I'm Stuck with THE BOSS

13 (The Boy's Talk)

August 1, 2020

It's that time of the month. I have to go visit my dad for allowance and tuition. Hinatid naman ako ni Van sa bahay dahil may pakay rin naman siya doon.

Bumaba ako sa kotse and before I entered the house, I saw my car. So dito pala dinala ni Van. Tsk. This house used to be the happiest place for me but now it's nothing but sad memories.

Pumasok ako at nakita si Veronica kasama yung baby sa sala.

"Welcome back, Lhara." She said and smiled.

"Thank you." Mahinang sabi ko kahit labag sa loob ko.

"Gusto mo ba mahawakan ang baby brother mo?" Tanong niya.

At first, I was hesitant. Una sa lahat, wala akong experience sa baby. Pangalawa I hate Veronica.

Anyway tumango ako. I put the baby in ny arms. Veronica guided me.

I look at the baby. He's sound asleep. Tama nga sila, kahit gaano ka kagalit basta makakita ka ng baby parang mawawala ito.

"Ma, asan si tito Lorenz?" Tanong ni Van. He never called my Dad papa. Kasi hindi naman sila magkadugo.

"Nasa kwarto niya." Sabi ni Veronica.

"I'll go first, Van." Sabi ko sakanya at ibinalik kay Veronica ang baby brother ko.

Umakyat na ako sa kwarto. I opened the door and my dad was there on a phone call. It took minutes before he finally noticed me. He put the call down.

"Lhara, nakita mo na ba baby brother mo?" Tanong niya.

"Yea."

"Anyway, kamusta ka?" He asked.

"Fine."

"Kumakain ka naman ba ng maayos?"

"Yea."

"How about school? I know you're doing an OJT in our company. Van told me."

"Good. I'm here for the tuition." I said, coldly.

"How's your mom?" He asked.

"You know and you should be guilty." I said, emotionless.

"I'm sorry, anak but I have my reasons."

"But it doesn't change the fact that you ruined mom's and my life. You ruined our family."

~

Van's P.O.V.

Nang matapos ang maikling pag uusap ni Lhara at ni tito Lorenz, it was my turn. Lhara went back down stairs to play with the baby.

She's such a pure hearted rebel. And that makes her cute and interesting.

I closed the door behind me. Tito Lorenz's mood is off as usual. It must be another failed attemp to reconcile with his daughter, Lhara.

"Van, please keep an eye on Lhara. Kilala mo naman yung anak ko na yon. Ma pride, rebellious, but deep inside she's innocent and pure hearted." Sabi ni tito Lorenz.

"I'm so glad na naisip mong patirahin siya sa condo mo. I won't forgive myself if something bad happens to her."

"Opo tito, walang anuman."

"How did you manage to do that tho? Alam mo namang matigas ang ulo ng anak ko na yon and she hates being around people who hurt her."

"Long story po tito, pero for short she owes me a debt of around 32k. I used it against her."

"Seriously?! Ayaw pa naman ng batang yun na mayroon siyang utang na loob. As usual, you're smart. That's why I trust you." Sabi niya at tinapik ang balikat ko.

"Bakit po pala 1k a week lang binibigay niyo sakanya? Parang kulang iyon." Tanong ko.

"Good question. You know her, Van. She likes to run away when she feels hurt. She will probably use money to get away from this country or something so I closed her bank account as well. Remember the time when you two broke up? She went to Japan on her own! And she was in senior highschool that time! God, that was crazy buti nalang at na trace ko siya don."

"Yes po tito. I understand."

"So, don't give her too much money. Baka magising ka nalang wala na siya sa condo mo. Keep an eye on her. I can't lose her this time. Atleast, pag nandoon siya sayo, kampante akong safe siya." Sabi niya.

"Sige po. Anyway, about the guns and bombs... Nahuli yung isang ship kaya hindi na sila makakabalik. We lost about 500 million."

"I knew it. Isa pa yan sa problema ko eh."

"Anything else po bago ako umalis?" I asked.

"It's only an ample of time before I get suspected. I am now preparing the best lawyers and hiring extra body guards. In connection with this, I have a favor to ask you." Sabi niya.

"Ano po yun?" Tanong ko.

"Can you marry Lhara? She needs to get her last name changed as soon as possible. I don't want her involved in this. It's dangerous. Alam mo naman sa mundo ng illegal, kung hindi pera ang gagawing pain, pamilya o kaya mahal sa buhay."