EVE
Xenon Alister. His younger son. A distant memory from my childhood resurfaced. We were close when we were kids. Tito Rusty would bring him to our house so we could play while he and my dad would talk about their business plans. It was in kindergarten and early stages in primary school. Now, I'm more like a stranger to him than an acquaintance. We were in the same university, same department even, but we don't talk. I don't know, we just…. grew apart. Perhaps we can say that.
"good! I believe he still remembers you (I grimaced. No, he clearly doesn't.)"
I retrieved my hand from Tito Rusty's grasp. I got lost in the conversation once again.
"how is he, Tito? He's our batch's magna cum laude. I bet you're too proud of him."
"oh, I am… anyway, I just named him as the new CEO of the company."
I heard him the first time, but I struggled comprehending it. Xenon's the new CEO? Isn't that too fast?
"you look surprised."
I cleared my throat and stretched a smile. Wow, he gets the whole company… just like that? What about Gendry?
"well, I… I'm happy for him. He definitely would make a great CEO. Even when he has to do it alone."
The last sentence was uttered in a lower voice. I hope he doesn't take it the wrong way, though. I was only thinking of the pressure Xenon must now be under. He just graduated college, for crying out loud!
"no, he won't be alone. That's why I came here, Genevieve."
With that statement, my goosebumps were back. Right. He was halfway to telling me the real reason why he's here. We were only misdirected when he mentioned his son.
I stayed quiet, hoping my silence would make him feel welcome to say what it was he seemed so hesitant about. I waited. Four seconds… five…. Six….
"I need you to marry my son."
I gasped… quite too loud that it also surprised him. Of all the things I was expecting, that wasn't one of them. I clutched the headboard of the bed for support. I… I couldn't blink. My eyes were only locked in him, in this conversation who clearly got out of hand.
"tito… I… wha… what are you saying?"
He shook his head slowly. Perhaps he just realized how crazy that sounded.
"I know, this is terrible… but I'm serious, Genevieve. I couldn't think of anyone else I can trust with the company. Of course, Xenon has to take a wife and start a family to further our family legacy. It has to be someone I know and trust."
Suddenly, my whole throat was dry. In my head was a vacuum and I couldn't think of any word to say.
"Genevieve, your family and mine has been close friends since then. Your father and I had been expecting this since you and Xenon were children. It's also a huge opportunity for your music school. I tell you, please, I would look at this as a huge favor. Once you do this, I will forever be indebted to you."
Still, I have no words in my lips.
Thankfully, we were interrupted by a knock. Jane's voice then followed saying, "miss Eve, can I interrupt for a minute?"
"yes, Jane?"
"I have the certificates for Mr. Gonzales. I need you to sign it. The teachers are waiting in your office."
I gulped. With my eyes on my lap, I knew I needed more time to think about this. I don't like the thought that I would be married as a favor. It sounded like a business arrangement to me.
But then…
"Forgive me, Genevieve. I took so much of your time. please think about it and give me a call as soon as possible."
No words here. I nodded instead.
I watched Tito Rusty as he got out of the clinic. Jane was waiting outside so I stood up and followed. He didn't look back, not even once.
"the certificates are in your office, miss." – Jane said and I walked to the office, with her tailing me.
I entered the office and two teachers were waiting on the chairs. They greeted me when I entered and then placed the pile of certificates on the table.
I sighed. I guess my answer can wait after 5pm.
-
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It's 46 minutes after 5pm and I'm on my flat. I've showered and slipped into my favorite pair of blue pajamas. The conversation this morning's still stuck in my head and I couldn't drive them away. However, I'm no longer speechless about this. For the entire day, what my brain did was to gather questions. Among all of them, I was most concerned with one: Is Xenon in favor with this?
Even in my head, it sounded ridiculous. I no longer exist to the man. I bet the first reaction he said when his father told him about this was "who's that?".
Wait.
He has a girlfriend, doesn't he?
An idea sparked in my head that I jumped from the couch and grabbed my laptop from the bag I carried today. I quickly searched Xenon Alister's name on social media and went straight to his pictures album. Most of them were stolen pictures of his debate events, some were with friends, very few pictures with his dad. There was one folder in there though, it was untitled. I clicked it, and there it was. It was the same picture of him and his friends… but there was a girl. Of course, Sophia Grace Dominguez. I guess then, the rumors were true. I thought it was only campus gossip.
I scanned through the pictures. Tito Rusty didn't mention anything about a girlfriend. He was only too sure that I would make the perfect fit for his son. After seeing too many pictures of the prettiest girl back in school beside the man my godfather (and as what he said, my father too) wants me to marry, I closed the laptop.
I thought of what Tito Rusty said. It would indeed be an advantage to my music school. Come on, Eve. It's only a business arrangement. You have to be wise.
Yeah, there's one problem, though.
I'm in love with Xenon Alister. And no one has a clue about it.