CHAPTER NINE
More Preparations
December 31, 2010. Before the end of the year, they had one of their serious conversations while at the veranda of Gonzalo Mansion. Margarita was by the concrete railings and Carlos was behind her enclosing her waist around his arms. They watched as Robert, Kenji and Willard set up the pyrotechnic devices that later was to display pyrotechnic lights all over the sky for fifteen minutes.
“What are you thinking,” he asked.
She replied, “Your dream farm is about to operate in a few more days. You are about to give employment to a lot of our kababayan.”
He modestly said, “I just want to be of help because I have the means.”
She recalled, “You also helped a lot of our kababayan in Tokyo.”
His response, “Your family has shown me the real meaning of helping – your Dad, your two Moms and especially you. You all helped those who were in need, those who had no means of paying back except through their sincerest gratitude.”
“I know Governor Romera is talking you into politics. I know you are not interested but should you decide to be a public servant, I will always be here to support you,” Margarita assured him.
“Thanks, sweetheart. But I really don’t want to follow on Papa’s political career,” he disclosed to her. “Politics was one of the reasons why my grandfather disapproved of nanay. Being the only son, Papa was expected to follow on his father’s footsteps. He was expected to marry well, do this, and do that.”
She could feel his pain, “But still Tito Conrado fought to have you. He really loved Nanay Amparo and you.”
“Yeah, nanay had instilled in me that fact. It was only through Papa’s letter that I had known the reason why he just had to see me once a year. There were times that I wanted to question Papa about it. Nanay told me not to. So, I just lived with it and got used to it.”
Doña Eleanor interrupted them, “It’s time to welcome the New Year.”
Don Alvaro was right behind Dona Eleanor as well as all their household staff.
Robert, Kenji and Willard started the pyrotechnics and immediately joined them at the veranda to have a much better view of the sky.
“Happy New Year, sweetheart,” Carlos kissed her lips lightly in front of everyone.
“Happy New Year too, sweetheart,” Margarita kissed his lips lightly too.
January 2, 2011. Sunday. After attending the morning mass, all the buildings and structures in Perez Farm as well as the new buildings and structures in Gonzalo Orchard were blessed. They all shared a sumptuous lunch with all the employees and farm workers who were to work for the farm and the orchard both stay-in and not.
In the afternoon, all the buildings and other structures in the residential and workplace compound they called Puerto de Amparo was blessed. The main mansion house was called Quinta La Amparo while the two guest houses were called Casa El Carlos and Casa La Margarita. The pediatric clinic was named Little Angels Pediatric Clinic, the workplace building of Carlos’ management and support staff as CL Enterprises Building, and the office building of the foundation as CMLF Building.
After the blessing, a thanksgiving dinner was held at the spacious garden of Quinta La Amparo.
Nina attended the thanksgiving party and they had the chance to talk in private in the orchidarium.
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Lãng mạnCarlos and Margarita grew up together. As the grow up, they had learned to love each other not just as siblings or as friends. Then they became far apart. The love they were keeping for one another stayed. Carlos, being an illegitimate son, strove...
