Blackmailed

Chapter 1

"Where have you been?" my father, Mr. Calixto Yujuico Jr., demanded as soon as I got out of my car. "Didn't you know how worried I was, Kali? Your grandmother said that you left her home in Batangas early in the morning to drive here. Bakit ngayon ka lang dumating?"

I gave him a bored look. "Worried? Really?" I said. "Since when? I do not remember you worrying when your wife kicked me out of the house I grew up in five years ago and I don't remember you worrying when I left the country to study abroad. Why start now?"

He had the decency to look away.

"Why do you want to see me?" I asked hating the painful twinge inside my chest seeing the tired lines creasing his face and the greying hair on his temples. "You look old, Dad," I tonelessly added. "Is your wife not taking care of you? At bakit dito n'yo ako pinapunta?"

"How was your flight?" he asked ignoring my questions.

I shrugged. "Brought me back alive and kicking," I answered as we both headed to the lift. "Whose building is this?"

"The Sia's."

"Ano po ang ginagawa natin dito?"

"Our family has a meeting with their family."

"And what has that got to do with me?"

"That's a silly question, Kali. Of course, you're family kaya ka nandito. I'm sorry, I wasn't able to go to your graduation—"

"Your presence wasn't missed or expected," I lied. "Besides, I graduated two years ago, Dad. Masyado na pong late 'yang explanation n'yo."

"I know. But, there was an emergency and I had to cancel my flight..."

"Emergency? Why, did one of Zari's nails die?" I asked laughing.

My father chose to remain quiet.

I inwardly sighed. "Why are you here, Dad? Hindi n'yo naman po ako kailangang sunduin. You should have just given me the floor and the conference room number, kaya ko naman pong umakyat mag-isa."

"I know you hate me—"

"I used to, Dad. But, now, I just don't care," I said before stepping inside the lift.

My father got in, too, before pressing a number on the panel.

"Babalik din po ako kaagad sa San Francisco. I will just be staying here for a week. Nag-leave lang po ako because Lola wouldn't stop asking me to come home dahil nga raw po pinapauwi n'yo ako. So, whatever you need from me, let's finish that quickly so we can get on with our lives," I said as the elevator started its ascent.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang sa kumpanya natin magtrabaho?" Dad queried. "One of the director positions is vacant."

"I don't want to just be a director in my family's company. But, if you decide to resign as CEO and you want me to take your post, we can talk."

"Kali..."

I ignored him.

He sighed. "Kumusta ka na? I heard from your Lola that you did well and you even graduated with top honors."

I chose not to reply.

"Your sister is excited when she learned that—"

"She's not my sister," I said cutting my father off. "She's your wife's daughter whom you adopted. She's not related to me."

"Kali, it's been five years. Kung ano man ang naging tampuhan ninyo ni Zari noon ay nakaraan na 'yun. You both turned into amazing women who are successful in your careers. Isn't it high time that you put the past behind you?"