The Man Of Her Dreams (COMPLETE)

Still Chapter 20

John just came from the conference room where he met with his accountants and he was so pleased to see the current status of his finances. His wealth even doubled from last year. He currently had five giant companies under his turf, which were currently expanding to greater heights. But despite of the success that he was reaping right now, he couldn't help, but worry. He was already in his sixties, and age was taking a slow bite on him.

Hindi niya alam kung hanggang saan na lamang ang kanyang buhay. Certainly, no one knew. As far as he hated it, but he could die tomorrow. Knock on wood, but shit happens inevitably as death. And what would become of his massive empire if ever?

Hindi napigilang mapailing ni John sa naisip. Isinandal niya ang ulo sa headrest ng kanyang swivel chair. For years now, this was the thought that worried him especially after he was diagnosed with a colon cancer. Though his money greatly helped him extend his life, he really had no idea of his last time on Earth. His doctors were doing their best to treat his illness and he was really grateful, but they wouldn't assure him that he would be cancer free one of these days. Even if he would be cured, there's still a probability that the cancer would come back.

He wasn't really afraid of death. Sa kanyang edad ay napakarami na niyang nagawa sa buhay. His achievements were piling one after another. Pero hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala na walang magpapatuloy sa legacy na dugo at buhay ang itinaya niya upang maipundar.

Thirty years ago, he was just a humble shoe vendor. His father had an old shoe shop in Binondo. Namana pa iyon ng ama mula sa mga magulang nito. His grandfather was a Chinese National who fled from the communist China. Napadpad ang kanyang lolo sa Pilipinas kung saan ito nakapag-asawa ng isang Pinay. He settled in Binondo, put up a shoe shop and became a shoemaker.

The shoe shop was inherited by his father who continued the small scale family business. The humble business fed his entire family and paid his way to college. Nang makapagtapos siya ng pag-aaral ay tumulong siya sa kanyang ama na pagyamanin ang kanilang sapatosan. Nag-iisa lang kasi siyang anak, gaya ng kanyang ama.

Hindi sila nagugutom noon pero hindi rin sila mayaman. They had just enough for a living. Kuntento na siya sa buhay nila pero nagbago ang lahat nang makilala niya si Amelia.

Napahugot siya ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga sa puntong iyon. Mahigit tatlumpong taon na ang nakalipas. Nagkaroon na rin siya ng kanyang sariling pamilya at naging pinakamayamang tao sa Pilipinas, pero paminsan-minsan ay naaalala pa rin niya si Amelia.

Well, he couldn't help it. Sabi nga nila, first love never dies. At isa siya na makakapagpatunay niyon. Though he had learned to love his late wife, Amelia remained in one corner of his heart, and stayed there forever.

Matagal nang nangyari ang lahat. Matagal na niyang natanggap na hindi sila ang itinadhana ni Amelia. Lalo na nang magpakasal ito sa ibang lalaki, sa lalaking kauri nito - mayaman at nabibilang sa alta sosyedad. Pero mahirap kalimutan nang tuluyan ang mga namagitan sa kanilang dalawa. Their bittersweet memories remained in his heart and survived the test of time.

Malaki actually ang ipinagpasalamat niya sa mapait na ala-alang hatid ng kanyang unang pag-ibig. Dahil doon ay nagpursige siya sa buhay. Nangarap siya na magkaroon nang limpak-limpak na pera nang sa ganoon ay wala ng taong manghahamak sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya.

Ang maliit na tindahan nila ng sapatos ay unti-unting lumaki. Hanggang sa nakapag-supply sila ng mga sapatos sa malalaking malls. Hanggang sa nagkaroon sila ng sariling mall. And since then, he never looked back. He continued to amass wealth one after another. He became a legendary business tycoon with businesses that ranges from almost everything.