THE RELUCTANT MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER 7

Six large, round towers dominated the skyline of this massive castle, which was linked by fairly short, thick brownstone walls. Ornate windows were strewn liberally across the walls. A massive gate with wide wooden doors and a draw bridge were intimidating to intruders. The chateau showed signs of development, as some sections were clearly built more recently than others. It has been renovated and improved over time; some parts of it were obviously newer than others. Philip Madrigal was eager to keep it as modern as possible, even if it was initially built for his first wife, Katerina.

With its marble steps and wrought-iron railing, the grand staircase was a sight to behold, and it added to the property's classical feel. The area underneath the stairs divides the public and private areas of the property, and an elevator was just a few steps away from the table with a large vase filled with roses, Katerina’s favorite flower.

Because of the size of the chateau, it's important to have doors and partitions to maintain privacy. Even though the second living room and formal dining room are located far from the first living area, sliding glass doors ensured that the space remained sound-free.

Actually, there were more than five living rooms inside the whole building, and they were designed to accommodate different kinds of people on different occasions. Philip used it as him headquarter right after his wife’s death. Finally, however, he felt lonely in his home in the long run and decided to relocate to somewhere new.

A koi fish pond near the front door provides a calming feature. Philip used to spend more time feeding the fish, and aside from adding color to the chateau, the pond also contributed to the Zen vibe of the space.

Upon entering the place, people would usually notice the high ceiling. Aside from the ornate staircase leading to the bedrooms, the area has polished hardwood floors, cove lighting, and an oversized clock above the door.

Compared to the ornate appearance of the home's exterior, the interiors have a more modern feel. The wallpaper on the wall where the clock was mounted has a brocade pattern. The remainder of the walls were painted a grayish-green color to provide contrast. From the outside, the chateau appeared so grand and majestic, and the interior was superb as well.

The lanai, located next to the dining room, served as a storage area when dinner was being prepared. We normally used it as a lounge area or an outdoor dining nook, and it was furnished with a twelve-seater dining set.

“I’ll go to the powder room first,” I excused myself from Enrique to check my appearance after a long drive. “Just wait for me at the lanai; I will bring with me some refreshments.”

“Okay, but do you have a staff here?”

“Of course, silly.”

The elegant powder room, located beneath the staircase that linked the living and dining areas, featured high-quality fixtures, warm lighting, and a flower arrangement reminiscent of hotels.

The timing was perfect when Sandra, one of the staff, passed by. She wasn’t surprised to see me as usual. “How are you doing, Sandra?”

“I am good as always, my dear.” She answered with so much gentleness in her voice.

The woman worked for Philip for several years already. Originally, she served Katerina until the woman died. “Can you ask someone to bring some refreshments to the lanai? My bodyguard is waiting,” I informed her, and the reaction on her face was worth more than a million?

“What? Did you get a bodyguard? You don’t need it, Ty!”

“Oh, come on, Sandra! Can’t you see that I’m getting older each day? My hair has retired first, unfortunately.”

“You’re always silly as usual. But, is he really your bodyguard or  your boyfriend?”

“Shhhh, he might hear us.”

“Alright, alright. Just go on, and I will ask Marites to bring something at the lanai.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“No problem, dear.”

Inside the powder room, I cleaned my face with a water-based cleanser. I also brushed my teeth before going out. The powder room was open for family and visitors, so there’s always a stock of disposable toothbrushes inside.

When I returned to the lanai, Enrique was staring at the outdoor. “Do you want to swim?”

“Later,” he replied. “By the way, what’s that?”

I followed his eyes and saw the tiled pathway with bamboo trees as borders. “It’s a pathway towards the guest houses,” I replied.

“Guesthouses? This place has several rooms already,” he complained.

“Well, Philip was so complicated sometimes. The guest should stay in the guest house, and we stayed in each room. His men were always nearby,” I replied.

“And TJ?”

“TJ Madrigal? Oh, he got to sleep in the room beside Philip. You seemed to be more interested with TJ than me.” I pouted my lips to complain that he kept on talking about TJ when he’s with me.

“Everyone is interested in the new boss,” he explained.

“I see. Come on, finish your refreshment so I can show you to your bedroom. When Enrique nodded his head in agreement, I grinned like a schoolboy. Across from me, his features appeared more appealing. “You are more handsome, Ken. I think that my sister will be smitten immediately.”

“And what about you?”

“What do you mean?” I asked while pretending that I didn’t get his question.

“Do you like me?”

“As my driver and bodyguard. Anyway, let’s avoid mixing pleasure with business,” I reminded him that he should behave around me. “My sister loves to party whenever she’s here. Can you accompany her at night?”

“To the club?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“If you want me to,” he answered.

Since we were tired from the long drive, I told him to rest in the room beside mine. He didn’t complain and did what he was told. But, unfortunately, I was so tired that I had to skip dinner and rest the entire night.

The following day, I woke up starving and grumpy. I couldn’t explain my mood, but I wasn’t in a good mood. I tried to coerce Enrique to stay inside my bedroom to guard me better, but he insisted that my place was safe and no one could hurt me.

Was it the reason why I woke up cranky and in a foul mood?

“Good morning, Ty.”

I rolled my eyes at him when he greeted me. “What’s good in the morning, Ken?”

“Well, the weather is fine, and I think it’s a good day to familiarize the entire property,” he answered.

I pouted my lips before scooping some rice into my plate. The chicken curry was good, and Sandra never forgot that I loved curries in the morning. I glanced at Enrique, who was peacefully having his breakfast across from me.

I scrutinized him from head to foot. He looked fantastic and was incredibly attractive. His long hair was in a messy knot at his temple, and he was tall and lean. My brother Marcus used to sport long hair, and no one could hold a candle against him…until Enrique came along. 

I was staring at him when he looked in my direction. Oh my God! I was caught red-handed, and I was embarrassed! I panicked at the thought that he would assume something malicious from me, so I grabbed my coffee and drank it as quickly as possible. It was scorching hot, and I believed that it burned my tongue. I swore at the dining table, and he smiled at me.

My heart fluttered even more because of his f*****g smile. I tried not to smile back at Ken, but it would not be very empathetic. Slowly, I lowered my eyes and concentrated on my food. I was starving, but I had to eat quickly and returned to my bedroom to sleep some more.

“Hi,” he casually called my attention before I was able to enter my bedroom.

I was on the verge of collapsing when he grinned at me. How could an angel manage to be hired by Philip to be my companion?  “I’m going to take a whole day's rest today, so you can do whatever you want to do. Just don’t leave the property,” I told him.

“I am not going anywhere, Ty.”

“That’s good to hear, Ken.”

“It’s Ricky or Enrique,” he complained like the first time I gave him a nickname. “But are you sure you’re just  going to take a rest?”

“Yeah, I am sure.”

While we talked in the corridor, someone accidentally passed by, and I saw him look at Sandra’s beautiful daughter. Ruby smiled at Enrique, and that bastard couldn’t stop himself from admiring Ruby’s seductive body.

“Hello, Tyler, what’s up?”

“I am good, Ruby. Shouldn’t you be in the office at this hour?” I reminded her that Philip’s bank shouldn’t be treated as a joke.

“Today’s a holiday so we can bond together,” she answered smilingly.

Ruby and I used to be good friends, especially when the woman was a professional in make-up application. She could transform an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan, or should I say that she could transform a man into a woman with just a stroke of her magic brush and foundation.

“Later,” I told her.

“Yeah, later. Bye Tyler, see you around,” she said, but her eyes were focused on my bodyguard.

I was disappointed to see two people flirting at each other in broad daylight. It was my first time showing interest in the opposite s*x, but it was doomed from the start.  I sighed heavily and went inside my room without saying goodbye to Enrique.

However, I got out of bed a few minutes later and took a quick shower. I wanted to wear something nice, but I didn’t want him to accuse me of looking good for him. I was caught in a dilemma in front of my closet. In the end, I chose to wear something comfortable. Anyway, I would be at home and do nothing.

“Hey, where are you going?” He asked, and I was surprised to see him lounging outside my room in his finest.

Enrique’s grooming skills were excellent, and the sleek back look suits him better. Moreover, he proved that a man should have a tuxedo in their closet. “Don’t tell me that your name is Bond,” I jested because he could really be the next James Bond based on his looks.   

“Are you going somewhere?” He repeated his question earlier.

“In this outfit?” I asked in return. I pursed my lips when I rechecked my outfit because it was just normal, although it looked chic in the mirror. Just a plain white t-shirt and a pair of slim-fit jeans, so what makes it extraordinary? I dressed simply according to my age – no frills, no fuss.

“What’s wrong with your outfit? You look good on it,” he said.

Compliment or not, my lashes fluttered when he told me that I looked good in my simple outfit. Then, suddenly, I became uncomfortable around him. “I’m just going to visit the garden,” I informed him. “Do you have to wear that when we are just a home?”

“I was always told to wear my uniform,” he answered.

“Not today, Ken. Go and change, then you can follow me outside. I’ll be in the garden or the orchard,” I ordered. Enrique couldn’t say no to me as his boss, so he went back to his room to change. With hands in my pocket, I descended the stairs and saw Ruby on the landing. She looked wonderful in her mini sundress, and I envied her.

“Going out?”

“Yeah, and you?”

“I’ll take Mom to the mall, and you know that Mother’s Day is coming, and I want to give her something,” Ruby answered.

I smiled bitterly upon hearing the word ‘mother’ because I haven’t experienced being cuddled by my mother. I was an orphan, and Katerina was already sick when Philip brought me home. “Stay safe with Sandra,” I reminded Ruby to be careful on the road.

“I’m sorry, Tyler. If you only take me as your mom, then I will gladly adopt you,” she jested before giving me a warm hug.

“Shut up! How can someone so young and beautiful like you become my mother? Don’t worry so much because you and Sandra have been extra nice to me.”

“So, who is Enrique in your life? Is he really your bodyguard?”

“Should we ask Philip?”

“Never mind, then. Oh, there’s my mom, so we got to go. Bye for now,” she said.

“Take care!”

After Sandra and her daughter left, I also went outside and proceeded to the garden. I was just supposed to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful flowers, but Enrique’s arrival threatened my sanity.

He walked towards me, flaunting his bulging biceps in a black tank top. He flaunted his taut calf muscles in a pair of navy walking shorts with every step he took, and he completed his casual ensemble with a pair of dark aviator sunglasses. The ponytailed shoulder-length hair and a smattering of day-old stubble adorned his forehead, giving his classically handsome good looks an edge.

When he maintained his eye contact with me while smiling, I almost collapsed to the ground.  “You look like someone who wanted to claim my innocence right now,” I proclaimed, and he snapped his brows together. “Oh no, I didn’t mean that. I mean that you look good in your casual ensemble.” I looked away after I bit my bottom lip to save myself from further embarrassment.

“Thank you, Tyler,” he said.  “You're direct and frank... and I like it,” he added.

Oh my goodness, when would he stop? Should I try what my sister-in-law taught me on how to get his attention even more? I was considering it for a few seconds before I began acting. “Oh no,” I mumbled while massaging my temple.

“Tyler, are you okay?” He asked and rushed to my aid, catching me before I dropped my body to the ground.

“I’m not feeling well,” I lied.

“Then maybe you should get back to the house,” he suggested.

“I can’t walk, Ken.”

“What? Oh, alright,” he said before scooping me like I didn’t weigh anything. Enrique carried me back to the house and up to my bedroom. He just rummaged my pocket for the key, and I grinned secretly when my plan worked …remarkably well!