Chapter 40: Heading to the Condo
Inside the black Land Cruiser 300, Timothy scanned the interior of the vehicle. It smelled brand-new, that unmistakable mix of leather and factory polish clinging to every corner.
The dashboard gleamed with glossy panels, the infotainment screen larger than any tablet he had owned. Ambient lights traced faint lines along the doors, glowing a soft white. The silence of the cabin struck him most—the way the outside noise was almost completely muted once the doors shut, like the world beyond had been sealed away.
Timothy leaned back into the seat, still in disbelief. He had driven secondhand SUVs, pickup trucks that rattled when the engine revved, even a Ford Raptor that had plenty of muscle but showed its age. But this, this was something else entirely. The Land Cruiser didn’t just feel like a vehicle. It felt like a statement.
"This is... insane," he muttered, running a hand over the stitching on the armrest. "It feels like sitting inside a private jet."
Sitting next to him in the second-row seat was Tiffany, who smirked. "I told you. My dad doesn’t settle for anything less than brand-new when it comes to cars. The LC300 is his favorite. He says it’s reliable, tough, and luxurious at the same time."
"How much is this? Five million?" Timothy asked.
"I don’t know," Tiffany said and then browsed to her phone. "Well...it said it cost around five point seven million pesos. (100,000USD)."
"We are near the Serendra," Tiffany said, glancing out the tinted window as the Land Cruiser eased off the main road and into Bonifacio Global City’s upscale district.
The SUV rolled smoothly into the roundabout driveway of One Serendra.
. The security guards saluted the vehicle as it passed, barely glancing at Tiffany’s driver once they recognized the plate. The car slowed to a stop beneath the high glass awning, where a young man in a pressed suit stood waiting.
"That’s probably your agent," Tiffany remarked, slipping her phone into her bag.
Timothy nodded, trying to mask the nerves he felt fluttering in his chest. This wasn’t like buying a used Ford or flipping a secondhand sedan. This was One Serendra, each square meter here cost more than entire houses in Tondo.
The driver stepped out first to open the rear door. Timothy followed Tiffany out of the Land Cruiser.
The agent straightened at the sight of them, holding a leather portfolio against his chest. His practiced smile faltered for just a fraction of a second when he saw Tiffany emerge, and then Timothy stepping out right after her.
"Ms. Tiffany Co," the man said with a respectful bow of his head, then his gaze flickered at the man whom he already knew. "Sir Timothy? Is that you?"
"Oh yeah, Jacob, right? I’m the one who talked with you online about the three-bedroom unit," Timothy said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Jacob blinked, clearly caught off guard. His professional smile snapped back into place as he gripped Timothy’s hand firmly.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Guerrero. My apologies, I wasn’t expecting you to arrive with Ms. Co. Please, welcome to One Serendra."
"She’s my classmate and a student," Timothy said. "I just hitched a ride with her because we are coming to the same destination."
"I see." Jacob gestured toward the grand lobby behind him. "If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you up to view the unit. The developer recently finished renovations—fresh interiors, full amenities, excellent view of the skyline. It’s one of our premium listings."
As they walked inside, Timothy caught his reflection in the towering glass doors, just a young man in his twenties, blazer over a simple shirt, nothing extraordinary. And yet here he was, walking beside a girl from one of the wealthiest families in Manila, meeting a real-estate agent like a serious buyer.
The marble-floored lobby stretched wide, lined with chandeliers and designer furniture. Timothy’s eyes darted from the concierge desk to the lounge where residents relaxed with coffee and laptops.
Jacob walked ahead with professional poise, but Timothy didn’t miss the occasional glance back—half curiosity, half disbelief. To him, Timothy probably looked like a college kid playing dress-up. But that would change soon enough.
"Sir Timothy," Jacob said as they approached the elevators, "the unit is on the 18th floor. Three bedrooms, fully furnished, two parking slots. The asking price is ₱62 million, though it’s negotiable depending on terms. I understand from our messages that you’re ready to finance it?"
Timothy gave a calm nod. "Yes."
Tiffany’s head snapped toward him. Financing? Would the bank even loan him money to finance a 62 million unit?
They entered the elevator, and the real-estate pressed the eighteenth-floor. Then he glanced at Tiffany.
"What floor, Mrs Co?"
"Same floor, I’m coming with him," Tiffany simply said.
"Oh, I see."
The elevator chimed softly as it reached the eighteenth floor, the polished steel doors sliding open to reveal a wide, carpeted hallway. The walls were lined with subtle lighting strips and abstract paintings, giving the corridor a quiet, hotel-like elegance.
Jacob led the way with smooth, practiced steps, his leather shoes barely making a sound against the thick carpet. Timothy followed, his pulse quickening as they stopped before a dark wooden door framed with brushed metal edges. A gold-plated number gleamed under the hallway lights.
"Here we are," Jacob said, pulling out a slim electronic key card. He swiped it once, and the lock clicked with a quiet beep. "Three-bedroom, fully furnished, two parking slots. As I mentioned earlier, it’s one of our premium listings."
He pushed the door open.
Timothy stepped inside, and the world seemed to shift. The air smelled faintly of fresh paint and polished wood, with the hint of leather from new furniture. The living room stretched wide, bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the skyline of Bonifacio Global City. Beyond, the skyscrapers glittered under the afternoon sun, each glass tower catching the light like a jewel.
The unit was everything Timothy had imagined—and more.
A modern sectional sofa sat in the center of the living area, its deep gray fabric contrasting against a white marble coffee table. Across from it, a mounted flat-screen television seemed almost too large, dominating the wall without feeling overwhelming.
The dining area flowed seamlessly into the space, a glass table with six upholstered chairs positioned beneath a hanging chandelier of minimalist crystal rods. The kitchen stood just beyond, sleek and modern with granite countertops, built-in induction stoves, and a double-door refrigerator that gleamed like it had never been touched.
"Damn," Timothy breathed, the word slipping out before he could stop himself.
"It is indeed worth 62-million pesos, but I wonder, why purchase a condo of that price when you can build a mansion with the same price?"
"Well I’ll get there eventually. Condominiums offer flexibility when you want to settle in another place," Timothy said.
Jacob smiled at his comment, then turned back to Timothy with his professional cadence.
"The developer took care to fully furnish this unit. What you see is included—sofa set, dining table, beds, appliances, even the lighting. It’s move-in ready. Perfect for a family."
Timothy walked slowly through the living area, his hand brushing over the back of the sofa before he moved toward the hallway. Three doors lined the side, each leading to a bedroom.
The master bedroom was the first he entered. A king-sized bed sat neatly in the center, dressed in crisp white linens. The room had its own balcony, its own view of the skyline, and a walk-in closet large enough to make Timothy pause in disbelief. The en suite bathroom gleamed with marble tiling, a glass-walled shower, and a freestanding tub that looked like it belonged in a luxury hotel.
"This is..." Timothy exhaled, trying to form the right word, but it escaped him.
"Perfect for your mom," Tiffany supplied, stepping past him and tugging the balcony curtain aside. Sunlight poured into the room, golden against the polished floors. "She deserves this."
The second and third bedrooms were smaller but still spacious. One had a queen bed and a desk by the window, the other fitted with two single beds—ideal, Timothy thought, for his younger sister. Each room had its own closet space and large windows, letting in more of that skyline view.
Jacob followed as Timothy made his way back to the living room, his tone shifting seamlessly back into business. "The asking price is ₱62 million, but as mentioned, the seller is open to negotiation for serious buyers. With outright financing, the process is very straightforward. The title is clean, the documents ready for transfer."
Timothy stood by the glass window, looking down at the neat rows of trees and manicured lawns below, the pools and walkways of Serendra spread out like something from another world. Compared to the chaos of Tondo, this place looked like paradise.
"This..." Timothy said quietly, more to himself than anyone else, "this is home."
Tiffany glanced at him, her expression softening as if she was beginning to understand just how much this meant to him.
Jacob straightened his tie and opened his portfolio. "Shall we proceed to the paperwork, Mr. Guerrero?"
Timothy turned, his voice steady now. "Yeah. Let’s do it."