Bossy Bree

39 Clyde POV

"Dear, I heard you, you said mean things to him first. Clyde here is the nicest guy I know. And besides, when you take over the business, Clyde will make your job easier. He is that good. As long as you're with him, nothing could go wrong." Mahabang litanya ni Mr. Montecillo habang mataman siyang nakatingin sa akin. Alam kong sinasabi niyang hindi niya matatanggap ang resignation letter na sana'y iaabot ko.

"Ugh! I'll wait for you in the car." Ani ng anak ni Sir Edgar sa kanya.

Agad ding tumalikod at umalis ang dalaga. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang pag-alis ng anak ni Sir Edag. May paghihinayang din na agad siyang nawala sa paningin ko. Napabuntong hininga ako, nadala na din yata ng babae ang puso ko. Napatingin ako kay Mr. Montecillo at nahiya, kanina pa pala ito nakatitig sa akin. He smiled at me and I smiled back. Namula ako sa pagkakahuli niya sa akin, panigurado kita sa mukha ko ang paghanga sa anak niya.

"Don't get her wrong, she's a nice kid, but with the things she have now, she sometimes forget to be humble." Anito sa akin, hindi ko alam bakit nito sinasabi ang mga iyon.

"You on the other hand, is the most humble person I know. Clyde I know who you are." Anito sa akin. Kinumpirma nito ang matagal ko ng hinala na siya ang nagsabi kay Guillermo na ako ang hinahanap nitong anak.

"It seems like forgiving is not your best trait, but sometimes we have to give it to the cruelest person we know, not because they deserve it but because we are strong enough to give it." Makahulugang sabi nito sa akin.

"Do you mean my biological father sir?" Matigas kong turing. Napabuo ang kamao ko sa isiping tungkol sa ama ko.

"Your father talked to me about you. He wanted me to convince you to manage the De Vega empire."

"My father knows my answer to that sir." Madiin kong sagot

"And I respect your decision young man. All I really wanted is for you to forgive." he said as he tapped my shoulder and headed for his office.

Four years ago.....

"Clyde, I'm getting worst." Ani Sir Edgar sa malungkot na tinig.

"I'm sorry to hear that Sir." Nalulungkot ding sabi ko, para na itong ama sa akin. Napakabait ng matandang Montecillo, nakakalungkot na dinapuan ito ng malubhang sakit.

"Can you tell a dying man the truth?" Anito sa akin.

"Of couse, Sir. I never lied to you, Sir." Magalang kong sagot.

"What do you think of my daughter, Clyde? I know you encounter her more when she visits me. I can see something in your eyes." Anas ng matanda na ikinatuliro ko.

"Sir... I ..." namumulang aniko, hindi ko alam paano sasagutin ang sinabi nito.

"Tell me son, do you like my daughter?" Dagdag tanong pa ng matanda na ikinagitla ko. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at umamin.

"Sir, I respect you too much sir, believe me when I assure you that I will not make a move on your daughter and my feelings will not make its mark. Besides your daughter hates me." Aniko sa matanda.

"Believe me son, I wish you make a move on it too." The old man laughed and it turns into a riotous cough. I worriedly gave him a glass of water. Inimon iyong ng matanda at muling pinagmasdan ako. Nahihiyang napayuko na lang ako.

"I want you for my daughter Clyde." Maya-maya ay sabi nito na ikinagulat ko.

"Sir, what are you trying to say?" Naguguluhang sagot ko.

"Marry her when I pass away, grant this old man's dying request." Anito sa seryosong tono na nagpalaglag ng panga ko.

"Sir... sir... I... I'm sorry, I can't do that. I won't force myself on her. She has her own heart and I don't want her to be forced to marry me just because I like her. Ok, I admit, I think I love your daughter, but she doesn't feel the same way. I will be the happiest man if she find someone who will make her happy. I want her to end up with someone who is worthy enough of her. I'm not that person, sir." Malungkot kong pahayag. To a dying man like him It is hard to refuse him when my heart says grab the opportunity but my mind keeps me at bay.

"You are so worthy of my daughter I hope one day, she can see what I see in you. In time, she will Clyde. I can see curiousity in her eyes whenever she looks at you. In time, you will see. You both will see." Anas ng matanda at muling bumalik sa pagbabasa ng mga papeles sa harapan niya.