Chapter Four
1132 Words
Chapter 4
I saw Mommy in the emergency room waiting area, head bowed. I felt a pang of sadness seeing her hands trembling. Approaching her, I immediately held her cold hands.
"Is this my fault? What if your Dad doesn't make it?"
Shaking my head, I turned her to face me. "Mom, this isn't your fault. It's not your fault for learning to let go of someone who caused you pain."
She hugged me, tears streaming. I just let her, comforting her back. After a while, she pulled away, glancing around behind me.
"Where is he? Pisces?"
I swallowed and shook my head. "I sent him home, Mom. He doesn't need to be here."
"You ungrateful kid, he saved your Dad! Did you talk to him? What's he doing in the Philippines? Is he back for good? Did you tell him about—"
"Mom, please, this isn't the time for that."
Mom gave me a gaze filled with mixed emotions, mostly compassion after what happened earlier. Like mother, like daughter… ironic, isn't it?
My attention was swiftly diverted when the doctor emerged, looking for my father's guardian. Mom nearly fainted upon hearing that Dad needed admission to the ICU. All I could be grateful for was that he survived.
It made me forget about the person I unexpectedly encountered earlier.
"How’s Dad?" my brother approached me at the admitting section an hour later. I felt the weariness in my bones.
"He's in the ICU. They don't know when he'll wake up."
"How’s Mom?" my brother leaned on me. Exhausted, I hugged him tight.
"You know how much Mom loves him. She's not okay. This is so unexpected; Mommy finally found the courage to leave Daddy, and this happens—"
"What do you mean?"
As we walked towards the ICU, I recounted what happened earlier at the hotel. Recounting it brought back the image of someone I hadn't expected to see after so many years.
"Will he keep hurting Mommy until the end?" my brother bitterly said as we watched Mom crying, embracing Dad.
"Don't speak like that, Kuya. He's still our father."
"And I wish he wasn't. He wasn't a good husband; he thinks material things can make him a good father."
"Kuya..."
All I could remember of Dad was him reading my favorite books when I was a child before I found out about his infidelity. Since then, I distanced myself from him. But I still wouldn't want him to end up like this. I still want him to live. Because if he dies, I'm afraid Mom might also be lost to us.
"You should go home; Aegeus is waiting for you. I'll take care of things here. Just come back tomorrow."
"Call me if something happens, Kuya."
I hugged myself feeling the strong gust of wind upon leaving the hospital. I scanned for a taxi but noticed a familiar car instead.
Furrowing my brow, I looked away. Instead of waiting for a cab, I chose to walk away from the hospital. However, I sensed the car following me.
It stopped a few steps away. I didn't turn, but I heard it opening and closing.
"Samantha..."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
There's no reason to avoid him. Sammie…
I swallowed and faced him, devoid of any smile. Meeting his blue eyes reminded me of that night when I first saw him.
I tilted my head away, avoiding eye contact.
"Why are you still here?"
"How’s your father?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.
"He’s in the ICU."
"Is he—"
"I appreciate the concern, but this is not your business. Whatever brought you to the Philippines, focus on that, not me."
"I’m here because you’re my business."
I furrowed my brow at what he said. "What? What are you talking about, Pisces?"
"This isn’t my plan to meet you, but since I already found you, I just want to say that I’m here in the Philippines because of you."
Bitter laughter escaped me. "You’re funny. Look, as much as I want to tolerate your nonsense talk, I’m tired, and I need to go home."
"Yeah, today is not the right time, but can we talk some other time—"
"No. I don’t want to see your face ever again, Pisces."
I turned and sighed in relief when a taxi stopped to drop off a passenger. I quickly hailed it and hurriedly got in.
Call me bitter…it’s been years, but I still can’t stand your presence, Hammington…
Even at the gate, I heard my son crying inside the house.
"Mommy! I want my Mom!"
"Big boy, she’s on the way. How about we play some cars?"
I hastened my steps to get inside. My son’s toys were scattered around the living room, a sign that the nanny and my friend couldn't keep him entertained.
"Mommy!" my son cried, running towards me. I immediately embraced him, ignoring his weight.
"Sweetie, didn't you promise not to throw a fit when Mommy’s not around?"
"I-I'm sorry, Mommy," he sobbed, clinging tightly to my neck. As I looked into his eyes, I saw a resemblance to the man I saw earlier.
Oh, child, why do you look so much like him?
"Mom, where are my gifts?"
My eyes widened as Aegeus asked me. I checked my watch; it was already past ten in the evening. No malls were open now for the toy I promised him.
"C-Can we buy it next time, baby?"
He pouted, indicating an imminent burst of tears.
"How about we eat at Jbee? There are new toys there; shall we buy them?"
Aegeus nodded at me as he happily dashed away from me.
"How's Uncle?" Marcus asked as he drove us to a fast-food joint for our late snack.
"Not good; he's in the ICU. Still hasn't woken up."
"I'm sorry to hear that. This is the time to use your leave. Starting Monday, don't come to work."
I shook my head. "No, I have work that needs to be finished—"
"I'm the boss here, Miller. But this coming Friday, you need to attend the Prime's party."
"Party?"
"Yeah, to welcome the new owner."
I leaned back in my seat, feeling a sense of dread upon hearing about the person Marcus mentioned.
"Do you know the name of the person who bought it?" my hands turned cold as I asked Marcus, sensing something ominous.
"Yeah, I even saw his pictures. I was expecting an old man—"
"What is his name?!" I abruptly shouted.
"Pisces Hammington…"
I closed my eyes, feeling a shiver at the name Marcus mentioned.
"Is there a problem, Sam?"
I nodded and looked at my son. "Yes. He’s back to ruin my life…" I whispered.
TBC
- Writer
