Until we meet again

Chapter 18 -->

**Gavin's POV**

3 weeks na ang nakalipas mula nung maoperahan ako. I feel great! Parang bagong-bagong ako. Every single day is going too well. Except for the bad news I overheard in my Dad's study room.

"I can't let my son marry your daughter! Alam kong may paraan pa para mabawi yung nalugi sa kompanya ko...Isabel is a nice girl, I know. But my son has a girlfriend...I'll find a way....Ok...Bye."

Papasok sana ako sa study room ni Dad nung marinig kong may kausap sya sa phone. Isabel? Is he talking about Isabel Reece? Yung anak ng business partner ni Dad na saksakan ng taray at ganda? I used to like her when we were kids. Pero lagi nya akong inaaway, tinataboy, then I met Tin, that kid from the park. Nalipat yung fantasy ko sa promise naming dalawa. 

"Dad?" pumasok ako sa study room ni Dad nung masiguro kong wala na syang kausap sa phone.

"Gavin? Come here...we need to talk." eto na yun. No idea ako kung anong desisyon nya tungkol sa narinig ko. Pero, I hope he's not gonna let me marry that girl.

"Dad, narinig ko pong kausap nyo si Mr. Reece. Is there a problem?" umupo ako sa tapat ni dad.

"Gavin, you shouldn't think about anything like this. Kagagaling mo lang sa operasyon, baka makasama sa'yo. But, I'm sorry son, you really have to know."

"Okay? I'm okay dad. I'm ready to listen. Spiel it." umayos ako ng upo.

"Medyo palugi kasi ang kumpanya natin ngayon. I spent millions of pesos sa operation mo, anak. I took some millions from the company's profit. And now, Mr. Reece is trying to blockmail me, for you to marry his daughter, Isabel Reece." napanganga ako sa revelation ni Dad.

"Dad, hindi pwede! Si Jessie! Pano si Jessie. I love her more than anything in this world, and I can't leave her alone!" 

"I know! Don't worry son, I'll risk everything for your happiness." nakaramdam ako ng guilt.

Ilang araw pa ang lumipas, at sa nakikita ko, patindi ng patindi yung pananakot ni Mr. Reece kay Dad na sya na ang magtetake over sa role ni Dad sa company. He looked so stressed. Si Mommy naman, inaatake ng hypertension. Ayokong nakikita silang nahihirapan ng ganyan.

I took my phone from my bedside table and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"Jessie..."

"Gavin? Bakit ngayon ka lang ulet tumawag? Miss na miss na kita. Kumusta na yung pakiramdam mo?"

"Okay na ako. How are you?"

"Okay ako! Okay na okay. Kelan ka babalik?" Jessie...I'm really sorry. 

"Good to hear that you're okay." I didn't answer her question. Hooo! Sakit pala sa ilong pag nagpipigil ka ng luha, noh! "I have to go, Jessie. Bye." 

Hindi ko na inintay yung sagot nya. I quickly pressed the end button of my phone and let my tears fell on my cheeks. Napalitan lang yung puso ko, naging sobrang iyakin na ako. Bading ba yung dating may-ari ng puso na 'to?!

I spoke to my parents and told them my decision. Sa una, ayaw nila. But when they got my point, pumayag na rin sila. 

Now, I'm meeting Isabel Reece in just a small cafe here in LA. I feel guilty about this. I'm cheating on Jessie. I hate the feeling. Well, my plan is just to gather some information against the Reeces. I'm gonna use it to blockmail Mr. Reece, so he can break off our engagement.

Quite a hard job to do for someone who just had a major operation. 

"Gavin!" napatingin ako sa babaeng tumawag sakin. Naglalakad na sya palapit sakin. Tumayo ako para salubungin sya. Nang makalapit na sya, I initiated a kiss on her cheek but it slipped to her lips. Nanlaki yung mata ko, pero sya, parang wala lang sa kanya yun?!