Mr. HOT & Ms. COOL

CHAPTER 2: When She Met His Paternal Family

As the other passengers in the business class had already been seated back in their respective seats after asking her seatmate for a selfie and/or an autograph, Reina had already returned to sleep with her eyes covered with her cute eye mask and her ears with ear buds listening to the playlist of classical piano music, that she usually listened to whenever she had a long flight or wanted to sleep.

Kian had also returned to sleep after looking at the very pretty face of his seatmate.

His thoughts were like – Could you still be single? How are you related to the City Mayor of Roscotta? You have the same surnames. Would our paths cross again after this? You seem to be a very busy lady yet very high-spirited. You always have that pretty smile on your face. And I will also be very busy in the days to come. It has been a while since I had been hugged by a lady. Valerie even turned a little colder to me during the last few months of our relationship even if we were already engaged to be married. She didn’t cancel the wedding preparations. We didn’t publicly announce our engagement anyway. She also didn’t even wear the engagement ring I gave her whenever she was doing her news anchoring or segment hosting. I thought that we were on the same page when it came to making our relationship private. But apparently, it is not. She announced on national TV her engagement with Arthur Lee, who was one of the congressional representatives of Roscotta. They even had a grand engagement party last April 29. So they will get worried n our supposed wedding date this coming July 1.

When the plane was just a few more minutes away from landing, they both stirred from their sleep because most of the passengers were already awake and anticipating their arrival at their destination. Reina immediately arranged the stuff inside her in-flight pouch and put it in her large tote bag while Kian flexed his arms and his legs a little.

She said, "It seems that we are already near. Everyone seemed to be eager to set foot on land again."

His short reply was, "Yeah," and then he asked her, "Are you not?"

Her response was, "Of course, I want to go home. But getting on and off the plane is just an ordinary thing for me. So not much rush on my part. I still have enough time to get to my dinner appointment this evening."

He said, "I also have an appointment early this evening. So, like them, I am somehow in a rush."

The touch-down had been announced then. So they got ready for it and made sure that their seatbelts were fastened.

As the plane had already touched down and passengers had started to get their hand luggage, Kian stood up immediately, got his luggage and also helped Reina again with her luggage.

She expressed her gratitude once more, "Thanks again."

He acknowledged that, "You're welcome," and then his smartphone vibrated, so he told her, "I will then go ahead of you then. Bye."

She responded, "Yeah, please go ahead."

And so he answered the incoming call and walked towards the exit door of the plane as swiftly as possible.

As she had arrived at the baggage carousel area to claim her two other big luggage, Reina still saw Kian quickly exiting the area as he got his other big baggage. As she put all her baggage on the luggage cart trolley, she heard the noise of so many people clamoring over someone. As she exited the area, she saw Kian being swarmed by photographers and some avid followers. Even if he was already wearing big sunglasses and a face mask, they seemed to recognize him still.

In her mind – Well, he is one hot hunk. So, there is no doubt anymore why he has so many followers and most of them were ladies, like Jennie. He is a Top Youtube and V+Tube Star. So he got access to monetization features of those video sharing platforms, such as advertising, fan funding, and merchandise sales. I even heard that a top star can make multi-millions of dollars a year. Perhaps he is already earning such an amount. So he decided to leave his job as a pilot and just focus on his video sharing career. But then, he does not look arrogant despite his online popularity. He seems serious though and he does not smile and talk too often. He had cordially accommodated those passengers asking for a selfie and/or an autograph. He is also quite a gentleman, I might say.

Then she saw her father's driver waving at her in the waiting area for ARRIVALS. The driver pushed the trolley for her and escorted her to the parking area.

She immediately messaged her mother – I have safely arrived already, Mom. I will be busy with a photo shoot so I will just call you later.

And then she also called Anika to check if she and their staff were already en route to the residence of her father's friend. It was already almost 6 PM. They dropped off some of her stuff first at her new residence, took a quick shower, dressed up casually as she always does when doing photo shoots, and then left for their destination.

She knew that they would be accommodated for dinner after the photo shoot. As they arrived at the mansion of her father's friend, her staff had already arrived as well.

They were immediately accommodated by her father's friend along with his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ronaldo and Diana Estrada. Her father was also accompanied by her stepmother.

She was also introduced to the daughter and son of her father's friend. The daughter was Daniella Estrada, who was 7 years older than her and a former beauty queen yet still very single. The son was Robin Estrada, who was as old as her with him being just a few months older than her and currently working as the Deputy CEO of Estrada-Ong Travel and Tours Company.

It seemed to her that it was not just a family portrait photo shoot but also some sort of matchmaking scheme for her father.

Mrs. Estrada then started the conversation with, "We heard from your Dad that you are still single, Reina. Robin is still single as well."

Reina immediately responded with, "I am single by choice, madam. I love travelling so I do not want to be constrained by some conventions like marriage," before the woman could match her to Robin.

Mr. Estrada then asked, "Don't you have plans to settle down and have your own family someday, Reina?"

Her straightforward answer was, "I don't think that marriage and having children are for me, sir. I don't like being subjected to others' expectations and rules. I love my independence so much. So I don't want to be restricted by marriage and children. These were the reasons why my boyfriend of nine years broke up with me because I am often on the go."

Daniella then commented, "Well, Reina has a point. Marriage usually does not last long anymore anyway. Just when you thought you had already found someone whom you want to share your entire life with, then all of a sudden after years of being together, one may cheat or the two of you might just fall out of love because there was no excitement anymore. It is like you are eating the same dish over and over again and you are just tired of it. So you just want to try a different dish. Anyway, one can still be happy less the shackles of marriage and children."

Robin then pointed out, "But one can even be much happier with the gifts of marriage, which are companionship, passion, and purpose. No man is an island. A person cannot live alone without the help and presence of others.”

Reina then said, "Well, remaining single does not generally mean choosing to be alone. Whether single or married, people still need personal relationships to feel happy and fulfilled in life. You don't have to be married just to have that sense of happiness and fulfillment."

After dinner, Reina's father opted to send her off to her new residence with his driver. His wife went home with their other driver.

Reina knew then that her father might talk her out of considering marriage.

Her father asked her on their way to the condominium building, "Are you sure about not getting married, bunny?"

She told her father, "I am not closing my doors, Dad. Who knows?! There might be someone who can change my mind. But right now, I just want to focus on my career. I am at the peak of my career, romantic relationships will just disturb my pace."

Her father said, "You do not even need to work if you end up marrying Robin."

She responded, "But I love working, Dad. And if I get married someday, I still want to continue taking compelling and relevant photos showing the truth. I don't need all the luxuries in life, Dad. For as long as I have a roof on my head and food in my mouth and I can freely do whatever I want, then I already feel happy and satisfied. You gifted me a vehicle and a house, so what else can I ask for? I am earning well. You even still continue giving me a monthly allowance. I have a comfortable life. So I don't need much anymore."

Her father still insisted, "But can you at least try going on a date with Robin? Try to get to know him more first. Then, if you really feel that you are not compatible, I won't insist anymore."

She still declined indirectly, "Dad, I have got a lot of work lined up for the rest of the year. I really have no time to squeeze in dating on my schedule. It is also one of the reasons why I have already decided to move in to the house you gifted me. I wanted to avoid all the unnecessary socialization whenever Uncle Reuben and Aunt Zola had guests from the academe to entertain. I cannot simply lock myself in my bedroom whenever they host gatherings. But with me living alone, then I can focus more on creating concepts for my one-woman photo exhibit in December. I need to exert my undivided attention to prepare for it."

Her father then said, "Well, at least please do not reject Robin if he tries to pursue you."

Her honest reply was then, "I cannot promise you anything, Dad. Honestly, I do not feel attracted to him, even if he has good looks. Love just happens, it cannot be forced. And if ever I consider marriage someday, then I will only marry for love."

Her father then did not say anything anymore until they reached the condominium building. Daddy Diego did not come up anymore. When she arrived at the privacy of her residence, she already felt very tired.

But she still tried to video call up her mother.

Her mother replied after three rings – Yes, bunny.

She responded with – Good morning, Mom. I had just arrived from a job that Dad had requested me to squeeze into my busy schedule. So I was just able to call you right now.

Her mother then said – Well, it will be Sunday tomorrow. So you will have time to rest.

Her response was – I can just rest for tonight because tomorrow, I will be taking the pre-nuptial photos of Kuya Zandro and Jennie.

Her mother's reaction was – So you are also doing wedding photography now.

She replied with – Just for some family and friends, Mom. The first time was with the 30 wedding anniversary of Uncle Reuben and Aunt Zola. This will actually be the first time that I will do pre-nuptial photo shoot.

Her mother then responded – Well, you are an excellent photographer. Although you specialized in documentary photography, you have also been doing travel photography as well as portrait photography with justice. Doing fashion photography and wedding photography could also mean reduced travel for you. I always worry whenever you travel around the world just to do photojournalism on armed conflict, calamities, and other dangerous happenings. Even with your travel photography, you are trekking mountains, exploring some unchartered territories, and even trying extreme sports. You are so adventurous. I and your Dad are not, so I wonder where you got such a trait.

She told her mother – Well, I grew up around boys. I have Kuya Zandro at the ancestral home, I have two brothers from Dad, and I also have two brothers from you. I like trying things they do, so the end result is your kind of boyish daughter.

Mommy Regina mother acknowledged – Yeah. You even preferred driving your motorbike to the SUV that your Dad had given you on your 25th birthday.

Her response was – Well, I am still using that SUV whenever I have to transport my equipment, Mom. But more often my assistant or a staff drives it for me. I can avoid heavy traffic by riding my motorbike.

Her mother still reminded – Just keep on wearing those safety gears whenever you ride your motorbike.

She assured her mother – I always do, Mom.

And then mother brought up the issue of settling down again – Anyway, Zandro and Jennie will already tie the knot very soon. Have you not been thinking of having another romantic relationship? It has already been six months already since your breakup with Arthur.

Her answer was – I am just fine having no boyfriend, Mom. At least there is no one to prohibit me from trying new things and traveling more often. I enjoy my independence. When I returned here after my studies in Paris. Arthur had become kind of demanding of my time and attention. I am too free-spirited for him. So he decided to break up with me and date another lady. Jennie just told me more than a month ago that he is engaged to be married as well.

Her mother then reacted – See! He is settling down soon too. You should try to consider entering into another relationship again and getting married before you reach 30. That way, you will still have a child or two within the ideal childbearing age.

She then told her mother – Right now, I just want to focus on my career, Mom. As I told you when I visited, I will have a one-woman photo exhibit by December, just within the time when you and your family come back home for the Christmas vacation.

Her mother said – Yeah, I already told Tim about it. He is still not sure if he will be able to come but I and your brothers will definitely spend the holidays there.

She said – I see. Anyway, I need to do something in the study room, Mom. I won't keep you for long. Have a nice day ahead.

Her mother then told her – It is already night time there. You should sleep instead of working.

She responded to her mother with – I slept most of the time on my 17-hour flight, Mom. I am still not sleepy.

Her mother insisted – You should get some rest. You will still have to do the pre-nuptial photos of Zandro and Jennie tomorrow. You should not overwork, bunny. Now that you will be living alone, there will be no one to cook for you. Who would cook for you? You do not even know how to cook.

She told her mother – I just usually just eat outside anyway, Mom. So you don't have to worry about it. There are so many good restaurants already in Roscotta and I live in the center of the city. They also make deliveries.

Then her mother asked – Did you have a food delivery for dinner?

She told the truth - Dad's driver had fetched me from the airport. We had dinner together.

Her mother had another question – Did your father arrange another blind date for you?

She was not able to answer right away.

So her mother said – By the look in your face, it seems that I am right. Who is the guy this time?

She answered – The son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronaldo and Diana Estrada, who own the Estrada-Ong Travel and Tour Company.

Her mother's reaction was – Please don't get involved with that family. Ronaldo Estrada cheated on his first wife and abandoned their son for his second wife because she was much wealthier. He drove his first wife to depression, leading her to take her own life even before their annulment was finalized, leaving their seven-year-old son in the care of her family. He even adopted the daughter of his second wife and they are living a happy family life as if nothing had happened. I am not even sure if he contacted his son with his first wife ever again.

She assured her mother – Even if you do not tell me this, I still have no plans on dating their son, Mom. I am too busy with my work. Marriage is not even in my vocabulary anymore. I have more important things to do than going on a date with a man that I am not even physically attracted to.

Her mother said – I am not telling you not to date, but you should choose a man with a good background. You must also get to know that man better before deciding on getting married.

She tried to finish her conversation with her mother – Let us not talk about this marriage thing, Mom. I will not be dating any man anytime soon. I have got to go now. Bye for now. I love you.

Her mother replied with - Okay. Bye. I love you too.

Meanwhile, Reina heard that the door next to her unit seemed to have been unlocked already. She also heard some movements in the adjacent unit. When she was just moving her stuff into her new residence before she left for her short fashion photography course in London, there seemed to be no occupant in the corner unit beside hers. But there was one instance when she seemed to have seen a lady accompanied by a housekeeper entering the unit. After that, nobody seemed to have come again.

She then thought – Who could possibly be my neighbor? Could my neighbor be a man or a woman? Our balconies are just next to each other. There will come a time when we might see each other.