I was born to love you

3. Sweetest Welcome

Philippines

Two months later...

I was looking at my dad while he was talking to the Chinese business investors that Monday morning. I was just smiling the whole time while I wait for her outside the conference room. Proud na proud ako habang nakikita ko si Daddy na maawtoridad na nakikipag-usap sa mga investors na buong ganang tumatango sa mga sinasabi ni Daddy. Masayang-masaya ako. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ko naiisip na tama lang talaga na business ang kinuha kong course noong college at ito ang tinahak kong direksyon.

Noong bata ako, I wanted to be a doctor - suportado naman ako ng mga magulang ko - lalo na ni Daddy, but as I grow up - I realized that I can be a doctor pero later on, iiwan ko rin ang propesyon na iyon para sumanib sa lumalaki naming imperyo - ganoon kasi ang nangyari sa mga pinsan ko. Hermes used to be in service - sundalo siya, pero iniwan nita ang propesyon niya para maging tagapagmana ng Consunji Securities while Ares is a lawyer but he also left that field so he could help with the family business. Hera studied Literature in college but she changed course a little while later so he can join the business. Ganoon din si Javier - my favorite cousin Javie - he wanted to be a priest but later on, he changed his mind and now he owns the biggest car exchange company in the country. Siguro ay magic word ang apelyido namin - halos lahat kasi kami ay successful sa pinili naming daanan.

"Daddy!" I run to his direction right after the Chinese investors left. I wrapped my arms around him and settled my head on his shoulder. Inakbayan naman niya ako.

"Hey there, my little CEO." He kissed my forehead. "Uwi na tayo, I miss your mom." Wika niya sa akin. Lalo akong napangiti sa kanya. Kitang-kita ko ang pagmamahal ni Daddy kay Mom. Minsan nang na-ikwento sa akin ni Nanay Sheena ang story ng pagmamahaln ni Mom at ni Dad and it's really heartbreaking. Apparently - my Uncle Marco - dad's younger brother - once became his son. Later on, he found out that Uncle Marco is my lolo's son to Sofia - dad's ex - wife. Noon ko naisip na hindi talaga lahat ng love story sa mundo ay hindi sa perfect nagsimula.

"Dad, bilhan natin ng rose si Mom. It's a special day today because we sealed the deal!" Masayang wika ko.

"Oo naman, baby. Ikaw ang lucky charm ko. Maganda talaga ang combination nating dalawa. Kailan k aba mag-aasawa? Gusto na namin ng Mommy mo ng apo." Napangiwi ako. May ganoong hirit pa talaga si Daddy. Sabagay matagal naman na nila akong tinatanong ni Mommy kung may boyfriend na ako or if I am dating - but the truth is - I'm really dating, I had boyfriend pero masyado akong busy sa buhay ko kaya hindi ko sila naaasikaso. I'm good with two dates, but more than that - umaayaw na ako. Ewan ko pa. I like dating, I like men but it's just that I'm too busy. Mas priority ko talaga ang trabaho ko kaysa sa kung anupaman.

The closest thing I have to a boyfriend is Zeus - na halos dalawang buwan ko na rin namang hindi nakikita at hindi naman siya nagpaparamdam sa akin. It's not that I'm waiting, busy rin naman ako at siya alam ko ay busy sa pagtatago. Until now, hot issue pa rin ang pakikipag-break niya sa Victoria Secret Angel na iyon. I don't know what's the deal with them masama ba ng makipaghiwalay sa taong ayaw mo na? Zeus once told me - the night before he broke up with the model that he doesn't enjoy sex with her anymore which is a big deal because intimacy in a relationship is a big deal. Hindi naman sa marami na akong experience but I read on a book that sex or what the call making love is an important factor to every relationship because it's what makes two people connected - other than their emotional relationship, physical relationship is really needed.

"Dad, ayoko pang mag-asawa. I'm only twenty - six." Wika ko pa. Napailing na lang si Daddy sa akin. We reached dad's car. Pinasibad niya ang sasakyan. Inaayos ko naman ang bag ko. I was retouching my make - up. "Dad, daan tayong flower shop. Ibibili ko ng roses si Mommy, Nanay Sheena and Aunt Aura. And oh yeah! Mama Apollo too!" I smiled at him. Tumango lang naman si Daddy. Tinawagan ko si Mama para sabihin na pauwi na kami ni Dad. She told me that she cooked paella for us - favorite kasi ni Daddy iyon.