Encounter

MATTHEW'S POV( KTI Tower)I yawned as I take off my coat inside my office. I'm still drowsy and I feel like I didn't get enough sleep last night. I sat in the swivel chair and leaned there. I closed my eyes and felt the cold coming from the AC.I sat up straight and stretched out my arms afterward and called my secretary. It took few moments before she picked up the phone. Maybe she was still busy cleaning up her area since it's still early."Good morning, Sir. How can I help you?" she answered enthusiastically. She still hasn't faded. She is still the same person I hired a few years ago. "Good morning! Can you please bring me a cup of coffee?" "Sure, sir. Your coffee will be served in less than five minutes." I laughed because I felt like I was in a coffee shop at what she said. She never failed to amaze me with her humor."Five minutes is too long for a cup of coffee, miss. Make it three, if you can't then let me talk to your manager then." I joked. I also heard her laugh in the o

MATTHEWHearing the news from David made me uneasy the whole day. After the last business meeting that I attended, I rushed home immediately to confront my father about it. But when I reached home, I was surprised to see a car parked in our garage that was not ours. My heart began to pound heavily, and my instinct told me that something was going on inside our house. Something fishy.I even thought of running away but not this time, and I think facing this could end my misery, so with my head held high, I went to the living room."Matt?" What the heck! I saw the smiling face of Nathalie coming on my way. "Hi! Good evening." Acting calm and modest as if I do not know her true colors. A certified spoiled brat. "Good evening!" I replied and walked to the kitchen, and there, I saw my father and Nathalie's parents on the dining table. Maybe discussing something. Probably, our engagement."Oh! My son is here already. Come on, son, join us." I sat in the chair beside my father, ready to l

MATTHEW As I was staring outside, watching the crashing of the waves, I couldn't help but think of my family. Dad must be so mad right now, if only he listened to me, but the aspiration of getting more wealth blinded him.Yana and David must be so worried too, especially that I could not reach them. I hope that when I come back, everything is still in the right place, and Nathalie will give up on her obsession with me. But how long should I hide here, and can I even survive their way of living? That woman who drove me here looked familiar, but I couldn't remember when and where I met her. It was impossible to meet her in the business world; she looked plain and rugged with her plain shirt paired with ripped jeans and a sneaker. But one thing that made me confused was her motorbike. How can someone as plain as her afford to buy that kind? Though it's not the most expensive one, it still costs a million.But as I was looking at her now as she is talking with that bubbly little girl.

Aleia( Aged 10)Years had passed, but still, there were no signs of daddy. He broke his promise to us. Mommy said that he was just so busy, maybe he could not visit us anymore. Though, I knew he was supporting us financially. Granny died due to a heart attack two years ago, leaving mommy and me on the island since mommy is her only daughter. Since Granny died, mom was so silent and lonely. She was in deep thought most of the time. During those times, I sat with her to make her feel that she was not alone. I'm with her. Though, she tried to hide it away from me, it still reflected in her eyes. I also noticed that she was weaker than before. She even went to the doctor for checkups, but still, she did not tell me. Until one day, I have read her hospital record. I did not understand what it meant. The terms were profound, but my attention was caught by one word that gave me goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach. It ignited my biggest fear. And that is losing mom. I happened to rea

ALEIA (Aged 10)The inevitable did happen. A few days after dad came, mom passed away peacefully. She spent the last day of her life reminiscing how much she loved dad. Dad took care of her and brought her to the beach. They spent hours talking and being with each other. Only then did I know that it was mom who asked for a divorce when she was diagnosed with cancer. Dad did not agree at first, but mom was persistent. She wanted him to move on and get away from the pain while she was still alive. At first, I didn't get it. But who am I to question their decision. I was so broken after losing mom. Few days after her funeral, Dad brought me home. To our old home. The home where everything started. It was still the old house that we had. Though, some parts were renovated. But to my dismay, a woman who I thought was younger than mom for a few years welcomed us. Beside her is a little girl, maybe five or six years old. She was petite and tall, and she looked so cute and pretty in her pi