7. Water

A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means it has not yet been proofread or edited.

***

Kalonice's breath hitched the moment she spotted him. Midas stood by his sleek black car, hands casually in his pockets, watching her with an unreadable expression.

Her pulse roared in her ears, drowning out the city's noise. The world around her blurred, edges smearing like wet paint. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the straps of her bag, her knuckles turning white. She needed to move—run—get away from his gaze that felt like it was peeling back every layer of her carefully built armor.

But her legs refused to listen. Her mind split into frantic, spiraling thoughts.

'Is he here to ruin me again? To take something else from me?'

She have nothing else to lose because he already took it all.

And between her manic panic attacks, her teeth gritted as her eyes stab Midas with her glares. He was moved, he was taken aback. It was so fierce that it gave him goosebumps. It was a glare of pure hate. And lust.

Bloodlust.

Then he saw that if only, if only, something sharp is right next to her, she wouldn't think twice to grab it and jump on him.

"Hija,"

Larry Zeno Yzaguirre blocked her sight of his son because he knew, too, that if it kept going, it will only boil her blood hotter until she loses it. There was madness in her eyes, he saw. Something dangerous is awaiting its freedom.

He touched Kalonice's shoulder, and when she's not hostile anymore, he got closer and soothe her.

"Erase it all," he said to the President as he bring Kalonice away from the public.

~

"Feeling better, Hija?" Larry smiled as he watch Kalonice empty her third glass of water.

The President gave her a box of tissues. Kalonice meekly pulled some sheets and wiped her mouth. Then she nodded.

"I am sorry about what my son had done to you," was the first thing Larry said to her in a very apologetic tone. Kalonice did not reply.

"Just to let you know, I've lifted what he swore out of a fit of irritation. Your name is not blacklisted anymore, Hija. I will compensate you for the damages he's done."

"Can I go h-home?"

Kalonice sniffed. She's still shaking.

"I-I will come back tomorrow, Sir. I'm s-sorry but... I don't think I can---"

"Shh, Shh. I understand, I understand. We will send you home. You will be excused. Even the days you were absent, you were excused. My son is greatly at fault. You did nothing wrong."

Kalonice's head went low. Her shoulders shuddered for the tears she's trying to hold back, and they feel so sorry for her.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Montecristo," was all Larry could get to say.

Kalonice nodded and took her bag. Larry presented to give her a ride and even when she refused him, he still insisted.

"Get out of her sight," he mouthed his son with wide eyes when they're leaving.

Midas hissed while rolling his eyes. He was left behind. They used his car to send Kalonice home.

"See what you've done? Probably those other people went through the same thing. I love you, my son, but there's a limit to things I can tolerate."

Midas heard him but he didn't had a reaction.

All of them went back to the company after settling the issues with the President. Sure, they've handled the media and press, but they know rats and moles are everywhere. Covering it up would be futile. Articles will still be published.

[Damn you, Zen! You really didn't hold back and went!? You're so greedy!] Cain Alterio cursed while he's in the middle of business.

He's making love with his wife.

"Ugh, darn it, Cain! We know what you're doing, we can hear it!"

[Dear wife, Larry said you sound annoying.]

They Octavius Lisieux laughing at the background.

His wife took the phone from him, [You know what's annoying, Yzaguirre!? Gwynedd ignoring you! Watch your mouth over there or I'm gonna sew it!]

[Tell him, Mommy!]

Larry winced and pushed the phone away a bit.

"Whatever, sex maniacs! I've got Kalonice Montecristo now, so back off! Don't even try sneaking on me. The girl is mine."

[Wow, you sound like a predator. This call is recorded. I'm calling the cops.] Octavius Lisieux joked and pretended to dial the authorities.

[I didn't know that you're into younger girls, Larry. We're telling Gwynedd.]

"WHAT!? You imbeciles---Hello!? Damn!"

His friends hang up on him!

He immediately called his wife before they could twist the story to her.

[What?]

"Why sound angry already, Mommy~? I missed you~ How are you? How's my Army? Are they awake?"

[I'm fine. They're asleep. Where's Larzen?]

Larry looked to where his son was sulking a while ago. He's playing games in his phone with his earphones on.

"Playing mobile games. Can we turn the video on? I want to see you, baby."

Midas's face crumpled when he heard his father's tiny, babytalk.

[No, I'm getting dressed---]

"I WANT TO WATCH!"

Yep, without hesitation.

[You're a pervert. I want to see Larzen. How's it going with the girl? Have you found her?]

Larry pouted and turned his camera on to focus it on their son.

"Yes. We didn't get the chance to talk to her since she wished to be sent home. Poor girl was so traumatized and had panic attacks."

His wife was silent for a moment. Then, he heard his Army babies crying at the background. Something unknown pierced through his heart when he heard them. His Army! He miss them so much!

[I'll call you later. I will talk to Larzen later.]

"Oh, boy. Oh, boy, you're dead." He giggled mischievously. He received a message from his wife, a photo of their quintuplet sleeping peacefully with their President. They're all drinking milk.

"Aww, my Army. I miss you so much, it hurts." Then he cried and Midas rolled his eyes on his drama.

.

.

.

Like what Kalonice promised, she really showed up the next day.

"Good morning, Mr. Yzaguirre. I am Kalonice Montecristo. How may I help you?" she introduced after presenting herself before him.

She's composed and cool. Even when Midas is around.

Larry smiled, his discomfort was alleviated. Though he's still worried about her well-being and overall state, seeing how she presented herself tells him that there's no need for further exaggeration.

"Before we go to the main point, please take a seat and negotiate about how we will compensate you for the damage my son has done,"

Midas clicked his tongue.

"He would love to apologize, too. Right, Larzen?" Larry forced a smile at Midas and kicked him under the table.

Kalonice sat down at the other end of the table. The founder is across her, his son on his right and the President on his left.

"May I ask first why you were requesting for me? I met the other founders' representatives before. They wish to speak with me, too."

Larry's expression twitched.

He's really lucky he's in the Philippines right now.

"We've seen your folder, Ms. Montecristo. I will be forward with you: I want you in my company."

Kalonice had no reaction.

The President looked so proud. She knew it.

"How great will your loss be if I refused you and go to the other, Sir?"

They were surprised and taken aback. Best believe they didn't see that coming.

"W-Well, Ms. Montecristo, I won't lie to you. My loss will be great. Think of it as if I'm going bankrupt. You're a talent and you have the passion and drive. You possess the quality we were looking for. I want the concepts, ideas, and designs running inside your head. There's something about you that makes you standout. To survive in the industry, passion alone won't be enough. It will bully you, belittle you, cast you aside---it will squeeze the life out of you. It will test and challenge you over and over again until you're barely hanging on a thin thread. Just like what fate does to our life. The weak won't survive. But you're not weak, are you?"

Larry smiled at her, inviting, and measured each other's intention through a staring game.

Kalonice breathes in deeply.

"But Sir," she said, "If I am that valuable, in exchange of my 'Yes' to your offer, would you be willing to make your son kneel before me and apologize if I ask you to?"

Their eyes widened.

Kalonice's gaze became colder and more stern, "I've been through a lot. Indeed, I am not weak. But did you know what it took me to be this strong? Your son humiliated me and it affected even my family. I admit, I made a mistake. But it was an accident. I am sorry if I seem rude, but if only you have met me sooner, then I might have been a lot tamer. I'm writing a new chapter in my life where I swore to be a lot stronger and more determined than before, swore to trust and believe in myself the way people around me do, to step outside my comfort zone, and go all out. I used to think that the industry is a merely a battlefield. But thanks to your son, I realized that it's a warfare."

Larry Zeno Yzaguirre slowly retreated and lean against the backrest of his seat. Kalonice Montecristo is no lioness. A growing dragon is right in front of him. He rubbed his palm on his face while shooting glances at his son who's gaping his mouth at her, stupefied and speechless.

He would love to take a picture of his priceless reaction but he can't ruin the moment.

"Sure. I don't mind. He needs to get humbled sometimes."

"DAD!? Are you for real!?"

"Am I for fake? If it means getting her to our side and not with them, why not? I want to see you get schooled and humbled sometimes. Pfft."

Midas stomped his foot in disbelief, and when he turned to Kalonice, he glared at her. And when she smugly grinned, his blood boiled and bet his face reddened in fury.

"Did you just see that!? She smirked at me! She's must be a con artist!"

"You're embarrassing yourself, son. Go on, kneel and ask for her forgiveness."

"NO WAY!?"

Kalonice tried to hold it in, but couldn't anymore, so she burst out laughing.

They were stunned.

They see it.

They SAW it.

The uncanny resemblance of her and Octavius Lisieux.

For a moment, Larry Zeno Yzaguirre feel like the world slowed down from spinning. The longer he stared at her, the more he sees Octavius Lisieux on her. How weird that his heart skipped a beat. He had a feeling. Something quite ominous and...regretful.

How strange. He could only see Octavius Lisieux on her and not the bits of who might have been her mother.

He blinked when a camera flashed on his face.

"I'm sending this to Mom. I'll tell her that you're a predator who's fallen in love with a girl decades younger than you!"

"EXCUSE ME!?"

He fought with his son to get the phone, but Midas hid it.

"FYI, I'm only 45 years old! I made you when I was 21! I'm not that old! And don't you dare send that to your mother or I will forward that footage to her!"

And with that, they behaved after remembering their purpose.

Kalonice Montecristo chuckled and smiled.

There it goes again! Octavius Lisieux's smile!

"I think of another way to forgive your son, Sir."

"Really!?"

Kalonice nodded. She stand up and walked to the water dispenser. Then, she faced Midas.

"Don't you fucking dare," he warned her with a glare when he saw what she's about to do.

"I dare." She poured the cold water on his head, "This time, Sir Midas, I mean it. This is not an accident."

"What the hell!?"

Larry Zeno Yzaguirre slammed his hands on the table as he laugh his ass out.

Midas stomped his foot first before he angrily pushed himself up to tower over her.

He's mad MAD!

But Kalonice was unfazed and grinning mischievously at him.

"Now we're even. Pfft."

His father clapped, breathless from laughing so much.

"Stop it, Dad! SHUT UP! ARGH!"

The President covered her face to laugh, too.

Is it weird? Maybe. His father allowed it. He allowed it to happen as well. He had enough time to stay away but he waited and stayed on the same place because he thought she won't be that shameless to actually do it.

But she did!

How infuriating!

"T-That's a first! Pfft! Bwahahaha! Kalonice Montecristo, welcome to the family!"

And that stopped Kalonice from laughing and gave him an innocent look.

"What do you mean, Sir? I'm not agreeing to your unclear proposal yet."

Now, it's Midas who's laughing at his father's face as water drip from his head.