WILD MEN SERIES #31: JELLAL FITZGERALD

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Matapos ang mahabang araw ng pagtatrabaho sa loob ng kanyang opisina , pakikipag-usap sa iba't ibang mga kliyente, pagsagot sa mga tawag ng iba'tibang mga tao, at pagpirma ng mga dokumento, sa wakas ay nakauwi na rin si Jellal sa  mansyon ng kaniyang ama. He retreated to the balcony , a glass of red wine in hand. From this vantage point, he had a clear view of the elegant pool area below.

Malayo ang tanaw ni Jellal, malaya ang isipan niya na maglakbay. Okupado ito ng mga responsibilidad, trabaho, at ang minimithi niya na pagbawi sa kanyang teono.

Katatapos lang niya na maghapunan kasama ang mga anak ng amang nag-ampon sa kanya, ang kanyang mga kapatid.  Hindi siya malapit sa mga ito, liban kay Penelope na siyang nakakaintindi lamang kay Jellal. Magkasing-edaran silang dalawa, panganay ni Makarov  si Penelope at tanging si Penelope lang ang nakakaalam na ampon lamang si Jellal.

Habang nag-iisa si Jellal sa may balkonahe ay napansin siya ni Penelope mula sa skiding glass door, she stepped out to join him.

She approached him with a gentle smile and said, "Jellal, ayos ka lang?"  Tumango lang si Jellal bilang sagot. "I-I couldn't help but notice the tension between you and Phoebz, during dinner  kanina, may something na off sa inyong dalawa. Is everything okay?"

Jellal took a sip of his wine and remained silent for a moment. Hindi siya kumibo, ni tinignan man lang ang kapatid.

"Je, kung ano man 'yan. Puwede kang magsabi sa akin, magkapatid tayo."

"It's nothing, Pen," mahiksing sambit ng binata.

"Je, kung nabubuhay ang Daddy, siguradong   kukulitin at kukulitin niya ako para pag-ayusin kayong dalawa," natatawa nitong wika. "Je, sige na. Huwag kang mahiya na magsabi sa akin."

Penelope's persistence was a trait she had inherited from their mother, and he knew she wouldn't let the matter go easily. Kaya wala rin choice si Jellal  kung hindi kausapin at sagutin ang mga tanong ng kapatid.

"Je..."

"It's about the cosmetic line she want to launch," sagot ni Jellal.

"What about it?" tanong naman ni Penelope.

"Pinipilit niya ako na payagan siya na itayo ang business niya under FG na ayoko namang gawin. You knew what happened years ago," tugon ni Jellal saka nagpakawala ng buntong hininga.

"Oh..." aniya. "Tita Amanda told me about it."

"Phoebe is careless, she's impulsive and acts without considering the consequences. It's the same reason we had to deal with a major problem a few years ago."

"Alam ko," aniya. "Phoebe can be... impulsive, but she means well. She's passionate about her dreams. And you knew it, Jellal."

Jellal's gaze remained fixed on the pool below. "Passion can't always excuse recklessness, Pen. We've built something substantial with FG Enterprises, and I can't afford to let her jeopardize it with her impulsivity."

Penelope took a step closer to her brother, her voice gentle. "I understand your concerns, Jellal, but Phoebe is also part of our family and our legacy. We should find a way to support her dreams while maintaining the stability of the company."

"I'll consider it, but she needs to learn responsibility and caution," mariing sambit ni Jellal.  "I won't let her actions threaten everything we've worked so hard to build."

As the siblings continued their conversation on the balcony, Penelope with a sense of  desire to bridge the gap between her siblings. Bilang panganay, biologically, responsibilidad niya ang mga kapatid niya. Bata pa lang ay hindi na talaga magkasundo sina Phoebe at Jellal— matigas ang ulo ni Phoebe, mainitin naman ang ulo ni Jellal.