Hounding Howard (COMPLETED)

33 The story

Althea POV

The old man seems to be lost in his own thoughts while looking way pass me. He has been twisting his gold cane while thinking. Then he fish his wallet from his pocket and showed me a picture of my father. In the photo my father was so serious standing beside a proud-looking Abuelo. He doesnt look like much of what I recall he looked like. When I was a kid I remembered my father to be a cheerful and always smiling guy. He laughs a lot too and he always play with me.

"Your father was a good son, a good son I do not deserve. I know you didnt remember much of him, you were so young when you lost him. I am the one who drove your father away, made him a sinner and later on, I cause his death because of my selfishness.

I arranged your father in a loveless marriage. All I think about back then was what's good for my business, to expand my empire and to crash competitions. And I succeeded, but I didnt know that I will also lose my son in the process. The old man swallowed hard as if recalling the story is also hard for him. I gave him back his wallet as he put it back in his pocket.

"He tried, believe me, he tried to measure up with my expectations. He even produced me with two beautiful grandchildren and still I pushed him, I want a son from him. I want an heir I can pass this legacy because I want to raise that grandchild like a cut-throat business tycoon like me. That's how greedy I am." He said and I can hear that his voice slightly shook. He cleared his throat then proceed into telling his story. I am now curious as hell as I stayed quiet but listening intently.

"Because of greed, I made my son die little by little. He is withdrawn and depressed but still I pushed him to be the best businessman, to deserve my empire and to produce an heir.

Then one day, your father became full of life, he is more cheerful and he would do good in the office. He looked.... happy. It somehow made me curious, what changed?! That's when I found out that he is having an affair with your mother. I confronted him and for the first time in his whole life he had grown a backbone and answered back at me. We fought and he left. He throws everything...his power, money, position, his marriage, his two daughters and me. He did that because he fell inlove with your mother and that's how I lost my son. And I regreted everything. I realized after he is gone, that if only I listened to him and understand him, maybe he will still be with us." He cleared his throat again as if the memory of his son brings forth his weakness.

"And so my grandchild, I am sorry that I lost you and your father. If only I didnt pushed him to marry someone he didnt like, everything might have been more easy. Your father must have been alive until today. I am sorry that because of my greed, your father paid for everything. You paid for everything." Mahinahong ani ng matanda. Namalayan ko na lang na umiiyak ako ng mabining pinunas ng kulubot nyang kamay ang pisngi kong basa na pala ng luha.

"Hindi nyo naman po kasalanan na mali ang piniling landas ni papa at mama." Mahinang nasabi ko na lang. kahit papaano ay naintindihan ko ang dinadalang guilt ng matanda sa dibdib nya. Pakiramdam nito marahil ay sya ang pumatay sa sarili nyang anak.

"It's because I didnt give my son a choice Althea. I disowned him and break him. I didnt give him a choice to choose who to be and who to love. I killed him with my greed....But you, I want you to have all the choices. That is why I told Howard I want him to sign the annulment papers. I want you to always have a choice Althea." Madiing anito sa akin na ikinatango ko sa kanya.

"Howard is the one who asked me if he could marry you, dear child. I will never arranged marriage again after what happened to your father. I wouldnt have agreed to marry you off if I only knew you will someday ask for the annulment. I even discouraged that arrogant ass by laying out an ultimatum of four months at him. He was at the losing end and I just want to dissuade him because you are too young Althea but I also dont want to interfere. I have given you all the decisions to make. But you turn out to be inlove and that is all I am really aiming for, child." His eyes looks lovingly at me.

"I thought you will be happy with Howard because it is you who said yes to his marriage proposal. Remember when I asked you if you are happy? You said yes and I am contented with that. You even told me you love the young chap and so I trusted you and supported you." Mahabang pahayag nito na nagpalinaw sa akin sa mga tanong sa isip ko. Sa mga pahayag ng matanda ay pakiramdam ko ay buong katotohanan lahat ng sinasabi nito. Ramdam ko iyon sa bawat bigkas nito ng salita. Ramdam ko ang pag aalaga nya. Tama sya, ako ang nagdesisyon ng lahat. Ako ang umoo sa relasyon, ako ang umoo na gumawa ng paraan na makasal kami ni Howard, ako ang umoo sa kasal.

"I'm sorry I tricked you into becoming a Devaraux, I just want to secure your future. I want to give you what a Devaraux grandchild deserves because I dont know how long will I live to take care of all of you. I want you to receive what is rightfully yours Althea." I didnt know how to respond to that.

"I treated Howard as my own since his parents are busy with their own selfish careers. I understand that because in my youth I once was a very business-oriented, career-driven man. Only in these remaining days of my life that I am starting to see life in a different light. What really matters and what really counts. What truly is important and that is Family. " he smiled at me when he said that, it somehow touched something inside my heart as I quietly wait for his next words.

"Howard somehow didnt mind being left alone by his own parents because he likes being with us. Your sisters and Howard were inseparable while growing. But Howard is a restless boy, who always find home with his travel. Maybe he is also longing for his parent's care, I really cant tell. The plane turns out to be his safe haven, he felt he is closer to his father while he is in it, you know that his father owns an airline. And the countries he visited is his life because he get to sometimes relate to his mother who is a news anchor. But everything changes when you come along Althea. You became the home to that restless soul. He stayed here because of you." He said and I stared at him wide eyed. The truth of his words hit me like a lightning bolt and shocked me with realizations.

"Now that is the end of my story Althea. You do the conclusion and if ever there are questions remaining in your head, please ask away and dont hide again." Nakatinigan ko ng pagbibiro ang matanda na ikinangiti ko sa kanya.

"Sorry po Abuelo kung naging mapagmatigas ako at hindi ko muna inalam ang katotohanan." Mapagpakumbaba kong sabi sa matanda na ikinatango nito. Banaag ko kaagad ang pagpapatawad sa mukha ng matanda.

"I can see in your eyes that you still have questions in your head. Ask the right person Althea. He can also tell you his side of the story." Ani ng matanda na ikinatango ko pero alam kong hindi ko kayang tanungin si Howard. Kailangan ko munang pag isipan ng mabuti ang lahat.

"Abuelo, kailangan ko na pong umalis." Aniko sa matanda

"You can stay here Althea. You are always welcome here." Ani ng matanda sa akin na ikinangiti ko.

"Hindi na po Abuelo. Baka po umalis din po ako ng bansa." Aniko sa matanda. He chuckled at me and then moved towards the big table at the center of the library. He opened some drawers and took out a folder. He showed it to me and I stared at it dumbfounded.

"You are hard headed just like your sister, just like me. Here is your annulment papers if you choose to walk away from him dear child. Your choice Althea. It has always been your decision my grandchild." He said as he handed it to me.

I sat there frozen and staring at the signed papers at my lap. Confuse once again.