Then There Was You

17

Den's POV

Day by day, our dreams are coming true. I already returned from Japan. Dad wants to see me. Yes, Tito Ruel insisted that I should call him Dad. Aly already told him about our engagement. Anyway, the day my plane landed here in Calgary, Aly fetch me and bought me an engagement ring. Then the next day was Aly's flight heading to Russia. Dad wants him to handle our business there for a month. It made me sad, Aly and I didn't had enough time to catch up. We just made love, I made sure that I made him tired and satisfied. These days, it's really hard to see Aly. Anyway, Dad assigned me as the President of ARVLDZ Malls. As for Aly, he's the CEO of ARVLDZ Group. Dad's still the Founding Chairman. The Board doesn't want Dad to resign. They're afraid because of Aly. Aly can fire hundreds of employee in just a day, just like what he did in their company in New Zealand. The first time he set foot on ARVLDZ NZ, he fired hundreds. They are complaining because of Aly's harsh way of running the Company. But, alam niyo ba sinabi ni Aly noong tumawag si Dad sakanya? Let me quote 'I just did some General Cleaning. I'll step down right now if I did something wrong. I don't want some corrupt employees here. Nagkataon lang na naka kita ako ng discrepancy sa reports nila.' that's exactly what he said.

"Den, good to see you again!" Dad hugs me.

I hugged him back before we sat across each other. The food also arrive.

"Parang ang dami niyo naman pong inorder?"

"Ah, yeah. Namiss kasi kita and Aly reminded me to feed you lots of food. So, shall we eat?" Dad said.

I nod my head. We both started eating.

"Dad, why did you want to see me?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah. Aside from missing you, I want you to take over the construction of our new mall."

"Oh, sure Dad. When?"

"Aren't you supposed to ask where?"

"Huh? Yeah? Where are you planning to build our new mall?" I ask while chuckling.

"Philippines." Dad said.

I nodded my head. Waiting for him to continue what he's going to say.

"So, what can you say? I want you to do this, but I don't think Aly will allow you." Dad added.

"Hmm. I want to do this for Aly." I said.

"You think Aly will say yes?"

"I'll do whatever I can, Dad. I really want to do this. Dad!"

Dad chuckled on me. I want him to help me convince Aly. I know Aly will not allow me. Of course. Aly's really protective over me.

"Den, only you can make Aly say yes. Anyway, let me look at your engagement ring." Dad lend me his hand.

I held his hand using my left hand, he looks at the ring and smiled.

"I remember Aly's mom. Did you know? It was also our 7th year when I proposed to her? How did my son ask you to marry him?"

I told him what Aly did. He laugh his ass off that he almost fell from his seat.

"Aly really did that? Oh god, I'm so ashamed of that rascal." Dad said.

I also laugh and shook my head. I never expected him to propose in that way, what I expected was he'll just ask me casually like hey Den, you want to get married? Something like that. But, no. He made it different this time. Maybe he knows that I'm not expecting him to go on his knees and pull out a ring, and hey, if he's not planning to propose to me by the end of this year, I'll be the one to propose.

"Dad. I think I know how to make Aly say yes." I said.

He looks at me seriously, then signals me to continue.

"I'll fly to Russia. Let me stay there for 3 days, Dad?"

"And then?"

"And then, I'll do my best to make him say yes."

"Hmm. Alright. I have my trust in you. Also, Den. Please don't think that I'm doing this to separate you and Aly. Instead, I'm doing this to make you guys grow apart. You've been together for 7 years and in the next few years, you'll tie the knot. I want the both of you to experience being away from each other and see if you guys will do everything just for each other. I don't want the both of you getting hurt if ever one of you realize something. Okay?" Dad reminded.

I nodded my head. We continued our father and daughter bonding. We go to different shops, we play arcade, then we ate so many sweets. I know Aly will get mad and scold me for eating too much sweets. But good thing he's not in here. Hindi niya malalaman.