Chapter 3: The Sudden Offer

"Damn it, Hiiragizawa! I do not care about your inheritance or your legal hoobaloo there in Spain! We need your song for our drama series and we need it now!" yelled Eriol's boss, the producer of the mini-drama series that he works for, over the phone.

Eriol rubbed his face, annoyed. "Hell, Mr.Walters! I don't have control over this you know! Do you think that I like living here too?"

It's been two days since he moved from London to Seville because of Kaho's last will. He knew he could simply let the properties he was going to inherit go but he needed money so he could build his own recording company. He was tired of being dictated by someone else when it comes to his craft, just like now.

"I don't want to waste my time pondering on that!" yelled Walters. "I will soon release the mini-series, and I need your song!"

"Why don't you get some other composer to do it?" he asked.

"Hah! We both know that you are the only one that the Big Boss wants to work with!" snapped the producer.

He was referring to the half-American half-Spanish little old lady who was the executive producer of the company. She was very fond of him for he treated her grandly, as if she was his own mother.

"Then let me talk to the Señora," he said, calling the boss by her favorite nickname.

"Whatever," grumbled Walters. Seconds later, an old, strained voice spoke up. "Querido?"

He laughed. "Hi there, querida!" he greeted laughingly. The term was their endearment for each other in private. "How are you?"

"Lonely. Why did you leave without telling me?" she asked petulantly.

"I'm sorry. It was all too sudden," he explained.

"So what are you doing in Spain?" she asked.

He had no choice but to explain everything said in the will, as well as his little deal with the young caretaker of the Valle Rosa.

The old woman laughed in delight. "Why, that's wonderful! That country is very beautiful. It's a perfect place to fall in love in."

"Oh, but I'm already in love with you, querida," he said. "Madly, in fact."

"And I am too, young man. You are the only real person in the company. The only one who genuinely loves me."

"Thank you." Eriol smiled. "I gotta go. Do take care of your health, querida."

"Wait! I suddenly had a flash of an inspiration!" cried the Señora. "I'm going there to Spain!"

"Huh? But why?" he asked.

"Since you cannot return yet here, then we'll come there!"

"What?!!"

"Si! I shall not make no more a mini-series. I will make a telenovela! It has always been my dream to make one! I'll do one in English, but I'll have it dubbed locally too," the old lady gushed.

"B-But.."

"I'll call that soap opera, El Beso del Diablo!" announced the Señora. "I'll talk all of these over with my people. I'll call you back."

"Señora-"

Busy tone.

Eriol sighed. "It's not such a bad idea. At least I won't lose my job."

He then paused when he felt eyes watching him. He looked around, and finally saw Tomoyo looking down at him from the top of the grand staircase, gazing at him with no emotion.

"Hi!" He gave her a friendly smile.

She raised a brow. "Remember to wash the telephone with alcohol. Make sure it is a 70% Isopropyl one." She then continued on her way to her room.

He groaned. "You really are anti-social!"

Tomoyo was working on the greeting card messages two afternoons after when she heard vehicle engines outside the mansion. Puzzled because she knew she was not expecting any visitor, she went out of the house. She found Eriol standing outside, apparently waiting for the cars.

"You didn't tell me you were having some people over," she said quietly.

He looked at her, surprised. "Are you talking to me?"

"No, but awhile ago, I was," she said sarcastically.

He laughed. "I was just stunned. You never talk to me."

She ignored his remark. "What are all of these people doing here?" she asked as van after van pulled over the circular driveway of the mansion.

"I myself do not know," admitted the guy. "They're here to tell me why they are here."

An old woman in her seventies got out of the car. Eriol eagerly walked towards her. "Señora!"

"Querido!" cried the woman happily.

Tomoyo's eyebrow shot up.

"How was your trip?" he asked laughingly. The Señora was hyper-looking.

"Wonderful. I took two trips: one I paid for, and the other one for free," replied the old lady coyly.

"Oh really? And what was that free trip?" he asked.

"A trip down the memory lane!" The old woman burst out laughing.

Eriol sighed. "Did you steal Walter's beer again?"

He paused when he heard a soft giggle. He cautiously turned around and saw Tomoyo laughing softly, gazing at the woman with twinkling, lilac eyes. His jaw dropped. Tomoyo was laughing?

The Señora looked at Tomoyo inquisitively. "Pardon me, but are you the reason why he suddenly left London?"

She paused. "W-Well, yes.." she said slowly. She was about to add that she called him up to be present in a testament-reading session when the lady exploded into peals of laughter.

"Jesus! Did you two elope?" she asked.

Both Eriol and Tomoyo blushed hotly. "N-No!" they cried in unison.

The Señora frowned. "Then you must be that caretaker my querido was talking about."

"Caretaker?" She looked at the uneasy man beside her. "Actually, I am the assistant of the owner of Valle Rosa. My boss passed away just recently."

"I see." The old lady examined her intently. "Why, by Christ! You are lovely!"

Tomoyo nodded shyly. "Gracias."

The Señora frowned. "Come again?"

"G-Gracias," she repeated.

"Perfect!" She turned to Eriol. "She's perfect! She's a natural!"

"Huh?" His face drew a blank.

The old lady clasped Tomoyo's hands. "Don't say no, Señorita. I want you to be the leading lady in my telenovela!"

Both she and Eriol gasped.

To be continued