TINA
Aaron was welcomed to the manor’s garden for a little catch up with his nephew. I am aware this is only a polite act, something he feels obliged to do. I don’t need to guess but I am certain Sir Jiego was only tolerating this presence in his house. However, I am thinking of what he just said. Me, being his girlfriend. And I have no idea why. He hasn’t told me anything yet, which I bet was because he couldn’t find the right timing yet.
“oh, dear. When your father was about blabbering about knowing you’re alive, I admit I had laughed at him many times. It didn’t seem possible at the moment. man, he was right. And there’s no doubt. You really look just like him. He has the same face when he was about your age.”
“that’s what everybody says. I’m honored. How about you, uncle? Where have you been all these years?”
Sir Jiego asked, picking up a blueberry muffin. He bit the half of it and held the remaining half on his left hand. I was only sitting beside him. Quiet. Lost.
Aaron leaned in forward and sipped his latte.
“hmmm… well, your father and I had our issues. He was the family’s golden child and I’m the black sheep. You finish the puzzle. However, in my perspective, I always honored him as my older brother. Too bad it’s too late now to resolve our misunderstandings.”
Sir Jiego did not respond. However, he cleared his throat. Suddenly, I had an understanding that whatever or wherever he went early this morning, it has something to do with this occurrence. He may have met or knew something about his uncle.
“too bad… so why are you here now, Uncle?”
Aaron laughed. The fake kind.
“oh, can’t I visit my nephew every now and then?”
“you can. But someone told me this is the first time in a ling run you visited the manor too. You weren’t seen during his funeral either. Tell me, is that a good brother or uncle?”
Aaron cleared his throat and looked away. There. There was a hit.
“as much as I want to catch up with the lost years, uncle. My girlfriend and I have a date to go to. You can find your way out, right?”
With that, Sir Jiego stood up and grabbed my wrist. Before I could say something, he already pulled me and only let go when we were outside the garden.
“Sir, can I ask what that’s about? I’m-“
“Not here. Let’s go inside first. Come to my office.”
“Sir, I-“
“later, Tina.”
And I shut up. Okay, then. We walked side by side, but at least now, he wasn’t holding me by the wrist anymore. When we were inside the manor, I followed him to his room. On normal days, I won’t follow him here but as what I said, I needed to know what’s really going on. I presume that’s what he wanted too.
When he closed the door, I heard the click of the lock. I stood there like an idiot while he placed the bag he was carrying on his cabinet. I looked around, observing the room. It was the first time I was there and the cool colors playing on the walls made the room look exquisite and unique. A palette of blue, white and khaki was the main concept of the room’s carpet, curtains and sheets. The pillows and their cases had printed geometric designs. Basically, it looked like a gentleman’s room. My visual room tour stopped when he cleared his throat, grabbing my attention.
“I guess you’re confused.”
Oh, confused is such an understatement with what I’m feeling now.
“I want to know the reason, sir. Just that. I didn’t get what was happening. Who is that man? Is he really your uncle? And… and… why did you call me your girlfriend?”
“I apologize for what happened back there, Tina. I only decided on what at the spur of the moment. It felt right at the moment.”
I frowned. Which part of that felt right at the moment? I was taken aback.
“Look, Tina. The day’s really long for me. I have all the answers to whatever it is you want to know. One by one, I’ll answer them. For now, I have something to ask you.”
He was leaning on the side of the huge closet when he said that. The said closet was fronting a window, which made the sunlight shine directly to his face, illuminating his hazel eyes. The color of hazel got even lighter signifying the sudden seriousness of the conversation. He sighed, a hint of hesitance on his face before he continued. I, on the other hand, was clinging on to his next words.
“it’s kind of odd, but… can we sit down first? God, this is stupid…”
My confusion was back again. The longer he’s delaying this, the stronger my anxiety becomes. My mind travels miles and miles on what to expect. I prefer he tell me now. Exactly right now. so I can breathe properly.
As what he said, we took a seat across each other. He opened his lips, as if to say something.
“sir?”
“I don’t want to appear so demanding, Tina. This isn’t your problem anymore.”
He cracked his knuckles one by one. I don’t know if he’s doing that because he’s nervous or something. Really, I’m starting to get nervous about this. What’s so hard to say, anyway?
“sir, whatever it is. You can tell me.” – I said, meaning every word. I can feel the weight of the words he was withholding.
After a minute of deliberation, he finally spoke up. finally.
“this morning, I met with our family lawyer. turns out my father has a brother. That Aaron. Only a few knows about him because he spent half of his life away from the family business and in different rehabilitation centers. However, he found out hid older brother died and came back to the manor to demand his share of the estate. His name wasn’t on the last will and testament, but he showed this video of a conversation between him and my father. There it was shown that dad said he’s willing to give him half of the company’s share, but then he changed his mind after considering the thought that I may want to be married in the future and start a family. However, that became a condition. He won’t get the 50% he wanted if I’ll marry someone. that is… that’s how that fucked up. I panicked. I knew he came here to impose that video… but as what Atty. Sumayo said, I needed to protect the company and there’s only one thing to do that.”
I gulped. I wasn’t following.
“…that is for me to get married. That’s why I thought of introducing you as my girlfriend. Tina, I have a business proposal for you. This may sound crazy but I hope you’ll consider.”
My heart raced. Twice its normal beats.
“s…sir?”
“Will you let me court you?”