Chapter 42: The New Billionaire

We ate together and the children enjoyed the food while Ayah was not in the mood to talk to me. I talked to my children as usual, as their father and I observed them one by one. The time I spent with them was not totally in full force while I was staying in Dubai. I thought that this was the time to tell them about their education and to open up their concerns in front of Ayah Isabel.

"Guys, I decided to send you all to universities, so that all of you can interact with your friends while growing up. But be aware of the danger that comes with this new development. To all of you, do you have any concerns that I want to know about?"

"Daddy, as for me I'm with you with that decision and will take in charge of my brothers and sister. Count on me, Daddy." Anne said.

"Very good Anne, I can count on you with this one...get in touch with your Uncle Eduardo for your needs, okay?"

The children approved my decision and they're glad for the outcome. Ayah's only listening to us while sipping her cola.

"All of you must study and finish your schooling for a given time, no extra hang-out, and be on time with your undertakings."

We went home together which made me conclude that Ayah's truly hated me. Her actions worried me too much, for I cannot make her understand my side of everything. I wanted that way of thinking from her ever since and I wanted it now and forever. My egoistic self was not to make amends but to keep at bay when things went wrong; study them and find solutions. That's me. But deep inside of me, it crumpled my heart by not learning to understand fully Ayah's situation.

I met my brother, Eduardo, and Bryan, giving them written instructions on how to keep my children and Ayah, and of course the businesses in the Philippines. My planned itineraries were built-in building my business empire in the Middle East, wherein Riyadh City's the next destination.

At midnight time, Bryan and Eduardo went with me up to the airport for my flight back to Dubai. The weather was invigorating and cool with light rain scattered in the airport area when I embarked on the plane. The thronged passengers bothered me not for I was thinking of something that I cannot decipher. The usual traveling from the Philippines to Dubai didn't give me much excitement anymore. It's rather a usual thing to do even though our customs and tradition were very different from the Middle East people.

XXX

I arrived in Dubai with the usual feeling, the same as what I felt before, it gives me the power to go on with my ambition; to be a billionaire someday.

The next day, I composed my management personnel who were assigned to Riyadh City for our first business venture in that place. They, in turn, disseminate information to them for their training. We took advantage of the season of coming to Riyadh wherein, we organized the main office along Takhassussi Road. The place was very convenient for our operations with a separate building for our inventories and maintenance. I built a commissary outside the city center as what the regulation of the Riyadh Government.

We opened up four stores month after month which made my business revenues instantly higher by 40% compared to last year. The additional business assets were continuously gaining momentum in the food market. I doubled the store openings afterward and I recruited more staff to manage the spreading business.

I organized the whole manpower, selected more leaders, and unified the company's system in the main office. I assigned my brothers; Eduardo and Manuel to be the COO of the UAE and Saudi Arabia areas respectively. Bryan was left in the Philippines and recruited new staff for his manpower requirements.

I lifted up some other business entities, assigned new leaders, and monitored their developments. These businesses were moving steadily in the upward movement I took my time to discover some beautiful places around the world. Momentarily forgetting the family matters that I always entwined within my heart.

Together with Mike, we traveled from one country to another, developing relations with wealthy people globally. I developed a new adventure with my newfound status that international media people wanted to extract some juicy matters from my personal life. I wanted these people for my self-esteem to boast about something from other people who have the money but didn't want to be what they wanted in life.

My new life gave me the courage to deal with wealthy people around the world. It relied upon my determination to live within the boundaries of my strength and capabilities. Really amazing to know the things that I didn't have knowledge of before, but with my money, I can dictate the craziness of mankind.

"Mike, what do you think of me, I mean...my status in life? Really I want to know?"

I asked Mike one day when we were having coffee in the coffee shop. He looked at me, then, looked at the people passing by beside our table. His action meant nothing to him, but for me, it made me think differently. By his status in accompanying me everywhere, I trusted him with my personal undertakings. He's right in some other ways, but I got his inner feelings to cooperate with mine totally. Our attitudes were reciprocal with our mindset, personalities, and even dislikes.

With much luck on my side, I've got the title of the new billionaire, the "King of the Third World" in the business arena globally. I cannot say that I didn't like the title but all I can do was to be with them as long as I'm gaining profits every second of my life.

I've got the latest and updated reports with my businesses and family through the centralized method of reporting; personal, business, and news around the world. Eduardo, my brother was the one who was in charge of this endeavor. Our communication's bound for secrecy as what I instructed him.

Even in Dubai, I knew what was happening with my businesses and former friends, especially Danielle and Roger. My heart still ached for my two children with Danielle which I didn't meet a long time ago. The wall kept us separated. Pain deep inside that captured the essence of my well-being. I had children with Ayah Isabel but I knew that they were protected all along. While these values kept on bugging me, peace couldn't give much to my personal life.

"Mike...Mike...can you come here please..."

"Yes, Marco...what is it?"

"What's the doctor says about my health?"

"He said, continue taking the adrenaline-booster pills to sustain the energy you've sent everyday.....and stop taking worrying..."

"I'm taking my booster Mike...thank you..."

"You know what Marco, Roger telephoned me yesterday...wanted to talk to you....he said, very important...."

"Schedule him next week Mike, by the way, how's your wife Lina?"

"She's fine and my boy...in college now."

I thought of Ayah Isabel at that moment, our children, three were in college, and two were in high school. They're growing up rearing to embrace the outside world; a place where they can explore its true meaning and expand their way of thinking through their noble hearts.

"Great Daddy Mike..."

"Thank you, Marco, that's because of you my friend."

"You read the international newspaper today?"

"Nahhh, what about?"

"About your high profile lifestyle, it says here you spend millions every day.....just to boast your wealth..."

"So what? What's the point? They're nothing Mike! Why...they can support me?"

"Uhuh...cool Marc...it's just news...but it's true, isn't it?"

"Give me my golden box....come with me to the Sanctuary..."

"Marc, I told you before...stop this non-sense habit of yours...."

"Mike...go.....get the golden box!!" I shouted hysterically going to the Sanctuary room in the basement. I entered, felt the temperature change, and sat on the floor. Mike hurriedly prepare the solution and assembled the syringe.

"Mike does not leave me.....okay...just stay..."

He injected it into my arm to pacify my emotion, really it gave me the feeling of joy – true happiness. It subsides the anxieties and worries about my well-being. The drug diffused within my veins totally and instantly. The surroundings became vague while I held Mike's arm. He carried me to my bed, positioned me carefully, and switched on the music player. The music soothed my mind and the wilderness besets me.

Mike knows his job when this situation happened. He experienced this for a long time, and he took good care of everything within his reach. He's loyal to me, and he gave his love to taking care of my personal life.

The early morning breeze touches my face when I clear my mind along the shoreline together with Mike, where my new mansion was built. The vastness of the sea gives the feeling of calmness to my conscious mind. It's hard for me to think over and over again about the worries I've had for the past months. After yesterday's cleansing of my entire self, I've found temporary serenity, even for a shorter time. I value this moment when I knew it was pulling me down. I need it. I cannot push through my normal life anymore. I need a boost every now and then.

Mike's behind me a few meters away when I try to look back, I wait for him. I want to ask him what's happening to me, or anything he can give...I look at him squarely, hold his arm hard, and said,? "Can you help me" He held my shoulders, "Marco, let's sit over that boulder....come...let's talk."

His words are trailing on my mind as if the coolness of the seashore engulfs my heart and mind.

"Honestly Marco....yesterday's such another day for you...like what you're doing when you felt it...the drug's eating you up....you knew it but, you're still using it...as if your food...your supplement. You're a wealthy person now, famous, and anything you wanted....but you're getting bored....that you worry too much about your kids with Danielle...and...and your daring stunts worldwide that your fame's spreading like wildfire....," his words stabbed my heart so much, but that's the truth. "Mike forgive me...finalized the meeting with Danielle and Roger next week...I have to do something in the sanctuary...no calls, no guests, nothing...okay?"

"Can you tell me what's on your mind?"

"Mike, after finalizing everything....I'll tell you."

We go to the sanctuary room together wherein I instruct Mike on what he'll be going to do. He answers positively, "Marco, I'll do it but please be very careful...I love you, friend..." Mike prepares all the things that I wrote in my notebook and locks the door.

I began to write, with all the understanding of my life in general. I have had all the things that I wanted in life, but I cannot fathom my inner self, it seemed not complete. With the worries that's bothering me for a long time; I tried my very best to comprehend things and balance myself for whatever outcome I may decide in the future. The worries that I absorbed and the boredom constituted the decay of my self-esteem which I cannot control normally.

I continue writing to the best of my ability; creating the documents that I wanted them to understand. It's the incentives for their goodness throughout my life. They're the moving force that binds with my being. Truly, a driving force indeed.

I gave my best to be a billionaire, to help others, and to show my wealth to the whole world how lucky I was. But the pain remained forever. I have to live with it.

The love that I had with Ayah Isabel lingered on but she didn't have that saintly image to understand me. She despised me for being me, the true colors of my life. I was thinking that she had been born to understand and love me, but the love was different from what I wanted her to be. I wanted her understanding so much for the sake of our children, but she distanced herself without thinking that I can be capable of losing them in the end. No matter how far away I was from her, still with the children are the reason behind it.

I finished all the documents in five days and I opened the sanctuary door slowly and go straight to my private room. Instantly, Mike appears before me, asking about my health, and if I'm okay all along for five days inside the sanctuary room.

"I'm okay Mike, don't worry I can manage...read all these documents, especially the one intended for Danielle. I have to take a bath...and Mike please...prepare for our drinks...let's discuss something...," as I left him wondering.

The coolness of water splashing within my body gives comfort to my plans for the coming week. I knew the consequences and the danger that lies ahead. I have to do it. I have to give her a chance whatever it may take. After bathing, I slowly towel-dry my whole body with the ease of gaining momentum for my plans. It excites me, remembering the whole situation; really giving me the time of my life.

Still, the towel wrapped in my hand I instantly move to the poolside where Mike's waiting for me. He pours whiskey into the transparent glass, offers it to me and I drink bottoms up. It gives a chilling effect and I sit beside him looking at the pool.

"Marco, I read the documents....can you tell me what's going on with you?"

"I have to do it....it gives excitement...with my boring life...I knew she'll do it..."

"Why?"

"Because I want to return her a favor for what I've done to her. Besides, Ayah Isabel won't let me into her life...ever again."

"Can we find another way? Not this way?"

"Do as what I intend to do....sign the document...your document, so that you'll safe whatever happens to me."

"I can't Marco...I don't need that money...I want you to live....," his voice stuttering with pain.

"Please Mike....do not...I like to see you as a brave person...loving the way I live..."

"I'll do it Marco...just for you...let's drink..."

"Want to swim with me...come..." Mike undresses hastily and follows me into the pool. We challenge each other to swim to and fro between pool edges and play in the water like children. This moment is undivided from other rigors of our daily lives. We contributed to each other moments to what God had bestowed on us. Tomorrow is another day.

XXX

The new three-hectare mansion that I built lies along the shoreline of Cavite, Philippines wherein I kept it secret to anyone who knew me except Mike. I secluded myself from the hustle-bustle of modern living. I liked it this way for not showing my true colors to the media people who wanted to extract juicy items about me and my wealth.

As we agreed, Mike prepared a special meeting with the couple; Danielle and Roger Ferrer of Dubai City, where they lived after marriage.

I instructed Mike to make sure that this meeting would give a positive result even though Roger was coming with Danielle. I need the presence of Danielle, not Roger, but I can use him in some other way.

Our meeting is scheduled for seven in the evening at the Microtel Inn and Suites Eagle Ridge in Cavite; a beautiful place with clean and comfortable rooms. The venue was suitable for my taste and well-being.

Mike rented a private place for us to talk personally and ensured that the waiters are fully advised for this purpose. I position myself on the table facing the garden with man-made falls along with the open space of the hotel

side. It reminds me of the beautiful scenes I saw while visiting other places outside the Philippines. Mike's standing beside the concrete pillar holding the suitcase, viewing the visitors to come.

I viewed the couple approaching me at the table and I instantly stood up to greet them, "Hi Danielle...Roger...take your seats...nice to see both of you again..."

XXX