MARRY THE BILLIONAIRE MAN

Chapter 9: Building Trust

Isabella’s POV

Matapos ang family meeting, hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mga sinabi nila Mama at Papa. Alam kong concerned lang sila, pero hindi ko rin maiwasang maramdaman na hindi pa rin nila ako gaanong pinagkakatiwalaan. But I promised myself I’d show them I’m responsible, and I’d prove na kaya ko.

A few days later, I was hanging out with my best friend, Claire, sa favorite café namin. Kailangan ko ng outlet para mailabas ang thoughts ko.

Girl, so ano na? Anong plano mo ngayon?” tanong ni Claire habang iniinom ang iced latte niya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. “I need to build their trust, Claire. Gusto ko ipakita sa kanila na kahit binigyan nila ako ng kalayaan, hindi ko ito aabusuhin.”

Tumango siya, obviously supportive. “Tama yan. Besides, may point din naman sila, diba? Gusto lang nila siguraduhin na safe ka.”

Napa-smile ako sa kanya, thankful na kahit papaano, she gets it. “Oo, pero minsan nakakainis din. Parang hindi nila makita kung gaano ko sinusubukan maging maayos.”

“Well, maybe you just have to show them in a way na mararamdaman nila,” sabi ni Claire. “Maybe do something that proves you’re responsible.”

Medyo nag-sink in ang suggestion niya, and an idea popped into my head. “What if I start helping with family stuff? Like sa business ni Papa or sa mga household responsibilities? Para makita nilang hindi lang ako puro gala.”

Claire nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! Show them na hindi ka lang puro lakwatsa. I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.”

Kinabukasan, sinimulan ko ang plano ko. Nag-offer ako kay Papa na tumulong sa office kahit once a week lang. Nagulat siya, pero I could see na he was pleasantly surprised.

“Sigurado ka, anak?” tanong niya, his tone a mix of doubt and curiosity.

“Yes, Pa. I want to learn,” sabi ko nang seryoso. “And besides, I think it’s time na I start helping around, lalo na’t I’m part of the family business.”

With a small smile, tumango si Papa. “Alright. You can start this Saturday. I’ll teach you a few things.”

I felt a wave of pride sa sarili ko. Finally, isang step forward na naman.

Saturday came, and nagpunta ako sa office ni Papa. He introduced me to a few of his colleagues and showed me around. First, he let me handle some simple tasks—filing, sorting, at answering emails. Hindi ito glamorous, pero alam kong malaking bagay ito sa kanya.

I worked diligently, doing my best to stay focused kahit medyo repetitive ang tasks. Pagdating ng lunch break, napansin kong napapangiti si Papa habang pinapanood ako.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging seryoso ka talaga, Isabella,” sabi niya, pride evident in his voice.

“Papa, gusto ko po talaga matutunan ito,” sagot ko, hoping he could see how genuine I was.

Pag-uwi namin sa bahay, nabanggit ni Papa kay Mama kung gaano ako kasipag sa office. Nakita kong ngumiti si Mama, tila mas relaxed at mas kampante sa akin.

That evening, habang nasa kwarto ako, napaisip ako sa mga nangyari. Building trust wasn’t easy, but each step felt worth it. Alam kong hindi overnight ito mangyayari, pero determined ako na patunayan sa kanila na deserving ako sa tiwalang ibinibigay nila.

I could already feel a shift in the way they treated me—mas open na, mas understanding. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was finally earning my place in their eyes.