CHAPTER 12

“Bea, thank you for catering tonight’s party” Cris said as she entered the kitchen. Bea and Liezel followed her, both were carrying empty bowls that came from Bea’s restaurant Neva.

“Yeah, Bei. Thanks. The food’s good. You ruined my diet yet again.” Liezel added. Bea smiled as she placed the remaining Paella in a plastic container.

“Anytime. I’m just happy someone showed up again.”

Cris and Liezel looked at each other and smiled. It had been an open secret among them that Bea has an attraction towards Van. It was common knowledge among the ladies that one of the reasons why Miguel and Bea split up was because Bea was falling for Van. Instead of pursuing Van, however, she decided to finish her course first to appease her parents.

“What?” Bea asked. “You know how long I’ve waited for this moment.”

“Yeah, we know.” Liezel replied. “We also know that Neva is an anagram of Van.” The three ladies roared in laughter.

“By the way, where’s Louie?” Bea asked.

“She’s asleep upstairs.” Cris replied. Cristina Loelle “Louie” Nichols is Sen and Cris’ five-year-old daughter.
“You and Sen are lucky to have a happy family.” Liezel said as Bea handed out the plastic container filled with Paella to Cris. Cris paused for a moment while she put the paella inside their stainless steel refrigerator.

“I know.” She smiled.

“So, Hansen has never cheated on you yet?” Bea asked. Cris looked at Bea then raised herleft eyebrow.

“Nope.” She replied.

“Really?” Liezel probed further. “What about that woman… What her name?”

“Gemma Fonacier?” Bea supplied. Hansen, using the contacts he earned in the entertainment industry, founded Talentado Inc., a talent management agency that handles television and recording artists. Gemma Fonacier was one of his talents. He dismissed her from the agency because of her prima donna attitude. She however, reported to the media that she was fired because Cristina Nichols discovered the she was having an affair with Hansen- a report which Sen denied. The media speculation eventually died down as Gemma was not able to follow through with her claim.

“Oh that? It was just a bitter talent trying to extort money.” Cris replied.

“Suppose that affair was true-“

“Please Bea, stop it. Just the thought of Hansen cheating on me drives me insane.” Cris snapped.

“Ok, I’m sorry.” Bea said as she hugged Cris.

“I just don’t know what I would do if Hansen had another woman.”