Chapter 4

I took a deep breath and focused on the two giant Toblerone chocolate bars. When I walk into the house with a lifeless and with a swollen shoulder, they'll assume I'm just exhausted from work, and I want them to believe that. Cassia, Mommy, and Daddy were all engrossed in watching the news. They were completely unaware of my presence.

“Perhaps it's simply a hoax.”

Dad said maybe referring to that news.

“They deserve it anyway...”

My sister, Cassia whispered and my dad looked at her quickly. Cassia pouted and Mom laughed to it.

This amazing moment has made my heart melt. That’s why I will never get tired of coming home like this.

The room filled with laughter.

Martin Maleia , my father proves that love will never always about money. Mom also proves that her love will not depends on wealth. They preferred simple life away from our toxic grandparents and relatives.

My grandparents really perfectionist and won’t accept any failure or they rather kill you than taint their names.

My father's gaze shifted to me as his hand reached for Cassia's nose to pinch it.

"Oh, Daniel, you've returned home. “How’s work, Son?”

Dad inquired, and his gaze returned to Cassia. My mother got up and walked over to me to take my bag. I kissed her cheek and smile. She pinched my nose and smiled.

“It’s good. Dad.”

I said and smiled to him. I am not exhausted to work, I am even excited for it. What losses my strength is the my co-worker.

“I’ll prepare your dinner…”

Mom said and she gently exited the room and entered the kitchen. I returned my focus to my sister.

“Cass it’s bad to talk ill to someone.”

My father reprimanded my younger sister. Cassia did nothing but roll her eyes. I offer her the chocolate. I turn around to sit where my mother seated seconds ago.

“My boss gave it to you.”

I stated. The television is presently in commercial mode. I tried to relax by closing my eyes. I feel my dad stood up and followed Mom.

“Daniel...”

My little Casia called me. It’s like she’s now growing and forgetting the manners. She’s more focus on calling me that realizing the chocolate she had in her hands.

“Daniel Marius Gracia Maleia.”

I acted that I didn’t hear.

“Kuya…”

“Yes, babe?”

I quickly opened my eyes and looked at her and focus to her.

“The news. Have you watch or read it?”

“No, why?

“The firm one of your stupid friend work got suspended and need to undergoes an investigation.”

My CEO, my boss, comes to mind. I informed him about it, but it had been a month, so it may just be a coincidence. Perhaps the company has it’s reasons to get suspended.

“Why you seem so happy”

I said seriously resemble how my father reacted a while ago.

“They always insult you or I even saw how they mocked on you. I even heard they and they were your best friend and yet they backstab you. Cross that they weren’t the best friend they were the worst and plasti-

“Casia Gracia Maleia, your words baby. Even they did something bad to me we shouldn’t plant any hatred to them, curse them or rejoice in their losses. Maybe they live alone and no one was there to guide and corrected them so let just leave it behind, alright? Understood babe?

When she heard my stern, strict voice, she surrendered and nodded. For your own mental health and peace, maturity is when you stop holding grudges. I forgive them even if they didn't ask for it; perhaps they didn't think or ponder on it, but I was praying for them.

I’m still thinking about the news my sister said to me. Yes, it’s only coincidence because I think my boss is so busy and he haven’t have time to fish some information to that firm or to his not the reason behind them.

“I’m sorry it just I hate the way they look you down. You are too high for them. You were the best brother that you don’t deserve that treatment.”

She said while staring to the chocolate. I noticed that when we get older and learn how to act in those situations, we choose to keep the peace rather than start a fight every now and again.

She got closer to me; she's basically a female version of me, except she was more frank, loud, and talkative. She’s also famous in their campus especially of her delicate features, just don’t let her talk. She’s the best and recommended in representing the school in any pageant because she will always leave with a crown. I’ve witnessed all, and I know deep inside in her I knew she doesn’t like to be in the spotlight. She dance and she sing. That’s why I am so perfectionist in terms of having a boyfriend and I think I won’t be ready for that.

I smiled as I kissed her on the forehead.

“I don’t want you to marry a woman like me.”

She said out of nowhere.

“Why?”

I asked curiously. She’s caring, sweet, and sometimes bossy if that what she’s referring to my future someone.

"I mean, I'm pretty, but what if she's bad?" I don't want you to marry someone who is so controlling. I want you to marry someone who is as patient as you are, as well as sweet and kind. You don't have to marry someone who is so attractive. Never marry someone only because she is attractive. Never okay?  Marry her because she’s kind and she will take care of you.”

She said while emphasizing the word never. I haven’t thought marriage nor dating someone…yet.

“Why? They’ve said the complete opposite is the true love. “

“No, just follow me Daniel.” “You’re soft so therefore marry someone soft, too. I don’t like rude, brusque, and bad woman. I want her to live simply like us. We don’t need much more money, we have enough.”

“We don’t get to choose we love Cass and why are we talking about this?”

"No, that's a complete fabrication. "It's a complete lie."

She swore and said.

Right now, I was even astounded by my younger sister. She’s just fifteen and I think she’s just talking based on how she feels. I locked my gaze on her, completely absorbed in our conversation. Let's see how far she goes with her reasoning.

“And why you say so…”

“You can chose who to love, you pick her because you love her personality and then more moments of knowing her you were already falling. That’s why I am referring, you chose to love and you decide who to fall harder. I mean like me, for example, I chose him because he’s handsome and when I saw his attitude for being so kind then I’m in love to it. “

That’s a point, too. Maybe I’ll talk to that again if I ever found love, again.

Anna is kind and sweet I found her and she broke up with me and cheated or maybe it wasn’t, maybe she just fell out of love. I was her first supporter, I’ll spoil her anything and sometimes even my sister that Anna used me but I never see it that way. But maybe the break up look good to her because she’s now gaining the attention of people, as the new actress.

“Marius your dinner is ready.”

Mom shouted.

I stood up and Cassia followed to me. Because of our serious talk, I believe she forgot who gave her the chocolate.  While looking to the chocolate, as if it met that pain and discouragement I felt.

I examined myself in the mirror. I'm not the type of guy who talks a lot. I'm not the type of guy who makes things more complicated.  I won’t tell anyone about the bullet words Mrs. Glaiza spat out. I won’t also tell it to my boss either.

My attention was drawn to the chocolate as I undressed myself. I only slept with a boxer only and nothing else, I don’t really like to sleep with pants, pajamas or even shirt. I walked to my bed and pick the chocolate there.

This is the first time I’ve received chocolate for a long time. I wanted to eat it but I wanted to reserve it also or keep it. So I put it to my small freeze beside my study table area.

I couldn't get any rest. My mind drifts to my boss. That was also the first time he left something in his office, which is always suspicious. Perhaps he needs to meet his girlfriend at his workplace? His aura, on the other hand, does not appear to be like that. I felt a seething of rage to his sighed because he was rough and mad. I may not be able to see him driving, but I can sense it. I've been working with him for a month and have already figured out how to read him.

He seem talkative with me. He doesn't say much to his employees, yet he is courteous. He gave the older a friendly grin. He continued to sighed and close his eyes when he was irritated. He doesn't like parties, or perhaps he did, but he won't stay long; he'll have a sip and then depart. He always forget to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and he only got used to eat the food I ordered without asking or complain so I conclude his not a picky eater. He loves my brewed coffee.

That’s too much already Daniel. I get out of bed and take a half bath in order to sleep later. My phone has been ringing. And I took a moment to consider who it could be. It’s impossible for my family to call me since we were in the house I moved faster and then wrapped my towel over my waist. When I noticed the CEO was calling, my heart went into a rapid and high pressure beat. Before heading home, I'm pretty sure I completed all of the tasks. It took him two rings to. It’s really my habit to feel sweat and trembled every time I receive a call.   

“Hello, good evening.”

I greeted him formally.

I've only heard his breathing so far. I was expecting him to say anything.

“Yes, Sir? Do you need something?”

I said and glanced at the ceiling, trying to get used to the call.

“You- I mean you. “

He paused and chuckled.

“I mean we have a meeting tomorrow at the club. He’s the sponsor of the upcoming shows. His my colleague and he contact me personally. "Are you comfortable with the club as a meeting location?"

He added and I paused, unable to say anything. Why would he inquire about my thoughts? I'm simply his secretary, and whatever their plan is, I'll go along with it.

“It’s okay Sir. No worries.”

“Then, that’s all.”

“Okay Sir.”

I replied and waited for him to speak or end the call.

“Do…”

He whispered.

“Yes…Sir?”

“Do you feel okay now? “

He asked out of nowhere. Why would he knows that I am not?

“I hope that my chocolate help you today or encourage you. That’s all.”

I don’t know why he have to say that out of nowhere. I don’t plan to tell him either.

“Hmmm…Goodnight. See you tomorrow,”

He wshipered and I closed my eyes.

“Goodnight, Sir”

I said and it took him one minute to end the call.

I received a message from my friends.

“Let us go to clubbing tomorrow starts at 7, all must be there especially to Daniel. Don’t late and don’t miss the bonding.”

“Daniel is always two hours early, so he won’t”

Pauleen replied.

“Oh, yah. I forgot. Daniel be there okay? Gardo will also there.”

Ricko chatted. Gardo is also a friend of ours; he is a marine who recently returned to the Philippines.

They're people I met in college. Ricko, Pauleen, Gardo, Karen, and Dennis are among the group. They were only my classmates at first, but since Julie and Ricko were dating, Ricko's group befriended me because of Julie, who is the girlfriend of their closest buddy, which is why we tag along, because Julie is always with me. She traveled overseas and broke up with Ricko for an unexplained reason.

I closed my eyes and sleep. It’s a long day for me especially the meeting will held 6 pm to 7. And I have to meet my friends the same place with my boss. I hope that my boss will leave early and left me there, so that he won’t stain his reputation.