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*****

ALEX POV

CMM Innovation Solutions, Barcelona, Spain

Ten years later....

"Alana, when is Mr. Abellana coming?" I called my secretary on the phone. I was in my office, it used to be my Dad's office 5 years ago.

"He's on his way, Mr. Morrison," she replied calmly ignoring my cold tone. She's the only secretary who stayed and it's now a year. Since I started, countless of them I fired or they resigned because they can't stand my standard or my coldness.

"Bring in all the papers I needed for this meeting," I ordered icily, then I put back the phone on its cradle without waiting for her response.

Not long, Alana came in with folders in her hands. My eyes were trained back to the computer monitor. "Leave it on my table," I commanded without bothering to look at her with my eyebrow furrowed. She's not new to my mood swing.

I'm always brooding.

From that day, I found out that Nicki left to the Philippines, my life is a hell. I felt nothing but hurt. I felt like she also took half of me. I played the girls like a toy not caring about their feelings. Annabel still waited for me and as usual, whenever I need a release she's free. Even if I wanted to avoid her, I can't, since our family are best of friends.

Mom and Dad didn't get the divorce and now they are living happily like a newly wed couple. I was happy for my dad, but still the doubt is still there for my Mom. I don't still know the reason why she cheated on dad.

Dad never failed to look after her happiness. To make sure mom is living like a queen under his care.

After I graduated high school, I left to the United Kingdom and took an Engineering course. I devoted my time in my studies which made my dad so proud of me. I graduated after five years and took over the company, that was 5 years ago.

In my hands, I expanded our company. I had bought two companies and sold it in an auction gaining more than it was sold for. Now, I was working on the papers of the biggest company in New York, the "Clinston Engineering, and Infrastructure firm". It is a multinational engineering and design firm with approximately fourteen thousand employees. The firm operates in the fields of strategic consulting, planning, engineering, construction management, and infrastructure/community planning.

I just bought it recently.

The old Clinston decided to sell since he can no longer run it. He's in his 80's and he wants to just explore the world until he dies. He's not married or has any kids. The company has been in the market for auction for about two years. The price was very unreasonable and the risk of not getting back the capital for two years is too high.

I went to talk to the old Clinston myself and we agreed for a certain amount. I think the reason why he sold it to me because I'm a bachelor just like him. No plans of tying a knot or getting serious in a relationship or whatsoever.

I wanted to run this company myself. It's always been my dream. To be an engineer and have my own construction company.

I leaned my back on my leathered plush high-back swivel chair and massage my temple as I close my eyes. The smiling face of Nicki is still lingering in my head. I missed him so much. It's easy for me to go and see her in the Philippines, but I was too egoistic. I want her to come to me, but that is far from reality. She is a very tough woman I know.

If I wanted to see her I always go on youtube and watch her videos. I found out she pursued being an actress just like her Mom. She's more beautiful now, more irresistible.

I straightened up and type in her name on the searched box and tons of updates and news about her. The first thing that caught my eyes was her picture with a ring in her hand.

I clicked on the link and read it.

IS CARA NICOLE RIVAS ENGAGED?

One of our sources spotted Cara Nicole Rivas with a guy named Dr. Anthony Derrick Ackermann, a German doctor and who was here for a medical mission, according to our research team. The two met when Nicki went to volunteer in a charity mission where Dr. Derrick was one of the volunteer doctors, helping the sick people from the devastating typhoon, Yolanda.

The two look happy together in a cafe somewhere in Makati. She looks contented and happy while the guy himself was having a good time talking to the showbiz darling, Nicki Rivas.

And sorry to all the bachelors whose trying to hit the Elusive Princess of Philippine Network, because she looks like she's engaged. The big ring was proven she is!

Find out next who was the lucky guy... Is it Dr. Derrick Ackermann or the billionaire Michael Guttierez, whom we know she's been dating for a while...

NO!..... I mentally screamed as I look on the monitor screen with blazing anger as I clenched and unclenched my hand in fury.

It can't be! I waited and wasted so much time. It's time to claim what's mine. She can't be marrying that guy.

I snatched the phone from its hook and tap on the button that will direct to Alana's phone. She picked it up right away.

"Call Atty. Smith. I want to see him now and I need all the papers of the Rivas Hotel Chains. NOW!" I commanded gruffly.

"Err...Ye..s Sir!" she stuttered and I ended the call gripping the phone tightly and slammed it back on its receiver. I ran my fingers through my hair with frustrations, propping my elbows on the table.

The Rivas Hotel Chains had been bankrupt for three years. I bought it without the old Rivas knowledge, it was another Morrison who's going to own his precious Chains of Hotel. I have bought their house too from the bank who had been in collateral for long years.

He's been ill since the wife died nine years ago of cancer. One reason why I didn't bother to come and see her myself. I knew she was hurt and I already hurt him enough. It won't do good. It will just make the situation worst. And in addition to that, I had to finish my degree and ready myself for the big responsibility waiting for me, to be the next CMM's CEO.

Now it's time to see her. She has to agree with my terms or all of their assets will be liquidated.

*****

NIKKI POV

I was sitting in our verandah at the second floor, watching the busy street while sipping my coffee. It's been ten years since I left Spain. I heard nothing about Alexander and Intend not to know anything about him.

I missed my mom. The day I came back from Spain, I found out that mom was sick. She's been suffering for barely three years. Living under the comfort of chemotherapy.

Her health was deteriorating when I left the country and she hid it from me. Dad was with her all that time, that's why he's always on a business trip which means to check her. We lost everything to finance her medical expenses.

Our house here in Forbes was the only property I had saved the money I earned from acting and modeling. I had finished my degree in Nursing thinking to work as a nurse.

My cousin Derrick promised to help me get into the hospital he was working as a family doctor in London, where his mom, my aunt used to work.

Dad was begging me to come and live with him, but I was still mad at him. For cheating on mom. Although, mom had forgiven him and he did his best to help and attended mom during her battle with Cancer, but the pain of knowing he betrayed us, and not knowing about mom's illness, it made me more furious of him.

I declined all his help during those years, until now.

I know if I will leave the Philippines, this house be will abandon. And it seems pointless of saving it, but it's only the property that reminds me of my late mother. This is her very first investment. I remember how proud she is whenever she told me the story of this house.

Losing her was like losing half of me. The pain is unbearable. I was hysterical and was like crazy the whole month after her burial. My cousin Kelly has to stay in my side and comfort me the whole time.

I felt the tears starting to stream down my cheeks. It's been nine long years and I still can't move on. I know the brightness of my eyes is gone. I felt like there's no reason to live. I stop doing all the things my mom hated me to do. And started doing those things she begged me to do like acting, modeling, dancing, and always the fancy socialite. For the past five years, I had come to like it and live with it.

Reviving the lifestyle of my mom, at least, in a simple thing, I felt like she's with me. I know wherever she is, she is happy.

I wipe the tears as I tried to stop from pouring. I felt the stone of the ring, rub in my cheek.

I unconsciously stare at the beautiful ring. With a blurry vision, I saw the ring shined as the sun reflects on the big stone. Before my Mom passed away she gave it to me. It was the ring dad gave it to her on their engagement day. Although the ring was in my middle finger nobody noticed it. The impression of being engaged was more noticeable and interesting than where the ring was worn. The ring was a bit bigger, it only fit in my middle finger.

I thought wearing it, would always remind me of her. I was mistakenly engaged but I didn't bother to correct it. Even Michael was furious and the reason we broke up.

I knew after a month he'll come back and woo me again. It's always like that. We've been dating for almost four years and our relationship was up and down. I thought through him I could completely forget him, but I was wrong. He was still there, engraved.

Although, being with Michael help me recovered from the pain of losing my mother and he was there too when I struggled in getting back on my feet.

The very reason why I never broke up with him. He always broke up with me whenever there's things we never agreed upon, and then he'll come back with flowers after several days. I knew he only does that because he can't bed any girl when he is in a relationship with me, I made sure of that. But now, it's almost four years and I never felt that love for him, I had felt with Alex. It's always him.

I leaned on the armchair and closed my eyes. Feeling the warm breeze of summer, stroking my face.

It's really hot here, especially summer.

"Ms. Nicki, me tawag po kayo!" (Ms. Nicki, you have a call!) Maridel said as she hand me the phone which I gladly took and thank her.

I put the phone close to my ear. "Nicki Speaking," I started.

"Hello Nicki, this is Atty. Augusto Marquez." I remember him. He is my father's Attorney.

"What do I owe you for this call, Attorney!" I bitterly asked.

What does my dad want this time?

"Your presence will be needed here in the next days or your family's business and the house will be liquidated," he spewed out making me froze for a moment trying to process what my attorney just said. I can't believe the business my father had built himself is gone.

What happened for the last years he was in Spain? What did he do?

Since mom's burial, I never called him. I have been cold to him and civil. He left the Philippines two months after the burial and from then on, we never talk. I thought he engaged himself in his business.

What happened?

"Are you still with me Nicki?" I heard Mr. Marquez's worried voice.

"Yes, Atty. Marquez," I replied crestfallen. "Go on," I encouraged as I listened intently, with my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

I wonder who bought my father's company.

"Your dad has been ill for almost a year. The management was malfunctioning, making the hotel income drastically dropped down. Your dad tried to save the company, but for some reasons, there's an always a problem. He was thinking someone is sabotaging the company but he doesn't know who he was. It was too late when he found out that one of his board of directors was actually the son of an Hotelier, who was behind all the ruckus. The company was drowned in debt including your father's house." He explained as he heaved a long sympathetic sighed.

"So why do they still need me if there's no way we could save the company?" I asked incredulously. I don't understand why?

And since when my dad were ill? I felt a tad of remorse. I felt like a bad kid. I know the past can never be rectified. It's done. But I felt like still living with it.

My mom, dad, and all the people I love, moved on, accepted it, and forgave my dad, but me? I was still reeling on it.

"Ms. Rivas," I heard the Attorney's annoyed tone snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I'm sorry Atty. I was still shocked with the news," I apologized. "Please go on."

"As I was saying, the new owner of your family's company wants to see you and make a deal if you want to retrieve your house and maybe the company." Atty. Marquez elaborated.

"Why?" I wondered.

"I don't know Nicki. It's only you who can find out. You have two days to see him. After then, the whole property will be liquidated. I'm sorry Nicki, it's the only way. I hope you will help your father. Let me know if you're here. I'll come pick you up myself from the Airport. Your dad is still in Clara's care, his private nurse." He elaborated and he hung up the phone after our goodbyes.

I was still holding the phone. Overwhelmed with all the news, I had just received. My brain is too slow in processing it.

Dad was sick and he needs me right now. What kind of a daughter am I? Leaving him under some stranger's care.

I felt the tears trickled out of my eyelid. I let it fall freely. The tears kept pouring as I cover my face with my hands dropping the phone on the floor. I felt helpless.

I lost my mom already. I can't lose my dad either, so I decided to fly soon.

I'm coming, dad. To take care of you. I'm sorry for being selfish.

I quickly rose up on my feet and walk to my room. I made a few calls. To my managers and my friends letting them know I'm leaving. I'm glad the last movie I was working was done and it will be released this coming week. I won't be at the movie release but it's ok. My manager will take care of it.

My dad needs me more at this time. I book my ticket to Spain the very next morning.

I started packing my luggage thinking what to do next when I get there. I am a nurse so for sure I will attend and tried to get my father's health back to normal.

In the next days, I will be back in Barcelona. I felt that strange feelings and it made me shivered.

A déjà vu.

I hope it is good.

*****

ALEX POV

Today I'm going to see her. The anticipation is growing each second. Will she run if she sees me?

It's just five in the morning and my meeting with her and with the two Attorneys is in four hours, but the thought of seeing her gave me a sleepless night.

I felt so ecstatic for some reasons. I waited for this moment to come. Seeing her face to face after ten long years.

Mr. Smith was wondering why do I need to deal with the Rivas knowing me the ruthless cold hearted Morrison. Worst than the old Morrison as they call me. Not one bit of a nice cell in me.

After showering, I decided to get dress and resumed working while waiting for the time to come. I wanted them there before I'll show up.

I walked to my office in my big penthouse. I bought a new penthouse bigger than the other one I had when I was in high school. I sold it when I left to London. And bought a new one when I moved back here in Barcelona, five years ago.

I made my coffee and started reading the contracts and making changes of the contracts then sign them if I'm satisfied.

Soon my head was focused on my work that I forget the time. My phone rang.

I pick it up not bothering to check who's the caller. "Alexander Speaking," I began.

"Mr. Morrison, I just want to remind you about your meeting with Ms. Rivas in 20 minutes." My attorney warned.

I glance on my watch and it's 8:40 AM. If I won't leave now I will be late. I will be meeting them at my Attorney's office which is 20 minutes away from my penthouse.

"Are they there now?" I asked casually, as I power down my computer and pile up the papers altogether.

"Yes, Alex. They have been here since 8:36 AM," he confirmed.

"I'm on my way," I exclaimed coldly and ended the call.

Like a kid whose getting a present, I was bouncing out of my door to the elevator. I was nervous and at the same time excited to see her.

The nostalgic feelings suddenly rushed in my blood and it feels like it was just yesterday.

I took the expressway to get there fast driving 130 km/hr than the minimum speed. I'm glad there's no cop around.

Just as I pulled in the big driveway of the Smith Law Firm, it was 8:57 AM. I'll be inside when the clock strikes 9 AM.

I stood there for a moment as I let out a loud breath before knocking. Mr. Smith opened the door and invited me in....

*****

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