Hoax (VBoys Series #1)

Epilogue

JAIDEN

"Engineer! May naghahanap po sa inyo!"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses ni Travis. Travis Gonzales, one of the engineers under my supervision. I've been working with him for almost two years now, ever since I became an engineer.

"Let them in," tipid na sagot ko, leaning on my swivel chair. As soon as the door of my office opened, I saw a familiar face. "Dad?"

"Son," Dad greeted back, walking into the room. "Do you have time? I have something to tell you."

"I'm free right now. You can tell me." sagot ko.

Dad pursed his lips. "Uuwi na si Eunice."

I froze. My mind suddenly went blank when I heard her name. How long has it been since I last saw her? Six years? Seven? I've lost count. Matagal na simula nang mawala siya.

"Okay. Is that it?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.

"I want you to move back in. Sa bahay," utos ni Dad.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You want me to move back in... just because she's coming home?"

"So you can spend time together. Surely, madalas siyang pupunta ro'n para kay Dain. Magkapatid kayo, kaya dapat lang na magkasundo kayong dalawa," he explained sternly. "If you want to make this family work, then at least try."

Right. This family. The family that Mom ruined.

Maybe I did want to move back in, just so I could see her again. Maybe I wanted to spend time with her. Hindi ko rin alam. Everything was still so unclear with the fact that I haven't seen her for years.

"Kuya! You're here!" Dain exclaimed as soon as he saw me, hugging on my leg.

"Hi, bud," I smiled at him, patting his head. "Wait for me here, I'll just fix my things, okay?"

Umakyat ako sa second floor, where my old room was. There were a few things that weren't mine but were placed there, kaya kinuha ko 'yon para ilagay sa guest room. As soon as I walked inside of it, I cursed at how hot the room was. I feel bad for whoever's going to sleep in there.

"Gumagana ba 'yung AC sa guest room?" I asked Dad as I got downstairs.

"Hindi ko rin alam. Paki-check na lang. Doon ko patutulugin si Eunice, eh," he answered, busy brushing Dain's hair.

I furrowed my brows. "Doon... matutulog si Eunice?"

Tumango lang si Dad sa'kin. My forehead remained creased as I got back upstairs again. I stared at the guest room while I leaned on the doorframe. Mariin akong napapikit bago kinuha ang sariling gamit at nilipat sa guest room.

"Hello? Tito?"

I stiffened in shock when I heard that voice. Dad and Dain had already gone out to the doctor for Dain's check up, and I was the only one left. Why couldn't she have come earlier?