Argument and Trust

Chapter 6

After the breakfast I said goodbye to them. I didn't look at Engineer Mergus anymore because I knew his attention was on someone else and no need to say that who is he looking at now.

"Where are you going now, hija?" Don Brill asked me. I smiled at him.

"I'm going to the company to fix my things," I replied and he nodded.

"Do you want to go with your fiancé, grandpa?"

"No need, Don Brill. I don't want anyone with me, eh," I answered again and he just laughed so I felt the engineer's cold look at me. Do I care what he thinks of me?

I followed what my parents told me to do my papers. It's like it's against my heart to switch offices because... I looked around the four corners of my office. I also worked here for several years so I know I will find my working place, its atmosphere. I just hope that I will be okay in the Philippines.

If I get to the point where I will be hurt again, I won't think twice about coming back here and it doesn't matter if Dad rejects me forever. The important thing is that I get out of the place that I know nothing good will bring me.

I sighed and grabbed all the things I would need. No one will be sad when I leave and I know that all my employees are in favor. In the beginning, they really didn't like me. I don't know the reason. I chose the private elevator that I was the only one riding in so I could avoid all the people working in our company.

I also went to the flower shop to buy a bouquet for my Mom, since... today is the only day I can visit her.

My phone rang while I was in the cemetery. I didn't answer the call because when I checked earlier it was a new number. So I just let it go.

I placed the flower I brought for her on her grave and just remained standing. Mama's body or even her ashes were not buried in the ground. Because according to the tradition of her family history, a member should be treated differently when she dies.

"Ciao, Mamma... spero solo... che tu non faccia il broncio con me, vero? I will move to the Philippines as soon as possible... Questo è il desiderio di Papa... Sono stata scelta dal clan Brilliantes per essere la moglie di uno dei loro poti. Non sapevo cosa c'era in me e sono stato scelto da Don Brill. Sono ancora come te, Mamma. Nothing interesting. Mi mancherai, Mamma. Non preoccuparti per me. Posso gestire tutto e starei bene. Guide me there, ok? Ti voglio tanto bene, Mamma.”

"Hi, Mama... I just hope... you won't sulk with me, right? I'll be moving in the Philippines as soon as possible... That was Dad's wish... I was chosen by the Brilliantes clan to be the wife of one of their grandchildren. I didn't know what was in me and I was chosen by Don Brill. I'm still like you, Mom. Nothing interesting. I'm gonna miss you, Mom. Don't worry about me. I can handle everything and I would be fine. Just guide me there, okay? I love you so much, Mom.”

A cold wind hugged my body that made me smile. Because I know Mama gave me a hug.

When I decided to go home, I answered the call because the caller was rude.

"Hello? Chi è questo e di cosa hai bisogno?” I answered from the other line. "Hello? Who's this and what do you want?"

"Seriously? Do you need to use your dialect just to talk with me, May Ann? It’s me Engineer Mergus.” I frowned when I heard his voice. Engineer Mergus? Why is this man calling me now? And where did he get my number?

"Perché sei stato chiamato? And dove hai preso il mio di telefono?” I asked him and heard his hiss. "Why did you call me? And where did you get the phone number?”

"I don't understand you."

"Why did you call me?" I asked him again.

"Ah, that... I just want to inform you that our flight is tomorrow. We will go to Grandpa first. It would be okay if you were with them," he said.

"Why? Do you want me to ask your Grandpa to go with them?” I didn't want to ask him.

"Why would you do that? You don't know my grandfather. He's strict and we never disobeyed his orders. Go home now," he just said after hanging up on me.

There is no way.

I was just at the gate of our mansion when I saw that engineer and when he noticed my arrival he walked closer to me. I frowned when I saw a small creature in his arms.

"Get away from me," I told him coldly because he really had plans to approach me.

"What I hate the most is being made to wait," he said, and I almost laughed.

"Did I order you to wait for me here?" I asked him.

"No. "What was that?" I asked, referring to what he was holding.

“I bought this little kitty. Don't you like it?" I distanced myself because he brought it closer to me.

"Don't you dare..." I warned him and covered my nose.

"What... You don't want to take care of a cat?" he asked me with raised eyebrows. I didn't answer him and just passed him. I felt him quickly following me.

"Stop following me, will you?" I hissed him.

"You need to take care of this little kitty for me, Miss."

"I hate pets," I said. That was true, I'm actually allergic to cats and dogs. Dad found out that when Arveliah planned to take care of a cat that's why he didn't allow it but our Mommy still insisted. My brother doesn't know that either because I don't want him to know. Maybe in those parts he will be hurt, I'm treating him coldly.

"I see... I don't think you can take care of our future child. You hate even small cats," he said coldly and I turned to him. I just bravely met his cold eyes.

"Really? Will be our child? I thought you don't want to get engaged with me. So, do you have a plan for your child with me?" I asked him, the corners of my lips almost raised. He clinched his jaw and that's when Arveliah came.

"You really bought it, Mergus! Well, that's nice!” he said happily and snatched the little cat from him. I rolled my eyes and he caught me, so his aura became more blank then I left them there.

When I went inside, I found Mommy preparing my luggage.

"Are you in a hurry to kick me out of the mansion, Mom?" I asked her. He only glanced at me for a few seconds then continued what he was doing.

"If we had been given a chance, May Ann. Why not? This is what I've been waiting for. You will really disappear from our path," he said without emotion. Even though I felt a pain in my chest, I kept my expressionless face.

"Didn't you even once... You didn't manage to love me and treat me like your son?" I asked with resentment in my heart.

"As my son? You were never my son. Arveliah is my only daughter, May Ann. You are just your daddy's son with another woman and you have no right to ask me for that," he said, giving me a bad look.

"I understand, Mom. It really hurts you to see me every day. Because you remind me of my Mom. Dad's first love."

"Shut up! Your mom is not your daddy's first love because if she is? He doesn't treat you like this either. Like a child without parents and not cared for..." she said and she caught her breath because of the sudden rise in her voice. I remained calm.

"That's what I know, Mom," I said indifferently and he stood up to approach me. His palm hit my cheek hard and I could feel the numbness.

"Yes, I don't consider you as my son and that will never happen. But I'm your mother legally, so show some respect, May Ann! Remember that I still took care of you since you were a child!" he shouted and before he left my room he even managed to hit my shoulder.

"But I still love you, Mom..." I whispered knowing that he would never hear that again and it would mean nothing to him if he knew my attitude.

Even though...even though they treated me and Dad differently and often made me feel like I didn't exist in this world, I didn't hold a grudge. Yes, sometimes I feel insecure towards my sister but they are my family and I love them, so much.

I sat on the end of my bed and stared at the large portrait of us on the wall of my room. All of our faces were full of happiness. Me too, even though my parents' feelings are different.

"Shall I take you or just leave you here? But because...if I leave I know I won't be able to come back here. That's why...” I said and I was talking about our photo. I sneezed and held my nose. "That man. He really has a plan to annoy me," I murmured.

I wiped the water that came out of my nose, but I knew it wasn't water. Then I approached the wall and got our portrait.

I even looked for something I could step on because even with my 5'6 height I still couldn't reach it.

I looked at my one seater sofa. I approached it and pulled it. I even rubbed both of my palms after facing our photo. I took off my flip-flops to get on the sofa. I smiled because he was really within my reach.

"Get down from there." I was startled when someone spoke behind me and that baritone voice was familiar to me.

"Why should I follow you?" I asked coldly.

"Because your clothes are short and you can be seen," he hissed. I put my hand down and hurried down. I almost lost my balance and he quickly pulled my elbow. But I just shook it off.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him something annoyed. Because my Mommy and Daddy let them stay here, can he enter my room without my permission?

"I'll get it for you," he said but I elbowed him hard. He moaned and held his side.

"I'm not asking for your help or anyone else's," I said without emotion and noticed that he was watching my facial expression.

"Your Dad, he said... You are not the type of woman who, if you have a problem or something, you don't ask for help from others. Because you're just taking those personally and do you know what my opinion is on that matter?" he asked. I just stared at him.

"What?"

"You are too self-confident and self-confident that you can do anything," he promised seriously.

“You need to remember this, Engineer Mergus. You should only trust yourself, in a fairy tale world even your family or your close friends should not be trusted. It's not because I'm that kind of person, I'm just too boastful. Can't I just have faith in myself and all the trials that come in my life I can...face by myself?”

"You have the power to judge someone you don't know well," I told him.

"You know... What I see is enough," he fired back. Is that what he believes? What he sees too? He's still very shallow, isn't he?

"Yeah right. You also know that it's easy for people like you to judge us," I said and his jaw tightened again then he pulled me aside. I struggled, if he could pull you would have thought I was just a toy.

"You really talk a lot, tss," he said irritated and just took our family portrait. He was not careful so it suddenly slipped out of his hand.

The shattering of the portrait made a noise and it was as if my heart was also broken. I kept that and then...

"S-Shet..." he cursed. He was about to take it but I quickly stopped him.

"Are you stupid? You really have plans to pick that up, isn't there already?!” I shouted at him and he was still shocked. He immediately avoided his gaze.

"I'm not deaf enough to yell at you, ah," he promised weakly. I let go of his arm with a bang.

"This is the reason why... I don't want anyone else to help me because the situation will only get worse. Just look what you have done, Engineer. "Instead of helping me, you've been disappointed," I told him coldly. I don't blame him for what he did. The only thing for me is that he will be careful next time.

“Fuck that. I'm sorry...” I looked at his face to see if he was sincere in his apology. But it seems right... He is completely different now.

"What else can your sorry do if you've already broken our family portrait, huh? Can you take that back with a sorry?” I asked him rudely and knelt down to get the portrait. He stopped me and held my hand. I made a facepalm and looked up at him. "What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Which of us is stupid? Is it me or you? Why would you touch that when you know there is already a leak?" he asked me with raised eyebrows. I slapped his hand.

"I know what I'm doing. Don't stope me, my head is only getting hotter with you," I said and just took the portrait without hurting my hand. "Did you know that we have a family belief?" I asked him.

All families have something like that, they make you believe in something.

"Did you think you were the only ones like that? We have a family belief too," he said. You still want to talk to me, ah.

"Once the portrait of your family broke...it means, a member of your family will be gone. It doesn't just disappear because it is possible that in the next family portrait, one person is no longer there. Just like on a tree and a branch will fall, and it will slowly lose its balance," I stated. What I said is simple but it means a lot.

To Be Continued...