I didn’t report to work the next day. I don’t know why but I started to feel burn out and I also don’t want to see Jameson for now. I keep thinking about getting transferred back to the regional court in Manila. Maybe I can do it now that I am already feel better unlike before.
But I am not so sure if I can face my parents. I haven’t seen them for a long time because of the negative things that happened in the past. I have to admit that I became too distant from my father because I tried to blame him for everything that happened to me. He was the one who set me up with Evan Zendejas before and I thought thing wouldn’t happen only if he respected my freedom. However, I don’t feel the anger towards him anymore. I just don’t know how I will react when I get to see him personally after all these months of being away from them.
“Why didn’t you report to work, sweetheart?” my grandmother Helga asked curiously.
We are here in her garden. I am watering her plants while she’s busy cutting off the withered leaves of some of her flowers.
“I want to take a rest for now, grandma.” I answered as I continued to water the plants.
I inhaled the fresh air from here. The broad daylight gives me a positive feeling. I hope that something beautiful will happen today… I smiled inwardly and remember the conversation Evan and I had over the phone last night. He must have been so tired because he fell asleep just like that.
“I got a chance to talk to your mom yesterday, sweetheart. She misses you so much. She wants to see you badly. Would you like to have a vacation in Manila? It’s been a long time since the last time you see them.” Grandma stated that made me turn to her.
All of a sudden, sadness started to fill my chest. I think about my mother. I can’t help but to feel bad whenever I imagine her face that is full of sorrow and regrets because I escaped from their world. I have to admit that her sadness crashes my heart into small pieces. I missed her too but just like how I feel towards dad, I don’t know if I am already prepared to see her personally too.
Am I ready for it? I can’t help but to ask myself but whenever I do so, my ribcage would start tightening… just like what is happening right now. I can’t breathe whenever an idea of me facing them comes through my head. I had to ask myself a few times why I am feeling that way but later on, I came to realize that it was probably because of the trauma. Now, I am starting to doubt myself… whether I am already getting better or whatnot.
“I missed her too, grandma. But…” I looked at her in the eyes. I saw how my grandmother’s expression became softer.
“Nathalie, sweetheart, I am confident that you’re completely healed. Regarding your fear, I understand where you’re coming from and I am with you all the way but you have to do something to overcome it. That fear would never leave you unless you become brave enough to face it…”
“I am afraid that dad and I would only have another argument, grandma…” I sighed.
Grandma tilted her head and gave me a reassuring smile.
“I am confident that it won’t happen, sweetheart. Parents will still embrace their children despite their past and all the negative things that happened between them. I hope you can think about it. You have nothing to worry, I will go with you in the event you are decided to go home in Manila.”
I gave my grandmother a smile and breathed in heavily.
“Thank you for everything, grandma.”
I just hate myself for being this weak. And the hardest part is that despite the fear, I still feel it… In the deepest corner of my heart, I still feel that I am longing for my parents’ love and presence even after a long time. I realized that it is not a simple thing I can remove easily because regardless of the past and how hurtful things were, I am still their child.
***
“How are things coming along in Manila?” I asked Chandria.
We are currently doing a video call using Skype. I am laying down on my bed while facing my laptop screen. Chandria is too busy. She’s actually holding a paint tray on her left hand while her other hand is drawing something on her canvas. She looks very artsy. She’s wearing an apron on top of her black maxi dress. Her hair was put into a bun with a yellow ribbon as its design. I observed her surroundings. There are new paintings leaning on the walls and on her veranda.
“We’re doing good, Nathalie. By the way, have you heard the news about Tyrone Villarante? I think Evan and Ash are both busy right now. They are trying to get some solid evidences against that man because he’s the leader of the Union.” She stated and then turned to me. “Did Evan tell you about this?”
I shook my head and pouted my lips. Evan doesn’t want to tell things. Maybe he doesn’t want me to worry about him but even though he remain silent about it, I am still worried.
“What do you know about that Union, Chandria. I don’t really get it. What is it for?” I asked her curiously.
She finally put down her paint tray and brush on her side table. She put her hands on her waist and rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, you don’t really know what it is for?”
I almost rolled my eyes at her. Why would I even ask her if I have any idea about it? I shook my head and let out a heavy sigh.
“It is a business union. They are embracing the power over the country’s economy.” She started to explain as she removed her apron from her body.
“So how did Evan get involved with it?” I asked her curiously.
How did he get involved with this business union? I don’t really get the point. I need to hear the detailed information about it so that I would be able to understand it clearly.
She sighed and tilted her head. “Evan Zendejas is truly powerful. I mean if we talk about net worth and business ranks, he might be the one on top, Nathalie. Sei told me that the union which led by this guy named Tyrone Villarante wanted Evan to be a part of their group. They wanted to use your boyfriend’s power so that they would have access when it comes to trading products here in the Philippines. It was supposed to be a good deal however Evan found out that these people including Tyrone are drug dealers too so that’s how it all started. Well, that Villarante is just really stupid. He thought Evan is also like him who plays dirty games.”
“And Evan did not want to join the union that’s why they wanted him dead…” I swallowed hard as my chest started tightening because of the information I heard.
She nodded at me. “Yes, babe. That’s why he had no other choice but to call off your engagement because he wanted you to stay out of this mess.”
“B-but… Why did the supreme court allow Tyrone Villarante to get bailed if he’s a drug lord?”
“Nathalie, that guy is a powerful businessman in a very bad way. We need solid evidences that will support the case filed against him. And because Evan didn’t have that, he used it as an opportunity to get freed. That is the reason why Evan and Ash are too busy at this time. Don’t worry as this too shall pass. I am confident that they will be able to resolve this issue very soon…”
I can’t help but to feel more worried because of what I’ve learned from Chandria. It felt like the situation is getting worst and Evan’s life is in danger right now. What if that Tyrone Villarante starts to make a move against him? My body started trembling as the fear is slowly eating me up. Please… Please, don’t let that happen.
“That is the reason as to why Evan didn’t want you to know. You’re starting to worry too much, babe. Just trust them alright?” Chandria gave me a smile.
“I’m just really worried about him…” I said and then breathed heavily.
I hope this mess he’s facing will be over soon. I only want him safe and alive. I let out a heavy sigh.
***
A few minutes after video calling Chandria, Shaira called me on my cellphone. I answered her call. Perhaps she will give me an update about the conversation she had with the business tycoon she mentioned before who wanted to buy our company.
“Nathalie, I have a great news for you!” she exclaimed in glee.
I got off from bed and reached for the TV remote control. I turned on the television and scanned through the channels. Shaira seemed to be so happy on the other line. I can sense that something good had really happened during her transaction with the buyer.
“How is it going? What’s the great news?” I asked curiously and sat on the edge of my bed.
“I already talked to the business tycoon I mentioned to you the last time I called. And guess what? He’s actually willing to invest in our company! Take note! He is willing to invest seventy fucking billions and would help our business get back on track! Oh my goodness! He’s so generous! Never in my whole life did I expect that someone would offer a help like that!” she exclaimed.
“W-What?! Is that even for real? Seventy fucking billion pesos worth of investment? Holy cow, Shaira Saavedra! Are you even sure it’s not a scam? Did you do a background check?” I reacted with my voice almost in a high pitch.
Who is that business tycoon anyway? That person is so generous! Seventy billion pesos would really help a lot! In fact, it’s more than enough!