2 Vol. 1-01: Huey, Dewey and Louie

The Whitlock Family were known for how they expanded their wealth through their luxurious hotel business. The large land had become a one-stop vacation package with their subsidiaries like a casino, a mini amusement park, a zoo, a resort and many more.

It gained worldwide attention, becoming a top destination place. The public raved about their quality services and pleasing accomodations.

A business like that wouldn't have risen to success (and maintain it) without exemplary management. Whitlock family members aimed for excellence and demonstrated it—even showcasing harmonious teamwork as a key to their continuous achievements.

If only the same thing can be said for the truth.

A TV screen showed a happy report about a recent marriage proposal made at the center of their amusement park. Well wishes and greetings were extended to the happy couple.

"So…" Louis glared his green eyes at the news report. "Jaime is engaged."

Behind him, Dion turned around with a french fry in his mouth. "He's playing that card, huh?"

He grabbed the back of the couch and jumped over it. He landed beside Louis, offering the latter his mini bucket of fries. "Since the higher ups are almost near retirement, he wants to get ahead."

"Do you think the boss knows about it yet?"

"If he doesn't, he probably saw it coming."

"What are you two talking about?" A new voice joined them from the office door. Coral eyes scanned the office lounge. Although three desks and computer sets were present, Louis and Dion saw it more as a break room.

Louis pointed towards the LED TV. "See for yourself, Hugo."

Hugo stepped further inside, shifting his focus to the news report. His eyebrows scrunched together. "He's always been the charismatic one. This announcement comes to no surprise."

"I beg to differ." Dion snorted and rolled his blue eyes. "Boss obviously has the better looks and the better charm. He just… doesn't use it outside of business deals."

A stack of papers hit the top of his head.

"Romance has its own language," Hugo said as he pulled the papers back. "Someone like you who always gets rejected can't possibly understand that."

'... did you have to say it like that?' Dion complained in his head.

"Jaime knows heirs are important to the clan. He now has the upper hand in becoming the next head, especially if his fiancée's pregnant." Louis sighed. The reporter finally switched to a different celebrity gossip. The new romance movie in theaters broke the top sales for the year.

The story was something about a CEO dating a rookie model who turned out to be his personal assistant. And, apparently, it was based on true events. Jaime arched an eyebrow at that.

"If you think that the boss will date just because of this, you're wrong," Hugo said. He returned to the documents in his hand and walked towards his desk. "You're better off worrying about your own love lives than his."

Dion exhaled sharply. He didn't like how the future was looking. "Boss will probably go for a political marriage."

"But do we really want the boss to resort to that?" Louis jumped off his seat, placing his hands on his hips. "Mutual benefit is good but a heart that won't betray you is what the clan needs more."

Hugo rolled his eyes. "Just admit that you're a hopeless romantic, Louis."

"Have you seen boss lately?!" Louis countered. He pointed towards the general manager's office. "Go look at him yourself so you'll know he's miserable."

"Oh?" Hugo raised a challenging eyebrow. The corner of his lip lifted up. "Let me check. Of course, I won't forget to tell him how worried you are that he'd die alone, Louis—"

"Wait! Hugo—!" Louis dashed for him, sensing his doom. Their boss hated meddling—especially about his private affairs.

"Don't forget about me!" Dion joined in. He skipped towards them and tripped over his own feet. His hands grabbed the backs of their shirts and dragged them along with him.

Their fall forced the door to open.

"What are the three of you arguing among yourselves?" A voice exasperated from inside.

All three of them looked up. "Boss…"

Calliope Whitlock, grandson of their mother company's chairman. He was known as a troublemaker growing up. That was all in the past now. He had switched to a silver ombre for his black hair, outgrowing the red streaks.

His elegant mannerism was a far-cry to his teenage self. None of his relatives believed he had what it takes to lead their business but his presence here kept proving them wrong.

"Yes?" Cal raised an eyebrow. He dropped the folder on his desk and gave his subordinates his full attention.

Dion and Hugo pushed Louis forward.

Louis shrugged them off with a glare. When he looked forward again, he flashed an innocent smile at Cal.

The latter didn't return it.

"Please know I only have your best interest at heart, boss...," Louis began to say and flopped down on a chair in front of the work desk. "But I think you need a break."

"I don't need a break." Cal's response came without hesitation just as all three of them expected.

Louis racked his brain for an excuse—actually, no! Jaime was posing as a dependable gentleman but Cal clearly was better than him. This can't go on any longer. If Cal needed a wife, why not hit two birds with one stone?

"Then, have you decided what gifts to get us on our birthdays?" The words left his mouth before he could process them. A plan started to form and his gaze could almost see the light.

Cal smelled suspicion. "Why?"

"We want something specific this year."

Dion and Hugo exchanged glances. They never talked about anything like this. What in the world was Louis thinking?

Cal thought for a moment. Then, he leaned back and relaxed his posture. "Alright. I'm listening."

Louis's heartbeat sped up. He was a genius. This had to be the best thing he came up with. "We want you to attend three blind dates, one for each of our birthdays."

Hugo kicked the leg of Louis's chair. Louis kicked Hugo back. He had already said it. There was no going back now. It was now or never.

"Is that all?" Cal chuckled, grinning from ear to ear. He snapped the folder close and dropped the false smile. "Then, leave."

"But, boss! Think about it. You won't have to spend a cent. We'll take care of the costs."

"Louis!" Hugo hissed.

But Louis turned a deaf ear. "All you have to do is show up, stay for an hour, talk and escort the lady home. We'll also work it around your schedule so it doesn't come in between work."

Dion couldn't decide whether to admire Louis or to shake his head. Desperation could really push someone to this extent. Just how much more was Louis willing to sacrifice?

"What brought this on?" Cal decided to ask. There had to be a logical reason behind this. Once he finds out, he can resolve it with a logical solution than give in to this ridiculous scheme.

"Jaime is engaged," Hugo revealed. The air in the room instantly became heavy. "His chances to get the head position just rose up."

Cal gritted his teeth and stared at his desk. 'So that was Jaime's move…'

Was marriage really that important? Cal abhorred the idea of tying someone down to their lifestyle. The Whitlock name was clean thanks to their influence with the media and powerful business allies. What was underneath that was a different story.

If a person really loved someone, wouldn't they want the best for their loved one? And the dirty hands of his family were far from that.

"Being the head is more than just being romantically involved," Cal said, spinning a pen between his fingers. "What the elders want is for our family's legacy to be passed down. Who is to say adopting a capable kid won't be able to do that?"

"But who will take care of the kid?" Louis tried again. Hugo slapped his shoulder this time. "Ow! It's going to need a mother! Boss doesn't have the time to be a parent. Get a nanny, sure. But a wife—is still better."

Cal closed his eyes and kneaded his temple. 'These idiots would never stop, would they?'

'Blind dates? One hour each?' Cal opened his eyes. 'Three hours versus more ideas for them to come up with…'

If he refused, it was only a matter of time before they thought of a new scheme. It could only go worse from here. Did he really want to risk that?

Cal looked at each of their faces. Hugo wore a grim expression. Dion seemed disinterested but the anticipation in his coral eyes gave his true thoughts away. On the other hand, Louis hid nothing. He really wanted Cal to agree to this.

Putting his pen back, Cal made his decision.

"You can't ask me for this ever again."