Game Two

Custody

 
The cold December breeze blew one fine afternoon. The only sounds around were the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the trees. Those who came to my parents’ funeral had already returned to their cars, leaving me alone by the graves. I stood there absentmindedly, staring at the three tombstones while clutching the picture I had drawn tightly. And then, a sudden, gentle wind brushed against my skin. I broke down again, sobbing harder—because it felt like Mommy’s embrace.

I missed them so much!

Why me?

Of all the children in the world… why did it have to be me?

And what hurt even more was that they were taken away—both of them—in an instant.

“Here.” A man’s voice echoed behind me. “Stop crying.”

I gasped and turned around quickly. Standing there was a boy wearing a white button-down shirt and denim shorts. Even through my tear-blurred vision, I could clearly see his dark, steady eyes locked on me.

He extended his hand, offering a white handkerchief. In his other hand, he held a black umbrella.

“R-Ryu…” I choked out as I ran toward him and threw my skinny arms around his body.

The rain began to pour heavily at that exact moment—matching the tears spilling down my face. But the instant I saw him standing there in the middle of the downpour… I felt hope. Like a rainbow after a storm, he brightened up my gloomy sky.

I was thankful to have him as my friend. Even if that wasn’t really what I felt for him.

Ryu was three years older than me. But I guess… there’s nothing wrong with admiring someone older, right?

“I—I’m sorry…”

My cheeks flamed when I realized what I had done. I quickly stepped back, avoiding his gaze after freeing him from my embrace.

I took a deep breath—tying to calm myself. To quiet the wild beating of my heart. And to stop my trembling knees.

He chuckled softly. “It’s okay. Come here. I know you need this right now.”

I didn’t resist when he pulled me back into his arms. He guided me toward the parked car. My heart pounded even faster as our bodies brushed, his warmth soaking into me despite the cold rain.

Inside the car, Ryu stayed silent. I just sat there staring at my family’s portrait, tears endlessly flowing down my cheeks. Aside from my faint sniffling, there was nothing but silence as we waited for the rain to stop.

But like my tears, the rain didn’t stop.

Ryu sighed. “Kuya Ramon, to Panganiban Coast, please.”

The driver didn’t respond, but I felt the car start moving until the wide shoreline came into view.

The rain had ceased, and the bright, fine sand of the beach shimmered before us. Amazed, I couldn’t stop myself from stepping out.

“Akemi—”

Ryu’s voice held a note of worry, but it was too late. I was already running toward the sea.

The salty air instantly filled my lungs!

The wind blew through my hair, tangling the strands.

Yes, I lived on an island—but I had never been this close to the ocean before.

Hooked and fascinated, I kept running until my shoes were soaked through.

Then I stopped.

“It seems like it’s your first time, huh?” His deep, baritone voice made me jump.

I let out a sigh.

Maybe it wasn’t so bad to feel a little happiness, even after my parents’ burial.

“Uhm… yeah,” I admitted, blushing.

“Come here,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

My heart raced. Time seemed to stop. The warmth of his body against my back sent electricity through my veins, waking the butterflies in my stomach.

“I hope you feel better now…” he whispered near my ear, tightening his embrace.

I’d be ungrateful to say it didn’t affect me. Yes, I was still mourning. But because of Ryu… the weight on my chest felt lighter.

Ryu Dela Costa was quite popular in school—not for his intelligence or talent, but because he was sporty, handsome, and oozed charm and confidence. I knew that—especially when I overheard girls confessing to him or secretly gushing about him.

At thirteen, he already had a girlfriend. Was her name Meredith? Cheska? Mary? Or Elizabeth?

I didn’t know.

Because every girl claimed she was his girlfriend.

“Thank you for today, Ryu,” I said shyly, gazing at the beautiful sunset.

We were now both sitting on the sand beneath a coconut tree, resting after our long walk along the shore.

The orange glow of the sunset washed over us, soothing me. So this is what it feels like to watch the sun go down. Light. Peaceful. Melting.

“Anything for you.” Ryu stood up and smiled. “It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”

I sighed softly.

I felt sad that we had to leave. Time really does fly when you’re enjoying yourself. I stood and dusted off my black dress. Clearing my throat, I finally asked what had been bothering me all day. “You told me earlier that I should smile and be happy. But… how can I do that if my mommy and daddy are gone?”

My throat tightened, and my eyes filled with tears again.

He didn’t answer right away.

I bowed my head, trying to stop myself from crying. “I guess… it’s easy for you to say that,” I continued in a trembling voice, “because your parents are still—”

“Parent,” he interrupted.

I looked up, frowning. He gave me a strained smile before glancing away.

“Huh? What do you mean? You live with Engineer Dela Costa, right?” I asked softly.

“Uhm.” He nodded.

“Don’t tell me…” A gasp escaped me as realization dawned. My hand flew to my mouth.

No way…

He faced me, his expression somber, and pulled me into a hug.

“It means—” I froze mid-sentence, eyes widening. “—I’m so sorry, Ryu!”

He shook his head with a bitter laugh. “Sorry? For what?”

“Uhm… for asking?” I stammered guiltily.

He laughed at that.

I never expected cheerful Ryu to be carrying pain like mine.

His mother had died of a heart attack a year ago. Like me, he lost her in an instant. I hadn’t known. But he was right—I wasn’t the only one suffering.

By the time Ryu dropped me off at the mansion, it was already dark. Yaya Dores and Aunt Ingrid greeted me with worried faces. I told them I was fine, but that wasn’t enough. Aunt Ingrid kept pressing me about where I’d been. I just said I had fallen asleep at a café near the cemetery because of the rain. Eventually, they believed me and let me rest after taking up my dinner.

“Who will have custody of the child, Attorney Agoncillo?”

“Relax, Miss Concepcion! Take it easy, okay? Before people start thinking you’re more interested in the inheritance than the child.”

“And who do you think you are?! Did I ask for your opinion?!”

“I’m Riley Dela Costa, Celestine. In case you’ve forgotten,” a deep voice retorted, followed by mocking laughter.

“Goodness! I know! I’m not stupid, Engineer Dela Costa!”

“Riley and Celestine, please stop arguing like children! Let me finish reading this document first, can we?”

I was just coming down the stairs the next morning when I heard their voices in the living room. They sounded serious—almost hostile. I had just woken up and was on my way to breakfast, but their heated conversation made me stop. Curiosity got the better of me, so instead of heading to the dining room, I quietly moved toward the living area.

Seated before Aunt Ingrid was a dignified man in a black tuxedo, thick glasses perched on his Greek nose. His eyes were nearly closed as he read through the papers spread before him. As I recalled, he was Attorney Renato Agoncillo, our family lawyer. Beside him sat Engineer Riley Dela Costa—a family friend—dressed sharply in office attire, probably on his way to work.

It was a calm Sunday morning in January. A month had passed since my parents’ death, yet it still felt like yesterday. I still hoped it was all a bad dream. That maybe tomorrow, I’d wake up and see them again.

I had spent New Year’s Eve crying, locked in my room. Yaya Dores had knocked several times, but I never opened the door. I just wanted to be alone. I had even thought about quitting school. If it weren’t for Yaya Dores, I might never have gone back.

“Hija…”

A voice from behind made me jump. My body went cold instantly, and I clutched my chest to calm my racing heart. My hand trembled as I wiped the sweat off my forehead.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was only Yaya Dores.

“Yaya Dores, you scared me!”

She chuckled. “Sorry, Hija. Your breakfast is ready. I went up to your room, but you weren’t there.”

I nodded, taking a breath. I noticed her glance toward the living room, where my attention had been.

“Why are you hiding here?” she asked, frowning. “You can join their discussion, you know.”

I shook my head. “They don’t need me there, Yaya. I’m too young to join grown-up conversations.”

“It’s your right, Hija—especially since they’re discussing your parents’ estate.”

I bit my lower lip. Yes, she was right. But I was still a child. Powerless. Unheard. And besides… who would listen to a child’s voice?

No one.

Yaya Dores looked at me with concern, gently touching my elbow.

I shook my head quickly and forced a smile.

She left for the kitchen while I stayed, still listening in secret to the argument—even though I wanted to stop because Aunt Ingrid and Engineer Dela Costa were already shouting.

“I knew it! That’s why this engineer is here, isn’t it?” Aunt Ingrid pointed at him furiously. “This is all a setup!”

My custody, the Leesteel, the mansion, and my parents’ other properties were all placed under Aunt Ingrid’s name. Engineer Dela Costa, meanwhile, was assigned to manage LEC.

“This is all fraud, Attorney Agoncillo!” Aunt Ingrid yelled.

The lawyer shook his head. “That’s what’s written in the couple’s last will, Miss Concepcion. Accept it or not. In time, when Miss Lee comes of age, she will inherit and manage everything her parents left behind.”

“Don’t lie to me! I know you tampered with that document!”

Attorney Agoncillo rubbed his forehead, clearly exasperated, while Engineer Dela Costa only smirked—further irritating Aunt Ingrid.

“I’m the aunt!” she snapped. “Akemi and I share the same blood. And you… who are you, huh? Who are you for Akem and Oseanna to trust you this much?”

Engineer Dela Costa didn’t answer. He only smiled faintly again, calm and unbothered.

He had been my father’s childhood friend—one of those who helped him build LEC. Daddy trusted him completely. So for Aunt Ingrid to claim he couldn’t be trusted… I found that hard to believe.

A week passed.

Aunt Ingrid left for Manila. I stayed in the living room after she said goodbye. While eating breakfast, I suddenly remembered what happened that day. My eyes caught a folded paper on top of a pile of magazines under the coffee table. It was the same document Aunt Ingrid had snatched from Attorney Agoncillo’s hands. Even now, I could still feel the tension between her and Engineer Dela Costa. It wasn’t just a simple argument—something deeper was going on. I just hoped they’d resolve it soon. My parents had trusted them both.

After breakfast, I decided to take a short walk outside, to digest my food before heading back to bed. Everything felt calm again. Peaceful. Until I reached the staircase near the entrance. In an instant, my face grew hot. My heart thudded wildly, almost jumping out of my chest. My palms turned sweaty, my knees weak.

What was he doing here?

“R-Ryu—” My lips trembled, barely forming his name.

He stood just a few steps away, sunlight from the open doorway outlining his tall frame. A soft smile spread across his red-tinted lips, and then, he licked them. So casually. Suddenly, the air felt warmer.

Get it together, Akemi!

He was only wearing denim shorts and a plain black T-shirt. But to me, he looked like a runway model.

“Hi,” he greeted warmly, his voice deep and relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world for me. He waved slowly. Like in slow motion. Or maybe it was just me.

I bit my lower lip to stop the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “H-Hello…” My voice was so soft, I wasn’t even sure he heard it.

“How are you?” He climbed the last step until we were face to face, his eyes locking onto mine. “You feeling okay now?”

And before I could even think of a reply, he leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. It was brief. Barely there. But my entire world tilted in that moment. I froze. My mind replayed the warmth of his lips on my skin.

He kissed me… on the cheek!

I thought I might faint.

Ryu chuckled, waving his hand in front of my face. “You sure you’re okay?”

I nodded absentmindedly.

“You sure? I think you don’t. You’re red. Are you sick?” he asked, frowning with concern. He reached a hand halfway to my forehead…but stopped. And even that tiny gesture sent another rush of heat through me.

I still couldn’t open my mouth to speak.

My mind was too busy remembering the ghost of his kiss.