10 The Antagonist

"Seb, how are you? no cellular phone, no letters...any change of plans? wanna settle in Tarlac for good." Gloria challenged him while Rodolfo arranged the luggage at the back seat. When the car started its engine for moving out from the airport, Seb broke the silence.

" I guess, not at all. I'll start being an entrepreneur myself and convert my house into a boarding house, isn't it amazing, haha! I have two occupants in there right now."

"Hmm...that's ideal too, I like it as well. If it's a boarding house where are you going to stay?"

" For a start I'll just stay there to monitor the rents and will renovate some spaces and convert them into rooms."

" Hmm, so you have occupants right now, that's good."

" They're a couple and I'm planning to recruit more occupants so to increase rents. I might jeopardize my capital if I stay contented with two occupants only. Hopefully, I can barge in more renters soon."

"Let's see, perhaps, after the event, but I've decided to sell it, though, you're a widow for quite some time and your past had issues, better sell it than for rent, right? Then go back to Tarlac with us and Mama Tere. This place is hell, I'd been telling you that."

The car sounded as if it lost its brake. Seb looked so irritated. He felt sorry for the couple for being deprived of the things they supposed to have. Then he answered.

" It's my house, no matter what happened I'll decide it myself. Your hacienda in Tarlac is 83 hectares, while I've just 1,000 sq meters here haha, or shall I convince you for a barter trade, isn't it amazing!" His sarcasm starts to drive his mother crazily.

"But what if I insist?" She retorted.

" Come on mom, you'll not gonna do that, I know. Remember Karla? Seb's wife, yes, my wife, did you remember anything you did to her?" Seb looked sharply to Gloria.

" What did I do to her? Tell me. You sound like you are accusing me."

"No, I didn't. I'm just somewhat warning you not to overstep and start ruining my life again. That's not fair mom." He seriously said.

Gloria was supposed to imply more arguments just to convince Seb that she's powerful over him and that she could dispose Seb's house but Rodolfo interfered.

"Sshh, here we are again. You just meet once in a blue moon but this is repeatedly the scenario, a parliamentary debate if whose rule I don't know. We're almost there, I'm literally very hungry. Did you leave any viand for us, or should we buy some?"

" We're here, I'll take your things first inside."

Seb parked the car and the two went down. They were all about to get inside the house when Gloria noticed the pairs of favorite slippers they usually wear for estimated decades ago. She taught Seb since a kid to have those slippers and placement on the doorstep that way. Then Gloria and Rodolfo smiled.

" We argue on so many things but you are still who you are."

Of course, Seb assumed Nomin for doing it, no one knows aside from him. When they reached the kitchen they were both amazed looking at their favorite food. On the table were crabs, shrimps, shells, lumpia, bam-i and ginataang Gabi.

"Eureka! What a surprise!" Rodolfo salivated while smiling.

Gloria could not almost believe that those were prepared for them.

" Tadang! here's your appetizer, your macaroni salad." Nomin entered the kitchen and greeted them both.

" Bonjour! I'm Nomin, Seb's friend. Seb told me to help him prepare all these for you." Nomin winked his eye, smiling at them with his dimples out.

With an intense response, Gloria and Rodolfo unintentionally dropped their spoons and forks while staring to Nomin. The ambiance became totally blank.

"Ah! haha, I surprised everyone for this, I told Nomin to help. Okay."

" Who are you, you looked like Seb years ago. But, anyway...Seb is here, such an identical look between the two of you." From a mother's perspective as she forcibly smiled.

Though Rodolfo was also collectively wondering but it's just the way it is. So he just laughed and invited everyone to join him in digging his spoon to the food.

" So, how's the CEO's thanksgiving on the 14th?" Rodolfo immediately changed the topic.

" Well, he said it's uphill in that old park, the problem is, it has to be traveled with more than five hours by the company bus. Not to worry, he already booked us a hotel on the 12th, as I suggested. In the same way, we can also unwind in the neighboring places out there.

Nomin and Seb had exchanged of worrisome glances. Karla, who was just listening while hiding behind the big cabinet next to the kitchen's table was saddened.

" The portal, the angels' portal."

" Is it in Huimaras, mom? I mean, I know already that it's in Huimaras, but never that someone from the team told me that it's that old park. " Seb recoiled.

" Secretary Kenny did not mention of any places because it's a surprise. And why! you're there and never knew anything!" Gloria's stressful interrogation.

Nomin slowly gave her a glass of water.

"Thank you Nomin, where's your wife, and how about Mama Tere?"

" My wife's in the bedroom, fixing some of our things while Grandma Tere left for groceries." Then he smiled.

" Hmm, I see. You may invite her to come and join us." with her smile Seb was flustered.

When Nomin returned, he was already tagging Karla, he carefully pulled a chair and let her sit down with comfort.

" Ow, what a gentleman. By the way, she's beautiful, and what's your name?"

" I'm Arzelene." Then she smiled.

Gloria spent less attention to Karla yet she spent most of the time chatting with Nomin.

"So the departure heading to that site would be tomorrow. Is your vacation done so that you can drive us out?" Gloria convinced Seb to accompany them.

"No, thanks. I have some appointments too." Seb reasoned out.

" Okay fine! It doesn't have to be always etched with appointments, getting older is also about paying back time. The one you failed to reciprocate what your family have given you. It is about responsibility and service. But anyway, it's okay, I'll stick to what the CEO said that a bus would pick us up. Or it could be your father who will drive us out."

"Sure, fine." Seb smiled.