Chapter 5 Grandfather

<Mia>

I woke up with a pounding headache. I checked my phone and saw numerous missed calls and calls from Ethan.

Ethan, that jerk:

"Where the hell are you, Mia Zoey?"

He really had to use my full name, as if it mattered.

"Mia Zoey Inarez-Mendoza, it's fucking one in the morning. Where. The. Hell. Are. You?!"

I read through the rest of his messages.

"Answer my calls!"

He had so many missed calls.

307 missed calls.

89 text messages.

He sure had plenty of time to text me.

"I told you to text me!"

Master is angry now. I didn't even know he was calling because I silenced my phone, and in my annoyance, I forgot to text him and come home.

I suddenly got irritated.

I checked my other messages, but I didn't receive a single text or call from Yunnie.

I grumpily got up and almost tripped when I bumped into something. I saw Chimmy and Lomi cuddling on the carpet. We fell asleep here in the living room.

I left the house without saying a word. They were searching for me at home, thinking something bad had happened, and there was Lolo, the fierce one. What was that foul old man doing in our house?

I freshened up and changed my clothes to get rid of the alcohol smell. I left my bag in the car so it wouldn't be obvious that I was leaving.

"Oh, you're here," I was taken aback.

The old man greeted me.

He looked me up and down as if examining me.

"Your husband said you went to the grocery."

Did he say that? He's covering for me. Alright, I'll go with the flow. Where is that man anyway? And why is this foul-smelling old man the one who greeted me? Ethan hasn't been texting me.

"Oh, yeah," I stuttered. I was still standing by the door.

He looked behind me as if searching for something.

"Where are your groceries?"

"They're in the car. I didn't take them out because I got tired from carrying them earlier, and I'll just let Ethan carry them later. My shoulder really hurts." I massaged my left shoulder as if pretending it was sore from carrying heavy bags.

"Oh, do you want something to drink?" I offered him, changing the topic.

I fetched him some water. "By the way, why are you here?" I changed the subject.

"Don't you have work?"

"Huh?" I blinked. He was asking so many questions.

"I'm a freelancer, don't you remember? I can manage my tasks and work whenever I want. I have control over my time, Lolo." I sat down on the sofa and subtly massaged my head, just in case he asked me about it again.

"You won't gain anything from being a freelancer. What kind of job is that? It's like being a bum."

"Mind your own business," I whispered.

"Oh, really? I wasn't aware, Lo. I bought my own digital camera, and because of my freelancing, I can travel." A judgmental family.

"Well, isn't it your husband who pays for your trips?" he insulted.

"Yes, he often pays. Do you have a problem with that?" Ethan doesn't like spending on me, and it's not my fault. He told me to save my own money and use it for work expenses.

"Your husband went to work earlier."

Ah, that's why. He hasn't been going to work for weeks because of me. I'm sure he missed his workplace.

"Did you really go grocery shopping?"

"Yes, duh! Why are you so persistent? Believe it or not, Ethan himself told you that I went grocery shopping," I replied.

"Mind your tone when you answer," he hit my leg with his cane.

Even though he's old, he's still strong. Well, evil weeds never die, right? Just kidding. I don't want anyone to get offended.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Nothing!" I smiled at him and made a peace sign.

"Sorry, I'm just tired and my body aches... What time are you leaving?"

"Are you trying to chase me away?"

"Oh, no, not at all!" I still have work later, or maybe not. I haven't checked my schedule yet. I'm starting to feel lazy to work.

I miss Yunie. I feel like visiting her in Siargao.

"Alright, have a seat. Feel at home. I'll go to my room and change," I informed him, and he followed me with his gaze.

I don't want to talk to that old man. He's so strict and a perfectionist. And he questions me as if I've done something wrong. He's such an annoying old man. If I ever have a chance to choose my own family, I won't pick them.

They mock freelancers as if they know everything. Those people with low opinions don't even realize how flexible this job is.

I texted Ethan to ask what time he was coming home.

I'M HERE in Quezon City, I have a client today. Sorry, I was late. I didn't check my schedule.

My gay friend called me because his child's birthday is next week, and he hired me for a photo shoot of his child.

"My friends are better because they support me in my freelancing career."

"Hey, what's that?!" I blinked as Jarold smacked me hard. I almost face-planted into the cake.

"What did you do to the cake, girl? You wasted it, it's expensive."

We were in a coffee shop, and he treated me to a cup of coffee.

"Well, it's because of that stinky old man at home!" I said irritably. "He keeps asking questions and insulting my job as if he's the one providing for me. There are plenty of clients who appreciate me and even develop feelings for me."

I looked at the cake, all melted and inedible. I angrily attacked the cake in front of me, wanting to vent my frustration. I'm really annoyed with my family; they meddle too much. Ethan is lucky to have a beautiful and happy family. It's so envy-inducing.

"That interfering grandpa of yours?" Jarold knew because I often talked to him about it.

I nodded in response. "He was the one who greeted me earlier at home. Luckily, Ethan said I went grocery shopping even though I didn't. I didn't go home; I went to Lorena's house, we had drinks. I even traveled far, thinking Yunnie would be there... And that Ethan kept texting me without even mentioning that he left for work."

"Have some water first. You're getting too worked up, and your nose is steaming with anger." Instead of giving me water, he handed me coffee.

"This isn't water!" I shouted at him, wanting to attract attention.

"Oops, sorry, sis. Just drink that for now." He smiled sweetly at me, but his face also showed annoyance.

"Oh, by the way, how's handsome Ethan? Girl, he's really good-looking." Bakla asked, getting all giddy, and he tapped me on the shoulder.

One time, he saw Ethan in person when we were on vacation in Cebu, and he was there too.

"He's my husband, so stop it. Besides, you're already married." I glared at him. He's annoying, wanting to have a share.

"But, sis, I don't love him, and I can't love a woman. The one my heart loves is a man. I only married him for the child. You know, my father left us, and I didn't want my child to experience an incomplete family."

I felt sorry for him. If my situation is bad, his is worse. No! My situation is worse because the people around me are such meddlers, while he can do whatever he wants, and his family accepts him.

"What about that, Bakla? You don't love your husband, so why did you marry him? The poor woman can't leave your marriage anymore. It's like you tied her down and gave false hope to the child that you're a happy family."

I looked outside. We were seated by the window, and it was scorching hot outside. There weren't many people now because it's still early, but by 5 PM, there would be a lot of people, and you would see friends hanging out after a tiring day at work.

"That's it," he said sadly. "Ryan and I are getting closer."

"Huh? Who's Ryan?" I've never heard that name before. He never mentioned it to me, and this is the first time we've met since my marriage. They weren't even invited, it was just signing papers.

"The one I told you about before, sis. The one I met in Baguio. Well, my heart is falling for him. He's bisexual, and he admitted it to me. There's something going on between us. I told him about my family, but he's still pursuing me, especially since he knows I don't love my husband."

We all have our own experiences and stories in life. Different situations.

"Why don't you just get an annulment? Your child is still young, and there's someone who can love her and be a real father to her, instead of keeping them in a situation that's not true and where you'll only end up hurting each other. Your daughter is still a kid, and all children want is genuine love."

He didn't respond and seemed lost in thought.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Has the old man left home? I don't want him there, acting like a CCTV camera and a mirror in the house. Oh, dear, if he's home, I need to behave properly with Ethan. Otherwise, one wrong move, and he'll take me to court.

"Hello. Sorry, we're late."

There she is, our awaited queen.

"Hello, Mia," she kissed my cheeks.

"Hello, girl," I greeted her one-year-old daughter. I pinched her chubby cheeks. They're so plump.

"Sorry, we took so long. We got caught in traffic. Plus, I had to stop by the designer we hired for the event," she explained.

"Hello, my beautiful daughter. How was your outing with Mommy? Did you have fun?" Jarold asked his daughter, taking her from her mother and carrying her.

Even though Jarold is gay, you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at him. And you can see in his eyes how much he loves his daughter. Plus, he's handsome enough that people wouldn't assume he's gay.

"Hello, I am Mia Inarez," I introduced myself.

"Oh, come on, stop with the formality. We already met at an event," she said, taking a seat next to Jarold. Their baby is beautiful and resembles Jarold. She's wearing a pink princess dress and a white headband.

"Mommy, what do you want?" Jarold asked her.

"Caramel," she sweetly smiled. I wonder how she would react if she found out that her husband has a male partner. We're in the same boat; the only difference is they have a child, and she only got pregnant by Jarold, which is why he married her. He can get out of the marriage; it's up to him. But I can't. Everything is forced upon me. I feel like I have no freedom.

"May I know where you plan to have her photoshoot? I have a suggestion, but it's up to you if you've already chosen a location."

We discussed the photoshoot and she asked for a discount. They also wanted to hire me as the photographer for their daughter's birthday, but it's a package deal, and I'm already scheduled for another event that day. It's a birthday party, and I can't do it alone; they need multiple cameramen around.

I secretly observed them and even took a picture of them.

I wish everyone could be genuinely happy.

I'll just find happiness in eating peanuts later.

"Oh, wait. Mia, look at this," we were busy discussing the birthday plans when Mother showed something to Jarold on her cellphone. He was engrossed with his phone, and he didn't even help or give any suggestions to his daughter.

"Is this Yunnie?" he asked, examining the screen closely. "She's with a girl at the beach. Look at their picture." He hadn't handed me his phone yet, but I snatched it from him.

I saw Yunnie with another woman, and they were in the water with their arms around each other.

"Oh, are you two separated, girl?" he asked softly.

I ignored his question. "What were we talking about again?" I asked Mother.

Family bonding, my ass. She's with a woman who has had a crush on her for a long time. Siargao this, Siargao that.