Lie To Me

Kabanata 19

Old enough 

"Are you sure about this?" Dylan asked me once again. He's seated in a swivel chair while playing his pen with his fingers. 

Over the years, I can say that Dylan was already successful. Having a big law firm, businesses and countless clients, makes him a more matured and established individual.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. "Yes Dy, I will just make it quick para makabalik din ako agad. And beside El Moralbas Empire needed this account to make us more known in this field. I don't want you to carry the burden and also this is what I can do better. All I want you to do is to prepare the papers." 

I forgot to say, he is also part of the legal team of the company. He can practice law here and also in the Philippines. Actually, he was offered to be the CEO but he refused to take it instead he managed his own firm, kaya napunta sa akin. 

El Moralbas Empire founded by my grandfather at ipinasa ito kay papa. Marami itong sakop na negosyo. Such as EM Pharmaceutical, Moralbas Medical Supplies Chains, at iba pa. But EME more focus on medical field. 

"Okay fine, as soon as I'm done here, I'll come to help you and I will bring the papers." He finally said. 

"Really? You're not running away now?" Tukso ko sa kanya. 

"I did not run away. I'm just being a good cousin to you." 

I laughed. "Puedes repetirlo?" (Can you repeat that?)

Inirapan niya lang ako. 

It's been what? It's been years since I left the Philippines and now I can't believe that we're talking about coming back to do business. Hindi lang naman ako ang may tinakasan a few years ago, also Dylan. 

I am thankful that Dylan and Tita was there to help me. Ang dami pang proseso aking pinagdaanan bago ko narating kung anong meron ako ngayon. I did counseling because depression. Si Dylan ang palagi kong kasama sa mga oras na inaatake ako ng anxiety ko. He's always beside me. 

He's my cousin. Ang papa ko ay half brother ng mama niya. That's why when I've met his mother way back few years ago, she said that I looked familiar. I never knew that they are my family at matagal na kaming pinahanap ng aking ama. 

At matagal ng alam ni Dylan kaya pala para siyang kapatid kung makaasta sa akin dahil he's guarding me at utos ito ng ama ko. 

Si daddy ay hindi tanggap ng pamilya ng papa niya dahil hindi hindi mayaman ang kanyang ina. Kaya mas pinili ni lola na umalis kasama ang papa ko. At yun nga pinakasalan ni lolo ang babaeng gusto ng kanyang mga magulang at yun ang lola ni Dylan. 

Noong iniwan ni papa si mama habang nagbuntis sa akin ay umuwi pala siya sa papa niya at nang bumalik siya ay hindi na niya kami naabutan dahil palipat lipat kami ng bahay. 

He did not abandon us. I know it's too late for mama to know the truth but I know she's watching us and she's happy for what I have become.  

At first, I didn't want to accept dad but when I remember what happened to mama. I realized life is too short, we should not make it shorter. We have to learn to forgive because we don't know what would happen tomorrow.  

"Dr. Moralba, the chairman is waiting for you in your office." Salubong sa akin ng aking secretary.  

Well, my father is a Moralba kaya pina transfer niya ang apelyido ko pagkarating ko agad dito sa Madrid. 

Pagpasok ko sa opisina ay si Daddy agad ang sumalubong sa akin. Kahit matanda na ito ay hindi parin maitangging gwapo ito lalo na sa kanyang kapanahunan. And as what I have expected before, magkamukha nga talaga kami ni Daddy, I am his girl version.