Joong
"What you're doing is low father. How much more I have to do, for you to let his family be free. You asked for me to hurt him, I did, you asked me to go far away, I did. Now, you're making him work for you? For what? So that I couldn't even put my interest forward since he's working in the company?", I couldn't contain the hate from my voice, though it was my own father that I was facing right now.
"The problem is not him, Joong. It is you. How long you're going to harbour feeling for another man, more so he is so close to you liked a brother? It's unfavourable for the family reputation, more so, you're a sole heir".
"He is not my brother! Yes, we grew up together, we're best friends, but it isn't wrong for me to fall for him. Why do you still insist that I am confused? I never was father, it is so blatantly clear to me from the start".
"Don't you find that, it is the same, as you're sleeping around; even without any feeling involved, having it with someone who was not him; pleasure is still pleasure? So, don't keep your interest on one person, until we decided on your life partner, you should enjoy everything before it became mundane, like my marriage with your mother".
"Yeah, right...is that why you cheat on her without bothering to be discreet? If anything, you're not a good family man that I should follow...".
"What's the use of being discreet?. It is an open secret in our circle of the privileged, Joong. You just need to get used to it. One day, you'll lead this legacy too, and at that time, you'll understand, everything is possible, when you walk tall with money. Take Nine's family, for example, they used to be well off, if not why would I approved him to be in your circle of friends, but not so lucky when technology took over. Nobody read a printed material anymore, Joong. Without my help, their printing factory, won't even survive the current economic downturn, when everything is digitalized".
"You gave a financing aid to the factory just because you knew I am in love with Nine, and used them as a bait, so I would cater to your order, to leave him broken! You wanted them to be forever in your debt and stood lower than you. I thought that your words could be trusted, but you managed to find another way".
"Don't you feel guilty, Joong, if suddenly, with just a directive order, I'll buy that company, to be burnt down to the ground? That factory's land, could be developed into something bigger. But, I still consider his father, as my acquaintance, so I delayed in doing so".
"You are not that kind, father. The longer you delay, the longer you could chain me to your will too. You keep asking me why I love him and his family? Because they embodies something precious that I couldn't have no matter how much I wish, from my own. Mom is in her own world of grief, in and out of rehab, and you, just never act liked a father to me. Without them, I won't even grow up half as human as I am now".
"That's where the problem started. You'd mistaken their care as love. Nobody did anything for others as generous as that, Joong. Something would always be asked back in return. Ah, if only you saw, how his father begged for me to save their business, you'll understand more of what I've just said".
"He did it to save the other families; breadwinners that worked for him, father. He sacrificed his pride for the sake of saving hundreds others, not just his neck. While you saw that as taking advantage of your so called friendship with him, he worked hard to pay for the debt he owned you, without even asking for less than what is due".
"Sentiments. You still defended them, while hurting the heart of your own family. Don't worry, I'll make it more difficult for you, since you're too stubborn to let go. Nine will be tasked as your assistant from now on, you'll head the new software development division. Enough lazing at home, and do something worthy to earn your own living if you wanted to be a mule. Your cards, as of tomorrow, I'll block them all, you can keep living in the condo and used the car, more convenient and discreet, should you need to continue keeping your social life alive, I won't say anything on that as long as it cured you from this endless obsession with Nine".
"You think making him as my assistant would keep me from pursuing our relationship? You never know how determined your son could be father".
"I'm not putting my trust on you. I know you are reckless, but I'm sure, Nine knows how to act accordingly. That's in itself, is your own worst enemy, so, I don't even have to lift a finger to interfere. Go on, today is the last day for you to enjoy the privileged you're born with, maybe, once you are bored living with so little in your pocket, then crawl back to your father's arm, and be a good and obedient son".
Nine
"What are you saying, P'Lia? I am transferred to the IT department. But, my qualification is in HR management?", I was astonished, with a sudden transfer letter that was handed to me by the HR officer.
"Yes, sorry about the sudden call, Nine. Besides, you're not exactly needed to do the complicated technical things, you'll be assisting the new division head".
"That post is vacant!", I objected.
"Not anymore, the President's son finally would come and join the company. We all know it is reserved for him, if not why would the family sent him to study and work, for that long out of this country. But, still, looking at his resume, thank god, he's not a bubblehead; astounding achievement; internship with major corporation too. So, at least, the talk will lessen".
"What talk?", I was new, just less than three months of working here. I was working at my father's company, handling the distributors, when a call, came from this company, that the President requested my hirement. I was reluctant to leave my father to manage everything, but, after being persuaded by my father, as a token of gratitude towards Joong's family, I relented, telling him, that when the debt repayments finished in five years, I'd come back to where I should be.
"You didn't know? Some said, the reason he was living outside of the country, was because his family couldn't handle his scandalous behaviour, all those "partying" around. Gosh! Am I gossiping? But, since the tabloids already posted this story as soon as he is back in the country, I guess, it is well known. How come you are clueless?".
I chose not to read anything regarding him or his family; that, and also the sordid truth; was nothing out of my knowledge too.
"Let's just not talk about things we are unsure, na, P'? Sorry, but if I am to work alongside him, then I'll feel guilty...".
"Oyy, yes, yes, you're right. My bad. But, P' is worried for you. You're good looking, Nong, just be carefull, oops, P' will be burnt in hell again, but it doesn't matter, don't be taken advantage of; boss's son, or not, alright!". I nodded and walked back to my seat.
I couldn't believe that it had come to this. Couldn't he let me breathe? I don't want to be inside his world, and now he comes into mine? But, in a way, becoming an assistant, would also give me a certain protection. I would be close to him, working together, but also be guarded as well by the workplace policy.
It's alright, Nine, five years, just that long, and then you'll be free from anyone's hold. I gritted my teeth, but it didn't lessen the rapid heartbeats, thinking of what more to come.
