Chapter 38: A Ploy For Danielle Gustilo

"Because you don't respect me...you gave your love to that crazy alien...for only three months....now you're asking me why?"

"I can't believe you can do it in front of him!"

"And why not....you are mine alone Danielle...if you don't want my love for you....then it's better that way...Roger will remember always. Oh...by the way, that Roger cannot love you anymore...you know why his body is for rent to any woman.....Talk to me in a civil way and I'll give you an appointment...."

Silence at the other end of the line, "You want to talk to me...come to my flat tomorrow at 9 in the morning...I'm waiting for you." I closed my mobile phone and returned to the table.

"How are you doing people?"

"We're enjoying Marco" Mike answered.

"Mike I want to talk to you..." I said.

I instructed Mike to purchase a video recorder and tape recorder to be positioned in the furniture, paintings, and indoor plants for my actual meeting with Danielle. I assigned Mike to assist me in positioning Danielle when she arrived inside the flat.

"Yes, Marc I'll do it after this event."

I observed that Edward and Vivian were talking to each other intimately when I approached them.

"You two are very sweet...and why?" I teased them.

"Marc, I'm still single you know..."

"Vivian, where are you staying right now? Same place in Al Riqqa?"

"Yes, Marco."

"Can we visit you, I mean with Edward?"

"Of course my friend!"

I talked separately with Ryan Mallari about his new participation in my new business endeavor. He also promised me to work hard for his new appointment as Operations Manager in Saudi Arabia.

Edward, Mike, and I slept together in my room and we enjoyed chatting with each other the whole night planning for the new organization. We even touched on the subject of the organization in the Philippines territory. I suggested to Edward that the Philippine business environment was conducive to our food concepts in mind and to be unified in one management system.

Edward proposed a partnership of his food business in the Philippines which he gave me the authority to study and pushed forward if the business was favorable.

"Edward I will do that after materializing the business here in the Middle East. You know, I'm planning also to apply the international system of franchising, how about that?"

"Yes, that's great Marco."

"What's my role, Marco?" Mike asked.

"I have a position in my mind for you...just wait my friend," I said smiling.

"Okay." Mike's smiling while embracing me.

We woke up the next day feeling energized in pursuing our plans, but I had to face Danielle first before anything else. It must be solved as early as possible to put forward with my plans.

I checked the position of the recorder, visualized the event in advance, and comfortably conditioned my focus for the meeting. Around eight-thirty in the morning, Danielle arrived, parked in the parking area, and disembarked. She's alone and slowly walked upstairs. Mike met her at the door and frisked her body and inspected her shoulder bag.

"You truly a bastard!" Danielle suddenly slapped Mike in the face twice. "You have the guts...devil!" Mike accepted it and didn't say a word. She went inside, looked at me standing at the back of the sofa, and walked towards me.

"Welcome Danielle....how are you today....still angry with me?" I began the conversation.

"What do you expect for what you've done to me, Marco?"

"I expect you to behave....and don't make a scene here. Besides, I have a plan for you...if you'll be with my suggestions...fair for you?"

She looked at me in my eyes and I did the same to her, "Honestly, I don't like the way you looked at me."

"And why?"

"It seems that you are against.... for what I want to tell you."

"Are you expecting me to follow what you wanted me to do?"

"Right Danielle...agreed?"

"Agreed."

"First, I would like to know what you want from me, and then I can decide what's best for you."

"You always use your poisonous caprices when dealing with me?"

"That's what you're thinking ever since we met in Bacolod City?"

"That's what your character showed...your intention to me..."

"What do you expect then? Before answering...have a seat...would you care for a cup of coffee or breakfast?"

"No, I can manage." She was seated on a sofa where I positioned her in front.

"I expect you to love me."

"Listen, we agreed about this matter and I submitted myself to you here in Dubai. I gave you what we agreed upon, another child for us...I...I followed our agreement Danielle...my love blossomed for you but I can give only here in Dubai. I took my vacation for three months and what you've done....you changed it all by loving that man....that you gave yourself to him!"

"Yes I got what I wanted for you, two children and that's enough...Because you cannot marry me...Roger can give everything I wanted in life!"

"That's what you think! She's using you to put forward his ambitions, you know that?"

"As what you've done to me, Marco?"

"I married Ayah Isabel because I wanted to live my life with my own energy....coming from my own...but you tried to capture me, isn't it?"

"Wrong Marco! I want to have children from you."

"And why you're doing this to me?"

"As part of my plan for revenge ....giving you all the means to fight back...making you as a monster instead of a loving husband....baiting you ....now you can afford to do evil things."

I suddenly grabbed her and Edward held me tightly while Mike secured all the doors. I calmed down and asked for a cup of strong coffee. She sat motionless looking at me.

"Thank you, Edward, you are intelligent than him." She said degrading me. I controlled my temper to go on with her ploy, I thought.

"Okay I'm not intelligent but I have the guts to accept your challenge."

"You hated Roger Ferrer because you're nothing compared to him!"

"Huh...that son of alien...you're comparing me to him? You're nuts!"

"You've got all my wealth but it's okay for me. As long as I'm alive...watch your back, Marco...I'm with you wherever you go....remember this always." She stood starting to leave but faced us instead.

"Edward...Mike...thank you for helping him grow like a monster...deep inside of him." She walked towards the door, "Mike open the door please..." She went outside laughing until she disappeared.

I asked Edward and Mike to accompany me to my resident legal attorney for the transfer of all business entities to my name, visas for my manpower requirements, and other important things with regard to business and employment.

"Mike I'll make a list of what you're going to do while I'm away. I have to go to the Philippines for my children.....Edward, you come with me or stay here for the meantime?"

"Marco, I'll stay here with Mike in starting with our business plans."

"Okay then....has to prepare for my travel."

I traveled alone going to the Philippines with my mind centered on Danielle and the things I want to do.

XXX

It was in the year 1994 January when I went back to the Philippines for emergency purposes.

I directly went to a manpower agency in Makati City, hoping that I could organize myself for any changes that I

want to do with my family. Even the business status, changes should be made for security reasons.

Bryan and I made schematic plans for the manpower business that should be centralized to the management so that only Bryan Gonzales had a thorough knowledge of all transactions and approvals. I also advised him of the thorough screening of applicants for specific job requirements of all companies, local and abroad. The most important thing I relayed to Bryan was about Danielle's ongoing crusade of taking revenge.

"Marco, I understand your situation and the business...I'll take all the precautions. By the way, Ayah Isabel told me that she wanted to work with me?"

"I'll talk to her about this matter. Kindly find the best place for us here inside Metro Manila...be it a condominium or house...call me at once, okay Bryan?"

"Yes, Marco."

I called Ayah Isabel about my plan to transfer to Metro Manila.

"Marco a lot of things to be ironed out when we have to transfer right now...in fact, they're doing well with their studies here. Anne's getting active with her activities, even Kent..."

"We'll talk that out when I finish something in Bacolod City."

"What something Marco?"

"Just business dealings."

"Okay...bye I love you!"

"Love you too...bye!"

I hastily traveled going to Bacolod City where I met Larry Ramirez first before visiting Marco Junior and Shaira Rose, my children with Danielle.

I dialed Marco Junior's mobile phone number but it was closed, and hurriedly hailed a taxi cab to go to Governor Gustilo's house. I asked the security guard about Mr. Gustilo but he answered that I am not allowed to enter the house. I profusely angered myself at once, but I had no choice. I checked the children's school and the same answer I got from the security guard. This was the moment that I realized Danielle's warning and the consequences I made out of gaining my wrongdoings, I thought.

I went back to Bacoor, Cavite to talk with Ayah Isabel about the danger I was getting into with Gustilo's family; but I didn't divulge that I have two children with Danielle.

"Ayah please listen to me...we need to transfer you to Metro Manila. I talked to Bryan to find you a new house or condominium. We'll wait for him this evening, okay?" I telephone Bryan asking if he found a new house for us.

"Marco I found a safe condominium for you, really secured and accessible to the children's schooling."

"Okay then, I'll meet with the condominium office tomorrow, and any news about the manpower operations?"

"I can manage to solve this itchy-bitchy problem here."

"You installed security gadgets to all our manpower offices?"

"Yes Marco and I met all the security guards who are assigned to our offices...also I called up the Homeland Security Guards office for some instructions on our side."

"Great of you..! Thank you! We'll talk when you come home....be home early, okay?"

"Okay, Marco."

Ayah Isabel cooked dinner for us while I was having time for my five children. "Anne, you're on the freshman in high school, right?"

"Yes, Daddy and I really having my best time studying well with Kent," Anne said.

'Yes Daddy, Anne taught me some interesting subjects every day, but I'm studying well too, because next year, I'm in high school." Kent said.

"How about the three of you... Philip, Robert, Christine?" I kissed them one by one.

"Daddy, I'm in the fifth grade, Robert's in the fourth grade, and Christine's...third grade" Philip answered.

"Great!" I said. "Okay, all of you...wash your hands now...we're going to eat...go..go.."

The housemaids got their respective children for washing their hands and positioned them on the dining table. Ayah served the food together with the kitchen helpers and arranged it at the table. We ate together with the children, and I experienced different bonding with them than my children with Danielle. Still, I was wondering where Marco Junior and Shaira Rose went. After eating, the children studied their lessons while I talked with Ayah and Bryan.

"Ayah, Bryan told me that he found a secured place for you and the children. I have to talk to them tomorrow. You want to work with Ayah, together with Bryan?"

"Yes if you allow me....we'll find somebody who can attend to the house and the children. I suggest that...we can hire somebody from your relatives in Hinigaran...if you want to..."

"I'll do that Ayah and you can learn the business as well."

"Bryan, did Papa call you about the recruitment in Hinigaran?" I asked.

"Yes Marco, he sent at least fifty applications the other day," Bryan said.

"Check if my brothers' resumes are included...we can get them in the house jobs for the meantime."

"Ayah Isabel...are you taking pills?"

"Yes, Marco....that's enough for us...five children...why?" Ayah's surprised.

"Nothing...I thought you're pregnant..."

"Can we add another tonight?"

"Shhhhh.... I've got a lot of things to do tomorrow."

'Okay then..."

"I like to sleep with the children tonight."

"Yes, that's a good idea, Marco."

The next day Bryan and I went to the condominium unit in Global City where I finalized the transaction of our new abode. It's a ready-to-occupancy unit wherein we can transfer at once. I called my father in Hinigaran about the 50 applicants, who were willing to work abroad.

"Papa good morning; how's everything there in Hinigaran?"

"We are fine here my son; I'm finalizing the 50 applicants to be sent to you."

"Papa we're transferring our residence in the condominium at Global City, Taguig, and our house in Bacoor, Cavite are for my brothers and the applicants. Manuel and Eduardo are applying too?"

"Yes, Marco...they're interested..."

"Papa please send Manuel, Eduardo, and eight of the applicants to Manila now. Bryan will be the one in charge of them at the port. I'll send money to you through your account. Okay, Papa?"

"Yes Marco, expect them for a couple of days."

"Bye Papa....take care Mama always.....bye!"

I closed my conversation with my father, hoping that he was proud of me for being his ambitious son. He knew me when I was in my growing years in Hinigaran – a meek and weak child with an intelligent mind.

I personally organized our transfer to the condominium; bought the furniture, bedding, cabinets, household equipment, food, and other vital things inside the condominium. Also, I installed security accessories and gadgets all over our place. It's been a tiring job when for all of us, but because of the dangers, I anticipated it in advance.

Daily, I met Bryan, Ayah, and the children for their system of living in which they agreed to whatever way they can survive.

I hired tutors for my five children in who were schooled inside their learning rooms; doing different activities, in which they can learn, their elementary and secondary education, fully authorized by the Department of Education. Their escorts were selected by me personally and came from a prestigious organization run by a former American CIA agent. Their regulations and my suggested systems were combined to form the core of our objectives regarding the children living conditions.

I taught Ayah Isabel about the manpower business, food industry management, and even self-defense. She deliberately acquired such skills in a natural way that she's willing to pursue to learn more about other combat techniques. I was surprised how she shifted her heart from a loving mother to a modern-day woman.

Bryan organized the ten applicants coming from Hinigaran, and Manuel and Eduardo were separated from the group. They were housed in Bacoor, Cavite from our old house. I personally tackled the teaching of my two brothers which I assigned as the heads of the condominium and business organization. They met some hardship but in the end, they're skilled enough to proceed with their assignments.

For the past two months, I devoted myself to organizing people, my family, and businesses in which they can be employed with their way of living in the Philippines. Ayah, Bryan, Manuel, Eduardo, and Lina got hold of their footings in my organization. I observed secretly their devotion and loyalty to me which they didn't know about it and another thing that they didn't know about was Danielle's children; Marco Junior and Shaira Rose.

Daily, Edward reported to me about the Dubai operations and other important points to be taken care of. All of them were taught and learned how to be smart, ready, and always secured with their daily undertakings while forwarding the development of my organization. The most important one was about Danielle and Benjamin Gustilo; their images were entwined in my mind. When I was fully satisfied with what I envisioned upon with them; I went back to Dubai to continue with our plans forgetting Marco Junior and Shaira Rose for a moment.

I took my whole day's rest when I arrived at my flat where Mike reported some other news that interested me, about Roger and Danielle. We talked personally over a bottle of tequila, beef appetizers, and fresh tomato salsa with green mangoes.

"Marc, Roger still working there but he's affiliated with a new group while Danielle was very clever enough to stay away from the crowd...."

"Good Mike."

"How's the Philippines Marco?"

"I personally changed some important aspects."

"Marco some of our recruited managers are ready to exit for us to process them."

"Who are they?"

"All of us; including me....."

"Mike can we process them first...I need you here." Edward suddenly appeared; hurriedly hand-in to me a sealed brown envelope, "Marco...this is addressed to you...."

XXX