JIEGO
The alarm clock didn’t wake me up. Or maybe it sounded, only that I was sleeping too deep that I failed to hear it. Whichever was it, it was already quarter to 8 am when I woke up the next day. Cursing that I only have 15 minutes to prepare before Atty. Sumayo would pick me up, I skipped breakfast and took a bath instead. The black hoodie and jeans I placed atop one of the sealed boxes the night before was worn by me. After brushing my teeth and fixing my hair on the cloudy mirror, I sat on the edge of the bed and checked my phone.
11 missed calls from Atty. Sumayo. Crap, that was embarrassing. I called him back. It was only picked up on the third ring.
“were you ignoring my calls, Mr. Sy?”
Mr. Sy? Oh, he was referring to me. Crap, this would need a lot of adjustments, won’t it?
“no, attorney. I was… (what do I say? To be honest that I overslept sounded wrong for all the right reasons) preoccupied.”
“that’s why… are you ready to go? I got everything prepared. I’m almost at your apartment.”
Slight panic rose to my throat.
“yes, I’m prepared.”
“good. See you in a bit.”
Right when I was about to ask how close is he, the call ended. Before it was dropped, I heard him say to someone, “that corner over there”. My guess is that he came with a driver? Anyway, there’s no time to waste. I double checked everything I need to bring. Three boxes were already sealed and ready to be carried out. The sockets were turned off, myself… well, I look kind of presentable. The white sneakers look old, though. Anyway… I guess there would be no one to impress. I will only be transferred on a new apartment. Somewhere close to the Sy’s company. Which is a problem for another day because, I don’t have a college degree, I was too close and yet I didn’t make it because of financial reasons. How would someone like me manage a company, and a huge and famous one at that?
A knock on the door disturbed my thoughts and I stood up in a second. I cleared my throat, matching the panic that’s slowly building up in my gut.
“ready?” – Atty Sumayo was wearing a suit again. or maybe he always does?
He peaked on the boxes behind me and frowned. Perhaps curious or critical on why I only have that and why they were poorly packed? I wouldn’t know.
“let me get my luggage, attorney. You can just wait in the car.”
He shook his head.
“we’re actually in a hurry, Mr. Sy. I insist that you let me help.”
“but the elevator’s broken.”
“I know. I used the stairs coming up.”
That explains the sweat on his forehead and the loosened tie, then.
I didn’t argue anymore. He said we’re on a rush and it’s better to just obey him than ask further questions. We transported the cartons one by one and placed them on the trunk of the car. He went there first and when I did, the window on the passenger seat rolled down, followed by the opening of the door. An elder man in black suit and white inner polo stepped out and stood outside the car, his both hands at his back.
“Good day, Mr. Sy.”
I was surprised. Again with the Mr. Sy.
“Good day, Mr…”
“Alfred. I’ll be your personal butler.”
What the heck is a butler? Anyway, I only smiled at him. When Atty. Sumayo came back with the third box, he introduced me to the man again. I knew he was also Daniel Sy’s butler and that he has been with the family for 25 years. Now how do I deal with that information? That means he knows everything about the Sys. He can even answer the questions I have in my head. 25 years of being with the same family… it’s huge, he can be my personal historian.
“nice to meet you, sir.”
“I am delighted to finally have found you, Mr. Sy.” – Alfred said and Atty. Sumayo nodded
“well, what can we say? Years of tracing back leads and here we are. Moments before you finally get introduced to the main manor.”
“main manor?”
“yes. It’s where you’ll be staying from now on… and that would be your own home.” – Atty. Sumayo said and got into the passenger seat. Alfred, on the other hand, manned the steering wheel.
I guess butlers are the same as drivers, then.
The car roared to life and we were driving away from my old apartment. I couldn’t explain the exact feeling of walking away from the place I’ve known to be my personal safe place. Aside from the situation at home, that apartment was a witness to it all. Now the walls would be asking themselves where I’ve gone and I won’t be coming back.
My eyes stayed out of the window, enjoying the view of tall buildings and swirling overpasses. The people were all busy in that part of Metro Manila. Despite the temperature rising higher as time adds up, the people outside don’t seem to mind it. They still continued with their usual transport and retail businesses.
“have you been at South Harbor before, Mr. Sy?” – the lawyer asked me
“I don’t think I did, attorney. I don’t travel much.”
“I guess because that’s what your parents told you.” – it wasn’t a question, it was a statement
I caught Alfred’s eyes on me at the rearview mirror. It was only for a split second and then he looked away. I cleared my throat. Now that they’ve mentioned it…
“do you know something about my parents? I mean, the ones who reared me up?”
Atty. Sumayo chuckled.
“of course, I’ve been watching them for a while now… and what can I say? They’re good people. From how I know you these past days, I can also say they raised you well.”
I wouldn’t be too sure of that. But as for how they raised me, well, yes, I guess. I was lucky enough to be raised by them. They, indeed, were good people. The kindest, even.
I asked some more, testing what they know about the Santiagos. When my questions were exhausted, I was finally convinced that they did their job pretty well. They know everything, even the smallest details about me. Among the people in this car, I was the only person who’s a stranger to it all.
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They weren’t kidding about living on a manor.
That’s why the address didn’t contain the block number. It was the whole block or maybe even more. The estate looked like it has the same area as ten soccer fields. The luxurious house was on the middle of it, with paved driveway in the middle leading to a huge fountain that divides the path into two. One was going to the house and the other was leading to a closed area at some distance, like a golf course or something. On either sides on the entrance were lampposts with glass lamps and freshly cut purple flowers. My jaw just dropped on the floor.
“enjoy the view, Mr. Sy. These are all yours now.” – Alfred said
I didn’t take heart the intensity of that statement that very moment. I was more focused on the beauty that was welcoming me, as it gets intensely better and better as we move closer to the main manor. The fountain turned out to be a pool with ocean blue waters. The sculpture of David was on the middle, and around it was a circular pool.
As we turned right to drive further, the exterior of the house becomes clearer now. The cream and chocolate brown highlights on doors and walls are getting clearer. The bricks that were used on columns were intricately designed and the warm light coming from the posts. All in all, the house and the entire property screams millions. Not just that, but at least ten people got out of the house and formed a straight row.
“welcome to your new home, Mr. Sy. Let’s go and meet them.”
Still, my tongue was tied to the roof of my mind. I cannot speak, or rather, I don’t have the right words with me. It was Alfred who got out of the car first, followed by the lawyer, and then Alfred opened the door to my side.
I was hesitant, but everyone’s eyes were on me. This is surreal.