Riding the Skies (Isla de Vista Series #4)

Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Strife

Just when we think everything is going well, the crisis crashes us like rogue waves of the north seas coming together as one.

Daddy:

I am sorry about today, mija. I don't want to tell you any problem but the company is not in good shape. I lost 4% of my shares to revive it. I am not gonna sugarcoat that it is doing well because it is not, mija. Regardless, I don't intend to put a burden on your shoulders. Leave the rest to me, okay? Ignore your Lolo Expedito. I love you, my daughter. Send our love to Maddox as well.

Doon ko napagtanto kung gaano ako ka walang alam sa nangyayari sa paligid ko. Maybe I just had life so easy that I failed to notice what needs fixing. I failed to notice where I could provide help for my family. My memories aren't to blame.

Hindi ako makatulog sa gabing iyon. I waited until Maddox fell asleep before I went out of bed. Hindi ako mapakali. I don't get the point why Lolo Expedito is too pushy about this issue. I don't understand. If Daddy loses the majority, Lola Athena is willing to give her shares to Dad, and of course mine and Atticus' shares will help him too.

"Hello, Sky? Bakit ka pa gising? Ano'ng oras na," bungad ni Trina sa akin.

I massaged my head. "Do you have time to talk?"

"Huh? Yes, of course. May nangyari ba? Nasaan si Maddox? Pinakaba mo ako, Sky."

It took me a few deep sighs before telling Trina about what happened today. It is just a small thing for some but for me it is already big. It is causing disturbance in my head. I can't think alone.

"Maddox's legal team can easily block that, Sky. Your man's a powerful man. We all know that."

Nabuhayan ang aking loob. I know, right? Nothing can harm Maddox. I just want to hear those words from another human being, someone I can rely on. I know the facts but I don't want to face it alone or believe too much in it so I needed to hear it from someone else.

"It won't come out as an ethical violation, right? I mean he was a student too but he was our teacher at that time and there are pictures of us together." natatakot kong sambit.

"But it cannot change the fact that Maddox was a student. It is not prohibited for a student to date another student."

My heart skipped a big relief. "Di ba? Everything is fine, right? Wala naman kaming ginagawang mali? Ayokong magka-isyu ng ganito."

"Wag ka ng mag overthink d'yan. Wala namang saysay ang threat ng Lolo mo. 'Di ba sabi ni Tito na may paraan siya? Let's go with that, Sky."

"I don't get Lolo. It was... It was too shallow,"

"Beat me to it. Ang tanda na ni Lolo Expedito. May oras pa talaga siyang makialam sa buhay mo? O siguro ganyan lang ang papel niya pero mababaw pa rin ang pananakot niya kaya huwag kang maniwala roon."

I sighed deeply. "Thank you, Trina. That lifts off the heavyweights in my chest."

"Anytime, Sky. Matulog ka na d'yan. Just call me if anything happens, okay?"

"Thanks, Trin."

She only laughed which made me laugh a bit too before dropping the call. Bumalik na ako sa higaan. I watched Maddox sleeping tightly on our bed. I can't see my life without him.

Marriage just to save the company? Isn't it too cliche? He doesn't like Maddox because he finds him arrogant? How can he judge Maddox like that? Lubos akong na-offend nang narinig iyon sa kanya. Maddox may be a coldfire breathing-dragon but he is never an arrogant person.