Ears and Rhymes

Chapter 27- THE DEAL

Michelle

So Country Club became our home for now. Naka-check in kami sa hotel dito. It was a blessing in disguise talaga when I decided to take that trip on Christmas Eve. If not, who knows if we are still alive?

Adam keeps calling my dad. I smell his pretense even though he is miles away. I don't know why Dad can't see it. Was it because Adam acts like a son to him? A son he never had.

New Year is calmer here than Christmas. The majority of the members are not here to celebrate the new year. Some of the Overdrive is not here as well. Si Brix at Kuya Jaxx lang ang naiwan dito sa Country Club. Nag-uwian sa province ang iba.

I can feel Brix is ilang to my dad but he is civil and polite. We like to walk around while we push Dad in his wheelchair. Dad doesn't say much while I and Brix make kwentuhan. I like to ask Brix about their adventure during their concerts. I like to experience watching the Overdrive concert. Hindi pa ako nakakapanood.

"Saan nakalagay ang mga trophy and awards na na-win ninyo?"

"Na kay Jaxx lahat. Nilagay niya sa studio niya," Brix explained.

"Why you didn't take the best music video when you directed it?"

Nahihiyang umiling si Brix. "Katuwaan lang iyong music video na iyon."

"Yeah, but you still won," I pointed out. Jeez, boyfriend, ang humble mo naman. "You like music and film," I stated which made him nod.

Brix took my phone and asked me to walk slowly at the edge of the flowers. He took some shoots and videos and pictures. While we are on our way back to the hotel, he already finished a short video of me that I can post on my IG. Since naging boyfriend ko siya, my IG came alive talaga. I am spoiled sa magagandang pictures.

My dad and I are not fully okay. Hindi namin pinag-uusapan ang nangyari sa Christmas party. It is a sore topic for us pero I always feel his stare whenever I am with him. Parang he wants to say something to me yet he chooses not to say a word.

Like now, Nurse Linda already finished giving him meds and I am busy figuring out this monetizing function sa IG. I have a few small endorsements on small brands I tried.

"Mitch," dad called which made my heart stops.

"Why?" I asked without looking at him.

"Have you talked to Anthony?"

And just like that, my good mood disappeared.

"I thought we already established that I have a boyfriend, a good one mind you," I replied with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Pinagulong ni daddy ang wheelchair niya palapit sa akin.

"Michelle, you need to think about your future."

"I am thinking about my future that's why I don't want to take the road you took, Dad. I want to be happy."

Umiling si Daddy. "You will not be happy if you don't have any food on your table."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. As if Brix is too mahirap. And why do you think I can't have my own money? I can work, you know."

"You are too spiled to know the business."

I exhale loudly. "I am not dumb para hindi matutunan ang business. You are just underestimating me."

Dad stared at me and I stared back. I will not back out.

"You can't have a successful business without sacrificing your family."

I cross my arm and rolled my eyes again. "Red Sebastian did that. It's not impossible to be successful and have happiness. Try me!" hamon ko kay Daddy.

Umiling si Daddy na lalo kong ikinainis.

"Give me a brand and I will double the sales. If I can do it, you will leave my life alone, Dad."

"But if not, you will marry Anthony," Dad challenged.

"Challenge accepted, Dad."

I saw the familiar smirk on my Dad's face. Did I just fall into his trap?

"Double the sales of pancit canton," Dad said while he is wheeling away from me.

Pfff, easy. "Give me a target figure!"

"I need help!" bungad ko sa mga friends ko. Rose keeps chewing while we are in 'The Apartment' na naging tambayan na namin. God, pina-aircon ng ani Ken ang buong apartment.

"About what?" Kenshin asked.

Kinuha ko ang plate na nasa harapan ni Rose. "About this. The pancit canton."

Nakatingin sa akin si Rose na parang ibang language ang sinasabi ko. "I have deal with my dad."

"Akin na 'yang kinakain ko." BInawi ni Rose ang plate sa akin at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"I need to double our sales sa pancit canton or else mawawala si Brix sa akin."

"Huwag kang OA—"

"I'm not OA, you know!" putol ko kay Rose. "I just had a deal with my Dad so he can leave my life alone."

"Kaya mo naman 'yan Mitch. Gamitin mo ang Overdrive to promote. Easy, right," Ken commented.

"Alam b ani Brix ang pinasok mong deal?" tanong ni Rose.

Napakagat ako ng labi at umiling. "No," I murmured.

"Sabihan mo na ang boyfriend mo. Ano ang time frame mo?" tanong ulit ni Ken.

"Six months," I replied.

Tumango-tango si Kenshin.

"Alam mo ba ang pino-promote mo? Nakakain ka na ba ng pancit canton?"

God, Rose, bakit parang ang kulit mo ngayon? You are not making sense.

"Start your promotion by trying it out. Then makakaisip ka na ng way to promote. Gusto mo ba? Pagluto kita?" Rose asked me.

"I don't eat pancit canton," I murmured.

Rose snorted. "Start filming pero huwag mo akong isasama," utos niya. Tumayo si Rose at iniwan kaming tatlo nila Ken at Rai sa dining table.