Beyond the Borders [Sample] - Border Series Book 1

CHAPTER ONE

"Knowing Oneself"

 Manila, Philippines
September 11, 2013 

I wonder what brought me here again. This place depicts memories- memories which I really like to forget. Nobody wants to see that old man's face again. Not Ryan and me either. Goddamn that old brute, long before Columbus discover this new world. If only there's a chance to back out, but hell no! He already planned everything, just to assure that we will come. If only I had found about it earlier, then there is no problem. Okay, it's too late for a protest. That man had booked a flight for us three, two months before I received his invitation. Exactly, that is how he works things out. And I also knew that he is always on top of his game. Fine, I admit that half of me want this to happen, not just because of my only darling Julienne, but also because I want to save my heart. I want to free myself on the hatred of the past. That man, no matter what he is now, or how much he had changed since the last time I saw him, had made a terrible mistake on dumping me and my brother. I had already proved him that he is the one who was really wrong. He can't direct my life according to his will, as long as he wants all the time. I'd already done my part as his son, once and for all- and that chapter of my life is the thing that I really regret the most. That time, he had the power so we can't resist him, but now, I am on my own. 

My brother Ryan, my four year old Julienne and I reached the NAIA Airlines at exactly seven-thirty in the morning. It's really been a long flight from Washington to Manila, Philippines. I know, Julienne haven't get enough sleep since it is the very first time that we left States ever since I had her, but to my surprise, the little girl never show any sign of stubbornness or being irritable, but instead, I can see on her glowing face the easiness and overwhelmed that I once saw four years ago. "She really is pretty, Nat," Ryan said behind my back. I smile. Ryan also noticed it. No everyone notice it- that I always admire the little girl's innocent charm and often smile, though she seldom talks. I mean, ever since she was born, I always had my sight on her and watch her as she grows up. I am not sure what exactly the problem is, but Alfred Rothstein, my so long friend, and now a pediatrician, told me that the little girl had a problem on speaking due to a complication on her birth. Of course, I didn't believe him. No matter what others are saying, she's still my daughter, and I can't take the fact that she is retarded or what others may call it. I knew she can speak for she did it once, when I let her to see the picture of her mother and she began saying, "Mommy." Maybe, she really don't want to do it and it's her choice and perhaps she only need a counseling, so I even tried to search for second opinion, third, and so forth. I even hired a private tutor. I couldn't say that nothing happens for every time I saw her, she improves little by little, and her development became too fast more than what I had expected before. Yes, she can speak, but still, she rather not do it and always prefer to be silent. I know she is lonely and she misses her mother so much. I pitied the child because of that, and I always wonder what's on her mind. She is a smart little girl so I knew that she had the I.Q. much more than those children of her age. That is the thing that really worried me lately. 

"She really is," I said to my brother as I approach my Julienne. "Cherie, you really want this tropical place, huh?" The little girl only smiles for approval. 

It takes quarter an hour for us to reach the Villarta Mansion at Quezon City. I couldn't bring my car possession from Washington to Manila through means of a private jet, so I need to hire a car. Good for the three of us for we got an SUV luckily reserved for no other than my dad's only two sons, and one and only granddaughter. Meaning, this is another part of his orgy again. 

"I couldn't remember how much this place had changed since we moved to U.S. bro," Ryan said as he keeps on scanning the roads and streets that we pass by. "Neither I," I answered from the driver's seat. "Iwonder if Dad is really grateful to see the two of us. Nat, what do you think?"