"No, sir," replied Jay Torres, Christian's head secretary and second in command after Paul Hernandez shook his head. He then continued with his reporting.
"Anyway, sir. I wanted to make sure because Director Lopez wanted to discuss the progress of the Monterraz sales. I heard they sold more slots of land, so the construction of the villas should start immediately. Now sixty percent of the estate has been sold."
"Hmm. Indeed, it is an excellent piece of news." Christian leans back in the chair with a smug smile on his face. "However, they still didn't surpass the number of slots our boss has sold."
"Of course, sir! The lady boss was amazing! Who can exceed her influence? The lady's connections are worldwide. Her business partners couldn't have the heart to reject her proposals when the recommendations were just right."
Jay shut his mouth when his boss gave him a side-eye.
"Now the lady is in the country. I want you to ensure that neither Lopez nor Dela Cruz can get near her."
"Note, sir."
"Anything else?"
"That's all for now, sir."
~
Meanwhile, a traffic jam was close to the C Bridge, and the red Ferrari had been stuck for half an hour.
Eunice was impatient, sitting in the backseat. She looked around and studied her surroundings. After observation, she curled her red lips and inquired.
"How many cars are following us?"
"Milady?" Her question baffled Paul. He was unsure whether she was asking about the cars stuck behind them or other things. "I can't guess how many vehicles there are today, milady."
Eunice looked at Paul through the rearview mirror with such amusement.
"Miss, did I say something funny?"
"Yes, you did. I'm only asking about the bodyguards that are following us."
"Oh, that! Erm, hehe…" Paul laughs nervously and apologizes. "I'm sorry, milady. Your ethereal beauty keeps me from paying attention."
Eunice frowned. "Is that so? Then I'll instruct your boss to get me a replacement because the one he assigns me is an incompetent man."
"Er, my lady, please don't do that! Mr. Meier will cut my bonus! You know I'm saving up for my wedding. I beg for your forgiveness. I won't joke with you ever again!"
Paul begged, almost crying. Eunice shook her head and sighed, acting like she was magnanimous.
"Fine." Eunice rolled her eyes to hide the amusement flitting in her eyes.
She just wanted to tease Paul. Also, she knew he was getting married because he proposed to one of her close friends here in Claire City, and she would become the maid of honor. She's here not for Leah's wedding but for her best friend, Wanda.
Paul sighed with relief to hear that. He smiled and said, "Milady, there are three cars and four motorbikes following us, a total of ten bodyguards."
"How long did they serve Chris?"
"Er... I heard that four are veterans and six are junior bodyguards. But don't worry, milady. Even though they were hired recently, Mr. Meier picked them out himself. It means they were the best among the best applicants!"
Paul had yet to see those men in combat. But he must assure his lady boss and impress her with their efficiency.
"Get out."
"Milady?" Paul was stunned for a moment. He was confused once again. Why does his lady boss only speak limited words? He wished she would enlighten him. Then, he did not need to guess what she wanted to happen.
'I should have known that it was tough to joke on her. I shouldn't have volunteered in the hope that I could get a raise and triple my bonus!'
"I'll drive." After saying that, Eunice got out of the car.
Paul hurried to crawl toward the passenger seat. They were in the middle of traffic and had limited time to do this stunt.
"Paul, call Monterraz and instruct them to open all the roads."
"Eh? What are you planning, milady?"
Eunice had already positioned herself in front of the steering wheel. Paul fastened his seatbelt, made a sign of the cross on his chest, and then started praying.
Anxious, he worriedly listened as the car engine roared. As he had already guessed, the lady was planning something to endanger their lives.
"Milady, I begged you not to do whatever you were planning to do now. Three years that you were in a coma is enough to scare us all! If you were in an accident again..."
"Shut up, Paul! If you were to be this noisy, then get out."
"No! I would rather die with you than die with Mr. Meier's hands if I left the car!"
Eunice felt goosebumps when Paul said that. "Stop spouting nonsense! Why would I wish to die with you?"
"Milady, don't look down on me! I am a reliable man, which is why Wanda fell hard on me!"
Eunice snorted at his statement. She ignored him when there was only a matter of a few seconds left before the light changed to green.
The moment it did, the red Ferrari made a hard turn. Eunice glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed the convoy immediately picked up their speed, which matched hers.
It takes only a short time, and they reach the foothills, the main entrance gate of the Monterraz Estate, an inspired Rice Terraces landscape.
When the red Ferrari passed the first gate, its speed skyrocketed. However, two motorcycles and one car stayed caught up and are now following it closely. The other two vehicles and two motorcycles kept up a speed behind them as if they were only giving way.
After nearly half an hour, they arrived at the mountain's crest, the site of Claire City's most recent luxurious real estate development by Shen International and Shen Design Studio.
Paul rushed to the sidewalk to release his lunch after Eunice left the steering wheel calmly. She leaned on the car, waiting for everyone to arrive.
Soon, the bodyguards tailing her reached them and dashed out of the car, where two of them released everything inside their stomachs as well.
"Is this your newly hired bodyguard to watch me?" Eunice swept her gaze toward the young bodyguards in awful shape. "Tsk."
Eunice would have been disappointed if it hadn't been for a female rider, who she noticed arrived first and stood at the side as if waiting for a command.
She sized her up and was satisfied. She asked, "What is your name?"
"Kyline Monteroz, Miss Muller."
"Eunice… I want you to address me by that."
"But milady..."
"You will be my personal bodyguard in disguise as my secretary." After stating that, Eunice turned to the group of men and announced, "She'll be the only one I need."
"But, Miss Muller… We were hired to protect you!"
Eunice turns deaf and ignores her new bodyguards.
"Let's go to the Shangri-La Hotel, Kyle. Well, can I call you that?"
"Of course, milady."
"Alright. Kyle, it is... Now, I need to freshen up first before I have my dinner."
"Note Ma'am. Should I reserve a table then, or do you prefer to dine inside your hotel suite?"
Eunice paused for a moment, then nodded. "I'll dine at a steakhouse. Reserve a table near the window."
She wanted to watch the city lights while planning out her next move.
"I've made you a reservation at an Italian restaurant, my—I mean, Eunice," Kyle informed her as she tapped her phone.
Eunice curled her red lips. She had just met Kyle for less than five minutes, but she had already done an excellent job meeting her expectations. She could tell she was a perfect fit to follow her around.
"Bring my luggage to the hotel," Eunice instructed Paul before she climbed and positioned behind Kyle on her motorbike.
And before Paul could reply, he had already eaten the dust Kyline left behind.
"Milady!"
Helpless, Paul anxiously pulled out his phone from his pants and dialed a particular contact.
"Mr. Meier, sir. I'm sorry, I beg you... Please, don't fire me!"