At the Goldenburg estates, the residence of the Fontierra clan, the sun had barely begun to rise. Kanna awoke to the soft hum of her alarm and stretched out of bed. After a refreshing bath, she stood in front of her dresser, smiling at her reflection in the mirror. She carefully combed her hair, taking a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the early morning.
Minutes later, the sound of a small bell echoed through the hallway. Minda, the Fontierra clan's loyal and long-serving housekeeper, entered Kanna's room with a warm smile.
"Kanna, breakfast is ready!" Minda announced cheerfully, her voice filled with the warmth of years of service.
"Alright, I'm coming down," Kanna replied, quickly adjusting her uniform attire. She descended the staircase with a spring in her step, eager to start the day.
As she reached the dining room, Kanna took her seat at the table. She glanced at the news on the television while enjoying her breakfast. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" Kanna inquired, looking up at Minda, who was setting the table.
"They left early this morning," Minda replied, placing an invitation on the table. "They'll be picking you up after school."
Kanna's older brother, Ulrich, glanced at the invitation and raised an eyebrow. "What's this about?"
Minda, with a knowing smile, explained, "You're going to a party at a social hotel tonight. It's quite the event."
Kanna's curiosity piqued, but she remained focused on finishing her meal. After breakfast, Kanna, Ulrich, and their younger sister, Erica, were sent off to school, the family's routine continuing as smoothly as ever.
-----
Back at the Marino household, the morning was anything but peaceful. The persistent ringing of the house bell had roused Riko's ire. She stormed into each of her children's rooms, shaking them awake with a mix of frustration and urgency.
"Wake up! We've got a busy day ahead!" Riko's voice echoed through the house, a mix of exasperation and determination.
Each of the Marino siblings quickly scrambled out of bed and headed for the bathroom. At the dining table, they gathered, their father, Karl, sat reading the newspaper with intense focus. The clatter of breakfast dishes filled the room as the children took their seats.
Karl, sipping his tea, chuckled softly. "You know, I might as well eat the paper if I want to stay up-to-date with current events," he quipped, glancing up with a grin.
"Stop picking on my plants," Riko interjected, her eyes narrowing as she set lunch boxes in front of her children. "They're not here for your amusement."
Karl raised an eyebrow, his smile widening as he looked at his wife. "Well, if you think I'm going to that party with you, you already have your answer."
Riko's frustration was palpable, and she clenched her hands in frustration. "I need someone to accompany me tonight," she said, her tone both pleading and firm.
The children, already halfway through their breakfast, exchanged glances. Kyoko spoke up first, her voice apologetic. "I'd love to go, but Uncle Arjan has asked me to help him with the company today."
"I can't make it either," Jiena chimed in, glancing at her younger sister Bianca. "I have a fellowship tonight, right Bianca?"
Karl's gaze shifted back to Riko, who was now visibly agitated. He leaned closer, his expression a mix of amusement and sympathy. "Looks like you're on your own for tonight."
"I'll go with you, Mom," Rafael volunteered, his voice steady and determined. He noticed his siblings raising their eyebrows in surprise but ignored them. "Stop staring at me like that. I'll be there."
Riko's expression softened into a grateful smile. She stood up and enveloped Rafael in a warm embrace, her frustration melting away. "You're truly my reliable son," she said, her voice full of appreciation.
Karl gave his wife a reassuring smile as Riko hurriedly gathered her things. "Come on, let's get the kids off to school," he urged, his voice calm and collected.
The Marino children quickly finished their breakfast, and Riko, now with a sense of relief, bustled them out the door. The morning's tension gave way to the day's routine, each family member navigating their responsibilities with a mix of determination and resignation.
---
Both Kanna and Rafael arrived and sat at their respective places inside the classroom. It took a moment before the class started, and during that span of time he noted that his classmates were busy talk about their respective families' businesses. Eugene arrived and sat beside his best friend.
"Why are they busy flaunting their family business?" asked Rafael.
"A Kuwaiti Sheikh will arrive and all the parents here in our school were invited," Eugene answered, showing an invitation card to Rafael, who just brushed the paper away from him and blankly stared at the window.
"Uninteresting," Rafael gasped for fresh air, taking out a pocketbook.
"The Sheikh invited everyone to a party and he will invest at one of the business if he is interested," Eugene responded, "My Mom will attend but will not take part or please the sheikh."
Rafael scratched his chin and stares at the invitation card again, "So that is the place where my Mom and I will head to."
Jimmy's assentation was heard among his classmates while Rafael was approached and was teased by the young man. "Your father wouldn't go that ball because he doesn't have any investment or corporation."
Rafael blinks his eyes and leans forward on Jimmy, "Is that even necessary?"
"Yes, because that Sheikh is a big shot," another classmate of his remarked.
"Why, your parents can't afford a ticket to that party, because your father is just a Mayor of the little city," another classmate mocked Rafael's father.
Rafael sneered, lying back on his chair and scratched his chin, "Look, even if my father is a mayor of little town or some kind of crazy billionaire, I wouldn't even bother accepting that invitation, my mother asked me to go with her."
"Just leave them," Eugene interrupted, "Everyone knows your father is hard to find."
After their class, Rafael and Eugene went into outside the school grounds, standing in front of the waiting shed, waiting for their drivers to fetch them.
"Look to your right," Eugene whispered to Rafael, followed the instruction. The young man's heart fluttered again when he saw Kanna chatting with her classmates.
"Hey, Kanna!" greeted Rafael to the lass as his forehead sweats profusely.
"Hello, Rafael," responded Kanna. Her face was flushing upon seeing Rafael, "I'll be going to my Dad's office, how about you?"
"Ah.I am going to my Mom's office, too," Rafael replied while trying to get a hold of himself.
"Wish you Good Luck!" Kanna joyfully cheered, giving Rafael confidence before entering her vehicle.
"Geez, I wish I had a girl that motvated me like that," Eugene had said as he smacked the shoulder of his best friend before he hopped in his vehicle, Rafael followed when the van bearing his siblings arrived.
---
Twenty minutes later, the van arrived at the Capital Cities Tower that is located at the center of the city. Jiena, Rafael and Kyoko rode the elevator and stopped at the seventeenth floor of the tower; the three then entered the spacious office of the combined Penthouse Seven Corporation and the Marino Trading Enterprises.
The office was cluttered with memorabilia and various other things, which the couple had gathered over time, be it on their travels or received as a gift. Riko was in the office, sealing some vital documents with a stamp, and Karl was on his video chat¸ seeing what was going on in the conference but at the same time keeping his job going with all his paper works which seemed to occupy one side of his desk. The three kids came in slowly and greeted their mom. What seemed like only a few seconds had passed when Hirofumi and his secretary Harris came in and within another split second, the jubilant atmosphere of the office became somber as Karl and Hirofumi locked eyes on each other again.
"You're here," Riko said trying to ignore her husband and father and asking her children to take a seat.
"Mom, I've heard that a Kuwaiti Sheikh lands today," Kyoko joked, "My classmates are busy bragging their business and that they will attend the ball tonight."
"That's why Rafael is here," Riko replied, pointed at a suit for Rafael to wear.
"Good luck, Rafael," Jiena cheered while coyly laughing at her twin.
"Stop teasing your brother," Riko interrupted, showing Rafael the same invitation card Eugene flaunted "They also sent me and your father an invitation, your dad isn't even interested in rubbing elbows with a Sheikh."
"That's a bummer," Rafael complained, trying to fit the suit that his mother bought for him.
"My goodness, that's what a CEO is supposed to do, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm not even into parties. Perhaps you should do, since we're married for almost a decade," Karl replied, removed the reading glasses from his eyes, and looking mischievously towards Riko.
"How dare you turn down Madam Marino's invitation," Harris protested.
"Shouldn't you be joining that ball because you are still the CEO of this poor, third rate trading store?" Hirofumi quizzes his son-in-law.
Karl rolled his eyeballs and gasps for a second, smirking at Hirofumi and Harris, "My presence is not required in that place, I hope I have answered the question."
He approached his son-in-law and found him answering a crossword puzzle; unable to control his disappointment, "When you thought that he is busy with government works, here he is, answering a damn crossword puzzle."
"Oto-sama, it's a good day to answer crossword puzzles, it's food for your brain." says Karl.
"How does a crossword puzzle food for the brain?" Harris queried.
"Yes, it's good for the brain, it makes it work," Karl replied "Harris, you can also sell your brain because unused brains have high value than Einstein's brain. Do you know how long can a useless brain lasts?"
"Oh, how long can a useless brain last?" Harris repeated the question. "How long?"
"That's easy, Oto-sama; How Old Are You?" Karl asks his father-in-law.
"Why you fat monkey!" Hirofumi raised his voice, almost attempting to hit Karl if not for Harris, "Let's go Harris, there is no sense in talking to someone like him."
"By the way, the two of you shouldn't be inside this office in the first place," Karl reminded his father-in-law.
"What are you talking about?" Hirofumi queried. Karl stood up and took out a signage near his door, showing it to his father-in-law.
"You didn't read the sign? 'No, pet's allowed'." Karl said, "That includes a Baboon bringing a frog."
"Why you imbecile!" Hirofumi yelled, "Let's go Harris, I think I will die if I still talk to that klutz."
"Rafael, let's go, let's leave that lazy fat dick," she frowned at her husband, taking her bag and slamming the door of her office, while Rafael silently followed her.
-----
At six o'clock, Riko and Rafael arrived at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel, which was just a few blocks away from their office. At this ball, all and sundry—socialites, politicians, and businessmen—were curtaining a favor from the sheikh. The place was fancy; food was first class, including wine of the best quality made out of grapes in Greece. Riko went in dressed in a black cocktail dress, and Rafael was dressed in beige attire. The two took on a table from the far corner, away from the crowd.
"I indeed thought we were here to mingle?" Rafael asked, taking a sip of a glass of grape juice.
"I came here to check on who that Shiekh is, not to exchange some fake pleasantries," Riko said taking a sip of a glass of wine when a lady, whom she was wearing a red cocktail dress, approached her.
"Riko!" exclaimed the lady in red.
"Sylvia!" reciprocated Riko, kissing the lady on her cheek. "It's nice that you are here."
"Me too," Sylvia replied, "Gustav and Eugene couldn't come here tonight because there was a problem in our hometown."
Riko frowned and shook her head out of frustration. She gulped another glass of wine. "My good husband. Yes, he is so good that his dick refused to come here because he got fed up meeting sheiks and emirs."
Rafael slipped away from his stepmother, growing increasingly bored as he moved further down the hallway. As he wandered, he noticed a familiar face sitting in the lobby. Without giving it much thought, he walked over to her.
"Oh, Rafael! You're here too!" Kanna greeted him with a bright smile, catching Rafael off guard just as he was about to say hello.
"Uh, yeah... nice to see you," Rafael stammered, feeling a bit flustered. A few beads of sweat formed on his forehead as Kanna took his hand and led him through the hallway and into the ballroom.
"The party hasn't started yet," Rafael said, trying to sound casual. "Maybe we should take a walk by the pool instead?"
"Sure," Kanna agreed with a smile, and together they headed to the hotel's poolside. They found a spot on one of the benches, sitting side by side while gazing at the bright moon above.
Kanna let out a soft sigh. "It's been a while since I've had a chance to just sit and look at the moon like this." Rafael couldn't help but stare at her, mesmerized.
"Wow, she's stunning. Her eyes, her lips, those cute cheeks... she's perfect," Rafael thought to himself, feeling captivated by the soft, rosy scent that surrounded her.
Kanna noticed his intense gaze and tilted her head slightly. "Is there something on my face?" she asked, curious.
"No," Rafael replied quickly, shaking his head. "I'm just... really happy to see you."
Kanna blushed at his words, a warm smile spreading across her face as she looked at him with newfound interest.
Rafael, gathering his courage, decided to ask something that had been on his mind. "I actually forgot to ask you this when we went out a few weeks ago, but... what kind of guy do you like?"
Kanna thought for a moment, then replied with a gentle smile. "Well, I like tall guys, but it's okay if he's average height. I appreciate a man who's responsible and caring. Humility is important too. I'm not too particular about looks, though. What about you?"
Rafael felt a little nervous but smiled back at her, his voice softening. "I like a girl with a bubbly personality and a positive outlook on life."
They both shared a knowing smile, a comfortable silence settling between them as they enjoyed each other's company.
"Pwede na ata nating balikan ang ballroom," Kanna suggested, still smiling.
"Yes, let's go back," Rafael agreed, feeling a warm sense of contentment as they got up and made their way back inside.
-----
They walked side by side until they reached the ballroom. Everyone had been ordered out of the place, and the entire area had police officers around. Out of much curiosity, they pushed through the doors of the banquet hall. Kanna went to where her mother was, and Rafael, who appeared more anxious, approached Riko, who was scratching her head in disbelief.
"What's happening?" the young man asked, anxious.
"They're arresting that fake Shiekh," Riko answered, still gulping out another glass of wine. The grand chief of the elite police went inside the hall where she was.
"Missus Marino?" the police grand chief inquired of her, and she nodded affirmatively, drinking a glass of whiskey.
"Please extend our heartfelt gratitude to your husband," the police grand chief said, making Riko's eyes widen before raising her eyebrows.
"What did he do this time?" Riko set down the glass of wine to point a dagger glance at the chief of police who took aback to her gesture.
Susan explained, "He tipped us off regarding this fake sheikh who wanted to solicit or kidnap key business people and put a ransom on their head.".
Riko was feeling so dizzy. Rafael took his step-mother on his back and they descended the grand stairs.
"This is what you get when drinking too much wine," Rafael mumblingly said, slowly approaching the exit and rushed in the car towards their house.
---
Kanna got home at the Goldenberg Estates, went to the kitchen, took a glass of water, and sat in front of the dining table—physically exhausted because of the commotion in the hotel. When their housekeeper, Minda, went to the kitchen, she offered her a piece of envelope.
"I heard what happened at the hotel," the housekeeper said.
"If it weren't for Missus Marino, Mom could've fallen for that diamond fraud," Kanna replied taking out the documents from the envelope, Ulrich went into the room and sat down with her. While his sister continues to read to read the documents, Ulrich took one page and read it, much to his surprise.
"You instructed a background check on the whole Marino clan?" Ulrich asked.
"Yes," Kanna replied, "I wonder what those two are up to."
Kanna's eyes grew big upon reading the third page of the report, "Karl Marino formerly served as chairman of the Republic Broadcasting Systems Corporation, one of the major television content producers in Asia with a Television Network established both in Tokyo and Seoul, In addition, he was vice-chairman emeritus of the Penthouse Corporation, an investment company whose portfolio involves mining, urban development and countryside planning for Africa and South America; and other investments in Europe and Pacific. He left the Penthouse Corporation with a healthy stash of wealth and influence before settling down in the Philippines and forming his small conglomerate in the south. Slowly, the Marino clan invested with various start up corporation which increased their wealth by three folds."
"Riko Minomoto Marino, the matriarch of the Marino clan was an A-list celebrity, her vast experience and skills in the entertainment world landed her to a lucrative position in the entertainment arm of the Penthouse Corporation." Ulrich read
"I heard that Mr. Marino fathered fifteen children," Minda added
Kanna replied, brushed off Minda's remarks, drinking a glass of water. "Well, I don't see any problems about it."
"Your eyes are locked on Rafael Marino," said Ulrich, glancing at his sister.
"I am just curious about them," Kanna replied, locking her eyes on the paper that she was reading.
Ulrich left the dining area as Kanna continued reading the fifteen page report about the Marino clan.
"You're smitten with Mr. Marino's eldest son," Minda said, slyly glancing at Kanna whose face blushed-the old maid of the Fontierras has been with them ever since, so long that she knows the behaviour of the kids and even her masters-"I know it when you are hiding something."
"W-well." Kanna stuttered, looking away at the old housekeeper.
"Kanna, do you like Rafael Marino?" Minda straightforwardly asked the young lady.
"He's a gentleman, he has good looks, he's kind and silent, who wouldn't fall for such a guy?" Kanna answered, still blushing because of the sudden question.
"My little princess is now a grown up" Minda added, playfully fondling Kanna's cheeks before leaving the young lady alone at the dining area.
---
At the Marino residence from midnight, Riko and Rafael went to the living room where Jiena sat on the couch, waiting for their arrival.
"Where is Dad?" asked Rafael, carrying her drunk-doused step-mother who went down while going to her room.
"Papa's already asleep," related Jiena, going over the folders of her father. Rafael saw one folder on the side, marked "Fontierra". He quickly grabbed the folder and read inside while sitting.
"Now, you do know already that their family is quite well-off," Jiena noted while looking at the document her brother was reading.
"It's not bad to check get some information on them, isn't it?" Rafael said, while Jiena took some pages of the report and read some excerpts.
"The Fontierras are each complete owners of the Goldenberg Realty and Resorts, that consists of properties in the east and western part of the Philippines, and vast cornfields in the north, their jewelry collections make them a sought-after friend in high society."
"The conglomerate was founded by Don Menardo Fontierra and his son Albert, who, using their relations and expertise, steered their fortune and businesses into one formidable group in the country, with their clients such as the prince of Brunei, the prime ministers of Laos and Cambodia."
"They are one secretive family," Jiena said, handing the documents to Rafael.
"Not as secretive as we do, sis," Rafael replied.
"Everything that we have is a product of secrecy," Jiena answered back, taking back the documents and placing it at the table, "Go to sleep, you have a class tomorrow."
Rafael nodded and waited for his sister to go into her room, before he settled down in his own room.