"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."

"One of my high school friends is part of the clan that runs Eresse Place. Kaka-open nga lang nila ng bagong mall sa BGC eh. I can ask her," Jasmine said.

"Ay, 'Lo, tamang-tama! You've met my friend, Tristan, right? His family owns Centrine Corp. and may malls sila kahit sa provinces. I'm sure they'll be open to the opportunity to work with AIO Group," Valerian said.

Sage redirected the conversation. Mukhang wala itong connections sa industriya. "What's the prize for this competition, Lolo?"

"Whoever presents me with the best deal can be the CEO for AIO Group's newest hotel." Nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga apo sa sinabi ng lolo nila. The prize has never been on that scale. "Sapat na sigurong motivation 'yan. I know that you three aren't very invested in our family business but I hope you'd still make an effort for this. I have to attend a board meeting. Good luck and don't do anything illegal!" The chairman narrowed his eyes at the three before leaving with a grin.

* * *

"Wala kang kakilala 'no?" Jasmine said, smirking at Sage. The three of them decided to have a drink in one of AIO Group's bars after the chairman's announcement.

"Good luck sa paggawa ng business proposal and getting the right people to notice it," Valerian said.

Sage gave them a smug smile. "Masyado yata kayong kampante. Want to make this challenge a bit more interesting?"

Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Jasmine. "Anong kalokohan na naman kaya ang naiisip mo?"

"Alam ko ang ngiting 'yan. You're about to suggest a bet." Valerian crossed his arms.

"Yes. Interested ba kayo o takot nang matalo?" Sage said.

"What are we betting?" Jasmine asked. "You still want my car, don't you?"

Sage nodded. "And Valerian's Jaguar." Jasmine's 1992 McLaren F1 was a classic he'd love to have in his collection while the thought of Valerian losing his car and taking public transportation everywhere was very amusing.

"So what do we get from you?" Valerian asked. "'Di kami kasing obsessed mo sa kotse."

"Ano bang gusto n'yo?" Sage said. "But don't think too hard, I'm sure I'll win anyway."

"I want your penthouse!" Jasmine said. "'Yong sa Aerist Tower. It's close to the ballet studio. Handa ka bang isugal 'yon?"

"'Yon din ang gusto ko," Valerian said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Favorite mo 'yon, right? You don't even bring your one-night stands there."

"Bakit? So you can desecrate my favorite space?" Sage said. His penthouse was way more valuable than their cars but he was sure he'd win.

"Maybe." Valerian smirked.

"As if. 'Di ka naman nakaka-home run," Sage said as he laughed. Jasmine almost choked on her drink. Valerian glared at both of them.

"Well, you can't blame Val if he has standards, Sage," Jasmine said.

"May standards ako ah!" Sage said.

"How can you say that after dating Claire?" Jasmine replied. Sage could feel the judgement in her eyes.

It was Valerian's turn to laugh at Sage. "Naalala ko na naman 'yang kalat mo."

"Both of you can't deny that she's hot," sabi ni Sage.

"Tama na, Sage. 'Wag mo nang ipagtanggol 'yong kalat mo. Alam nating lahat na nagsisi ka ro'n," Jasmine said.

"Fine. Let's just not talk about her, okay?" Sage said. "Meron naman na akong bago eh."

"Talaga?" Valerian and Jasmine asked in unison as they turned towards their cousin, curious but not exactly surprised.

"Well, not exactly. But she's coming soon." Sage winked. "And this new girl will be my ticket to winning our little bet."

"Wait lang, what exactly are the terms of this bet?" Valerian asked. "You seem so confident."

"Ang boring kasi na makakuha lang ng partnership with a mall using traditional ways. And since both of you are so confident with your connections, I'm betting that I'll win by getting a connection of my own," Sage said.

"You mean, hahanap ka ng taong may mall tapos lalandiin mo siya para manalo sa challenge ni Lolo?" Jasmine asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You could've said it in a nicer way but you got the gist," sagot ni Sage. "At may nahanap na pala ako."

"Wow, iba talaga ang mga malalandi," Valerian said, shaking his head. "Who's the poor girl?"

Inilabas ni Sage ang cellphone niya at ipinakita sa dalawang pinsan ang sinave niyang picture ng babaeng aakitin niya, the heiress of Zafiro Malls, the country's leading mall chain. "Ganda, 'no?"

Jasmine gasped. "Si Lily Zafiro? Sigurado ka ba?"

"Why? Kilala mo?" Sage asked.

"Yeah, we attended the same high school pero lower batch siya. Masyadong perpekto 'yan para sa 'yo," Jasmine replied. "You know, I'd stop you 'cause I don't agree with playing with other people's feelings but it looks like I have nothing to worry about. 'Di mo mauuto 'yan."

"Looks like someone didn't research enough," Valerian said smugly.

"'Sus, ako pa tinatakot n'yo? I get what I want," Sage said. "So ano, game ba kayo sa pustahan?"

"I'm in," Valerian said.

"Same," Jasmine said. "Wait, if I win, ano palang makukuha ko sa 'yo, Val?"

"Hmm. How about I'll just owe you a favor? Anything basta legal," Valerian said. "Tapos 'yon din ang ibibigay mo sa 'kin if I win."

"Sounds good," Jasmine said, smiling.

"Wait, parang mas gusto ko rin 'yan! Ultimate favor na lang din ang ipusta n'yo sa 'kin, deal?" Sage said.

"Deal," Valerian said.

"Alright," Jasmine said.

"To our bet!" Sage said, raising his beer mug.

Though Jasmine rolled her eyes and Valerian shook his head as they clinked their mugs with Sage's, both ended up laughing. Sanay na sila sa kayabangan ni Sage. Win or lose, they both knew that Sage's antics will entertain them.