“It’s all done, my lady.” Miranda, my personal assistant, told me as soon as she entered my office.
She gave me the folder containing all the papers that I was asking her to do. She sat in front of me waiting for my instructions as I checked the files.
I was supposed to be at home, lying on bed, or having a date with Gray, but my mother asked me to run some errands in our branch office here in the country. So, I am here in my office, sitting in the swivel chair, wasting time on papers. I even lied to Gray because I haven’t told him about my life...just my financial life. Well, not that it matters. I guess he was also busy with his projects.
“Okay. Did you already arrange the hotel at the Crossroads?” I asked again.
“I am sorry, my lady. Your mother told me not to help you with those kind of things because she wants you to personally arrange it for Mr. Dela Merced.”
I widened my eyes. My mother is really giving me a headache.
I brushed my hair in frustration. Ugh! I bit my lower lip as I sighed. Fine! I am going to arrange it. It’s not like I have a choice, right?
“How about the concert of The Script? Were you able to ask them if they are free?”
I remembered my promise to Lyuna that I will grant her wishes and I intend to give her the first wish which is to see The Script live, not only that, but to actually meet and have a date with the vocalists of The Script. I’ll bet she would really love it.
“I managed to get a schedule but it would still be before the year ends, and they were asking where do you want the concert to be held?”
“Hmm…” I started thinking. Since, I will be the one paying for their concert, I might as well also grant Lyuna’s her wish to see different country. “Can they do it in South Korea? Lyuna is also a fan or Korean actors, so I am hitting two birds with one stone.”
“I will arrange for that, my lady.” She nodded. “Your friend is very lucky.”
I smiled. I am also lucky to be her friend.
“Also, about the clothing line. Did you already give her designs to the designers?”
She nodded. “Yes. They are working on it.”
I smiled happily. “Thank you.”
“My lady, are you not going to tell her who you really are?” She asked, curiously. She’d been working in our family for years and she knew how I hid my identity from the people because I didn't want them to take advantage of my life.
“This is not the right time. She’ll know soon.”
“Are you not going to tell your mother about Gray?” She asked, concerned. She had been telling me to tell them because they might get mad at me. I don't think Lyuna will. It’s not a big deal to her that is why we are friends.
I heaved. I wanted to. I am really dying to introduce Gray to her and I already planned on how, but Mattel is ruining everything. I still need to settle my issues with Mattel before I finally delve with that topic.
“Not now. Don’t tell her about Gray. Understood?”
I know she was loyal to me even though she works with my mother. I hope my mother will not learn it from other people. Well, it’s a good thing I never really put myself in the limelight, so people don’t know everything about me.
“She’ll know it soon. Gray came from a family with the same business as your family. So, she would--”
“I will deal with it. For now…” I stood up and grabbed my bag. Before that, I handed her the sticky notes. “Call this man for me and ask him what he likes for his welcome party. You don’t dare say no to me, Miranda.”
I flipped my hair and went out. Okay, that’s just acting since she seems not to be taking me seriously. My mother must have ordered her not to take any matters pertaining to Mattel since she wanted me to do it myself.
Ugh! I can’t believe this.
Upon leaving the building, my chauffeur greeted me with a smile.
“I already prepared the limousine for you, my lady.” He bowed down and was even well-dressed as if there was an occasion. I always tell them not to make things a big deal. They can just simply dress without getting so much attention around the people.
“What?” I wagged my head and motioned to remove the limousine away from me. “I am only wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers. This is not something very special, so can you just pick other cars? Where’s my BMW?” I sighed. I should have brought my car, but I really enjoyed commuting and riding the bus even though traffic sucks. Although, I am starting to feel the convenience of having a car again. Lyuna also stopped commuting after I gave her the car.
“Or at least something that wouldn’t catch anyone’s attention.” I scoffed. Just then, one of the staff came running to me as my BMW stopped in front.
“I don’t need bodyguards. Don’t follow me, okay? I am not a kid. You are going to ruin my disguise.”
They all nodded. I entered the car and sighed. Ugh. I haven’t done anything fulfilling yet, but I felt like my entire body was always tired. My mind is running every second, making my head dizzy.
I leaned my back on the seat and closed my eyes. I was praying for peace of mind. Unfortunately, the universe doesn't want to give me peace as the radio played the song, Sunrise, and I heard his voice.
I stopped caring. I was able to do it. Years had passed and I can assure myself that everytime I hear the song, he would just be stranger. But, now, everything was coming back to me. Every memory that we have shared. I felt like betraying Gray.
"Can you change the channel?" I ordered my driver to which he gladly obeys, however, the world is telling me otherwise, as the next channel played another song of theirs.
"Just turn it off." I clicked my tongue.
"My lady, aren't you a friend of his? They will be having a concert here, so a lot of - -"
"Please, just wake me up when we reach the hotel." I coldly said as I don't want to hear anything about him again.
"Copy, my lady."
Luckily, I was able to sleep. I don't know if I would be happy dreaming of Mattel. Ugh! He is ruining my peace of mind.
"We are here, my lady." My driver said. "I'll be waiting from here."
"No. You can go home." I insisted. "Just park the car at my personal garage on the 8th floor of the parking area. I will be commuting from here."
"Are you sure, my lady? It's getting late. You will be stuck with the traffic."
"I'll call when I change my mind. Okay? Have a great night!"
I locked the door and went inside the hotel. I directly went to the reception area to ask for Mikee, the manager of the hotel, and a close friend of mine. He grew up with us when his family died due to a car accident. He was like a brother to me since my parents had adopted him and provided all his needs. He is now helping our family manage our hotels, probably, my mother will give them to him and I am not against it as he deserves it. He was the one working hard in this company. It's not like I can still manage it.
"May I talk to Mikee?" I asked the receptionist.
I usually don't call Mikee ahead of time because he would prepare a huge entrance for me with a red carpet, disturbing the entire hotel. He did it a lot of times and I almost killed him. I am trying to hide from the limelight and he was clearly ruining my disguise.
"Mikee?" The receptionist asked. "You mean, Sir Michael Samaniego?"
"Yes, please…" I licked my lips as I stared at the interior of our hotel. It's a good thing I have visited this place, it seems like it needs some upgrades.
I decided to just sleep here and talk to the team to start re-designing our interiors. The chandelier seems out of place now. I might as well re-designed the whole place before Mattel came back.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Sir Michael doesn't allow anyone without an appointment."
"I believe I don't need an appointment to meet him." I said it directly. I am testing her patience and personality to see how she will be treating the customers. I usually do this to our employees.
"Who are you, Miss?" She asked again.
"Well, you can search for it on your computer." I ordered her.
She raised her brow.
"What do you mean?" I saw that she scowled.
Ugh! I hate that attitude. Should I fire her?
"Go on. Search for my name in the employee's record." I urged her.
"Excuse me, but that's just exclusive for employees so why would--"
"I am asking you to search for my name in the records, so you will be able to know why I don't need an appointment to see Michael." I emphasized those words as I saw the irritation in her face.
I rolled my eyes. I don't mind Michael's way of handling our business, yet I don't like this kind of employee.
I should have gone directly straight to his office, but my VIP card was missing, so I cannot use the elevator. Our hotel has a very unique system where one cannot use the elevator without the card that was given by the receptionist upon booking. It's an easy way to know who really are visitors to our hotels and we can easily track people. Even the doors leading to staircases need cards before entering. And, it was a different card depending on the floor you are in, which means you cannot just roam around the hotel if it wasn't the floor given to you. We are very strict with protocols and our hotel is one of the best in the country. We owe it to Michael.
"What is your name?"
"Deanara…" I paused and closely looked at her expression because I wanted to witness the shock on her face upon hearing my name. Sometimes, I liked playing with our employees, perks of not telling the world who really I am.
"Samaniego."
The moment she heard my last name and the computer loaded, she stood up from her seat and immediately grabbed the phone bowing down her head.
"I am calling him now--"
I stopped her. "No need. I saw him already."
She bowed down. "I am sorry. I didn't recognize you."
"Oh. It's okay!" I said, not looking at her while waiting for Mikee to look my way. He was talking with some clients.
"Next time, please mind your facial expression and learn to smile. You are the person visitors look up to upon entering. At least, give them happiness and the presence of being home. Have you forgotten our vision?" I reprimanded her. "Also, please call the management and tell them to get me another VIP card. I lost the old one."
I walked away and approached Mikee who was standing at the center, below the chandelier, looking at his phone. The clients who talked to him a while ago already entered the elevator.
He still hadn't seen me, so I decided to give him a call. I saw how his mood lightened as he answered the phone. Of course, I don't usually call him unless I really miss him and I wanted some Paella. He cooked the best Paella, but when I met Gray, we could now argue about it.
"Hey, my love," He greeted me with a smile on his face. It's the endearment he called me since we adopted him in our home. What we have is a platonic kind of love. Nothing serious even though he calls me that. And, he’s already engaged. I am so excited for his wedding day.
“Hi, my love.” I hugged him as he kissed my cheeks. It’s a normal gesture in our culture, so I don’t mind it.
“You didn’t call.” He pouted.
“Well. Do I need to call? It’s a surprise visit.” I winked.
“What do you need now, my love?” He grinned. “Should I cook you Paella?”
“Of course.”
He nodded. “Okay. Let’s go to the suite.”
I smiled and held him as we walked to the elevator.