CHAPTER 2

Clara shook hands with Manuel and Henry. She could feel Henry's eyes on her as Manuel and Dr. Mathew conversed in Spanish. Her heart beat faster when Philip came in and walked toward his father. Philip whispered something in Manuel's ears and Manuel nodded.

"It's time for me to make my speech, I will talk to you later on." Manuel said and walked to the stage.

"He is so full of energy." Dr. Mathew said to Philip.

"Mmm...He is trying his best to be strong." Philip said.

"I would like to thank you all for attending my sixtieth birthday party! I would like to thank my beautiful wife for her support and I would like to thank my son, Philip Cruz for his hard work, and also, my sweet handsome son, Henry. They have been there for me, so please appreciate them for me and enjoy yourselves!" Manuel said and everyone applauded cheerfully.

"You guys should talk together, I have to talk to your father." Dr. Mathew said as he walked toward Manuel.

Philip noticed the way Henry stared at Clara, so he smiled and turned to Clara. "I have to see my mom, so please enjoy the party." 

"I will, thank you." Clara replied.

Philip nodded with a smile and walked away while Henry approached Clara.

"He's always busy, I hope you don't mind," Henry said with a smile.

"I can see it." Clara said, with a soft laugh. 

"So...are you like...Dr. Mathew's nephew or...."

"No...I am not...I am his friend's daughter...he and my father are good friends."

"Okay, that's good. I was actually surprised to see you with him."

"Yeah. Your father looks very healthy at his age?"

"He is trying to be healthy...but it's not working properly for him."

"Oh...I think I agree with you. My father boasted about his health many times, but little did we know that he hides in his room to take sugary things." She said and they both laughed.

"Sounds exactly like fathers."

"Yeah, it does."

"Are you going to be working with the Cruz company?"

"Yeah... but not now. I have to settle some things first."

"So you are an artist?"

"I am...but there is nobody that does it better than your brother. His drawings and designs give me inspiration and the desire to do more than I have done before."

"Wow...I never knew that my brother was a role model."

"He is my role model, I don't know about anyone else." 

"You should tell him."

"Oh no, I can't. It would be too much for me to take in. I need every courage and breath that I can muster."

"I hope you aren't scared of him, he is a nice person."

"I know, but I can't just walk up to him and tell him, that he is my role model. He would probably wave it off."

"He would...but he won't. Maybe, when you find the courage, you can tell him. He won't bite."

Clara laughed and nodded. "Thanks for your advice." She said.

The couple's dance started and Henry asked Clara for a dance which she agreed to. 

"Who is Henry dancing with?" Maria asked Philip.

"Dr. Mathew's guest...she will be working for us." Philip replied.

"Oh...wow. That's nice, I trust Mathew to bring in the best people."

"Yeah."

"Henry is allowed to date whoever he wants to but I and your father want you to stay the way you are and give this company your best."

"You've said that before."

"It's my responsibility to remind you again so that you won't lose focus on your goal and fall in love with a girl. Any girl that comes to you now, would want to marry you for your money and Fame. So be careful." Maria said, holding her son's hands gently.

"I know."

"Felipe, you know I love you, right?"

"I know, you don't have to worry about me."

"Te veo luego. I will see you later." She said and kissed him on the cheeks before walking away.

Philip sighed and tucked his hands into his pocket. He was twenty-six years old, not probably interested in marriage or a relative because he always had work to do, but his mother's words about concentrating on work always made him remember that he wasn't capable of love.

He loved his mother and respected her more than anyone else, that was why he never thought of disobeying her or upsetting her because of all she had gone through for him. She made sure that he always had enough, even when she had nothing, she wouldn't eat in a day, but she would make sure that Philip ate twice a day even in the most difficult times.

His mother was a very dedicated and loving woman when it came to family and close friends. She could sacrifice anything to make sure that those she loved, had a good life. Even Manuel attested to that fact and he could never stop singing praises about her in public. She always treated people well, no matter who they were. 

However, she was a domineering woman. She always loved to dominate and control events. The one person she knew that he couldn't control, was Philip. She could only advise him and explain the reason for her choice of life to him. Most times, he disagreed, but sometimes, he accepted her reasons. 

As he looked around, he saw Clara and Henry discussing after their dance and Philip smiled. He was happy that Henry found someone to relate with. He looked at the time on his worst watch and walked out of the party. There was a piece of artwork waiting for him at home to be completed.

Clara watched as Philip walked out of the hall. For some reason, she could feel a little attraction toward him. When she first saw him outside, her heart suddenly beat faster, even though she knew that he could not hear it. She didn't expect him to be so nice and warm to her, it surprised her to see that he was that type of person.

"He's leaving, do you want to talk to him?" Henry asked looking at Philip.

"I don't think so..."

"Try and talk to him now. He's probably going home to finish his work. "

"Okay...I will try." She said with her hands on her chest as she walked out of the hall.

Philip checked his phone for any missed calls before he opened the door of his car. "I thought I told Freddie to call me soon." He said to himself.

"Hi... Philip." Clara said, approaching him.

Philip looked up and saw Clara, then he smiled. "Clara... I thought..."

"Oh...yes. He told me to try and talk to you...so..."

"Okay, my brother has the habit of trying." He said with a smile.

"It's quite true...uh..are you on your way home?"

"Yes, I have work to do...well, it's my personal project."

"Okay. I just wanted to say that I love your work...and designs and paintings. They all inspire me."

"I never knew that my work inspired anyone...usually, I don't even dwell so much on my designs."

"I can bet you that there are so many people out there, who have been encouraged to pursue their talents because of your works."

"Thank you so much...I am actually heading back home now, but I will head to my studio first to meet someone. So if you would like to see more of my paintings..."

"I would love to come to your studio."

"Oh...okay. Please get in the car." Philip said as he opened the door for her and she entered. He closed the door and got into the car.

"You drive your car?" She asked.

"I do...not every time but, most of the time I drive."

"That's great." She replied with a smile. 

Philip started the car and drove out of the premises.