Perfect Imperfection

Chapter 5

A Tiny Hope

Reese's POV

Nung tinawag ako ni Dad sa office niya, worried but hopeful na ayos lang sya. His secretary said he fainted. Pero okay na.... Pero bakit nung pumasok ako, parang may mali. Stress na stress siya, and he didn't look like himself.

"Reese," he said, his voice strained.

"Hindi ko maintindihan. Bakit mo hiwalayan ni Riley?" even though he sounds so calm, he's glaring at me.

"Nagpapatawa ka ba, Dad? Why would I divorce him?" tawa ko. Nagulat ako ng may hinagis sya sa direksyon ko na mga papeles. Kahit gusto kong magtanong itinuro nya lang ang mga papeles na itinapon nya sa sahig kaya't isa isa ko ito ilimot. Sinulyapan ko muna si Dad bago sinimulan basahin ang mga dokumento. 

Annulment papers? 

Signed by Riley... and me?!

"How will you explain that?" Mukhang nagpipigil nyang sabi. 

"D-dad! These papers are fake! I-I never annulled him---" patigil ako sa pagsasalita ng sampalin nya ako. 

"Even if it's fake, it was still executed through the proper legal procedures! You let that bastard trick you!!" Baritadong boses nyang sigaw, hindi ko ininda ang sampal sakin ni Dad. Inisip ko ng mabuti ang sitwasyon. 

Riley... Riley had used my seal signature to make the annulment official. That's possible. We're staying on the same roof. I felt my stomach drop.

Natauhan ako ng galit akong sinigawan ni Dad.

"Are you listening?! Ayusin mo yang pamilya mo't pilitin mo nang magkaanak! Hindi tayo pwedeng kalabanin ng asawa mo! Dahil sayo, Lumago na ang kumpanya nya! I should have never let you support him---I knew this would happen!" Ang boses ni Dad ay nahihirapan na.

"D-Dad... Dad." Pagmamakaawa ko. Dinuro duro nya ako bago muling umupo sa itim na swivel chair. 

"You need to listen to me,"  nakuha ko ang kanyang atensyon ng sabihin ko ang lihim na matagal ko ng kinikimkim. "I can't," nanginginig na ang boses ko, my tears are flowing uncontrollably.

"You can't? You can't what?" He repeated while panting, glaring at me.

Kumuha muna ako ng lakas ng loob bago tinuloy ang sunod na sasabihin. "H-Hindi ko kayang magkaanak."

The shock on my father's face was immediate. He clutched his chest, gasping for air. "Dad.. Dad!" I screamed for help, but it was too late. He collapsed on the table.

I was left in shock, unable to process what was happening. I was staring at him. I can't process what's happening. "R..Reese..." he gasped before closing his eyes.

"Huhu Dad!!! Someone! Immediately call an ambulance!" Sigaw ko habang walang tigil ang luha, I can't feel his pulse.

May mga tao namang agad na nagsipasok.

"Mrs. Montesorri, what hap--"

"Emergency! The CEO collapse!"

"Hurryy.. Hu---"

I don't know what happened next. When people start entering the room. I fainted from the emotional burden.

Everything... went black.

Three days have passed.

I don't know why my heart is aching so much.

Nakatitig lang ako sa rectangular box na hinihigaan ni Dad, frozen lying on a glass crystal.

"Dad... What are you doing there?" I whispered, forcing a smile kahit ramdam ko na parang may sumasakal sa leeg ko.

"Aren't you suffocating inside? Stop sleeping na, it's morning ohh. Diba sabi mo, time is gold? We have things to do pa."