Chapter Two
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"Never love something so much that you can't let go of it."

-Ginni Rometty

Keint's POV

"Welcome back, Ice. Congratulations on your successful world tour." She greeted with a pretentious smile in front of the crowd.

Her long fake eyelashes are battering flirtatiously at me. Her red dress emphasizes her fair skin, hugging the curves of her body and flaunting her long legs.

She was a VJ at a huge music company I worked with. Since then, she keeps appearing in front of me. And it's damn irritating!

"Thanks, Ria." I returned her smile and accepted the bouquet before I walked passed her. Hindi na ako nag abala pang lingunin ito at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagbati sa mga taong nag-aabang sa aking pagdating.

Halos mapuno ang airport sa mga taong isinisigaw ang pangalan ko habang may mga bitbit na malalaki at makukulay na banner. This certainly is a mob.

Halos nagtutulakan na rin ang iba, mabuti na lang at mahigpit ang security. Who the fuck announced this anyway? I was supposed to arrive unnoticed.

I glanced at my manager whose walking beside me, "Who announced my arrival today?"

I saw how his behavior instantly changed, he felt uneasy while answering, like he was scared that he was about to lose his job, "A news outlet featured it last night. The company was able to take it down but it already leaked. The president was quite upset too."

Hindi ko na nagawang sumagot pa sa kanya nang mamataan ko na ang van na naghihintay sa amin. I gave one last look at the fans and waved my hand while wearing a smile. But as I turned my back and faced the van, my smile instantly faded and shoved the bouquet of flowers towards my manager.

Pagod kong isinandal ang aking likuran sa upuan at nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga. This kind of life is fucking draining me out. I closed my eyes and tried to take some rest, feeling the exhaustion spreading all over my body and the past five days of lack of sleep.

"Where to?" rinig kong tanong ng manager ko mula sa unahan.

Nakaupo ito ngayon sa tabi ng driver.
For six years of working for me, he surely knows anything about me now.

The things I hate and my rules. And one of those is sitting next to someone and invading my personal space.

"To my father." I answered with my eyes still closed and trying to get some sleep.

I need to reserve some energy if I'm going to enter into his dungeon.

I did not expect that I would actually doze off. Pagmulat ko ay sumalubong na sa aking paningin ang malaking automatic gate papasok sa mansion ng magaling kong ama.

There's still a long driveway and garden before you'll reach the mansion. The trees are trimmed and neatly aligned along the driveway while the garden speaks 'luxury' even from afar. Sa tapat naman ng malaking mansion ay nakatayo ang isang higanteng fountain na dinisenyo pa ng isang kilalang propesyonal.

Even the mansion itself is designed by the most famous architect in Asia. My father certainly knew how to show off his wealth.

The van stopped in front of the mansion and the maids and butlers actively attentively aligned to greet me. Before I stepped out of the van, I glanced at my manager who was also about to come out, "No need. I'm here to discuss a confidential matter with my father. I'll drive myself back."

"But the fans might still been lurking around. It's not safe to leave you alone for now."

"It's okay. I'm a Hasegawa. But no one knew that I'm Kiro Hasegawa's son."

Of course, who would've thought that the heir of a big empire group is a celebrity. Singing and performing in front of the crowd instead of signing paper works and sitting on a luxurious office all day while trying to win a billion dollar contract.

It's not like I was planning to do this all my life. I was planning to retire at the age of 30 and start my actual life. I finished Business Administration in one of the most prestigious international universities and was trained by well-known professionals. But before I even entered into our empire, my life took a great turn and here I am now, composing songs and praised by the public for my voice rather than being a wise businessman like my father and ancestors.

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang pagsagot niya at tuluyan na akong bumaba. The maids and butlers attentively lowered their heads to show respect while they greet me in chorus as I passed by them, "Welcome back, young master."

"I'll get your room ready, young master." Sambit ni Arthur at sinabayan ako sa paglalakad papasok sa mansion.

He's the head butler and a good friend. He's a few years older than me and one of the few people I trust in this house. Their family swore their loyalty and was serving for generations to our family.

"I am not planning to spend the night here, Arthur." I answered with my eyes still fixed at the hall towards my father's study. "Our conversation will probably be over in an hour, so I want you to prepare my car instead."

"Yes, young master."

"I told you to address me on my first name. We're friends and I'm no longer a young master of this household."

"Forgive me, but my duties and responsibilities would never allow me. It is my pride to serve the Hasegawa family."

I was about to argue back when someone caught my eye. A maid just got out of that old man's office and her revealing clothes does not please me.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad at sumalubong sa akin ang babae na panay pa rin ang ngiti. She does not seem to recognize me. She must be new here. Kaparehas ng ibang katulong ang suot niyang uniporme ngunit hapit sa katawan nito ang kasuotan at mukhang kinapos ng tela.

"Such clothes should not be wasted here. This job does not fit for a lady like you." Bati ko sa kanya ng nakangiti.

Mukhang natuwa naman ito sa aking tinuran at mukhang natulala pa sa aking mukha. "Salamat sir, napakabait niyo."

"Yeah," I answered and flashed a mocking grin, "A lady with such revealing clothes should not serve at a mansion as a maid, you should serve at a nightclub if you wish to flaunt your body."

Mukhang nainsulto ito at nawalan ng kulay ang kanyang mukha.

"If you're planning to seduce my old man, you should try harder. Our family's standard is quite high." My fake smile faded as soon as I said those words.

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sagot nito at nagsimula ng maglakad.

I would've fired her if I am still living here. Though, I know Arthur won't also turn a blind eye on this. She will surely leave this house by the end of the day.

"Napaka-arogante. Hinahangaan pa naman kita bilang isang artista pero nakapasama naman pala ng ugali." Pahabol pa nito.

I stopped on my tracks and coldly looked back at her, "My career does not dictate who I have to be. I treat people base on how I or how they want me to perceive them." Kaagad naman itong natahimik sa naging sagot ko, "You should at least wear some decent clothes if you want people to respect you. Because based on what I see, respect is not a word for you. Now, if I may be excuse."

I dismissively left her and took long strides towards my father's office. The place I hated the most.

My hand instinctively stopped as soon as I held the knob. My palms felt suddenly cold as I stare at the wooden door.

It's been years. And everything still felt the same.

Without further ado, I turned the knob and stepped in.

Sumalubong sa akin ang bulto ng taong pilit kong tinalikuran ilang taon na ang nakalipas.

The man I hated the most. My own father.

He still stood with power and dominance. Nakatalikod ito mula sa kinatatayuan ko at nakatanaw sa malaking glass window. Mukhang naramdaman naman nito kaagad ang aking presensiya at dahan-dahang humarap upang batiin ako.

"Son," nakangiti itong humakbang palapit sakin at nakalahad ang mga kamay, ngunit bago pa man niya ako tuluyang malapitan at mayakap ay humakbang na ako palayo sa kaniya.

"What do you want from me now?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb. I know you're scheming something."

I saw the corner of his lips twisted upwards before he turned around and took a seat behind his office table.

"Is that how you greet your father after so many years? I'm hurt." sagot nito ng nakangiti. Those smiles.. how I hated them.

He's starting on his games again. So, he wants a game, huh? Fine. I'll give it to him.

I stepped towards him and took one of the black corporate tables piled above his table. "You seem too busy for someone who just got out of the hospital."

He was taken aback for a second before he burst into laughter. Halos mapuno ng boses niya ang buong silid sa lakas ng pagtawa nito, "Is my son throwing a fit now because I lied to him?"

Padaskol akong napangisi bago ibinaba ang corporate folder, "I can't believe I got fooled again. How long are we playing this game?"

"I'm sorry for lying to you, son. I just did what I thought was efficient."

"Efficient, you say?" I felt my palms turn cold as I grip them into fist, trying to suppress my anger, "You lied to me! How could you lie about being in a critical state just to take me back here?! Is that what you call efficient?!"

"Watch your tone, kid. Lower your voice and let's talk."

"How can I be so calm when you just lied about your condition?!"

"Why? Would you come back here if I used other means? You won't, Keint. You won't turn your back at your career to face your responsibilities in this family! You're a Hasegawa! And an heir. You need to fulfill your role and built a bond with other corporate families."

I was about to lash out when his last words struck me, "Built a bond with what? You.."

"You're engagement will be push through. The arrangement with the Romero family is still on consideration."

"How the hell did this happen?! I thought the engagement was already-"

"Like I said, you will be engaged to Mrs. Romero's daughter. I'll give you three months to settle everything. Then, you will enter the company." he answered dismissively and turned his swivel chair around to face the large glass window.

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, trying to control myself. My balled fist now turned pale with too much force.

I turned and started to walk away. As I held the knob, I left those words to him, "No, I'm tired of being your puppet. This time, I won't let you win this game."

That annoying old man! I'm such a fool for falling to his lies again.

"Oh, Keint. You're back." natigilan kaagad ako sa paglalakad ng marinig ang pamilyar na boses niya.

Mabilis akong lumingon sa direksiyon na pinanggalingan ng boses at kaagad ko itong namataan sa hardin.

Gumuhit ang matamis na ngiti sa aking mga labi at masayang niyakap siya, "Hey, mom. I missed you." Bati ko habang mahigpit na nakapulupot ang mga bisig ko sa kanya.

Ngumiti rin ito at kumalas mula sa aking yakap upang masuyong haplusin ang aking pisngi tulad ng palagi niyang ginagawa, "I missed you too, my son."

Wala pa rin itong pinagbago. She still has the same kindness and warmth that comforted me in this house.

"Why don't you stay for dinner? I'll cook."

Tipid akong ngumiti upang tanggihan ang alok niya at masuyong hinawakan ang kanyang mga kamay, "You know I can't stay here for long. Truthfully, I was on my way out when you called. I only came here because he tricked me again."

Mukhang natawa naman ito sa huli kong tinuran at nagsimula itong maglakad pabalik sa hardin. "You should try to understand him a little more, he's been doing everything for his family."

"I've never been able to understand him. He's always been distant and difficult to read."

"That's just how he is."

Pumukaw naman sa aking atensiyon ang makukulay na bulaklak. Desente at moderno ang pagkakaayos ng lahat at mukhang pinaglaanan ng maraming oras.

Is she still doing this all day long? Alone..

"Why?.."

"Hmm?"

I faced her and locked my eyes on her as I spoke those words, "Why are you caging yourself here? You can always runaway, mom."

"Keint."

"That old man, he just cares about himself. He doesn't even give a shit about his wife or his kids. He just lock himself on his office all day, programmed like a robot. This family, our family is just for publicity. We are mere strangers gathered inside this huge mansion."

Nakita ko kung paano dumaan ang kirot mula sa kanyang mga mata bago niya ito iniiwas mula sa aking paningin.

She was lonely, she was suffering all these years. But she chose to stay silent. She chose to stay beside the man he loves even when she did not receive the same affection from him.

This is what it takes to be tied in a fixed marriage. Both parties are not assured to have mutual feelings. The consequences are quite crucial.

..And I don't want to walk the same aisle.

"Have you already visited her?"

I was brought back from my reverie when she asked. Hindi ko na kailangan pang itanong kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"Not yet."

"You always visit her at this time of the year. I have white roses here, you should bring her some. Let me wrap them up."

A smile form on my lips by hearing her words, "You still remember her favorite."

Tipid lamang siyang ngumiti bilang sagot bago niya ko talikuran para ipagpatuloy ang kanyang ginagawa,"Of course."

"Dad talked about my fixed marriage." I casually stated.

Natigilan naman ito sa narinig at napalingon sa direksyon ko upang bigyan ako ng tipid na ngiti, "You know how your father wanted to merge with the Romero family."

I was taken aback by her answer, not because of the fact about my father and the Romeros but the way she reacted.

"So, you knew?"