CHAPTER TWO
(KREIG)
I was driving around Makati, finding a spot to do my thesis. It's a busy day in Makati, and everyone is in a rush. Then I found a coffee shop that does not have many customers. I parked my car and then went to the coffee shop. I entered, and the aroma of coffee beans slapped my nose so hard. I love that smell; it keeps me focused on my work.
I ordered a large iced Americano and a croissant. After the barista handed me my order, I found a place to do my thesis. I sat down and arranged my things on the table. I logged in on my laptop and proceeded to edit the RRL Review of Related Literature. I focused on reading and reviewing it to avoid plagiarism. I was sipping my coffee, and I remembered the talk last night with Dad about my internship. He said he would discuss the details today after lunch.
I am not that close to my Dad, he supports me in everything I want except being an artist. He expects us to inherit the whole company that was why the three of us siblings took a Business major. I remember when Dad slapped Ate Alex because she wanted to take Tourism for college. Because of that, I got scared, I wanted to take Fine Arts, and I wanted to paint. But I still do a painting without my Dad's knowledge. I asked my mother for support but she only said that I should follow what Dad's wanted. And that became a copy of him. I don't hate my Dad that much since his attention is on Kuya Vince, the pressure is only on Kuya Vince. Dad's main headache is Ate Alex who shows no interest in the business. Ate Alex even begged Dad to find a husband for her. I think Dad is currently finding a match for her. She just wanted to be a trophy wife after all.
"Hey bro, you didn't say that you would be here editing our thesis"
Mark suddenly showed up in front of me holding his cup of coffee and he sat across me. He should be at Dad's company on duty as an intern. I did not expect him to meet him here.
"Why are you here?" I asked "I don't have anything to do so, I just decided to edit our thesis," I really don't have anything to do since I already passed all of my subjects and my main focus is this thesis and the internship.
"I'm on my break, Joan is sleeping in her cubicle to rest. So, I did not ask her to come with me. My boss only gave me a 30-minute break." He said and he sipped his coffee.
"So, what are your plans for internship?" he asked.
I leaned my back slightly stretched and took a deep breath.
"Dad offered and I accepted it."
"You finally gave up, that's cool. Me, Joan, and you at your Dad's office. Thank god, my boss will finally not raise his voice at me if I make a mistake. I even said to that bald big stomach old man that you are my close friend and that he should not mess with me. And guess what he just laughed and said that Gerald Kilmartin, your dad is his son. How funny." He said with an angry face. "I can't wait to see his face when he learns that I'm telling the truth that I am close to you" he added then he sipped his coffee crossed his arms and looked at me with his excited face, his smile ear to ear.
"I'm sorry to inform you that I will not be at my Dad's. He knows a company and that is where I will be." I said to him and the smile on his face faded. "And my dear friend I think your 30-minute break will be over. You only walked from the office to here, right?" I said while fixing my things. "come, I'll give you a ride. I need to talk to my Dad."
--
We were in front of the company, I handed my car key to the valet. The other valet opened the passenger seat for Mark. When Mark got out of my car, the valet was shocked and Mark just grinning.
"Hey, boy! I'm a friend of Kilmartin. Remember that," Mark tapped the valet's shoulders and he walked beside me.
As usual, all the employees greeted me but the guy beside me was enjoying this moment. Every employee that we passed by, always said that he is a Friend. I just smiled at the employees when he did that.
We were waiting at the elevator and once we were alone I confronted him about the way he greeted the employees.
"Hey, Mark. Please don't do that. I want you to experience fairness. Don't brag that you are close to me." Mark looked at me from the reflection at the elevator and sighed.
"Bro, just let me. I'm enjoying this. Thank you, that bald fat old man will be nice to me from now on." Mark smiled. "And to be a friend of a Kilmartin is an honor, it deserves to bragged,"
I rolled my eyes "Okay, at least you're enjoying. But don't abuse it. I don't want this to get on my Dad. You know Dad, he is kinda strict,"
Mark just laughed and walked out of the elevator when it opens
"So, this is my floor. See you at school tomorrow," Mark waved his hand at me but when the elevator started to close he stopped it.
"Or see you later this evening, want to do bar hopping at BGC?" Mark asked "Xylo, Club House, Yes Please, or anywhere? But not here in Makati." Mark said excitedly.
"Let me think about it, I will message you if I want. Okay," I said and the elevator closed.
--
I am at my Dad's office, and the atmosphere is quite heavy since I do not often go here. Dad is signing some papers, I am sitting at the and the secretary serves me a coffee.
"You will be working as an intern at Villa Group. Villa Foods Corporation, one of their subsidiaries. I already talked to the chairman and he agrees," Dad said while still signing papers. He did not even look at me. "He also agrees, that you are not going to introduce as my son," Dad continued and I smiled at him.
"Any questions?" Dad asked
"None so far, Dad. Villa Group Headquarters is in BGC, right?" I asked
"Can I ask permission to move out and rent a place at BGC, if it is okay with you? Dad"
I am 25 years old and still ask for permission. I witnessed how Dad treated my older siblings when they did not follow Dad's orders and wants. Growing up, I always follow my Dad's command.
"No need, I have a penthouse at BGC. You can use it. Just coordinate with our property manager," Dad said looking at me and he proceeded to scan his other papers.
A penthouse just for me. That is too spacious and I am alone.
"Dad, a penthouse is too spacious for me. Maybe a studio type. I am sure you have that,"
"Son, we are a Kilmartin. We don't own a unit that size of a dog house," Dad said shaking his head.
"You may go, I have a meeting in 10 minutes," Dad said and he stood up. "See you at dinner." Then Dad went out.
A penthouse is too big for me.
--
I'm back at the coffee shop and waiting for Karla. I called Karla since she owned a condo unit at BGC. Her family business is real estate. She is the only heir of her parent's business.
"Let's go, I took Grab," Karla said once she saw me.
We went out to the coffee shop and we hopped on my car. It took us 20-minute drive to get to BGC.
"Kreig, Makati and BGC are close. Why do you still want to rent?" Karla asked
We are inside the condominium, we are walking in the hallway. We stopped at the front of the door indicating that we were at the studio unit that I would rent.
"To get out of home," I replied and Karla just rolled her eyes at me and she opened the door.
"Your residence is like a castle. Tita Samantha is kind and very demure. Why do you want to leave? Your mother and your siblings are close to you," Karla said "It is because of your Dad?" Karla asked
It is not just because of Dad, I just want to experience freedom. I don't want to see Dad knowing I am not a copy of him. That after I graduate I will be a disappointment to him.
"No" I lied
"Okay, So. Here it is a studio type. It's empty just need some things. Uptown Mall is near. I think eight to ten-minute walk." Karla said. "Mark asked me to have a party later. Bar hopping. Since we're here, I said yes," Karla said excitedly.
"Okay, tell him I will come." I agreed
"Okay then, I need to be back at the office, My Mom's building is in Pasig. So, see you later." And she went out leaving me alone in this empty room.