Untold Chase [Completed] - Executive Series #2

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I picked up the phone to answer the call. Mabuti na lang at nakalabas na si Finn, maybe maiinis siya kapag nalaman niyang tumatawag sa akin si daddy.

"Hey dad." Bati ko at hinarap ang phone ko sa akin. It's a video call.

"Kara, oh honey. I missed you so much." Dad replied.

He's been aging. I can see his wrinkles over the phone.

"Yeah, me too. How's life dad? Is mom with you?" I ask. Mukha kasing mag-isa lang niya sa office. I know he's in the office kasi ganoon na ganoon ang hitsura ng office ng company ni dad sa LA.

"Ah no, no. I'm okay. We're okay here. We've been missing you and Finn. You? How are you? You're getting prettier than here ey? Do you love tropical weather in the Philippines?" Dad asks then coughed.

Nag-isip muna ako ng isasagot at matapos niyang umubo ay bumalik ang atensyon niya sa akin.

"Oh, thanks dad. I'm okay here. Finn's fine too. We're close now." I smiled.

"I like how you and Finn are close than before huh." He paused and may kinuha yata siya sa tabi tapos bumalik ulit ang atensyon niya sa phone. "Honey, the thing is I called because next week would be your day and that day you'll turn 26." He paused again.

Tumaas naman ang isa kong kilay. "And?" I ask.

"You're getting older." Tumikhim siya. Another silence between us again and he speaks. "Kara honey... uhm... do you have a boyfriend now?"

Natawa ako sa tanong niya at kinabahan na din at the same time. I know dad is being serious but I can't take but to laugh at the moment. 'Yong hitsura niya kasi para siyang kinakabahan sa edad ko.

"Dad! What's this? Are you..." Then I laugh even though I feel so nervous.

"Kara, I'm serious. I want you to have a life partner and get married soon. I want you to be happy." Dad replied again in his serious usual face.

Umiling ako habang nakangiti sa kanya. "No, dad. I'm happy. I'm happy being alone and single. I can do what I want."

I lied. Of course I have Finn and we're happy kahit na ganito ang set up ng relationship namin.

"Kara..."

"No, it's just that I'm not ready to have in a relationship again dad. D'you remember when me and Lauren broke up? D'you remember how fucked up I was?" Putol ko sa sasabihin niya.

Umiling si dad at parang hindi nagugustuhan ang mga sinabi ko. Yes, he knew about Lauren and how we broke up.

"I know but that was before honey. He's changed. You changed also. Maybe it's time for a second chance." He convinced.

What is dad trying to say? Matagal na kaming walang communication ni Lauren and all I know about him is he quitted modeling career since the day we broke. He's trying to avoid me all the time. He's moved on. We've moved on and here's dad.

"Dad... I can't be with him again." Umiling pa ako at ngumiti.

"Why then? May iba ka na bang gusto? Mahal? Manliligaw? Do you like somebody else?" Tanong niya pa. Iba na managalog si dad. Hindi ako sanay.

"Dad, I'm happy being me, loving myself. I'm happy with my job here in the Philippines and I don't think I'll be back in LA again." Nakangiti pa akong sinasabi sa kanya tsaka siya nagkunot ng noo.

"You have a job?" Tanong niya.

"Yeah,"

"Where? And when did you start?"