A Twist Of Time

nine

"What's your full name?"

I was now sitting on a chair in front of his table. "Valerie Margaret Helfon. Yours?"

"Sergio Suico Osmena."

"I never knew you had a middle name," I said, averting my eyes to his. I wanted to make a sarcastic remark because did he actually think I didn't know that that was his name? We've been learning about the presidents for ages. But I decided against it.

"I never knew you did, too. Nationality?"

"Spanish-Filipino. I think you're Chinese-Filipino?"

"Yes, we're both mestizos."

"Those are half Filipinos, right?"

"Mhm." Margaux's voice was heard from inside, and she was screaming orders at the soldiers, making Sergio chuckle. "Do you want me to tell you something about Margaux?"

"Go ahead."

"She was a mean child; she often stole pens and markers from my desk and sold them to her playmates."

I gasped. "Really?"

"But she was very smart. She had the highest grades in her whole batch and received a lot of medals. Which was why Manuel thought it was great to have her as a presidential adviser."

I rest my head on my hand. "Why do you know so much about her childhood? It's almost as if you've known her her whole life."

"I have. Manuel was friends with her father."

Internally, I had a lot of questions. His answer gave me more things to inquire about. Margaux was an interesting person. "Are they really?"

He suddenly looked nervous. "They were. But that's not the only reason why."

"What's the other reason?"

He bit his lip and looked down. "I'd rather not tell."

"I thought we were building trust? Besides, why did you bring that up if you weren't ready to explain? I can ask you more questions." I pouted. He returned his look to me.

"Yes, but there's something deeper than me just being her boss and knowing her whole life."

"You're telling me you'd rather not tell, but you're giving subtle hints about what it is. Come on, just tell me-"

He took a deep breath.

"I'm Margaux's father."

For the second time today, I was shocked. And both of those were courtesy of him. Damn, that's why. I think I might have touched a sensitive topic.

I, the inquisitive chatterbox I was, asked, "What? How? I thought it was that one American soldier-"

"It's a long story, actually. I'm guessing she already told you I had loved someone in the past?" I nodded. "Well, I had a child with that woman and we separated as soon as she gave birth. I knew that a lot of people would go against the child because they thought that I wouldn't have time for it. I had time, but a lot of people bombarded me with letters telling me to give her away. Eventually, I had to, because even Manuel and Aurora were advising me to."

He laughed, but it sounded so bitter and remorseful that I felt guilty bringing up the subject. "It hurts," he said, "it hurts when I remember having to give her away to Robert Westfeld. Manuel trusted him, and Robert agreed to let me come and visit Margaux every one in a while.

"Her name isn't actually just Margaux Westfeld, it's Margaux Serena Westfeld. The Serena was named after me, but removed so she wouldn't have suspicions. When she was eleven, Robert died and Manuel adopted her as a joke to piss me off. But he then realized how big of a responsibility this 'joke' was and made Margaux his adviser. After all, she was smart."

He started crying and I didn't know what to say. This was so personal, so heartbreaking that I actually wanted to cry. He was supposed to be a father to a child he's always wanted, but his own people went against that.

"Well, do you want her to know that she's your daughter?" I asked. Sergio wiped his tears on his sleeve.

"No, but if she must, then I'll let whatever happen."

I got up and rubbed his back. It was surprising he wasn't sweating; the room was hot. Instead, he was crying with his head down on his desk. "At least she knows that you care about her, right? And she's grown up to be a respectable lady. You should be proud."

He propped his head on his palm. "I guess I should."

"Come on, don't be sad. Turn that frown upside-down!" I exclaimed. I made a sad face and pretending as if I was a magician, turned it into a happy one. "See?"

"What was that?" he asked, confused but slightly laughing.

"I made myself smile!"

He smiled. "There. You happy now?"

"Yes. Very."

A silence fell among us, but he broke it; maybe that was his talent, breaking silences. "You should do that more often," he said.

"What should I do more often?"

"That. That smile trick. You look adorable."

And I blushed. I wasn't supposed to do that; it was wrong on so many levels. One, he's dead in my time. Two, it was just a compliment and I took it as if he told me I was the most beautiful girl alive. Three, if I ever fell in love with him, I would technically be Margaux's stepmother. And that was weird. But why was I going to fall for him just because of a compliment?

"Hello? Are you alright?" He waved to me with his free hand. I shook myself out of my daze and looked around.

"I'm just—thank you."

"You're welcome."

Ask me if the silence came back. Did it? Of course it did. Did I feel awkward? Yes.

"So, am I supposed to tell Margaux that story? You didn't tell me anything on keeping it."

He thought for a moment. "We should keep it to the both of us and Manuel, because as far as I know, it's only you, me, and him that know this."

"Another question; why did you suddenly trust me? What's about us being nice to each other? I thought I hated you and you hated me."

"I don't hate you. You just got on the wrong side of me the day that we first met. Pano ba naman, sinungitan mo kaagad ako." (How won't you when you immediately sassed me.)

"Ganun talaga 'ko. Masungit. Pero mabait." (I'm really like that. Sassy. But nice.)

"Mabait? Talaga?" (Nice? Really?) He laughed. It felt nice seeing him laugh after a huge emotional breakdown.

"Oo kaya!" (Yes I am!) I answered, nudging him in the shoulder. He continued laughing while I was telling him to stop, which ended up in him falling out of his chair. It was now my turn to laugh. "That's what you get. Have fun down there."