[Shout out to Phil, Manuel M., Jean Carlos L.C., Benjamin G.!]
RDD 64
"If you have something to say to me, speak. Don't keep your thoughts in your head."
Perhaps he could see that I was hesitating.
"Brother, actually... I'm worried about Mom and Dad. Are they okay?"
"Mom is the same as always, she keeps nagging us. She even pushed me to marry an actress, ahem. As for Dad, he is working on a new project. He started a moving company this year."
Brother Sean answered honestly. He didn't realize that I had changed my question in the middle.
"That's good to hear." I nodded.
I'm glad to hear that Mom and Dad are okay. At least according to Sean's story, they were all fine.
"As for Jeremy, he's staying at the corn chip factory. Hell, he didn't even come back for Christmas and New Year's. If this continues, Jeremy will probably lose his wife and son. I don't know what's going on with him to be honest, he's too workaholic."
"I guess he hasn't changed at all." I laughed.
After an awkward start, Sean and I had a nice conversation. At least we could talk without feeling awkward.
"By the way, here. I feel bad that I didn't give you a present for your other son?"
"Another son?"
Was he talking about Sophia?
Ah, Sophia was wearing blue baby clothes earlier, and she might look like a boy.
He gave me a... What?
"Brother, I can't accept this."
I stared at the card that was currently in his hand.
"Come on. It's my gift for him. Just think of it as a kind gesture from me. Although it has a limit of 50 thousand PHP, I think."
Sean really dared to give me a credit card. How can I accept it?
"No, Sean, I will never accept it. You can have it."
"Tch, this bastard. Can't you see I'm helping you out here?"
"Take it."
We had a stare competition. Men in our family are stubborn. It's hard to change our decision once we've made up our minds.
"You and your stubborn ass. Okay, I'll buy a gift instead. What does he want?" He returned the credit card and glared at me.
"Cake. Sophia likes cake."
"Sophia? Hm, kind of a weird name for a boy."
"..."
I decided not to explain it to him. He might just as well misunderstand.
Luckily, there was a bakery next to the restaurant. The cost of the cheesecake was so damn expensive. It cost almost my entire week as a taxi driver.
With no other choice, I accept the cake. I feel like I'm holding a piece of gold in my hand.
"Let's go back to your house. Maybe your family misses you."
"Okay."
The Ferrari is definitely an attention-grabbing car. Once on the road, people would instinctively look at it. That is the pure power of a sports car. They can attract anybody.
We returned to the building and people could not help but stare at the Ferrari.
"I'll visit you sometime."
"... Okay."
Damn, I don't know how to say that this building will be demolished within six months.
Well, maybe I didn't want my brother to feel sorry for me. Deep in my heart, I want to keep my pride.
This pride of mine might be my downfall, but I don't want to ask my family for help. I did it for six years, I think I can do it for another decade.
Besides, I already have an idea how to get money. Once my business is up and running, I don't need to be ashamed of myself.
I said goodbye to my brother and entered the building. I went upstairs and reached our floor. Then I realized that my wife was waiting for me.
She was worried, from the look on her face. I smiled and hugged her.
"This is a gift for Sophia."
"Hm... Keith."
"Don't worry, Sean didn't mean any harm."
"Hm." She nodded and wiped away her tears. We entered the apartment together.
...
...
...
Sean stood for a few minutes as he watched his youngest brother disappear into the building.
When he was gone, Sean went to his car.
"Hey, nice car! I was just wondering if you had any money. You know, helping the poor is a good deed."
Sean just shrugged. He had met so many people like this guy. He was used to situations like this. As long as you didn't pay attention to them, they would go away.
"Tch! Fucking rich people. They act like they are above everyone else. Well, this place will be torn down anyway, I will never see your ass again. Don't ever come back to this place, you rich bastard."
The man muttered and left.
But Sean frowned when he heard something alarming.
"Hey, what did you say? This place is going to be torn down?"
Sean pulled out a 500 peso bill and handed it to the man.
"Huh? Oh yeah. This whole place next to the road is going to be torn down." The man smiled as he took the money. 500 pesos would buy him two cases of beer!
"Is this apartment building going to be demolished too?"
Sean pointed to the building behind him.
"That's right. Nothing will be left." The man nodded.
"Thank you."
After hearing the answer, Sean's expression turned dark.
With resentment, he entered the building and asked for Kieth's apartment number.
After a few minutes of asking, Sean found the door and knocked.
"Brother? I thought you left already?"
Keith opened the door. He was confused as to why Sean was knocking on his door.
"You fucking bastard..."
He grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him out of the house.
"Why didn't you tell me your apartment was going to be torn down?"