The Unexpected Heir

Chapter 5: The Father Figure

❤ Nathalie’s POV ❤

I officially started working as Don Miguel’s caregiver on Monday. I have classes from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon, so I am not supposed to start work until after I get home from school.

Just as I was leaving for school this morning, Naomi told me that Don Miguel is having someone drive me to the school. I refused, but Naomi convinced me to just let the driver take me. I didn’t want to argue with Naomi, so I just went along with it.

The driver’s name is Mang Poldo, and he has been working for Don Miguel for more than 20 years now. When I got out of school, Mang Poldo was there waiting to drive me home.

When I went to Don Miguel’s room that night, I decided to talk to him about the driver. He’s already given me a job and a place to live. Having someone drive me to and from school is just too much.

Don Miguel was lying in his bed when I got there. Marco and another nurse were there checking on Don Miguel’s vitals. We greeted each other and I sat on the couch as I waited for them to finish.

Marco introduced the other nurse as William. He’s the night nurse, and like Marco, he studied nursing at UST as well. Marco and William left when they were done checking on Don Miguel. I pulled a chair next to Don Miguel and noticed how gaunt he looked. He’s always looked strong, but right now, he looks weak.

Don Miguel: “Sorry you’re not seeing me at my best today. I had a chemo session today.”

Nathalie: “How are you feeling?”

Don Miguel just smiled and I said “I’m sorry. That was a stupid question.”

Don Miguel chuckled and said “No, that wasn’t a stupid question. I know you’re just concerned.”

I decided not to talk about the driver anymore. It seemed minuscule compared to what Don Miguel is going through right now. Instead, I smiled and asked, “So, what book are we reading today?”

Don Miguel pointed to a book on his nightstand. I picked it up and saw that it was ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. I have not read it before, but I heard that it’s a good book.

Don Miguel: “Why don’t you start reading from page one? I will just close my eyes as I listen to you reading it.”

Nathalie: “Okay.”

I started reading the book and glanced at Don Miguel every now and then. I got so into the book that I didn’t notice that Don Miguel has fallen asleep. I realized it when he started snoring softly.

I put the bookmark on the book and laid it down on the nightstand. I fixed Don Miguel’s blanket and made my way out of his room. I was there for more than two hours, but it didn’t feel like it.

I found Marco and William in the kitchen having coffee. Marco was already out of his nurse’s scrubs.

Nathalie: “Don Miguel has fallen asleep.”

William looked at Marco and said “I better get up there. It was nice to meet you, Nathalie.”

Nathalie: “Thanks. Nice to meet you too.”

Marco invited me to join him for coffee. I found out that he’s staying at the mansion for the night, and that is why he’s still here. He said that he had to take care of some errands early in the morning and that he was too tired to drive home.

I asked about Don Miguel’s chemotherapy and found out that it was only the second session of his first cycle of treatment. He was supposed to have a total of six sessions. The doctors will determine if needs another cycle once the first one is completed.

I know that chemotherapy targets the fast-growing cancer cells of the body, but it has such side effects that would be difficult for anyone to handle. Don Miguel is already old, so his body would have a hard time dealing with the side effects.

The thought of Don Miguel going through four more rounds of chemotherapy makes me sad. I really hope he’s able to handle it. I am determined to help him through it.

For the next few weeks, I've become quite close to Don Miguel. He treats me more like a daughter than a caregiver. He asks me how my day was, and if there was anything I needed for school.

I’ve started reading less and chatting more with Don Miguel. He would tell me how he started his business, and what he felt was the secret to his success, and he would ask me about my life. He seemed particularly interested in my mom and seemed utterly sad when he heard about her passing.

Don Miguel also told me about his son. His name is Joemar, and he's 25 years old. He said that they haven't spoken since he moved to the US more than 10 years ago. Don Miguel didn't specify what happened between them, and I didn't want to pry.

One day, I was reading a Paulo Coelho book to him, when he suddenly slumped in his bed and held his left arm. I know enough to know that he might be having a heart attack. I rang the bell to call his nurse. When they arrived, they administered first aid and rushed him to the hospital.

I was left crying in his room, not knowing what to do. In the six months that I have been working for Don Miguel, I've grown close to him, and he has been like a father figure to me. At that moment, I felt alone, and memories of my mom passing away reemerged.

Naomi arrived not long after and hugged me tightly. She didn't say anything, but the hug was enough to make me feel like I wasn't alone.

I went to the hospital that night when I learned that Don Miguel had been transferred to the ICU. He did have a heart attack and had to go through emergency bypass surgery. I cried once more, as I looked at Don Miguel in his bed. He seemed smaller than usual and looked very frail.

I ran into Marco outside the ICU. Companions are not allowed inside, so I had to leave after a few minutes. I hugged Marco as soon as I saw him, and he let me cry into his shirt.

When I realized he was soaking wet, I apologized and offered to wash his shirt for him. Marco chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it."

I realized that it was the first time for me to see Marco not wearing his nurse scrubs. He looked equally handsome regardless of what he wore, but he looks more rugged and attractive today.

Marco: "Are you on your way home?"

Nathalie: "Yeah. I'd really like to stay but I can't."

Marco: "Yeah. Don't worry. It's an excellent hospital. He'll be well-taken care of here."

Marco offered to drive me home, and we left the hospital together. He took me to a McDonald's before heading home and he told me more about Don Miguel's condition as we ate.

He said that he was stable and the doctors would know more once he woke up in the next 24 hours.

We got home not long after and I fell asleep not long after. Before sleeping, I prayed that Don Miguel recovered from his heart attack. He's the closest thing that I have to a father, and I can't bear to lose him like I lost my mom.