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Santi Choi passed by the photographs displayed on the corridors with familiarity. Despite seeing the same thing for how many years already, he still couldn't stop but admire the photographs, or rather, the people featured in it.
The Yoon family owns one of the most established pharmaceutical companies in the country. They own multiple laboratories, pharmacies, and are actively conducting clinical trials for new medications. Additionally, they also own several businesses under the name of each family member.
And Santi has been with them since he's 17. Now that he's almost 30, he still couldn't believe that Mr. Arthur Yoon, the head of the Yoon family was kind enough to show him kindness despite his attempt to rob his youngest son 13 years ago.
His thoughts were interrupted when the head maid came to his side. Mukhang nanggaling pa ito sa kusina dahil sariwa pa ang mantsa sa suot nitong uniporme.
“Sir Santi, ang sabi po ni Sir Arthur, mag-breakfast daw po muna kayo, mag-uusap lang daw po sila sandali ni Sir Johann.”
“I just had breakfast, manang. Kanina pa po ba sila magkausap?” Santi asked. He glanced at the door to the old man's office and returned his gaze back to the old woman. He couldn’t hear anything due to the thick walls of the mansion.
“Kanina pa po, Sir. Kaso baka po matagalan, nand'yan din po kasi si Sir Jersey. Gusto niyo po bang sa library na lang maghintay?”
Santi shook his head. “I'll just wait here—”
But before he could even finish his sentence, the door swung open, and revealed Johann with bloodshot eyes. Nilagpasan lamang siya nito at dire-diretsong naglakad palayo. Behind him was Jersey, who gave him an apologetic bow, bago sinundan patakbo ang pinsan. He watched as the two disappeared when they turned away and was startled when a voice called his name.
That’s new. Johann and Santi are not close with each other but at least, the younger one acknowledges his presence. He would sometimes nod at him or either a small smile would be given to him.
“Santi, come in.”
He gave the maid a small nod before entering the door. Nakahawak ang matanda sa sentido kaya pinili ni Santi na bigyan muna ito ng oras bago siya umimik. When the old man finally removed his hold on his head, he looked at Santi and heaved a deep sigh.
“Thanks for making it today, Santi. Pasensya ka na if I made you wait. Johann…” Mr. Yoon looked like he had something to say but decided not to voice it out. It looks like it has something to do with Johann because only Johann gets a reaction like from their father. Call it weakness, but that’s what he is to the old man.
“Did something happen, Sir?” he asked. The old man nodded and motioned him to sit down. Santi pulled out the documents necessary for their meeting and they got down to business. Nang matapos ang pinag-uusapan nila, Mr. Arthur Yoon hesitated to talk, but he still opened his mouth.
“Have you talked to Henry Chae before?”
Henry Chae?
“Isn’t that Johann’s boyfriend… fiance?” he asked. Kung bakit siya ang napiling tanungin ng matanda, hindi niya alam. He had interacted with him during functions ngunit sandali lamang iyon, kadalasan ay hinahanap lamang nito si Johann sa kanya.
“Apparently, that goddamn son of a bitch is cheating on my son. Someone sent his brother pictures of him with a guy. Looks like they have been intimate for some time now kapag wala si Johann.”
Santi doesn’t know what to say. Matagal nang hindi palagay ang loob niya sa taong iyon pero sino ba siya para magbigay ng opinyon? Hamak na tauhan lang din naman siya ng pamilya nila at isa pa, hindi naman sila malapit ni Johann para makialam siya sa mga desisyon nito sa buhay.
But if those things were true, all of Johann’s sacrifices for Henry were all for nothing. They had met shortly after Johann’s first heartbreak. Henry used to work for the start up that Johann started and that’s where everything began. Henry came from a poor family but he was decent. Must be one of the reasons why Johann liked him.
And since Henry was poor, Arthur Yoon was against it. Pakiramdam niya ay pagsasamantalahan lamang ang kabutihan ng anak. But Johann made sure that they could still be together by fighting for it. He gave up managing some of their businesses just to prove that even without his riches and everything, Henry would still love him.
Then all of a sudden, he’s cheating with some other guy?
Santi would never do that to Johann.
“Is that what you were discussing with him and Jersey earlier?”
The old man nodded. “Henry Chae denied but he’s being followed until now. Nagkikita pa rin sila noong lalaki at gusto pang makipagbalikan kay Johann. My son still wants him.” Muling napahawak sa sentido ang matanda.
Of course, he’s already figured that out. Halatang-halata naman sa mga mata ni Johann na mukhang umiyak pa ito habang kausap ang ama. Pakiramdam siguro nito ay hindi na naman siya pinakikinggan ng ama at mababa pa rin ang tingin nito sa nobyo dahil sa katayuan nito sa buhay. But having known Mr. Arthur Yoon for more than a decade now, Santi knew that he is never that kind of person. Santi would never reach wherever he is now if not for the help of Arthur Yoon.
“Do you need me to do something, Sir? To keep him away with Johann, at least,” Santi asked. The old man leaned on his chair and tapped his fingers on the table repeatedly, as if thinking how Santi could help.
“Would you marry my son, Santi?”
Of course, Santi was stunned. The both of them fell silent for about a minute until the old man laughed and shook his head.
“Sorry. I’m probably carried away by my emotions and I know you’re one of the few people I know who wouldn’t hurt my son. I just want him happy, that’s all, but—”
“If you want me to marry Johann, I would.”