Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 4: Disapproved

"Good morning, sweetie!"

I smiled at my mom and greeted her back. "Good morning, mom." I gave her a kiss on her cheek and did the same thing to my dad. "Good morning, dad."

"Good morning!" He greeted me with a smile. "You look beautiful as always, my bunso."

"Thanks, dad."

Umupo na ako sa usual spot ko para sumabay sa kanila magbreakfast. Dad and I usually go to work together. Sa isang bahay lang naman kasi kami nakatira unlike Gray who live separately kaya hindi naman siya kasabay ni dad pumasok sa company.

"How was your first day of training Benj's son? Maayos ba siya magtrabaho? Do you think he's capable of finishing his training on time?"

I chewed the food that was inside my mouth before I answered, "It was good, dad. Though hindi ko talaga trip ang ugali niya. He's very playful, so I have to be stricter to him."

I had to tell dad the half truth kasi ayoko na dumating ang time na baka hindi ko na kayanin ang makisama kay Aaron. Ayokong mabigla siya if ever I would give up. I wanted to give him an idea kung anong klaseng tao si Aaron.

"O-Oh. That's not good. Tell me if he's playing games with you. Ako mismo ang magte-train sa kanya. Besides, ako naman dapat, but I'm busy for the next months."

"I understand, dad. Kaya ko pa naman siya e-handle, but I'll let you know when things get out of control."

Dad shook his head as he remembered something. "I just realized that all the rumors I heard about him were true. Benj was unfortunate to have an only son na  hindi pa nagtitino. I heard he had been busy traveling around the world for whatever reason and spending his family's money."

"They have money to spend, Garret. It was obvious that the young man was spoiled growing up kaya naging ganyan," mom added.

"Even though, wife. Do you think at his age, it's time for him to think how to help his dad? If he's responsible, he will initiate an effort. Siya lang naman ang inaasahan ni Benj na magmamana ng business nila."

"Every person has its own timeline of maturity, Garret. Nagkataon lang na hindi pa ito ang oras para sa kanya. You know how young generations live their lives today," mom stated.

Napailing si dad. "I just hope our daughter won't fall into a man like him. I don't want my daughter to be in the hands of an irresponsible man like him."

Mom laughed at daddy's remarks while I was taken aback. "Ang sama mo sa bata."

"I have nothing against him. I was just telling the truth. Look at Genie, she found Justin for her whom I really liked —kind, respectful and responsible. Why? Do you want your daughter to marry a man like Aaron? Anong ipapakain niya sa anak natin? Asin?" Napapailing na sabi ni dad. I swallowed hard.

Dad was so vocal about how he liked ate's special someone. I couldn't stop myself from feeling jealous. Paano pag kami parin ni Aaron hanggang ngayon? Ikakahiya siya ni dad, and I doubt na tatanggapin niya ito.

Seeing Aaron now, he was the exact definition of dad's unwanted kind of man for me. Should I consider myself lucky that we divorced?

"Well, if he'll change for our daughter, why not?" Mom shrugged.

Dad was about to say something pero inunahan ko na siya. I wasn't comfortable sa pinag uusapan nila.

"Mom, dad, let's just talk something else."

Besides, walang silbi na pag usapan siya. He's not part of my life anymore. Hindi na ako interesado marinig ang tungkol sa kanya. Hanggat maaari ay ayaw ko na siya maging part ng buhay ko. What we had now was purely work and business, and I couldn't wait for his training to end.