Glimpse Of Us

CHAPTER 28

Rylie Ysabelle Monteverde on top

Ctto.

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Rylie's POV

I woke up with heavy head and eyes when I heard my phone ring. I reach for it on the bedside drawer and saw my Father's name appear on the screen.

Bumangon muna ko habang sapo sapo ang ulo. It's been aching since last night.

"Hi, Daddy. Bakit po kayo napatawag?" I greeted him while trying my very best to sound jolly and energetic.

"Rylie, iha, I need you to meet Mr. Miyazaki's son later before lunch."

My shoulders automatically slump down in disappointment. Akala ko pa naman kakamustahin nya ko. Turns out, it's just about business again.

"Dad, you do know that I still have classes during that time, right?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang hinanakit sa tono ng aking boses.

This is the first time he called me again, tapos ganito lang ang pag uusapan namin.

"Mag absent ka na muna. Panandalian lang naman. The Miyazaki's are one of our important clients from Japan. And this is the chance for us to let them join our business. Malaking halaga din ang kaya nilang maibahagi, iha."

"But Dad--"

"Rylie" I immediately purse my lips when I heard how his tone changes. "Minsan lang akong humingi ng pabor sayo, tapos hindi mo pa ko pagbibigyan? Be thankful that I'm not obliging you to work on the company during your free days, even if you need to. Meet with the Miyazaki's later. I want an acceptable feedback after."

I clench my fist as well as my jaw. Bakit pa nga ba ko tatanggi kung wala din naman akong kalaban laban sa kanya?

"Yes, Dad. Makakaasa po kayo."

"Good. I'll email you the time and location. I need to go now. The meeting's about to start."

"Okay, Daddy. I love you—" Hindi ko na natapos pa ang sasabihin nang ibaba nya na ang tawag.

Napangiti na lang ako nang mapait, as I stare at my phone screen blankly. What do I expect? That we will talk about how my day's going? I don't even know why up until now I'm still expecting some care and affection from him. To think that all he thinks about is business.

Kaya kahit masama ang pakiramdam, I get out of the bed and start doing my usual routine.

———

"Are you crazy? The class will start in 10 minutes, in case you forgot."

"I know. But Dad's making me."

"Well, sinabi mo bang may pasok ka?" I nod my head. "Wait, just to be clear, did you use words?"

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. "Yes, what do you think I did?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Did not explain your side cause you do everything your Father tells you to do?" Masunget nyang saad, mocking me again. "Look, hindi ka pwedeng mag absent dahil may quiz tayo mamaya sa subject ni Professor Carlton. You know her, she will immediately give a quiz as soon as she finishes with her lesson. Pasalamat nga kahapon dahil hindi na naabot nung oras, eh."

Just by hearing her surname, makes my heart go wild. Automatic na naalala ko yung nangyari samin sa office nya noong nakaraan.

"I know that, Ave. But I already said yes to my Father. Wala na akong magagawa pa." And I don't want to disappoint him again. He's so hard to please, and it will usually take years para mapatawad nya ko.