgent kaya di na ako umalma.

Okay na rin dahil ayokong kasama ang binata pagkakakausapin ko si Enrico. If it's Adrianna, I'll get a call first from our people but since I didn't receive any, it must be something else.

Enrico and I decided to meet at the Grandstand in the university's Track and Football oval. There are no students since it's a Sunday and I think he made his men secure that no one will be near us while we are at the stage area. The assigned guards that I have were also scattered anyways.

"I don't know what happened, but we'd like to give our huge thanks first for your coordination and help to capture one of the biggest syndicates that our soldiers have been monitoring since they landed in the Philippines," Enrico did the intro and I chuckled as how serious his tone was like.

"Ang seryoso mo naman masyado, pormal na pormal?" asar ko rito.

"You're Serena Fontanilla, that explains it," Enrico replied, and I am not sure why he was overacting.

"It made me want to puke, honestly." I jest and he smiled when I acted like I'm puking.

"They always remind us at the Academy—well, basically some of our comrades were gossiping whenever your family name is being mentioned."

"Tungkol saan?" tanong ko rito, curious.

"Not to go against your family?"

Ang OA. "That's ridiculous, masyado niyo namang ginoglorify ang pamilya ko." I commented.

"Who wouldn't? It's your great-grandfather who was a world-war veteran who made sure the well-fare and quality of soldiers being deployed by the department. He's a respected soldier, you know."

Yeah, I heard that story from Dad. Probably why some say that Fontanilla is part of the old richest family before the world wars and our great-grandfather utilizing his advantage and knowledge made us somehow put on the top of the pinnacle.

"We are still... like everybody else. I don't think it's right to stay afloat on what my great-grandfather did for the country where we can create our legacy. But yes, you're welcome."

"Anyways," Enrico started to divert back to our main topic and probably felt that it was uncomfortable already for me. "Our men are still chasing Adrianna, but it seems like she's being given some help by another party to which we don't have any idea yet who they are. Do you have... any idea?"

I shrugged because that's the truth. "I don't think I can help you from here, I don't want to cross any borderlines anymore. It might be for a good reason but I know that your team can do it." I replied mixing a white lie. Of course, I'll cross any borders just to get that woman! I just have my own way.

Enrico nodded and understood my response. "Got it, even if you have... I won't let you spill it either."

I rolled my eyes as I saw how he grinned in the last part. "I am speaking to Ego, nice to meet you. I am glad you're still there."

We parted ways after that as he said that he would meet Tina after her part-time job nearby the Uni. "Send my regards to her, my schedule is quite busy now that I am back as Serena Fontanilla so keep me on the tab, please," I spoke.

He just smiled and nodded. "I will, I'll try my best to stop her from pestering you, but I can't promise that I can hold it that long, okay?"

Napailing nalang ako at tumango dahil alam kong iyon talaga ang gagawin ni Tina. I might need to spare at least one to two hours for us to catch up. For now, mukhang okay naman na silang dalawa so I'll leave it to Enrico first.

I was walking to go out of the oval when I met men in their tuxedos and even wearing shades. My guards who were with me immediately moved up front pero bago pa makapagbigay ng babala ang head ng security ko...

"Padayon, Binibini." Wika nila at nagbigay ng saludo.

It got my attention, I sighed, and ordered my security to get ready outside of the grounds. They were hesitant at first, but I gave them a warning glare. "I'll be fine, I know them."

Nang makaalis na ang karamihan sa kanila at naiwan ang iilan sa 'di kalayuan at patuloy na nagbabantay, I put my attention back to these men.

"You're being too blunt coming here," I reminded them.

"Ipagpaumanhin ho ninyo, Hara. Ngunit iniimbitahan ka ni Lakan Rolando sa isa sa mga ating kuta."

I sighed annoyingly at Rolando's attitude reflecting how thick his face to give orders to get me from where am I.

"By the looks of how many you were here, it seems to me that you'll drag me in any way you can because he said that he wouldn't say No for an answer."

Agad na nagsipagyukuan ng ulo ang mga ito. "Ipagpatawad ho ninyo Hara ngunit alam namin ang inyong lakas, at wala ho kaming magagawa kung 'di ang sumunod sa pinag-uutos ng aming Lakan."

Kung siguro'y wala ako sa aking pagbabakasyon bilang Hara, I may have dragged these men on my feet instead of following an order a Hara should never follow especially if it would come from someone beneath us. However, I don't have the luxury to fight. Besides, I am expecting that Rolando and I will need to talk soon after the fiasco.

"I'm not going with you." I saw how they flinched as they must be thinking that they must resort to violence just to make me come. They knew that they wouldn't win against me, so I immediately added. "Relay this message to him instead. I know that we will need to speak soon. So, remind him to never order me around just because I am off duty. I am still the Hara. Tell him to meet me at my preferred place, and if he won't be coming... I'll scratch the chance for him to meet his biological son."

Now, how am I going to convince Troy to let Gabgab meet his biological father?