The Employee (GxG)

Chapter 30: Girls - Part 1

Jaime's POV

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"No, this has to be a joke."

"Jaime, it's okay. Over the years I've watched you grow. You've accomplished so much, my child. And I know you can do well on your own now. You don't need Dad anymore. You should let me go."

"No! I can't let that happen, Dad! You're all I have left!"

"You're wrong, Jaime. You have Izzy here. Your girlfriend. Jules. The club. This hospital. A lot of people will still be here for you. You won't even notice that I'm gone."

"You're wrong, too, Dad. Life won't be the same you. I need you. I will always need you."

Lumingon ako kay Izzy.

"Anong sakit ni Dad? Tell me, Isobel!"

Ibinaling kong muli ang tingin sa aking ama.

"I think you're forgetting that your child is a freaking doctor! I can help you. Izzy and I can help you!"

Pagtingin kong muli kay Izzy, nakatakip ang kaniyang mga kamay sa mukha at umiiling-iling.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Nick. I can't do this."

"Oh, come on, Isobel!" Dismayadong sabi ni Dad kay Izzy.

"What's going on?" Kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Itanong mo kay Uncle Nick. Siya ang may pakana nito." 

"Oh God. Oh no." Pati ako napatakip narin sa mukha.

"What?" Sabay na tanong nila Dad at Izzy.

"This is a prank, isn't it?" Nakapikit kong sabi.

Tumawa ng malakas si Dad.  

"You guys are the absolute worst!"

"Hoy! Wala akong kinalaman dyan ha!" Depensa ni Izzy.

"Yet you went on board with my plan. Technically, you're an accomplice, Isobel." Nakangising sabi ni Dad.

"Uggghhh!! This is so not funny!" Inis na komento ko.

"Now you know how it feels to be at the receiving end of a prank." Natatawang sabi naman ni Dad.

"So this is truly just a joke, right? You're not actually dying." Sabi ko.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You don't have any complain? Nothing is wrong with you?"

"Well.." Mahinang sabi ni Izzy.

"Isobel, don't." Pagpigil sa kaniya ni Dad.

"Ano 'yun? Anong hindi niyo sinasabi sa akin?!"

Ayos lang naman magsalita ng Tagalog sa harap ni Dad. Nakakaintindi na siya pero nahihirapan siyang magsalita.

"Tell her, Uncle Nick." Sabi ni Izzy.

"No."

"If you won't, I will."

"Alright, alright! I will tell Jaime everything."

"Tell me what exactly?" Tanong ko.

"So Joaquin picked me up at the airport. He asked me if I was tired from my flight, I said no. The flight was quite nice and I was feeling fine. So he invited me to come over to this restaurant called Pegasus--"

"Dad!!! Pegasus is not a restaurant!"

"Let me finish my story!"

"Fine!"