Chapter 07

KEI 

Days had passed since my conversation with Mom, and life at home had taken on a strange new rhythm. There had been a celebration, of course—my brother Dylan’s wedding plans had finally come to fruition, prompting his return to the country for the ceremony. It was the talk of the family, but I wasn’t there. I knew better than to show up where I wasn’t wanted.

Why should I attend? Dad would be furious if he saw me, and Dylan wouldn’t be any more pleased. I had made a promise to Mom that I would stand on my own two feet, and I intended to keep it. Just because I wasn’t under their roof anymore didn’t mean I couldn’t survive without them.

Mom wanted me to be a part of their world again, but for what? To see them win once more? To help them expand the company when Stephen’s family finally secured their share? No, I couldn’t do it. I needed to find my own way, away from their expectations.

“Hey, are you done yet? Weren’t you looking for a job?” Vanessa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She had been my constant support, the one person who didn’t judge me for wanting to forge my own path.

“I am, but it’s taking longer than I thought. I really need to find something soon,” I replied, the frustration clear in my voice. Despite the time that had passed since the incident with Gio, the fear of running into him again still lingered. He had offered to pay me for what happened, but I hadn’t followed up.

His number was still in my phone, untouched. I never called him, and he hadn’t reached out to me either. Why should I be the one to reach out? I could manage on my own. Vanessa knew about what had happened between us, and while she was shocked at first, she eventually found it amusing.

“Why don’t you just ask Gio for help?” Vanessa suggested, her tone light but serious. “You said he mentioned money, right?”

I shot her a look, my expression turning serious. “Are you kidding? I can’t even bring myself to go near him, let alone ask for money. I’m fine, really. I just need a job so I can prove to Mom and Dad that I can survive without them. I need to save up for my studies, too.”

Vanessa smiled at me, though there was concern in her eyes. She grabbed a powder compact and started dabbing it on my face, a small gesture of care. “So, you’re really not going to Dylan’s wedding? I heard it’s happening soon.”

I shook my head, my heart heavy with the thought. “No, I won’t go. It’s better this way. At least they’ll be happy with one successful child who followed the path they wanted.”

The smile faded from my face as memories flooded back. When I was younger, they loved me just as much as they loved Dylan. But that changed when I reached high school and began resisting their plans for me. I started exploring different interests, things that didn’t align with their vision for my future. That was when their love for me began to wane.

I had spent so much of their money on things I needed for myself, things they didn’t understand. They used to give me everything without question, but once I started making decisions for myself, they scrutinized every expense. I wasn’t materialistic, but the things I bought were for my future, investments in what I wanted to become. They didn’t see that.

Sure, I had designer bags and clothes, but those were gifts from my uncles and aunts on my birthdays. My personal purchases were different—they were for my future, and they were expensive. When I turned 20, I bought a piece of land for myself, a gift for my birthday. They found out and took it away from me, keeping the title in their possession. But they didn’t get everything. My condo apartment was still mine, a small victory in a battle I wasn’t willing to lose.

In college, I had tried to win back their approval by following the path they set for me. I finished my degree in business, thinking it might rekindle the love they once had for me. But after graduation, I secretly enrolled in an architecture program. It didn’t take long for them to find out.

That was when they gave me a choice, a choice I thought would finally give me the freedom I craved. But I didn’t realize that choosing architecture would mean losing them for good. They disowned me, stripping away everything that tied me to them. I had nothing left from them, except for the condo. But I was determined to survive on my own, and that’s how I met Gio—I needed someone to help me live my life.

But as kind as Gio was, I was afraid of falling for him. He wasn’t hard to love, but I was terrified that once he got what he wanted, he would leave me like everyone else. That’s why I needed to let him go.

The answer to whether I had loved him during our time together? I wasn’t sure. But I knew I had to choose myself in the battles that mattered, the ones where I could emerge victorious. I couldn’t afford to gamble on something that would only lead to defeat.

“I hope they forgive you one day, and realize that not all their children have to follow the path they laid out,” Vanessa said softly, her voice pulling me back to the present. I looked at her, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“I don’t know if they ever will. You know how they are, Vanessa. They’re powerful, and they want everything to go their way. If something doesn’t fit into their plans, they’d rather remove it.”

She sat beside me on the bed, taking my hand in hers. “You can do this, Kei. You’re strong enough to stand on your own.”

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. “Thanks, Vanessa. I’m trying my best.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve heard about a company looking for a new assistant manager. Your background is strong, and with your last name being Garcia, they’ll probably hire you on the spot,” she said, her voice laced with optimism.

I hesitated, my thoughts swirling. “But won’t Dad find out? I mean, I’m still a Garcia, so they might tell him.”

Vanessa shook her head. “Don’t worry about that. They maintain strict confidentiality with their employees. It might be tough, but I know the owner, so I can vouch for you. I’ll explain that you have no connection to your parents right now.”

A smile crept onto my face. “This feels a bit unfair, using your connections, but I need this job. I need to prove that I can do this.”

“No worries. The owner is returning tomorrow from a business trip. You can apply then. For now, just enjoy your last day of freedom. Once you start working, things will get busy,” she said, her tone light and encouraging.

I couldn’t help but smile at her. This was it, the beginning of the life I had been striving for. A life on my terms, a life where I could finally be who I wanted to be.

As I prepared for the next chapter of my life, the thought of Gio lingered in the back of my mind. He had been a part of this journey, whether I liked it or not. But I had to keep moving forward, even if it meant leaving him behind. I had chosen my path, and now it was time to walk it, one step at a time.