Silverius' POV
Right now, I preoccupied myself by finding more ways on how can I make myself busy enough. I kept on walking in circles as I search my mind for ideas.
I just finished my two-hour workout and even showered for thirty minutes but still haven't killed enough time. Today's my rest day so it feels kinda boring. Ayaw ko namang magkulong sa loob ng bahay at lalong ayaw kong gumala sa labas dahil maraming ignoranteng tao.
Oh I just hate how their lustful eyes touch my skin.
Many people would yearn for this day to come because finally, they could rest their aching backs from sitting all day in the office or to rest their minds from the series of stress they've been through. Ang iba naman ay masaya dahil magkakaroon na sila ng oras sa kanilang pamilya.
In my case, things are different. Rest day sounds boring to me.
Mas gusto ko pa ang stress na nakukuha ko sa office kaysa ang stress na mula sa ibang bagay lalo na rito sa bahay. Pagkatapos ko kasing ma-stress sa office ay alam kong may papasok pa rin na kita sa account ko. On the other hand, stress from the non-business related things only cause me headache.
I remember Clint asking me over a while ago but I declined. Nahihimigan ko kasi ang itim niyang balak lalo na at mayroon na naman siyang mga babaeng nakakasama.
Nakakairita kasi tuwing inerereto niya ako sa mga babae niya. There's this one time when he invited me out, telling me we'll go hiking so I said yes. Totoo ngang nag-hiking kami but little did I know that a surprise is waiting for me om top of the mountain.
There were a bunch of girls waiting for us with their tents already planted above the ground. He tried to involve me in their flirty conversations but I just can't get along.
Nandidiri ako.
Easy-to-get girls aren't just my thing.
That hiking memory actually gave me an idea on what I can do today. I absolutely want to go alone but someone gave my phone a ring.
"What is it about again, Derek?" pambungad ko.
"Woah! Can't you start with a normal morning greeting?" he laughingly said. "I was just gonna ask you to accompany me."
"Where and when? Please state specific details," I demanded.
"Nature walk at the park right now," he replied.
Now?!
"Yes, as in now. Ngayon na, Tanso. I am already outside your subdivision. Walk your ass and come here," he sounds so proud saying that.
"K," I agreed as I ended the call.
Mas gusto ko sana kung mag-isa ako but then Derek's presence won't hurt...I hope it won't.
I jogged down the stairs only to find dad blocking my way. I tried to ignore him at first by walking past him but then he grabbed me by my shoulder.
"Today's your rest day, right?" he asked now with his arms crossed.
He's in his usual business attire. He must be going to work when he saw me. Ang malas ko naman at naabutan ko pa siya bago makaalis.
"Yes," I answered briefly.
Sinubukan ko na nanamang lampasan siya kaso isang banta ang nagpatigil sa akin.
"Make one step and you'll lose your whole leg."
Napalunok ako sa banta niya. Alam kong kaya niyang seryosohin 'yan. He doesn't give a damn even if I'm his son. Basta makuha niya ang gusto niya ay ayos na sa kanya 'yon.
"What do you want, dad?" I tried to harden my voice, suppressing the shakiness so I'll appear strong despite being frightened.
"I want you to use this day to go and have a taste test for the dishses to be served on your birthday event. I'll email you the address," he said.
It's about that damn celebration again Huminga ako nang malalim bago sumagot.
"I'll set another schedule for that," sabi ko na lang para matapos na.
"Why don't you do it now?" Napapikit na lang ako.
I am literally doing my best to hold my patience. Kung hindi ko hahabaan ang pasensiya ko ay ako rin naman ang lugi.
It was then that realization hit me. Sinapian ako ng pagiging business man ko. I mean why would I stress myself out for doing the thing I dislike without getting any profit?
I need to play my bargaining skills.
"I'll do it now in one condition," I bargained and it awakened the smirk on his lips.
"Enlighten me," he said.
"Allow me to have my own condominium. My own," I gave emphasis on the two last words.
I've always wanted a place that I can call my own. 'Yong binili ko ng sarili kong pera at ako lang ang nakatira. A place that I can call my property - my own.
Dad won't let me live independently. Paano ay gusto niyang nasa ilalim lang ako ng bubong niya para lagi niya akong hawak sa leeg.
He acted as if he's thinking of it thoroughly. "Lugi ako," he said.
Nakalimutan kong business tycoon nga pala itong kaharap ko. Still, nothing beats a wise and perseverant entrepreneur.
So, I gave him a better proposal.
"What if I'll stay and try my best to not yell at anybody at my birthday celebration?" Nanliit ang mga mata niya, a sign that he's still not convinced. "I'll stay all throughout the event and pledge to participate in any activities and preparation shits."
He will surely have a hard time declining this one. Alam niyang isang malaking pagsubok sa akin ang pakikihalubilo sa ibang tao that's why hearing that I'll stay to socialize for one whole night is one rare phenomenon. Kumbaga sa business, this is a rare deal.
He should be thankful that he's fortunate enough tha I presented this idea to him.
"Call," agreed.
As easy as that, I am on my way to tell Derek the change of plans.
"Losing your dignity just for a condominium looks like a scene that I'll be fascinated to watch," he said with excitement.
"What made you think that I'll lose my dignity over some brief socialization with people?" I suspiciously asked.
"Life is full of possibilities, Tanso. Who knows? Baka matastasan ka ng slacks habang naglalakad sa red carpet then everyone will have a glimpse of your boxers." Then, he loudly laughed with his own imagination. "Tapos 'yong design pa ng boxers mo ay cartoon characters."
Lalo pa siyang natawa.
Hanep ang imagination nito ah, napakalawak.
"Are you planning something?" I asked him suspiciously.
This dude can read minds! Malay ko ba kung may nabasa siyang kung ano para masabi ang mga 'yan. It makes me overthink if I should man up and stand by my decision or just lose some balls and tell dad I changed my mind.
"I'd choose the first one if I were you," he suggested after intruding my thoughts. "Plus, dagdag experience mo 'yan. As I've said, life is full of possibilities. You'll never know what will come. Well, not unless you're me."
He fired another series of an annoying laughter.
Instead of an enjoying nature walk, I and Derek spent the day taste testing these food. Napunta sa wala ang pag-work out ko. These food are indeed delicious.
I admit I enjoyed it pero lalong nag-e-enjoy si Derek.
"Be careful, old man. Baka ma-trigger and hypertension mo. Old veins get easily blocked my fat, you know," kantiyaw ko.
"Oh you can't scare me with that. I am too young for hypertension. Besides, mas prone ka pa nga sa highblood kaysa sa'kin. Imagine living with a greedy and manipulative dragon. Tatanda ka talaga agad," he jokingly said.
Nag-iba ang mood ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Talagang tuwang-tuwa pa siya.
"Yeah, I owe all of this to you," I can't help but to sound sarcastic.
I know he got my point kaya nanahimik na lang din siya. He probably realized that he screwed up and he's trying to make it up to me by giving me the silence that I need.
Bihira na nga akong magsalita, nawalan pa ako ng gana. Pinilit ko na lang ngang gumana ang mga taste buds ko hanggang sa huling meal.
"I think my cloud nine is over," he said while pertaining to the taste testing.
"I'm glad it is," I coldly said.
"Let me take you - "
"Bourton is here," I cut his sentence.
I know he wants to drive me home but the awkwardness in the atmosphere will just be too suffocating for me. For now, I want to divert my attention to something else.
Sana nga ay makakita ako ng pagkakaabalahan sa bahay.
"There's someone looking for you a while ago," pagbabalita ni Bourton.
"Business partner?" I assumed.
"Basing from her clothes, I know she isn't business related. She dropped something in the gate's mailbox," he further explained.
Agad na pumasok sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Derek tungkol sa scholarship no'ng babae. Siguro nga ay siya na 'yon.
I smirked in amusement.
She has the guts to show herself in front of out house to drop her scholarship application. Sana naman ay hindi niya ipahiya ang sarili niya sa akin.
As soon as I got my eyes on the gate's mailbox, I immediately started to open her envelope to see how it went for her.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang tama ang sagot niya sa unang tanong.
She got that one correctly.
"Tsamba," I said.
Napagdesisyonan kong dalhin na lang ito sa loob. Mukhang may pagkakaabalahan na ako.
Make my day off meaningful, woman.