Chapter 31: The Governor's House - Bacolod City

Danielle told me that we had to settle this matter as early as possible, for us to work it out whenever it needs time. Danielle called all the house staff for a meeting and I observed the proceedings. She relayed some information and asked about the happenings inside the house, especially about the boy. Also, she asked the maids and kitchen staff to cook something special tonight.

"Papa will be with us tonight at the dinner table," Danielle told me while she asked the maid to call Marco junior. After a while, Marco junior ran to her; Danielle kissed and hugged him, "Mommy, I missed you so much!"

"Me too darling!"

I viewed them as Ayah Isabel and my boy, an instant reaction to my hidden part as a father. The reality, knocked me off that I faced personally my first offspring on this earth. The love for him deep inside of me pulled apart to form a unique feeling toward him.

"Mommy who is he?"

"Marco, his name is the same as you."

"True mommy?"

"Yes because he's your father!"

Marco junior looked at me and slowly came nearer into my arms. I hugged him tightly and kissed him.

"Son, I'm very happy to be with you!"

"Daddy....can I call you ...Daddy?"

"Yes my Marco, call me that way."

"Daddy... Papa Edward loved me too!"

"Oh, yes, he loved you so much!"

"Mommy...Papa Edward, Daddy, and Tito Mike took me to the Robinson's Galleria....but they're taking good care of me."

"Yes, son, because Daddy missed you so much," Danielle told Marco Junior.

"Mommy, Daddy, I'm in the second grade now, studying every day that someday I'll be like Papa Ben."

"Yes son, that's good."

The maid told us that dinner was ready. The three of us went to the dining area, seated close to each other while waiting for Governor Gustilo. He appeared without a word and was seated at the other end of the table. Danielle led the prayer and greeted Governor Gustilo to "break the ice."

"Papa, good evening, I'm here together with Marco....we want to talk to you about the boy and other related events in the past. I'm only doing this to put forward my life in the future. I respect your decisions but my decisions must be clear to you because this is my life now."

"Danielle, let's eat, we can talk that after dinner...... Marco, I personally welcome you to my house. Feel at home," Governor Ben Gustilo said.

My first time eating with the Governor's family which in my case was just a dream before, but now, those pangs of hunger turned into a reality. I kept my excitement at bay and tried to go on with my hidden plans to win everybody's heart.

After dinner, we seated in the covered garden to have coffee while we ironed out the matter. The weather was fine; the cool breeze, the flowers all around us, and the smiles of Gustilo's family. The Governor started the conversation between the three of us, "Marco, how do you find my home?"

"Great Governor,' I answered.

"I'm not the governor anymore; I'm just an ordinary businessman now. I left politics a year ago."

"What are you doing right now?"

"I'm just working as an OFW in Dubai."

"Are you planning something for your son?"

"Yes Mr. Gustilo, I want my boy back to me....to us with Danielle in Dubai City."

"Are you sure that you can give much attention to him while the two of you are working?"

"We can manage with that Mr. Gustilo."

"I know both of you can manage there in Dubai, but I can give much attention and love when he's growing up here in Bacolod City?"

I moved my gaze to Danielle for a rescue which she understood what I meant.

"Papa, we need Marco Junior there with us in Dubai....we need him there for us to be with his family who took good care of him. Papa please....." Danielle pleaded.

While Danielle was explaining to his father, I thought that it was better this way for my plans. It was perfect in any way that I can move the dreams that I had, but having this boy beside us could cause quite a passage of the truth. I love my Marco junior, but I had other legitimate children to be molded for the future.

"Danielle...Mr. Gustilo, I am thinking that it's better to have Marco junior....stay here with you, but we will communicate to him while he's growing up here. I wanted him to be a good citizen, intelligent, and have a responsible disposition someday," I said seriously.

"Yes Marco, I'm thankful for your decision, besides he's my only grandson."

"Papa, hire a tutor for him just in case to be sure for his development."

"Okay, then Danielle...Marco...I have an appointment tonight with my friends, and hoping for the best for both of you."

"Thanks, Papa!" Danielle said.

We spent the night at Gustilo's house together with our son. It was the first time that I slept with my son. Danielle was glad for the positive events that took place; she's smiling all time, contented, and with energy when I am with her.

Because of the gladness in my heart, and the positive results of my plans added by the awesome environment; I was thinking to give Danielle a gift of love and planting another seed inside of her soul as an initial payment.

I told Danielle to transfer to another room for our first lovemaking. It's been a long time since she wanted me so much and wanted the seed of my soul; that she longed for a long time. She understood at once that she held my hand where I lifted and carried her towards the room.

She kissed me first and I responded halfway, but the passion deep inside of me melted, swayed by a thousand demons that carried me into a paradise named SIN. We embraced each other, exploring Danielle's soul once again. She clamped her ecstasy to mine and I accepted it with total satisfaction.

We woke up the next morning with a knock on the door. She put on her nightgown and opened the door.

"Madam Danielle, there's a visitor looking for you. He's asking about Sir Marco," the maid said. "He's at the gate at the guardhouse."

"Okay, say to him to wait for five minutes."

"Okay, madam."

She returned to where I was lying down, but I heard their conversation, "Marco, you have a visitor at the gate," Danielle said to me.

"Okay...after a bath."

"Hey...get up...you're tired?"

"You got my energy last night."

"Go on....take a bath now."

I stood up and went directly to the bathroom which refreshed my whole body in the coolness of the water. Danielle gave me casual clothes to wear and went to the gate. "Oh...it's you my friend Edward!"

"Yes, it's me!"

"How do you know this place?"

"I was brought here before by Governor Gustilo."

"I see. Come inside."

We sat together in the steel garden set and called the maid to serve us a coffee.

"So, what's up Marco?"

"I want to spend some time with you and the kid....around Bacolod City."

"I think, you're fine with Governor Gustilo and Danielle?"

"Yes Edward, but I had my own family; this is just the same when I was in college."

"I understand your purpose; I know."

"Wait for me, just drink your coffee, I'll change my clothes inside." I went inside the house, talked to Danielle about Edward, and brought the kid outside. She hesitated at first but I convinced her to trust me. I put on my casual clothes. "Trust me, it's just I want to be with him outside with Edward. I love you, don't be afraid."

"Okay Marco, I'll wait for you here."

"Okay, I'll use the other car."

"Okay."

We roamed around Bacolod City, each landmark that we knew until we entered the Bacolod Cathedral in front of the public plaza and prayed solemnly. I looked at the public plaza, crossed the road, and went to the bench where I met Edward for the first time. I fingered the bench edges while my mind wandered for my past. "Edward, you remember this bench?"

"Yes, my friend....where I found you sitting and waiting for the unknown..."

"That was before...but my heart still remained in this place....the friendship that I had for you...." The tears were forming in my eyes when Marco junior asked me, "Daddy, are you crying?"

"No my son, you are the jewel on this place...I started my life here, on this bench."

"Marco, stop it....stop it!" Edward suddenly shouted at me, "Where are we going now?"

"To the Gustilo's house to fetch Danielle...." I embraced my son tightly, "Marco Junior, study well and be a good boy when I'm away, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy!"

"Grandpa will take care of you, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy."

We rented a four-sitter piper plane going back to Manila, where I told Danielle to go to her house in Greenhills, San Juan.

"Danielle, my baby boy's in Greenhills?"

"Yes, Marco."

"I'll get him and wait for me there in your house."

"Yes Marc, I'll do that."

We went to Greenhills and get my baby boy which I missed for a long time. I will deliver my jewel to Ayah Isabel personally; for nobody ever thought that I exchanged my soul for the love of my family and my dreams.

I kissed him with joy inside my heart, and I knew that Ayah Isabel's happy too.

We left Danielle in her house; we bought gifts for my family and went directly to Bacoor, Cavite. When we arrived, Ayah Isabel wasn't there in our house, only her brother Bryan.

"Bryan, where's Ayah Isabel?"

"Marco, she's in the Molino Doctor's Hospital together with Lina Luna, she gave birth yesterday evening."

"What....she's pregnant?"

"Yes, Marco.....when you left last December, she's pregnant that he called me in Bacolod City to help her," Bryan said.

"Okay then, I'll visit her first." We went to the hospital without having time to ask my children, speeded up along Molino Road, and asked the information section.

"Ayah Isabel....how are you?"

"I'm fine Marco...look at her...a baby girl..."

"Ohhh, she's a beautiful little angel! Can I kiss my baby girl?"

"Yes, Marco...go on."

I kissed my new angel with love, a new love that blossomed instantly within me, "Why you're keeping your pregnancy to me?"

"I don't want to disturb you and your job."

"Next time, relay to me anything about you even I'm away, okay?"

"Yes, Marc...Edward, whose child is that?" Ayah asked Edward.

I took the baby to Edward, kissed him, and said, "Ayah, this is our baby from Danielle."

She was surprised instantly, hugged the child, and started to cry.

"Ayah, okay....take your rest....don't worry I'll be here for you."

'Yes Marco, I'm very happy....so happy..."

"Don't cry....we'll celebrate Ayah...I'm happy too....."

I talked to the doctor-in-charge about Ayah's condition and if she can be discharged, the day after tomorrow. The positive response from Ayah's doctor gave another dimension to my excitement for the welfare of my clan.

Yesterday evening, I was planting a seed for Danielle, knew Marco Junior, got my lost baby, and had a newborn baby from Ayah Isabel. It's a coincidence or a destiny between these two women in my life? Am I heading in the right direction? Did I question myself?

I telephoned Mr. Gamal Abdulrahman in Sharjah Office for a possible extension of my emergency leave which he answered positively. I immediately talked to them about the celebration.

"Okay, all of you know that Ayah and I are very happy about the turn of events. I'm planning to have a party for this occasion. I need your suggestions...."

"Marco, I think just a simple celebration here, the better?" Edward suggested.

"How about you Bryan? By the way, what's the name of your wife?"

"Donna, Marco....she's from Bacolod too," Bryan answered.

"Nice to meet you Donna and thank you for helping Ayah...."

"Me too... Marco." Donna replied.

"Lina how about you?" I asked.

"Yes, here inside the house the better...." Lina suggested.

"Okay then, let's prepare....with videooke machine?"

"Yes...." Everybody answered in unison.

Edward and I listed all the items, went to SM Supermarket in Makati, and called Danielle in Greenhills to come with us to buy the celebration items. We're like small children gathering fruits in the field without knowing the consequences that lie ahead.

While Edward continued to load items in the supermarket strollers; I relayed to Danielle what transpired over the last few days. She's happy for me and glad that we're heading our lives in Dubai.

"Marco, I'll be in my manpower office in Makati in the meantime while waiting for you. Enjoy your time with your family," Danielle said. She kissed me even inside the supermarket and left.

We continued buying things, ordering cakes, renting a videoke machine, and decorating the house. Everybody was contributing their effort to the positive outcome of this celebration. Edward and I took the food as our assignments; Lina and Bryan for the decors and lightings, and Donna for the children, with Ayah Isabel.

I prepared my favorite appetizer, "Fish kinilaw, beefsteak, broiled milkfish, Menudo, beef afritada, fresh fruit salad, and three bottles of tequila. Our table setting was superb like in a five-star hotel where different foods were placed in their own containers. I positioned the four-layer cakes at the center of the table. While I was doing my assignment together with Edward, we were drinking the liquor, shot-by-shot.

The videoke machine was placed near the table where I placed the liquors and beverages and used my ingenuity in setting and preparing the table for this occasion. Ayah and Lina were watching the children when I approached her.

"Lina, how are you..... Mike sent a letter to you?"

"No, Marco....he's not sending any money neither."

XXX