Chapter 8 Something Weird

• (Cullen POV)
• “What else is there to discuss?” I sat back. The room was suddenly tensed, and some mumbling erupted. But none of them dared to speak. Only the Chairman Do gabbled on.
• “The biggest project that Dela Ventura Corporation worked on many years ago needed huge funding. Your father invested on it, but it didn’t meet his expectation of success. I’d just like to remind you that if it weren’t for the financial backing made by my connections and by the cooperation of Do Conglomerate, Dela Ventura Corporation is licking salt by now,” Chairman Do threatened.
• So that’s why he was so confident? The audacity!
• “Touché. Should I say thank you then?” I replied back sarcastically.
• “Your father was the guarantor of that loan worth billions! Although most of it has been paid off, there is still an outstanding balance for you to worry of. And according to our agreement, the moment he dies -which happened already- and I leave this company, the loan was required to be paid in full. You can’t ditch it either since I know you value your reputation and the company’s as well. What will the media say if that was to happen? It will be a very big controversy for you.”
• I gritted my teeth in anger.
• “Your father had been so confident he’d live long to pay it off. Although you’ve made Dela Ventura stay on top, it’s still just healing from the wounds of its past. Think well, Mr. Acting CEO.”
• He’s succeeded in irritating me.
• “This conference has ended. Dismissed,” I glared at him, and he took satisfaction in knowing I was cornered.
• If things went astray, I might end up selling one company for good. But I promised father I would make both companies succeed even more and I will.
• My men that stood in the corner followed me out. Jeo escorted me to the next meeting with Cryzastic Corporation. Unlike the earlier discussion, the talk with Cryzastic went smoothly. Most of the trustees were my parents’ friends so they sympathized with my recent loss.
• Dr. Cox called me after to inform that father’s body has been transferred to the mansion. I wanted to go home immediately but the crowd that has gathered in front of Dela Ventura was just growing. Like in the hospital, Jeo has already readied a black Limo at the back exit.
• “Looks like we need to do some cleansing about the rumours spreading around. I trust you Atty. Moss to do something about it,” I smiled at Atty. Moss who was surprised to hear that from me.
• “Of course.”
• Jeo, as he knew I would ask for, gave me the car keys. Seeing that my men stood still, Atty. Moss grew worried that I am planning to leave alone. The sun was still out and indeed it was more dangerous. Eyes were watching.
• “That’s a bad idea Cullen,” Atty. Moss stammered as I got in Jeo’s car. He just stood there dazed as I sped off.
• Chairman Do was right. I am in fact, stubborn.
• But one thing’s for sure. These wheels are taking me to the right place again.
• (Sofia POV)
• “Pia!” stepmom called me in the mock name I was usually referred to by everyone when they are annoyed or angry. Her fat body stood menacing before me. “Where did the money in your father’s purse go? There were still some cash there yesterday!”
• “Ma, I bought some medicine for Pa,” I answer as I continued on brushing my teeth. She suddenly hit me with the broom she was holding.
• Ouch! It hurt.
• “Who told you to use that money? It’s mine. Give it back!” she ranted “And it was your payday yesterday, give me some cash.”
• “I ran out of money already and the rest were for…”Oh my! Slip of the tongue!
• “For what?!”
• “I’m saving it for dad’s therapy sessions,” I whined.
• Her face wrinkled. “Give it to me! Your father will heal on his own without those useless therapies. Hand it over!”
• She might just hit me again, so I reluctantly agreed. I didn’t tell anybody that my pay increased by ten dollars but all that I have saved so far still went to waste. Ma will just use them for gambling. I took the notebook where I hid my money, and she took them instantly.
• Little Lilibeth, who just woke up from sleep, approached me groggily.
• “What’s there to eat, Auntie Pia?”
• “Nothing...” I replied passively, still annoyed at the loss of my savings.
• “What? Auntie, go buy something!!!” She nagged with her high-pitched voice.
• You spoiled little brat! She got the guts to yell at me!
• “Well, I’m not your mother. Go ask your mom to feed you,” I replied with my brows raised.
• “Mom! Aunt Pia is scolding me! Ahhhhh!” Lilibeth screamed again, snot running down her nose as she cried.
• Nadine angrily strode out of the room as she tied her hair in a messy bun. She briefly glanced irritated at Lilibeth who has dirtied her clothes yet again then glared at me.
• “Clarita!” she challenged.
• I mentally rolled my eyes. I could have had slapped her already if she wasn’t my father’s wife. Lilibeth was already catching up to her bad ugly attitude.
• I stood up unwillingly, stretching my body that was still exhausted from yesterday’s work. “Alright. I’ll make her coffee.”
• “Coffee?!” Nadine scoffed. “Good heavens, she’s too young to drink that junk!”
• “Then buy some breakfast,” I replied. My blood was seething at her. She was about to rant back when a voice distracted our heated conversation.
• “Hey sis, where’s my phone charger?” Dexter asked Nadine. His hair was so unkempt and needed haircut badly. The flabby stomach he’s growing from idling around all day was bulging through his loose shirt. I rolled my eyes for real.
• The door slammed open, and the hinges creaked loudly from dilapidation. I mentally noted buying new ones but a little iffy about squeezing the expense to my small weekly budget. It was already late in the morning and Amy had just went home.
• “Where have you been, Amy?” I asked worriedly “And you’re wearing a man’s shirt. Whom is that from?”
• “You don’t fucking care,” she spat as she went directly to our room. I shrugged my head in disbelief. She’s become so different.
• I sat crestfallen in the corner as I watched them whine on and on. How everybody acted towards life made me sad. I was slowly losing hope that our poor living will still improve. Everybody in the household was proving me right about it.
• How can I manage our life?