Chapter 2: The Investor

Chapter 2: (The investor)

      I was in a private fertility clinic, her father made sure things should be done discreetly. She’d undergone few test the entire time before today. The doctor prepared her for the procedure. But no matter how much she tried to relax she doesn’t know how. Later, the procedure took place. It was uncomfortable the entire time, and a bit painful.

“Calm down Ms. Seo, everything will soon be over… relax, breathe… here you go, it’s all done” the doctor said.

    I move myself to sit.

“ Move yourself slowly…” she said in concern.

“ Thank you, Dr. Shin” I told her.

“ You don’t need to worry, everything went well… maganda naman lahat ng result ng test mo kaya, with just a few try or maybe the first try magbuntis ka na. Hindi lang komportable sa first week after gawin ang proseso, pwedeng makaramdam ka ng mga palatandaan ng pagbubuntis normal ‘yon, if the procedure was a success, we’ll just hope na maging okay agad on our first attempt.” She sighs, which made me look at her.

“ I know it may be late, but I want to offer my sincere condolences. Your family become a huge help with our family, and I do feel sorry for your loss… And I do, feel sorry for your situation. I wish I could do something rather than following your father’s order” she sound so down, as she said those words.

“ Thank you, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko pero, salamat.” I replied in appreciation.

       Instead of going home I decided to meet Chase at a café near the University. I don’t have any sense of direction, I needed to talk with someone badly. Someone I can trust. I was I the middle of thinking when I saw him enter the café.

“ Hey! How have you been?  Dalawang linggo ka naring wala sa University, may ikukwento ka ba?” he asks directly as he sit in front of me. I smiled; I did expect him to ask that.

“Wala.” I replied.

“ Eh, bakit pinapunta mo pa ko dito?” he asks trying to be annoyed.

“I did it.” I said.

“Ang alin?” he asks again.

“Artificial Insemination, I did it.” I said shortly.

“ O-ohh… Are you sure, you’re okay about it Pit?” I can sense the concern in his voice.

        It’s the second time today. I just didn’t expect to receive concern. At least from the people I least expect to care.

“ I was left without a choice; dad may have thought I’m doing it for the company’s sake, but it was the other way around. As much as I hate him, I can’t afford to leave him. I’m the least to do that, now that mom was already gone, I’m the only person he has… the same with Sam.” I told him.

“ I was wondering… darating kaya yung pagkakataon na uunahin mo naman ang sarili mo? Alam ba to’ ni Sam?” he said, in response with her situation. I nodded to his last question.

“ I want to. I just can’t afford to do it this time, I had so much in mind, I don’t want to give in with the thoughts.” I said, honestly.

“ I can’t do anything for you, that is what makes me sad.” He responded sincerely.

“ Okay lang, the fact that you’re here and listening to me now, that is already enough...” I feel like bursting, when I saw him cringe.

“ Cheesy ba? Ha ha… bawi ka nalang next time, who knows I might need your help one of these days.” I added in a light mood. He’s also less serious now.

“ How about A-chi?” he asks out of the blue.

“What about him?” I ask him back.

“ Don’t you think you should tell him too? He likes you, I guess it will be better to tell him.” He said.

“That is more likely why I don’t want to tell him. I don’t want to be responsible about his feelings… I had a lot in my baggage, I can’t handle an additional load.” I said in a serious tone, but the fact is I want to avoid the topic.

     Chase walks me home. As I we were in front of the house, I suddenly feel empty. I snap back to reality. She bid goodbye to Chase and enter the house.

“ See, you after some time.” He said and waved at her.

     Inside the house, she was welcomed by her father’s presence. He was sitting in the living room reading a newspaper, he didn’t make much effort to look at her he just give her a glance.

“ There would a corporate event, a week from now… Make sure to come. You should meet the person who invested in the company, there would be no one else to inherit the company later it is better for you to meet him soon, you might need their help sometime in the future.” He said business like.

“ I appreciate the thoughts Dad, but I don’t think makakapunta ako.” I said frankly.

“ I’m not asking you; I’m giving you an order. You just need to do what I said. Bumili ako ng damit, ipinadala ko kay Nanay Annie sa kwarto mo… Wear that at the event, I’m not expecting so much from you Jupiter I only need you to be there. The invitation was there also, you can rest.” he said dismissively.

    I look at him bitterly, I guess I don’t have control over anything now. I don’t even have the right to say ‘No’ or that ‘I don’t want to’. As I walk inside my room, I saw the dress he was talking about. I held it and let out a sigh. Gatherings and even was never may thing nor I get fond of it, I was always bothered about the crowd. I can’t stand those criticizing looks in their eyes, I hate being watched. But I guess I need to make an exemption; I must be there. I dropped myself on the bed before letting out another sigh, I slowly close my eyes to sleep.

    Soon, the event was held. I was hesitant to enter D&C Hotel Event Hall, but I mustered all my courage and get in. As soon as I enter, I was escorted by my father into the crowd. I wonder how everyone in our family were so good in putting an act. People always think they were a fine family, until that incident happen. I thought bitterly.

    I look around as my father left me with the crowd and take the stage. It was sure a luxurious event, I thought. I focused myself to where my father was standing. He greeted the crowd with a smile. It was a smile I long to see in his face. I bit my lower lip unconsciously to stop myself from being emotional. She was the only person who hasn’t find her happiness yet. Both, him and mom has their way of turning others pain into their happiness. I smiled bitterly.

   I never envied anyone in my life until today. I live in content because I believe, that is what strong people do, and I wanted to be strong. But for the first time in my life, I wish to be protected, I wish to be saved. I wish to be Samantha.

“ First, I would like to say thank to all of you for being here today. I would also like to officially say thank you to my daughter Jupiter Seo, for coming here with me tonight, for her support… I would also like to take this opportunity and say thank you to the primary investor of SD Group Incorporation… give a hand to D&C Banking Finance Chairman Mr. Dylan Cha…” her father announced.

  I froze in an instant, as I saw Achilles father enter the stage. I feel like losing my strength, I instantly grasp the table beside me. Of all the people, I don’t want to get myself involve with. It was Achilles, I can’t afford to get involve with him right now.

FLASH BACK…

   We were out for a break. We were walking down the hallway, when suddenly…

“ D-dad?” Achilles said all the sudden, which makes us stop.

   There were only the three of us, we were about to meet Samantha since were on a different year level. She was still a freshman. Browsing from my phone, I raised my head to see the person.

“Hey, Son! Hindi mo ba ako ipapakilala sa mga kasama mo?” he asks in fondness.

“O-ohh, this is Chase Park, and this is Jupiter Seo, mga kaibigan ko po dad.” He replied.

“ Hello po. Please to meet you Sr.” we said in turn.

“ Natutuwa rin akong makilala kayo.” He said, with a smile. Then turn to Achilles.

“ Seeing that you were being polite, pakiramdam ko nagulat kita.” Achiles father said, trying to guess his reaction.

“ Kind of like that…” he honestly said, scratching the back of his neck.

“ Bakit po pala kayo nandito?” Achilles asks in curiosity. Me and Chase were just watching them having a conversation.

“ I have a few things to discuss with the Dean, how about you? Lunch break?” he guesses as he took a glimpse of his watch. Achilles nodded as an answer.

“ Have you eaten Dad? Would you like to join us?” Achilles asks in concern.

“Not yet, you can go ahead. See you later at home son!” he said as he winks and patted his shoulder, before passing us.

 

 END OF FLASHBACK…

    That was the first time I met him, today was the second time. He sure has his way of surprising people; she really went frustratingly surprise with the realization. She didn’t notice, she’s already been drinking this and that, and before she could stop, she was already dead drunk. She didn’t even know how she manage to walk through the hotel rooms.

     He stop for a minute in a certain room. She was about to use her card key when the room suddenly open. I feel like I’m going crazy seeing that person’s face. My head must be playing a trick with me, and I really hate it. I hate it, that I just want to give in. I slowly touch his face. I felt a hot liquid falling from my eyes. I’m crying. Please just for today, I beg to myself as everything went blank.

    I felt like hurting all over. My head hurt so badly, I rubbed my eyes to wake myself up, that is when I realize that I was with someone, I instantly held my face in frustration, I can’t clearly remember what happen. I look at the person beside me, which only make me feel worst. I was clearly out of my mind. How did I ended up sleeping with the same guy? I scolded myself. I dressed myself in an instant afraid that he might see me when he wakes up.

    I get a grip of myself, I needed an answer that is why I decided to go home. I found myself storming in father’s study room. He was at the state of sipping from his coffee when I enter room.

“Ohh, you’re here. I thought you went home last night. Did you sleep at the hotel?” he asks nonchalantly.

“Did you plan to keep it from me all along?” I doubt if he notices me being impolite.

“Oh!” he simply replied, then put down his coffee.

“Bakit Dad? Of all people bakit sa pamilya ni Achilles?” I ask helplessly.

“Think about it Peter… Does business need to be explained emotionally? Don’t you think you were too smart for that, Peter?” he emphasized every word.

“Pero Dad… Alam mong kaibigan ko si A-chi!” I insisted.

“That is exactly why I agreed. His family was worth the trust, isa pa it’s his father who personally ask this favor… I don’t have the right to resist. The company wasn’t doing good either.” He explained simply.

“Alam ba ni Achilles ang tungkol dito?” I ask him once again.

“I doubt if he knows it by now, he was never at the event last night.” Her father stated.

        His last words make her feel even worst. The fact that Achilles knows nothing about what is going on makes her feel edgy. The least he wants was for someone to manipulate his life, and that is exactly what their father was doing.

“And since we’re already at the topic. I think it’s best for you to know…” he started.

“ His father wants to make things discreet that is what we agreed. I’m fine with that, I don’t want people to know that you’re pregnant at that age… there’s so much ahead of you, same goes with Achilles. He wasn’t asking for too much but a grandson, he has a hereditary issues regarding producing an offspring… they barely have Achilles at the age of 23, and because Achilles had no interest in arrange marriage which would be easier if he does, his father decided to make this deal in return of an investment… he was afraid things will be the same for Achilles before he could ever think about marriage…” he  explained.

“ Are you trying to justify your manipulation Dad? Doesn’t mean you have your reason, means you were right!” I said in frustration.

“ Wala kang karapatang sabihin sakin ‘yan! Bakit hindi mo sisihin ang nanay mo! We will never be in this kind of situation, if it wasn’t because of her!” he shouted in anger.

“ Woahh! Hanggang kalian Dad? Hanggang kalian kalian mo isisisi sa iba ang mga pagkakamali mo?” I ask bitterly.

“ At least si Mom hindi ka sinisi kahit kalian sa mga maling desisyon nya…” I added in defeat, before leaving him.

      She understand her priority that is for sure, but she can’t absorb everything all at once. She needed some time to think. That is when she’d decided to call Chase. She was going to leave the country.

“O-ohh? What made you call early in the morning?” I heard Chase said from the line, I bet he was still a sleep and I wake him up.

“ What!” he exclaimed, I distant the phone from my ear. I told him what happen.

“ Will you meet me right now? I’ll message you the address.” I didn’t bother to say goodbye, I drop the call and texted him the address...

     Time passed by so fast, I didn’t even notice how time flies in this place. I was in the U.S. I didn’t think that being alone in such place will give you so much comfort. I nearly gathered all my thoughts of going back, it wasn’t so long since I found out what is happening at home. Dad was taken to the emergency room because of depression about the company’s situation, Samantha on the other hand was there for him from time to time, all thanks to Chase I was able to grasp their situation.

“ Ms. Jupiter Seo?” an attending nurse called. I was in a medical lounge, I decided to visit a doctor since I wasn’t feeling so good lately.

        I saw the sign, from the doctor’s room. Dr. Sandra Wills OB/GYN, I instantly look at the nurse in confusion. She gestured me to get in.

“We’re you with your espouse?” she initially ask, as I sat down. I was dumbfounded.

“ Congratulation, you are three weeks pregnant!... Here are the series of test that was done to you earlier, all shows positive result. I only have one more concern that I wished to discuss with your husband… but since he’s not here… I want you to relay what I’m going to say…” She started.

       It was a sensitive pregnancy; she discusses the Do’s and Don’ts. All the things I’m feeling since from the beginning was because my body was reacting badly about the pregnancy. She prescribes two types of multivitamins on my first trimester, I can only nod at her as I don’t really know what to say, I’m still processing everything in my head. I already see this coming but still, I can’t help but to be shocked. Now, I have more reason to keep myself hidden.