Antonio De Isquierda: The Rise of Rich CEO

Chapter 3 The Boss

Antonio is on the verge of suppressed anger, frustration, and loneliness. He didn't shed a tear. He walked away, away from the rage, to the restaurant he is working at, to Sarah—his ex. 

Antonio will be different now. He has nothing to lose. He has nothing to hold on to. He has nothing to spare. Neither his friends in fashion school or even his colleagues from his previous work would know about his true self—the identity he tried to hide. 

Antonio will be the other guy, the other stranger, the other student, the other self-reliant individual. If he tried to be more than that, when he put his mind into it, he would be indestructible. 

He didn't even look back at Sarah's apartment right after he threw his precious gift to Sarah. He didn't even take the elevator after that. He tried to take the back stairs just to find comfort. He took the stairs from the 9th floor up to the 1st floor. 

He sweat profusely and heavily sighed for the instant cardio. His lips on a grim thin line. And if someone asks him if he's okay, he will actually throw a punch right there and then. 

Everyone in La Paz will be damned. Antonio will never be the same again. 

*** 

Antonio De Isquierda IV

CEO of ADIV Holdings INC. 

A beautiful blonde secretary strides her way to Antonio's office. Antonio is busily taking notes about tomorrow's meeting. The spreadsheet in front of him and excels in his tablet is what keep him busy. His grandfather almost died from a stroke and was the general manager of ADIV Holdings INC. The Finance Division called him about everything. 

"Good day, Sir! I want to inform you that someone in the lobby named Sarah Shepherd is waiting for you," she informed Antonio. 

Antonio didn't even flinch. He lowered his glasses and slightly looked at her secretary. 

"Mrs. Franco, I told you a million times I don't entertain visitors." Antonio calmly said. And he continued looking at the tablet in front of him. 

The blonde lady apologized. "Yes, sir. I will tell Ms. Sarah that she will not be allowed to enter the said premises." 

"Thank you, Mrs. Franco. You can leave," Antonio said. The blonde lady bowed her head and slightly smiled at Antonio. 

Antonio seems to have noticed the smile. And he remembered someone in the LP Devotee who smiled at him despite looking unwary and rugged. 

And now, when he's at his greatest, everyone smiles at him. 

Then, he glanced at his secretary and he saw that she phoned the lobby that Sarah will be out. And some bodyguards flocking on her, waiting for other orders. Right there, Antonio pressed the red button on his table and mentioned "All the bodyguards will be at the lobby after a minute now. We will be having lunch at my grandfather's estate," 

After that command, Antonio stood up and fixed his things. He grabbed his messenger bag and put his tablet, fountain pen, cellphone and his keys. He didn't even bother to take off his glasses. He sips his water and walks outside his office. 

Her secretary and one of the interns bid their farewell. Antonio didn't respond, he easily walked away from them and silently waited in front of the elevator. After a minute, the elevator door opened and he slid in. He looked at his watch and he only had 30 minutes for his lunch. The bodyguard pressed the ground floor. 

It can easily be seen at Antonio that he looks impatient. The bodyguard tried to be cautious or else. Antonio's office is located at the topmost floor of the building. But on the 8th floor, the elevator door opened and a woman stood there—beautifully waiting. 

The woman tried to look corporate. It seems like she's not fit in a corporate building with a pencil skirt and a decent white top. The woman seemed oblivious to the man in the elevator and didn't even care about the bodyguards. It seems like she wanted to get to the elevator as fast as she could. She seems in a hurry. 

The bodyguards seemed to flinch when they noticed the woman suddenly entered the elevator with Antonio. It was an unspoken rule that no one can be with Antonio in the elevator together. 

The woman seems uncomfortable now since the bodyguards keep on looking at him. She side eyed the one on her left. 

Antonio, on the other hand, seems irritated. He slightly shifted his movement and he moved in front of the woman—standing still. 

When Antonio tried to catch her attention, the woman pressed the ground floor, too. 

"Oh, you will be on the ground floor, too." she said, as if she's speaking on her own. 

The bodyguard tried to tap her shoulder when Antonio stopped him and eyed him that it's okay. 

Antonio noticed that the girl was looking at the numbers above the elevator. Those red numbers flashed on what floor they were. 

7—6—5—4…

It's a perfect silence. But, a loud ringtone of a Jimmy Hendrix broke the silence. Antonio noticed that the woman resembled someone but he forgot who. He heard a faint noise before the woman beside her told the other line that she should speak to Mrs. Franco. After that the woman dropped the call and the elevator ding. 

Antonio, who strove his way out of the elevator and the bodyguard just easily passed the woman—slightly brushed off the shoulder of the said woman, making her slightly lose her poise.  

But instantly, she stepped forward and didn't mind the sudden harsh bumping of Antonio's bodyguards. 

Antonio carried his messenger bag and walked to the car park, waiting for the valet to start his car. Antonio glanced at his wristwatch, it's almost 17 minutes away from the said call time for family lunch. 

But instead of panicking, he silently waited for the car and didn't mind if he would be late. He handles his time now, he has his life in his palm. 

Antonio noticed that someone approached him. He looked at his back and found the girl on the elevator, a frustrated grin plastered on her face. 

"Are you supposed to make me feel frustrated?" she said, suddenly creating a scenario. Her angry tone didn't leave Antonio's observation. "Your bodyguard actually bump into me," 

"Do I need to say sorry?" He abruptly said. The bodyguard from afar saw the commotion and tried to stop the situation but Antonio held his index finger to make the bodyguard stop. 

"Yes?" she said. But the woman was cut off because one of her friends stopped her to create a commotion. 

"Pamela, stop!" One of her friends said, then the other woman looked at Antonio with a faint smile, as if asking to be sorry that her friend is like that. "I'm sorry, Mister. I hope we didn't take much of your time," 

"Believe me or not, his bodyguards did that to me," she hysterically said. But her friend eyed him, sending her signal that this is embarrassing. 

"Fine!" Pamela loudly said, in defeat. Her friend smiled at her. 

Antonio looked pissed and the other girl didn't even flinch. Pamela's friend continues to apologize, on behalf of her. Antonio noticed that they both have a Jimmy Hendrix tote bag. Antonio has a eureka moment. This was the same group of females in the LP Devotee. But, Antonio tried to look unfazed and still assert dominance. The bodyguards almost touched Pamela's elbow. 

But, Pamela moved aside and refused to get touched by the bodyguard. Pamela seemed in a bad mood after the incident in the elevator. But, Antonio didn't mind because his bodyguards just did their job. 

Antonio's valet is here. And his car is neatly parked. He quickly glanced at the two before announcing to let the two vacate the premises. The bodyguards assessed the two women away from the lane. Surprisingly, he didn't hear any complaints from them. They respectfully vacate the premises and are escorted to a nearest Subaru car. 

According to Antonio's peripheral vision, he saw the other girl comforting Pamela when she noticed that Pamela felt sad. Antonio just shrugged it off and he slid into the driver seat. He thanked the valet and the valet just gave him a salute. He chuckled a bit. 

"Nice job," he said. Before reviving the engine. He also saw Sarah Shepherd sitting in front of the building while holding a cup of coffee. 

What a sad bitch, indeed! he thought. 

He continued to drive. He will be having lunch at his grandfather's estate. He actually remembered the day when he found out he was the heir of a billion dollar company. His grandfather's manager called him in the middle of the night asking him if he's okay and he needed his presence at his grandfather's estate house. 

At first Antonio didn't perceive the call. He thought it was a scam, a phishing technique to lure vulnerable individuals. But, the manager explained in detail about the situation at hand. Then, Antonio actually agreed, it seems truthful. Not a lie. 

When Antonio reached his grandfather's estate, he also remembered the day when he first visited the place. All of the employees in the estate lined up in front of him. Bowing into him as if he is their master. Antonio during those times didn't feel anything but hopeless. But now, he felt grateful. Lucky, even. 

Now, Antonio is nearing the dinning hall and he first sees his grandfather, the general managers, the butlers and other members of the family. 

"I felt good when I see you here again, My dearest Antonio," His grandfather said, calmly talking with all the energy to finish the sentence. 

"Your welcome, Gran," he said "It's always a pleasure." 

His grandfather smiled at him. Antonio felt it was a million dollar smile but he refused to acknowledge it just because. 

"Oh, Antonio. You're still frustrated. I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long. I swear I would never do that again." He said, laughing. Antonio didn't get the joke and the reason why all the people in the table laughed. "Right, Alaster?" 

His grandfather elbowed his manager and waited for a response. The manager looked at Antonio with shame and just expressed a grateful disposition. 

"Yes, Mr. Gran!" the manager said. "Antonio has great sales data. Higher than all of the CEO who acquire your company," 

"Yes, I know. Antonio is the best of them all. I believe in him!" His grandfather said, making all the room applaud. 

After that, Antonio didn't say a thing but he continued receiving praises left and right. Lunch is being served. An angus beef steak and a rosé. 

One of the family members started to change the topic and Antonio suddenly had a pique of curiosity about it. 

"One of the children of Mr. Astrauss held an art gallery for philanthropic deeds. I guess we should grace the said event with our presence," A woman said, who looks classic and elegant. She looks like Audrey Hepburn. 

"Mr. Strauss?" Antonio's grandfather asked genuinely. 

"Yes, Papa. Mr. Strauss. He held all of La Paz's events for children, single moms and for the aged." she said, as if she's proud to tell all their achievements. 

"All La Paz events and their specific proceeds usually help other people who's in need. They always have a good heart, Sir Gran. Mr. Strauss' children are supposed to be working on us but we refused." The General Manager said, 

"What? Why?" The Gran said, scandalized about the statement. His spoon stopped mid-air and waited for the general manager to reply. 

The General Manager didn't look at Gran but he quickly glanced at Antonio to supply some needed information about the said rejection. 

"She's better off as an artist, Gran. Rather than a financial tactician," Antonio plainly said. After that he sipped his rosé. 

"What do you mean?" Gran asked. While intently looking at Antonio. "You mentioned, she. Oh, a woman!" 

"It must be Pamela Nueva, Gran. She's the only painter of Mr. Strauss' children," Anastasia said. Antonio looked at the woman in front of him, she gradually smirked as an expression and Antonio just scowled. 

"Is she pretty?" The old man said. The General Manager coughed a bit louder. Anastasia, on the other hand, felt scandalized. 

"Papa!" she abruptly said. "Stop saying that!" 

"Why, Anastasia?" He curiously asked. "I just want to know. Because it seems like it's the first time in our long history that we reject a woman applicant!" 

Anastasia glanced at Antonio while sipping at her wine. Other Gran's children are silent and nowhere to be found in this dining hall. The butler and maids silently refill all the empty cups and plates. And the bodyguard is silently standing outside the dining hall. 

"I want to have an urgent meeting with Mr. Strauss," Gran said. 

"You can't, Mr. Gran. The doctor doesn't want to strain you," one of Mr. Gran's assistants reminded him. 

Anastasia rolled her eyes. But, Antonio tried not to shift on his seat. He didn't feel sorry he rejected that woman's job proposal. He just acts according to his observation. He saw her portfolio and it caught him off guard. He studies fashion and he knows about it. It was a right call to make her not involved in the financial field albeit tactician. 

"You need to talk about this. We need to make an apology to Mr. Strauss, Alaster." the old man said. 

"Don't worry, Father! I will attend the event. I will apologize on your behalf." Anastasia said. Antonio looked at her and tried to finish his food. 

"You should grace your presence at that event, Antonio." Gran said. As if he was ordering Antonio and slightly frustrated about his actions. 

"Yes, I will, Gran. If that makes you happy," he said, dismissing her counter attack. Anastasia just raised his eyebrows at Antonio. 

Antonio left the dining hall after that. He bid farewell to them and didn't even hear the response. He went back to his office after having lunch at his grandfather's estate. He almost forgot the time and tried to take a view of La Paz's scenery. A view filled with city lights, nighttime with stars, vast ocean and a moon light. 

Antonio decided to have dinner at the alleyway near The Afterthought gift shop. The place is located on the third floor of an unnamed building. One of the underrated places in La Paz. Antonio saw this place when he scrolled on his I*******m account.

He parked his car 5 minutes away from the said building. He walked and stepped into the stairs of the said underrated restaurant. He opened the door and 6 people in total are sitting in their designated seats.