Guilty Souls

FOR THE NEW LAWYER

CHAPTER 9

DIMITRI

“Dimitri,” my father called me just after I learned that Azah passed the BAR I was supposed to call her, but I had to set that aside as dad was rushing towards me. He was very excited.

He had just entered the main house from his morning walk in the garden. I noticed he contained his breath, and he was tapping his chest.

“Dad, easy! Are you so tired?” I greeted him back. I checked on this face. I was worried that he was exhausting himself too much.

“No, No, No, I'm okay!" He said. He scoffed to even out his breathing, "Son. Your mom and I are so happy. You finally grew up, son! Congratulations.” My dad was grinning from ear to ear. I have yet to see him this lighthearted. His usually composed and aristocratic appearance was beaming like a child at this moment.

“Dad?” I furrowed my brows confusedly and looked at him, and asked, "Congratulations for what?"

“The board approved your project with the airlines. We will fund the expansion of Asia’s top airline MAC Air. The board was very impressed with your proposal,” 

I smirked. That was something to be happy about. It took me a week to finish that board presentation. The board gave me a hard time when I presented it to them.

I looked at dad with a slight pride on my face, but I need to persevere more in the coming days to show my worth which I neglected to do for a long time, “I just did my job, dad!” I scratched my head. 

It was embarrassing to realize that I caused trouble to my parents and could not help the business. My dad was not young anymore. He needed a break. When he retired as President and CEO, managing the company was tasked to a professional executive. I couldn't blame him for not entrusting the business to me. I had been irresponsible. I might let everything he worked for flushed in the drain in no time.

“Who will not be surprised at the changes we noticed lately?  From an irresponsible, self-centered, and childlike disposition? Not to mention your man-w*****g activities...!” He chuckled while tapping my shoulders. He also wiggled his eyebrows when he mentioned my womanizing activities, but I know he was teasing me.

I admit I had been a jerk!

“What an awful life I've lived! Sorry about that," and to think that my parents knew about it. It was effing shameful. My face burned from shame in front of my father.

It was really uncomfortable to know how misbehaved, irresponsible, and heedless I've been. 

I was glad I couldn't remember any of it. Thanks to amnesia, but then GUILT was still killing me.

He tapped my back and said, “But those were in the past. You have been getting lots of praises and support from the board lately. Your projects were doing well, and it had been months since you did an all-nighter party. I guess you’ve finally grown up, young man!” There was pride when he said that, but it didn’t improve my mood. I had to pay back the love, support, and understanding my parents gave me a thousand folds. I needed to work harder.

I sighed resignedly, “I am so sorry, dad. I had been a pain in the ass! You don't deserve a useless son.” I said sincerely. I couldn’t promise him anything, but I would do my best to counter my past shortcomings.

He chuckled. “Continue this good deed, my son. Make us proud. I thought I’d never lived a day to see you finally become the man that you are supposed to be.” he became serious when he uttered the last part--the man you are supposed to be. It made me shiver down my spine. 

I was even more determined to prove to them that I could change.

When he tapped my shoulder again, I nodded to him. A silent pledge that I'd do my best henceforward.

Before he turned to look for Mom...I remembered Azah. 

“By the way, dad, Azah just topped the bar. Can you convince her to join us?” 

Azah's reluctance was evident yesterday. Convincing her to join us was beyond me. The result of the BAR increased the possibility that law firms would camp on her doorsteps. It was pride, after all, to have a BAR top-notch under their wing.

“Oh! That lady is indeed beautiful and smart.” He uttered gladly. “Why don’t you invite the family for dinner? We will be glad to host one for her. Tell us their availability, and we will arrange one.”

“That sounds good. I will ask them later, dad. Will you convince her then?"

“No problem, son. Is she the right one?” He winked at me. I knew he understood my intention to pursue Azah.

“I am hoping, dad. We are not pushing on this. It will happen when it happens.” I said without promising anything. 

“You know better.” My dad teased me.

After that,  he resumed his other business --to look for Mom.

And then I decided to call Azalea. She’s now in my speed dial #1. 

****

AZALEA

My mobile phone flashed Dimitri’s name on the screen. I sighed deeply. He’s pestering me into joining their company, and this call would be that again...for sure.

I cleared my throat before I answered, low-toned. “Hey!”

“Atty. Azalea Castro. Can I be your first client?” He asked in a high spirit. 

“What’s the violation or crime committed?” I released air on my nose and replied blandly. It wasn't surprising if he would say a lady was after him. 

“My heart is a little troubled. Can you summon the lady to appear by my side?” He muttered huskily. 

I huffed and rolled my eyes. “When did you have a hard time convincing a lady to see you?”

“This lady is different, and my charm won’t work on her.” He chuckled lightly

“Sorry about that...I don’t have a license yet. I can refer you to another counsel.” I remarked humorously, playing along with his crazy role play.

“Nah! It’s Atty. Azalea Castro or no one else.” He muttered meaningfully.

“Scammer. Stay away from me.” I jested in return. Screw this womanizer. As if I didn’t know how many women were under his beck and call and smitten by his charm.

He chuckled but remained silent for a few seconds.

Well, I have no intention to be one of his playmates. “Anything else? I have a lot to do.”

“Tsk! I can’t believe how uninfluential I am to a certain Atty. Castro?” He flirted again. 

“Oh, come on! Don’t waste my time.” I huffed and puffed repeatedly. I have no intention of being his phone pal at the moment. I have something else to do.

“Tsk! When will you marry me?” He chuckled again when I didn’t respond. “Joke! Don’t be mad.” 

“Are you bored? You have nothing to do?” I was shaking my head and smiling to myself. 

“Spending time with you is always a pleasure" He openly laughed loudly and then said, “By the way, Congratulations!”

“Thanks!” I responded briefly.

“My parents are inviting you tomorrow night, with the whole family. Say, dinner at Marriott Hotel, 7 pm?”  He asked.

“They don’t have to do that. Send our regrets.” I have yet to meet his parents, I only saw them at Nimuel's wake once, and we were not introduced that time.

“Azah, please, it’s my mom and dad inviting you.” Dimitri pleaded.

“Oh…” How may I refuse his parents? I clicked my tongue and hummed, “Tsk! Hmm. In that case, I will inform my parents.”

“Great!” I heard his voice tone went up in happiness. “See you then. Thank you!”

“Okay!” I replied blandly.

I'm uneasy about meeting his parents, but how could I decline a harmless and sincere invitation?