Meeting With Mr. Lopez

While waiting for the release of the marriage license, Ajie went home to inform his parents about his coming marriage. The old couple was overjoyed and they packed right away to go down with him to the city.

"Nay, Tay, are you ready to face Allie's parents? " Ajie was finally able to voice out his concern about their family's contention. He was hesitant to ask about it since it was never a simple matter before.

Issa smiled and patted his head.

"We were hurt then but as parents ourselves we understood. You are both too young, indeed, to get married. And if we were also Allie's parents, we would also be hesitant to entrust our only daughter to a man whose families are notorious. "

"Son, to keep a grudge is never good. Words of wisdom have us advised to let not the sun go down upon our anger. Because anger always grab our happiness and our peace of mind."

"Take what happened to you as an example. Because of your anger, you almost missed your daughter.You almost wasted the good times both you and Allie shared before. "

Ajie reflected on this and, indeed, his mom was right. Because of his anger, he displaced it to Allie who was helpless and undeserving of his hatred. He treated her like she's someone who had the fault and even forgot her for a year. He only realized his grave mistake when he first saw her daughter in her pitiful condition. He only realized how much he lost when he saw Allie with bouquets of flowers from another man. And he only felt the consequence when he saw how humiliated and hurt Allie was.

___

With the help of Dr. Jane who surprisingly volunteered to do the preparation for the wedding while they were complying for the requirements, their wedding was set in three weeks. And during that span of time where Ajie's parents waited for the date, they also got the chance to be reconciled with Allie's parents and the chance to be able to bond with their grandchild. Nothing was more fulfilling in Ajie's eyes in those days than seeing both of their parents in good terms with each other. Because their peace and friendship could also mean his and Allie's happiness.

Three days before the wedding, Ajie received a call from Jane.

"Ajie, dad would like to meet you first thing tomorrow. He would be discharged today and it is his wish to see you right away. "

"Give me your address and I will go to your place tomorrow. "

"I will rather send someone to fetch you. "

At about ten in the morning, a silver car pulled over in front of Ajie's place. A tall, dark man in robust appearance alighted from it then walked towards the fifth door and pressed on the door view cam. As soon as the door opened, he spoke his intention like a robot with no affection.

"I am Paul, the personal driver of Sir Lopez, being sent here for Mr. Ajie

Gonzaga. " His voice was like a patterned electronic recording.

Leo, who was chatting with Ajie in the living room, jumped to his feet upon hearing him.

"Come again? " He squinted his eyes as he stared at the man.

"Yes, sir. I'm here for Mr. Gonzaga. "

The man repeated his last line.

"It's not what I mean. What did you say first? " Leo was almost tempted to grab his collar for being too slow in picking up.

"I'm being sent her by Mr. Lopez?

Yes, Mr. Angelo Lopez. "

Leo's eyes widened as he stared at the man while his thoughts flew back to that time his cousin handed him the calling card.

Ajie noticed his reactions and the changes of his expressions.

"Why, Tay? Do you happened to know Mr. Lopez? " Ajie asked, being curious of his dad's unexpected reaction.

Leo quickly regained his composure.

" I just can't believe my ears. You are

summoned by a legend of the business industry? "

Ajie now thought he understood his father's reaction. While it was too difficult to catch Mr. Lopez even in private interviews, he was actually going to see him soon. And it was such an honor to be summoned by someone like him.

However, it was oblivious to everyone around including Ajie, that since that day, Leo no longer had a peaceful sleep...

"We will talk about this later when I'll be back, Tay. "

Sitting beside the driver, Ajie watched silently the picturesques of the roadside as it shifted from lively city views to tranquil surroundings as they moved towards the outskirt of the city. Feasting his eyes in these rich greeneries, his thoughts flew back to that moment at the shore. Who would ever thought that the man he rescued turned out to be a somebody in the society? And he was not just a somebody but he was

Mr. Angelo Lopez, the man behind the world's most luxurious yachts and ships.

The moment Ajie stepped down from the car, Jane went out and met him by the door. With a big smile, she then held his arm and brought him towards the other door across the main entrance. When she opened it as she led the way, he gaped at the splendid sight! What spread out before him was a beautiful garden with well - crafted landscapes!

In a white gazeebo not far from them , he saw a man in white shirt settling down in a wooden sun lounger. He straightened up immediately as he saw them coming.

"Ajie, this is dad, the famous Angelo Lopez. " She paused as she ran her eyes from him then to her dad.

Ajie smiled politely and bowed in respect.

"And dad, this is Ajie, your saviour. "

"Good morning, sir! I'm so happy that you are well now. "

"Ajie! How can I thank you enough?" His face instantly twitched as his tears immediately gathered in the corners of his eyes.

"Your fast recovery is my reward,

sir. And besides, Dr. Jane has already given me a very big gift in which I am too ashamed and hesitant to accept. "

Mr. Lopez chuckled out. "That is just Jane's gift. And I also don't want to be refused with mine because nobody has ever turned down yet the offer of Mr. Angelo Lopez. Got it? "

The smile of Ajie died down in his lips. He was already trembling. Seeing his reaction, Mr. Lopez got amused. He then stood up and tapped his shoulder.

"May I hug you, boy? "

Without waiting for an answer, Mr. Lopez stretched out his arm and hugged him. To Ajie's surprise, he did not release him right away. He, instead, felt his shoulders moved. Only to realize that he was sobbing.