Engineer Mergus

Chapter 5

"Hey, my soon to be Mrs. Brilliantes...” I shrugged my shoulder so he could let go of me and remove his hand from my shoulder. That was the only time I had a chance to move, so I immediately left there.

My chest is still tight because of its rapid pulse. How did it happen that my fear disappeared immediately when that engineer arrived? How... I shook my head because I had so many thoughts.

I was about to go to my room when Mom's came and she was holding a plate full of food.

"There's Ann. Bring this food to Engineer Mergus. He is in the pool area, you need to do this because Don Brill has chosen you. I don't agree with the decision he chose to marry his grandson himself, but because...I also thought that it was still a good idea because you would also disappear from the path of this family" she said and I can 't help but...to feel a heartache again.

I'm used to this pain but... why would I bring this to that engineer? Why won't she just order it to the others? And for all the years she's taken care of me, she still doesn't know what my weakness is.

Yes, it was a place, a swimming pool where I could see deep water. Even the beach or sea, I can't stand it. I feel like I'm going to lose consciousness too.

"Okay, Mom," I just said and took the plate she was holding. What else can I do but follow his orders?

In my 28 years of existence, I did nothing but follow what my parents ordered me to do. Just agree to what they want even if it's against my will. So that they won't criticize me. They might just say that it was a waste to take care of and raise me, even my education and everything I have now.

To be honest, I don't want to handle our company. I'd rather...be a pianist but I couldn't...

"I don't understand, there is nothing romantic about your attitude. I know you, May Ann. Since your childhood and until now. And do you know that you are no different from your Mama. That's his attitude," he said before he left me just standing there.

My grip on the plate tightened and my chest heaved violently. Why is he still bringing up that topic about my mom? It has been resting for a long time but I can still really feel his anger here.

I started to walk but... someone blocked my way. I frowned when I recognized who blocked me. “Michael?”

"I don't understand your Mom, too. What does he mean that you are no different from your Mama? And why does she seem...mad at you? Isn't he what he's talking about...”

"Why did you ask me that?" I asked him and I didn't let him know that I was hurt by what my mother said earlier.

"Nothing, and whatever. Is that for Brother?" he asked me and pointed to the foods I brought. I nodded.

“Oh, go on. Take that to Kuya Mergus. Do you know him? He likes to eat and should... You know how to cook so you can get along quickly," he said before he left me. Really... He can bring it to his brother if he wants to, ah. Why am I really? Why didn't he just volunteer?

I went back to the pool and didn't look up. Yes, I'm afraid of this place. Just seeing this deep water makes me feel like I'm going to run out of breath right away. My chest is tight. This is one of my weaknesses...

I felt two pairs of eyes looking at me now. I know it's him.

"For me?" he asked right away. I approached him and just dropped it on the table. He just sat there too. What is his trip and he still has to hang out here?

"My Mom's brought you this. Don't assume too much," I said. "The party is inside and not here. You're bothering other people too much," I added.

"I don't want to go back. I just remembered what you did to me awhile ago," he reasoned out, "And besides, you're not really a different person to me because Grandpa announced earlier. You will be part of our family." I don't care about that. I was about to leave when he pulled me to sit down.

“W-What...”

"Stay," he simply said and because I was avoiding looking at him, I accidentally turned my head in the other direction so I saw the water again.

I firmly held my hand that was on my lap and took another deep breath. He was also sitting next to me and we were only a few feet away from each other.

"I need...to go back..."

"Are you...scared of me? So you can't even look at me?”

"You know what... Just eat there instead of teasing me," I promised flatly.

"Miss... I'm already eating. You know what, too... We can pretend we're okay...” My head knotted. Really? Can we like that?

"But the truth is...we're not. We're not even close. You disrespected me too," I said. I can't move myself because of the fear that my eyes will wander everywhere again. My knees are shaking. I'm just really trying to be brave in front of him and by that I can block him.

"You look pale..." I shook his hand because he just touched my cheek without warning. How dare he is. "Your hands are cold, huh? Anyway, your parents let us stay here, before Grandpa had made up his mind. I expected that your brother will be chosen," he continued. "There would be no problem."

He really doesn't have a heart and he can say these things to me. Because he really doesn't care, eh.

"What about me? I do not care about your feelings. If you are disappointed that your grandfather chose another woman," I blurted out.

"Maybe grandpa likes you."

"You talked nonsense," I said and stood up from my seat.

"I'm done. I wanna swim, join me.” My eyes widened in shock when he positioned himself from behind.

"D-Don't push me!" I shouted at him.

"Are you afraid of the pool? You don't know how to swim? How come that you don't even know how to swim? Your sister, we went to the beach last month and she was good at swimming. So...”

"So what? You want it, so you're alone."

"No...you will come with me. Because now I will be nice to you," he said.

"You? Kind? Have you been kind to me, huh?" I asked him. "Let go of me... M-I'm going to fall... I'm going to fall..."

"Hmm... You talked too much and I'm really going to push you." I inhaled sharply because he was afraid he would drop me. All the hair on my body rose and I was about to cry because I was so scared. I've closed my eyes for fear that I'll see it again...

"What are you doing, Brother?" I felt relief when I heard Michael's voice.

"Michael."

"Grandpa is calling you and your fiancé, let her go. You're like a child, Brother."

Mergus let go of me and I heard him sigh. "This is not childish..." he whispered.

When I got away from him, I hurried up to my room. I felt like a candle that just ended on the floor. I just leaned against the closed door and clutched my chest.

“This is crazy...”

When I got dressed, I went straight to my bathroom to take my shower. My hair was still wet when I laid down on the bed and I didn't realize that I fell asleep. That's one of my greatest weaknesses.

One of our maids woke me up, and I don't want to get off my bed.

"Ms. Ann... The breakfast is ready.” I immediately opened my eyes and looked at my digital clock.

What...it's already 8:18 in the morning. Heist. I woke up late, usually around 5AM I'm awake and wait a minute... I fell asleep right away last night? When my amnesia no longer finds me? Wow...

"Okay," I replied briefly and spent a few minutes before I finally got up.

I wore my white strap dress and I also wore a black turtle neck underwear. I picked my baby blue coat and just hung it on my left arm with my Gucci bag.

I also curled the ends of my hair so that it reached my shoulders and did not go beyond. I also wore black shoes and they were two inches high. After that I went down to the dining room.

"Good morning," I greeted them. They were all complete and I was actually at the door when their attention was fixed on me. So even though I felt like I was born, I just ignored it.

"Good morning, daughter. I feel like an angel is picking me up, you dressed up so nice and you look beautiful in the morning. My grandson is really lucky if he sees you every day this early," Don Brill said and my cheeks warmed up. Are you lucky to be his grandson? Really?

I sided with Arveliah who is doing well now. She was wearing her gold office attire and her hair, in a high ponytail.

"May Ann, I assigned you to handle one of our businesses in the Philippines. So, get ready because you will be going home with your fiancé." What Dad said stopped me.

"Y-You want me to...go there?" I asked my father.

"Yes. Your Mommy and Arveliah and I will follow. You just need to be first and that's it. Your engagement party will take place there."

"All you have to do is to prepare your papers," Mom's uttered.

I hesitated. Because... if I end up joining their family, I won't be able to visit my Mom here often anymore and I know... I have to adjust to that country.

Dad came from that country and so did my step mother. While my biological mother, she came from here and she is half-Italian. His mother is also the only mixed Filipina.

But I remembered my situation, if I get married, Mommy Venus is right. I can get away from this family that didn't value me. But if our marriage really goes through. Can I be sure that this man will not hurt me? That our married life will be fine by chance?

But he said he wanted my sister Arveliah. I even felt a pain in my chest, because another person hated me. Don Brill, he was also the first person who was even glad that I existed in this world. I either don't want to disappoint him either.

But I need to take a risk. "Okay. I will," I said and I could clearly see the joy that appeared on Don Brill's face while Engineer Mergus's Daddy just nodded. The brothers had no reaction.

"You will go to work today to arrange your papers to bring. You are still the CEO of our third branch company," Dad's said. The main branch of our company is handled by Arveliah and I only handle the third. Our second branch is in the Philippines.

"That's our firm's partner in the Brilliantes Firm," said Don Brill. I just smiled and we continued our breakfast.

If they come back early, I have to say goodbye to Mama. Maybe he will understand me if I don't visit him often anymore. Even so, I do it secretly. In fear that maybe...Dad will get angry again and he will even move my Mama's grave.

"When did you go back to the Philippines, Don Brill?" I asked him.

"As soon as possible, daughter. You know engineers who are like grandchildren are also very busy," he said. I don't know anything about their family background but...

"You run the Engineering firm, Don Brill?" I have another interesting question.

"Yeah. All my grandchildren have jobs like that," he said and I was shocked.

"Don Brill, my sister also studied give years course engineering..."

"Oh, really? I didn't know that...” he said stunned and I bowed. I'm embarrassed to talk about it.

"Yes, yes." First taker of the exam, she passed and also she's a top notcher."

"Arveliah," I warned my sister.

"And a Summa Cum Laude." I drank water by myself. Why can't I stop my brother from being talkative? With everything he could be our topic, why is it still about me?

"Your eldest is really very smart, Daimor." Dad tasted it.

"Yes."

"Her younger sister too, even though she did not reach the standard of her sister, she also graduated with Cum Laude but was not lucky enough to get into the top notcher," Mommy continued.

"That was an achievement too, Mrs. Vallejos.” I looked at Engineer Mergus. I just saw him smile like that. He really likes my brother. There is no doubt and it can still be seen in his eyes.

"Thank you, Engineer Mergus. You always put my heart at ease, ah,” Arveliah uttered.

"Of course, what are friends for?" he said "Engineer Mergus and our daughter, you seem to be really happy with each other," said Mommy. He just really wanted to show it to Don Brill, for what? Change its mind?

"I'm hoping too that he and May Ann will be together. I'm rooting for the both of you," Don Brill said with a smile and Engineer Mergus and I looked at each other. He was also the first to avoid looking at me.

We too? When will we be close? Eh, his grandson is too snob and not a gentleman. So how can we be close to each other? Just now that we met, I feel like we've become cat and dog.

To Be Continued...