“I recognize this music,” Randy said. “If I remember it correctly, this is the guitar version of ‘Leyenda’!”
“Good knowledge!” a velvet-smooth masculine voice exclaimed.
All of them turned their heads and saw a tall, handsome and dark-haired European man walking slowly down the staircase.
“Indeed, this music is ‘Asturias (Leyenda)’ or simply ‘Legend’ by the Spanish Post-Romantic composer and pianist Isaac Albéniz,” the man explained in accented Mandarin.
Randy gasped and stopped in his tracks as he clutched his wide muscled chest with his French-manicured hands. He couldn’t stop staring at the gorgeous hunk walking towards them.
“René Alejandro!” Wei Lan stepped forward to meet her stepson. “How come you didn’t inform meeeeeee that you’re coming to China so soooooon?”
“Mamá, you’re looking younger and more beautiful than when I last saw you.” René Alejandro “kissed” both of Wei Lan’s cheeks by pressing his own cheeks to hers while also giving her a warm but polite hug.
Wei Lan giggled and blushed like a teenage girl. “Oh, you~ Stop trying to butter meeeeeee up, my deeeaaaar! I was sooooo surprised when you called last night and said that you’re already in China! I thought you were jooooookiiiiing!”
“I wanted to surprise Mamá. Forgive me, yes?”
“Of course, I fooorgiiiiive you! But you have to tell me things in advance next time, okaaaaaay?”
“Yes, Mamá. I will.”
Randy cleared his throat a couple of times to get their attention.
“Oh, right! René Alejandro, I would like you to meet my bestest friend eveeeeer, Raaaaandyyyy. He’s a terrific Zumba instructor who has been helping me staaaaaay in shape and become healthier! Randy, meet my stepson, the handsome René Alejandro!”
The two greeted each other.
Randy couldn’t stop staring at René Alejandro. He looked even more gorgeous up close. He had tantalizing grey eyes and charming dimples on both cheeks which deepened whenever he smiled. Randy ogled René Alejandro’s body without being too obvious about it.
As a professional fitness instructor specializing in Zumba, he knew that the Spanish man may look thin at first glance but there should be toned muscles underneath his clothes. Just thinking about such a hot body without any clothes on was causing the Zumba instructor to feel all hot and bothered.
René Alejandro flashed his charming, dimpled smile at Randy. “This ‘Leyende’ that you’re hearing is actually a recording of me playing my own guitar. You like?”
“Oh yes, I like! Wow!”
“Thank you, my friend. You are very kind.” Then René Alejandro glanced at the female hotel employee who was still waiting behind Wei Lan and Randy. “You may go now. Thank you for bringing my stepmother and her best friend.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mr. Aguila,” she replied, her cheeks turning pink. “Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything else.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The hotel employee finally left. [This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you’re not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It’s very discouraging to see thieves profiting from my hard work. Please support the original author, ArriaCross. Thank you! Also follow me on Instagram @arriacross]
René Alejandro then turned his attention at the two silent men in black suits.
Noticing where he was looking at, Wei Lan explained, “These two men are the bodyguards that my son-in-law provided meeeee. I already told you about my son-in-law. He’s Jin Liwei, the—”
“Current CEO of Chinese multinational company, Jin Corporation. English name, Liam Jin. One of the youngest multibillionaires in the world.” René Alejandro’s expression turned serious as he described Jin Liwei before smiling again. “I remember him, Mamá. No need to tell me again.”
“Ah, yes.”
He led them to sit at the comfortable couches in the spacious living area that had a panoramic view of the modern city outside. A hotel-provided maid who was tasked to exclusively serve this penthouse suite’s guest served them hot tea and pastries.
René Alejandro once again glanced at the two bodyguards who positioned themselves at nondescript but very strategic corners. Then he smiled at Wei Lan.
“Since CEO Liam Jin is your son-in-law, then that makes him a brother of mine, yes? I would like to meet him one of these days and thank him for taking excellent care of you, especially when Papá and I have been unable to accompany you ever since you returned here to China. And of course, I would also like to meet my sister, your daughter Iris Long, who I already know is as beautiful and kind-hearted as you are.”
Wei Lan dabbed the tea moisture on her blood-red lips with a serviette. “Of cooouuuurse, my dear! I’ll certainly introduce you to your sister and brother-in-law soooooon. We’ll just have to wait first until the two of them return from their honeeeymooooon.”
He looked surprised. “Iris and Liam already married? When?”
Wei Lan told him about the secret wedding that happened a few days ago. Randy also provided additional details about the event.
René Alejandro drummed his fingers on his thighs as he thought about what he just heard. “Ah, it seems that I have to congratulate my sister and brother-in-law for their wedding. Mamá, you must help me choose a belated present for the newlyweds, yes?”
She sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately, my deeeaaar, they’re not accepting any wedding presents at all! But they do accept financial donations to my daughter’s foundation, Iris of Hooooope. I already told you about it before, René Alejandro. I help your sister out with her foundaaation.”
“I see,” he murmured. “I’ll make a generous donation, then. Our family and what we represent, the Viscountcy of Castillo de Estrellas, are always ready to help out with any philanthropic endeavours. Iris of Hope sounds like it’s in line with our family values. I would love to make a contribution and I’m sure that if Papá were here, he would also feel excited and want to become involved in his new daughter’s philanthropic efforts.”
“You’re right, my deeeeaaar.” Wei Lan sighed dreamily. “That’s why I fell in loooooove with your father. He’s such an honourable man with a great vision for a better wooooorld! He inspired me to become a better persoooon.”
They all chatted for some time until it was time for dinner. They headed downstairs to a secret high-class restaurant exclusive only to VIPs. Even Wei Lan had no idea about this place’s existence. And yet her stepson was welcomed with open arms.
