chapter 2

After we had breakfast Tito Arnold invited me to look at Mayumi's old photos. I just recently proved Mayumi to be my spoiled brat student. I also just noticed this huge picture on the big wall near the living room. Tito Arnold told me it was taken last year after she graduated highschool. And, I think Cace was right. Mayumi's hot like hell.

Smiling, I opened a photo album. Everything there is pure photos of Mayumi. From the day she was born until she graduated. Some were taken in Australia, Japan, US and elsewhere.

I was stuck on the proper page turn when a photo caught my attention. Mayumi was playing in the rain, wearing a white night gown. Wearing it holds the perfect body shape. Now I understand why almost all of her female classmates doesn't like her. She's way too hot than them. Perhaps that’s also one of the reasons why it’s dubbed Lazaro’s Bratty Princess.

"She's pretty, right?" Tito said with a smile when he noticed my stupidity. I quickly closed the photo album. I sneezed for a moment before looking around.

"Why did you force him to go abroad, Tito?"

Tito Arnold paused for a moment. Gently turned to me before smiling affectionately. "I thought she would get angry when I told her Elizabeth and I would get married. But, it's the other way around. The idea of ​​sending her back to Australia makes her so mad. It's okay if she has a step- "She was just angry because I chose to send her back to Australia rather than introduce your Mommy properly."

My mouth fell open for a moment. This means that there is no case against Mayumi if her Daddy marries. Just really went abroad because of the father's sulk.

"Why don't you coax her, Tito? Maybe that's the only thing she wants."

"I already did, son. I called her yesterday before the wedding started. She congratulated me. She said she will send her gift tomorrow." There was joy in Tito Arnold's eyes. It looks like her only child really cares. I can't blame Mayumi either. I might even be upset if Mommy does what Tito Arnold did.

"Does that mean he's coming back here?" I suddenly looked away. Why did I ask that? And why does it seem stupid to me to think that Arnold Lazaro's only Princess might return to the Philippines?

Tito Arnold shook his head softly as I breathed a sigh of relief. "He said he would just finish his studies there. He said he would only come back when I needed him in the company or when there was a problem with his Mommy's business."

I couldn't help but nod. But I don't know, I feel frustrated at the thought that I can't see Mayumi personally as my step-sister.

Damn! Step-sister? Is that really my reason? Then what the fucked is wrong with me? In a simple photo, I feel like I'm on fire. And I'm imagining nasty things! Like some scenes of me going back home from the office. And Mayumi's waiting for me in our own room, laying on our bed, naked.

Damn it!

"Anyway Hiro, I hope you don't change your mind. I changed my last will and testament, in case something bad happens."

"Uncle..."

With a big smile, Tito Arnold tapped me on the shoulder. "We're leaving tonight. You might want to stay here for-."

"I'm okay, Tito. I also have a lot left to do in Manila. I think, I'll leave first."

"Oh, okay ..."

-

"You're spacing out Hiro." Cace said in a low voice to me. He invited me to drink because he felt bad. His father died from drowning because he tried to save Dalha. Now, pictures have spread in their school. It was Cace and Dalha kissing. But Cace told me it was an accident. Many also saw but no one stepped out to side with them.

"Have you talked to Dalha yet?"

"She's in a coma. I'm running out of time. Tomorrow I'm going to the U.S.. There's an emergency at a Daddy's business. I need to fix it. That's one of my problems." Cace's long answer made me sigh.

I sipped the wine from my glass before looking at the cellphone again. Mommy hasn't called before. They told me they would call right away when the chopper they were carrying landed in Paradise. To this day I still receive nothing.

"You keep on checking your phone. Are you waiting for a call?"

"Yeah, Mommy should have called me earlier. But so far I haven't received anything. It's making me nervous."

"Oh c'mon Hiro, you're just-."

Cace couldn't finish what he was going to say when my cellphone suddenly flashed. A call from Hacienda Lazaro. I answered you immediately.

"Miss Akihiro?"

"What is it?" I asked the maid who started screaming. Damn it! What the fucked is happening ?!

"Señorito, you need to come back here to San Mateo right now." The maid is crying again.

"Why?" I asked, almost clenching my fists.

"The chopper that Don Arnold and Donya Elizabeth were riding in exploded. The couple is in the hospital now. But ..."

"What ?!"

"Don Arnold is dying and w-your M-Mommy is gone."

It looks like cold water has been poured on me. What's wrong with Mommy? Just this morning they happily took me to the airport.

None of my own left the bar. I didn’t even pay attention to Cace calling me. When I got in my car, you immediately kicked me. I never went through the house. I immediately made my way to San Mateo. I don't care if the car is far away. I will be more tolerant when I choose to take a plane.

After eight hours of driving I arrived in San Mateo. It's early but I have no plans to rest. I stayed at the private hospital owned by Tito Arnold. I was immediately allowed to talk to Tito Arnold. It also ordered me to talk when I arrived at the hospital.

"Hiro, I'm s-sorry ..."

"No, Tito, it was an accident. You don't need to say your sorry." I said trying not to fall. I am fainting from driving fatigue. The news that Mommy is gone is accompanied by heartache. "Where's Mom?"

Tito Arnold cried slowly. It was only then that I noticed that it had major damage to the head and some parts of the body. "Hiro son, take care of my Princess. You're the only one she has. Please, don't tell her what happened. When she can, when she's strong then tell her everything."

"What are you talking about ?! You're not going to-."

"P-Please ... I love your Mom, I really do. I'm your child too, now, I want you to take care of Mayumi."

"Uncle..."

Tito Arnold let out a warm smile before holding my hand tightly. After that, his grip on it gradually loosened. Until it finally loses its life.

I could do nothing but close my eyes tightly. Now what should I do?

"Mr. Akihiro Santibañez?" A man asked from behind me. I remember talking to him the other day.

"Atty. Dela Vega ..."

It nodded softly. "I will read Don Lazaro's last will after their funeral."

"I will call Mayumi so you can read Tito Arnold's last will and testament in front of her. I have no right to wealth-."

"I'm sorry, but I am only following his last order." Atty. Dela Vega. I clenched my fist and just stared blankly.

A week after the accident happened Tito Arnold and Mommy were buried. As with Titus' last will, no news has been released about what happened. Perhaps it really doesn’t want the only child to know what happened here. Until the end, Mayumi's well -being is still really on her mind.

"Akihiro?" Calling me by Atty. I closed my eyes firmly for a moment. I quickly glanced at the last moment at the graves of Tito and Mommy.

With Tito Arnold's niece Emily. The butler and a driver. Even Tito Arnold's secretary. Atty. Dela Vega in the study room of the mansion.

"Based on what is stated in this document, Akihiro Santibañez, a Professor and CEO of TECo. Is the one who is given the right to manage any property owned by the late Don Arnold Lazaro. When Akihiro's management is good for five years will eventually own half of Don Lazaro's property. "

"Wait, isn't it unfair for Mayumi? She's the heir of-."

Atty. He read the next scripture seriously. "Mayumi can only get her inheritance if she shows kindness to Akihiro Santibañez. But if she intends to take all the inheritance, one condition must be met."

"What condition?"

"She needs to marry you."

My mouth ached as I looked at Atty. "You're impossible! Yes, she's pretty and ... hot. But I won't marry a child!"

"There is no record of how many years she was before you married. You will only marry Mayumi if she intends to take all of her father's wealth. And if she is stubborn and will be reprimanded. Not even a single squint will come to her. And you as a child Don Lazaro's second wife will have access to any bank account held by Mayumi. "

"That's crazy. That's the last on the long list of things I want to do." Annoyed I said let's go together. This whole thing is bullshit!

"You can't say no, Akihiro. Once you refuse anything stated in this document, your property will be replaced. Your mother also left her last will and testament. And it is stated here that if you refuse to Don Lazaro's wills will leave you with nothing. Everything will go to Mayumi's name. "

Fucked!

I could do nothing but return to the seat. Angered, I tried to stay calm. "What do you want me to do first, then?"

"You need to quit teaching."

"Consider it done, now what else do you want me to do?" I'm still annoyed by the question.

"Stay here in Hacienda Lazaro and wait for Mayumi to come back home."