"So, that incident in 1995, is it still a big deal?"
"I don't think that the incident was still a big deal to my dad as much as the fact that he haven't seen her sister since then, he might still have hope that they will reconcile that's why he put up a trust for her children…"
"Her children. My half-siblings, right?" I chuckled in sadness. He might have only process that information now. That's why he seemed dumbfounded with my deep sigh.
"I'm sorry…" he approached me and finally hugged me, after a week, I finally felt his arms wrapped around me. After a week of enduring the sudden news about my father's past, I let my tears fall.
"I knew…" I started. I covered my face on his shoulders.
"That was my family emergency that I needed to attend to…." I finally confessed. He wanted to look at me, but I hugged him tighter.
"How did you find out?"
"I got curious, so I asked my Mom about it. I have never really been curious about my Dad's whereabouts when he was here, not until recently. I just had this strange feeling and I want to know which company he worked for and how he got deported. So, I asked my mom and she had pictures of him from here with a uniform of Namshin…so I had to go home and confirm it…"
"It took you long enough to confirm it…"
"I did some research about that incident, and I found out more than I should…"
"All my life, I have put him in a pedestal. Admiring him, trusting him, counting on him even at the expense of my mom at times. I live my life guided by his memory and my love and admiration of him."
"I have been too hard on my mom, blaming her for everything. I never realized how much she had suffered after all those years… knowing that somewhere, my father had other children, that if not what happened in 1995, he could have abandoned us…"
"I'm sorry…"
"It's all in the past. It's not like he is still here to receive all my anger. I'm not sure I'm ready to meet them…it might be a good idea not to see them at all…"
"My dad might know where they are, if you are ready…" he admitted.
"My Mom have to tell my siblings first."
"I'm really sorry…"
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For causing this trouble…"
"If you think this is all on you… I might misunderstand your intentions…" I stated. He looked uncertain about what I mean.
"We didn't have anything to do with what happened in the past, so for you to keep apologizing, I might misunderstand you as being regretful of meeting me. If we have never met, I might never find out about this. I might still have a high regard for my Dad. But it seemed that we met because there is a past that we need to uncover. An unfinished business that needed to have a closure," I declared.
"I don't think I am following…"
"Were you never curious about what really transpired back then?"
"My dad was so busy in damage control and trying to rebuild Namshin. Maybe, that's why we just accepted the investigation as it happened. My uncle and the assemblyman got what their jailtime, the union got compensated, the person behind the accident got punished. So, aside from Aunt Sha-na's estrangement, I think we just figured out that it's better to move on…."
I just nodded my head in agreement. But I know for sure, there's no moving on to what happened. At least for me, I cannot just shake off my suspicion. If I will be provoked, I know how to retaliate. But for now, I concede.
"It's a shame our food got cold already…" I diverted the topic.
"Are you going to be fine?" he is still beside me.
"Don't worry, I'm not a weakling. Thank you."
"I'll heat the food…"
For a week that we didn't see each other, I would have expected him to be more aggressive, but he seemed cautious and considerate. He let me have time alone in my study while he stayed at the bedroom's scorner with his laptop. It was after midnight when I decided to go to bed, expecting him to be already sleeping, but he seemed to still be busy.
"Work?" I interrupted.
"Just preparing for the meeting tomorrow…"
"Ok, goodnight." I reach for a kiss. But he immediately closed his laptop and pulled me to him.
"I missed you. Let's always talk about everything, ok?" he seems imploring.
"Miss you too." I replied.
The week seemed to be passing by quickly. He stayed at the loft until Tuesday. He had a meeting in Hong Kong Thursday and won't be back the weekend. Our relationship seems to have normalcy, but we are far from being normal. We know what's waiting for us, and uncertain future that we still need to acknowledge. Jae-yin asked to meet Thursday, I have been waiting for her call ever since that day at brunch. I knew it's just a matter of time before her curiosity can be tamed. We agreed to meet at N Grill Restaurant by the N Seoul tower, it was my first time.
"How are you?" she greeted when I arrived. She is looking as chic as ever. I didn't have time to go back home and change after my lecture. So, I'm still wearing my casual university clothes since this morning. I was wearing dark green palazzo pants, a white long sleeve chiffon polo, and black spring blazer, with my Gucci pumps. I totally look like I just came from the office.
"I'm fine, thank you. Congratulations on retaining the chairmanship…"
"It's still not official until my inauguration in a month…"
"But still…"
"Thanks to you though…" she smiled.
I smiled and I handed her my gift that I have brought from the Philippines. I had time to check the production of the new product line of my sister's accessories. They have been successful in culturing pearls lately and the new harvested ones are very impressive. The box contained a set of drop pearl earrings, a pearl choker and a bracelet.
"I was in the Philippines last week and I had time to get you this. I thought it will suit you…"
"Roch R Styles…custom made products, huh?" I smiled. My sister's line had been making a buzz for the past year, her jewelry line is becoming a status symbol. Custom-made and limited-edition pearls, I guess that's what rich people wants, something that nobody else have.