1 Chapter 1: Where it all started

"I know I'm younger than you. I know you don't like me yet. But I will try my best to make you see the real me. I will try my best to make you appreciate who I am."

Dave could see Rica's eyes slowly becoming overly moist. The girl is about to cry.

"I will change what you don't like about me. I will be a good wife to you. I will study everything there is to learn about SkyRock and we will lift it up again together. I will…I will make you fall in love with me." said Rica

Dave was frozen like stone. His mind was blank, his heart was numb for a few seconds.

"Boss? Please…Give us a chance." said Rica.

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Five Years Ago

Rica Spencer had been nervous all day. She had been anxious from the time she woke up to the time she went to the salon to get her hair done. Until now when she's already inside her Uncle's car, the feeling hasn't settled down. She just can't stop worrying about the party. She knows a lot of well-known people will be attending the event. Dignitaries and even celebrities will be there. It's only once a year that FlyAir Corporation was hosting an event as enormous as this. And with her Uncle being the CEO, her presence was necessary.

"You've been very quiet. I'm not used to not hearing you speak for a straight five minute." Uncle Sam said while looking at Rica with his gentle eyes.

"I'm nervous, Uncle. You know I don't like parties." answered Rica who was then close to crying. But she won't. She learned while she was still young that crying was a weakness. And cry she will not.

"You know why you have to come right? You're Dad died six months ago. And even if I assumed the CEO role, some of the members of the Board are still worried. I'm not getting any younger. And I do not have a child of my own. They need to see that there is a successor." said Uncle Sam.

Rica sighed.

"I know, Uncle. But...what if they don't like me? What if they think I'm like Dad?" asked Rica while looking out the window.

The venue of the party was just a few blocks away. Rica clasped her hands together as she fought the urge to just run away.

"You're pretty and you're smart. What is there not to like? Besides, I'm with you. Haven't you heard I am the king of charisma?" said Uncle Sam giving Rica a comforting smile.

Rica nodded. Uncle Sam had always been the real father figure in her life. He had loved her more than her own father did. Uncle Sam was the image of dignity, integrity and everything her dad wasn't. Rica's dad might be the owner of the largest plane part manufacturing company in the United States, but that does not mean everyone likes him. His way to the top was stained by all sorts of dirty tactics designed to step on the competitors and reach the top. When her father died, FlyAir was the most successful company on the Aeronautics industry. But it was also the most hated. Thank God Uncle Sam was there. He was able to change the image of the company through the months he was CEO.

It's not as if Rica doesn't love her Dad. She loves him dearly and nearly drowned of sadness when she learned that her Dad died in his sleep. She had to take the first flight back to San Francisco even if she already started to like her life in New York.

Her Dad was her only parent since her mother left them when she was seven. Those were dark childhood years for Rica. It was as if she didn't know what to do with her life anymore. She was so lost. Good thing the childhood depression did not last up to now. Her Dad's sudden death shook her to the core though. And she thought that she would never get out of the dark, lonely and empty pit she was in. But Uncle Sam was with her all those years no matter how busy he was with making sure everything was in order in the company her Dad left. Uncle Sam was her anchor.

Rica smiled. She will brave this night for Uncle Sam. If she had to nail a mask on her face, she will.

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David Lopez knew the party will be one everyone will talk about for weeks, but what he did not expect was the extent of how grand it could get. The food was the best set of Asian dishes he had ever been served. FlyAir really intends to impress all the attendees!

However, Dave's mind was not completely in the party. He's been checking his phone since he arrived at the venue. He knows how to socialize, but that doesn't mean he enjoys it. He can tolerate the small talks about business, travel and even fitness. But he could not tolerate the mothers! Yes, the mothers. They would flock to him as if he's some sort of specimen to test and check. They are not hostile though. They are actually friendly. Too friendly.

Call him any name you want, but Dave is not naïve. He knows why the moms love him. Just a couple of weeks ago, a famous magazine just featured him as the most eligible bachelor of his time. The article was exaggerated of course. Rock hard abs with the brain of Einstein isn't exactly who he is. But the mothers of every single young lady in all the land was unfortunately easily convinced.

Dave sighed. The only reason he's in the event was because his Dad asked this as a favor. And Dave had to oblige, his Dad had never asked him a favor before.

But of all the days, why does this party need to coincide with Di's birthday?

"You've been looking at your phone the entire time. You know why your Dad needs you to be here, right?" asked Dave's Mom whispering to him so that nobody else would hear, a plastered smile on her face.

"Just give me five minutes, Mom. I just need to make sure something is settled. And then I'm all yours." answered Dave while typing a message on his phone.

"Your Dad has been going around and talking with different people. You know how important it is for him to make connections. These kinds of parties do not happen every month." answered his Mom while trying to see what Dave was typing.

"I know, Mom. And I will do my job as a good son. But just give me five minutes. I just need something delivered." answered Dave, a bit irritated.

"Flowers? For that girlfriend of yours?" asked Dave's Mom who just happen to see the word flower on Dave's phone.

"Yes. And 'that girlfriend' has a name" said Dave.

"You know that I don't like her. Why will I bother knowing her name?" answered Dave's Mom who did not hide her disgust over the topic.

Dave sighed. This was exactly why he had not been successful in his attempt to make his parents accept his girlfriend of three years. Di is a nice girl. She's beautiful and she's driven. She may not be born into a rich family, but she has made a good career for herself so far. Dave initially thought it was Di's social status that made his Mom reject Di. they have argued so many times. Dave's Dad wasn't as rich as he was when they got married. But it worked out fine. Social status should never be a reason to refuse a person. But time and time again, his Mom would refute telling him that it was never an issue of social status, that there are things only Mom's would feel. And it's her mother's instinct telling her Di is not the woman for Dave.

"I'm here because I wanted to help Dad. But I also have a duty to Di, Mom. It's her birthday today. I don't think you'll be happy if Dad went to a party instead of celebrating your birthday with you, right?" explained Dave.

Just then Dave saw a message on his phone saying that the delivery was on its way to Di's house.

"Great. Now I'm ready to fulfil my duties as a son." said Dave smiling foolishly.

Dave's Mom just shook her head in frustration.

For the next hour, Dave went to talk to different celebrities and known businessmen. Although he works for a different multinational company, he presented himself as the son of the CEO of SkyRock Corporation. He was there for his Dad anyway.

After a while, all the social talk felt suffocating. So when Dave got a chance, he went out to get some fresh air. Just as he was walking out, he saw the man he had been wanting to meet, Samuel Spencer. Dave did not hesitate for longer than a second as he approached Samuel.

"Excuse me, you are Mr. Samuel Spencer, am I right?" asked Dave

"Yes, I am. And who may you be young man?" asked Samuel smiling

Dave could not believe it! He was talking to Samuel Spencer. This man turned FlyAir Corporation's operation from being known to work under the table and playing dirty business into a credible and successful company in just six months. But despite Samuel's popularity nowadays, the news was right to say that he was still very approachable and friendly, no air of arrogance at all. Even if Samuel stands almost a feet taller than Dave, there was no feeling of intimidation.

"I am David Lopez. I am the son of Andres Lopez, CEO of SkyRock. I have heard a lot of good things about you." said Dave, his voice full of enthusiasm like a kid meeting his celebrity idol. Dave stretched his arm to shake Samuel's hand and Samuel gladly took it.

"And did you also hear some bad things?" asked Sam still smiling.

"Oh, about you? Hmm…"

Dave was caught off guard. He has never heard any negative news about Samuel.

"The Magazines rarely say anything bad against you" said Dave.

"Then that's your assignment. Next time we meet, you have to tell me something nasty about me. You see, your Dad is a very good friend of mine. And thus, I trust him and he trusts me. But that trust is not built on good things alone. Trust is built on believing the other person's strengths and acknowledging that he has weaknesses." said Sam now speaking very seriously and full of wisdom.

"You are as the magazine says you are. I can see now why FlyAir had reached the level where it was now." answered Dave.

Just then Dave's Dad approached them and greeted Samuel with a hug.

"From what I can see, you seem to have taught him well." said Sam.

"I don't have to, my dear friend. He had learned a lot on his own." said Dave's Dad full of pride for his son.

Samuel laughed. His friend, Andres Lopez, had raised a fine young man.

"Oh, you haven't met my niece have you?" asked Sam.

It was only then that Dave saw a girl behind Samuel. She was taller than an ordinary girl but probably a few inches shorter than Dave. She looks cute with her long hair curled at the bottom. Her face looks innocent and pretty, doll like even. She's someone who can make a few heads turn. But she's very young, probably fourteen or fifteen.

"This is Rica. She will be my successor." said Sam introducing Rica to both Dave and his Dad.

"Hi, Nice meeting you, Mr. Lopez. I heard SkyRock's sales had been steadily increasing. I have high hopes of seeing more of your achievements in the future." greeted Rica who was trying her best to look confident though her knees were already shaking.

In just a few seconds, more people approached their group and became really curious about Rica.

"She's your niece?", "What a beautiful girl", "My Son studies at the same University as her. I heard she's on the top of her class.", "That's wonderful! It seems FlyAir is in good hands."

Those were just some of the random things Rica heard. But most of them, she couldn't absorb.

While everybody was busy talking about Rica here and Rica that, Dave received a message on his phone.

"Sir, we met an accident on the road. We won't be able to send the flowers anymore. We will surely refund your payment and will give you bonuses on your next purchase."

Dave clenched his hand. How can this happen now? He slowly tried to get out of the circle and out of the group. This day can't go by without a flower delivered to Di's house.

From not so far away, Rica saw an old woman approaching their circle. For some reason, Rica's instinct told her that this woman was trouble. And one thing she hates about her instinct, it's usually right.

When the old woman reached their group, she did not speak right away. She waited for the commotion to die down. And when there was almost silence, that's when the old frog started speaking.

"She is Rickmond's daughter isn't it? How can we be sure that even if the same blood runs in her veins, she would be different from her father?" asked the old woman

Rica tried to calm herself down. But her blood had already started boiling.

"Because she'll be learning from me, Mathilda." answered Sam. "It's almost time to start the program, why don't we all take our seats. You have to see the achievements of FlyAir the past months, Mathilda. I want you to see what I can teach this young lady." said Sam winking his eyes at Rica.

Although Uncle Sam tried to save Rica from that old frog's intent to embarrass her, that did not stop Rica from getting hurt. Why doesn't that woman give her a chance first? Didn't that Miss Mathilda hear she's on top of her class? Why does an old woman like her have to judge Rica right away? Why do they have to compare her with her Dad? Were his mistakes hers? These were the questions that clogged Rica's mind. It became hard to breath. She just had to escape.

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Rica took a deep breath when she was able to exit the ballroom. She needed to get out of this place.

It surprised Rica to see Dave waiting for the elevator. She didn't want anyone to see her. She can't control her emotions anymore. She needed to cry. But she can't cry when someone was around, she will never do that. Why does this man have to be here? Rica needs to hold back her tears. Everything was boiled up inside her chest waiting to explode.

When they both got inside the elevator, Rica noticed Dave looking really worried on his phone. His furrowed brows and complete disregard of her means he is seriously in trouble.

"Something happened, Mr. Lopez?" asked Rica

It was only then that Dave noticed it was Rica who was in the same elevator.

"Oh, sorry I wasn't paying attention. I didn't know it was you. Yeah, something came up. I need to leave the party." explained Dave.

Dave noticed that though Rica's face was blank, her eyes were all wet and shiny, too shiny. Pools of tears were gathered there waiting to fall.

"Are you ok?" asked Dave

"Huh?" Rica tried to look composed. Was her real emotion showing on her face?

"Of course. Why won't I be? I just need some fresh air. " said Rica.

Just then the elevator started to shake and the lights went out. Rica screamed.

Emergency light opened inside the elevator. But the light was not as bright as it was earlier. The elevator, Dave noticed, was not balanced from left to right. Something was definitely wrong.

"I need you to move a little to your right, Rica." said Dave

"Huh? Ok. " Rica followed Dave's instruction.

"Wait. Just a little, go back a bit" said Dave

Now that the elevator looks more balanced Dave started to look at any control button that can be used to communicate outside.

"What is happening?" asked Rica. Dave could hear the worry in her voice.

"Just stand still. Don't move too much. I am also not sure what is happening. But whatever is happening, I think we need to let people outside know that we are here." said Dave

No matter where Dave looked, he couldn't find anything that can help them. Three minutes had past, then another three and it seems its becoming harder and harder to breath. Dave knew it's not the time to worry about himself, he was with a girl who was probably scared to death of what was happening.

When Dave turned around and looked at Rica, he noticed that Rica's eyes were swelling up. The girl could no longer hide it. She's been holding back her tears since the time she entered the elevator. This girl was trying to look brave. And although this situation is making Dave nervous himself, the girl's toughness was making him amused. If he is going to end up dead by the end of this day, at least he is able to remember something that almost made him smile.

"It's ok to cry, you know." said Dave taking a deep breath.

"Huh?"

"I'm really lucky that it's you who's here in this elevator with me. I mean, other girls would have already cried and got hysterical. But you're different. Or maybe you just want to look brave and under control. But in this kind of situation, it's ok not to look brave." said Dave while trying to add humor on his voice.

"Can you turn around, please. Face the door of the elevator? I can't…cry when there's somebody watching." said Rica

Dave turned around but he can hear Rica's tiny voice while crying.

"Why is that? Why can't you let others see?" asked Dave curiously. Other girls would even act crying in front of men just to get what they want.

"Because they'll think I'm crazy. They'll think I need to see a psychiatrist." answered Rica

Dave can't stop laughing then. That was a very weird answer. He had not advised Di to see a psychiatrist no matter how many times she had already cried in front of him.

"I don't think they're crazy whenever I see someone crying, you know. So it's ok if you cry in front of me." said Dave while turning to face Rica.

"Every girl has a right to cry in front of a man"

A smile was slowly forming on Dave's lips. And it was the warmest smile that shot through Rica's heart.