Until The Very End

CHAPTER 7: Petterson's Problem

            After the intervention meeting, the parents, guardians, Rodolfo, Zander, and his friends left the president’s office with a bit of joy in their hearts. No one loves to see their son expelled. Matt, his personal secretary, and Mr Cauffman were left inside. Mrs Lovington walked out of the office when the president told her to. There was no talking between Rodolfo and Zander right after. While Rodolfo was answering his parent's questions, he can’t behave normally, knowing that his friend was wounded and untreated. He told his parents to wait for him so that they’ll meet him, and they did. But after an hour and a half, no one from the president’s office came out. Rodolfo pleased them to wait for more, but his mother said that his little sister needed attention and care at home. He couldn’t insist because his mother told him to go to the pharmacy.

            Hailey knew what happened and was worried about them. Although they barely talked to one another, she still cared for them. Rodolfo and Matt informed her what happened via video chat in the evening on that same day. They did not tell her the truth about why Matt had a wound. Just like what they had said to the president’s office, Zander attacked Matt with a pocket knife. 

            Early morning after that day, Matt prepared himself for a journey. A white suitcase and a black backpack were lying on his bed. He was formally attired. He drove out of his mansion, remaining the lights on.

            He stopped at the nearest café for a cup of cappuccino and seated on the bistro chair beside the glass wall. Matt can partially see his reflection on the glass. Hair styled, dark blue suit, black shirt, and a brown sunglass. Ten minutes later, the café door opened, and a man, a year older than his age, came. Matt waved his hand for a signal, and when the man saw him, he walked directly to him. Unlike Matt, he has a casual outfit – grey pants, a white shirt, and a navy jacket.

            “Good morning, sir. Sorry, I’m a bit late today,” the man greeted him.

            Matt chuckled and replied, “Matt, please. It’s like, you’re my older brother.”

            He smiled.

            “You didn’t respond to my email yesterday evening. I thought you weren’t coming, but I had to make sure,” Matt said, sipping his cappuccino.

            “I’m so sorry. I forgot to respond,” the man replied.

            “Is everything okay? Is there something wrong?” asked Matt.

            He hesitated to answer at first and said a seconds later, “Nothing. It’s just my mom. She was admitted to the hospital yesterday night after she became unconscious.”

            “Just?” Matt repeated the word. “Sounds like a serious one to me. How is she? What did the doctors say?”

            “She was fine when I left her. She was with my older sister now. And the doctors said she has breast cancer. Curable, yes. But…” he stopped, then asked an unrelated question to the topic, “Anyway, where are we going? You dressed formally today, and I don’t understand why you told me to wear like this.”

            “I’m sorry to bother you today. I’m going to Italy with a friend. After I picked him up at his house and went to the hangar, you will drive my car to my uncle’s place. I already told him that you are coming. Alright?”

            “Alright. But, Italy? Is it urgent? And with a friend?”

            “A company in Italy we held has a problem, and yeah, it is urgent. You’ll meet my friend later. He’s a good friend. Before we go, have something to eat. I’ll pay for it, don’t worry.”

            “Oh, no. I’m good. We can go now if you – “

            “Dhan, I insist.”

             “Okay, a croissant and a cup of coffee will be great.”

            Matt took the same thing for breakfast, without coffee. Dhan was his personal driver. Matt met him at the same café. About two years ago, Dhan was a café crew, but because of his small unwanted mistake he had done to his customer, his manager scolded him like a dog. Matt defended Dhan. On that day, he told the café manager that Dhan was resigning, and he offered him a much easier job. Dhan was a good and very humble person. He was kind and gentle. Like Rodolfo, Matt trusted him.

           While eating at the café, Matt told Dhan about the company’s problem in Italy. And also, he told Dhan how he and Rodolfo met at their favourite restaurant. He told Dhan everything about his schooling. About Hailey, Rodolfo, Zander, Zander’s friends, how he got suspended from school, and his mistake for bringing a sports car to the university. Dhan was listening to him. He also talked about some of his experiences during his freshman days, though he wasn’t able to finish college. He may want to continue for college, but he couldn’t. He needs a job to earn enough money for her mom’s surgery. He’s so happy that for a moment, he had forgotten his sick mother.

            It did not take a while to finish their morning food. After they leave the café and proceed to the parking lot, Dhan thanked him. He was shocked that Matt brought his sports car that Dhan used to love to drive. Although Matt had everything that Dhan ever wanted, he did not envy Matt. He was taught that just envying others won’t lead to what you desire. You have to work hard for it. Matt seated at the driver’s seat. He knows the way to Rodolfo’s house, as he has been there before. Before Matt started the engine, he dramatically coughed and asked Dhan to go back to the café for a bottle of water. Matt gave him a bill so that Dhan will not look for his wallet. That’s what Matt’s intention – to get into his wallet. Luckily, Dhan left it to his seat, and Matt began to look for Dhan’s bank account card.  When he got Dhan’s account information, he transferred $100,000.00 from his bank account to Dhan’s. He was also worried for Dhan’s mother, and it is the only way to help them. After all, Dhan was true, and loyal. He deserved it.

            Dhan arrived with a bottle of water. The wallet remained at the seat like Matt did not touch it. When they were settled inside, Matt drove.

            Rodolfo’s place wasn’t that far from the café, so after fifteen minutes on the road, they arrived at Rodolfo’s house. The house was modernly designed for single-family. Matt stepped out of the car and noticed Dhan did not the same. Before he closed the car door, he asked.

            “Staying here, are you?”

            He smiled and nodded for an answer.

            Matt closed the door and went straightly to the door. He knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. But no one did, so he knocked for the second time. This time a bit louder. He heard someone screamed “wait!” inside. It was a female's voice.

            The door in front of him swung open and a woman, in her nurse uniforms, appeared. She was stunned when she saw Matt.

            “Whoah! Uhm – hello. How ma – may I help y – you?” she stuttered.

            “I’m looking for Rod,” Matt answered.

            “I’m sorry, who are you?”

            “His friend.”

            She turned around and yelled, “Rod! Someone is looking for you.”

            “Who is it? I’m in the middle of my breakfast!” Rodolfo shouted back.

            “So I am! He said he’s your friend!”

            She faced Matt and said, “Please, wait for him.”

            Before she left Matt standing on the door, she was thunderstruck. Her eyes were balling due to amazement after seeing Matt’s sports car.

            “Oh my! Is that… Is that the latest model of – “

            “Yes, it is,” Matt replied when she couldn’t finish her sentence.

            “No way! You’re Matt, aren’t you? Matt Williams?” she asked excitedly.

            Matt was shocked. He did not meet her yet, yet she knew his name. He placed his right hand at the back of his head and replied, “Yes, I am.”

            “Rod! What’s taking you so long? It’s your friend, Matt!” she shouted again and added to Matt, “Come in, come in.”

            The first thing he noticed when he came inside was Petterson’s family picture. The photo was taken three years ago during their vacation at sea. All of them were in their summer attire. Rodolfo’s mother was standing beside him with her arms around his shoulder, his father was carrying his younger sister, one woman on the mother’s right was smiling, and another young lady on the father’s left side was doing the ‘peace sign. At first glance, he recognized the father and the little girl he was carrying. Before he could have a closer look at the picture, Rodolfo came.

            “Hey!” Rodolfo greeted. Matt turned around. “Whoah! What’s with the suit? Are you going somewhere?”

            “Yeah, and um… could I talk to your parents?” Matt asked for a favour.

            “Sure,” Rodolfo answered. “They are in the kitchen. They can’t wait to meet you. Come on.”

            Rodolfo led the way to the kitchen. The kitchen wasn’t big as he has at his mansion, but he was comfortable with it. The rectangular-shaped table, with eight wooden chairs, stood at the centre. The father, who was reading a newspaper, was sitting at the first end of the table. Beside him, was the younger member of the family he had seen in the picture.  On her opposite side sits the woman who answered the door. Rodolfo’s mother was on her apron and was cooking pancakes.

            “My family, meet Matt. Matt, this is my family. The one who’s cooking is my mother. The man reading a newspaper is my father, obviously, this is my older sister named Kate, and my little sister named Bonnie,” Rodolfo introduced them to each other.

            “So, this is the Matt my son is always talking about,” Rodolfo’s mother came and gave him a handshake. “We were just talking about you. Why don’t you sit down and join us.”

            “N – no, please. I just ate – ”

            “A – ah,” Mrs Petterson cut him off. “Here, sit beside her.”

            He did not have a choice but to follow her. Bonnie looked at him, smirking. At last, she finally realized this little girl. She was the girl he found wandering alone at the park five months ago. He brought her to the hospital when he found out that she was very weak. The doctor said she was normal, so Matt was relieved. They had a little chitchat at the hospital bed while waiting for her parents. Matt even bought him a cake and a doll because she said that it was her birthday. Sooner, Matt leaves her alone with a nurse. He had an urgent meeting resulting in not meeting the little girl’s parents. But before Matt called a nurse to accompany her, he told the little girl to promise not to mention his name to her parents. The little girl promised.

            “No way! Is that really you?” Rodolfo’s father stood up, feeling struck by lightning. “CEO Williams? CEO Williams of the parent company? The company I used to work for as COO, Easte’s Palace, is under your parent group, am I right?”

            “Indeed, sir,” answered Matt. He, too, was shocked to see Mr Petterson. He finally recognized the man in the picture before. “We were surprised that you resign without stating your reason in your letter. It’s just said ‘personal matters’. Despite that, though we don’t want to lose you, we signed your resignation in respect.”

            “Honey, honey! Look!” Mr Petterson called his wife. “This is CEO Williams. At last, you can finally see the face of the young man who helped me when I was attacked by four thieves.”

            “Dad? It was him who helped that night?” Rodolfo asked, in shock.

            “Yes! He’s also a good person at work. How come I never recognize you yesterday at the university? What is wrong with me?”

            “I couldn’t believe this! The man who saved my husband is, now, a friend of my son! How small the world really is!” Mrs Petterson exclaimed.

            “Well, It is a pleasure to meet you,” said Matt shyly.

            “Dad, I can’t believe you knew him,” Rodolfo said to his dad, sitting down beside Kate.

            “You never told me his last name or showed a picture of him,” Mr Petterson answered.

            “He’s a very private person even in social media. I can’t find a picture of him to show it to you all,” Rodolfo replied, smiling.

            “Indeed,” Rodolfo’s dad added.

            With his mouth unopened, Matt smiled and bow his head a bit.

            “Oh, stop it. Don’t you see his reactions,” Rodolfo’s mom handed Matt a plate of four-layered pancakes, a fork and a knife. “Here, feel yourself at home, my dear.”

            As soon as Rodolfo’s mom turned around and went to the kitchen counter, Matt realized that he was not the only one on the kitchen table who’s fully dressed. Mr and Mrs Petterson were dressed for travel. And so is Bonnie. Kate was in her nurse uniform. Only Rodolfo was wearing home garments.

            “What’s with the suit? Going somewhere?” Kate asked after finishing her breakfast in silence.

            “Yeah,” answered Matt.

            “Where are you going?” questioned Rodolfo.

            He placed his hand on the table, “Well, I am going to – “

            Bonnie place her hands above Matt’s. This made Matt stop talking and looked at her. She was smiling. Matt winked at her that no one had noticed or caught it.

            “Hi – “ he began, but when he held Bonnie’s wrist, something was wrong. To make sure he was right, he placed his finger on Bonnie’s neck for one minute, counting her heartbeat. This made everyone in the kitchen stared at him.

            “How old is she?” asked Matt to everyone.

            “Nine years old,” Kate answered.

            “She’s not normal, is she? A nine-year-old normal heartbeat is 70 to 110 beats per minute, and her’s is… She has an irregular heartbeat,” responded Matt worriedly.

            “My daughter is suffering from heart failure. This morning we will fly to Singapore for her heart operation,” Rodolfo’s mother told him. Everyone fell silent.

            “What about here in the U.S.? Why does it have to be Singapore?” Matt threw more questions.

            “There are no available heart donors here in the U.S. The hospitals helped us looked for heart donors, and only Singapore has,” Mr Petterson answered him.

            “Okay, that makes sense. But why do you have to go? I mean, they could just bring it here instead. Transplant tourism is too risky for her.”

            “It’ll take days even a week to bring it here. We can’t wait that long while seeing our daughter like this,” Mrs Petteson said in a soft voice, sobbing.

            Matt didn’t know what to say except for “Okay.”

            He continued to massage Bonnie’s hand. He wasn’t expecting that this will approach him when he came to surprise Rodolfo by taking him to Italy. He didn’t know if he will just leave without him or asked for Rodolfo’s parent’s permission to go with him. After a long silence, he spoke.

            “All of you are going?”

            “Oh, no,” Rodolfo responded. “Only my dad and mom and Bonnie. My sister has full-time work, and she’ll be not at home for a month again. She stays at a dorm near the hospital where she works.”

            “And you?”

            “He’s not going with us. He’s grounded,” Rodolfo’s mom snapped before Rodolfo can answer.

            “Is it because of what happened yesterday at the university?” Matt asked, trying to look and talk normally.

            “Yes,” the father looked at him then to Rodolfo.

            “I’m so sorry. I di – “

            “Oh, right! He’s not grounded now.”

            “What? I don’t understand?”

            The Pettersons hollered out in laughter, including Bonnie. Matt sat there, looking at them confusedly. Moments later, Mrs Petterson said:

            “He will remain grounded until we meet you. He’s been talking about his new friend every time he arrives home after school. We got curious as to whom his new friend was, so we grounded him ‘till we meet him.”

            “Mom, Dad, that is so silly. So childish,” Rodolfo said embarrassingly.

            “Why were you asking?” Mr Petterson asked.

            “Uhm, well… there’s a company in Italy that faced a problem last month, and I have to go there,” Matt began to explain.

            “Aren’t you too young to do such heavy things? You should be there outside, living a life as young adults, having fun, dating someone. You get what I mean,” Mrs Petterson took Bonnie’s finished plate.

            “Well, I can’t let this happen in my company. It’s my job. And…” Matt said in response.

            “And… ?” Mr and Mrs Petterson asked at the same time.

            Kate and Rodolfo were staring at him, waiting to finish what he was saying.

            “And, I’m here to ask you, Mr and Mrs Petterson, is it okay with you if Rodolfo comes with me to Italy? We had enough of Zander’s bullying, so I thought it might be best if we go on a little vacation outside the country,” Matt beamed. “Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility for any expenses on this journey. I just hoped you allow him to go. And I’ve been to Italy several times before, so I know where to go clearly.”

            All of them were shocked dead. Rodolfo stared at him even more. Kate turned her head to her parents who were still stunned. They did not know what to say to Matt.

            After a long moment of not talking and moving a single muscle, Mrs Petterson asked, “Is there a flight to Italy this morning?”

            “Oh, about that, I own a private jet. That is what I am going to use to get there fast.”

            “A private what?” Kate asked in disbelief.

            “A private jet. I have plenty of those. And I think it’s best if you use one of my private jets to get to Singapore. In that way, you wouldn’t have to wait at the airport,” he offered Mr and Mrs Petterson.

            “We loved to, but we are already ready for this morning,” Mr Petterson responded.

            “Do your parents knew about this?” Mr Petterson asked worriedly.

            “I don’t have any parents. Just an uncle.”

            “Then, who is the woman with you yesterday?” Mr Petterson questioned.

            “She’s my secretary.”

            “And the guy in your ca – … ?” Kate asked him.

            “…is my personal driver. You may be wondering why he isn’t dressed according to his job because I told him to. I only called him this morning to drive my car back when we arrive at the hangar. So, is it okay if Rodolfo comes with me?” Matt asked for Rodolfo’s parent’s permission once again.

            Mr Petterson looked him directly in the eye and said, “I see no reason to forbid my son. Honey?”

            “Yes, he can go with you, but, please, be back before the end of your school suspensions,” Mrs Petterson pleased Matt.

            “Sure. I also needed to finish college without any more mess,” reassured Matt, beaming.

            “Alright then, Rodolfo, you can prepare now for your departure with your friend,” Rodolfo’s mom told her son.

            Rodolfo went upstairs after he finished his breakfast. Matt could sense how excited Rodolfo was. He finished the pancakes that Mrs Petterson gave him. It was extremely delicious. He hoped he could have it again. Minutes later, Kate got up and told her parents that she has to go. Her full-time shift started at 9:00 in the morning. She kissed her parents and Bonnie on their cheeks, went to her room, and pick up his things. After, she went to Rodolfo’s room for a goodbye. She came down, and waved goodbye at Matt. Mr Petterson used the kitchen doors to go outside of his house to check on something.

            Only him, Bonnie and Mrs Petterson remained in the kitchen. Mrs Petterson told him to wait in the living room. He went to the living room, looking at Petterson’s picture by picture hanging in the hall. His house is bigger than their’s, but there were no family pictures seen on the walls. There was a picture of him and his uncle at his room’s bedside table, and it is the only real human picture in his mansion. The other’s were beautiful, famous, classical paintings.

            Bonnie followed him to the living room. He was staring at Rodolfo’s solo portrait picture when Bonnie came to him. He placed back Rodolfo’s picture on the shelf when Bonnie said, breathing heavily:

            “I thought I’d never see you again.”

            “Me too,” Matt sat down on the couch. Bonnie sat beside him.

            “Why’d you tell me that I don’t have to tell my parent’s your name?” asked Bonnie.

            Matt couldn’t help but worry more because Bonnie’s voice was different from a normal nine-year-old girl.

            “It’s because I don’t want to be known by your parents,” whispered Matt so Mrs Petterson could not hear it from the kitchen.

            “But they know you already. Can I tell them now?” she asked silently.

            He set his right arm to Bonnie’s shoulder, then gave her a smile, saying, “But you promised me not to tell anyone, right? I’d be sad if you will tell them. Not just sad, but really, really, really sad.”

            Bonnie nodded and did not reply.  Instead, she stared at the wall where her big family picture was.

            Not a long moment since that, Matt questioned her, “Bonnie, It’s a good thing that your parents found a heart donor for you. But why it seems like they were not happy about it? The way I look at them at the table, I sensed something’s bothering them.”

            Bonnie looked at him sadly. There were tears in her eyes when she replied, “I heard them arguing last night.”

            “What was it all about? You’ll tell me, right? We’re friends.”

            “I heard daddy and mommy shouting. Mommy wanted to do the heart transplant for me, but my daddy kept saying it is impossible. He said that a heart transplant costs higher than a million dollars, and we did not have that huge amount. Mommy doesn’t care about it. All she wanted is to replace my heart with a better one,” Bonnie cried while explaining.

            “Don’t worry. Everything will be alright, okay? Trust me. And your daddy agreed with your mom?” he hugged Bonnie, patting her head and rubbing her back.

            “Yes,” she replied, sobbing while Matt wiped her tears. “but I am worried for my parents. I know they are penniless at this time.”

            “You’ll be okay, okay?” he wiped her last tears. “Wait here.”

            He left Bonnie on the couch, marching to the kitchen. Mrs Petterson was arranging plates they used before. He approached Mrs Petterson with his hands in his pockets.

            “Mrs Petterson,” he began.

            Mrs Petterson looked at him and shrieked. Matt’s black shirt has drops of pancake syrup. It maybe came from Bonnie when he hugged her earlier. Mrs Petterson tried to remove it with water, but the smell was still there.

            She grabbed Matt’s shoulders and turned him around, “You need to change your shirt. Upstairs, the second room on the left is Rod’s room. He must have something to lend you on.”

            “Okay, okay, but wait,” he stopped his feet and faced Mrs Petterson. “Can I talk to your husband first?”

            She let go of Matt’s shoulder, placed her hands behind his hips and smiled, replying, “He’s in the garage. Preparing the car.”

            “Thank you.”

            He went directly to the garage to where Mr Petterson. Mr Petterson was arranging the luggage at the trunk of the car. He did not know that Matt came until he was finished with the luggage and closed the trunk. After he almost jumped in scared, not expecting Matt to be there, he laughed at himself.

            It’s his black beard that made Matt chortled. It still has syrup from the morning breakfast. He must have forgotten to wipe his mouth. Matt, however, mentioned it to Petterson and he wiped it with his bare hands.  Then, he closed the door of the car at the driver’s seat. He placed his right arm on top of the car, crossed his legs while standing, saying:

            “Well, take care of my son. You know, since high school, he’s been asking me that why do people at his school be mean to him. And the only answer I always answered is ‘one day, you’ll meet the right person you’re waiting for. Good people are few, so, if you want to meet them, be good to yourself and to others.’”

            “I will. But is there anything I can help you with?” asked Matt.

            “The bags were already settled in the trunk, so I think there’s none.”

            “That is not what I meant.”

            “Pardon me?”

            “About Bonnie, is there anything I can help?”

            “Ah, don’t worry, boy. Everything is good.”

            “Are you sure?”

            “Yeah. Come on, don’t stress yourself regarding this matter. You should feel excited like my son does.”

            “I don’t think he will not anymore once he found out.”

            “Found out what?”

            “Look, Bonnie told me everything. She was crying to me earlier. She told me about the fight you had with your wife concerning the operation bills. She understands that you don’t want the donor because there is no enough money, but she was worried for her mother. Her mother, your wife, that all ever wanted is to see your daughter not suffering from this! I’m glad that you listened to her and you’re going to take Bonnie to Singapore. Now, name anything you need. I can provide it to your family.”

            “But… but this is too much.”

            “Too much? How?”

            “You’re going to take my son on a trip, and you helped me several times before. That is too much.”

            “Any helped that I did to you before was before. Rodolfo deserved this trip. And I don’t understand why would think on that matter more than thinking about your daughter’s life. Stop thinking about what I’ve done before. Start thinking about what’s important now. Because, if you do not, you’ll regret it tomorrow.”