Chapter 18: Six Years Ago pt. 11

Six Years Ago pt.9: **Contract Signing


It was already morning when Rian and Xander got home. The two were exhausted from all that happened since last night.

Rian immediately slumped herself into the couch the moment she reached it.

She closed her eyes hoping to catch some sleep. Xander on the other hand, went to the room to get his phone.

The moment he opened it, missed call notifications came popping out.
*It's 17!

Anong the piled twenty missed calls was a single text message. Xander opened it.

***Xander, where are you? Why should you have to be late when you're the one who reminded me not to?

Xander sighed after reading this first few lines.

***You better not come here. The Bardales are everywhere. They must've gotten wind of our departure.

After reading this, Xander suddenly became worried for 17.

***But don't worry. I unknowingly boarded a ship and I heard the crews say that this is sailing to Spain. Wait for me there. After I finish things there, I'll come back for you very soon.

He continued reading and breathed in relief after he knew that 17 is safe.

He looked at the window. It was a fresh morning. The sun was up smiling gently into the treetops and house roofs beneath it.

When he went into the living room he saw Rian sitting, lost in thoughts while staring outside.

There must be a reason that she suddenly decided to propose that deal.

I wonder how desperate she is that she turned to me for assistance.

Nevermind, I just need to make do it for now and wait for 17. When that time comes, it will really be goodbye.

It was already noon when both of them had their first meal of the day.

They had fried fish that Xander cooked when Rian fell asleep sitting at the couch.

They ate silently, munching the food slowly in their mouth as if afraid to make a single sound.

Their eyes were both dropping from tiredness and lack of sleep.

Xander barely had any energy to fight again in case of another hitman attack.

Their deal should be sealed by a contract not only by a handshake. They also haven't gone deep into the conditions that comes with it.

Everything is still a mess. But this morning, they just want to have a peaceful rest and forget all of the problems in their life.

"You should leave the plates in the sink. I'll wash them." Rian said as they finished eating.

"No it's okay." Xander replied.

"No. You should get some rest too. How can you protect me when you're that tired?" She said firmly.

"If that's what you want." Xander shrugged and went into the room.

Rian slowly washed the dishes. As the water falls in the sink, everything also started to sink in to her brain.

*Was it really the right choice to choose him as my personal bodyguard? But the situation calls for it.

*I saw how he fought and he already fought once for me. He had already gained most of my trust.

*I should ask Ms. Corpuz to prepare the contract so we can make his employment official.

*I think I shouldn't hide it anymore. We'll be relieved of the burden if Ms. Corpuz would know the truth. Xander will also be able to hang around and stick close to me without being suspicious in her eyes.

Yeah, that's right. She nodded her head in approval of her own decision.

After that she called the Manager to relay her errand. She explained everything through the phone and in her surprise, Ms. Corpuz wasn't shocked by the fact that Xander wasn't really a missionary.

"I'm glad he isn't your boyfriend though." Ms. Corpuz said on the line.

"What? Why would you even say that?" Rian scoffed.

She heard a chuckle from the other line.

"Very well, I will bring it tomorrow." Ms. Corpuz said informing her.

"Ok, thank you." Rian replied before ending the call.

She smiled in relief and leaned her back on the sofa. She relaxed her body and she is now again ready for a second round of nap.

As for Xander who quickly fell asleep the moment his back touched the mattress is now deep in his own slumber that an earthquake might not be enough to wake him up.

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"Greetings Madam". Ms. Corpuz bowed her head to the woman in front her.

"Oh, isn't this Manager Corpuz." Mrs. De Castro greeted her delightfully.

Ms. Corpuz smiles without raising her head.

"Are you heart to visit Mom?" The madam asked her.

"Yes Madam", was her short reply.

"I see you two are really close." Mrs. De Castro said discerning manner.

Their conversation was interrupted by a doctor who came to them to show Mrs. De Castro the current health status of the Chairwoman.

The Madam excused herself from the the Manager and went to the doctor's office.

Ms. Corpuz finally lifted her head and her gaze followed the Madam's back.

She feels uneasy with the fact that Mrs. De Castro is the one in charge of the Chairwoman's medical reports were it is most likely that she might be the reason why the Rian's grandma ended up that way.

That is why she frequently visits her employer making sure that her condition is improving.

When she entered the V.I.P. room she saw a maid attending to the old lady. It was Mrs. De Castro's maid that she assigned to look out for the Chairwoman.

Ms. Corpuz gestured the maid to go out. She heeded her command and left the room quietly.

Now being left alone with the Old Madam, Ms. Corpuz sat beside the patient's bed and leaned closer to her ears.

"Madam, please wake up already. Rian will be in trouble if it takes you too long to regain consciousness." She whispered slowly allowing only the two of them to understand what she is saying.

"I don't know much about how you make her live her life since I haven't made any private contact with her before. I also don't know her temperament, not even the things that she like and doesn't." She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I barely know anything about her and I am not confident about being in charge to her. Now, I'm going to let her decide about her welfare for I fear that she might not find my choices preferable. So please Madam. Pleases open your eyes already. The company still needs you, your granddaughter needs you." She pleaded with her words that her eyes started to tear in the sight of the woman who was her mother figure.

When Ms. Corpuz went out she saw the maid waiting outside. It seemed that she was listening to what she was saying to the Old Madam but Ms. Corpuz is sure that she made her voice very low that a single soul beside them won't be able to listen.

According to studies, even if a person is under comatose, his/her hearing is still functioning. So their friends and relatives should continue talking to them. Hearing stories exercises circuits in the brain which can trigger the first glimpses of awareness. Hearing family members' voices really can help those in a coma wake up sooner.

With this belief, Ms. Corpuz plans to continue talking to the Old Madam during her future visits.

She will go to the hospital in place of Rian who's existence should continue to unknown to the De Castro's.