When we reached our hometown, we headed to the hospital where dad was confined."Mom!""Tamara, my dear!"We were emotional as we granted each other a tight hug."How are you, dear? It's good that your brother located you immediately," she said as we separated from the hug.I nodded.I glanced behind her where dad was lying and sleeping on his bed. And she's the one looking after him all through the time of his confinement.My heart felt heavier seeing my father this vulnerable. I wasn't and, I guessed, would never be used to seeing him in a condition like this."How's him, mom?""Still not okay, Tami. He's in a coma," she answered sadly and with all honesty."What happened, mom? What did the doctor say?"She nodded faintly. "Heart attack. Your dad was so silent all this time about what his body was feeling. According to the doctor that checked him, it was even possible that these days he was really already feeling something off and unusual but still he kept silent about it and ignore
"What?! No?!" They exclaimed in unison."Tamara dear, you don't have to do this," mom said as she was holding my hand and gently shaking her head.I wiped my tears away and remained firm to what I already uttered."I have made up my mind, mom. If this is the only thing that can save us all then I'm willing to take the risk now."I couldn't simply watch losing everything we have while not doing anything when I know that there's something I can do to lessen the problem, right? Even if it means giving up my own happiness…"But, Tamara—""It's alright, mom." I forced a smile, just so I could cheer her up. "It's alright. I'm doing this with my own will. I want to do this. You don't have to worry about me."She cried and I hugged her. I tried my best not to cry anymore though deep inside, I wanted to break down, too. But I knew I couldn't let them see my weakness and I couldn't let them feel that I was very sad upon coming up to this huge decision because if I do, they would only worry abou
MR. WYNNFOR, who was still handsome in his early fifties, smiled and extended a hand on me. "Nice meeting you, hija."He also took the liberty to shake hands with my brother. And Fabio did the same gesture.After the latter shook hands with Shaun, he turned to me and asked my hand. Still shocked, it took me a bit long before I accepted it. Soon as I did, electricity gushed through my veins when our skins touched. D*mn it.“Seems like you two already knew each other?” Mrs. Wynnfor asked us in her usual gentle and comforting motherly tone.I glanced at Fabio who was never leaving eyes on me. “That’s right, because he was actually my boss and I worked for him in Wynnfor Apparel last month.”“Oh, really? That’s nice to know! Anyway, you worked there as?”“His secretary,” I answered in an aloof and a bit awkward voice.From my peripheral vision, I saw how my mother subtly reacted to that. Of course she didn’t expect how fate played on me. I worked as a secretary for a boss I never saw that
"Besides, don't you want that? The sooner the marriage, the sooner your business will be saved. Another thing, this will surely make your dad happy, Tamara, when he wakes up and finds out that you and Fabio are married. You know he's also so eager for this to occur the soonest possible," the lady continued to persuade us.The gentleman next to her finally spoke, but like everyone else, he didn't seem to be convinced by his wife's wish that Fabio and I should rush the marriage."They're right. It might put pressure on both Tamara and our son—Fabio.""Believe me, I'll take care of it!" Mrs. Wynnfor chuckled, taking things just too lightly. And then she turned to mommy again. "Trust me, my friend. You would love seeing your beautiful daughter walking down the aisle, marrying my son."Mom wanted to be emotional but she was holding it. She even laughed to hide what she was truly feeling and put on a show as if she could also be just as chill. "Can't you just help without asking for anythin
"Tami, wake up!""Hmmm?" I was still sleepy when mom was shaking my shoulder.It was early in the morning and I supposed to still be sleeping."Look at this trending news of town just as this morning," she said and wanted me to take a look at the newspaper she was holding.I could just brush my hair out of frustration. Seriously?! She woke me up in the middle of my sleep to show me the newest trend in the newspaper!I was even too lazy to open my eyes yet and still wanted to close them again to go back to sleep. With the nurses going back and forth here last night to monitor daddy's condition, we were also disturbed and would wake up every time so it was only now that I slept straight for a few hours."Chris has taken over their family company—the S-Technology! He is the new founder and Chairman."So, that's all—wait! WHAT?!My eyes widened and I totally forgot about being too lazy because I couldn't believe what I just heard!I handed the newspaper and saw the latest headline…FINALL
"WHAT did your best friend tell you, Tamara?" Mom asked me seriously soon as the call with Chris ended.I turned to her, teary-eyed and full of hopes in this life again!"Chris is truly a heaven-sent, mom! He is our savior! He is going to save our family from all of this mess!"I hugged her and she hugged me.It felt like we could breathe again because of how positive this morning has brought us! Especially from Chris's good news and his huge offer of help.I told mom everything that Chris and I talked about—the seventy-million that Chris is offering as an investment to Davis Elegance, the assurance that aside from our friendship, it's purely business intentions and Chris will not ask for anything in return that is against my will, and everything about my best friend's kindness towards our family!"Finally! A true help from a true family friend with genuine intentions!" mom commented, feeling so grateful.I couldn't agree more!But then I suddenly took the hint too that she was subtly
"YES, I am confirming it. The engagement between my daughter, Tamara Davis, and the heir of Wynnfor Group of Companies, Fabio Wynnfor, is officially canceled."My brother and I was so shocked to have seen and watched the latest news. We didn’t see it coming that mom would entertain a presscon today to let the public know that we’re cancelling my engagement with Fabio Wynnfor.She just canceled it and faced on a presscon without consulting it to me first and without letting my brother and I know! She did it without discussing to us about it!"What the h*ck? Did mommy talk to you about this, Tamara? Did she mention to you that she's going on a presscon today?" my bro asked me.I shook my head. "No, she didn’t. We haven’t talked about it that’s why I’m also shocked to see this.”It's been a few days since we told mom about the good news that S-Technology's investment in our company was successfully approved.I had no idea she would make a move today upon canceling the deal with the Wynnf
To know who it was, I handed the phone and spoke, "Hello?""Tamara, hija? Hello? Is this you?"I closed my eyes. This is what I'm saying!Though she wasn't introducing herself yet, I could recognize her soft-spoken voice. I knew it's Fabio's mom."Yes, this is me speaking. Is that you, auntie?""Yes, Tami. I called because I, actually, our whole family, have already watched your mom's interview and she canceled the agreement of your supposed engagement to my son?" Her voice sounded sad and a bit disappointed.I couldn't help but feel bad for them. Though, I didn't want this marriage to push through, still I couldn't support the disrespect that my mom caused to their family."I've been contacting her but she's not picking up, that's why I decided to give you a call instead," she explained.I didn't know what to say. Seriously.She continued, and this time, she did not hold on her sentiments anymore. "What is this, hija? Is your mom serious about what she said there? Why all of a sudden