DM #4: Ares Madriaga

Wakas

Wakas

I grew up knowing I would be the first to take over the airline, perhaps even before Sage could step in. It was always assumed I would step into that role. However, the reality is that I have no passion or interest in business. Despite the expectations placed on me, I find myself drawn to different paths, and the thought of managing the airline doesn't inspire me at all.

Kaya habang maaga pa, sinabihan ko na agad si Papa. He wasn't happy about it. I get it, especially since I'm his eldest son, and it's a blow to his pride because people already expected me to lead the company.

We were in his office, in the middle of our third argument this week, when Sage came in. Hindi siya pumapasok dito sa opisina ng ganitong oras, ngayon pa lang. He was still in his uniform, carrying his backpack on his right shoulder, and clearly he just got home from school.

"If you can wait until I turn 14, I can help with your company." malamig niyang sabi.

My father laughed unbelievably, almost sarcastic. Hindi ako nagbigay ng reaksyon at tinitigan lang ang kapatid ko.

He's expected to help with the company, but not this early. He knew I always had a clash with Papa, but he never asked me about it. Ngayon lang biglang sumingit.

Papa had no choice but to give in. I was too stubborn in setting my own path for him to change my mind. So, even though it was against his wishes, he allowed me to follow my own course. I sacrificed my pride to pursue medicine, which was a far cry from the airline I was meant to manage.

I continued to help with the company while Sage was still in training. So, while I was pursuing my pre-med, I was also helping with the airline. It was exhausting, but I never complained because it was something I had chosen for myself. I was also determined to make it work to prove myself to my father.

I lived my life following the course I chose, to the point I can't even break the loop. People often said I was so passionate about medical school that I could practically marry it.

They admired my dedication, but they didn't realize that much of it came from the pressure I was under. The expectations and demands on me were intense, and while I took on the challenge, it wasn't always driven by genuine passion.

At doon lang ako bahagyang nakahinga ng maluwag nang makita ko ang resulta ng lahat ng mga ginawa ko. At last, I experienced the contentment I had been searching for over the past years.

"I heard about your engagement," Sage suddenly spoke.

I'm currently in one of the VIP rooms at a club with Sage, Dean, Trent, and Lucian. Tonight is one of those random nights when we all happen to meet up at the same club.

"Yeah. Do you know the family of Cuanco?"

Sage shrugged. "Sounds familiar,"

Tahimik lang akong nakikinig. I silently swirled the whiskey in the glass I was holding.

"Don't you think you're too young to get married?" Trent intervened.

Dean grabbed the bottle of whiskey and refilled his glass.

"It's for business purposes, and as long as it helps the company, I'm all in." kalmadong sabi niya.

Trent scoffed unbelievably.

"Aren't you scared? What if you meet someone you truly love, but you're already married?"

Dean looked at him ridiculously and chuckled.

"That's not gonna happen. Why are you even asking? You're acting like you've already got plans to get married."

This is how it always goes. They don't want to commit because they're too caught up in their connections with different women. But that's their choice.