The Romantic Secrecy (ITL Series #3)

Prologue

PROLOGUE
UNA XYLA DE CASTRO
“THANK YOU, Mr. Park for inviting me. It is such an honor to be here.” I smiled at Mr. Choi Park, one of our business partners and investors. It’s his birthday today and I received an invitation that he wants me to be a part of this grand party.

“Of course, Ms. de Castro. I love the painting you sent me yesterday, by the way.” The old man said in a thick Korean accent but I somehow comprehend it. His English isn’t that bad since he’d been a successful businessman for years, and I knew him for a quite some time since his first son was my classmate in college at Harvard.

I admit that his son is a genius, but I’m more than that. I finished college when I was 15 and his first child, Yohan was 20. No doubt our business is on top. Ganito sa business world, plastikan. Kailangan alam mo ang galaw ng bawat isa, dahil kapag tatanga-tanga ka, huwag pagbi-business ang pagtuonan mo ng pansin. This is only one of so many lessons my father had advised me.

But after college, I again entered in high school because I think my father’s training were very hard. I entered high school for fun and to escape from his training. I met my loyal friends and I also met our greatest enemy. A pest.

“So how’s Yohan? It’s been years since I last saw him. Did he take over the company?” I drank the remaining champagne on my glass while starting a conversation. “Aish. You know Yohan. He’s hard-headed all the time, he pursued medicine and wants to be a doctor. Tsk. But still, if he’s happy with it… so be it. I’m still proud of him. And Bentley said that he wants to take over so I’m training him already.” Tukoy nito sa bunsong anak at tumango.

I chuckled and felt a strong pain hitting at the back of my heart. I somehow got jealous of Yohan. He pursued his wanted career and his parents still supported him. Mas mataas man ang posisyon ko at ng kumpanya namin compared sa mga Park’s, nagagawa naman nila ang mga gusto nila.

“Good for him. This party is nice… I’m looking forward on my sister’s birthday, I might surprise her.” I have an older sister and my father disowned her because she pursued her passion in fashion than taking over our business.

“It’s great seeing Antonio de Castro’s only heiress in my party!” he laughed and I just smiled at him. I don’t want to be called my father’s heiress… I just don’t want to have a title, because of this stupid heiress thing, I lost my sister. If I ever turned this inheritance down, I might lose a father, too. Tila napansin niya namang tahimik ako kaya nagsalita ulit siya, “So what’s your recent project?” he twirled his glass.

“Oh, we’re currently opening a branch here in South Korea. I’m still searching for stores, but I prefer small businesses.” I smiled. Our ‘real’ conversation started. We were talking about Bentley’s first business when the atmosphere inside the wide stadium got so heavy.

I rolled my eyes when he entered. Evander Arionn Mekhailov on a Kiton K50 black suit and Bottega Veneta ridged sole, lace-up shoes took the attention of all. He ranked second of biggest malls in Asia, of course we ranked first. I will never let this Mekhailov pester our business. When our eyes met, he flashed a sweet smile that almost made me vomit.

Ngumiwi ako at ngumiti ng pilit bago inikot muli ang mga mata. Just his presence makes me sick as hell. I don’t even know why women fantasize this motherf*cker. He’s a jerk, an idiot, he’s low, and I bet his whiner is as small as his brain.

I secretly made my way out and decided that it’s enough for the night. Just seeing that ugly pest’s face makes me want to die. Well, he should keep trying and trying… because I’ll never let him be on top. Never.