Unexpectedly Attached To You

Chapter 28

After talking about the small sentimental things in my room, Brylle and I decided to take a walk through out the neighborhood. Pinilit niya lang ako dahil ayoko sanang lumabas pa. I was exhausted both physically, from the travel, and mentally, from dealing with my family crisis.

I must admit that walking around the neighborhood I had grew up in made me feel peace. Peace that I haven't felt in a while. It's a familiar environment to me. Sure it wasn't the most peaceful neighborhood,  but it is way better than where I was in Italy. Hindi naman sa magulo ang tinitirahan ko doon, in fact it was the opposite. My apartment in Italy was very nice. It just didn't give me the comfort that my home environment can.

"Do you plan on living here? Like on your own. Do you want your future house to be here?" Tanong saakin ni Brylle.

"Definitely not." I shrugged.

This is my home. My childhood home. And I know for a fact that I would want something different for my future.

"Do you think your brothers like me?" Tanong niya ulit.

"My kuya is unpredictable, Brylle. And I barely know Theo. I don't know what he thinks." I said honestly. "You don't need to worry that much though. I know they would like you much more than they like me." I smiled.

"Is it still messy?" Alangang tanong niya tungkol sa current standing ng relasyon namin ng mga kapatid ko.

"Messier than I thought it was." Tawa ko.

Brylle knew how I felt about both of my brothers. He knows what had happened between us. Alam niya lahat dahil ginawa niya lahat ng kaya niya para tulungan akong maka-ahon. He never really demanded an explanation about what I felt. Kusa ko nalang sinabi sakaniya 'yon. And I don't regret it. He has helped me more than he should've.

"Do you think I can do it? Do you think I can run my father's company?" I stopped to turn to him.

"Of course I do. And i'm not saying this just because I will always be on your side, but because I saw how dedicated you were in your studies back in Italy. I saw you grow, Lia. I watched as that quiet freshman cluelessly walked into a business class become the hardworking woman who is about to achieve anything she has ever desired." Ngiti niya. "Don't ever doubt yourself. If you want it, then take it. I know you are worthy of it. I know you can handle it. Stop thinking about what others may feel. Especially when they continuously invalidate yours."

I smiled. Brylle always has the courage to speak the words that he truly means. No matter what circumstances.

"I'm just scared." I sat on a bench that was placed along the side of the road.

"Why?" Umupo siya sa tabi ko.

"What if I don't actually want it? What if I take it then I realize it's not what I want but it would be too late because i'll already be too tied up in the business? What if i'm only thinking of this because of how I feel towards my brother? What if it's just a competition in my eyes yet I don't realize it?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko.

"But what if you actually do want it? Are you going to let your brother have it then regret not even trying?" I sat silent. "If you do, you need to take in the idea that your boss will be your brother. I know you want to work there. You're unsure of being the CEO but you are full-heartedly dedicated to accepting your job position there. I don't want it to be hard on you. Although in your situation everything will be hard, pick the path that you know you will be satisfied in." He held my hand. "You can do whatever you please. I've seen you struggle to get up but here you are on your feet."

"Are you sure you don't want to be a Psychologist?" I joked.

______

I decided that the same evening I would ask I my dad about what I have to do to prove to him that I am worthy of the company. I know this would be stressful for him because he will have to decide between his only daughter and youngest son. Pero tulad ng sabi ni Brylle, if I want it, I should take it. He knew that I would be dedicated to something I would want and now I am dedicated to beating my brother in this little competition to win the prize of our family company.