Chapter 10
1514 Words
“That w***e!” Amanda spat furiously.
She turned toward her son, Izrael, and slapped him again.
“Don’t you dare embarrass me again. You’re just my son. You’re exactly like your father. Both of you are useless!”
“Auntie, don’t treat Izrael like that,” Trix interrupted.
Amanda scoffed.
“And then what? Let him become a mindless follower of my stupid brother? You’re all the same. Use your brains!”
“You really can’t control yourself whenever you’re angry. Unless there’s a camera around, of course. Don’t be so harsh on Izra. He’s your son, not some random person,” Trina added.
“You too, Trina. You’re just like your stupid mother.”
The young woman let out a dry laugh at what she heard.
“My mother is a doctor. She’s not stupid, and she has contributed so much to this country. If I were you, I’d ask myself first who the real i***t is. Knowing how scandalous you are, you should be thankful that’s the only thing you inherited from Yoa.”
Amanda gasped in shock.
“So you’ve learned how to talk back to me now?”
She stepped toward Trina and was about to slap her when a voice came from behind them.
“What is it this time, Amanda?”
Amanda immediately froze.
She quickly fixed Trina’s hair, pretending nothing had happened.
Trina rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by her aunt’s act.
“Nothing, Papa. I was just fixing my beautiful niece’s hair,” Amanda replied sweetly.
Trina laughed sarcastically.
“Grandpa, you know the truth. She’s just making a fool out of you. Anyway, I’ll go ahead. I already know the result of your meeting earlier. I’ll just tell Mom. I bet she’ll be happy to know that Yoa is your successor and not Timotheo.”
With that, she walked away.
Amanda’s forehead creased deeply as she looked at her father.
“Papa, what do you mean? Timotheo is your legitimate son. Yoa was just your bastard. How could you do this? Do you really think Tim will be happy when he finds out? He’s stupid! He’s nowhere near Tim’s abilities. They’re both running for Governor, but with what you’re doing, it’s obvious you’re being biased. Tim is your son too!”
Her father simply looked at her and shook his head.
“Do you really think your brother has a chance against Yoa? Don’t you know Yoaquin at all? Amanda, emotions shouldn’t be the ones in control here. Yoa is my son too. He may have been born from another woman, but you can clearly see how much of me he inherited. No one can match his skills in politics and business. Put him anywhere, and he’ll excel.”
He paused.
“I’m not saying your brother is incompetent. Timotheo is good, but Yoa is better. I’ll support whoever benefits me the most. I don’t care whether he’s my son or not.”
“What? Look, Pa, I don’t care if you support his candidacy. But the corporation? How could you? Our future depends on that. We don’t even know what’s going through my half-brother’s mind. We’re not even sure he’s truly your son. Tim deserves the CEO position. Why are you doing this?”
The old man gave Amanda a stern look.
“Are you questioning my decisions now?”
Amanda immediately fell silent.
“I understand that your brother is important to you. But business is business. I don’t care if he’s my son. Whoever can give me more wealth—whoever benefits me the most—is the one I’ll choose. In business, there is no such thing as family consideration. Got that?”
Amanda could no longer argue.
She could see the irritation written all over her father’s face.
The old man then looked at Izrael.
He gave him a faint smile, but fear was evident on the young man’s face.
“Is your schedule busy? I heard you have a lot of projects these days.”
“Y-Yes, Grandpa,” Izrael answered nervously.
The old man smirked.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I told you before, didn’t I? If you would only listen to me, everything you want—including fame—would be yours. Just follow everything I tell you to do.”
Izrael could only nod.
Trix, who had been quietly standing nearby, frowned.
“See? I always tell Izrael to listen to you. I know you won’t let your grandson go astray. Unlike that one over there who’s already addicted to vices and knows nothing but debauchery,” Amanda said pointedly.
“At least I’m happy,” Trix replied with a smile. “My parents never forced me to do things against my will. They don’t control our lives like we’re being held by the throat.”
Amanda immediately gasped.
“Are you saying I control Izra’s life?”
“I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even mention your name,” Trix replied calmly.
“I’m simply doing my role as his mother. I know what Izrael needs, and you have no right to question it.”
Trix merely shrugged and stood up.
“Lo, I have to go. I have a race to attend later. It’ll be aired on the sports channel. I’ll win it for myself, of course.”
She walked toward Izrael.
“Do you want to come with me? Just to unwind a little.”
Izrael hesitated.
“Come on. Let’s go. It’s only once in a while,” Trix insisted.
Izrael glanced at his mother.
Amanda raised an eyebrow, clearly indicating that she wouldn’t allow it.
“Auntie, don’t forget that your son is a celebrity. He needs public exposure. It’ll also show everyone that he’s a supportive cousin. It’ll improve his image and the image of our family. They’ll think we’re perfect.”
There was clear displeasure beneath Trix’s sweet tone.
Their grandfather nodded.
“Go now.”
A spark of happiness appeared in Izrael’s eyes.
“But—”
“Amanda, you’re suffocating your son. Give him some freedom once in a while.”
Amanda had no choice but to remain silent.
As soon as they stepped outside, Trix looked at her cousin.
“Are you okay?”
Izrael simply looked at her.
His eyes were cold, and anger was clearly visible on his face.
“Let’s drink,” Trix suggested.
Izrael didn’t refuse.
They immediately left together.
⸻
* * *
“Adriana? Come on, it’s time to eat.”
“I’m coming out.”
Adriana fixed her clothes before leaving her room and heading downstairs to the kitchen.
She stopped when she saw her stepfather sitting at the table.
“Mom isn’t here?” she asked Bulma.
“She’s out,” Yoa answered curtly.
Adriana had only pretended to ask Bulma, knowing perfectly well that Bulma probably wouldn’t know the answer. Fortunately, Yoa volunteered to answer instead.
They began eating.
The atmosphere was painfully quiet.
Adriana felt as though every bite she took was being counted. The silence was so overwhelming that she felt like her ears were ringing.
“How’s school?” Yoa asked.
“It’s o-okay.”
He nodded.
“I want you to know that you’re not allowed to have any special relationship with the opposite s*x until you finish your studies. Do you understand?”
Adriana stopped chewing and looked at him.
“You can make friends. But always remember that as long as you’re living in my house, eating what I eat, and breathing the same air as me, I am the boss. You will listen to me. You will not go astray, Adriana.”
His expression remained serious.
“Don’t take this personally. I’m only looking after your welfare as your stepfather.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. I know what I want in life. I’m not ready for any relationship anyway, whatever kind you’re referring to.”
“Good.”
Yoa continued eating for a moment before looking at her again.
“And stop using that po with me. It annoys me. I might lose control and strangle you one day.”
Adriana swallowed hard.
Fear was evident on her face.
“S-Sorry. I was just raised to be respectful at the orphanage,” she replied somewhat defensively.
“Your being respectful isn’t the issue. Just learn to use po and opo appropriately depending on who you’re talking to.”
He stared at her.
“Am I really that old to you?”
Adriana looked at her stepfather.
Only then did she realize that he had been staring directly at her.
No matter what angle she looked at him from, Yoa was undeniably handsome. There wasn’t a single imperfection she could find on his face.
“What?” he suddenly asked.
Adriana blinked.
“Are you done staring? Are you certain now that I look young?”
Her face immediately heated up.
Embarrassed, she quickly looked away and took a sip of water.
She couldn’t believe he had noticed her staring at him for that long.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD