Chapter 4

XANDER's POV

"Ms Santiago, ask Mr. Smith if the plan for the Grande's Ecological Garden project is ready or not? If it is, bring it up to me as soon as possible. And if it's not, ask him to get it done by this afternoon." I informed through the intercom that connected me to my PA, Miss Dorothia Santiago.

"Yes, Sir. Right away," she answered.

Not even five minutes later, I heard my office door open.

Without looking, I said, "just leave them on my table and you may leave."

"Tsk. Tsk. If I knew that's how you would greet your best pal, I wouldn't have flown from Singapore just to see you." I heard a voice that was definitely not Dorothia's. But it was rather a more masculine, familiar and annoying voice.

I looked up and standing there was Simone Parker- one of my best buddies. I just looked at him with a straight face- with no emotions at all.

" We both know that's not true. You're here for your birthday party, idiot." I said.

"Now, won't you greet your brother from another mother, whom you haven't seen for 4 months, 2 weeks and 4 days?" he asked with a smile and open arms.

I just stared at him nonchalantly for a while before breaking into a smile. I stood up from behind my desk and made my way towards him and did the usual bro handshake and then gave him a hug.

"I'm starting to doubt your gender, buddy. You seriously counted the days we've been apart?" I asked in mock-worry. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway, I have come all the way to ask for the presence of Alexander Damon Grande the Great to my 21st birthday ball on Friday, a week from now. Do you accept or reject my invitation?" he said in a fake British accent. " Oh, who am I kidding? You're coming and that's it," he added in a demanding tone.

"I know. I mean, who's gonna keep you from getting drunk off your ass and then grinding on the weird-looking statue that's perched on your front yard," I retorted back with a smirk on my face.

He loudly groaned. "It was that one time," he whined. "And this is a formal party. It's very formal yet casual and I'd like to get through the day without puking out my guts," he added.

"So, how's it been without me? It must've been lonely," he said perching himself on my desk.

"Ok, first of all, get your filthy ass off my desk - who knows where it's been grinding," he grunted in disapproval. " And secondly, who needs you when I got the Pimentel brothers?" I smugly said.

"Ouch, that's just cruel. You haven't seen me for months and this is how you treat me? I demand justice," he exasperated dramatically.

"Oh, don't be such a bloody drama queen. Now, could you please do me a favor and make use of yourself by disappearing." I said and made my way back to my desk.

As if on cue, someone curtly knocked on the door and made their way in. It was Miss Dorothia with the plan I had asked for.

I turned to face Simone and said, "Now, get out. There are a few hours left and I'll be meeting you guys later," I said dismissing him with my hand.

"Okie dokie. Oh, and the Jokers and I decided to meet up at your place." And with that, he sprinted out the door.

I grumbled some profanities. They know how much I hate having the KARD at my place. I mean, they're my buddies and all but they are filthy pigs. I am a clean freak but these jerks always manage to make a mess at my place. They always wreck the place like a pack of wild animals.

Now, I'll introduce the KARD. It's a name that my buddies and I have had since high school. The KARD includes yours truly, Simone, Marco and Maxwell. Marco and Maxwell are brothers and they're the Jokers. Marc (MARCO) is the RED Joker and Max (MAXWELL) is the BLACK Joker. I'll introduce them in due time.

Now, let me introduce Simone Parker AKA the JACK of SPADES. I gave him the JACK of SPADES, because there are certain moments when I wanna spade his ass all the way to MARS. Simone was always the crazy one out of the four of us. He was always joking and trying to lighten up the mood. He is half Filipino and Spanish. He has copper hair and hazel eyes. He has a muscular body - not too buff like body-builders - and eight pack abs. The four of us all have eight pack abs. Not to brag or anything.

Simone is the owner of his own publishing company, THE JACK Central Publishing. Yes, I know. He used his own nickname for his company. Simone always had a thing for books, ever since middle school. You would always find his head in a book. He was not a nerd but more of a nerdy bad boy.

Now, a little about me. I am a 22-year old businessman. I own an architectural company, The KINGS. My nickname is the KING of HEARTS. I know, Simone and I named our companies after our nicknames. But the Jokers didn't. You'll know why when I introduce them. My nickname is KING of HEARTS because I'm the Heartthrob of the group. I don't mean to brag but I'm the kind of guy that every girl wants and what every boy wants to be. I used to be a womanizer but I stopped my player ways when the family business was handed over to me. Both the businesses.

The only thing to know about the Jokers, for now, is that Max is dating my baby sister, Demi, and Marc is engaged to Simone's step sister, Britney.

Another reason I don't like them at my house. They are too lovey-dovey which makes me sick to my stomach.

Now, let me get back to this bloody paperwork. Pain in the f**king ass.