Chapter 13: Chapter 11: Maximo
Reycepaz's Pov
"Maximo is my grandfather.." I said.
I can see from her eyes how shock she is. She quickly called her husband who was now carrying a bottle, I think it's an old red wine.
"So, you're the grandson of Mr. Maximo?" Elaiza's dad asked before sitting down on the couch.
Hindi na mapigilan ng bibig ko at nagawa nitong bitawan ang kanina ko pa gustong itanong.
"Why do you know him?"
Mr. Sutton take a deep breath, open the red wine cork and pour it to the wine glass before answering my question.
"Your old man is one of the famous, but very private business man, not only here in the Philippines, but also in other countries" he said.
I can't seem to believe what Elaiza's father told me.
I know my Grandfather as a simple but not an arrogant man, I just did not approach him when I needed help, because Grandma said he was always going somewhere important.
Now i just realize that every time he's out for something it might be he's in a business meeting.
"We're very grateful that we meet your Grandfather, because without his help, we would not have reached this position that we're in right now" Mrs. Sutton insert.
"Anyway, i bet you're not just here just to relax and sit in couch right?" Elaiza's father asked in a hoarse voice.
He seems enjoying his wine besides, he make the red fluid dancing around the glass while smelling it, it's like he enjoying every last aroma of the wine he have before taking a sip on it.
Even though i was shivering, i cleared my throat before speaking.
Suddenly the questions I wanted to ask them about my Grandfather disappeared, besides, I still had something to clear here. And that's the reason why I am here.
"This is not a good question for somebody who my Grandfather helped. However, let me jump to the point. Are you really a good parents?" I courageously asked in a soft low baritone voice I have. I know it's a weird question and it's sounds like I didn't respect them.
Suddenly the atmosphere flipped, and their serious looks before, became even more serious. It's like they're lions on wild that wanted to hunt a bunny in pack.
They also turned their gaze to Elaiza who now did nothing but nodding her head in the couch and remain silent.
"Come again?" Elaiza's mother asked.
I gasp and continue to what I'm going to say.
"I saw a lot of bruises on Elaiza's body, I know I have no right to preach both of you, because you're the one who raised her and provided for her needs. However, did you ever think what you were doing was right?" I said and I just dumbfounded for what's their reaction.
"When I see those eyes of yours, i know you're up to something. You are really the Grandson of Mr. Maximo" Mrs. Sutton smirked and followed by her husband.
"I remember the days when we were still dating, then both of our parents did not agree with our romantic relationship. Besides, the family of Elaiza's mother and my family are in competition with the company.
"Dumating 'yung punto na muntik nang magbarilan ang aming mag-ama. Fortunately, Mr. Maximo suddenly came between their fight and i still remember the words he said before. And that's the reason why both of our family become friends. And we're deeply indepth from him" Mr. Sutton explained.
"You can stop everything, but you can't stop Love. Love is the one who give us strength, so love until you feel nothing else aside from forgiveness."
I smile, while both of them and I said the same phrase. I think synchronicity really happened.
I remember that my mom and dad used to fight, but they still wouldn't listen to Grandpa's advice. This is also one of the reasons why Grandpa doesn't like them.
Little by little, the warm and large grains of my tears began to flow, for a few seconds I just felt that there were warm hands tightly hugging me.
When I looked up, I suddenly smiled when I saw both of them hugged me.
"We know the history of your family, how cruel they are when your sister's died. We're so sorry " Elaiza's mother said weakly.
They let go of the hug and immediately went to Elaiza and gave her a tight hug, I saw their tears welling up, like this is reality and they just not faking it. Her siblings also ran to hug and join their moments.
Lumuhod din ang ina nito upang lumebel ang kanyang posisiyon sa kanyang bunsong anak,
"I'm sorry for all the things we've done to all of you. Babawi ako 'nak ha? Babawi kami. Mommy promised that." She cried and cried as she said those words.
A few moments passed and the melancholic atmosphere in leaving room end.
Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba ang mga nangyayari sa harapan ko dahil ang bilis ng pangyayari, hindi ako makapaniwala na sa ganoong usapan ay magbabati na sila. Even it's unbelievable, it's great that it happens.
We immediately went to the dining area to have a dinner. I was about to leave, but they really stopped me, they insist that if I won't join them they won't let me go home. Even I can't taste food, I just agreed just to show some respect. The food her mother bought was really delicious, from the look of Elaiza's siblings I can assure that the food are really delectable.
Ang kulay ng carrots, patatas at iba pang gulay na nagsasama para gumawa ng napakagandang visual, ang aroma ng pinaghalong tamis ng honey at asim ng kalamasi ay nagbibigay ng kakaibang amoy. Ang tamang lambot ng karne na halatang pinakuluan ng matagal na panahon na siguradong sinamahan ng ibat-ibang sangkap pangpalasa, ay perpekto sa dila ko na kahit hindi ko nalalasahan ay panatag ang loob ko na ito ang pinakamasarap na luto na natikman ko sa mundong ito.
I wonder who's the chef of the fast food restaurant na inorderan nila. I badly want to hire him.
Not just the food I enjoyed, It's also fun somehow, even in a short period of moment I experienced what it felt like to belong in a real family. I also thanked them, but they seem to be even more grateful than I am.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton for understanding my selfish—"
"No, we are the one should thank you, Mr. Madigan. We really thought that showing our children what our parents did is a right decision, but we are really wrong. Without you, we're not going to realize how precious our children are. How important they are, how deep they love us. We learned something from you, something that we will never forget" abot tainga nilang ngiti na pasasalamat.
Matapos akong kumain, hinatid na ako ng ama ni Elaiza at bago ito umalis ay may inabot itong maliit na box mula sa bintana ng sasakyan.
"Don't hesitate to open it Rey, seeya!" Huling sambit nito bago pinaharurot ang pagmaneho ng kanyang sasakyan.
I just can't imagine that it's happening so fast, but I'm still not sure if they won't hurt Elaiza as well as his siblings anymore. I hope so.
I also found out that they were buying food from outside, because they no longer hired a cook, besides, they were scared that an incidents will happen again. Tama nga talaga ang hula ko na mayroong kakaiba sa kung bakit sa labas sila namimili ng pagkain.
They used to have a helper who cooked and poisoned their food. Fortunately, a fellow helper tasted it and they were shock that she instantly collapse while her mouth is foaming. So they immediately found out that what they about to eat was already poisonous. They asked the culprit why she did it, but she would not say even a word, so they didn't hesitate and imprison her.

It was almost midnight when Elaiza's father drove me home. I just took a shower and immediately got dressed. While looking at the ceiling I was trying to close my eyes, but I suddenly remembered the box that Mr. Sutton had given me earlier.
I picked it up and removed the wrapped paper from it. I saw a black box, with a special red mark on the top of it.
I had no other reaction but to be shocked to see what was in the box.
This is from him, this is definitely from my old man.
________
Last date updated: April 28, 2022
Last update I: 09/29/22
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