GAME 2: CUSTODY

The cold breeze of December blew one fine afternoon. And a deafening silence suddenly ate up the whole place when the people left after the funeral of my parents, and the only noises around were the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the trees.

After our family's close friends expressed their condolences and sadness over my parents' sudden death, I chose to remain at the graves and stand on the Bermuda grass like a tree without life. I just continued staring at the three tombstones and hugging the picture that I had drawn.

I sobbed again as I felt the sweet wind caress my skin. I felt my mother. It was her embrace.

I missed them so much!

Why me?

To all the children in the world, why am I the one who will lose parents?

The bad news is that He took both mommy and daddy in an instant!

"Here," a manly voice said behind me.

I gasped and immediately looked at the person who spoke. Behind me was a young man in a white button-down polo and denim shorts. Even though my vision was blurry, I could still clearly see his dark eyes looking at me.

His hand was outstretched to hand me the white handkerchief, and on the left, he was holding the black umbrella, and he quickly surrounded me.

"R-Ryu..." I almost gasped as I locked my skinny arms around his body.

In an instant, heavy rain poured down along with my new tears. But the moment I saw him standing up in front of me in the middle of the rain, he gave me hope. Like a rainbow after the rain, he brightened up my gloomy sky.

I was thankful that I had him as a friend. Even though that's not really what I really feel for him.

Ryu was three years older than me. But I guess it's not bad to have admiration for someone older than you, right?

"I'm sorry," I said shyly after I released him from the tight hug.

My cheeks got heated!

I avoided his gaze, couldn't look directly at him.

I breathed slowly to calm myself.

To calm the loud beats of my heart.

And to calm my shaking knees.

He chuckled. "It's okay. Come here. I know you need it right now."

I was drifting off when Ryu drew me in and locked me in one of his free arms once more. My heart was saddened even more as warmth from his body hugged me.

He guided me into his car, which somehow made my heart happy.

Inside the car, Ryu was silent. While I was just staring at the portrait of my family with tears running down my cheeks. Other than my faint sniffles, there was no other noise inside as we licked the rain down there. But like my tears, the rain seemed to not stop!

The inside of the car smelled good, especially with the men's perfume mixed in the air. It was Ryu's, for sure. I already smelled that mint scent when I was with him. But now, I can't appreciate the fragrance because my nose is blocked from crying.

Ryu sighed problematically. "Brother Ramon, let's go to the Panganiban Coast..."

The driver did not answer.

I just felt the car move until I finally saw the wide white coast.

The rain had stopped, so the bright and fine white sand lying on the beach was clearly visible. I was so amazed that I couldn't stop myself from dropping her off immediately in the car.

Ryu stopped me.

I felt the worry in his deep voice as he called my name. But it was too late because the backs of my doll shoes were already on the sand. I sprinted to the sea. And salty air filled my nostrils in an instant.

My long hair flew as the strong wind blew. At the same time, my skin became sticky.

Yes, we live on an island, but I have never been this close to the sea.

Hooked and fascinated, I almost didn't stop running until I felt that my shoes were both soaked.

I stopped.

I heard a low and weak laughter that followed me.

"It seems like it is your first time, huh?"

I shrieked when I heard his low baritone voice at my back. I heaved a sigh, freeing myself from the devastation and loneliness that I had been facing since my parents died.

Maybe it was not a bad thing to feel a little happiness after burying my parents, right?

"Ahm... yes," I admitted.

My cheeks flushed as his soft laugh erupted once more.

"Come here," he said, wrapping his arms around me.

My heart beat faster, and everything around me seemed to stop when his body touched my back. It gave off a strange heat and sent electricity flowing through my entire system. The butterflies inside my stomach woke up and started to party.

"I hope you feel better now..." he said, hugging me even tighter.

I would be ungrateful to say that his hug had an effect on me. Yes, I still mourn my parents' loss. But Ryu somehow eased the heavy burden on my chest.

Ryu Dela Costa is quite popular in the school, but not because he's intelligent and talented. It was because he's sporty and handsome, and his sexual appeal is oozing!

I know that, especially when I hear other girls confessing to him and secretly fantasizing about him.

At the age of thirteen, I know he has a girlfriend now. Is it Meredith? Cheska? Mary? Or Elizabeth?

I don't know.

Because they all claim that Ryu is their boyfriend.

"Thank you for today, Ryu," I said shyly as my eyes drifted to the beautiful sunset.

We were both sitting on the sand, sheltered under a coconut tree, and resting after our long walk on the beach.

The orange glow of the sunset on us calmed me down completely.This is what it feels like to watch the sunset.

Light.

Clear.

Melting.

"Anything for you," he whispered, and then he stood up afterwards. "It's getting late. Let's go home."

I let out a sigh.

I was suddenly sad that we were going home already. Time really flies, especially when you're enjoying what you're doing. I stood up and swiped the bottom of my black blouse.

I cleared my throat.

I mustered the strength to ask what had been bothering my mind for a while. "You said earlier... I should smile and be happy. How can I do that if… my mommy and daddy are gone?"

My throat tingled and my eyes watered again when I was asked that question.

He didn't move a muscle.

I crooked to stop my tears from falling again.

I took a deep breath and continued talking. "Maybe... it's easy to say that for you because... your parents are still there---"

"Just a parent," he interrupted.

I raised my eyes at him and frowned. I saw his small smile before he turned his gaze away from me. "Huh? What do you mean? You're with Engineer Dela Costa, right?"

My voice trailed off as I spoke the last words.

"Uhm." Ryu nodded.

"Don't tell me..."

A gasp escaped from my mouth as realization hit me. My hand immediately flew to my mouth to cover its sudden opening. Maybe…

He faced me and came near to give me a hug.

"It means---" I trailed off; my eyes grew even more extensive. "I'm so sorry, Ryu."

He shook his head and laughed bitterly. "Sorry? What for?"

"Ahm... For asking?" I said, guilty.

He laughed at me because of that.

I never thought that a lively Ryu was going through something like me, too.

His mother died of a heart attack a year ago. Like me, his mom was taken from him in an instant. I do not know. But he's right: I'm not the only one going through sadness and darkness like this. Many others have heavier loads than I have.

It was already dark when Ryu drove me to the mansion. Yaya Dores and Aunt Ingrid approached me with concern on their faces. I told them that I was okay. But that wasn't enough, so Aunt Ingrid kept asking where I had been.

I just told her that I fell asleep in some random coffee shop near the cemetery because of the hard rain. In the end, they believed it and let me rest after having my dinner.

"Who will have custody of the child, Attorney Agoncillo?" Aunt Ingrid's voice was full of interest.

"Relax, Miss Concepcion! Take it easy, okay? Someone will think that you are only after the inheritance and not the child."

"And who do you think you are? Are you the one I'm talking to?" Aunt Ingrid's voice rose.

"I'm Riley Dela Costa, Celestine. Maybe you forgot." A bark of manly laughter thundered.

“Goodness! I know! I'm not stupid, Engineer Dela Costa!"

"Riley and Celestine, please stop arguing like children! Let me finish what is written on the paper first, okay?"

Going down the stairs the next day and hearing their voices in the living room. It seems that what they are talking about is very important.

I had just woken up and was about to head to the dining room for breakfast that morning. But because of the loudness of their voices, they seemed to be arguing, so I was stunned. Curiosity piqued me, so instead of going to the table, I turned around and went straight to the living room, where they were.

In front of Aunt Ingrid was a respected man in his black tuxedo, who had thick eyeglasses standing up at the tip of his Greek nose. His eyes were almost shut as he read the context of the paper laid beneath his black suitcase.

As I remembered, he was Attorney Renato Agoncillo, our family lawyer. And beside him, a family friend, Engineer Riley Dela Costa, also in his corporate attire. It looks like they are just entering the office.

It was one fine Sunday in January. It has been a month since my parents died. But it all seems to have happened yesterday. Up until that point in my life, I was still hoping that maybe it was all just a dream. Tomorrow, I will wake up, and they will be here again.

I spent New Year's Eve crying and locking myself in my room. Yaya Dores knocked on my door several times, but I didn't open the door. I just want to be alone during those times. I wanted silence, even though it didn't happen after midnight because of the noise of the fireworks outside.

I also hesitated to continue my studies and stopped living. If it wasn't for Yaya Dores, I wouldn't have been able to convince myself to enroll again.

"Hija..." called an old woman's voice behind me.

Horror engulfed me, and cold enveloped my body in an instant. My hand flew to the top of my chest as if it could stop my heart from beating so fast. With shaking hands, I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that only Yaya Dores was behind me.

I thought it was that ghost in the movie I watched last night!

"You're giving me a heart attack, Yaya Dores!"

Yaya Dores chuckled. "I'm sorry, Hija. Your meal is ready at the table. "I look up to your room, but you're no longer there."

I nodded.

I took a deep breath and just shook my head to calm myself down. I frowned when I saw Yaya Dores peeking into the living room, where I was looking earlier.

"Why are you just here and hiding?" Yaya Dores sighed, then faced me with a frown. "If you could join them in their conversation?"

I shook my head. "I'm not needed there, Yaya Dores. I'm too young to be with them.”

"That's your right, Hija! It is! They're talking about your parents’ wealth..."

I bit my lower lip.

I failed to look up again at Yaya Dores. Yes, I have the rights. But as Attorney Agoncillo said in the conversation... I'm still young. I have no ability to run big companies like LEC and Leesteel. I couldn’t understand how business was run. And I still have no right to the inheritance of my parents, not until I reach legal age.

And one more thing, who will listen to the voice of a child?

No one.

"Hija..." Yaya Dores called worriedly. She gently reached for my elbow.

I immediately shook my head. A tired smile curled my lips. Those decisions came from my parents. Their minds must have been clear when they made that decision. Who am I to question that?

Yaya Dores left me because she said she had something to do in the kitchen. As for me, I continued secretly listening to the three even though I wanted to stop because the words of Aunt Ingrid and Engineer Dela Costa to each other were a little too hot.

Aunt Ingrid accused the last will of being a fraud. According to her, Attorney Agoncillo and Engineer Dela Costa did something stupid on paper.

"I knew it! That's the reason this engineer is here, right?" She angrily pointed at Engineer Dela Costa. "This is all a scheme!"

My custody, the Leesteel, the mansion, and the other properties that Mommy and Daddy left behind went to Aunt Ingrid. And to Engineer Dela Costa, the LEC's management.

"This is all a fraud, Attorney Agoncillo!" With drawn lines on her neck and temple, Aunt Ingrid told the attorney.

Attorney Agoncillo shook his head, dismay was written on his face. "That's what's written on the couple's paper, Miss Concepcion. Accept it or not. In time, when Miss Lee is the right age, she'll be the one to take care of those left behind."

But Aunt Ingrid didn't buy the attorney's explanations! She still had a lot of doubts about the decision. And she kept insisting on that.

"Tell me! I know you wrote something on that paper!"

Attorney Agoncillo just rubbed his forehead as he continued to shake his head. Meanwhile, the silence of the mansion was shattered by Engineer Dela Costa's mocking laugh. That made Aunt Ingrid even more angry.

"I'm the aunt! Akemi and I have the same blood flowing through our veins. And you? Who are you? Who are you to be trusted by Akem and Oseanna?" Aunt Ingrid pointed a finger at Engineer Dela Costa.

Engineer Dela Costa is a family friend. He is the same age as Daddy. He was also one of Daddy's companions when LEC was built. Daddy trusted him so much. So Aunt Ingrid said he couldn't be trusted?

I highly doubt it.

LEC really deserves to go to Engineer Dela Costa. I know he can take care of it and make it grow. He's a trustworthy person. I know. That's why Daddy had full confidence when he left the management of Leesteel to him while he was still alive.

Engineer Dela Costa just gave Aunt Ingrid a sarcastic chuckle as his reply.

In a deep sigh, I let myself be swept away by the thoughts as the days passed quickly. The following Sunday came. Absently minded, I followed Yaya Dores with a stare when she left me in the living room and went up the stairs.

Aunt Ingrid left Manila early this morning. I stayed in the living room after she said her goodbye. I wasn't hungry when Yaya Dores asked me to have breakfast. But when two hours passed, I couldn't stop myself from eating the food that she brought.

I burped loudly after the last spoon of fried rice that I put in my mouth. I immediately took a sip of water from the glass and belched again. I felt heavy. It seems that this was the first time I felt full again.

I suddenly frowned when my mind flashed for a moment back to what happened last week here in the living room and my eyes caught the small piece of paper. It was on top of the magazines that rested under the center table.

Aunt Ingrid ripped the paper Attorney Agoncillo was holding that day. Up to this date, I could still feel the tension between him and Engineer Dela Costa that day. It is not a simple conflict between them. Like it was deeply rooted. I hope that they will fix their problems with each other. My parents trusted them, and I know they both deserved it!

My mind and mood were clear when I decided to walk around outside the mansion.

The quiet place made me calm down.

Not until I reached the staircase at the entrance.

In a snap, my face got heated.

Immediately, my heart beat hard and fast.

What is he doing here?

"R-Ryu---" My lips trembled.

Then, I saw how a sweet smile crept onto his red-tinted lips after licking them. I got more and more nervous. What the hell, Akemi! He's just wearing simple denim shorts and a black T-shirt! If you open your mouth, it's right in front of him!

"Hi!" He waved his hand.

I bit my lower lip and smiled inwardly. "H-Hello..."

When he got to the step where I was standing, he asked, "How are you? Are you feeling okay now?"

And he kissed me... on the cheek.

I was stunned.

I couldn't answer.

It's like I'm standing in front of a statue because of what he did.

He kissed me on… my cheek!

I think I'm going to faint.

Ryu waved his hands in front of my face. "You okay?”

I nodded absentmindedly.

"Really? It doesn't seem like it. Are you sick? You're blushing," he asked worriedly, and I couldn't even open my mouth to answer.