Kendrick wasted no time initiating a WhatsApp video conference call with his two elder brothers after the infuriating conversation with his mother.
Andrew Silva, the multi-billion-dollar CEO of one of the biggest automobile companies in LampStone–SIVA Automobile, was the first to join the call, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Hey, baby bro."
Kendrick's already darkened gaze narrowed at his eldest brother's belittling remark.
"You betrayed me, Andy."
Before Andrew could reply, Erick's serious-looking face came up.
"What's with the urgency of this call? Can't it wait till lunchtime? I have a patient I need to attend to."
"No, it can't wait." Ken could barely contain the anger in his tone.
"Hello to you too, Pedometer Pro." Andrew drawled, half-bored and half-amused.
"Seriously, Andy?" Erick shook his head with a laugh that sounded more tired than amused."
"Let's hear what Kenny has to say." Andrew leaned back on his swivel chair, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Five minutes, Ken. I have a neonatal surgery to conduct in the next thirty minutes."
"Fine. I won't take up either of your time."
Kendrick took in a deep breath to stifle the storm swirling inside of him before asking in a calmer tone. "Which one of you sold me out to Mom?"
"Can you be more specific?" Erick asked.
"I guess Ken is talking about Carmelita." Andrew hinted with a wink.
Ken's fist clenched, already suspecting Andrew of being the culprit.
"Oh..." Eric took off his reading glasses, a smile curling up the side of his lips. "You mean the red-haired goddess of your dreams. How could I forget?"
"This is not funny guys," Ken spoke between clenched jaws, narrowing his gaze at Andrew. "I trusted you two and you broke the bro code by selling me out. Now, mum is setting me up on another blind date with a red-haired girl who just finished from med school, at the top of her class. And guess what, she plays the violin very well."
Andrew burst into laughter so hard, he almost fell from his chair. His contagious laughter rubbed off on the other two brothers who couldn't help but join in the temporary amusement
"But seriously, this isn't funny." Ken's tone was lighter and cheerful, having released some of the tension. "You know how mom is when she sets her mind on something. She didn't just plan the date in a fancy restaurant. This time around, she's inviting the girl over to dinner at the family mansion with Grandpa and Dad in attendance.
"Seriously!" Eric's jaw dropped.
"Then congratulations are in order. With the old soldier around, your fate is sealed." Andrew shook his head in mock pity.
"Is that all you've got to say, Andy?" Ken's brows pulled together.
"Don't look at me, like that. I didn't say anything to Mom." Andrew replied to Ken's indirect accusation.
"I'm sorry Kenny. It was an honest slip of the tongue."
"What!" Ken was stunned.
"Really Ric! Come on bro, you are better than that." Andrew said chuckling.
"Forgive me, Kenny." Erick's tone was remorseful. "I just casually hinted how Kenny loves red-haired girls when mom visited me at lunchtime yesterday. I never knew she took me seriously. I didn't even know that she had already found a girl so quickly."
"Have you forgotten that your mother is a renowned world-class matchmaker? Or how she twisted my arms into dating Zoey?"
All three brothers burst out laughing again.
"But on a more serious note, any idea who this new girl is and how fast I can ditch her?" Ken asked, looking all serious once more.
"I have no idea who she is but you can count on my help when the time comes," Erick said.
"I do." Andrew drawled, smirking.
"Who is she?" Ken and Erick chorused, eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Her name is Mira Aquino, the granddaughter of Jacob Aquino."
"What!" Both Erick and Ken chorused at the same time in shock.
"Jacob, as in grandpa's old-time friend?" Ken's eyebrows shot up, and his jaw slackened like it had lost all muscle.
"The very same one," Andrew replied with a sly grin.
"I never knew he had a granddaughter." Erick's eyes shifted restlessly, unable to hold contact, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
"Don't worry, Kenny. I've seen her picture she's not that bad looking. She will definitely comfort you and help you get over..."
"Don't even go there." Ken abruptly cut his brother off. "I do not need orthopaedic shoes or bedtime prayers for comfort. I already have a woman and I will find her.
Erick let out a long sigh as if feeling sorry for his younger brother.
"I've got to go now guys. My five minutes are up. Let me know what you both decide and count me in on the plan." Erick said standing up.
"The plan is very simple. Get rid of her." Ken's voice rang out, firm and resolute, leaving no room for argument.
*****
For almost four consecutive years, AML Dynamics–the pride of the Mendoza family–once hailed as a major player in the advanced systems and tech industrial sector, had been locked in a steady and almost tragic freefall.
What had started as minor quarterly dips soon spiralled into full-blown financial haemorrhaging.
The company recorded unforgiving losses in a single year, that clung to it like a curse it couldn't shake off.
Rumour had it that the vengeful spirit of the banished Mendoza widow, who took her own life and that of an innocent unborn child was the reason behind the colossal failure of the company.
But others believe that the company's failure could be attributed to bad management and the extravagant lifestyle of the Mendoza grandchildren.
Regardless of the rumours being paraded within the elite circle and by the press, it soon became a known fact that the company was in crisis.
Year after year, new investors grew restless as the company's funds seemed to vanish into thin air.
The company's shares—once robust and aggressively traded—plummeted into the red.
Every failed launch, sloppy restructuring plans and internal shake-up only deepened the cracks in its foundation, forcing the company to lay off many productive staff.
Just when the final thread was about to snap and AML Dynamics, alongside its many franchises, declared bankruptcy, a mysterious and enigmatic Investor that went by the name of Ray Bardin stepped into the picture, like a Knight in shiny armour.
In a single day, this mysterious investor revived the dying company while acquiring more than ninety percent of the company's shares.
After six months of continually injecting funds into the company, AML Dynamics arose from the ashes like a roaring Phoenix.