She's the Real Challenge

1: The Challenge

"I have a task for the three of you." Mario Hermoso III, the chairman of AIO Group, grinned at the bewilderment in his grandchildren's deep-set, dark brown eyes which all three of them inherited from him. Sa edad na sisenta, hindi pa rin nawawala ang natural niyang pagkapilyo.

"Ano na naman 'to, Lolo?" tanong ni Sage, ang pinakabata niyang apo.

"It's time for one of your games again, isn't it? Ang hirap pong hanapin no'ng Alexandrite gem. 'Di pa po ba ubos 'yong mga nasa wishlist mo, 'Lo?" sabi ni Jasmine, ang second youngest at prima ballerina ng isang kilalang dance company. She kept her back straight at all times while making it look very natural. She started to twirl her hair which was in a high ponytail. Isang beses pa lang ito nananalo sa mga pa-Bring Me ng chairman.

"Mahirap but worth it, right?" When Jasmine found the rare gem for her grandfather, he sponsored the renovation of her dance studio. "Besides, Mr. Cuddles loved it," the chairman said, smiling.

"Mr. Cuddles?" Napanganga na lang si Jasmine nang marinig kung saan napunta ang mamahaling alahas.

"Yes, see?" Kinuha ni Mario ang isang picture frame mula sa lamesa at ipinakita ang litrato ni Mr. Cuddles. The Alexandrite gem was on the white Persian cat's collar.

"'Yong High Mountain Ooling Tea rin po ba, pinainom n'yo kay Mr. Cuddles?" sabi naman ng pinakamatanda sa tatlong apo at goalkeeper ng national football team na si Valerian habang nakangisi. He crossed his arms, showing off his well-formed triceps.

"I tried, ayaw niya." His grandfather chuckled. "But I hope you enjoyed the trip with your team." Bilang premyo sa effort ni Valerian na hanapin sa isang bundok sa Thailand ang bihirang tsaa, nilibre ng chairman ang buong football team ni Valerian ng isang luxury vacation sa Maldives.

"So you're not helping me out this time?" The chairman sighed. By the looks on his grandchildren's faces, his attempt to guilt trip them was working. "It's just that you three had been really good at finding the things I need."

"I think you meant just me, Lolo. Talong-talo ko naman ang dalawang 'to eh." Sage smirked. Sure, he was boasting but he did have a point. Si Sage ang reigning world champion sa Bring Me games ng Lolo ng mga ito. Sa limang bagay na pinahanap ng chairman, tatlo ang naibigay ni Sage. For those, he was rewarded with an all-expenses-paid party, a sports car, and some really expensive alcohol that he asked for. "I'm game for anything, Lolo. Pero kung takot nang matalo sina Val at Jas, maybe just assign this to me?" He smiled mockingly at his two cousins.

"Hey, I'm not giving up before we even start," Valerian said. "Besides, 'di ka pa ba mauubusan ng girlfriend o ex na tutulong sa 'yo?"

"'Wag na tayong umasang mauubusan ng nilalandi si Sage, Val," Jasmine said. "Akala mo ba, ikaw lang ang nasa national team dito? Team captain kaya 'yan ng National Flirting Team." She turned towards their grandfather. "I'm also in, Lolo."

"Wait, team captain lang? Sa mga galawan pa lang niyan, I wouldn't be surprised kung siya ang coach," Valerian said.

Laughter resounded from the chairman and his two grandkids but Sage pouted at them. "Hindi pa nag-uumpisa, pinagtutulungan n'yo na ako? Is my attractiveness that threatening?" They were probably not threatened but Sage was surely good-looking by a lot of ladies' standards. 5'10", matangos ang ilong, well-defined ang jawline, mahahaba ang mga pilikmata, may dimples sa magkabilang pisngi, pang-endorser ng toothpaste ang smile at pang-endorser ng tuna ang abs. These physical attributes, together with his charm and wit, made him quite popular.

"We'll see kung madaan mo ito sa usual tactics mo, Sage," their grandfather said, shifting to a more serious tone. Nag-chairman mode na siya. "Anyway, do any of you know people who manage malls? AIO Group is looking for partners in that industry."