Silent Hearts

8 : Guilt

Cali*

“Ma, Pa” I said as I reached them yet Mama Lola greeted me with a tight hug. 

“Good noon, Venice” , welcomed by Papa Carlo as He holds my cheeks longer like he used to do when we saw each other every time.

“Good noon too Ma, Pa” speaking as I sat down on the sofa chair.

“Cali Honey? You must be starving. I am going to serve the food this instant” she seems so tensed up as she walks to the kitchen and couldn’t look at me straight while Papa is staring at me in a deep breaths.

‘What are you thinking Pa?’ I thought to myself.

‘I am okay Pa, even if you lied to me I accept everything. I am fine, it was just that you didn’t explain HOW.’

“Papa please” I begged for the explanation I needed as I was holding his hand assuring that I’ll take everything peacefully. 

“Here is the food” declared by Mama, preparing my favourite dish; Lasagna with Cheese hotdogs but she noticed my hand on Papa, she smile onto that.

After all, they all know me. My movements, my mannerism and my facial expression, they already know what does it all means. And at this moment I want to know everything, right now, at this moment.

“Eherm, Venice please let us eat first. Darling” he assured as he put his other hands on mine.

/+/

After the silent lunch.

Sipping on my frappe intently looking at them. Waiting for them to talk, as I already don't know what to feel or express.

They heave a sigh. 

“First Venice, I want to apologize for keeping the marriage to you” Papa Carlo started as I let go of the straw and looked at him.

“Pa, I can always forgive you, just that this time I think I can’t forget that this has to happened” I responded.

“Thank you for the acceptance. However, I know you are questioning how this happened as me and your father keep this to you” he continues as I continue to sip.

“I know, Cali. I know that your trust on us are fading and I’ll take that as our fault but you should know that your Dad and your Papa Carlo had this agreement that when you are ready and tougher at the age of 25, we can reveal it to you.” Mama explained why they told me this at the formalities exactly. Correctly they made Karlhou tell it to me, and  the confusing part is that I am 26, what to them so long to reveal it.

“I understand” I squeak. “But how? And its kinda late, I am already 26?”

“I already know that you’ll ask that” Papa intercept.

“Karlhou signed the contract when he was drunk. Your father was threatening us if we didn’t make the two of you marry. He’ll kill Karlhou’s Grandfather, your Grand Clause.” He continues as I widen my eyes.

Can my father really do that?

I know he is a tyrant and materialistic person but I just couldn’t make it sink in my brain.

“Yes, He can do that Cali” Mama sniffs, as I noticed that her eyes are teary.

“I know there is a reason why” I ask them wiping Mama’s tears away.

“Your Grand Clause has a million dollar debt on your grandfather, Mr. Sylso. And your grandfather are demanding to have a Guzcaro and Rocca partnership but that's not all. He wants a beacon of that partnership” Papa explained while I was contemplating everything.