The car left with Sir Mikael in it. Ismael and I were about to go back to our room to prepare our things because we also decided to go back to the penthouse and to our usual lives at work. I still haven’t reported to Miss Sapphire after our outing. Too much has happened in the past two days.
“Jothea, spare me a minute,” Ismael’s mother said. I glanced at Ismael. He nods. “I’ll prepare everything for us.”
I followed Miss Elisse. I wasn’t talking at all and just waited for her to bring me to a room to start a conversation. Honestly, I’m starting to feel nervous about what she was about to say.
“Are you bothered by what Veonna said?” She began before sitting down on a chair. I suppose this is the room where the family usually entertains guests. There is a large piano on the side and a nice variety of tables and chairs in the middle. There is also a large space next to the piano.
She made me sit next to her. “You see, I get her point. She suffered a lot because of my shortcomings. She fulfilled the ten children I wouldn’t be able to bear.”
My breath deepened. “In reality, I really did it all. Not Mikael.”
I kept looking at her as I listened. I had long wondered why they broke up when my eyes could clearly see how much they still loved each other. Why they had to marry someone else. And it is starting to scare me too, because I don’t want Ismael and I to end up in a position where he has to divorce me because I can’t give him a child. I am just lucky that Ismael always assures me that he will not leave me, no matter what happens.
But what if the clan pressured him to do so? What can I do?
I just kept thinking, my world is falling apart.
“You might not have noticed it, but Ismael was distant from his father after our divorce. He was so mad that he eloped from us and came back, hating his father. He doesn’t know that I was the one who asked for it. I don’t know if you would understand me, but I care too much about my family to even ask my husband to marry someone else in order to fulfill his duty. Mikael hated that idea, but I forced him. I told him that he wouldn’t be able to see his children if he didn’t do what I said.”
Her eyes were welled up with tears that were afraid of falling. “It was my idea, and Veonna was also a victim of my greed, yet both families see me as the one who suffered the most when it was them.”
“Still now, I am. I am so full of greed that I wanted my son to take over the presidency since it was his in the first place, but it got ruined because of me. And now I am overly guilty to see that Veonna deserves it more since if she hadn’t been there, the family tradition would never have been fulfilled, and the presidency from Mikael would have been voided. But I did not want that to happen, not for my children. I want to give them the best.”
I can see now why Ismael doesn’t want this at all. Desiring something great requires a great sacrifice. Ismael’s mom sacrificed herself as a wife just to maintain Sir Mikael’s position as clan president. I can understand her, just like I can understand Miss Veonna’s situation now. She also just wanted to do her best for her child.
What can a mother not do for her children?
I can’t help but cry. Am I ready to sacrifice everything just for the greater good? Am I ready to be a mother? Maybe it hasn’t been given to me yet because God sees that I can’t do it yet? What if I can’t do it, and I can’t have children? Will Ismael’s presidency be lost? But he started to want that place for me and for our future children.
Miss Elisse caressed my hair, which I didn’t expect, causing me to look at her. “I am telling you this so you can avoid the kind of mistakes I made in the past, or, should I say, I am explaining everything to give you a chance to still back out if things here don’t go well for you. ”
I was just staring at her, and I don’t know why I felt like I understood why she came up with this. She might hide it from everyone, or she just isn’t convinced, but just like how people see her, I think she was truly the one who suffered the most.
I shook my head. “There’s no backing out when it comes to your son, Miss Elisse; I mean, m-mom. Ismael has done a lot for me already and for our relationship, and this is the least I can do for him-to make him feel the same feelings I have for him. I’ll just go wherever he goes and give him whatever he wants or needs. I am not going to take away what he needs in this life, not going away.”
A smile appeared on Ismael’s mother’s lips. “Despite the tradition their family has, this family has the purest heart I have ever known. I know my son will never hurt you. It is a great decision to choose to stay. You’ll be happy in this family.”
She gave me the warmest hug that my mother had never given me. I felt the genuine love of a mother coming from her. “Don’t be disheartened by what the doctor said earlier. The doctor might be wrong.”
I jolted because of what she said, and a glimpse of hope appeared in front of me. “See? So don’t lose hope and feel pressured. I know you will bear twelve children, sweetheart. Just believe that you will.”
“Thank you, m-mom,” I said, just before I hugged her again.
“It’s good to hear that you are fulfilling what I asked you. Keep on calling me that. I only have two children calling me that way.” “Alright, Mom.”
Ismael’s mom and I chatted for a few more minutes before she said goodbye and went back to her house with her second husband, Mr. Auckland. That means there’s nothing left in this mansion except the Ismaels’ maids and butlers.
I went back to the room where Ismael was waiting for me. We didn’t have much stuff with us, so I don’t know why he took so long to come down. I should have just waited for him downstairs because I was too lazy to go up.
“Are you finished?” I asked Ismael when I found him sitting on the bed. “Are we going home now?”
I was surprised when he stood up and hugged me tightly. He placed his head on my shoulder. Is he flirting? I just embraced him and tapped his back gently. “Te iubesc.”
I smiled. “I love you too, Ismael.”
We spent one night at the mansion before returning to the City of Lourdez. We also passed by the room I was renting to get my things, because from now on I will never leave him. If I run away, I will stay at a hotel or at their mansion. He also gave me a black card so that If I’m having trouble with money or if I want to buy something, I can use it. I laughed when I accepted it. As if I could use it? Well, I’m not extravagant about anything.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off at Safira?” he asked. We were both dressed in corporate attire. He was heading to LMC, while I was heading to Safira.
“Yup, I’m fine. I’ll commute.”
He shook his head. “I know you’re just being practical, but it humiliates me.” I frowned. “Use your privilege very well, my love. I want to provide.”
“But I’m fine. I know you have a lot to take care of at LMC, especially since we just got back, and I understand that. It will be a hassle if you bring me.”
“I don’t mind.”
“But I decline. Let me go; I’m learning to drive for myself so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“Hmm…” He wasn’t convinced. “I don’t think your patience will be good for driving,” he commented, which pissed me off. Is he trying to annoy me in broad daylight?
“What did you say?!”
“See?” he laughed at my reaction. I just curled my upper lip out of disgust before crossing my arms. “Stay for a moment. I’ll call the company driver to accompany you to Safira.”
I just sighed. We went down to the lobby together where Mr. Tory was waiting for him and also wished me good morning.
“The company driver is here, sir,” he said to Ismael.
Ismael nodded before walking towards a black car. He opened the door for me in the back seat. “Let’s eat lunch together. I’ll go to you after my meetings.”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. “Alright. See you.” I gave him a peck. I was about to get inside the car when he grabbed my waist to kiss my lips. “That’s how you kiss the man you love, Jothea,” he emphasized.
“Noted, prof.” I said excitedly while wiping his lips that were stained with the red lipstick I was wearing. “See you later.”
He nodded before reluctantly letting me go. I got into the car and saw in the side mirror that Mr. Tory was also getting into the gray Bugatti that he had been bragging about to me before.
I smiled. I feel so grateful.
My car started moving, even though I hadn’t said where I was going. It seemed like he knew too, and Ismael had already said it. I glanced at the rearview mirror and we both looked at each other.
I couldn’t speak right away in shock. He just smiled.
“J-Joth?! W-what are you doing here? Why are you driving this car?”
But those questions were answered when a memory flashed through my head. The company he was talking about is the one Ismael owned? He is the company driver for LMC?
He just smiled and continued driving. Right. He needs to focus on the road, but what about me? How can I focus, if I’m so shocked by what’s happening? Why is he here? And the fact that he’s smiling at me-that’s so unusual!
“Later. We’ll talk later, Sister Jothea. Sir Mondalla said to take you to Safira safely and early.”
A straight smile formed on my lips. I held back my tears because I was so overwhelmed by what was happening. Yesterday, my parents heard my plea for the first time, and now, I see Joth driving this car for me? I know we already reconciled a long time ago, but why is everything coming to its right place for me? How did Ismael make me feel like I had a whole family?
A tear left my eyes when I turned my back on Joth. I bid goodbye to him a moment ago so he could go back to the LMC to perform his duty, and now I am here in the elevator, overwhelmed by beautiful emotions. And besides God, I am constantly grateful because I have Ismael.
Erl, Zedee, and Caylie greeted me and hugged me when I entered our office. They immediately greeted me and apologized because they said they helped set up Ismael and I to get back together. This means that they had known about the relationship between the owner of LMC for a long time. I also apologized for keeping it a secret from them.
Miss Sapphire called for me in her office, and just like others said, she also apologized for conspiring with Miss Levanier. She said she helped because she heard that someone was surrounding Ismael, and she said she would not miss the opportunity for Ismael and I to get back together so that Safira and LMC could get closer through me. I knew it was just her joke.
That’s when I remembered Miss Lovendino again. I remember her talking to Ismael at the pantry, saying she was willing to marry him. What happened? Did Ismael turn her down?
“If you and Mr. Mondalla had just made up, I wouldn’t have scolded you for being absent yesterday. File a reason for absence if you don’t want to be AWOL,” Miss Sapphire said, her frustration conveyed through humor.
I just scratched my head when she handed me the form. “Is engagement and meeting with the parents a valid reason for absence?”