Chapter 3

It was already two o'clock in the afternoon when I got out of the clinic. I bid goodbye to my secretary and left her some important things. I drove to my Aunt's house who was my mother's sister. The family has a birthday gathering and everyone's invited.

It will be held at their house in Forbes subdivision. They had a lot of menus catered and everyone had a gift except me. Everyone invited were also famous people. All were powerful and had well-known names. 

“Olive, when are you planning to have a child? I've been waiting for a grandchild for ten years!” Grandma smiled at me. We're currently at the dining table.

Grandma's my mother's mom. She's already seventy but still beautiful. She's the president of one of the top cosmetic companies in the country, while my aunt was one of the distributors that imports cosmetics from different parts of the world. 

I took a sip from my wine glass and swirled it around the rim of the glass before turning to her with a smile. “We're not yet ready, Grandma. We always talk about it. Maybe, at the right time.” 

“But I'm afraid you're already in menopause once Atlas decides to have a child,” Tito jokes. He's a well known judge. One of the most respected servants of the country. Judge Condrad Aguirre. 

“Tito. . . Don't joke around like that.” I pouted, suppressing a smile.

My aunts laughed, and so did Grandma. Everyone at the table laughed, including me. But I can clearly feel the bitterness in my smile. I know what Atlas wants. He hated having a child with me. He wanted me to take contraceptives. He didn't want something to bloom out of what he's doing to me.

“I'm already saying this, Olive. One Tito starts getting impatient, he'll probably have another child before Atlas and you!” my cousin exclaimed and boomed a laugh.

I shook my head and laughed with them. I remembered Das suddenly. I stole a glance from my wristwatch. I sighed in relief when I saw that I still had time to meet with my father.

“You should hurry, my grandchild. I want to see another cute and cheerful little Olive,” Grandma said.

I only smiled at her. I decided not to open my lips and start another topic. I don't know what to say. I don't know how I faced my relatives with a smile and a head held high.

“Do you have a problem, Olive?” 

I turned to my grandmother. The both of us are at the veranda, drinking our tea. It's already past seven in the evening but I'm still at Aunt's house. I decided to make the best of the remaining hours because I know that no one waits for me back home.

“Nothing, Grandma. I’m very happy and content,” I said softly. I didn't know if I convinced her because she was just looking at me.

“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “When I look in your eyes, there’s something missing, Hija. I loved the glow in your eyes, way back. But it’s different now. It’s very different.” 

I got dumbfounded from the words my grandmother said. Even now, she still knows me well. She knows the things that everyone barely even notices. Maybe, she can even read my emotions.

I shook my head, forcing myself to plaster a sweet smile. I blinked once more to shrug off the unwanted feelings that were visible in my eyes. I know my grandmother isn't blind. We lived together for so long that she knew me, even the strands of my hair.

“I miss your mother so much, Olive. You're the only memory she left. You are a spitting image of her. I hope Atlas is taking good care of you, just like how your father takes care of my daughter. Menandro is a busy man, but he never forgot to take care of my daughter.” Grandma held my hand. She smiled at me and kissed the back of my hand. “I will always be here. I will always protect you,” 

I nodded. My heart was filled with too many emotions that I couldn’t contain. My heart wants to explode at everything. I wanted to cry in my Grandma’s lap. I wanted to tell her the life I had for the past ten years. But I kept my mouth shut. Instead, I stood up and walked closely to her. I gave my warmest hug to the woman who was not just my granny but my mother. It's easier to keep mum about the things that made my heart ache.

“I love you, Lola.”

I didn't stay for long after the talk with my grandmother. I quickly drove towards a chinese restaurant at Shangri-la. Daddy texted me that he's waiting at a VIP room. He wanted to have dinner with me, so even if I already had dinner, I didn't refuse him.

My Dad was a busy senator. Aside from having a lot of sessions at the senate, he's often called by the president and also monitors his outreach program. He's so busy that this will be the first time we'll meet in two months.

I didn't mind the noise of the Metro as I drove through the streets filled with the horns of buses and jeepneys and the never ending traffic of EDSA. Everything is normal to me, even the dark parts of the street and the loud sound from comedy bars. It's also a normal sight to see people walking on the pavements and street vendors going around to find customers.  It was the true face of the Metro. Crowded and striving. 

As I reached the place, I instantly parked my car and headed inside the restaurant. The manager welcomed me and assisted me towards Dad's private room. The resto was cozy, exactly my father's silent aura. I remembered how scared I was to talk whenever we're eating back then with Mom.

I sighed. My heart's clenching whenever I look back in the past. My mother was an old beauty queen titleholder but she died very young. Fifteen years ago, my mother was ambushed by some men who seemed to hate our family.

“That was the room, Ma’am,” the manager said. “Mr. Senator is waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you,” I nodded at him before turning my gaze in front of me. I saw two of Dad's bodyguards guarding the door of the room.

“Good evening.” I smiled at them instantly while walking straight to the room. I hired them to guard my father. Even through this, I'd feel less worried about his safety.

My smile widened when I saw the man that loves me until eternity. He's in a formal coat and tie and his hair was newly cut. He looked appealing in his fifty-five years of existence. He became even more handsome in my eyes when he turned to me while smiling.

“Hi, Dad! I miss you,” I greeted him with a hug. 

“I miss you too, my princess.” He kissed my hair.

“You're just kidding me.” I pouted and withdrew from the hug.

He shook his head while wearing a playful smile. We silently went to our table and ordered our food. Sweet and sour sauce, dynamite shrimp, and egg dumplings were his order and asked me for mine.

“I'll just feed you, Daddy. I’m already full. Tita's sulking because you're not there earlier.” I pouted.

“They already know the reason why,” he said. “I came from Dubai. They really like picking on me. I'm lucky I have you.” Daddy smiled.

“Can I stand you, Dad? You can easily wobble me,” I joked.

Dad laughed at my remark. “I can wobble you but your husband's hard! He refused my offer to him. I recommended him as an architect for the new building project of the government. He didn't agree,” he uttered.

I stiffened at what he said. I can taste the bitter feeling. Atlas never bothered saying those matters to me. Well, what do I expect?

I shook my head inwardly. Even if I lie to myself, I know deep inside that I'm hoping. Hoping that someday, everything we'll be alright. That Atlas would forgive me. That he'll love me. Like the others, I'll also be happy with him.

That I won't cry anymore, that I won't be hurt, that I won't beg. Someday.