Falling For Mikhaela Janna Lim

Chapter 22: Call

MIKHA'S POV

After catching up with my Lola yesterday, I decided it was time to go home and have a serious conversation with my parents.

I’m planning to take on more responsibilities in our family business... but quietly.

I need to start making moves without drawing attention.

It’s hard to operate in secret if my dad's people don’t even know who I am, so I'm thinking of asking my parents to arrange a meeting with our most trusted people to reveal my identity.

This way, I can begin to take action behind the scenes before my public introduction.

I don't know, pero feel ko na kailangan ko nang gumalaw beyond my parents' will soon—nararamdaman ko na may magiging dahilan ako.

There are already people who are against my life kahit hindi pa ako kilala bilang tagapagmana ng pamilya ko.

What about when that time comes?

When does everyone know who I am?

And I also need to meet my grandparents' trusted people so I can make sure na hindi manghihimasok ang parents ko.

This is the only way I can avoid my parents interference—using my status as their only grandchild to my advantage.

I'm not planning to go against my parents, but I know they tend to meddle in my decisions.

I'm just trying to be prepared and take some steps in advance, just in case.

I’ve seen how they can be—always wanting to control every little thing.

Naiintindihan ko naman na they just want the best for me, but sometimes, I need to make my own moves, my own decisions.

Alam kong mahal ako ng mga magulang ko, but I need to carve out my own space within the family business, on my terms dahil ako rin naman mag mamana lahat.

So, while I'm not planning to defy them, I’m making sure I have some leverage.

That’s why I’m involving my grandparents' trusted people too.

They’ve always had my back, and if I can get them on my side, it’ll be easier to manage things without my parents constantly looking over my shoulder.

This is the only way I can ensure that I’ll have some autonomy.

Napabalik ako sa wisyo nang marinig ko ulit ang boses ni Dad.

"Are you sure about this, Mikhaela?" tanong ni Dad, habang nakatingin sa'kin na parang binabasa ang isip ko.

"Of course, I'll get there rin naman, bakit hindi na ngayon?" tanong ko nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

I need to be careful with my words, I know my parents are suspicious about why I made this sudden decision.

"Okay then, after your grandmother's birthday celebration tomorrow." sabi ni Dad kaya napatango na lang ako at naglakad papunta sa pinto para lumabas ng opisina niya.

"And I want you to attend it."

Napahinto naman ako at naguguluhan tumingin sa kanya.

I never attend any family celebration held in public because it's dangerous for me, or so they say.

"No worries, your grandmother's birthday celebration theme is masquerade." dagdag niya nang makita ang pagkalito sa mukha ko.

"Is she for real?" tanong ko na hindi makapaniwala, pero wala akong nakuha sagot from him  bukod sa mahina niyang pagtawa.