14. The first man

"Mommy, what does my grandfather look like?"

Until now, I can't get Ariah's question out of my mind before I left the house earlier. I have no idea why it suddenly popped into her head.

I wanted to think that she was referring to Papa Henry, but no, she was referring to my father—Armando Yuchengco, the founder of the Yuchengco clan, who is currently undergoing treatment for his kidney illness.

"What's his condition like? Is it severe?" Kim asked as she sat down, carrying our orders from the counter.

Aurora looked at her and smirked. "Why would Celeste be interested in his condition? Unless she wants to help him with his illness," Aurora sarcastically remarked.

I suddenly remembered Oliver's question to me last night.

"Oliver just mentioned that he needs a kidney transplant. I'm not sure of the full details. I don't intend to find out either," I replied and started eating.

They invited me for lunch because Kim had just returned from a business trip. It's good that she can go on vacation in other countries while working, unlike me.

I've wanted to take a vacation for a long time, but with so many commitments in my life, I can't do it.

"Well, it's only natural. Why would you even bother finding out? What? Do you want to be a donor?" Aurora, with her remarks again, so I gave her a glare.

"Not like that. Oliver told me about it."

"Well, that's Celeste's decision. If she happens to be a match for her biological father, is she willing to donate? I doubt it," Kim said as she took a sip of her orange juice.

My attention was diverted when my phone beeped. I immediately saw Arik's name on the screen, so I couldn't resist picking it up to read his text.

Arik:

Did you have your lunch already?

To Arik:

Yes, Mr. Rioflorida. Why?

Arik:

Just asking. I wanted to invite you for lunch. How about dinner later?

My eyebrows raised at that. I wasn't sure what his intentions really were, especially after he mentioned wanting to go on a date with me. I couldn't quite see through his playful nature.

He changed a lot. I'm not sure if that's the real him now, but Arik is completely different from the one I met at the bar.

To Arik:

And why is that?

"Is the father of your child courting you, Ce?" Aurora nudged me, almost causing me to push her face away when I saw her peering at my phone.

"He's inviting me for dinner later," I told Kim.

"Is something happening between the two of you again? That's why you're looking so radiant these past few days?" Kim asked, pausing her chewing.

I just sighed at their behavior and shook my head. "No!"

"Really? I don't believe you," Aurora insisted. "Why don't you just tell him about your child? Ariah knows him, right?"

"It's not that simple. I don't want to rush everything. There's a process in everything," I replied, avoiding their gaze.

"Like what?" Kim chimed in again.

I lazily sighed.

I didn't know. All I knew was that I didn't want to rush things. I wanted to tell Arik about Ariah because that was the real reason why I wanted to come back, but apparently, it wasn't that easy.

Even if I tried to avoid it, I would inevitably run into someone.

And I didn't want my child to be affected.

"I'm not sure yet. I don't even know him well enough. I don't want Ariah to know that we barely know each other and that she was conceived because of..." I couldn't bring myself to continue.

"Because of a one night stand. So what? What's wrong with that? The important thing is you're both single," Kim pushed me. "Is he single?"

"Isabelle Cosmetics is one of his investors? Are Arik and Isabella close?" Aurora suddenly interjected, causing us to look at her.

She seemed to be looking at something on her phone, furrowing her brow.

"There are also rumors circulating about them," she added.

"Really? About what?"

"They used to date, and supposedly Arik disappeared for a few years because he was living with Isabella, but they kept it private. And the reason why Arik suddenly came back was because they broke up..."

I let out a sigh of exasperation. That's exactly the reason why I don't want to rush things. I want to make sure first. Especially since Isabella is involved. Not that I'm scared of her. I just don't want to get entangled in the lives of any of them again.

I went through a lot when my Dad disowned me. I had almost no one to turn to. I used every connection I had just to get a job in any position, but I found out that he had blocked me from every company in the country, so I was forced to leave the country.

And that's where I met the Fuentebella family.

I finished all my meetings early that day, so I spent a few hours in the office, waiting for time to pass. In a little while, I'll pick up Ariah from her dance class, and we'll go home together.

Back then, this scenario wasn't part of my dreams. All I could think of was surpassing and proving myself to Dad so that he wouldn't do to me what he did to Mom that day. The feeling of being left behind by everyone, thinking they would be with you till the end, is my greatest nightmare.

I saw how Mom cried her eyes out, almost choking on her tears, when Dad kicked her out after catching her with another man. I was so young back then, and I didn't understand what was happening.

All I knew was how Dad dragged Mom out of the mansion while she pleaded with him. And then Dad came back to me and told me to forget that I had a mother.

A few months later, Victoria Alvarro and her daughter came into our house, and Dad declared that we were the new family.

I was the Yuchengco Princess. I could still feel it back then, but it suddenly changed when they both arrived at the mansion.

And I knew from that moment that something was wrong with the family I had. If Mom were still here today, my family wouldn't be like this.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a knock on the door. Paula peered in before entering, carrying a basket of fruits and food, along with a bouquet of tulips.

"Ma'am, Sir Liam is outside. He said he wants to speak with you," she said, placing the items on my table.

"Are those from him?" I asked, pointing to the flowers.

"Oh, no. They're from Florida INC. The president sent them for you," she replied.

I was taken aback. I was sure those were from Arik. I wondered what they could be for.

"Should I leave them here or..."

"Just leave them there, Pau. Let Liam in. Why didn't he come in directly? Such drama," I said, adjusting the fruit basket.

I picked up the flowers and placed them on the small table. My eyes caught sight of a small card that was attached.

"Saw this at the shop and thought of you. See you later."

I bit my lower lip. "Damn," I murmured, hiding the card in my coat pocket as my heart started to race.

Damn it, indeed.

I suddenly noticed Liam's arrival as he planted a direct kiss on my cheek. He looked serious and seemed to have something important to say.

"What happened to you?" I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, as we both sat down in the visitor's area of my office.

Liam's jaw was clenched. He appeared furious. What the hell?

"Liam," I called him out when it seemed like he didn't notice me.

"You know your father--uh, no, The Yuchengco is our partner, right?" he began, muttering a curse under his breath.

I was taken aback upon hearing that name.

"And?" I asked.

"Dad made a deal with him. I swear, Celeste, I didn't want to agree to it, but you know Dad. Fuck it!" he blurted out, clearly frustrated.

"Just tell me, Liam. What is going on?"

He muttered some more curses before looking at me, as if seeking forgiveness.

"Dad might call you for dinner tonight. The Yuchengco will be there. I'm not sure what it's about, but I heard it's important."

And Liam was right. His father, William Johnsons called me and asked me out to dinner that I couldn't even refuse!

"Mommy!"

My smile widened as I saw Ariah running towards me, dragging her unicorn stuffed toy behind her.

"I missed you so much!" I said, embracing her tightly. I noticed Benj standing behind her, watching us with a smile.

"I missed you more, Mommy," Ariah replied, breaking the hug. "I found a new friend!"

"Wow! That's wonderful. Let's talk about her when we get home, okay? Get in," I instructed her, gesturing towards the car. She happily hopped and skipped towards it.

"The longer I spend time with your daughter, the more I feel like getting married and starting a family with Sarah," Benj remarked.

I turned to look at him and laughed at his comment.

"Well, go ahead and do it then."

"I wish I could, but you know the situation," he said, smiling sadly before opening the passenger seat for me.

I gently stroked his shoulder. "Sarah's condition will improve, Benj. Who knows, maybe soon."

"I hope so. I can't wait to have my own family."

I couldn't help but feel sad at what he said. Sarah is currently undergoing medication due to a large cyst found in her ovary, and it's possible that she and Benj won't be able to have children. Added to that is Sarah's original desire to focus on her career and not settle down just yet.

I somehow understand her. That used to be my mindset when work was all I could think about, but when Ariah came into my life, everything seemed to change suddenly.

"Baby, Mommy will just go out for a while but I'll be back soon. Do you think you can wait for me?" I asked Ariah as we entered her room.

"Where are you going, Mommy?"

"Mommy has a dinner with Uncle Oliver and the people from work, but if you're feeling sleepy and can't wait for Mommy, you can go to bed, okay?" I gently told her as I sat beside her on her bed.

Her eyes still sparkled as if something wonderful happened to her today. I smiled as she nodded and hugged me tightly.

"Take care, Mommy. I don't want you to get sick because of too much work," she reminded me.

God. What did I do in my past life to have such a kind and sweet child?

Fuck this dinner. If I could, I would skip it and just stay with Ariah to sleep!

I quickly took a shower and got ready before leaving the mansion. Benj and Sarah stayed behind to accompany Ariah. Mom and Dad were at the other Caza overseeing the renovation of the resort nearby, and they wanted to focus on that. They would be back next week.

I was about to get into the car when I received a call from Arik.

"Where are you? I'm here at the Percepta Building," his voice was hoarse and tempting again.

"I'm on my way. Are you sure you want to come?" I asked.

When I told him earlier that I couldn't be with him tonight because of the dinner with Liam's dad and the Yuchengcos, he said he could just join me. I hadn't informed Oliver about it, so he didn't know that Arik would be coming with me.

"Don't you want me to come? Do you want me to wait for you to finish?" he asked gently.

My conscience immediately punched my heart. Why does he have to sound so sweet and handsome?

"It's not that..." I almost whispered. "It might be too much of a hassle for you. Maybe we can do it another day, Arik."

I heard him chuckle. "Not Mr. Rioflorida anymore? I like that," he said huskily. "It's fine, Celeste. I want to go with you. Please, let me."

I composed myself and nodded. "Okay, fine... Just wait for me there."

"You should have agreed to let me pick you up," he said, and I rolled my eyes.

"And what? Have you come to my house every day? No way. Wait for me there." I ended the call right away because I couldn't handle the pounding of my heart anymore. I felt like I was going to throw up, God knows why.

I had no idea what this dinner was about because Liam didn't tell me anything. He said he had no clue either, so I couldn't help but feel nervous as we made our way to the restaurant where the people I didn't want to see anymore were waiting for us.

When we entered, it was Arik who mentioned the name of the table where we would be seated because I couldn't bring myself to speak. Even from a distance, I could see the figures at the large table.

Oliver was already there with Aurora, and Liam's dad, Mr. William, was seated next to his wife, Cassandra Johnsons. As my gaze shifted to the other side of the table, I almost froze in my tracks if not for Arik's hand gripping mine.

"Are you okay? I can feel your anxiety, Celeste," he observed and we momentarily stopped by the side. I could still see those people on the other side of the table.

Of course, it was Armando Yuchengco with his wife Victoria Yuchengco, accompanied by their daughter Isabella, and there were two vacant seats on the other side near Oliver that I was certain were for us.

"Uh..." I stuttered.

Fuck. I can't do this. I feel like I'm drowning. I can't face them yet. Especially Dad.

"Celeste," Arik's soothing voice caught my attention. I lifted my gaze to him, seeing the deep concern etched on his face.

"Are you sure you want to do this? We can cancel if you want. I'll handle the explCelestetion to Mr. William and your brother."

"N-no..." I mumbled and shook my head. "I'm... I'm fine. Let's go."

But I'm not fine! I want to get out of here! I don't want to see them!

"Are you sure?" Arik double-checked, so I just nodded and tried to calm myself momentarily.

"Y-yes, Arik..."

It seemed like a signal for him to once again take my hand and hold it tightly. My lips parted at his action.

"I'm here. This is why I wanted to go with you. Just hold my hand when you can't handle it anymore. Let's go," he said, gently caressing my cheek before guiding me towards that table.

My heart is racing. For what reasons? Many. Most of them are because of Arik, and the remaining fragments are due to my previous family that shattered me before.

As we finally approached the table, I saw the evident surprise in their eyes, especially Isabella, who even stood up from her seat. My gaze met with Dad...

Well, hello, Armando Yuchengco, the first man who broke my fucking heart. Nice to see you again.