Gone in Graveyard

"Kei, its been a long time since I trained you. Remember, we will have our revenge on the family who brought disgust on our name." Dad remind me before I go in my office. Yes, I am the daughter of Renato Montemayor, the rival of De Alba.

The feud between our families started thirty years ago before I was even born. My dad and Felix De Alba are close friends way back in college. Until, Felix stole my Dad's girlfriend, Karina Hipolito. But, Dad told me that he forgave what he's friend did. They still remained friends until Felix ruined our family's dignity by accusing my Dad of stealing the money in their company. 

So Dad ended up in jail for 4 years and people started making fun of our family. I know my Dad. He may be strict and tough but he's not a criminal. So here I am, going to their company to infiltrate and yeah, get their trust and destroy them. 

My Dad worked hard and used our remaining money for investment so we can build our name and business to rival with the De Alba Empire. I studied abroad so it will be easier to be accepted in the company. By the way, I used Keira Ignacio as my name so they won't notice that I am related to the Montemayor's.

I walked confidently as I approach the entrance of the building. Hmm, I must say that they do have a taste. It was in an Italian-Greek style with a grandiose chandelier. It was like a palace. No wonder, they are one of the richest family in the Philippines.

"Excuse me. Where can I find the HR Office? I am here for the interview." The receiptionist scan me with here eyes before answering. 

"Its in the 15th floor." She just shrug. What a disgusting attitude for an employee. I walk away confidently not thanking her. After all, she showed a bitchy attitude on me. 

I headed right away in the elevator. It was in the 5th floor when the door opened. A stranger man in a three piece suit entered. I immediately inhaled his scent but I didn't bother to look who he might be. You know, its rude to stare.

The elevator is in awkward state. I feel like it took hours before arriving on my destination. I just look at the number written showing the floors. 

'Come on. Be fast!' I mantra on my head since I can't stand the silence.  

After a long waiting, the elevator finally reach the 15th floor. I immediately step out and headed to the HR Office. I noticed several applicants waiting and seated properly outside. A woman on mid-40's appear. It must be the HR recruiter. I immediately reach out to her.

"Is this the job application for the Managerial Position?" I ask in low voice to sound polite. I can't risk the chances of being hired.

"Yes, this is. Hand me your resume." I gave her my resume and she scanned it right away. I notice her head moving up and down. 

"I see you are a Harvard graduate and had finished with a Latin honor. Quite interesting. Follow me." I heard disapproval from the applicants sitting in the chair. Too bad for them.

I followed her inside the conference room and I was instructed to sit on the chair while waiting for the interviewer. 

"Mr. Ayala wanted to join the interview today so he will be the one to conduct your interview." I just nodded on Lisa's words. How do I know her name? She has a name tag, duh.

I entertain myself by looking at the glass window. I can see the high rise buildings from here. Not long enough, I heard the opening of the door and a man in three piece suit arrived. I never knew a man who can be this good-looking. He looks so hot in his suit. As he came near my chair, I smelled his perfume and my eyes widen in shock. HE WAS THE MAN IN THE ELEVATOR! My mind shouted in surprise.

I heard a chuckle so I immediately compose myself to stop my embarrassment.

"Sorry for being late. Let's start. So Keira, what do you look forward in working here at De Alba Empire?" 

"To destroy --" Fuck! I didn't think before I speak. Relax Kei, don't let him see that your nervous.

"Destroy?" He raised an eyebrow to me. 

Now think of a good excuse before your father went crazy because of your mistake.

"To destroy employees bad habits that can cause downfall of our company and to help others be motivated by sharing my experience that I have learned abroad." 

I exhale sharply. I hope that's enough to for him to believe me. I needed more control to avoid creating mistakes.

"Alright. What do you think about Mr. Felix De Alba, the CEO?" 

"He is a crazy -" I froze a bit after the start of my statement. Geez, I'm really doomed.

"CRAZY?" The stranger rise his tone and he is waiting for my explanation. My God! I can't believe what's happening to me.

"Yeah, his crazy in business that's why he became on top of his field and defeated his rivals. Sorry for my informal words. I used to speak in like that." I finger crossed under the table. Please, believe me again this time.

"I agree. He is a crazy man when it comes to business but he is a good person. Anyway, your good. Your hired." 

"I'm hired already?" I asked again. I thought there will be more questions since it a bug company. Is this man lunatic?

"You heard me. You're hired. You start next week." He rise immediately and left the conference room. What's his problem? Well, I don't care as long as I'm hired.

I left the company and called my Dad. After three rings, he answered. "What?" He sounds irritated.

"I am hired Dad. I'll be starting next week." I hope it can enlighten him.

"That's good. You know what to do. You will live in your condo for a while." Dad hang-up the call. Hay, his usually like that since then.

It didn't take loong before the week that I suppose to work arrive. I wore a simple pencil cut skirt and a long-sleeves button top to look formal. Its my first day and so I need to impress people so I can gain their favor.

I walk confidently on the hallway until I heard a familiar laugh from my behind.

"That's nice kiddo. Good job" That man is Felix De Alba, with his wife Karina talking to the stranger who interviewed me last time. I clenched my fist to hide my annoyance. How can they laugh when they destroy our family? 

I snap when I heard someone call my name. "Ms. Ignacio." The stranger man called me.

I immediately went to their direction to introduce myself. "She's our new manager, Ms. Keira Ignacio, Sir." I am politely shake hands with the man my father anger the most.

"You look so pretty, Iha. How are you?" Karina approach me with a hug. How sweet of her. Tss!

"I'm good Maam. You have a beautiful interior design here." I smiled to hide my wariness and anger.

"It was our daughter's design." She answered in a low and sad voice. What did I do? 

"I'm sorry. I just got emotional. She maybe in your age if she's alive." Mr. De Alba just hug his wife for comfort. Dad didn't told me that they have a child.

"I'm sorry Maam. I didn't mean to sadden you." I should be careful next time. Its only my first day yet I made the wife's owner cried.

"No, its okay. I just missed my daughter. Don't mind me. I hope you have a good day." She smiled sweetly even though I can see sadness in her eyes. I excuse myself to avoid more conversation with them. Dad has an explaining to do.

I easily find my office and I can't help not to admire the beautiful view of the city. Wow! They really have a taste. I comfortably seated on the swivel chair. I feel like its been a day with that interaction a while ago. I shouldn't cross path again with them of I want to avoid conflicts.

I heard a soft knock on my door. "Come in" 

The stranger man entered my office. I immediately seat properly. 

"I hope you find you office good. By the way, I'm Anthony Dale Ayala. The shareholder's son." Oh! I immediately rise from my seat to greet him. His my boss after all.

"Good morning Sir. I like your office. Its beautiful." I tried answering in a polite voice. 

"Its good to hear. My office is just beside yours. If you have questions, just stop by." He walk away and I sigh. Don't mind him, Kei. 

I started working so I have more time on spying. Since its my first day, I only have few works. I go out of my office and do a round trip to be familiarize.

"Hey, your new?" A man appear in front of me.

"Yes. I am exploring so I won't get lost." The man smiled.

"I am Troy of Accountancy Dept. If you want a tour, I can accompany you." Your in luck, Kei. I can use him to by pass their financial statements.

"Sure. I'm Keira. I need company so it will be easier for me." The tour started and I memorized each offices even the cctv. I need to remember those to avoid them.

After the tour, I felt exhausted. I am entering my office when Anthony's door burst open. 

"I see you make friends already." He coldly stated. Why does he care?

"Yeah, I toured on the building so I won't get lost." I rolled my eyes and I planned on entering until he speak again. What now?

"You should have told me." I faced him this time and I saw coldness in his eyes.

"Next time Sir." Finally, I entered my office peacefully.

For the next month, I continued my routine and do nothing yet to avoid suspicion especially Anthony had his eyes on me. A board meeting was called and I thought that this is the right time to start my plan. 

We talked on the recent project and its allotted budget. Dad will be glad to hear this. I rarely communicated with them to avoid leaking out our relationship. After the meeting, I called Dad instantly.

"Dad" I cheerfully speak.

"What is it?" Hmm, Dad is unusual calm.

"The De Alba is planning to buy its a land at the Kalantyaw Island next month. It is a big project. You can steal the deal from them." I reported.

"Continue what you are doing. I will make sure that they will not get that project. And Kei..." Dad paused a bit.

"Good job. Bye." He hang-up again, but I am glad because he praised me. He rarely said those words to me.

The news about the failed acquisition of the land spread throughout the company. A big project was cancelled since they didn't get the land. 

The information that I am giving is beneficial since another project was cancelled due to father's fast action. Some investors left the company due to the risk that the company is facing.

It was my 3rd month in the company and I am more careful not to create suspicion since the company is investigating about the leakage.

I was called in the CEO's office one afternoon. A revelation that I didn't expect happened. Mr. De Alba amd his wife was there. And even Anthony. What's going on?

"Uhmm, good day Maam and Sir." I tried sounded relax even though I'm a bit nervous.

"Now, she's here. Tell us what is it, Anthony" Mr. De Alba asked.

"Since the leakage of our projects happened. The company goes a thorough investigation and we found out about your fake identity. Ms. Montemayor." O froze in my spot. How can they find it out? My father hid it well. Just play along Keira. Don't be so obvious.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand." I tried to sound confuse as I speak.

"You can't fool us anymore. She leaked the information to her father Renato Montemayor." The three of us looked at him in surprise. This can't be happening to me!

"Renato? She was his daughter?" Mrs. De Alba asked curiously.

"Yes, Auntie. But that isn't the reason why I called her in. She wasn't Renato's biological daughter." He looked at my direction and I felt mad at his lie. 

"Stop lying. What more lies will you say?" I angrily asked him.

"You are not Renato' daughter because you are Keira Isabel De Alba, the lost daughter of Felix and Karina De Alba." What the hell? 

"Anthony, this is not a good joke." Mr. De Alba said in his warning tone. 

"I'm not lying Uncle. Seeing Keira's birth certificate, the time she was born was the time Renato was in the prison. His wife left him after that. They have a son named Benjamin." This can't be! No freaking way!

Karina was about to come near me but I stopped her. 

"I don't believe you. STOP LYING AND CREATING STORIES!!!" I can't control my emotions now. I don't care if whatever they say. They arr just doing this so I won't obey my Dad.

"It is the truth. The time that I saw you in the elevator, I had a feeling that its you Isabel. So, I asked the HR that I will be conducting the interview." I lost my balance and my vision darken. The last thing I remember, Anthony catch me before I hot the floor.

When I woke up, my head hurts like hell. Where am I? 

"She awake Auntie." I heard Anthony's voice.

"How are you feeling, Iha? Is there something that you want to eat?" Karina asked me with multiple questions.

"Hon, give her a rest. She's tired and exhausted." I heard Felix's voice in background. How long has its been?

"You passed out and its been 4 hours. We get a DNA sample on your blood so we can test you." Felix said in a calm voice.

"I'm not your daughter so why bother? Just let me go home." I frankly stated.

"We lost our daughter year's ago but it feels like yesterday. I won't take the risk of losing you again." Karina swiftly stated. She started to comb my hair with her fingers. 

"I won't forgive Renato if her really do this. He has been a good friend and we thought he has changed over the years." My phone ring and interrupted her sentiments. I saw the caller and its my Dad. I immediately press the loud speaker button.

"Dad, I have a question." I nervously started.

"What is it? I have a few time." He irritatedly said.

"I am not your daughter right? So, you sent me to cause pain on my real parents." I silently sob as I speak to him.

"W-what? No. Who told you that?" He stutter a bit so I know his nervous.

"Stop lying. I know already." The people on room are silent and just listening on my phone call.

"Your not my daughter. I kidnapped you and used you to hurt your parents. I succeed right?" He laugh like a crazy man. My Dad snatch the phone in my hands.

"How dare you Renato? I will make you pay for this." So, all this time, I am causing havoc on my parent's name? My Mom hugged me tightly as I cried. That's why his not affectionate to me because I'm not his daughter. I fall asleep in my mother's arms while crying.

When I woke up, my hands are tied and I am in an abandoned building. What's going on?

"So, your awake now. Even I don't execute my plan at least I have you here. Your parents will be devastated again hahaha" Gone was the good man that I saw. He was crazy and evil. Now I know why my father jailed him.

"How could you do this to me? I treated you like a father. Your evil!" He slap me hard and for the nth time I didn't know how many times. 

My body went numb due to the pain. I pray that my parents find me quickly. Just in time, I heard gun shots outside the building. 

"Fuck! They are here already." He grab my hair and pulled me with him. " Let's see how strong they can be after seeing you die again." 

The next thing I knew, I felt a gun shot on my abdomen and the voices of my parents. Am I dying without being with them? Renato's body fall lifeless as he was shot many times. 

"Don't leave us Baby. Mom and Dad are here." As much as I want to stay awake, darkness consumed me. 

I wake up in the hospital with aching body. How long has I been passed out again? When I met Anthony's eyes, he immediately call the nurse station telling that I'm awake.

"Thank God. You've been sleeping for 5 days. We thought we lost you again." He hug me tightly until the door burst open. 

"How are you sweetly? We brought fruits for you." Mom happily carress my hair as if I'm a child.

Its been a year since that incident happened. I am standing here in Renato's grave. His been a good father to me. I just felt sad that his ambition made him bad and isolate himself from people who cared for him. I hope his in peace now. 

"Hey" Anthony encircled his arm on my shoulder. Were leaving happily now. Thank God, I have given a chance to experience this happiness. I won't trade them for anything.