Chapter 37: My Love...My Jealousy...My Revenge..My Ambitions

"Okay...fine...come with us. Ryan this is Mike Luna."

"Hi...I'm Ryan Mallari...Mike." He extended his arm to Mike.

"Okay, guys let's go!" I said. "Ryan you're the driver, we're going to Jumeirah Beach House."

It was around eight in the evening when I checked the time on my wristwatch. The evening air kept my mind absorbing things easily. It soothed my face and the whole of my body. It gave freshness on the outside, but deep in my heart, it's burning profusely.

I entered the house, open the lights, and checked the house silently. I went to Danielle's room but she was not there. I checked thoroughly every angle of the room and I noticed a pocket-sized picture of Roger Ferrer at the base of the bed's leg. I kept it in my wallet and went outside.

"Okay, Ryan...Mike.... let's proceed to Le Rendezvous Disco."

It was almost ten in the evening when we arrived at the disco where we were seated in the upper portion of the place with a video recorder in my hand. It's almost full of people, mostly Filipinos. I searched my view around the disco house before I ordered our liquor drinks. I called a waiter for a bottle of Tequila and beef appetizers.

Ryan and Mike went around observing the people and the place. They came back to our table after five minutes of roaming around.

"Take your shots, Ryan...Mike....any news?" I said.

"Marco, my girlfriend's here with another Filipino guy," Mike said.

"So, what's your decision?"

"Just leave them for now...I know this guy."

"Did you see Danielle or Roger?"

"Not yet Marco...." Ryan said.

"Ryan are you sure about your information?"

'Yes, Marco I'm sure."

"We'll wait for them," I said.

After half an hour, I saw them entering at the entrance where they were seated at the corner of the place near the counter.

"Do you see them at the corner, Mike...Ryan?"

"Yes, Marco." They answered in unison.

"What we are going to do Marco?" Ryan asked.

"We'll wait for them to come out and we'll follow them. We have to capture them both."

Around two in the morning, they left and drove slowly heading to Jumeirah Beach House. We did not make any move but followed them at the house.

"You two must watch carefully; Ryan you're at the front door and Mike you're with me inside the room, okay?"

"Yes, Marco."

They entered the house and we followed them inside. They kissed each other in the front of Danielle's room and entered. After a minute, we slowly opened the door without making any sound. They continued kissing each other in the bed, and I instantly put on the light. I instructed Mike to tie Roger Ferrer to the wall in a standing position. I came nearer to Danielle in the corner of the bed.

"Very good and amazing huh...Danielle?" I said teasing her.

I tied Danielle's hands to the bed headboard which she shouted with fury in her eyes.

"You're a crazy bastard! You devil Marco! You're nothing but trash!"

The evil within me started to rise and I knew I was feeding it when I needed it. This time, was the proper time for me to release these evils that wanted to explore within me. My mind centered only on the jealousy that I felt with this man that befriended me; and snatched my everlasting possession without knowing who the hell I was in the life of this devil woman.

I stood up and looked for Roger and I felt my bloody soul was soaring high to eat him alive. But I want them to feel the way I wanted them to be, that for a long time, they will not forget it. I walked towards Roger Ferrer; opened his belt, unzipped his pants, and slid downward together with his underwear which his private parts lightly covered with hairs were wholly viewable to the three of us.

"Danielle...look at him...look at his hot dog with balls...this is what you want from him!!" I shouted to her pointing to Roger's private parts.

"You are a crazy devil!!" Danielle answered back.

"Danielle looks very carefully...you like it or not!" Shouting at her with bloody demons inside of me.

I came nearer to where Roger was standing and punched him all over his body. "Marco....please...I'm sorry...I didn't know about your relationship with Danielle...I thought she's single...that's the truth Marco....please..." Roger begging for me. I continued what I was doing, "Not bad huh Roger..."

Mike Luna started to record the video, as I ordered Danielle Gustilo, "I want you to love me...to be with me always...not for anybody else....you broke my heart loving this man!"

"But you have a family Marco...I don't have a man to marry me...it's only Roger who offered it to me!" Answered Danielle crying hysterically.

"No, you are mine alone!"

"I'm recording this moment for our children to know what their mother's doing here in Dubai!"

"Mike, take Roger to the bed together with Danielle," I ordered. "Danielle, since you made a mistake in loving this man...and you want to leave me...this is the prize I'll give to both of you! Mike, undress Roger fully naked and Danielle too!"

Mike took off their clothing while their hands were tied up. Mike snatched the video and rolled it. I sat beside Danielle and whispered into her ear.

"What can you say, do you like it? It's better this way than having Roger alone." She only looked at me, either happy or satisfied. She knew what I meant. "Yes...you're the mother of my children; .... that was before, but now, I don't respect you anymore because you're not respecting me when you keep your relationship while I'm away......and you have no right for the children because you're trash!... If you want to talk to me, call me personally. And, by the way.... as I whispered into Roger's ear, "don't ever report this to authority or anybody else...what happened tonight is nothing for you because that's what you're doing in Manila....a male prostitute! And I don't want to know that you are seeing each other in the future. Understood?" I punched Roger's face again.

"Mike, put on Roger's clothes and we'll take him outside...get the documents in the car and come back here," I ordered Mike.

Mike did what I told him to do, take Roger inside the car and bring the documents to me. I untied Danielle's hands, kissed her lips, and embraced her tightly.

"Now...sign these papers...," she signed the papers. "You know where you can find me," I whispered into her ear.

Ryan was waiting for us in the parking place as a lookout while we went outside the house. We left the place going to Salahuddin Road, brought Roger inside my flat, and talk to him.

"So, how's the show, Roger? Maybe you're surprised why it's like this? Are you aware that she's my wife here in Dubai?"

"No Marco, I didn't know about it, even Ryan can attest to that..."

"I want you to keep a distance from her starting this moment....yallah go!" I shouted. "Mike accompanies him near his flat in Al Fahidi...dropped him there."

As I sat alone in my bed, I thought that I could do evil things beyond my imagination. Unlike in the past, I was ravaged by other people's whims and caprices. I had my way of spinning my world as I wanted to in the future.

As my first step, I called up my son, Marco Fernando Junior in Bacolod City and gave instructions about our relationship as father and son. Together with it, his sister Shaira Rose. I promised him that I will visit them in the coming days.

XXX

I was planning to leave at once and go to the Philippines for possible reconstruction on my part as a precaution for the future. I knew Danielle, she could make the world go round, if she wanted to, in the future. I had to be sure with my steps in securing all the things that belong to me now; even my legal family.

I relayed my messages to the entire business outlets about Danielle's resignation and ownership of the company. Edward called me up about his arrival at Dubai International Airport. I'm tired but I had to move.

"Edward waits for me I'm coming, okay?"

"Yes my friend, I'm excited to see you!"

"Me too!"

We picked him up, brought him to my flat, and exchanged news with each other. Mike served us food and drinks.

"Where're your assignments, my friend?"

"In my suitcase, I'll give it to you now?"

"Yes."

Edward handed me the folder which I put on my table. "I'll read this tonight. And where're my mangoes?"

"Of course in my baggage..... and some other food too."

"Let's go to Ronnie's flat Edward..."

"What happened to your hand, Marco?"

"An accident....forget it...let's go!"

Mike drove the car while we were seated at the back of the car and went to Ronnie's flat. Edward showed a little uneasiness in his action.

"What's the matter with you?" I asked.

"Just....very excited to see my son."

"Hold your emotions, my friend."

We went upstairs to the second floor where the company's accommodation was situated, knocked on Ronnie's door and a guy opened the door. We asked about Ronnie Ramirez, and he pointed to the other double-deck bed. We saw him still sleeping when Edward touched his son's hair, and woke him up slowly. Father and son hugged each other in front of us.

"How are you, my son?" Edward said.

"Papa I'm fine...just living the way I am..."

"I'm here for you and at the same time for our business partnership."

"Okay, Papa....we have to meet for tomorrow."

"Yes in Marco's flat at Salahuddin Street.."

"I brought you some Filipino food, you're favorite."

"Thanks, Papa, we'll see tomorrow."

"Okay son, bye for now," Edward said to his son and kissed him.

"Edward we'll visit some places here in Dubai." I said.

"Let's go!"

We roamed around Dubai which Edward enjoyed a lot while we were eating "shawarma," "paratha bread" and "chicken tikka with yogurt salad." The three of us really enjoyed the day that we once shared. The friendship that blossomed for years cannot be ruined by anybody else known only for a day. We rested the whole night for the following day's job.

Mike Luna and some of the store staff prepared the meeting place, food, and beverages. It was a pleasant day for us to start the day with energy and vigor. Edward, Mike, and I were seated in front of the long table, having our coffee waiting for the guests, and preparing our agenda for the meeting.

Vivian Montoya was the first to arrive and we greeted her instantly and thanked her. She's the same woman I knew for sure while looking at her. Edward too was looking at her with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Edward, this is Vivian Montoya, my friend," I introduced her to Edward.

"Glad to meet you, Vivian," Edward said while holding her hand.

"Marco, I heard that you are busy with your business...can you hire me?"

"Oh...yes, that's a part of our meeting today. Edward kindly talks to Vivian...I have something to prepare in advance, okay?"

"Yes Marco, I love it!"

Ten minutes had passed, and Ronnie Ramirez, Ruel Mondragon, Joel Arevalo, and Arnold Castillano came in batch. Then, Ryan Mallari and Susan Magtoto arrived together. Mike received them with open arms as I instructed.

I was sitting at a table browsing my folders, but I was observing them all for anything special about their attitudes. My staff selection was very stringent; just business knowledge, determination, behavior, and performance.

Everybody was seated in their respective seats, and I started the meeting.

"Good morning everyone...first of all, I would like to introduce Mr. Edward Ramirez of Bacolod City as my new partner for this business. Some of you knew him; he's the father of Ronnie Ramirez... You know, all of you are my friends, one way or the other contributed to my stay here in the Emirates, especially Dubai... At present we have four manpower agencies and four fast-food stores. With my knowledge, I've got some information that International Restaurants are planning to invade the Emirates and Saudi Arabia through building up their stores in every street of Dubai..... So, we are planning to open up more stores but with different food concepts; and that, we need employees like you to manage these stores..... I selected all of you for the higher positions with substantial salaries and benefits, and I am giving a percentage as commission if you reach your target sales. Are you with me for this development? Please raise your right hand if you want the offer....so that I can decide for the management positioning."

Everyone raised their right hands which gave much delight to plans and development.

"Okay, great!... Congratulate yourself and the whole group...please..." Their handshakes to each other give me the strength to go on with my goals, "I know that some of you are working right now, and some of you have problems with employers. One by one...please, starting from the front...Mike, you're the first." I said.

"My name is Mike Luna, my employer already approved my resignation and I'm waiting for my tickets and benefits. I think next week, I'll be in the Philippines. Thank you!" Mike reported.

"I am Vivian Montoya, a TNT but I want to work with this new company and I need your help with my situation. Thank you." Vivian said.

"Well, as you all know, I'm the son of Mr. Edward Ramirez and willing to be with this endeavor; I've presently employed thank you," Ronnie presented himself.

"I'm Joel Arevalo...also willing to work here...presently employed too." Susan, Ruel, Arnold, and Ryan introduced their employment status to the group.

"Now, each of you will receive my recommendation on how to transfer or resign from your employer. Be sure to do it as early as possible within this month, for me to apply for your visas. There are workers coming from the Philippines too. If you have any questions about this matter, report to me at once."

Edward presented his assignment to the group and suggestions were absorbed to study further. I also presented the planned concepts to the group for comments.

"My ideas for the concepts are pasta, pizza, grilled chicken, fried chicken, coffee shop, sandwiches, salads, and beverages. We can devise mixed-concept food stores within these categories into one, but with separate counters. What do you think - any suggestion?" I said.

"Yes, we can do that Sir Marco, since we have our raw materials available here in Emirates. I suggest that we can have a commissary and warehouse for this stuff for easy operations, distribution, and selling." Ronnie suggested.

"Very good Ronnie.... good suggestion.... .any suggestion?" Nobody answered. "Okay, for each of you, I assigned a position best suited to all of you. Ronnie Ramirez will be our Operations Manager; Vivian Montoya will be our Area Manager, and Susan you're in Accounting Department, three of you here in UAE Territory. And, for Saudi Arabia; Operations Manager, Ryan Mallari, and Area Manager, Joel Arevalo. Arnold, you'll be with them in KSA in Accounting Department. The new company needs your brains, skills, knowledge, and determination to succeed with your job. I'm giving you a monthly salary that fits with your work. By the way, Mike Luna will be my assistant...If I'm not around you can relay your concern to him. And, Edward will be my partner for this company. Any question?"

I gave my handshake to them all and hugged Edward, "Friend, I'm dreaming or not?" I whispered to Edward.

"Best friend, you're the best!" Edward answered.

"Okay, let's eat!"

The attendants served us food and beverages. Edward also offered food coming from the Philippines. We're enjoying our food when I received a call from Danielle.

"You idiot.... why you did this to me!" She shouted on the phone.

"Excuse me people...I'll answer this call..." I said to them while leaving the table. I went inside my room and answered her.

XXX