Chapter 1
Grey's POV
"Isn't this yours?" I looked at Louis, who was reading the folder placed on the table.
My brows furrowed, and I leaned towards him to peek at the paper he was reading. "Used to," I replied before taking another bite off my sandwich.
He lifted his head, brows almost touching each other, "What happened?" he asked. I shrugged before pointing at Bianca, "Ask her," I said before wiping my lip with a tissue paper.
Her eyes widened a bit, "What? Ano nanaman?!" Masungit nitong tanong na ikinatawa namin parehas ni Louis.
"This," Louis lifted the folder, "Hindi ba pasyente ni Grey 'to? Bakit ikaw na ang doktor nung bata?" tanong nito, agad naman napahagikhik si Bianca habang nakatakip ang kamay sa bibig.
"Oh gosh, how do I explain this?" She took the folder from Louis's hand.
"To make the story short, pinagselosan ni mister si Grey. Kaya ayun, ipinalipat sa akin yung bata." sagot ni Bianca.
Napatakip ako ng bibig ko habang humahagikhik, nang lingunin ko si Louis ay kunot-noo itong nakatingin sa akin.
"You're flirting with the patient's mother---"
"Heck no!!" I immediately slapped his arm. "Wala akong ginagawa 'no!" Dagdag ko pa rito at utay-utay napahagikhik si Louis.
"Then why is the father jealous of you?!" he exclaimed, and my eyes widened.
I shrugged, putting both my hands on the side into the air, "I don't know!" I shouted back.
Biance laughed, slapping both our hands on the table and signalling us to quiet down.
I sighed, folding the wrapper of the sandwich I just had, "Maybe he thought I hitting on his wife." I shrugged, leaning on my chair and crossing my arms.
Biance chuckled, "As if you're interested with pussies." she whispered which made Louis and I chuckle.
"Little did that husband know, mas delikado ang asawa niya sa 'yo." Louis commented, which made us three laugh.
When our few-minute break ended, we wrapped it up, threw our garbage, and went back to our clinics.
And as usual, just like what I've been used to for the past years, it feels lonely in my own clinic.
Though feeling lonely doesn't mean I have nothing to do. Most of the time, I have patients inside my clinic, which is good, which is fine, it's still bearable. But when it comes to the constant running and rushing, when a bunch of kids in the ER or patients I have to attend, that's when it's starting to drain me.
Damn, I never thought it'll be this hard. Buong akala ko dati, kapag pedia ka, mag-aalaga ka lang ng babies. Heck, I underestimated it.
Gusto ko lang naman makaharap at makakita ng babies araw-araw. Gusto ko lang... makisalamuha sa mga bata.
There are days I feel like I just joined a marathon since I've been running for almost the whole day. Especially when there's a flu or virus spreading like chickenpox or dengue. Or even when it's rainy season and a lot of kids are getting sick.
Though I'm used to it. Kadalasan, pare-parehas na sakit lang ang nakakaharap ko. Iyon nga lang, talagang nakakapagod pala.
Mabuti nalang at may kaibigan pa ako sa ospital. Mabuti at andiyan pa si Louis at Bianca at walang ibang ginawa kundi ang magkulitan sa harap o di naman kaya ay ako ang kinukulit.
Nami-miss ko na rin si Cairo.
Katrabaho ko naman siya, nasa iisang ospital lang kami, iyon nga lang, Cardiologist siya at malayo sa akin kaya madalang na kami halos magkita. Bumukod na rin ito at bumalik sa bahay nila kaya naman wala na akong kasama sa condo kagaya noong nasa med school pa kami.
That's why I always end the day dull and alone. I would sometimes arrive at my place around 10 in the evening. It's very dark, very quiet and very... lonely. Na-aalala ko pa noong nasa med school ako at madadatnan ko si Cairo na naka facial mask, bunny headband habang nagpapatugtog ng KPOP at nag-aaral.
Gosh, I really miss that guy. Hope everything's fine at their house.
How's work? Naghapunan kana ba?] Mom asked on the phone. I gave my eyes a slight rub before nodding.
"Yes, I had dinner na." It was just potato chips and Sprite.
"And work is fine, tiring as usual." A yawn escaped my lips, which made my mom chuckle.
[Oh sige na, mukhang antok na antok kana, goodnight Grey.] She smiled,
I nodded and waved at her, "Goodnight, Mom, bye."
I placed my phone on my bedside table after ending the call. I turned off my lamp and stared at the ceiling.
Gosh... this is... fucking sad.
I didn't expect to have this kind of life. I must admit that I barely have friends in high school and even in college. I actually saw it coming, but didn't actually think it would really happen.
Maybe if only... he didn't... leave, maybe my life isn't this miserable.
I woke up around 8 AM the next day. I spent a few more minutes on my bed, checking my social media and playing one match of CODM before deciding to leave the bed and prepare breakfast. I only had a sandwich and cold chocolate while watching a movie. By 9 AM, I had already finished my food, washed the dishes, and taken a shower.
I have thirty minutes left before 10, when I left the house. I stopped by a 7/11 first near the hospital to grab some Onigiri and a probiotic drink before going inside the hospital. I didn't even have a chance to fix my table and arrange some papers when a patient immediately arrived in my clinic.
I lost count of how many patients came to my clinic. I checked my watch and saw that it's past 12 noon. I sighed, stretched my neck for a bit, and removed my stethoscope from my neck when my pager started buzzing.
I hissed, looked it up, and saw the text "ER, ASAP". I immediately grabbed my stethoscope and rushed out.
"What happened?" I asked the nurse as I arrived at the ER.
"Marky, elementary, grade 2, nag chi-chinese garter sa school, namali ang bagsak, luminsad ang buto sa tuhod." sagot ng nurse at agad akong tumango,
"Hello Marky, I'm Doctor Grey," I softly said to the little boy who was crying and gripping tightly on his teacher's hand.
"Hello po..." Bumati lang ito sa akin bago muling napahagulgol ng iyak,
"Pwede mo bang sabihin sa akin kung gaano kasakit? Mula 1 to 10, gaano kasakit?" tanong ko rito matapos maglagay ng face mask na ini-abot sa akin ng nurse.
"100 po!! 100 po!!" sigaw ng bata at agad akong tumango, kasunod kong tiningnan ang heart rate at blood pressure ng bata.
His heart rate is definitely high, probably due to fear, trauma, and pain.
"Nasaan ang ortho? Bakit wala pa?" Bumulong ako sa nurse na may halong inis.
"Wala pa doc, nasa surgery ang ibang ortho pero may parating na raw po." sagot nito at tumango ako,
While waiting for the orthopedic, I checked if there were any other injuries on the kid. I noticed bruises on his arms and hands, probably when he tried to stop his landing. I cleaned his wound and calmed him down until the orthopedics finally arrived.
I stood at the side, watching the orthopedic doctor touch the kid's knee. But every time his hand would land on the kid, Marky would scream and cry.
Napapa-iling nalang ako at gustong umalis dahil na-aawa ako sa bata.
"Doc Chua," I immediately stepped forward after hearing my name.
"Check if may allergies ang bata, he needs sedation, hindi ko magagalaw 'to kung masakit kada hawak ko sa kaniya." Utos nito at agad akong tumango.
Kahit mahirap kausapin ang bata, tinanong ko kung may allergies ito, mabuti at sumasagot pa rin ito at nakiki-cooperate. Wala naman itong allergies sa gamot, tanging allergy lang niya sa soy beans ang sinabi nito kaya naman agad din namin itong naturukan ng anesthesia.
Nang orthorpedics na ang nag-aasikaso rito ay umalis muna ako dahil may batang dinala sa ER dahil sa tuluyang pagdudugo ng ilong.
Ilang minuto ko palang nakaka-usap ang magulang ay na-kumpirma kong dengue ang sakit ng bata kaya naman agad itong in-admit sa ospital.
May isa pang bata na nilalagnat naman, nagsusuka't tae rin ito kaya naman agad akong nagpakuha ng sample ng bata para ipa-test sa lab.
Dahil nasa ER na rin ako ay ako na rin ang nag-asikaso sa batang nagkomkombulsyon sa lagnat. Ganun ang sa batang namimilipit ng sakit sa tiyan at batang hindi naman makadumi nang maayos.
Paalis na sana ako ng ER nang tawagin ako ng nurse para puntahan ang batang kanina ay bali ang tuhod para sa post monitoring. Kinausap ko ang mga magulang nito at binigyan ng payo kung paano mas mapapabilis ang paggaling ni Marky. Naka-usap ko rin ang bata na mukhang takot pa rin pero pinakalma at nilibang ko muna ito bago iwan.
"Grey!" Naglalakad ako sa hallway nang tawagin ako ni Louis, nang lingunin ko ito ay mukhang kagagaling lang nito sa OR.
"Saan ka galing? Wala ka kaninang lunch?" tanong nito at napakunot ang noo ko bago tumingin sa relo.
"Shit! Almost 3PM na?!" Gulat kong tanong at tumango ito, "Oo, naka-attend na nga ako ng delivery, kakagaling ko lang actually." ani nito bago tumuro sa OR.
Utay-utay akong napatango, "How was it? How's the baby?" tanong ko rito at tumango ito, "Succesful, of course, ako pa ba?" Biro nito at napatawa ako bago siya pabirong hinampas sa balikat.
"Kakain kana ba? Samahan na kita, magmi-miryenda lang din ako tapos mag rou-round na rin ako." Aya nito at tumango ako.
Iniwan ko lang sa clinic ang coat at stethoscope ko habang nagpalit naman si Louis ng damit. Nagkita nalang kami sa canteen at saka bumili ng pagkain.
"Nalingat ka nanaman sa oras?" tanong ni Louis habang kumakain,
Tumango habang ngumunguya, "As usual," sagot ko rito at napatawa siya nang bahagya.
"Kung hindi ba kita nakita sa hallway, hindi kapa kakain?" tanong nito at napahagikhik ako bago umiling.
"Kakain naman, hindi ko lang alam na pass 3 na pala." sagot ko rito at tumango siya.
"You know, you really need someone to look after you." he leaned on his chair, crossing his legs together.
I arched a brow, "What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
He shrugged, "You know... someone who'll always look after you and take care of you," he replied, and my brows furrowed, slightly turning my face to the side.
"I'm a grown-up, I can take care of myself." I replied, and Louis chuckled, "Yeah, you can," he cooed.
"But look at you, lunch at 3 PM? Doktor ka pero hindi mo ma-alagaan ang sarili mo. You need someone to take care of you, like a partner," he suggested, which made me chuckle and shake my head.
I put down my spoon and wiped my lips with a tissue while laughing, "Heck, heck no, andiyan ka nanaman. You've been telling me to get a partner for like... two years now." I said, which made him chuckle.
"Because you need one. Bakit ba kasi ang choosy mo? Ang daming nagkakagusto sa 'yo, babae man o lalaki. You know, if you'll just give them a chance, you'll no longer be single," he replied. I sighed, leaning on my chair and crossing my legs and arms.
"I already told you, they don't interest me. They're not my type." I replied, and he arched a brow, "Then what's your type?" he coaxed, crossing his arms together.
My lips parted, knowing damn well what name will come out of my lips.
Code's POV
"Morning, sir! Your breakfast is served on the table." Our maids welcomed me as I stepped out of the stairs.
I gave her a small smile, "Thank you, Selene, can you please ask someone to iron my clothes? It's on my bed, I need it ready after my breakfast." I requested, Selene nodded and bowed before leaving me to have breakfast.
"Oh, and also, Selene," I called, and gladly, she's just halfway up the stairs.
"Wake Chiara up, please. It's her big day today." I asked before giving her a smile. She smiled back at me, nodding before walking upstairs.
Just a few minutes later, I heard small footsteps on the stairs. And in no time, Chiara is already at the dining table, excitedly smiling.
"Morning, daddy!" she greeted. I stood up from my chair to help her get on hers.
"Good morning, sweetheart, how's your sleep?" I asked before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Good daddy, it was cold!!" She hugged herself, which made me giggle. I comb a bit of her hair before serving food on her plates.
"After breakfast, go take a shower and change into your dress, okay? We don't want to be late for your graduation." I reminded her, and she nodded.
While eating, someone from the company called, as much as I don't want to answer it, it seems important, so I had to.
"Kumain ka lang diyan, daddy will just take the call," I said before answering the call and stepping away from Chiara.
"Hello? Why are you calling me early in the morning?" I asked, putting my hand on my waist.
[Sir, your dad wants you in the meeting today, he said--]
"No, I already told you about this. It's Chiara's graduation today, so I won't be attending that meeting. Tell him that I'll be gone for the whole day 'cause we will celebrate my daughter's graduation." I cut him off.
I had had enough of this conversation. Dad has been bugging me about that meeting for weeks, and Chiara's graduation had been announced for months. There's no way I'll choose that meeting over my daughter's graduation.
[But sir--]
"My decision is final, Leo. I won't be going to that meeting, so tell Dad everything I said. Is that clear?" I didn't let him finish his sentence. Whatever he would say, whatever dad said or ordered, there's nothing that is going to change my mind.
[Yes, sir, have a great day ahead.] He replied, and I hummed, "You too," I said before ending the call and going back to the dining room.
I saw Chiara pouting as I sat down, "What's wrong, sweetie? Why are you pouting?" I asked, caressing her hair.
"Daddy, you said no phones on the table!" she nagged, which made me chuckle.
"I know, sweetie, daddy's sorry. It's an important call, so I had to take it." I replied, and she crossed her arms.
"My iPad is important too! I am treating patients!" she replied, which made me laugh.
Gosh, that doctor simulator game.
"I know, but... daddy won't do it again, okay? Finish your food now so you can take a shower and get ready." I replied, and she just gave me a nod.
We finished almost at the same time. I made sure she took her vitamins first before going back to her room to take a shower.
I went to my own room, took a shower, got dressed, dried my hair, and called the restaurant where I had reserved a table for us.
When I checked Chiara in her room, two maids were around her, fixing her hair and doing her make-up.
"Lightly, don't overdo her make-up." I reminded the maids, and they nodded.
"But daddy! I want more make-up!!" She almost threw a tantrum, which made me giggle and lean on the door frame.
"When you're older, you can do your own make-up and have as much make-up as you want," I said, and she pouted before crossing her arms.
Damn, that attitude, she definitely didn't get that from me.
After almost an hour waiting, she's finally ready to go. Then, another 10 minutes of her showing off her dress, hair, and make-up to me, asking me to take almost a hundred pictures of her.
"Let's go now, you'll be late for your graduation. Do you want to be late for your graduation?" I asked, and she immediately shook her head before picking up her bag.
"No!! Let's go, Daddy! We'll be late!" she rushed out of the house.
The maids giggled at her before I bid goodbye to them and went out of the house.
We vibed to some Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo songs on the way to her preschool. If it were me, it would've been Fly By Midnight blasting on the speaker, but since she's with me, I have to listen to girls either talking about coffee or vampires.
When we arrived at her school, she rushed out of the car to greet her friends. I was about to follow her when I received a message from my secretary asking me if I was sure I wouldn't be attending the meeting. I just liked his message, turned off my phone before following Chiara inside.
I can say Chiara enjoyed her graduation, from their awarding to their song, she's always been that 'bibo' kid.
Maliit palang ito ay alam kong makulit na siya. Hindi pa ito halos nakakapagsalita ay madaldal na ito at kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi na hindi ko naman naiintindihan.
I felt more like a personal assistant than a father today. She would ask me to bring her bag, get her water, and take pictures with her friends.
Her pink, Barbie bag and pink Stanley don't go well with my suit and tie. But if that's what would make her happy, then I'll carry them with me.
"Are you hungry?" I asked, we're now on our way to the restaurant, and I was finally able to convince her to leave their school.
"I'll miss my friends," she pouted, which made me chuckle. "I'm sure they'll miss you too," I replied,
I sighed, "Well, are you--"
"I'll miss Mason, too. He said he has a crush on me," she cut me off, which made my brows furrow.
"Mason? The curly-haired boy?" I asked, and she nodded before facing me.
"Yes, he told me he has a crush on me," she replied, "When?" I asked,
"A few months ago, I forgot it, na. He asked me if he could be my boyfriend, pa nga, eh," she answered, which made my jaw drop.
"Hey, I said no boys until 20." I reminded her, which made her giggle.
"I know, daddy, that's why I told him we can't be boyfriends and girlfriends," she replied, and I nodded,
"Good,"
"But he gave me a ring, look!" She showed me a plastic colored ring with the face of a frog on it. I took a quick glance at her to look at the ring before looking back on the road.
I scoffed, "It's ugly," I said, which made her gasp. "It's pretty kaya, daddy!" she argued, which made me chuckle, but I stuck my tongue out to tease her.
"I can buy you way expensive rings than that. It looks... stupid." I said, and she pouted before crossing her arms.
"Then buy me!" she demanded, which made me burst out laughing.
"When you're older na, you're too young for expensive ring. Baka ipamigay mo lang kapag may bago kang kaibigan." ani ko rito na ikinahagikhik namin parehas.
When we arrived at the restaurant, our food was immediately served since I had ordered it beforehand. Chiara's eyes almost shone at the sight of her favorite foods.
I also paid some musicians to play her favorite Disney and Barbie songs while we ate, which I'm pretty sure she enjoyed very much. For her age, she eats a lot, which is why paying almost 800 dollars for that restaurant was worth it.
When we arrived home, she was surprised to see the gifts inside the living room. I gave the maids a thumbs up since I asked them to prepare it.
"Ang dami, daddy!!" Nagtatatalon ito sa tuwa,
"Anything for you, sweetie. Come, let's open them na." Kahit nahihirapan sa pantalon ko, umupo ako sa sahig at sinamahan siya sa pagbubukas.
Lahat ng bagong labas na laruan, mga nakikita ko sa TV at YouTube ay binili ko. Pati ang mga kid's make-up na nauuso ngayon ay binili ko na rin lalo pa't alam kong gustong-gusto niya ito.
Hindi man kami nagtagal sa graduation niya, sa pagbubukas naman kami ng regalo natagalan lalo pa't kada regalo na bubuksan niya ay gusto niyang paglalaruan muna namin.
Inabot na kami ng dilim sa pagbubukas. Tumulong na rin siya sa paglilinis ng mga gift wrapper kaya naman pagkatapos ay pagod na pagod ito. Pinapaliguan ko muna siya sa mga katulong at pinagpalit ng damit bago inayang kumain ng hapunan.
Akala ko ay makakapagtrabaho ako pagkatapos kumain. Pero nang kumatok si Chiara sa pinto at dala-dala ang kitchen set niyang regalo ko kanina, mukhang imbes na maging abogado ako ngayong gabi, mukhang magiging customer pa ako.
"I'll play lang here, daddy, I won't bother you." Dire-diretso ang lakad nito papasok ng kwarto, nahihirapan pa dahil sa laki ng laruan na dala niya,
Napabuntong hininga ako bago napakamot sa batok, "Are you sure? Are you okay playing by yourself?" I asked, and she nodded before sitting down on the carpet.
Mabuti nalang at bagong linis iyon.
"Yes, daddy, I'll be here long, I'll be quiet, po," she replied, and I nodded.
She, in fact, is not quiet. She would talk by herself, pretending she had a customer when she was actually facing a teddy bear. Maya-maya rin ang labas-masok nito sa kwarto. At nang lingunin ko ay walong stuffed toy na ang nasa harap nito.
Napapahilamos ako sa mukha tuwing gagawa ito ng tunog na parang nagpiprito. O di naman kaya ay kapag ginagayat nito ang chopping board mismo at ginagaya ang maiingay na paggagayat ng mga chef sa TV.
Napansin ko nalang na basa na ang carpet dahil ang mga baso palang laruan nito ay may laman nang tubig na galing sa banyo.
Napahilamos ako sa mukha. Nang tumingin ako sa relo ay mag a-alas diyes na, at kung hindi pa ako tutulog ay alam kong hindi rin tutulog ang bata sa likuran ko.
Pinatay ko na ang laptop ko, inayos ang mga papel sa lamesa bago lumapit kay Chiara.
"Hey, let's sleep na?" I softly asked her, nag-angat ito ng tingin bago tumango at utay-utay inimpis ang mga laruan niya.
Pinulot ko na rin ang mga stuffed toy na nasa sahig at inilagay sa kama. Nang matapos niyang impisin lahat, akala ko'y magpapahatid ito sa kwarto niya kaya naman laking gulat ko nang sumampa ito sa kama at doon nahiga.
"I want to sleep here, daddy," she started blinking her eyes,
Napatawa ako bago tumango at umikot sa kabila para tabihan ito.
"Goodnight, Chiara, sweet dreams." I kissed her on the forehead before turning off the lights.
"Daddy," tawag nito at nag-hum ako, "Ano yun?" tanong ko, nakapikit na ang mga mata.
"Bed time story," Utos nito, napabuntong hininga ako, "Isang gabi, may bata na ang panglan ay Chiara at natulog na siya, the end." ani ko na ikinatawa niya.
Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. Dahil wala ng pasok si Chiara ay hinayaan ko muna itong matulog at bumaba na para mag-almusal. Pagkatapos ay umakyat na ulit ako sa kwarto para maligo at maghanda para sa pagpasok sa trabaho.
Sakto namang paalis na ako ay nagising si Chiara. Nagba-bye pa ito at nagbilin ng gustong ipabali bago ako umalis.
"Sir, your dad will be having another meeting today. This time, he really wants you there." Iyan agad ang bungad sa akin ni Leo nang pumasok ako sa opisina.
"What time is the meeting?" I asked, looking at my watch, "It's scheduled for 9 AM, sir." he replied, and I nodded,
"Great, I'll go straight to the meeting room," I said before entering the elevator.
It looks like they've been waiting for me when I arrived at the meeting room. Almost everyone is present, which makes me think this is an important meeting.
I sat down next to one of the investors and greeted almost everyone, except my dad.
"So, for the continuation of yesterday's meeting, I would like to inform everyone that I would like to focus on our businesses in the Philippines, after years of entrusting the business there to someone else." Dad started, right after I heard the country's name, my brow arched.
"Mr. Costa, but what about your businesses here in Canada? I'm sure your businesses here are way bigger than the ones in the Philippines?" An investor asked,
I leaned on my chair, clasped my hands together while listening attentively to their conversation.
"I know, and that's true. After years of focusing and getting bigger and bigger here in Canada, I know I shouldn't leave Canada and everything behind here." Dad replied, and I slowly nodded,
"That's why I need your suggestions or any volunteers if someone here would like to take over the businesses in the Philippines," he asked, which made me arch a brow.
Almost everyone here is Canadian, and there's no way they would leave their beloved country and choose the Philippines over it.
Plus, the Filipino investors have been Canadian citizens for more than a decade, so they most probably won't take the offer either.
"I suggest your son can handle the business in the Philippines." My head snapped up, and I looked in the direction of the oldest investor in the room.
"Me?" I asked, pointing at myself.
"That's what I've been planning to say. However, my son seems... avoiding the meeting I've been calling for the past few months." Dad said, which made me fix my posture on the chair.
"I-I... I didn't know you were planning to... to do that." I replied, and Dad nodded,
"But what do you say? Is it okay for you to go back to the Philippines and handle our company there?" he asked,
My lips parted. "You want... me to go back to the Philippines?" I asked, a mix of emotions inside my system.
Dad fixed his glasses, "Why not? Ayaw mo ba?" he asked, raising a brow.
My heartbeat went fast, and just like that, a smile grew on my lips. "I'll do it!"
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a/n: yieeee, excited siya ihh HAHAHAHAH, rakrakan agad sa next chap HAHAHA, I eited this one too during the bug ng Wattpad so if may error or typo, makikimention please para maayos ko huhuhu
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