Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 58

Inheritance

"Alam ba ni Isabella? Bago yan a. Hindi ba siya nagalit o nainggit man lang?" Tanong kaagad ni Aurora pagkatapos kong sabihin sa kanila ang nilalaman ng envelope na iniwan sa akin ni dad.

Among them was Dad's letter. Hindi ko ito pinansin kaagad noong binigay sa akin ni Oliver. Kaya nang malaman ko kung ano pa ang mga kasama ng letter ay hindi ko malaman kung ano ang irereact ko. I thought it was just a letter.

"She reminded me to read the letter. I think she knows," I replied, gazing at the papers.

Some of them were property titles in my name. Dad's last will and testament was also there. I had it verified by our family lawyer to confirm their authenticity, and they confirmed they were legit.

It was mine, part of my inheritance. Isabella knew about them, but she didn't even bring it up the last time we spoke.

"And then she jetted off to the UK that quickly? Why did she do that? Did she tell you the reason?" Kim asked and handed me a copy of Dad's last will and testament.

I shrugged and put them away. "Hindi niya sinabi kung anong dahilan. She just said it's my responsibility now."

"Maybe she's starting fresh there," Aurora commented.

Kim playfully slapped her arm, and they both laughed. Then, the door swung open, and Arik emerged, heading straight for me. He quickly kissed me on the lips.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Saan ang punta niyo?" Tanong ni Kim.

Nagulat pa si Arik na parang hindi niya kaagad napansin ang dalawa na naroon kaya napailing na lang ako.

"We're going to discuss her ownership of Yuchengco Enterprises and Motors," Arik answered.

"May plano na kayo?" Tanong pa ni Aurora.

"I plan to change the name of both companies," sagot ko at kinuha na ang bag ko.

"Will they agree, though?" Kim asked as she also prepared to leave.

We all left the office together, still discussing the same topic.

"I heard Aunty Harper wants to make it public. Why? Oliver told me," Arik said.

I looked at him and shrugged. "She wanted me to get all the credit because she said I was the one who really made those two businesses flourish."

"You deserve it, baby," Arik whispered to me. "After all these years. After all the sacrifices."

"I know, but isn't it kind of late?"

"There's no such thing as being late to succeed, Celeste," Kim commented.

That's where our conversation ended, and we bid farewell to each other.

Nilalamon pa rin ng mga bagay at impormasyon na iyon ang utak ko habang nasa byahe kami. Nang sabihin ko ang tungkol dito kina mom and dad, hindi ko akalain na magiging masaya sila para sa akin.

There's a part of me that wishes they weren't so thrilled. Now, I'll be forced to face people as they announce my ownership of the two companies. Damn. I don't know if I can handle this well.

But somehow, I feel like it's more of a trap. I thought that with this announcement, there's a possibility that Victoria Yuchengco will emerge from hiding.

"If you don't want this, you can just tell your parents about it, Celeste. Oliver said he is against it, honestly," Arik reassured me.

"But why do they even want to announce it to everyone though?" he asked.

I scratched my head. "Arik, I thought maybe this is their way of flushing out Victoria. Don't you think so?"

His forehead creased. "I'm not sure, but it could really be it."

"In the event she comes out and gets caught, that's when all the truth will come out, right?"

Nang sabihin ko iyon ay bigla na lang natahimik si Arik. He also let go of my hand, and I caught a glimpse of his face. His expression darkened.

The other day, I wondered why he didn't ask me about it often. Was there something he wasn't telling me?

"Well, you should ask them about that, baby, because I'm not even sure with my sources anymore. I feel like someone is opposing our secret investigation. I'm sure Uncle William is taking action on this. Do you have any news about Liam?"

I glanced at him. "He's been in the US for three months. I'm not sure if he's back. Why?"

"I think he's also working covertly. I remember he mentioned what Dad did to me back then to Isabella."

"What do you mean, Arik?"

"That torture and abuse, Celeste. I'm afraid that if I lose control of everything, they might target you or Ariah and do the same to you."

I was horrified when I heard that. I don't know if it's fear or pain I'm feeling. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na malamig na tubig.

Torture? And why? Did it have anything to do with me being my mother's daughter? Does Dad know about this? And what's the connection between Liam's dad and Mom?

___

Hinabol ko ng tanaw si Ariah nang tumakbo siya papalapit kay Arik at niyakap ang kanyang ama nang mahigpit. Nagtagal iyon nang ilang minuto pa bago humiwalay si Ariah at bumalik sa panonood ng paborito niyang palabas sa TV. I bit my lip, feeling overwhelmed.

This is the second day of our stay at his villa, and I still can't shake the feeling that it's too good to be true. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just dreaming and all of this is just a beautiful but unreal nightmare.

Mula nang ianunsyo ang ownership ko sa Koa Enterprises at Ariah Motors ay nagdesisyon muna kaming mag lielow at magpahinga. Alam kong pareho naming kailangan ito ni Arik, lalo na't pakiramdam ko ay tama ang hinala namin tungkol sa posibleng pagsulpot ni Victoria Yuchengco.

I was lost in watching them when my cell phone rang on the kitchen counter. I quickly picked it up; it was Oliver, so I answered immediately.

"Are you free today? I'd like to discuss something with you," he said to me. "I'm on my way to your office—"

"Wala ako sa opisina, Oliver," I quickly replied, and I heard him taking a sip of his drink.

Hindi nga pala niya alam ang tungkol sa plano naming ito dahil abalang-abala siya sa sarili niyang mga negosyo.

"What? Where are you? Please don't tell me you've gone back to Arik's condo. I've told you it's not safe there, Celeste," he said, sounding concerned, which made me laugh.

"Hindi sa condo. Nasa bahay niya kami ngayon. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I explained.

At the same time, Oliver chuckled on the other end of the line, and suddenly, Arik wrapped his arm around my waist, which startled me nearly to the point of screaming.

"Who's that?" Arik whispered to me and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"That damn guy just can't wait—"

I couldn't hear what Oliver said next because Arik suddenly took my phone from me and put it to his ear.

"What were you saying? Stop calling my wife like you're some clingy bastard, Oliver. What else do you need?" Arik teased my brother, making me laugh even more.

I kept my eyes on Arik, especially when his expression turned serious as he looked at me.

"Why would they do that? I thought everything was settled," he asked the person on the other end.

"What's happening?" I couldn't help but ask him, as my curiosity was getting the best of me.

"That woman should know her place. I'll go with her to meet you," Arik said, then hung up and turned to me.

"Your stepmother has filed a case against you. It's about the inheritance your father left you. We need to go. She's finally surfaced," he said urgently, and I immediately grabbed his arm.