The New Year Kiss

11. What Really Happened in London Part 1 of 3

GREYSON LOPEZ'S POV

I found it ridiculous when I heard some rumors saying that I was a problematic guy that's why I was "forced" to come home to the Philippines after 9 long years, when in fact, contrary to the rumors, I came home because I tried to be a good and obedient son.

I am Greyson Dane Antonio Lopez, born and raised in the Philippines until I was 10 years old, sole heir to the empire that is the Lopez Group of Companies. My mom, Grace Antonio, got married to my dad, Arturo Lopez as part of a business merger and this is not some family secret that we try to hide. Just google it, you will see.

I grew up knowing how unhappy my mom was with the marriage. That was primarily the reason why we decided to move to London, my mom and I. Bata man ako noon, pero hindi ako tanga. I was fully aware of the pressure and strain the whole business brought into their relationship. But the marriage had to be salvaged. Business is business, right? Kaya my mom decided na it was better for us to just stay away. Iwas gulo, iwas away. Out of sight, out of mind. Total, palagi rin namang wala si dad because of business trips.

I managed to live a normal life in London. I attended a private, all-boys boarding school, was even the quarterback of my football team, played ice hockey and tennis all throughout, so basically, it wasn't that bad. As an only son of a rich businessman, I had accepted the fact na papunta rin naman sa business ang profession ko... Until my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

I was with her the whole time and I saw before my eyes how she deteriorated in the nursing home over the years. After she died about 3 years ago, I asked my dad to start the Lopez Foundation for Alzheimer's and I willingly volunteered kahit highschool pa lang ako noon, to support the campaigns of the foundation. Now that I'm 19, I have become more active with the whole foundation and I took the initiative to spearhead it myself.

Eventhough I have fully accepted the fact that I was supposed to go the "business" route, spending time with the elderly in the nursing home for years gave me the idea that maybe, I was meant for something else. Gusto ko maging doctor.

Sinekreto kong mag-apply for pre-med because I knew my dad was gonna get angry. My mom knew about it and tried to cover for me, and I thought I was going to get away with it. Wala naman si dad palagi. I was accepted at Imperial College London.

Walls have ears and secrets that big can't be kept for a long time. Dad found out when I was in 2nd-year pre-med. But dad is not the angry, violent, nagging type. He seldom talks but when he does, tagos hanggang buto.

True enough, isang statement lang ang hinding hindi ko makakalimutan.

"If you insist on doing things your way, kung ayaw mo talaga mag business, I am willing to compromise. Get married as soon as possible and give me a grandson to continue this empire."