The Death of Old "ME"

THREE: Choice

~MARK~

Before the class ends, I received a message from my dad.

"Meet me at the house after your class" he said in his message. I already know the reason why but I still wanted to go and talk to him. I've been thinking what am I going to tell him when the bell suddenly rings. That is my cue so I packed my things and prepare myself to go. When the professor left the room I got out as fast as I can.

I ran out of the school and ride a cab to the house. I came in the house and as usual maids are the only people in here. "Where is he?" I asked one of them. "Master said to wait for him, he has an urgent meeting young master." "as usual, I'll wait in my room, call me when he's already here" "yes young master" she said. I enter my room and let my body fall on my bed. I got my phone inside my bag and start to browse something in the internet. While browsing some message pop-out and I open it.

Mom: Mark go home now I'll send the address to you.

Mom: #994 Maharlika Village, S City

I just look at it and sigh. "I'm at my home. Am I not?" "Why do I need to chose between the two of you?" "You're driving me crazy!" I'm talking to myself when I suddenly got a call from my mom and I did not answer it. While waiting for my dad I fell asleep.

~GRACE~

Upon entering the house, I heard sobbing and a cracking voice. "mark plssss a-answer the p-hone" she cries. "Are you okay ma'am?" I asked with full of concern. She fix herself and smile at me. "You're here, how's school?" this is the first time someone asked me that and I'm so happy even though I know I have to leave. "Just fine, thanks for asking ma'am" she just smile and nodded. "If you need anything ma'am I'll be just upstairs packing my things" I told her politely. "Where are you going? You told me it is so sudden, do you have a place to go?" She asked. "Honestly, I don't know ma'am, may be I can find a part time job or something" "you can stay in here if you want" she offered. I look at her with a questioning look "I mean this house is too big for me and my son or may be for me alone," she said sadly. "is it fine to you that I stay here even until I find a place?" "I told you this is too big for me, stay here and leave if you want to" I am so happy to hear that. I'm a little bit shy but common I don't have anything with me, not even a money that will be enough to rent a place for me. I have savings yes but that is still not enough, I mean I still need food to eat you know. So grace be practical accept her offer before she changed her mind. "Thank you ma'am, you don't have to worry I will clean the house do the dishes and laundry if you want" I said to give something in return since she allow me to stay."it will be great if you help me cleaning the house but that is enough no need to do the laundry" "thank you very much ma'am I promise I will not give you any headache" I smiled and she laugh a little bit. Wow she is really beautiful I tell myself. "I'm Athena by the way" she said and offers for a handshake. "I'm grace, nice meeting you ma'am Athena" I smile while shaking her hands. "Drop the 'ma'am' I prefer you calling mi auntie. Also, I have a son around your age." she said with sadness. "then I'll call you auntie" I smile again and she smiles back.

After that introduction I go upstairs and take a shower and take a rest since I don't have anything to do.

After a while I go downstairs and prepare a simple dinner for auntie Athena but she is not here. "Where did she go?" I asked myself. I sigh "nevermind" I said and go back upstairs since I don't have any appetite to eat for I am so problematic today. Like common I'm still thinking what did I do wrong to make my family leave without me. They abandoned me as if I'm just an unwanted puppy. I just lay on my bed close my eyes and cry myself to sleep. Universe is really messing with me.

~MARK~

"Young master? master is already at his library" one of the servant said. I stood up and went directly where my father is. I knock to his door "come in" he said. I enter the room and he is there holding a glass of champagne.

"Why did you asked me here?" I asked.

"Will you stay in my custody?" he asked.

"Seriously? You asked me to meet you for that? wow you guys are something." I laugh at him.

"I can give you everything you want"

"Then give me a house, my own house. Will you?" I know he would say yes because he only wanted to show my mom that he won because he knows my mom will be in sorrow if I'm not with her. How cruel this man could be?! I don't want to be with my mom because I know this man would do anything to make my mom miserable and I don't want that. This is the least I can do for her.

"A house? Fine. Anything else?" he asked.

"Money of course." I said confidently knowing there will be no problem asking for that. With that he got his phone and call his secretary. After talking to his secretary, he faced me again telling me he already arrange the house and I can move by tommorow. "Don't ruin our deal Mark. Don't ruin my trust," he said emphasizing every word. I just nodded and left the room and go back to my own room.

Looking at the ceiling I've been wondering if I made a the right decision. I know my mom is in pain but she will be in more trouble if I stay by her side. I reach for my phone and upon opening it there are a lot of missed calls from my mom and a few message like "Did you eat already?" "Don't starve yourself." "I love you" I just found myself in tears when some water from my eyes fell on the screen of my phone.

I'm crying when someone knock on my door "What?" I asked coldly. "The dinner is ready young master" someone said. "I'm full" I answer and then the servant left.

To distract myself from the pain, I keep myself busy. I packed all my things so that I will be able to move first thing in the morning tomorrow. When I'm already done packing, I look at the clock and it says that it is already 2:04 A.M. wow packing things really kept me busy that I didn't realize the time. I go to the shower and after that I lay on the bed and drifted to sleep. "Hope everything will be fine... I hope this choice that I chose is the best for the both of us mom"