"BEAUTIFUL," NAPALINGON AKO kay Gabriel at inabutan s'yang nakatitig sa'kin at medyo tulala. I sat on the nearest chair and caressed his cheeks.

"Really? Your Mommy's beautiful?" I asked him while grinning.

Sunod-sunod naman ang pagtango ng bata and his face lit up as if he's proud. "Yes, yes! Mommy's so beautiful!"

I hugged him back then I faced him to say something. "Don't tell your Daddy about this okay?"

Kunot ang kanyang noo na nagtanong. "That you're beautiful right now?"

I nodded, then I whispered. "He doesn't know this so this is our little secret, okay?"

We both giggled. "Yes, Mommy! Gab-Gab and Mommy have a secret to Daddy." He said with glee. I brushed my hand on his head then we both walked out of the room.

Nang makarating ang sasakyan sa restaurant na binigay ni Travis ay sabay kaming pumasok ni Gabriel sa loob.

"Reservation?" the man in tux asked me. I smiled regally to him

"Yes, Gregorio Fontanilla." I simply said.

The chauffeur checked their list and his forehead crumpled and I've already figured out why.

"I'm afraid that he's with his friend now—" I cut him.

"I'm his daughter, Serena," I said as if my name can do miracles.

Nagliwanag naman ang itsura ng binata. Marahil ay natandaan na ang mukha ko. "I'm s-sorry, Miss Serena, it's my fault—" hindi ko na s'ya pinatapos, hahaba pa ang usapan.

"Apology accepted. Now, will you guide us inside?" I asked with formality engraved on each word I uttered.

"O-Of course, shall we?" then he guided us inside.

I made a quick room scanning while we are walking inside. The place was not that big but not too small. A jazz song was being played as their background and I can totally see the elegance of the place. A big chandelier amused me when we went inside of the restaurant proper. People inside are gawking at me not because they know me, but because I'm wearing a beige-colored cocktail dress that has a transparent view of both sides of my torso.

Mabilis kong nilapitan si Aurora na ngayo'y nakaupo sa isang table na medyo malayo ng kaunti sa table nina Dad.

"Lady Elle," bati n'ya nang makalapit kami sa kanya.

Tiningnan ko namang sunod si Gabriel. "Gabriel, Baby? This is Aurora, my friend. Would it be okay if you eat with her for a while? I'll be just talking to someone on the other table. Don't worry, I won't leave. You can see me from here."

Hindi ko kasi pupwedeng isama ang bata sa table na 'yon. It's too dangerous.

Tiningnan pa ng bata si Aurora tapos ay sa'kin naman 'yon nalipat. "Don't take too long, Mommy." Sabi n'ya na kinahinga ko ng maluwag especially nang idipa nito ang magkabilang braso ay mabilis ko siyang niyakap.

"Aurora, take care of him for a while." Sabi ko sa dalaga and I just gave her a knowing look. Her expression and eyes scream with curiosity. Halatang nagulat sa tinawag sa'kin ng bata.

I went straight to my father's table. Kitang kita ko mula rito ang hindi magandang mood nito lalo na't nakatingin ito ng masama sa kaibigan na si Don Alfonso.

"I'm one of your shareholders, Alfonso. You should've told me that you have this kind of situation." My father's face scream that he's extremely pissed off.

"And what? You'll withdraw your shares once you figured out?" kalmanteng anas naman ni Don Alfonso na parang 'di apektado sa galit ng aking ama.

Dad was about to rebut when I interrupted them. "Gentlemen, please, smile."

"D-Daughter." Anas ni Dad na parang 'di makapaniwalang dumating ako sa ganitong pagkakataon na galit s'ya sa kaibigan.

Umupo ako sa bakanteng upuan sa pinapagitnaan nila and I raised my hand to get the attention of the waiter.

"The great Serena Fontanilla. What a pleasure—" I didn't give the old man Don Alfonso Monteverde a chance to finish his... dubious greeting.

"It's Lady Elle, I must correct you, Ginoo. I'm not giving anyone a chance to call me by my name."

The old man grinned at me and replied. "Ipagpaumanhin mo Lady Elle ang aking katampalasan. Ngunit gusto kong malaman ang dahilan."

Dad has always been telling me that this friend of him was a fan of being Makata. I find it very interesting.

"My name has a curse, Ginoong Monteverde. Whenever you utter every syllable of it, you'll be cursed to eternal damnation." I replied with a serious tone.

Parehas na natigilan ang dalawang matanda na siyang kinatangis ko ng tawa.

"Ako'y nagbibiro lamang, Ginoo. Pinaghirapan ko ang reputasyon ni Lady Elle kung kaya't kung iyong mamarapatin?"

Don Alfonso gave a heartful laugh once I'm done stating my reason. "Tila nababanggit ako ng iyong Ama sa iyo base sa paraan mo ng pakikupagtalamitam sa akin. Isang palaisipan tuloy kung bakit." Turan nito sabay tingin sa aking ama na may kahulugan.

Kumunot ang aking noo nang makitang pasimpleng napakuyom ng kamao si Dad. Okay? What's the deal between this two?

"Ngunit," napabalik ang aking tingin kay Don Alfonso at binigyan ako ng isang totoong ngiti. "Kinagagalak kong malaman na matatas kang magsalita ng ating wika kahit na matagal kang namuhay sa lupain ng mga banyaga. Nadagdagan ang pagrespeto ko sa'yo, Binibini."

"Natutuwa ako't napasaya kita sa simpleng paraan Ginoong Alfonso." Untag tapos ay kinuha ko ang isang baso ng wine na iniabot ng waiter at ininom ang laman niyon. I placed it back on the table and continued. "Pero alam kong hindi natin uubusin ang oras para purihin ako. Let's get down to the business, shall we?"

"Daughter, I can handle this. The favor we asked you is a big burden already. You don't have to meddle with this." My father started.

Umigkas ang isang kilay ko nang mabanggit ni Dad ang isa sa pakay ko na pag-usapan namin.

"Oh, Dad. Thanks that you immediately brought it up. Dahil bago tayo mapunta sa eskandalong kinasasangkutan ng kompanya mo, Don Alfonso..." Humalukipkip ako at umigkas ang isa kong kilay pataas. "Gusto kong malaman kung bakit gusto mong h'wag matuloy ang ginagawang investment at partnership ng anak mo sa darating na mga business enthusiast?"

Tumugon ang matanda sa'kin habang nakatingin ng sandali sa aking ama. "I believe your father has already informed that—"

I interrupted him. "Well, I get the point that you're seeing it as a dead investment. Maybe let me rephrase the question... don't you believe your son's capability to succeed on this matter?"

Don Alfonso made a short laugh before replying. "Serena, Binibini. Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng aking anak sa pagpapatakbo ng kompanyang pinagtutulungan nila ng kanyang kapatid na si Adrianna."

"Pero bakit kailangan mo pa ako para sirain ang mga plano n'ya?" segunda kong tanong sa kanya.

"Because he's not doing it for the sake of our company." He immediately reverted that made my brows crumpled even more.

"Then for what?" I probed.

Ang ginoo naman ngayon ang uminom sa wine glass nito. Nang matapos at mailapag muli sa lamesa ay seryoso na ako nitong tiningnan. "It's a family..." then he eyed slightly my father before returning at me. "... problem that he shouldn't meddle. It's all in the past now so I hope you won't ask it as well. For privacy, if you may."

I felt my father held my hand on the table. Napatingin ako sa kanya. "I know you want to know the family problem that they have as you're a type of person who wants to be cleared before you help. Let's just leave it to them shall we?"

Napabutunghininga naman ako dahil nakuha ko naman na masyado nang pribado 'yon dahil problema 'yon ng pamilya nila. Siguro nang mabanggit lang ni Don Alfonso na ginagawa ito ni Troy dahil may gustong ungkatin kaya ako nagkainteres. I have this feeling that the Monteverde's problem was quite acquainted with us. I'm not that dumb not to see the meaning behind the unusual stare of these two gentlemen whenever they're pointing it out.

They're hiding something from us and I think Troy wants to know it through this project. And besides, why me? Bakit ako ang nilagay nila sa sitwasyon na 'to na kayang kaya naman ng kapatid ni Troy na sabotahiin ang project ng kapatid?

"Fine, I understand." Untag ko sa kanila just to give them a peace of mind. "Now, going back to the main topic..." I faced Don Alfonso. "Do you know who stole that huge amount of money?"

Bumuntonghininga muna ang matanda bago ito sumagot. "Unfortunately, I don't know either or even an idea kung sino ang pupwedeng gumawa nito."

Liar. I knew who it was. I just really want to know if he's into this. Now that he answered me that way, sigurado na akong pinagtatakpan nito ang totoong gumawa.

"Very well, maybe let's just expect something about the investigation and I hope... no one will try to sabotage the evidence or even try to interfere with the investigation." Pasaring ko. "Because god knows what I can do to that person. Ito pa naman ang specialty ko. Putting a culprit to a place where they deserve and face the consequences."

"But hundred million is not a big joke," Dad commented.

"It never was, Gregorio. I know that." Don Alfonso interjected.

Mabilis akong sumingit dahil ramdam kong papatulan na ng tatay ko ang kaibigan. "What my father wants to say is that business will be compromised if this won't be resolved. We are part of the Board so you don't expect us to stay if you have this issue within your organization."

"Withdrawing your shares won't resolve it either. Besides, our companies are joint—" Mabilis kong pinutol ang sasabihin ni Alfonso. Masakit sa tainga ang sinasabi n'ya.

"It seems you have forgotten what I've told you a while ago, Mr. Monteverde. This is my forte. Walang makakaligtas sa'kin lalo na't malaking pera ang nawala at nanakaw. And don't rub the joint partnership of our families since before your Era. What a Fontanilla wants to happen, it will definitely happen. If we want us to be out? We are out."

I decided to stand up nang natahimik ito sa mga sinabi ko. Alam n'yang kaya ko given my reputation and power. "I'll call it a night." Then I kissed my father's cheeks then faced them again. "I'll get the bottom of this issue. I won't leave unless I figured out who was the culprit."

Mabilis kong sinenyasan si Aurora na mauna na sa kotse. Nang makuha ang pouch na dala ay binigyan ko ang dalawang matanda ng isang ngiti bago tuluyan umalis. It's long day already.

Yeah, I won't leave Troy's side unless I figured out not just the culprit but also the reason behind their family's problem. My hunches are always right. Fontanilla is connected to Monteverde's problem. And my hunch doesn't disappoint me not even once.

THE NEXT DAY, a grumpy face of Troy welcomed me as soon as I opened his office. Kunot na kunot ang noo nito habang nagbabasa ng mga papel. Kada lipat nito ng pahina ay para iyong mawawarat sa sobrang lakas nitong ilipat 'yon isa isa.

"Brewed Coffee, Sir." Anas ko nang mailapag sa lamesa nito ang kapeng tinimpla ko para sa kanya.

Nagawi naman ang tingin ko sa pagkaing nasa tray sa kabilang side ng working table nito. He didn't touch his lunch? Hindi ito kumain kanina bago umalis ng condo kahit na pinilit ko 'tong kumain. I understood him when he reasoned out that he will meet all the Managers involve in the money incident.

"You didn't eat your lunch?" I asked even if it's too obvious.

"Busy," all that he had said. Completely ignoring me.

"You have to eat... at least a bit." Anas ko rito habang pasimpleng tinitingnan ang mga papeles na nakakalat sa lamesa nito.

He didn't reply. Sobra itong seryoso sa pagbabasa at panakanakang balik sa laptop nito to type something.

Kinuha ko nalang ang tray at nagdesisyong initin ito para makain n'ya pa. Sayang kung itatapon. Nang matapos painitin muli ang pasta na inorder ko para sa kanya ay muli akong pumasok sa opisina nito. I placed the plate on his table. Quietly putting on it. Halatang 'di n'ya yata alam na lumabas na ako kanina.

Nang madampian ang isang papel na medyo nabitawan n'ya at napunta sa ibabaw ng pasta ay nagulat at napaatras ako nang bigla itong magmura at magalit.

"Look what have you done! Sana nilagay mo nalang sa gilid 'yan! Can't you see that I'm damn busy?! Why don't you just sit on your desk and do your job?"

I was completely baffled with his sudden outburst.

"I just w-want to tell you... to e-eat." Hindi ko napigilang hindi sumagot pero hindi ko inaakala that I stuttered while saying that. I did not see that coming.

"Sabi ko kakain ako, basta iwan mo lang 'yan d'yan! Do I still need to repeat myself?" he replied with complete annoyance in his tone.

"That's what you said four hours ago." Mahina kong untag sa kanya at napatingin ako sa sahig sa 'di malamang dahilan.

"And so? I have to fix up this mess before the meeting the next day." He reasoned out.

I pursed my lips while still looking at the ground. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala ang pakiramdam na masita ng Boss. Sometimes I'm being like him, bigla biglang naninigaw kapag na-s-stress na. If this was my people felt, then it's damn awful and insulting. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam na parang wala kang kwenta. Na parang wala kang ginawang tama para lang matapos ang trabaho.

"Shit, I'm sorry, baby." Rinig kong untag ni Troy at nilapitan ako para yakapin. Mukhang napansin na nito ang inasta sa'kin. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to shout on you. It's just that—"

I stopped what he wanted to say. Kumalas kaagad ako sa yakap n'ya at nginitian s'ya ng pilit. "No, Sir. I understand. Apologies for being a nagger. I'll just put the food on your side."

He held my arm when I started walking to get the food. "Serena, please. Don't be like this."

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kanya. And this time, I smiled genuinely. Masyado yata itong naging affected sa naging reaksyon ko. Akala yata n'ya ay minasama ko ang mga sinabi n'ya.

"Sir, don't feel sorry. That's... understandable. I admit, I was kind of bit of shock when you reacted that way but I immediately understood everything so, don't worry. I still need to learn and experience more." Yeah, I don't why but I'm learning. Learning to know the position of a secretary was good for me, I think. I'm always the Boss. I've been the Boss for a long time. I've been dominant to other people because I knew that's the only way for them to respect me. To set aside their sexual thoughts on me. But being that kind of person made me realize that I should also consider the feelings of the people beneath me.

Palabas na ako ng opisina n'ya nang tumigil ako at nilingon muli s'ya. Naabutan ko itong napahilamos ng mukha pero napabalik rin ang tingin sa'kin nang maramdamang lumingon ako.

"Let me handle the culprit who stole the money. Just focus yourself on your upcoming meeting. Okay?"

Nang makabalik ako sa table ko ay mabilis kong tinawagan ang taong kakailanganin ko ng tulong.

"Enrico," I greeted. "We need to meet later. I need your help. You mentioned to me before that you love solving riddles right? I have one for you."