Everest is nervously twitching in the passenger seat next to Noah, who's driving, with Belen in the back seat.
"Why am I so nervous?" Everest thinks trying to calm himself.
When Belen asks, "do we have the information on the executives?"
Noah turns to check with Everest but scoffs, noticing his nervousness, "We do Madam, will you need it? should I have it emailed to you?"
"It's fine, once we go back to A Star, make sure to bring it to my office."
"Yes, Madam, may I ask, do you have a strategy to win over Mr. Thompson?"
She smirks, "not really. I do remember always being his favorite…maybe that'll give me some points."
Everest asks, "excuse my intrusion Madam, but why did you bring me along?"
"so you can learn" her simple answer makes Everest confused when he checks his phone, murmuring under his breath, "one more week…"
Finally, they've arrived at Thompson Incorporation, though Everest seems anxious compared to when he was in the car. Internally, Everest is fanboying at the fact that he is within Jacob Thompson's dwelling, "I am breathing the same air as Jacob Thompson! Thee! Thompson! Better known as the multi-billionaire man whose company first began as a bank and eventually grew into other branches of businesses. He is better known as the genius who invented the bargaining of overseas expansion. Just his name is enough to send any new business owners down the drain. He's also close to political figures, like our President, and has connections all over the continent! I read that his son is achieving great success. As expected, one Thompson after another, if they keep going at this pace, I don't know how much more they can reach."
On the elevator, Everest is nervously fidgeting his fingers with excitement making Noah and Belen confused but uninterested in asking.
When the doors open, they're welcomed by a group of employees, impressing Everest, "Woah! I can tell its not their first time here. How is this woman before my eyes close to Jacob Thompson? I underestimated her!"
As they walk into Jacob Thompson's office, Belen is greeted warmly by a man who could very well look like her father. His gray hair covers his head, wrinkles on his face, and a cheery smile and firm shoulders. His presence alone is enough to make anyone fall to their knees out of respect. Though Belen, on the other hand, simply strikes her professional façade, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Thompson! Thank you for agreeing to see me in such short notice."
Everest silently awaits for Mr. Thompson to greet him but is ignored along with Noah.
Mr. Thompson is like an uncle to Belen, but he does not care for anyone else other than essential business partners or family-like relationships. Belen is like family, he does not take Noah into account. Instead, he sees him as an employee and nothing more. Mr. Thompson notices Everest and Noah, but in his perspective, they are not worthy or vital, so he ignores their existence paying attention only to Belen.
"My my! You're becoming more and more beautiful every day, my dear!" he compliments Belen making her chuckle.
"Oh, uncle! I'm not a little girl anymore, anyways how've you been?"
"I'm doing the best I can be. So tell me, dear, what have you come here for? I doubt it was just for small talk."
She smiles, "I'm here to present you with an updated version of the contract you signed with my father during A Star Is."
His stern eyes widen, "update? That was ten years ago. If anything, the contract is still active, is it not?"
Her eyes sharpen, "yes, it has, it's been four years since A Star has been under my care."
He laughs, "care? Forgive me, darling, but you do realize that your father is the one who started that mall, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"And now, four years later, its finally become yours…ahem, so you've updated the contract? For how many years?"
"I don't think the years is whats important, rather the percent."
He opens the file. She hands him, but as he continued to skim through it, he frowns, putting the contract on the table, "Don't you think thirty-five percent is a little too much?"
She confidently says, "is it? But you're the great O' Thompson! I wonder, is this little number is too much?"
He smiles, "ah, don't flatter me, dear. It's true, I have the money for it, but its not something I agreed with your father. Our current contract is still valid for another three months. Aren't you a bit impatient?"
"I simply thought of bringing the contract so that you can have time to sign it. All I'm being is responsible," she smirks, trying to hide her displeased expression behind her smile.
"hmm, I'm sorry, Belen, but I'm afraid its something I will have to speak to your father about because this is too different. You've pretty much increased fifteen percent than its primary factor."
"But Mr. Thompson, I implore you to understand that A Star is now under my name. My father"
He cuts her off, "ah, yes, your father, how is he, by the way?"
She embarrassedly answers, "h-he's fine, but as I was saying, Mr. Thompson."
Again, he asks, "should I call him? Maybe we adults can work the contract details out together. What do you think?"
She grits her teeth, trying to calm her composure, "I don't think that'd be wise. My father has no part in A Star anymore."
"Why? How come? Says who?"
"My name-"
"your name? Your achievements? Dear, those titles are meaningless to businessmen like me. You need connections. Not a degree will get you anywhere, certainly not in a place like the seat of a CEO."
Belen carefully sighs, annoyed at his blunt comments, "Yes, you are right. How could I forget you were my role model."
He looks up, feeling all high and mighty, "then you agree? It's best if we inform your father first beforehand than to go along with this contract."
Though as Belen is talking with Mr. Thompson, Noah and Everest are silent like statues behind her seat listening. It's like a match between a fierce wolf and a lion. What Noah does not realize is the fact that though his back is to Everest, it's the most dangerous hazard. Because while he's busy trying to help Belen win over Mr. Thompson mentally, he is unaware at the fact that Everest is slowly fuming with anger as his rage continues to build up when finally erupting like a volcano.
"Why don't we give your father a call? You have his number, right?"
But Belen is reluctant, "I wouldn't want to bother him. Maybe another time, about the contract."
"don't be shy, dear."
When suddenly, Everest says aloud, "fucking piece of shit!"
Shocking Mr. Thompson, Belen, and Noah to stare at him in shock.
"Didn't you hear her?! She came here to discuss the fucking contract! If she'd come here to talk about her dad, then she would've brought him! Seriously, you're a billionaire, yet you can't help but be greedy? You should know better than anyone than she more than deserved her achievements, it's not as if she's like your party boy son!"
Belen strictly shouts, "Everest!!"
But nothing stops him when he continues to draw closer to Mr. Thompson, "If you're that curious about her father, why don't you call him yourself for fucks sakes!! Is it that hard to focus on the damn contract?!"
Noah holds him back when Mr. Thompsons security enters his office when he stops them, but Belen shouts, "Take him out!"
The security team takes Everest and Noah out, but as they were they overhear Belen, "Mr. Thompson, I am embarrassed, please forgive him. I apologize for his actions and words he threw at you. You have my word he will GREATLY face the consequences!" she side-eyes Everest sending a chill down his spine.
Mr. Thompson frowns, interlocking his eyebrows in anger, "I am disappointed, Belen, I had high expectations for you, but to think this is the most you can achieve? And hiring an employee like that? Did you lower your standards already?"
He harshly criticizes her, but Everest pulls away when he shouts, "I'm her fiancé! If you have to criticize anyone, then do so to me! Not her! She didn't do anything wrong!"
Belen firmly stares at Mr. Thompson with determination when she says, "then I'll excuse myself, Mr. Thompson, again I apologize for my employee's actions. If you wish to take this to court, then I'll gladly compromise. Well then, excuse me," she walks out of his office full of confidence within each step as if unbothered putting up a cold frontier.
Minutes later, Mr. Thompson is watching Belen enter the same car with Noah and Everest when he asks his secretary, "who is that man? Next to her secretary?"
His female secretary replies, "that man is her fiancé, Everest Fox."
He stares menacingly at Everest enters the car, "hmm…Everest Fox? I never heard of him. Sasha, find out whatever you can about him, it takes a special person to be with Belen Astares."
His secretary Sasha brings him a phone, "sir, it's your son."
"What's the matter, Joseph? Yes, your future fiancé came by, Belen Astares."
***
On the car ride over to A Star Mall, Belen is quiet, expressionless, when Everest tries to mutter an apology, but Noah slightly side-eyes him shaking his head. As a signal, "don't! don't do it!"
Listening to his signal, Everest decides to be quiet throughout the whole ride to A Star as Belen quietly gets out, slamming the car door revealing her anger. When she says, "I want to be alone…"
Noah nods, "Yes, Madam."
As she entered the elevator, Noah quickly calls, "It's me, Noah, clear the 7th floor, the Madam President is in on her way." After hanging up, Everest asks, "why did they have to clear the 7th floor? What is she going to do?"
Noah's cold expression shines through his eyes like daggers, "you had to go on and say something! Honestly, I'm not surprised! But just once! Just once! Couldn't you have stayed quiet!!"
Everest feels wrong when he tries to defend himself, "you saw her struggling to get her point across! If not me, then who?! A coward like you?!"
"shut up! This all happened because of you! That temper of yours is what's going to get you fired!"
Everest froze as Noah said that making his eyes quiver, "you don't think…I'll get fired?"
Noah scoffs in disbelief, "you think she'll let this go as a warning? What are you stupid?! It goes without saying!"
Reality begins to sink into Everest's mind as he begins to sigh, squatting, "shit! Fuck! Fuck! I can't believe it! I might get fired…shit!" he angrily fists the ground.
Noah curiously stares at him beginning to regret his actions, "why are you worried? That just means you get to go back to working with your father…its not as if you'll lose anything."
Everest quietly responds with a depressed tone, "you're wrong…if I lose this job then, I lose everything."
"Hello? Yes, Madam," Noah hangs up, sighing, "the Madam President wishes to see you."
Everest sighs heavily, "fuck…"
***
As Everest made his way to Belen's office, he gets a cold chill, as if he's walking to his doom with no one to witness his being there.
Though as he entered her office, he's afraid to look up when she stands at a distance with her arms crossed. He carefully looks up to notice her stance when she says, "why did you do it?"
"Yes?"
She calmly yet in an eerie tone, asks, "Do I look easy to you? Was I perhaps being too nice? Ha! I should've listened to Noah…"
"Madam Pres"
She coldly says, "I shouldn't have hired you."
Her words stab Everest right in his heart, "M-Madam! P-Please!"
"You're Fired! Get out of my sight!!"
His eyes widen, feeling disappointed at himself, because who can he blame? He wants to justify his actions, but even opening his mouth, he can't utter a word. The only thing he can do is show his regret and apologetic expression.
Just as he was about to leave, he courageously asks, "I'm sorry for what I did, and I know that nothing will make up for what I did. But I'd like to ask just one thing. Why did you hire me?"
Belen sighs, "because…you reminded me of my past self. But I was wrong, for once, my instincts were proven wrong."
***
Meanwhile, somewhere in Los Angeles, Edilberto is waiting for Reuben to arrive as they promised to meet at a private restaurant.
"you've arrived…" Edy awkwardly greets Reuben as he sits across from him, making them both feel awkward when Reuben apologizes, "I'm sorry, Edy, for finding out about my debt."
Edy sharply asks, "I want to know one thing, were you planning on using my daughter and A Star to pay back your debt?"
"NO!! Not! I wouldn't dare! The reason I chose your youngest daughter was that her age is in the same range as Everest. It was never my intention to trick you! Honest!"
Edy grins, "then you wouldn't mind if Everest marries Iris?"
"Of course, I wouldn't mind! Edy…best buddy, you should understand as a father better than I do. That as a parent, you want to choose the best possible marriage partner, don't you agree?"
"so you're saying that the reason why you did not choose my daughter Iris in the first place was that she was not the best possible marriage partner?"
"No! well, the reason I said that
"so you chose the diamond rather than the stone?"
"You'd call your daughter a stone?"
"No, I wouldn't. but that's what it sounds like what you're trying to say."
But Reuben stutters when Edy continues, "what happened, Reuben? Why can't you be honest? We're the ones who first started that mall. Is our friendship over because of your greed?"
"to be honest, I'm having financial problems. It's something I'm not comfortable talking about, but it's not easy raising two children on your own. I'm sure you know better than I do, right?"
Edy sighs, "yes, I do, but what I don't understand is why Belen?"
"Because marriage isn't based on love anymore, it's not like it was back then. Marriage is about financial security."
Edy nods, "I agree. The world has changed, and so have the people. Folks like us barely survive, and we need our children the next generation to carry on that weight for us."
"Yes! That's why I want Everest to marry Belen so that they can share in that marriage and who knows they might grow to like each other."
"that is true, but what if your son has an affair? If this ends in a divorce, won't it be a complete waste in the first place?"
Reuben enthusiastically replies, "Then why don't we have them marry for some years, and by the end of the number of years, we give them permission to divorce?"
"hmm…that does not sound bad; it's possible."
Reuben asks, "I'm sure they'll get along and grow to love each other, what do you think? I mean, they're already working together. So why not?"
Edilberto's eyes widen, "what?! They're working together?!"
"yes! Didn't you know? It was all over the internet! It's about to be a month since he started working there."
"you mean working as in working?! But why would your son stoop so low as to work for my daughter?"
Reuben wonders aloud, "who knows, could it be maybe their growing closer already?"
Edy is so shocked he gulps down his water, "I haven't heard anything about it from her. I guess it is a good thing but well have to discuss the problem about ownership and rights towards A Star and the part-taking of alimony and…"
"calm down, buddy! We can plan at another time slowly. For now, why don't we leave the children to their discovery."
***
Noah's driving with Belen on the passenger seat, but through ever red light he gets, he stops to glance over at her quiet blank expression worrying him.
"she's not mad at Everest, but what is bothering her so much to turn her this quiet? When I came upstairs, I was shocked to see everything in one piece. But then why is she like this?"
Belen falls asleep on the car ride when she begins to dream of the voices that continue to haunt her. "You can have her. I don't want her anymore!"
"Useless, I can't believe he brags about you? What's so special?"
"Ha! She's beautiful, but that's not talent, its only talent if she were to have learned on her own, now that'll be a genius!"
"shut up! This is an adult conversation. What do you know?"
"Belen leave the room. You don't know what we're talking about."
"you're just a child, what could you possibly know?"
"you think just because people like you, it means you can act this way?"
"I'm disappointed in you, Belen. I had great expectations for you!"
"You're not up to our standards!"
"You're never going to get anywhere being so naïve!"
And more of these voices continue to haunt her. Ever since she was young and exposed to her father's friends, business partners, these small comments continue to affect her life. A deep voice belittles her, "You're such a child, no one is going to listen to you. This is an adult's world. You didn't work to get where you are. It's because of your father that you even became the chairwoman of a huge mall. Your achievements were only possible because of your father. You aren't anything but an empty shell!!!"
Belen aggressively fights back, "Leave me alone! I am Belen Astares! Everything is mine! Whatever I want, I can have it! I don't need to listen to you! I'm an adult already! So just shut up! Leave me alone!!"
Though suddenly Belen twitches at the sound of someone calling her name when she opens her eyes to see Noah, "Belen, wake up. We're in front of your house."
Belen nods, pressing the remote controller to open the gates to her house as Noah drove inside.
After a while, Noah asks, "Belen. I'll cook while you take a shower."
She quietly nods, walking up the stairs into her bedroom. But Noah worriedly sighs, "she's probably scared of what that man said to her…" he clicks his tongue, remembering his bitter words. But sighs in relief, "she came out of that place with her head held high…I don't think I would've had enough courage as she did. He…that, stupid man embarrassed her. This is bad, it can ruin her reputation, the only way to save it, is…" he hesitates, "her father."
Meanwhile, Belen is taking a shower when tears begin to roll down her cheek, "In the end, I still can't do anything without my dad beside me? Is that all I am? An accessory? I hate this! My head…hurts. I'm tired of this life. All of this, I wish it can just disappear. These problems, these people, I just want to be alone."
As she closed her eyes, she sees a faint image of her brother smiling, "it's okay, don't look so down. There is always a next time."
She replies, crying, "but I failed."
"so what? At least now you know what to expect, right? And you'll do better next time. I know how hard you worked for it. Keep going, don't give up!"
Her dark eyes suddenly change filled with determination, making her reveal a soft genuine smile. "That's right. I have another chance, thank you."
***
Minutes later, Belen makes her way downstairs, drying her hair with a towel but notices that he's how focused he is cooking when she whips Noah by surprise with the towel.
"augh!" he turns around surprised to see Belen's mischievous grin, but shakes his left hand in pain when she runs to check, "Sorry! Did you burn yourself?"
He quickly turns on the faucet running his hand underneath the cold water. she feels sorry for him when she goes on to lean on his back, with a soft tone, "sorry…I didn't mean to surprise you like that, does it hurt?"
Noah can't help but smile, feeling relieved that she's back to her usual self, and there is nothing for him to worry about. "It's not that bad, can you turn off the stove please."
"Oh…you made my favorite. Man, now I feel even worse!"
He laughs, "if you feel that bad, then feed me!"
"but your right-handed?"
"so? Its payback for slapping my butt with your towel!"
They both break into smiles, hysterically laughing.
***
"sho you fink I shoul hir Everthhh bak?" she talks with a mouth full of food.
Noah playfully wipes her mouth, "yes!"
"why? I thought you wanted him gone."
He hesitates, "I agree that what he did back there was unacceptable, but well my workload decreased. I hate to admit it, but having him around gave me a lot of free time."
She grunts, "ugh…I don't know. Are you serious right now? Or are you using some type of reverse psychology?"
He sneers, "come on. I'm serious! It'd give me a lot of time to focus on the plaza project," he winks, trying to convince her with his good looks.
"fine! But you have to call him back, not me."
"But you're the Madam President! You should be the one to call him."
"Okay…I'll text him!" she grabs her phone, sending a text, "there!"
Noah asks, "how long do you think learning to waltz will take?"
"I don't know why?"
"Well, the ball is July 31st …I think I'm going to try calling a list of instructors and see which ones can accommodate to your schedule."
"wait! Won't we have to bring Everest along?"
"No…?"
"We can't leave him at A Star alone."
Noah clicks his tongue, "you're right."
***
It's midnight, and Noah just left Belen's house.
She turns on the TV in her room and plays classical music, but as she laid down on her bed, feeling relaxed suddenly, an advertisement comes up, disrupting her flow.
But after hearing the ad, there is something that stood out, as she whispers to herself in a mellow tone, "Oreo…"
She hugs her knees, laying her head on top while glancing at the empty corner of her bed, imaging a tuxedo black and white cat stares at her meowing. Her faint smile slowly disappears, "I miss you, my fat, cute, Oreo."
Again, she imagines him get off the bed when she stretches her arm out as it to stop him when she stares at her hand. "Oreo…is, he's no longer here anymore, just like you" her hope disappears while staring off into the darkness of the night.