Chapter 1
1070 Words
Venna
“He’s going to be a couple of hours late,” she admitted, her shoulders dropping slightly in disappointment. “There was an urgent matter with his clients, and it seems they really cannot manage without him right now. Is it okay if we wait?”
“Not a problem at all. Honestly, this is the perfect chance for us to catch up properly,” I said softly, trying to lift her spirits.
She brightened a little. “True. We can order food first though because I know for a fact you skipped lunch again.”
I couldn’t even meet her eyes, knowing she was right. “I… just lost track of time with work.”
She shook her head gently, a knowing look on her face.
I ordered a plate of Aglio e Olio pasta, two pieces of herb-crusted chicken, a fresh garden salad, and a bottle of wine. We ate slowly, laughing and talking about everything that had happened in our lives since we last met. We don’t get to see each other often because of our demanding careers, but whenever we do, it feels like no time has passed at all.
She told me how frustrated she had been lately with our father and her mother; they had both been incredibly stubborn and difficult. You see, Tatiana is my half-sister our father is Canadian, while her mother is Russian, and my own mother is Filipino.
Years ago, Dad had an affair with my mother. But my mother was completely unaware that he was already married or in a serious relationship, he had never told her the truth until Auntie Trishna showed up unexpectedly in the Philippines with Tatiana. She walked in calmly, saw everything, and simply told Dad that Tatiana was waiting outside for him. She didn’t make a scene or shout; she just turned around, and the next day they flew back to Canada together.
About a month after that, my mother found out she was pregnant with me. But she never called or informed Dad, hurt by what he had done. He only learned of my existence years later, when my mother and he crossed paths again during a business conference in the Philippines with my step dad. My mother is a very successful woman here a rancher with powerful connections and influence because he married to haciendero who own a massive hectare of land and Give a birth with my sibling when Three years of marriage that make me 6 years old of that time.
The first time he saw me, he was stunned. He secretly arranged for a DNA test, and when the result came back positive, he desperately wanted to reconcile with my mother. She refused him flat out. That is, until I told her I wanted to study Law in Canada. She finally reached out to Dad then, asking him to look after me while I was there.
He offered for me to live in his home, but I declined. I preferred my own independence and chose to stay in a condominium instead. Tatiana would often come by to check on me, and over time, we grew incredibly close. She and her mother are both kind-hearted, wonderful people, and they never once treated me differently. When I graduate law and pass the bar my mom flew here for my graduation and flew back again to the Philippines with me. One month of staying in the Philippines makes me reliazed to want to build my own company, and it's not easy but my Mom and Dad help each other to help me.
Nearly three hours had passed, and still, no one had arrived. Tatiana began to look worried again. Suddenly, her phone chimed in with a message. She read it, then sighed softly.
“I’m sorry, Lia. I guess you won’t get to meet him today. He says he’s gotten himself into some kind of trouble and can’t make it anymore.”
“It’s okay, Tia. Honestly, just being able to hang out with you is enough for me,” I said, putting as much warmth and reassurance into my voice as I could.
“Maybe… next time?”
“Definitely. Next time. Just call me whenever.”
Before we went our separate ways, we hugged tightly and kissed each other on the cheek, promising to meet again soon.
I decided to unwind a bit and headed to a bar nearby. I had barely settled at the counter when a man approached me.
“May I have this dance?”
“I don’t deal with s**t,” I replied sharply, without even bothering to look at him.
Seriously? I had only come here to enjoy my vodka and listen to “Shut Up My Mom Is Calling” by Hotel Ugly while enjoying the vibe. Just then, my phone started ringing. I stood up and walked outside the bar to answer it, the cool night air sending a shiver down my spine. I was wearing a striking red halter-neck backless dress, and the breeze felt refreshing against my skin.
“Hello?”
“How are you, my dear?” A soft, familiar voice spoke.
“I’m fine, Mom,” I answered, my tone softening instantly.
“That’s good. I just wanted to ask… will you be coming home this Christmas Eve?”
I signed, leaning against the wall. “I don’t know yet, but I promise I’ll do my best. Work has been crazy busy lately.” It had been four long years since I last went back to my hometown. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited. But how are you? And don’t forget to take your medicine, okay?” I added, my voice turning firm and demanding, just to make sure she listened.
She laughed warmly. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you? Still bossy, even though you’re halfway across the world.”
The loud ringing of my phone woke me up the next morning. I grabbed it from the table and answered without even checking the screen. “Yes?”
- Writer
