CONSEQUENCE OF TEMPTATION

Chapter One

"CONGRATULATIONS to your new hotel, son," dad greeted me and raised his glass of champagne for a toast. "I'm proud of what you have achieved, Zephyr."

"Thank you dad, kayo ni mommy ang naging inspirasyon ko para matupad ang mga pangarap ko ngayon. It took years before I finally got to where I am now and if it wasn't for you who taught me about business, wala ako ngayon dito. And of course to my beautiful and wonderful mom who never failed supporting me in everything, thank you." I said and my parents smiled proudly at me.

"I'm happy for you, anak." Mom said and hugged me. Humalik naman ako sa ulo ni mommy dahil mas matangkad na ko sa kanya ngayon. Ah, how time flies so fast. I can still remember my mom telling me bed time stories before I sleep. Pero ngayon ay iba-iba nang babae ang nagpapatulog sa'kin sa gabi. I smiled mentally when I thought of something naughty.

"Thanks, mom. My achievement is for the both of you." I said.

"Kuya, 'pag graduate ko magtatayo din ako ng business na tatalo sa'yo," singit ng eighteen year old kong bunsong kapatid na si Jupiter. "Ngayon pa lang talo ka na sa ka-guwapuhan ko eh, pa'no pa kaya 'pag laki ko? Edi lugmok na 'yang mukha mo sa sahig?" pangaasar pa niya.

Tinawanan ko naman siya tsaka ginulo ang buhok niya. "Yeah? You always tell that yet I get more girls than you," ganti ko na kinasimangot niya. "Siguraduhin mo na matatalo mo ang Montenegro Corporation 'pag laki mo ah? Kung matatalo mo."

"Mommy, si kuya oh." Sumbong nito na kinatawa naming tatlo.

We're currently having a mini celebration in my penthouse after the grand launching of my first ever hotel. It was my dream ever since I was a kid to have a hotel named after me and now that I already achieved that, I'm looking forward to other possible things that I can do.

Bata pa lang ako ay tinuturuan na ko ng ama ko kung paano patakbuhin ang negosyo. He was the former chief executive officer and owner of the Montenegro Corporation and Montenegro Real Estate and after twenty five years of leading that empire, I took place and continued his legacy. Ngayon ay business consultant na ang fifty years old kong ama sa Montenegro Corporation at tinuturuan din nito si Jupiter sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo. Dad wants to rebuild the Montenegro Engines Corporation that was bankrupted thirty years ago and make my brother restart that business.

In my two years of being the CEO of a big company, I can say that it's very hard. Ang hirap lalo na kapag sabay-sabay ang mga meetings, business conference at madaming files ang dapat kong i-review at pirmahan. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo dahil bata pa lang ako ay alam ko na kung ano ang patutunguhan ko kapag dating ko sa edad na handa na kong palitan si daddy. May part din naman na masaya lalo na't madami akong mga tao na nakikilala. Business connections are more powerful than just close friends, they say.

A doorbell ring stopped us from our chitchats. I was about to get it when mom stopped me. "I'll get it. Magusap lang kayo dyan ng daddy mo."

"Okay, thanks." Sagot ko. Muli kong binalik ang attention ko kay dad at taimtim na nakinig sa mga advices niya. Nabaling ang tingin ko kay mommy nang bumalik ito dala-dala ang isang malaking basket. "What is that, mom?"

"I don't know. It only says it's for you." Saad niya. Nagtataka man ay kinuha ko pa din ang basket at nilapag sa center table tsaka naupo sa couch. Agad tumabi sa'kin si Jupiter para maki-usyoso.

"I bet it's an inflatable sex doll," aniya habang excited na nakatitig sa malaking basket na may cover at gawa sa abaca. "Open it, kuya!"

"Stop pushing me," I said and stopped him from pushing my arm. "I hope it's something valuable than your sex doll idea." Dagdag ko at mahinang natawa bago ko dahan-dahang binuksan ang takip ng basket para suspense.