Chapter 8 The Rich Scion Has Fallen

• While the Lopez family were heading towards the entrance with the emergency responders, a briefing by the authorities was conveyed to Don Alfonso of sending additional help, if needed.
• Don Antonio and his entourage of associates who were left behind a while ago at the meeting room suddenly appeared from the elevator shaft. They hurriedly went over and personally greeted the Lopez family.
• “I’m sorry Amigo, I received a text message upstairs from Stanley that he left Astrid behind due to his nervousness upon hearing the loud explosions. I already gave him the scolding and will discipline his wrongdoing when he gets back here.”
• Don Antonio apologetically informed.
• “Actually, he told me that he wanted to beg for mercy in our behalf.”
• Since there was no animosity between the two families and they were even business partners, Don Alfonso did not mind at all since her daughter is fine while still had quite a bit trust in the Ayala families.
• They are the second largest family in Manila with relatively strong background and strength. So, he had an easier stance not to create a huge sensation with his partner.
• Regardless of the situation, he would like to maintain a low profile to avoid awareness from the media, paparazzi, and business sectors. The tragic accident was after all unexpected.
• “I already knew what happened. The authorities released a statement regarding the destruction and will help those who were injured including briefing our guests at the hotel. The employees will be treated and are listed stable.”
• “With regards to Astrid, she was not injured therefore, no serious offence about it. I have forgotten already.”
• Don Alfonso continued to say calmly while the expression of Don Althea was on the verge of snapping and extremely down casted with a cold face.
• “I was already briefed by the emergency fire officials that a secondary search shall be underway starting at ten this evening. When all the issues are sorted out, the first was to evacuate the guests who have checked in already for the interview and to be investigated further. Secondly follow-up the guests who are still in the middle of getting their bookings and thirdly, to understand the origin of the event and the extent of the harmed cause.”
• At that moment, Don Antonio was so touched from his gesture that he doesn’t even know how to thank Don Alfonso. He was not afraid with him, rather he could never afford to upset the Lopez family and will accept the fault of his son seeing that her daughter was still in a state of depression.
• Just when everybody else was about to join the rest of the guests outside the hotel, Stanley appeared awkwardly from nowhere.
• “Great heavens……Where have you been, you idiot?” Don Antonio hollered when he recognized his son.
• “Quickly go and ask forgiveness to Astrid, you piece of shit!”
• At this point, Don Antonio threatened his son as he puffed his cheeks and puff his air. His eyebrows fluttered as he extended his hand to grab Stanleys shoulders.
• “Say that you are very sorry about it, or else I will choke you to death, huh?”, he followed with a loud voice filled with a killing intent.
• Stanley felt shivers into his spine. It was the first time his father become very angry in front of everybody, Much more from the Lopez family.
• While he should be very anxious to know the reason why he left Astrid, his dad appeared equally frantic on the other side situation.
• “What’s going on?”
• He did not know that he had offended his father so much and don’t understand his reaction.
• “Shouldn’t he hear me first why? Such strong words….. Who the f*ck can stand it?” he muttered as he was about to flip out.
• It was like he felt a buzzing in his head and is about to explode. With a voice of so much rage from his dad, he wanted to cry but there was no tears. He was really afraid that he would skin him alive.
• Even at a young age, he has never been scolded like this in front of anybody. And it seems unlikely that he could protect himself today with the best alibis. When his father has spoken, naturally what he say goes.
• Although he was feeling disdainful, he was after all, the eldest son of a heir. Deep in his mind, he knows that he was truly despicable when he turned his back from Astrid.
• “But who the hell is willing to stay inside that building when you hear a thundering rumble thinking that it might collapse and crumble into pieces above your head?”
• In the end, to prevent more trouble will come, Stanley gritted his teeth while he stuttered.
• “I’m..m.m. sorry Astrid…”
• “Take a kneel, you fucking bastard! You wanted to save yourself and not even worry other people including myself who was still inside?”
• “Yeah, repent your sins you useless son…” the rest of his father associates who was with him chimed in.
• The face of Stanley flushed red with embarrassment when he saw everyone the cold gaze. It was exceptionally frightening. He bent down and shrank to his knees and not to make a big fuss out of it.
• “What in the world?….Everyone be quiet!. This is between me and my son,”
• Don Antonio directly confronted his team.
• “W…wwhat else, dad?”
• Stanley with head down subconsciously clench his fists. He could no longer bear the eyes of so many onlookers that were distracted while the drama unfold.
• Worse yet, he do not want to stay longer on this embarrassing show with his ego as a rich heir could not accept it.
• “From now on, you have been expelled meeting with Miss Lopez. If you refuse to obey, I will see to it that your allowances are cut off. I know that you’re still young, hot blooded and an impulsive brat. Show me you are worthy being called the great eldest son of the Ayala clan,”
• “Stupid!” Don Antonio shouted with a firm voice.
• Astrid, who was silent during all this time highly praised the action of his father scolding his son. In fact, she understood the feelings of this proud man since all these years, they’ve been earning so much money through the business ventures the Ayala’s had set up with his father. Not to mention he badly needed to protect his self-interest.
• Of course, it is very important that the business ventures becomes even better and because of that, they are living a better life.
• From the looks of it, he was willing to throw away his fatherly love in front of everybody in order that the good relationship he established with the Lopezes would continue. It is the very same reason he took the risk of controlling the situation considering his fortune favors the bold and is more likely to succeed with his good luck.
• “Serves you right, coward!”
• Astrid said to herself as he looked gloomy at the two of them. Her face gradually revealing an indifferent expression when she remembers what Stanley has brought upon himself.
• “But that is not enough yet Stanley. You definitely have the most qualification for the position to become the CEO of the Ayala company. I wanted you to promise me that from now on, you will study harder and stay away from Astrid until you finish your university.”
• “Do you hear me, son?”
• Don Antonio asked indifferently given from his understanding that Stanley was truly lusting the young lady of the Lopezes for quite some time now. By looking on his son’s body language during a get-together gatherings with both families, his action speaks louder than his words.
• “I failed; I failed in my plan!”…..
• Stanley let out a sigh of condemning himself upon hearing his father’s wish. Nonetheless, he continued his silence and let it go for now.
• “I promise Dad,” finally he choked his words that he could even barely finish a sentence with his eyes twitching and the corner of his mouth curled showing a contemptuous anger.
• “I’m going to make you pay, Astrid. Even if I will kidnap and force you to become my woman, I don’t care the consequences. Just you wait for my retribution!”
• He swore with a devilish smirk as he continued kneeling.
• “That’s enough ‘panero’, let him go. I suppose he already learned a hard lesson. Stop mistreating him.”
• Don Alfonso grab both the hands of his wife and daughter preparing to leave the place.
• He looked back at the restaurant where the accident occurred and took a deep breath.
• “Miss de Guzman,” he called his secretary who went down awhile back with the group of Don Antonio.
• “Please coordinate with the hotel staff and deal with it properly. Any additional services needed to fast track the re-opening of the hotel, kindly notify the security department and the duty managers to assist the police officers in the investigations. Guests and employees is a serious matter.”
• Don Alfonso continued and instructed.
• “Provide a clear detail of the circumstances and file a report of the scope of damages and injuries. Send it to us when it’s done. Share a copy to Don Antonio, my panero.”
• “I will ask my associates to help ‘amigo’. If there will be additional medical assistance still needed, let me handle it with my team. Go ahead and take a rest….. or rather, take your family to dinner. At the moment, we have a lot of outside help and assistance. I will follow-up and be close in contact with the authorities.”
• With a sigh of resignation, Don Alfonso nodded.
• “Alright, alright, I’ll go ahead then. Anyway, only the kitchen were affected and there was no significant damages elsewhere. I pray for those who were injured including those people who bravely responded to keep others safe.”
• “Stanley, get up and say sorry again to Don Alfonso and Dona Althea. It seems that I have to discuss with you more about the realities of family life and being unfair to other people. You are not getting any younger and to be disciplined further. It’s not that I don’t understand your emotions but as you grow older, you will be able to understand my concern.