The Billionaire Next Door

"Why do you want to move into his building, Marco?" si Thea.

I looked around the area. Honestly, the room is too small for me, that's why I occupied the three vacant portions of this whole side floor of the building. Thea is my personal architect designer. She knows my taste when it comes to furniture and inside arrangement. Kaya siya na mismo ang kinuha ko. I stood up in the glass wall watching the city lights glimmer. It's dark and it's beautiful from here.

"I just want to do something different, Thea."

I walk towards the balcony and I know she's behind me. The balcony is spacious. I can make a little green down the side and probably a study table. As much as I hate it, I don't like the city but I have no choice. I just have to deal with this for six months.

"Why would Marco Walter Mondragon, the owner of this building live on this part of his building?" nakakatawang tanong niya.

Yes, I owned this building and I have other properties too, but somehow I'm on the verge of a challenge that's given to me.

"Thea, just do your job and don't complain. You're being paid extravagantly, darling," ngiti ko.

She rolled her eyes and moved closer to me. She's trying to tease me or let me say, she's trying her best to flirt in front of me. I shook my head. Wala pa rin talagang nagbago sa kanya.

"Between job and benefits?" taas kilay niya.

"No, Thea, please. I don't fuck my buddies, and you are my best buddy in this field"

Tumalikod na akong natatawa sa kanya.

"Hindi talaga kita makukuha ano? Ang arte mo, Marco!" inis na tugon niya, pero natatawa naman.

"Can you put some greenery here? I want a classic one please, and also a little study table around this part."

She nodded and looked around too.

"I can add more details here too if you like? I'll send you my designs tomorrow okay. And let's finalize this, so that we can start the reno this week?"

"The sooner the better, Thea."

"Yes, Marco baby..." ngiti niya.

Tiningnan ko ang katabing balkonahe. I got the two balcony around this part. The other part is where I'll put some of my exercise machine outdoor. Mas maganda na mag work out na nakikita ko ang syudad sa baba. I looked at my right side and my brows furrowed.

The heck! Who the hell lives next door?

My jaw dropped when I saw the lingerie that had been hanging from the balcony. Obviously, she's a woman. A low standard one. Umiling iling na ako habang pinagmamasdan ito.

God, that's ugly! And the bad thing? Her balcony is too close to me.

Mas lumapit na ako at sinukat nang tingin ang layo nito sa balkonahe ko. A meter I guess, that's how far it is and I can jump over that part if I wanted too. Pero hindi naman ako baliw para gawin 'to. Lumapit na si Thea at tumabi sa akin.

"What are you looking for?"

Napatingin agad siya sa tinitigan ko ngayon, at natawa lang din siya sa sarili niya.

"Go away , Marco! Ang manyak mo talaga!" Sabay tulak niya sa akin.

"What? At sinong babae ang ilalantad ang panty at bra sa labas ng balkonahe niya?" Sabay iling ko.

"Do you know who's next door?"

"I don't know!" kibit balikat niya.

"I thought this floor is for elite people only? Damn!" mura ko sabay iling na.

Bumukas agad ang balkonahe sa kabila at umatras na ako dito. Mabilis akong pumasok sa loob at nakasunod lang din si Thea sa likod ko. I looked at her and she laughs.

"Wala na! Kinuha lang niya ang iniwan niya sa labas ng balkonahe niya!" taas kilay niya.

"Anyway, I have to go. May after party pa ako. I'll email you my designs tomorrow, love, bye!"

Mabilis din siyang umalis dito. I nodded and off she goes. I looked around the room again. Ang dami ko pang kulang at si Thea na ang bahala. Bumuntong hininga na ako at lumabas ulit sa balkonahe. Napansin kong wala na dito ang nakasabit kanina, at tanging pusa na lang din ang naiwang nakatingin sa akin talaga.

"Meow! Meow!"

The hell, I really hate cats!

Napaatras ako nang tumitig ito sa banda ko. Panay pa ang inggay nito. I'm okay with other animals but not cats. The freaking cat! Tumayo kasi ito at gusto pa 'atang lumundag papuntang balkonahe ko, kaya mabilis na akong pumasok sa loob at sinarado ang sliding door.

I wonder if I could put a stopper on the balcony so that freaking cat won't annoy me! Until my phone beeped. I got a text message from Enzo and they're looking for me. I nearly forgot that tonight is Drew's bachelor's party. I hurriedly went out of the room. It's an automatic sensor anyway. Walang ibang makakapasok dito.'

The fuck!

Nabigla ako dahil kamuntik ko nang matapakan ang squeaky rat sa sahig dito sa hallway, sa harap ng pinto ko. I looked at the door next to me. That freaking cat owner is a mess! Parang pasko pa ang pinto niya dahil sa kung ano-anong nakasabit dito.

What the hell! Is Alice in wonderland living next door?

Napamura na ako dahil sa inis ko ngayon at kinuha ang squeaky rat at hinagis ito sa harap ng pinto niya. Then my phone rang. I looked at it, it's Enzo again.

"Where are you, bro?"

"Almost there, I checked my condo that's why." Sabay pindot ko sa elevator.

"Okay, hurry up. Drew is on his way, man!"

"Okay, bro."

Pinatay ko na ang tawag habang hinihintay ang pagbaba ng elevator dito. I really hate this! I think I need to upgrade everything in this building. Medyo makaluma na ang elevator na 'to. Napatingala ako at hinintay lang na mahinto ito sa basement. Hanggang sa bumukas na ito at..

"Sorry! Excuse me!" arteng tugon niya.

I can't get out because of the thing that she carried. I can't see her face as the big picture canvass covers her image, but I visibly saw her butt cheeks! Nadiin pa ako sa gilid at naitulak nang bahagya ang gilid nito. Napatingin na tuloy ako sa kabuuan ng likod niya nang makalabas. Nasagi pa sa damit ko ang gilid ng painting canvass na dala niya.

I looked at her before the elevator door shuts. Her back looks like a doll, a perfect shape. But what turn me down is the way she dressed up.

One of a hooker? I shook my head and walked away. Kailan pa ba bumaba ang standard ng residential suite na ito? Kung hindi nga lang naman sa pakiusap ni Larry ay hindi ako titira dito. I left with no choice but to stay here for six months.

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C.M. LOUDEN