THE SECRET HEIRESS

CHAPTER 4: The Promise

Alaric cut her off before she could even panic and informed her, “They want to meet you before the party. Donald told my Mom that I was with my girlfriend at the hospital as the reason why I stood up the heiress I was supposed to meet for a dinner date last night.”

She surprisingly asked, “You did?”

He confirmed, “Yes, I did.”

She asked further, “Why did you do such to your date?”

He answered, “I just do not like the idea of my parents choosing a wife for me. They would have announced my engagement with Madeline Siazon this evening if I met her last night.”

She asked, “Is she the famous world-renown ballet dancer?”

He confirmed and expounded, “Yes. According to my mother, we were playmates during our childhood years, and we were very close back then. I have encountered her several times on family and other social events. Our great grandparents by my father's side are cousins, so that make us fifth-degree cousins if I am not mistaken. Her Lolo’s deceased younger brother was also my Lolo’s best friend. I just do not like her. Meeting her last night might just give her a wrong notion that I am interested. But the truth is I really just do not like her kind. I am done with all those overindulged and conceited heiresses. Just the thought of dating one of them gives me a headache.”

She wanted to lighten his mood but she did not know how. Then she recalled to greet him for his natal anniversary, “By the way, happy birthday.” She brought out the pendants of her necklace, unclasped the necklace to remove the pair promise pinky rings from it leaving the heart locket pendant, and gave one to him. “The promise rings belonged to my maternal grandparents.” She put the other ring on her right pinky finger and urged him to put on the other ring on his right pinky finger too. Then she hooked their pinky fingers for a pinky promise, “This is my birthday gift for you, I promise to do my best as your girlfriend. It is now your turn to speak up your promise.”

He also made a promise, “I promise to treat you very well as my girlfriend.” He meant it. He really felt that she was a very good lady and so he felt the need to treat her very well.

Then she put up her right thumb, urged him to do the same, and then she initiated the close contact of their thumbs to seal their promises.

He smiled and said, “Thank you.” It was the first time Megan had seen the COO smiled. He had always worn a poker face in all the instances she had seen him. "This is a very unique birthday gift."

"You are very much welcome." She then stood up, “I will prepare for our lunch meeting with your parents now, boyfriend,” and went to her assigned bedroom.        

He liked the way she was taking things lightly even if she got so many complaints. She was indeed a good person with a sunny personality.

Alaric phoned Donald to check on the errands he instructed him to do.

“Yes, boss,” Donald had answered.

He asked, “Have you settled her loans already?”

Donald replied “I am already done with it, boss. They had all been fully paid. I am already on my way to her landlady. Then afterwards, I will be supervising the packing, transfer and unpacking of all her stuff.”

He inquired, “How about the flowers and the gifts for my elders?”

Donald responded, “It might have been delivered already, boss. I already instructed Garry to receive them at the concierge and to load them on the vehicle that you will use before I left.”

He checked, “Did my sister already ask for Meg’s sizes?”

Donald confirmed, “Yes, boss. She did last night. Miss Megan had immediately sent the duly accomplished file already last night. I was not able to browse every detail yet except for those sizes that Miss Ashley had asked for. I already sent you a copy last night. I already printed a hard copy. They are on your home office table.”

"Okay, I'll just read them later on." He then stated, “Anyway, should Ashley need some help later this afternoon in picking up some stuff, I'll tell her to contact you.”

Donald acknowledged such, “Sure, boss. Anything else that you want to add, boss?”

He instructed then, “Later on, please formally introduce Precy to Meg’s mother and grandmother. Precy would keep her grandmother company at night time. Also escort Meg’s mother to the penthouse with Edgar later this evening. Be sure to make her feel comfortable. I already asked Didith to stay overnight to keep her mother company for the time being.”

Donald responded, "Okay, boss. You already mentioned that on your list. It is already included on my to do list for today."

He praised him, "Very nice!" And then he added,  "As for her resignation, please wait for my further instruction by lunch time. My family's reaction towards Meg will determine if you need to forward her resignation much sooner or later."

Donald replied, "Yes, boss. Miss Meg already accomplished the online resignation form. I'll forward it immediately and then process it as soon as you give your go signal."

Meanwhile, the results of the quick background check on Megan that Alaric’s father ordered had already been forwarded to them by the HR Manager at RGC. Much more information about her was elicited from her immediate supervisor and co-workers when a video conference was done by Daddy Antonio with them. Her family background had surprised Alaric’s elders.

Lolo Augusto, Alaric’s paternal grandfather, needed confirmation, “Are you sure, Ric’s girlfriend is the granddaughter of Luisa Castro?”

Daddy Antonio confirmed, “It was what the accounting department head said, Papa.  Miss Capili had told everything she knew about Megan because she thought such might help Megan to secure the scholarship grant abroad. Ric’s girlfriend is highly recommended by her immediate supervisor. Her actual words were – Megan Garcia is very smart, diligent, dependable, and well-mannered. Her educational background speaks very well for her. She might not be an outgoing person but she has a very good relationship with all the employees of the accounting department. They do commend her cooking skills for she often prepares delicious and healthy snacks and delicacies for them whenever they had to work on overtime during Saturdays.”

Lola Camila, Alaric’s paternal grandmother, assumed, “She might have inherited Luisa’s culinary brilliance,” and then asked, “By the way, where is Luisa now?”

Mommy Eloisa answered, “According to Ric, she is at Absedaire Medical Center, Mama. She had an emergency coronary angioplasty last night. I already called the hospital. The management confirmed that Alaric had arranged for a suite hospital room for Megan’s grandmother.”

Lolo Augusto then asked, “Do you think Ric knows the real identity of his girlfriend’s grandmother.”

Daddy Antonio answered, “Probably not, Papa. He might have informed us if he knew. I also think that it was the first time for Ric to meet Megan’s family last night. Details of her grandparents are not stated on the database of RGC.They have kept their relationship and so Megan's family might not also know of their relationship until last night.”

Lola Camila then inquired, “What about Megan’s existing loans?”

Daddy Antonio informed them, “I just received a confirmation that they had already been settled by Ric’s secretary on Megan’s behalf. I had also been informed that Donald had already terminated Megan’s apartment lease and all her stuff were already packed and transferred to Monarch Tower. Ric possibly ordered for those things.”

Lolo Augusto commented, “Your son knew how to handle all the loopholes of his relationship, Antonio. He knew that once their relationship came into the open, Megan would receive a huge media attention. He is already laying down the foundation to protect her.”

Daddy Antonio acknowledged it, "He is way much advanced in dealing with things whether business or personal matters, Papa."   

Lola Camila then asked, “Is everything prepared for their arrival already, Eloisa?”

Mommy Eloisa confirmed, “Yes, Mama. I already asked Elma to prepare a sumptuous lunch feast. All the servants would also receive them formally upon their arrival.”

Lolo Augusto remarked happily, “Antonio, Eloisa, your eldest son has chosen very well. We should announce their wedding engagement tonight. Eloisa, please ready the heirloom engagement ring.”

Daddy Antonio commented, “I think we should formally asked Megan’s hand in marriage from her grandmother and her mother first, Papa.”

Lolo Augusto said, “We shall visit Luisa at the hospital after lunch. It should be a surprised visit so Luisa will not be able to run away anymore. No more hiding. She needs to face the life she had left behind almost fifty years ago. We are now way more than capable to protect her and her family.”

Lola Camila expressed enthusiastically, “I am already very excited to meet my future granddaughter-in-law in person. She looks like Luisa in her photo in the database of RGC, but she got the prominent nose of her grandfather.”

Lolo Augusto asked, “Do you have more information about her parents, Antonio?”

Daddy Antonio imparted, “His father, Gavin Garcia, was a highly decorated firefighter who died saving people just as Megan graduated from UF – Vienburg.  Her mother, Maia Castro, finished an entrepreneurial degree in a city college in Reoul City at the State of Ramad. After taking some free cookery and baking training provided by the government, she had established her own restaurant. It was not that big but it was earning quite well.”

Lola Camila remarked, “They opted for a modest life in order to have a quiet life away from all the turbulent situation they had to face here in Sourisse City.”

Mommy Eloisa added, “But Megan finds her way back here in Sourisse City.”

Lolo Augusto then inquired, “Do you think she knows about her grandfather?”

Daddy Antonio stated, “According to her immediate supervisor, Megan only mentioned that her maternal grandfather was already dead even before her mother was born. As for her paternal grandparents, they already died when she was still young.”

Lola Camila concluded, “She might know nothing about Mateo Siazon.”

Mommy Eloisa then asked, “Should we inform Ric about Megan’s true identity in advance?”

Lolo Augusto decided, “We should not. Let him be surprised. That is his punishment for not informing us about his relationship with Megan beforehand. He has no way of delaying his marriage this time around. Your son is very cunning, so we should not give him an opportunity to further delay his nuptial. The soonest he gets married, the soonest he can produce another heir. We are all not getting any younger. It's about time for the fourth-generation Ricarte to make their way into this world.”

Mommy Eloisa then then brought out the issue regarding Madeline, “How about, Madeline?”

Daddy Antonio conveyed, “Manuel agreed on the setup date because apparently Madeline really likes Ric. But then Ric already told us last night that he doesn’t like Madeline. We must support his decision since he and Megan already decided to reveal their relationship.”

Mommy Eloisa further asked, “Do we need to inform Manuel that there would be no rescheduling of the setup date anymore?”

Lolo Augusto resolved, “No need. Once their wedding engagement is announced tonight, it would already mean that Alaric is off-the-market. Ric already found his match, so the next step is to prepare for their wedding. Megan also needs to know the ropes as the future First Lady of RGC. Camila, Eloisa you should start her training as soon as possible.”

Mommy Eloisa acknowledged such, “I already made preparation for her foreign language classes, Papa.  I have also lined up several events and meetings that she may attend with me.”

Lola Camila then raised an issue, “We can only prepare her more if she would resign from her job at the headquarters. She should also be disqualified from the scholarship grant for the other nominees not to think of it as an unfair treatment.”

Daddy Antonio commented, “She would definitely be a big lost to the accounting department.”

Lolo Augusto had put such situation in another light, “She would eventually leave anyway. With her educational background and work dedication, there is no doubt that she would win the scholarship grant if we did not find about her true lineage. RGC would not lost her. She would just merely take on another much higher position right beside Alaric. But if she still wants to pursue a master’s degree, then we should let her be.”

Daddy Antonio conveyed, “Honestly, I was informed by her immediate supervisor that she was still undecided to accept the nomination due to the medical condition of her grandmother. Her department head still submitted her name for the nomination anyway."

Lola Camila remarked, “She is indeed a filial granddaughter! She did not enjoy much of the fruits of her high-paying job just to pay for her grandmother’s medical and hospitalization expenses.”

Mommy Eloisa added, “Ric would always complain that he did not like any of those heiresses we introduced to him because they lack a compassionate heart. He did find such with Megan. I am sure that she was able to answer the question Alaric usually asks those heiresses. Megan is used to living a modest life so whether Alaric is a Ricarte or not will not matter. They even kept their relationship a secret. That only shows that she prefers privacy over popularity. I am really looking forward to meet her.”

Lola Camila expressed, "I really cannot wait anymore to meet her. Ashley, please call your brother and ask if they are already on their way. They should be here by now."

Ashley told her grandmother, "They just entered the main gate of the village according to Kuya, Lola. Do not get too excited. They will eventually be here. So just relax, Lola. You're not the only one who is excited to meet her. Everyone here is curious about meeting Kuya Ric's girlfriend."

They already heard the sound of the car approaching. But it was just Andrew.

Andrew asked, "Did they arrive already? Am I not yet late? She works in the headquarters and yet I have not seen her. Kuya Ric is really so secretive. How was he able to keep her girlfriend out of our radar for so long?" 

Then everyone saw Alaric's SUV entering the main gate. Everyone shouted, "They have arrived already."

Meanwhile, Madeline was already looking forward attending Alaric’s 30th birthday party that evening. She already went to the parlor with her  cousin/best friend, Hazel Siazon, who is also the girlfriend of one of Alaric’s best friends, Marcus Sy.

Madeline asked, “Will you and Marc attend Alaric’s birthday party tonight?”

Hazel replied, “Marc wants to make an appearance if his art exhibit will not  be too busy tonight. He already informed Ric about it. We just launch the art exhibit last night. Ric was not able to attend because of her sudden setup date with you. What actually happened to your date last night?”

Madeline answered, “He was not able to make it to our date as well. His parents told Dad that he had to attend to some medical emergency. I did not know yet who needed medical attention for him to abandon our date.”

Hazel imparted, “Well, according to Marc, Ric does not easily trust women except for his female family members. Marc did not divulge to me the reason but I assume that it could be the cause why he is very choosy when it comes to finding a suitable wife. A lot of things are required for the wife of a Ricarte first-born son. She must not only do the usual wife duties and bear the next generation of Ricarte but she must also be a supportive partner as the future First Lady of RGC, and future superior of RFI.”

“I can do all of them,” Madeline confidently declared.

Hazel said, “The first thing you need to focus on is how to gain his trust. Those heiresses who had been introduced to him in the past were all beautiful, rich, and well-educated. But Ric did not find anyone of them to be trustworthy. According to Marc, Ric does not like overindulged and conceited ladies.”

Madeline countered, “But all heiresses are overindulged.”

Hazel pointed out, “Yet not all are conceited.”

Madeline stated, “I am not conceited but it does not mean that I do not qualify as his future wife just because I was overindulged by my parents.”

Hazel expressed, “I am really not sure, Madz. As a friend, Ric is easy to get along with but when it comes to his future wife, he really got high standards as Marc pointed out.”

Madeline shared, “My admiration for Alaric started when I was still young. I will not be discouraged just because he does not want an overindulged lady for a wife. I am very much different with all those other heiresses he had already met. He will miss out on a lot of things I am capable with if he did not choose me.”

Hazel then stated, “Well, let us just hope and pray that you will win him over with all your good qualities. Rest assured that I will support you.”

Madeline expressed her gratitude, "Than you very much, cousin. I am really very excited for tonight's event. I really hope that Alaric will take notice of me. If that happens then his elders will immediately announce our wedding engagement. They are already very keen to get him settled down."

Hazel advised her cousin, "Do not get too excited about it, cousin. Alaric is very unpredictable. I am not saying this to discourage you. I am also not being pessimistic. But when it comes to relationship, Alaric is just not the type who rushes in without thinking. All his moves are carefully planned. And no one knows about it until he reveals it. He is too cunning. I am telling you this to you because I am concerned. He is bluntly honest. You might just get hurt if things did not go your way."

Madeline acknowledged it, "I really appreciate your concern, cousin. My parents also said the same thing to me. But do not worry about me. Alaric and I will definitely be engaged to be married tonight."