EPISODE 3: Stay Hidden From Those Eyes

[Conference Hall, DWC Realty]

"You can come in, now. The meeting has ended."

"Uncle Seiya, what is this that I'm hearing all of a sudden? The special team you sent to the Wuhan branch hasn't returned yet and now there are even more preparing to leave by tomorrow. What is going on? I thought it was all settled."

"No Leila. Unfortunately, the situation seems a bit dire this time. Vloom's elite team has contacted all of our dealers in the city and proposed better cuts to them in a unified meeting. Many of them seem to have revoked our contracts and signed up with Mr. Raquel after that gathering. I'm planning to leave tomorrow myself. It's just that I'm hesitant to leave you here alone at a time like such."

"Why are you stressing over it so much? Just pass an order to summon the TSF team and all will be done. It will serve him right. That bloody CEO truly makes my insides squirm !"

"You must not forget what you promised me after we acquired the big 5's, dear. In any case, I can not permit any of these meetings, now that I know how big of a threat Mr. Raquel can pose to you and everyone around us. That man is dangerous. Not only couldn't we look for any traces of dirt on him and his company, we even discovered that he was never turned down once in any of the proposal meetings that he ever attended."

(scoffs)"He uses our tactics too or is he an actual 'sapio-maniac' of some sort?"

"Well, I'd like to say the latter. He is capable of diving in too deep if it can help him win. (sternly)...Leila, you have a duty to fulfill till the time I'm gone. You do not meet the CEO in any form at any time. Do you understand me? I don't wish for his eyes to fall on you. After all, I didn't keep you all safe for all these years just to see you become targets of a predator. For the sake of the vow that I took when the President was on his death bed, take care of yourself and the kids."

"I-...I understand! You'll find everything just the way you left it here. So don't worry, okay uncle? Besides, I'm not alone here, I can remain unharmed even if you are not around. Then, good luck with your restoration mission. Fighting!"

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The following day, on a Sunday morning, DWC's assisting team leaves for Wuhan along with Mr. Seiya. Leila has been assigned to manage all his roles in the company with the other board officials till the time he returns.

[CEO, Raquel's resident Villa]

(phone rings)

"I'm resting, Tim Tim. It better be urgent for you to ring me up on a peaceful Sunday morning."

"Sir, I have called to give you some updates. The VP has finally left with his team for Wuhan. I think our plan is working just fine. I have also arranged a meeting for you on Monday to lay out the next course of act-"

(hangs up the phone)

Raquel: {Goddamn, they don't even let me rest for one day.}

(phone starts ringing up again)

"Jesus, Timmy! Stop disturbing me alri-"

"Raquel, It's me, Chen. You...sound very busy. Should I ring you up later, maybe?"

"Oh my god! Chen, my man. So glad to finally hear your voice after 8 years. How can I be too busy for you? What's good?"

"Can't believe you are here finally. I couldn't stop myself from contacting you after finding out that you were visiting China again but for longer this time. Wanna meet up to reminisce our good 'ol days?"

"Of course, buddy! Wanna jog around the city? Can't remember the last time I was free enough to hit the gym anyways."

"Now that's a classic request coming from the Raquel I know, haha. Text me your address, and I'll see you outside in some time."

After 15 minutes, Mr. Raquel, dressed in his activewear joins Chen Li who is already waiting for him outside his mansion.

"I see you everywhere on social media these days. Man, you really had the glow-up of your life. Now, you look nothing like what you did 8 years ago when you came here with your dad. How is he by the way?"

"Oh, my old man is fantastic! He even got promoted after we returned back to the states. The case he was leading successfully here seemed to have done the trick. Anyways, What are you up to these days?"

"Well, I was never as bold as you but I made my breakthrough after clearing the national medical exam. Although I work for the CNP Hospital here, I only get to come in around during the weekends. Our hospital was paid to volunteer for Angel's Orphanage a couple of years ago, its a bit too far from here. So we operate there in shifts."

"And I thought only I was the busybody here. Oh look that's a gym, right?

(pointing at a glass-panned foyer from across the street) Should we check it out?"

"Woah, no chance! That gym is reputed as 'the Hall of Hooligans' here. People who joined in revealed that they caught glimpses of some alleged criminals working out there. The owner, Zack is also one shady hunk of a trainer I heard. People seem to be terrified of him just as much as they are from his arena."

Just as they talk, a masked lady with an exquisite figure is seen leaving the gym straight for her Sedan that is parked right outside. Raquel who seems to look genuinely concerned at this sight finally breaks his silence.

"Now what? Are you going to say she is a don too? Look at her beauty, such a delicate angel. The least we can do is check if she's okay after seeing all the bad guys inside."

"Are you sure we can be friendly with her, Mr. Bainton?"

"And why do you ask that exactly?"

"THAT woman who just left was Leila. Isn't she, your arch-enemy at the moment? Or wait, have you both not met officially yet?"

"What, it was her? How could I of all people fail to recognize the lady that I have been looking forward to meet since my first day here. What is she doing at this sketchy place, anyways?"

"I heard that she lives nearby. Maybe this is her go-to gym. But really, training from Zack is quite the stunt, don't you think?"

"Well, only time will tell how daring she actually is."

"By the way. Did you know, she is quite popular among the guys here? I once saw a community fan page dedicated solely to Miss Leila. Their threads were flooded with clips from her BAF Awards speech. They seemed to be swooning over her reserved and mystifying public persona."

"From where do you find the time to watch all this crap? I thought you were quite busy. Anyways, I can confirm how she is only the day I meet her myself. Come now, Let's get out of here!"

Raquel: {I'll be on the lookout for that day in all eagerness, Leila. You can't hide from me forever. Just wait till I find the real you and snatch away the company from your undeserving hands.}