The Billionaire's Bundle of Joy

Chapter 32

JUSTIN

IF there’s one person who isn’t happy about my dad marrying my mom, it’s Tommy. He’s a classic brat who knows nothing but to skip school and spend money recklessly. Bar here, bar there. He doesn’t live with us and has his own place. He’s six years older than me, but we graduated from college at the same time. I caught up with him because he wasn’t passing any subjects.

What puzzles me is that he kept the last name Reynoso and not Calderon. I know he doesn’t like me personally, but when he’s with Dad, he’s polite. At the university, I rarely see him because he often skips classes. When Dad died in the accident, I didn’t expect to receive anything. For me, it was enough that he loved me like his own son, dressed me, fed me, and educated me. That was enough for me. So I was surprised when he left everything to me, much to Tommy’s dismay.

He went ballistic and even knocked over a chair in the library when the lawyer read the will at the house in Batangas. Since then, I rarely see him and I haven’t asked about it. He’s angry with me because he feels I took everything that should have been his. But I am willing to give it all up; the will just doesn’t allow me to do that. If I refuse the inheritance, it all goes to charity. As much as I want to give everything to those in need, my desire to preserve my dad’s legacy prevailed.

I stayed late at the office, so I headed straight to Club Pyre. Tommy wanted to meet me there, and I shouldn’t be surprised anymore. Even at thirty-six, he still loves nightlife. I never liked it, and I don’t think I ever will.

“Hi!” greeted a college girl. I think she just turned eighteen, but here she is, wearing a tube top that barely covers her breasts. She and her friends were dressed the same.

I ignored her and continued drinking my beer. She wasn’t satisfied and was about to sit next to me when I stopped her. “I am here to meet someone. What can I do for you?”

She smiled sweetly. “I’m Lorena de Asis, and these are my friends, Shaira dela Rama and Melanie Agoncillo.”

De Asis, dela Rama, and Agoncillo belong to the business world. But you see, I don’t care. Lorena waited for me to say something, but I showed her that I was not interested. Even though their chests were practically screaming, I wasn’t attracted to them at all. Unlike that girl in the black long sleeves, who looked like she was trying to button her top up to her neck. She was wearing jeans and looked like she wasn’t used to going to bars. She had the saddest eyes but was trying to have fun with her friends.

“What’s your name?” asked the girl named Shaira.

“No one.”

“Oh, I like him; he’s feisty.” If I remember correctly, that was Melanie’s name. I’ve met Artemio Agoncillo once, and he’s a crooked businessman. Besides that, he has many women, and it’s not the first time he’s been gossiped about. It’s a shame that Melanie inherited that from him.

The girl I was looking at earlier seemed tipsy. I hope she doesn’t drink too much because she might crawl home. She doesn’t look like she’s used to drinking.

“Leave.” I heard a familiar voice. When I turned, it was Veronica.

Since the three girls were still young, they immediately got scared of Veronica and hurriedly left.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her lethargically.

“Honey, I’ve been calling you every day, but you’re not picking up. Can we talk about this? It’s a little noisy here, but it’s okay. I like this club.” Veronica was dressed to the nines. She has always cared about her physical appearance and never repeats outfits.

“I’m meeting someone here, and that’s not you. Besides, why bother talking when we’re already done?”

“You’re the only one who wanted to end it. I love you, and—”

I waved my hand. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. You’re just adding to your debts.”

“I can explain. It was just a moment of weakness, and it won’t happen again. It’s not like you’ve never had another woman if you speak like that.” Of all people to argue, it was Veronica who had the nerve.

“I have never cheated on you. We both know what happened, and I’m glad it did before we fixed the wedding. You can keep the ring; I don’t need it.”

She was about to sit on my lap when I moved away, causing her to sit next to me instead. I know her pride was more hurt than her sitting next to me, but I don’t care. I am not the type to give second chances to cheaters. Even if the world ended, I wouldn’t take her back. Unless I get amnesia and forget what she did.

“Don’t you want me anymore? It was just a kiss. Nothing happened, Justin. I’ll avoid William. I won’t talk to him again. Please, let’s fix it.” She was stroking my arm. I didn’t want to make a scene, but she was pushing me.

I signaled a bouncer to come over. “Please take her out. She’s bothering me.”

Veronica looked horrified. “Justin! How dare you?!” She hissed at me and shot a glare at the bouncer and his newly arrived companion. “Take your hands off me. We’re still talking. Let go of me!”

“Don’t make it harder for yourself, Veronica. I won’t take back a woman who has been kissed by someone else.”

“f**k you, Calderon,” she said angrily and flinched as the bouncer was about to grab her arm.

“Oh, you weren’t that great.” She became even more furious with me while I celebrated her departure.