"Luis, fix yourself because you're joining our meeting with Mr. Choi for our business. You should learn now so that in case we hand over the business to you, you'll know what to do."
I covered my ears with a pillow because it was noon and Mama was already in the room, lecturing me. I really regretted coming home because of her nagging. It's better in the condo, I don't hear any sermons from Mama.
"Get up already." She pulled the blanket covering me. "Where did you go again last night that you woke up so late again?"
"Ma, just to the bar.." I answered listlessly.
"Good heavens, Luis, you're going out every night to drink. Instead of focusing on that, why don't you focus on your marriage?"
"Mama, I just graduated, and you already want me to get married." I scratched my temple.
"If you keep focusing on your friends, you won't have the inspiration to settle down in your life. At least if you have a girlfriend, you will have a plan in life and you will be more frugal for your future."
"There you go again, Mama. I really have plans for my life, okay? Just wait, you're rushing everything. Even my marriage, you're rushing it, you might even rush having your grandchildren later." I defended.
"I'm really rushing you because you're getting older. Your Papa and I might not be able to see our grandchildren from you." Mama placed a shirt and pants beside me.
"Mama, you're saying all sorts of things." I frowned.
"Oh my! Get up and get dressed so we can leave. Your Papa and I are expecting you there." Mama closed the door on me before I could complain. I got up with a thud and leaned against the headboard of my bed. I massaged my temple because I felt it throbbing. Hangover is real.
I'm used to Mama being overbearing when it comes to my relationships. I haven't introduced anyone to them since I became a young man. They are aware of my being a playboy, but they want me to be serious with a woman, which is not yet in my plans.
I like this kind of life where I only think about myself. No enemies, no sulking, no need to appease and put in effort when it's monthsary or anniversary. I believe that true love will come at the right time.
After taking a shower, I fixed myself. It was still early so I didn't wear the clothes Mama prepared for me yet. I went down to the kitchen after putting on perfume all over my body. I found Alyssa watching her favorite K-drama in the living room.
I was in the mood to tease her so I threw the banana peel I had at her. Her nose flared up like an angry lion when she realized it was my doing.
"You're acting like a fool there! So thrilled, huh? Psh!"
"Kuya, you're so gross!" She threw it back at me, but I immediately dodged it and laughed at her annoyed face. I sat beside her and watched even though I didn't like what she was watching.
"Maybe between the two of us, you'll be the first to get married."
"And how did you say that, Kuya?"
"Because of that," I pointed to what she was watching.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Wow! Just watched a K-drama, and will get married first? You're so OA. How about you, when will you get married?"
"Psh! You're just like Mama, so excited." I removed my arm around her and took some of the popcorn she was munching on while watching.
"Why? You're at the right age, and you're even a degree holder."
"Is it required to get married when you're a degree holder, hmm?" I ruffled her hair, making her pout in annoyance. "You and Mama really have the same brain, women are really something."
Before Alyssa and I could get into a fight, I went to the kitchen to get some alcohol from our refrigerator. Everyone was busy preparing snacks; actually, our helpers were washing the dishes because my family had just finished eating lunch.
After I got a can of alcohol from inside our ref, I closed it and opened it. As soon as I chugged the can, I was stunned because I felt someone hit me on the back of my head.
"Hmm, noon and you're already drinking alcohol, you're not tired of it." Mama lectured me.
I scratched my head because my lip slightly hurt because Mama hit me hard, causing my snout to hit the can. The entire contents of the can almost spilled on my face.
"Mama," I complained to her and took a piece of tissue from the top of our dining table to wipe my face.
"Can't you let some water flow down your throat first instead of alcohol, son? You just woke up, and you're already drinking alcohol, you haven't even eaten rice yet." Mama lectured me worriedly. "Why don't you eat first before you drink alcohol there." She placed the menudo she cooked and rice in front of me. One of our helpers placed a plate and utensils. Mama served me like a child, so I quickly stopped her.
"Ma, I can do it," I snatched the ladle she was holding so I could put it on my plate. "You're babying me too much."
"Oh my! I won't be able to do these things when you get married, Luis."
"Ma.." I immediately hissed because that was her stressful complaint again.
"It's true, so when you get married, make sure you go to a woman who can serve you in everything. Someone who knows how to do household chores and not just how to beautify herself." Mama suggested, but I couldn't be happy. I almost couldn't swallow the rice in my mouth because of what she was saying.
So cringe!
"Ma, enough, I might not be able to digest it with what you're saying." I sighed deeply.
"Oh my! If only I could choose your future wife, I would have done it. But, as your parents, we will let you choose and decide about that. The important thing for us is that you are happy in your married life and that you give us many grandchildren."
I choked on what Mama said, so she hurriedly poured water into my glass and handed it to me to drink. After I drank, she gently patted my back.
"Ma, what you're saying is creepy." I replied and coughed slightly. "Ask me for anything, Ma, just not a wife and grandchildren."
"That's what I want," she replied with a pout, so I just rubbed my face.
The things my mother is asking for are scary, Lord. After I ate, I went back to my room to get dressed because we were leaving. No matter how much I pleaded with Mama not to include me, she refused. I almost knelt in front of her to get her to agree to what I wanted, but she still wouldn't budge. She was even more stubborn than a rock that couldn't feel my annoyance.
"Ma, Kenneth and I have plans, so I can't go. I'll join you and Papa next time," I pretended to be typing on my cellphone to make my excuse more believable.
"That's why I'm inviting you because I talked to them earlier and found out that you don't have any plans today," Mama said with a teasing grin, making me close my eyes in annoyance.
Why did I forget that my mother has a detective Conan bloodline? Fuck!
"Ma, I don't want to go, I might just be out of place there." I stomped my feet like a child in front of my mother, and I really looked ridiculous right now.
"You're coming whether you like it or not, Luis. You don't have anything else to do but sleep and lock yourself in your room, right? It's a waste of time, so it's better if you just come with me."
"I don't want to, Ma. I still have a hangover, don't you have any pity for me?" She shook her head, and from her looks, I really couldn't ask her a favor.
"I'll only allow you to do what you want when you introduce your wife to me, okay?" Mama replied with a grin and gently tapped my cheek. "Let's go, your Papa is waiting for us there with Mr. Choi." She walked out of the house ahead of me.
"Damn it!" I grabbed my hair in annoyance. I wanted to throw a tantrum in anger, but my mother was my opponent here. It's so irritating! I wish I had remained a student so that I would be free in my life, not like now that they are about to control everything, even my marriage.
"Damn you! Thanks, huh, you told Mama that we don't have any plans today."
I didn't waste any time calling my brilliant friends because of my annoyance. My fist was itching to punch their faces, I was so annoyed because of their honesty. Shit!
"Welcome.." Kenneth replied mischievously, so he received a string of curses from me and I heard their laughter. I told them that Mama would be taking me with them because she found out that we didnt have a plans today.
"Just give Tita a daughter-in-law and grandchildren so they'll be at peace." Chris suggested devilishly, while Kenneth and Rhaiven listened quietly to our conversation. We're used to his silence.
"Damn you two, you devils." I retorted annoyedly and said goodbye to them because Mama called me.
We just had our driver take us and it was already dark when we arrived at the restaurant. Papa was already there at a table with an unfamiliar face to me. Mama immediately called me to approach them, Papa immediately stood up to greet us.
"Hello Mr. Choi, sorry we're late, there was so much traffic." Mama kissed the old man who was smiling at us. "By the way, this is our son, Luis. Luis, this is Mr. Choi." Mama introduced me to the person they were meeting.
"Nice meeting you, Sir." I replied politely and shook hands with him.
"Nice meeting you too, the future CEO of Arevalo Company."
I just smiled even though I didn't like to hear that because it wasn't in my plans to take or inherit the company that my parents worked hard for. I want to work in a company where I won't receive special treatment. Aside from wanting to learn, I also want to take or do what I want through hard work.
And as I expected, I was indeed out of place. I didn't do anything but devour all the food on the table. Stare into space and listen to their conversations even though I didn't really understand them. I saw how much effort Mama put into her work. They impress me, but that's not what I want for myself.
It wasn't just once that Mama took me with them on their trips, it was followed by several more times. That's how my life went for a week, a month, and until it became a year. I can go out with my friends, but it's limited.
"I can't bro, I just got home and I'm tired. Next time. Okay. Bye!" I flopped down on my bed in exhaustion and threw my cellphone somewhere. Because of extreme fatigue, I didn't go to the bar where Kenneth and Chris were inviting me to drink. I'll just spend the night here in my condo since Mommy gave me two days of rest.
The next day, I woke up to a series of doorbells at the door, so even though I was reluctant, I went down to open it.
"Good day, Sir. You have a letter." I thanked the man and took what he handed me. I was still very sleepy so I didn't understand what he said. I closed the door and sat on the sofa here in the living room of my condo like a wilted vegetable.
I listlessly opened the letter I was holding to read it. Because I was so sleepy, I didn't bother with the message in front of it. All I knew was that the letter was for me, but I didn't know who it was from.
Marriage Certificate...
My spirit was revived, not just my blood. My heart beat faster and I sweated profusely when I read my name on the paper.
My sleeping system earlier was suddenly revived just by seeing the large letters that were on top of the paper.
"What the fuck?!"