At Kalui resturant
Chad was escorted into the resturant by his guards. He walked to his friends who were at the VIP room.
"Yo our buddy is here" Emman stood up and walked to Chad with a consigna merlot wine bottle in his hand.
"Come sit down bro" he wrapped his hand around his neck and walked him to his seat.
"Why did you call me here?" he asked and crossed his legs.
"To celebrate" Emman poured him a drink.
"Celebrate?" he siped the drink and placed the cup on the table.
"James just bought a new Ferrari 458 italia car. Twenty-two million pesos. This guy is filthy rich"
Chad never kept poor friends. All his friends are extremely rich. He never liked poor people because he believed that they were created to serve them but when he met Rachel, his thoughts about the poor changed.
"Congratulations bro" he said with a smile on his face.
"Hey, was that really a smile on Chad's face?" Billy was surprised.
"Yeah. The Chad I used to know doesn't even smile at anyone apart from his parents"
"Smile for me again please" Emman said in a coax voice which made Chad laugh and two cute dimples appeared on his cheeks.
"Oh see that he laughed instead of smiling"
Rachel had always told him that "There is magic in your smile. Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile and sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy"Since then, he had always smiled.
Chad stood up and said, "I must appreciate your choice as your new car symbolizes your great rich taste. I wish you good luck with your new ride and new journey" They clinked their glasses, saying "Cheers"
"Call the girls" Emman signaled to the guards at the door. Emman loved girls. He changed girls like socks.
They came in one after the other and went to each of the boys.The last one wore a high waisted black short with a sheer blouse. Chad was the only one without a partner so she walked to him and sat beside him.
She wrapped one of her arms around him and the other was on his leg moving up and down.
"Hi, my name is Erica. I heard you are rich and your family owns the sugar cane plantation and the biggest shoe company in the Philippines" she smiled.
He glared at her, "Get your hands off me now" as expected he will definitely be angry. She was a little scared but pretended to be brave.
"Sexy beast don't you like the way am treating you? Do you want me to..."
"Get out!" he yelled and pushed her away. She fell on the floor with a terrific thud. Her head hit the glass table and blood raced up her neck. The other girls wanted to talk but they were afraid that they will get injuries as well.
"How dare you touch me" he yelled.
James walked up to him and patted his back, "Calm down bro"
He scanned the faces of the girls in the room and left.
"Tin, lift her up" Billy said and the girls helped her up.
"Erica, What did you do to him?" ria asked
"I didn't do anything"
"He is handsome but...he is a monster" Lena said quietly
James looked at the bloody faced girl and said, "We will pay for your hospital bill"
Chad never liked any other woman touching him. The only woman allowed is Rachel. Only Rachel.
At the sugar cane farm.
"Rachel, come and help me gather this sugar cane stick"
"Yes, mom" she dropped the cutlass with her and walked to her mom and began to gather the sugar cane.
"When you are done gathering them, Otep will help you put them in the truck"
"Okay mom"
Just then, a jaguar XE drove into the farm. Chad came out of the car. He had a sullen look on his face.
"Rachel, Chad is here" Johanna whispered gently into Rachel's ears. She turned and saw Chad. This was the first time Chad will come to the farm without his parents.
"Chad what are you doing here? Don't tell me you want to work on the farm too" she said, smiling. He immediately walked up to her and hugged her. The hug was so tight that her body went numb.
"Chad, what happened?" she asked and her smile faded away. He buried his head in her neck.
"Chad tell me what's wrong?"
She tried to pull away from him but he hugged her tighter. She looked at her mother's face and her eyebrows knitted together. Finally, he pulled away from her. He grabbed her hand and swing her towards the car.
"Wait, I can't leave my mom alone here. I have to help her"
"It's okay Rachel. Go with him"
"But..."
"Johanna is here, she will help me"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, the workers will also help. You can go"
She finally followed Chad and the car drove off.
Johanna turned to Mrs beltran and asked, "Aunt, what do you thing is wrong with Chad?"
"I don't know, but I think something is wrong" she did with a worried voice.
"Aunt, let me gather the sugar cane stick instead"
"Okay"
At carpeDiem Torres.
"A quality shoe undergoes numerous stages of production before it is completed. Today, specialized department with the shoe factory handle the various stages of production. Generally speaking, the types of tasks, each of which is the responsibility of a single specialized department are as follows; designing. Under designing, we have sketches are drawn, shoes are designed. Shoe lasts are prepared, stamping, sewing, die assembling, and the shoe room where finishing touches are added and final quality control are conducted. Our company has produced the best shoes in the country and we will be happy if you can buy your shoes from carpeDiem Torres. Thank you" Miss Marie said and bow. They gave her a round of applause.
"That's good. I love it" Mrs Torres smiled. This was the first time she smiled in a meeting.
"Thanks ma'am"
"You will be able to meet them this night. Give it your best shot" she said and stood up, "I hope I get the best from you all"
"Yes ma'am" they all stood up and bow.
She took her black hand bag and left the conference hall.
"Yes she accepted. I actually thought that she will say 'no'. I am happy" Miss Marie said smiling.
"Good work girl" joy gave her a thumbs up.
"Congrats marie"
"Good job Marie"
"Keep it up babe"
They all complimented her. Everyone was surprised that Mrs Torres allowed Marie to meet the business client. It's either she tell them,"You are not qualified" or she will tell them not to go she will meet them herself.
At the hills.
Chad and Rachel were sitting on the grass. Chad placed his head on her laps. This was the first time Chad was silent without telling her anything. She was worried.
"Chad, did something happened to you?" he remained silent. "Did you get into any fight with your friends or your mother or anybody?" Rachel saw that he was not ready to talk. "You can tell me later if you are ready to talk. I will listen to you" she smiled and patted his head slowly. The familiar warmth flashed through him, easing the pain and anger he was feeling. She started humming I'll never go'. That was his favorite song. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. She bent over and kisses his eyelashes.