Dominic Fortejo (FortejoBastards Book 3)

Prologue

DOMINIC was beyond ecstatic when he found out that he got fourmore siblings on his late biological father's side. Iyon ngalang, lahat sila'y pulos iba-iba ang nanay. He was supposed to attendlateHenry Fortejo's wake with his mother Juliet Mendoza, but herhusband, Dominic's step-father Ezekiel, refused. Dominic justdidn't want to admit it, but he was quite anxious to go there alone, so he went with his best friend instead. Mabuti na lang at madalinghilahin sa kung saan-saan ang kaibigan niya.

"I'm glad to finally meet all of you," said the old womanwhodonned immaculate white traditional dress. On her wrinkledneck, gold and pearl necklaces piled atop one another. Her ears andwrists looked heavy with those, too.

Ito ang nagpakilalang ina ng kanilang yumaong ama. Anglolanilang magkakapatid. Ito mismo ang naglipon sa kanilanangmalaman nito ang nakapaloob sa last will and testament ni HenryFortejo.

Dominic couldn't help but observe his grandmother. Despiteher age, her back was straight to the nines. Everything about DoñaGertrude Fortejo screamed elegance and poise. He wonderediftheir father was the same when he was still alive.

Nasa isang pahabang lamesa sila kasama ang ibangmgakapatid sa ama na kapwa ngayon lang din nalamang magkakadugopala sila. None of them knew each other, so they couldn't helpthesilence engulfing them as it was inevitable. Alangan namangunangkita pa lang nila, mag-apir at mag-fist bump kaagad sila?

Habang nagsasalita ang kanilang Lola Gertrude, pinasadahandin ni Dominic ng nanunuring tingin ang mga kapatid. Sittingonthe furthest left was Verano, next to him was Zion, on Dominic's

left was Fourth, and on the furthest right was Brent. Iyonaykungtama ang pagkakaalala niya sa pangalan ng mga ito.

"A part of me is upset dahil ngayon ko lamang nalamannamayroon pala siyang limang bastardo," patuloy ng kanilang abuela. There's a hint of tightness in her voice. Bahagya rin itong nagpunasng gilid ng mata gamit ang panyong hawak-hawak nito. "If I hadknown earlier, I would've kept you all here. However, thereisnouse in crying over spilled milk." Nagtaas-baba ang dibdibnito, 'tapos ay sandaling tinapunan ng tingin si Attorney Beltran. Nangtumango ang huli'y muli sila nitong binalingan. "Kung hindi n'yopakilala ang ama ninyo, he's a renowned hotel and resort mogul. Maliban sa pag-aari ng ibang mga Fortejo, marami ring ari-ariansi Henry . . . and he wanted to share them with his scions."

Doon na pumasok si Attorney Beltran. "Bawat isa sa inyoaymagkakaroon ng either hotel or resort. Hindi n'yo na ngalangmapipili dahil si Sir Henry na mismo ang nag-designate ngmgapara sa inyo."

To be honest, Dominic didn't care about their late father'sinheritance. He already came from a well-off family. Prominentengpamilya rin ang mga Mendoza. They owned huge malls andchainsof Mediterranean restaurants all across the globe. Malibansakilalanin ang ama, one of the reasons why he also agreed toshowup was he wanted to meet his new family.

Dominic crossed his arms and listened to their late father'slawyer, but something caught his attention—someone rather. Isangbabaeng malagkit na nakatitig sa kaniya. She was even bitingherlips seductively. And as much as he wanted to focus onwhatAttorney Beltran was saying, his eyes were glued to the charminglady. Her black skintight dress revealed her obviously perky breasts, tiny waist, and delectable creamy thighs. Palihimsiyang napalunok. Umalis ang babae sa kinatatayuan nito at lumabas habang hindi parin binabali ang pakikipagtitigan kay Dominic. Napakuyakoysiyang paa habang humahanap ng tiyempo para saglit na magpaalam.

Ten minutes tops, he told himself.

Tila umaayon naman sa binata ang tadhana dahil saglit napinatigil ni Doña Gertrude ang kanilang meeting dahil maymgadumating na bisita at hinahanap ito.

"Guys, I hate to also interrupt this meeting, but I havetogoto the bathroom," pagpapaalam ni Dominic. Ngumiwi pa siyaatnapahawak sa kaniyang tiyan para magmukhang makatotohananang kaniyang acting. "Nature is calling."