Hiding the CEO's Daughter

Prologue   I am finally back. After 5 years of living in Canada, now, I am back in my own homeland. My sight blur as tears filled my eyes.   “Mommy, where are we?”  I heard my daughter asked.   Napayuko ako. Hawak ko ang kamay niya. “We are in the Philippines, baby,” sabi ko sa kaniya.   “Phili- what?” inosenteng tanong naman niya, her eyebrows furrowing.   “Philippines,” sabi ko ulit sa kaniya. “This is where Mommy was born… this is where I grew up,” ani ko.   Tumango na lang siya kahit na alam kong hindi niya pa iyon masyadong naintindihan.   “Lia!”   Luminga ako para hanapin ang sumigaw. Nang makita ko ang mga dating kaibigan ay napangiti ako nang malapad. Kumaway sila sa amin. Hinigit ko ang anak ko papunta sa kanila.   Niyakap agad ako ni Camille samantalang si Jea ay kinakausap na si Kianna. It is so good to be back. I missed them so much!   “Oh, my gosh! We missed you so much!” pasigaw na sabi ni Jea nang siya naman ang yumakap sa akin.   “Say hi to your Titas, Kia,” sabi ko sa anak ko nang maghiwalay kami ni Jea sa yakap.   Nahihiyang kumaway naman siya sa kanila. “Hi,” Kia said in a small voice.   “Oh, my! She looks so cute!” ani Camille. “She looks like –“ hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang makita ang matalim sa titig ko sa kaniya. “Oops!” sabi na lang niya sabay kagat sa ibabang labi niya.   “Come on! Let’s go!” aya ni Jea. “Alam kong pagod kayong dalawa. Excited na akong makipag kwentuhan sa ‘yo girl! Kaso may trabaho pa kami,” ani Jea.   Natatawang sumunod na lang din ako habang hawak ko ang anak ko. Si Camille na ang nagdala ng luggage ko. Nang makita kong tinatamad nang maglakad ang anak ko ay binuhat ko na siya.   “You sleepy, love?” tanong ko sa kaniya. She nodded with her lips pouting. She really looked like her father. Pero meron din naman siyang nakuha sa ‘kin. She has my lips and my hair color. But other than that, nakuha na niya sa ama niya.   Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. “We’ll go home, now,” bulong ko sa anak ko. She rested her head on my shoulder as I continued walking towards Jea’s car.   “Where is Johann?” Camille asked.   “Nauna akong umuwi sa kaniya. He still has something to finish there,” I answered. Camille nodded. She put my luggage on the trunk of Jea’s car while Jea opened the door for me and Kia. “Thank you,” I said to Jea. She smiled at me before she closed the door.   Sabay na silang pumasok ni Camille ng sasakyan. “Ihahatid na namin kayo sa condo niyo ah?” sabi ni Jea. “Para makapagpahinga na kayo. Kawawa naman ang baby,” aniya. Tumango lang ako at ngumiti sa kaniya nang bumaling siya sa amin backseat. Jea started driving while I rubbed my baby’s back.   I asked the two of them to get a condo for me before I get home. I got a job in Canada and I managed to earn for my daughter and me. I managed to save for both of us and that’s what I used in paying for that condo. I still have monthly payments though.   I looked around while Jea was driving. It has been five years since I last saw this place. And now, my parents are dead. I don’t know what to feel. I was angry at them but I loved them. And it hurts that they didn’t even see their granddaughter.   When Jea called me about my Mom and Dad passing away, I cried the whole night. I just didn’t come home immediately because Kia still has classes. But now that it’s summer in Canada, I had time to come home. I need to see where my Mom and Dad were buried.   Camille told me that Dad’s lawyer was looking for me. He needs to talk to me. It has something to do about Dad’s debts from our investors and from his former business partner. I still need to settle it. I was just relieved that I have Jea and Camille preparing the condo for us.   After more than half an hour, we arrived at the tower where my condo was located. Si Camille na ‘yong nagbuhat ng luggage ko. Jea opened the door and we all walked inside.   “This is just a small unit, as per your request,” Jea said. “It only has two rooms. The master’s bedroom has a bathroom. There’s also a common bathroom here outside. There’s the small kitchen,” she pointed at the kitchen area. “And a dining area,” she added.   I nodded as I turned to them. “Thank you so much to both of you,” I told them with a smile. “I don’t know what I would do without you,”   “Ano ka ba!” saway ni Camille. “You know we love you,” she said.   I smiled at her. “And I love you both, too,” I said.   “Sige na, hatid ka na namin sa kwarto niyo. Para makapag pahinga na ng maayos ‘yang baby girl natin. Pati na din ikaw,” Jea said. Tumango ako bago naglakad ulit.   Hinatid nila ako sa kwarto at umalis na din sila pagkaraan ng ilang sandali. They still have to go to work. Jea is managing her own business while Camille was working under their company.   I, on the other hand, have nothing. I am back to square one. But I know I can manage to do anything. I have my inspiration with me.   I arranged our things first after I put my daughter on the bed. She must be really exhausted. After I was done, I took a half bath in the bathroom. Nang matapos ako ay nagbihis ako agad at dumiretso na sa tabi ng anak ko.   I looked at my daughter who was sleeping soundly. I kissed her forehead. She was the reason why I fought so hard. She is what gets me through the day. She is what gets me even through my darkest days.   I woke up earlier than Kia.  It is almost lunch time. Wala pa kaming pagkain. Hindi din naman ako makakapagluto dahil nga wala pang laman ang kitchen namin.   I decided to just order food for us. Tapos mamayang hapon, ipapasyal ko si Kia kung gusto niya para na din makalabas kami at makapagpamili.   Good thing Camille bought me a phone. I don’t know what I would really do without them. They are really my angels. Mula noon hanggang ngayon.   I used the phone to order chicken wings and rice from a restaurant nearby. I just ordered three flavors because it’s just me and Kia. I know my daughter would love it.   When the food arrived, I prepared the table for us. When I was done, I checked my daughter and saw that she was already awake.   “Hey there, love,” I said as I walked towards her. I hugged her and gave her sniff kisses.   “Where are we, Mommy?” she asked as she rubbed her eyes.   “We are in our new home,” I told her. “It’s just a small house. Only good for the two of us,”   She nodded at me, not really listening. “I’m hungry,” she said, complaining, while pouting her lips.   I bent down to kiss her lips while pinching her cheeks. “We will eat, okay? Go wash your face first,” I said.   Mabilis naman siyang tumayo at dumiretso sa itinuro kong bathroom. Sumunod ako sa kaniya para makita ang ginagawa niya. Nang matapos siya ay ibinigay ko agad sa kaniya ang towel pampunas sa mukha niya.   We went out of the room after that. We had lunch together. And I was right! My daughter liked the wings I ordered.   Nang matapos kami ay hinayaan ko lang siyang manood  ng tv sa living room habang naghuhugas ako sa kusina. Tinabihan ko din siya sa couch nang matapos ako.   Nang magsawa siya ay inaya ko siyang lumabas. Mabuti na lang at may maliit na mall malapit lang dito sa tower namin. Doon ko na lang dadalhin si Kia. Binihisan ko siya. It’s just a simple white short and a sleeveless top. I made her wear her white sneakers habang ako ay naka t-shirt at denim shorts lang.   “Let’s go,” aya ko sa kaniya at saka kami lumabas.   Ipinasyal ko si Kia sa loob ng mall. Good thing they also have an arcade. Ang saya ng anak ko nang makasakay siya sa mini carousel. I took many pictures of her and she looks so cute!   Nang matapos ay nag grocery muna kami para may makain kami mamayang gabi. She looked so bored doing groceries kaya pinangakuan ko na lang na  bibili kami ng toys niya.   We went home after that. Kia went to play with her new toys habang ako naman ay nagluto na ng dinner namin. I cooked two dishes dahil nga dito din kakain sina Camille at Jea. We still have a lot of catching up to do.   Saktong natapos akong magluto ay saktong dumating ang dalawa. Ibinilin ko muna si Kia sa kanilang dalawa para makaligo ako. I went out of the room feeling fresh. Nakita kong nagkukulitan na silang tatlo sa living room.   “Let’s eat!” aya ko sa kanila. Mabilis namang tumakbo papunta sa ‘kin si Kia. She hugged my legs kaya napangiti ako. Binuhat ko siya at pinaupo sa upuan niya.   We had a fun dinner that night. Nang matapos ay naghugas ako ng pinagkainan namin habang nilalaro ulit nila si Kia. Nang matapos ako ay saktong pagod na ang anak ko kaya pinatulog ko na muna. When I was sure she was already asleep, lumabas ulit ako ng kwarto.   I found Camille and Jea watching the tv. Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa kanila at naupo sa gitna nila.   “Ah! I’m still so tired,” reklamo ko. The two chuckled.   “It’s even more tiring because you have a kid to take care of too,” Camille said.   I nodded. “Yeah, but it’s fulfilling at the same time,” sabi ko naman.   Napatango naman siya. “How are you, Lia?” Camille asked.   “I’m fine.  I am fine as long as I have my daughter,” I answered. “Masakit na hindi ko na ulit nakita ang parents ko. Masakit na hindi ko sila nakausap bago sila nawala,” I said as tears formed in my eyes. “It hurts that I haven’t said sorry to them… that I hid my daughter from them,” I wiped the tears on my cheeks.   Jea hugged me. “It’s okay,” she said. “I know they are proud of you for raising your daughter well,   Napatango ako. I hope so.   “Come on! Bakit ganito ‘yong pinag-uusapan natin?” sabi ko sa kanila nang natatawa. “Kayo, kamusta kayong dalawa?” I asked them.   We talked about how their life were mula nang umalis ako. Kahit ba na we never lost communication with each other, iba pa din marinig in person kung ano ang naging buhay nilang dalawa.   I woke up early the next day. Nakapagluto na ako ng almusal nang dumating si Yaya Linda. She was my nanny and I asked Jea to contact her.  Nagtubig ang mga mata ko nang makita ko siya. Pati siya ay naiyak na din. Niyakap niya agad ako. “Jusko, Lia! Miss na miss kita!” aniya sabay yakap sa akin ng mahigpit.   Niyakap ko siya pabalik. “I missed you, too, Yaya,” sabi ko sa kaniya.   Kumalas siya sa yakap at hinawakan ang mukha ko. “Kamusta ka anak?” tanong niya. Hindi pa ako nakakasagot ay bigla nang lumungkot ang mukha niya. “Alam mo ba ang nangyari sa mga magulang mo?”  Tumango ako at nag-iiyak. Niyakap naman ulit ako ni Yaya. “Mahal na mahal ka nila, anak. Ilang taon ka nilang hinanap. Hindi din sila tumigil sa paghahanap sa ‘yo,” bulong niya   Mas lalo akong naiyak. I wish I saw them even just for one last time. But it’s all too late now. What I could is to fix the mess that they left.   Tinahan ako ni Yaya kahit na siya mismo ay nakiiyak din. Nakaupo kami sa couch habang nakayakap siya sa akin.   “Mommy…” napatigil ako sa pag-iyak at pinunasan ang luha sa mata at pisngi ko bago bumaling sa anak ko na lumabas na ng kwarto namin. Kumalas ako sa yakap ni Yaya para puntahan ang anak ko.   “Ya, eto po si Kia. Anak ko,” pagpapakilala ko. “Kia, that is Yaya Linda. She was my nanny when I was little. She will be your nanny now,” I told my daughter.   “Hi, Yaya Linda,” Kia said as she waved her hand.   Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin si Yaya sa akin at sa anak ko. “May anak ka?” tanong niya.   Tumango ako ng nakangiti sa kaniya. “Kaya po ako umalis noon dahil buntis po ako,” sabi ko. “Ike-kuwento ko po lahat sa inyo mamaya pero may pupuntahan pa po kasi ako,”   Nakakaintinding tumango naman si Yaya at ngumiti. “Hi, Kia,” bati niya sa anak ko.   Mabilis naman silang nagkagaanan ng loob.  Nang matapos kaming kumain ay naligo agad ako.   “Yaya, alis muna ako ah?” paalam ko sa kaniya. “Kayo na po ang bahala kay Kia,” sabi ko sa kaniya.   “Ingat ka anak,” aniya. Tumango ako bago bumaling sa anak kong naglalaro.   “Kia, baby,” tawag ko sa kaniya. “Mommy have to go, okay? I’ll be back later,”   Tumango naman siya at niyakap ako. “Bye, Mommy,” aniya. “Take care,” sabi niya at humalik sa pisngi ko.   Pagkatapos noon ay umalis na ako. I rode on a taxi on the way to the firm of Atty. Katipunan. He was our family and company lawyer.   Nang makarating ako sa office niya ay idineretso na niya sa ‘kin ang problema pagkatapos naming magkamustahan.   “As you can see, Ms. Santillan, the company that your Dad has built went bankrupt. Marami siyang utang. He tried to save it by borrowing money from Mr. Monteclaro. He managed to pay the companies debts but ended having debts to Mr. Monteclaro,” Atty. Katipunan said.  That surname… it felt so long since I last heard about that surname  “At kung hindi mo pa alam, your Dad has transferred the ownership of the company to your name long before you ran away,”   “Nabayaran niya ang lahat ng utang niya pero hindi ‘yon nakabangon pa,” he said. “Mr. Monteclaro  owns your shares to the company now. At ang buong kompanya ay under na ng Monteclaro Group of Companies. Mr. Monteclaro wants the debts to be paid. The debts fall unto you since the company was already under your name when your Dad borrowed from them. He is just giving you a year to pay the debts or else he will sue you,”   My eyes widened. “What should I do about it, Atty.?” I asked. I don’t have the capacity to pay the debts. And I can’t go to jail! My daughter still needs me.   “If you have time, you can go to Mr. Monteclaro’s office,” he said. He gave me the address. “I’ll coordinate with his secretary that you are coming. Just talk to him, Lia. Maybe there’s something you could do about it,” he added. “Just give me a call if you have a problem, okay?”   I nodded. “Thank you so much, Atty.,” I said to him.   I left Atty. Katipunan’s office after that. It was almost lunch when I arrived at the building of MGC. I went directly to the reception.   “I’m here to see Mr. Monteclaro,” I said to the receptionist.   “Do you have an appointment, Ma’am?” she asked.   I bit my lower lip as I shook my head. “No, but can you please tell him that Lia Amara Santillan wants to see him. I need to talk to him about Santillan Corp.,” I said.   The receptionist nodded before she dialed a number. After she put the phone down, she turned to me. “20th floor,” she said to me as she smiled. “The whole floor is Mr. Monteclaro’s office. You wouldn’t miss it,”   I said my thank you before I walked to the elevator. I was alone inside. I pressed the 20th floor. My heart was beating so fast. This is the first time I stepped on this building. This is his territory. I wonder if he also works here.   I took a deep breath when the elevator opened. I went to the woman behind the counter. “Hi,” I greeted her. “I am here to see Mr. Monteclaro,” I said  She nodded and smiled at me. “He’s inside, Ma’am. This way,” aniya bago naglakad papunta sa isang malaking pinto. Kumatok siya at binuksan ang pinto. “Ms. Santillan is here, Sir,” aniya sa kung sino mang nasa loob. “Pasok na po kayo Ma’am,”   I said a small thank you to her before I went inside. She closed the door and I was left standing in front of the door. I looked at the man sitting on the swivel chair behind the table. My eyes widened as my heart thumped so hard and fast against my chest.   It’s him… after how many years, I saw him again. It’s my baby’s daddy.   Keanu Apollo Monteclaro. CEO.