DYLAN POV:
IT WAS already seven in the morning. After having coffee in the garden I went upstairs and went to the library because I had to talk to someone about our businesses.
I also told my secretary that I wouldn't be able to enter my office today and that Ice would take care of all my appointments today.
Ice was my second degree cousin, he's the son of Tito Justin my father's first degree cousin.
Ice was reliable in everything. In fact, he's Grandpa's favorite because he was a sensible man and not like me who was stubborn and didn't listen to anyone.
Since we were kids, Ice and I have been together in everything. He is my savior when I get into any trouble.
He is the one who makes sure that Grandpa wont scold me.
Since childhood, he has been my only ally—apart from Leo, Sean and Lucas, who are my friends too.
I was ten years old when Daddy died—he died in a car accident, when he tried to search for Aunt Emerald his younger sister.
Aunt ran away because Grandpa couldn't accept that she got pregnant by our gardener.
Grandpa got angry and disowned my Aunt— but Daddy didn't stop looking for Aunt Emerald. But unfortunately, he had an accident and died.
I blamed Mommy for Daddy's death. Ever since she left the mansion, Daddy's life has been miserable.
He would get drunk almost every night. He neglected the family businesses and even neglected himself.
Daddy's burden increased even more when Aunt Emerald left. She was pregnant and Grandpa couldn't accept that. He looked for her everywhere.
They also hired a private investigator, but it was too late when Grandpa found Aunt Emerald. A month after Daddy died— Grandpa found Aunt Emerald dead.
They said that she died while giving birth. But they never saw Aunt Emerald's baby. As Grandpa found out—the child also died but they never saw her body because it said she was buried right away.
Our family was in double pain, because we lost two people who were very important to us.
Grandpa felt so sorry—he regret everything at that time but it was too late. As the saying goes, regret always comes last. He can't bring back the lives of his two children.
What happened in my life was so painful. I felt like the world had abandoned me. My life became dark. As I grew up, I couldn't be happy. Before Daddy left me, Mommy had already left me.
Daddy caught her with another man. Daddy was so angry that he threw Mommy out, I still remember the fight they had that night. Everything that happened that night is still fresh in my memory.
"Please Mateo, for the sake of our child, forgive me. I didn't mean anything. I'm just a woman and I have needs too. You've lost time for me and to Dylan, I need you too Mateo." Mommy said to Daddy crying and begging.
"Bullshit Miranda! That's not a reason for you to cheat! I loved you Miranda, I gave you everything, but look what you did! Why did you do this to me? Why Miranda is it because your man is better in bed than me?" Daddy said angrily to Mommy.
I was in a corner of the room then, sitting and crying while listening to their argument. I was old enough to understand everything I heard.
Mommy cheated on Daddy. She had another man besides from Daddy. That night, heavy rain poured down, along with heavy thunder and lightning— Mommy left the mansion, she tried to take me from Daddy but Daddy and Grandpa didn't allow her to have me.
"Mateo, have mercy on me. Give me my son, Dylan son, come to Mommy!" but Mommy did nothing, I was angry with her because she traded Daddy and me for another man.
So from then on I swore to myself that what happened to Daddy would never happen to me. I will not allow any woman to fool me.
But my perspective changed when I met Ashley, I know in my heart that she is the woman for me. She is the one I will marry and will be the mother of my children.
As I grew up, Mommy never failed to visit me. She would take me to school. She would always follow me wherever I go.
When Daddy died, Grandpa wouldn't even let her visit Daddy's grave.
Mommy would always go to me to apologize. But my heart has no feeling anymore. My heart that used to be full of love has turned to stone. I no longer felt any love for her, only anger and resentment.
She never failed in me, on my birthday's she would always bring me a gift. But instead of accepting it, I would immediately throw it in the trash.
That gift was no longer useful to me—because there was no better gift than seeing my father alive and my family to be completed.
I came to the point in my life when I wanted to disappear from this world. I wanted to follow Daddy to the afterlife.
I was seventeen years old at that time. After I had a fight at school and was scolded by Grandpa, I went to a bridge near the Pasig River.
I climbed onto the rillings of the bridge and stood up straight. I closed my eyes and I was ready for whatever might happen to me.
"Goodbye Grandpa— goodbye to all. Daddy, I'm here, we'll be together." My mind screamed at that moment.
I wanted to jump and at that time I wanted to die but then suddenly there was this little girl who helped me.
I still remember the look of that little girl, whom I considered my guardian Angel.
If I'm not mistaken, that girl was about nine or ten years old at the time.
I was about to jump, when she pulled me down forcibly. We both fell to the that rough cement—I stepped on her but she didn't even cry out in pain instead she was sweetly smiling at me.
She didn't even complain, instead she stood up and helped me get up. She told me, I would commit a great sin against God.
I said I wanted to be with Daddy in the afterlife—but she smiled at me sweetly.
She said I wouldn't go to heaven when I died, that there was no point in me committing suicide. I wouldn't be with Daddy either because I was in hell—as she said to me. It's funny to think that a child like her really changed me.
After she talked to me, she immediately said goodbye because she thought they might be looking for her.
I shouted—I said, just a moment, what's your name? But she didn't look back at me and continued running.
I didn't even get her name. The next day, I went back to that place and wondered if I would see that little girl again. But nothing, I pass by that place almost every day, I asked around, but no one knew her.
I still think about that child up to this days. It's been ten years but that child's face is still fresh in my memory.
What does she look like now? She must be beautiful now because when she was young, you could see her beauty.
I was in that thought when I heard someone knocking on the door.
"Come in, it's open."
"Señorito, breakfast is ready." one of our housekeepers Sabel told me.
"Okay, I'll go downstairs." I replied
I stood up and continued to leave the library. I went downstairs and went to the kitchen.
Just as I arrived at the kitchen, Grandpa arrived too..A smiling face of Lara greeted me and Grandpa.
"Good morning Grandpa, breakfast is ready." Lara smiled at Grandpa, she didn't even look at me. Maybe she was still mad at me.
"So much food? These looks delicious," Grandpa said happily.
I looked at the food that was served, it looked all delicious.
Here I saw some of my favorites. Cheese and bacon omelette, steaks and soft boiled eggs with matching toast avocados and yogurts. And a pancake with cream cheese on top.
"Wow.. These are delicious—it looks like I can eat more of these. Hmm.. I've been hungry." I said, and I was already really satisfied with my first bite.
"Lara let's eat. These are delicious. They look fresh and healthy. Hmm.. They're really delicious," said Grandpa because the food served was really delicious and good.
"Thank you Grandpa, did you like what I cooked? I cooked those for you Lolo," Lara said happily to Grandpa.
I frowned. She cooked it? I was still speechless and coughed when I heard she cooked it. But how could she cooked all of that? Infairness she got my taste.
"Bravo Lara—smart girl. Your future wife Dylan is a great cook, not only is she beautiful and kind—she also cooks deliciously," Grandpa said happily to me.
Grandpa was really impressed by this woman. He praise this woman as if she is truly great. Our Chef is even better at cooking. I drank some water, then wiped my mouth as I stood up.
"You eat so fast Dylan, didn't you like Lara's cooking?" Grandpa asked me.
"A-ahm.. It's not delicious Lolo— I'm sorry, that steak is fatty and her bacon omelette is too salty!" was all I said and I saw Lara smirked at me.
This woman seemed disappointed because of what I said.
"No, it's delicious Dylan." Grandpa said again to me.
"Excuse me Lolo, I'll call for Ice. I forgot to tell him something," I said it in a mocking tone, because I was so sure that Grandpa wouldn't let me leave the dinner table again. And he would insist on what he wanted from me again.
I hurriedly left the kitchen and continued to my room. The food was delicious and I admit it. I was so hungry and wanted to eat—but when I heard that Lara cooked all of that, I lost my appetite.
I don't know why I feel this way. I don't like that woman—because I feel like I'm doing something wrong to Ashley, my girlfriend.
I also can't figure it out what it is about that Lara that makes Grandpa want me to marry her that much.
My mind is in turmoil. Should I follow my grandfather's wishes or follow my heart's desires?