Chapter 112: A Scheduled Meeting

"Yes, and I want to talk to you personally. Are you available tomorrow afternoon or evening?"

"Sister, you know that I am very busy with my job, very important or just a bonding moment?"

"This is very important, regarding your brother Marco Fernando Junior and your grandfather. Well, as for me, it is very important because of your inheritance. Are you interested?"

Shaira Rose Fernando listen very carefully when she heard the word, inheritance. "Well, of course, I am interested to know my status for the inheritance."

"Okay then, what time and place we will meet? Well, I suggest Le Jardin, a French Restaurant in BGC Taguig? We had the place on our own when we had lunch there, a dreamy place at the penthouse of W5th. Modern yet classic, I must say the irony blended well. Romantic but not boring. Complimentary slices of bread and small appetizers were served and the timing of every food we ordered was well observed (appetizers - mains). Also, there's a wine cellar where they keep some of their fresh flowers which I find very refreshing. We can talk privately there. It's okay for you?"

"Yes, sister Anne, a walking distance from my office. See you there at six in the evening."

"Sure I will, bye sister Shaira."

"Sister Anne, by the way, where is my brother right now?"

"He's here in the Philippines, studying Law at UST."

"Ah, I see...okay, see you tomorrow."

XXX

Shaira Rose Fernando POV

It was eight in the morning I planned to visit the Country Hills in the morning until afternoon and meet my half-sister Anne Rose at Le Jardin Restaurant. I got into my car, heading to The Country Hills. I did not disclose to Pearl the reason why I was coming home late. Telling her would only fuel her curiosity as to why I would return to The Country Hills in Cavite. Of course, I would lie and feed her the same crap I fed myself - that adding The Country Hills works would benefit my portfolio.

The magnet of lean loveliness had no influence on my decision - none at all. I stopped at the intercom this time, but as I pressed to release my window, the gates began to open. I looked at the camera and saw Allan waiting. I drive through the gates, up the gravel road until I reach the courtyard. Allan was waiting for me on the stairs, stuffing the double doors, sunglasses on.

'Good morning, John.' I greeted as I took my folder and bag. Will he speak now? No, he nodded and turned, walking back to The Country Hills, leaving me to follow him to the bar. It was busier than the last time I was here. It's probably the time of day.

'Greg?' he whispered. A small man appeared from behind the bar.

'Yes?''

Give Miss Fernando a drink, please.' Allan returned his hidden eyes to me. 'I'll be back. Engelbert wants a quick word.

''With me?' I blurted, blushing slightly at my suddenness.

"No, with me,''

"Is he staying in his office?' I asked nervously.

I was asking too much about something so small, but he assured me that he would leave me and Allan here. Even the thought of the man reduces me to a nervous wreck. I never thought I'd think about it, but I'm definitely more comfortable with the big guy. For a start, I trust myself with him. Allan's lips twitched, clearly trying to fight back a smile. I groaned inside. He knows.'Good, girl.' He turned, giving Greg a funny look, which the little barman recognized with a flick of his cloth. What is that about?

Allan nodded firmly before walking out, leaving Greg and I at the bar. I looked around, noticing a woman laughing with a middle aged man at a nearby table. This is the girl I saw in the toilets when I was here on Friday. He was wearing black pants and looked very professional. He must stay a while - business, perhaps? The man with him rose from the table, politely extending his hand. She accepted him with a smile as she stood, letting him tuck her under his arm and lead her out of the bar as they talked and giggled.

I sat on the bar stool to wait for Allan, I took out my phone to check for messages and missed calls.

"Would you like some wine?' I looked up, and saw the little barman smiling at me. He spoke with an accent, and I decided he was Italian. He is very short and quite sweet, with his mustache and black hair.

'I could do with one, but I'm driving.''

"Ah!' he exclaimed. 'Just a little,' He held up a small glass of wine, drawing a line down the middle with his finger. Oh, break it! I'm not supposed to drink at work and I have a meeting with Sister Anne, but my nerves are shot in the guts. He was in this building somewhere and that was troubling enough.

I nodded with a smile. 'Thank you.'

He was holding a bottle of French wine Mouton-Cadet Bordeaux.

I nodded again. 'Your dress is so beautiful, urhh...how you say...striking?'

He poured a little more than half a glass. In fact, it is full. I looked down at my black, structured, figure hugging dress. Yes, I think remarkable is a word you can use. It's my if-all-else-fails dress. I always feel good here. I ignored the little voice in my head asking me if I wore it in hopes of seeing Engelbert. I quickly shut that idea down and laughed at Greg's careful choice of words, taking the glass as he passed it across the bar with a smile. I think he meant strict. It shows every curve I have. Considering I'm a size ten, not much, but if I live with Pearl longer, that might change.

'Thank you.' I smiled.

'Pleasure, Miss Fernando. I leave you in peace.'

He picked up his cloth and began to wipe the granite counter under the optics. I drink wine while waiting for Allan. It went down really well and before I knew it, I had drunk a lot. I can't wait to get home so I can dig out the bottle I keep chilled in the fridge.

"How are you?"

I spun around on my stool, facing the veiled woman across Engelbert on Friday. She smiled at me, but it was the most insincere smile I had ever received.

'Hi.' I said politely. I saw Greg rush over with a shocked face, waving his cloth in the air.

'Miss Sarah! No, please. No talk!"

"What?' Oh, shut up Greg! I'm not stupid.' she spat.

Poor Greg frowned before returning to wiping down the bar, keeping his eyes on Sarah. I wanted to jump to his defense, but as I considered doing so, she held out her hand.

"I'm Sarah, and you?' Oh yes, the last time she asked me that I didn't answer and left in a bit of a hurry. I accepted her hand, it shook slightly as she looked at me doubtfully. I could tell she didn't like me. Maybe she saw me as a threat.

'Shaira Rose Fernando.' I offered, quickly releasing my grip on her hand.

'And you're here because?'

I laughed softly. I'm sure she knows exactly why I'm here, which only serves to confirm that she feels threatened and is going out of her way to make me uncomfortable. File your nails, lady. I silently smile at the thought of telling her that it's because her boyfriend pleaded with me to be here.'I'm an Interior Designer. I'm here to measure the new rooms.'She raised an eyebrow, waving her hand in the air to get Greg's attention. This woman was strange, with an aloofness that matched the Mr. Monteros' bravado. Her color-blonde, layered hair was flicking here and there, her lips were as red as Friday, and she was wearing fitted, gray trousers. I feel bad when I put her at forty. She was probably in her mid-thirties - closer to Engelbert in age than I was. I quickly reign in my thoughts, slapping my own desperate ass.

'Sloe gin and tonic, Greg,' she asked. She is really rude.

'You're a bit young to be an interior designer, aren't you?'

Her tone was not friendly, and she didn't look at me when she spoke. I bristle. I really don't like this girl. What does Engelbert see in her, aside from her overly inflated, puffy lips and obvious breast implants? 'I am.' I agreed. She felt that she was also a threat to my youth, good. I lost my composure when Allan appeared at the door. He lowered his glasses, giving Sarah a strange look before nodding at me. What are all these things being thrown around? I don't mind it, though. Allan's nod was the signal that I had to run away from this girl. I put my empty glass on the bar harder than I intended.

Greg lifted his head, and I smiled apologetically, lowering myself from the stool.

"Nice meeting you, Sarah.' I said happily.

This is a lie. I don't like her, and I know the feeling is mutual. She doesn't look at me. She accepted the drink Greg handed her, thanklessly, and left to chat with a business-type man at the other end of the bar. When I reached Allan, he led me up the grand staircase to the gallery landing and up to the new extension.

"I'll be fine on my own, Allan. I don't want to keep you.'

I offer him the chance to leave me to it as he leads me down the corridor.'Good, girl.' he whispered, opening the door to the farthest room. We begin to measure and return to the rooms. Allan dutifully held a tape measure for me, nodding frequently when I gave directions. The phrase "A man of few words" was invented in Allan's mind, I'm sure. He talks with his nods, and even though his eyes are covered by his sunglasses, I can recognize when he looks at me. I make all the notes I need in my folder, and ideas run through my head. An hour later I had all the measurements I needed and we were done. I follow Allan's large body back to the gallery landing, as I search for my phone inside my bag. I soon realized that in my desperation to shoot Sarah, I had left it at the bar.

'I left my phone at the bar.' I whispered behind Allan.

'I'll make sure Greg picks it up. Engelbert wanted me to show you one of the other rooms before you go.' he informed me evenly.

'Why?''

"So you get an idea of ​​your brief.' He put a keycard in the slot, opened the door, and let me in. Okay. It won't hurt, and I'm interested. Wow! I went to the middle of the room. Well, a mini-suite would better describe it. The floor space is probably bigger than Pearl's flat. When I heard the door close behind me, I turned to see Allan had left me to get it by myself. I stood sipping the richly spent ornament. These rooms are more luxurious than the ones below if that's possible. A giant bed dominated the room, draped in rich satin linen in deep purples and golds. The wall behind the bed was papered in an embossed, intense swirl of dull gold, and heavy thick curtains joined the thick, bouncy carpet. The light is dim and soft.

One of Engelbert's main requirements was sensuality, and whoever designed this room achieved it in abundance. Why doesn't he just re-employ this designer? I wandered to the large, sash window and looked back. The grounds on which The Country Hills stands are vast, the views are immense and the lush green countryside rolls on for miles. It's really quite special. I walked over and ran my palm over a beautiful dark wood chest of drawers. I put my folder and bag on top before I got down on the chaise lounge by the window. I sat down and looked around. It is incredible and will undoubtedly rival many of the most famous hotels spread across the world's largest cities. A large wall hanging stole my attention. It's a little weird but well-made, must be an antique. The other half is attached to the wall and drifts to the ceiling where large beams span, it is the grid in appearance, but there is no material or light to decorate it. I tilted my head with a frown, but then flew into a standing position when I heard a noise coming from the bathroom.

Oh shit, Allan put me in an occupied room...or did he? I can't hear anything now. I restrain myself and remain silent, trying to listen for movement, but there is none. I relaxed a bit, but then I heard the bathroom door handle and my head lifted. Oh, what the hell. I was about to run to escape before some poor sod came out of their bathroom, possibly naked, and found a strange woman, standing like a complete plum, in the middle of their luxurious suite.

I threw the chest of drawers to grab my bag and turned towards the exit. I sigh, and my bag fell to the floor. I'm frozen on the spot and staring at Engelbert Montero. He was standing in the bathroom doorway, wearing nothing but a pair of loose-fitting jeans.

XXX