Kairo's POV

"Are you ready, anak?" Mom asked while fixing the collar of my suit.

To be honest, halos dalawang araw kong pinaghandaan ang araw na ito simula nu'ng nakauwi kami rito sa Manila. I wrote a draft for my speech later and continuously reviewed all of my responsibilities the moment that company will be mine to take over.

"I'm actually nervous, Mom," I faced her. "But I can manage."

It's actually pressuring pero wala naman akong choice. Ako lang naman kasi ang natatanging anak ni Elliot Jax Eugenio. How I wish na pwede ko ipasa kay Hiara 'to.

"Don't worry, Kai. We're all gonna be in there," Mom flashed a reassuring smile. "Kapag kinakabahan ka, tignan mo lang kami. We'll make funny faces for you to feel calm."

Tumawa na lang kami pareho. Moments later, our ride arrived kaya lahat kami, including Dad Ashler and Hiara, ay sumakay na at umalis papunta sa venue. Luna and Chase also messaged me that they're on their way, too.

Pagkarating namin sa place, the event immediately started. Only the VIPs are invited, that includes the investors and all of the head staff of each branch, both local and international.

Lola and Mom delivered their speech. It took an hour. Kaya naman nu'ng ako na ang tinawag, I can feel that almost all of the guests are already bored.

I took a deep breath and started, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The event is already running for more than an hour. And with that, I am guessing that you are all not in the mood to listen to another speech."

I heard some indistinct conversations and laughing.

"However, it is I, Kairo Ezequiel Eugenio, the next owner of Eugenio's Cuisine, who is now speaking. So, I think that each and everyone of you should pay attention. No worries, I won't make this long," Nahagip ng mata ko sila Mommy na nag-thumbs up at ngumiti nang napakalaki.

"It is an honor for me to take over what my Dad, Elliot Jax Eugenio, started. He built this company which connects people; employees or customers. He made recipes that undeniably marked our customers' taste buds and made them love the place," I paused to look around and calm myself.

"So, I am standing here in front of all of you to confidently say that I, with the help of all of you, will lead and continue my Dad's legacy. We will continue to serve customers with our delicious recipes and professional approach," I flashed a warm smile. "We will run the company the best way we could possibly do."

Everyone gave me a round of applause. They smiled at me, like they trust me so much. Some of them stood up and cheered for me. I bowed and thanked them before walking onto the desk on the stage.

Lola and Mommy also went up. Lahat kami ay naupo sa may mesa at pinirmahan ang mga papeles. The important officers and personnels also signed the papers needed. Everyone congratulated me.

Nang makababa mula sa stage, tumungo kaagad ako kila Dad Ashler and Hiara but I got stunned when I saw Jordyn. Is it necessary that she's here? But then again, I remembered that Tito Theo's here so that's probably the reason why.

Dad gave me a smile and tapped me on my shoulder, "Congratulations, Kairo. I'm sure that your Daddy Elliot is proud of you."

"Tama, Kuya! I'm sure na nagtata-talon sa tuwa si Tito Elliot," Hiara hugged me.

"Thank you," I chuckled. "I hope so."

Napunta ang tingin ko kay Jordyn. She was about to say something but Luna ran towards me for a hug and screamed congratulations kaya hindi naituloy ni Jordyn.

"Geez, Luna. Calm down," I laughed. "Where's Chase?"

"Nag-CR. Anyway, paano ako kakalma? Ikaw na ang may-ari ng Eugenio's Cuisine!" She exclaimed. "Grabe. Simula ngayon magpapakabait na ako sa'yo. Promise talaga! Basta libre lagi pag kakain kami dito."

Lahat kami ay nagtawanan. Moments later, lahat kami ay pinatawag ni Mommy at Lola sa stage para sa picture. We flashed our genuine smiles and poses. It was fun.

Not until a commotion went on.

"Ma'am, pasensya na po pero hindi po talaga kayo pwede riyan. Wala po kayo sa listahan ng mga imbitado—"

"I told you that my daughter's inside! I just need to talk to her about something urgent!" I heard a woman screaming. "Mabilis lang, Kuya!"

I saw Dad go down and walked near the guard that's stopping the woman. Sumunod naman si Mommy kaya pati ako ay bumaba para alalayan siya. I think the rest followed.

"What's with the commotion— Lux?!" Dad said, confused.

Lux. Paulit-ulit ko iniisip kung sino siya. I think I've heard her name already.. Ah! The model.

"Mom?" pagsingit ni Luna.

Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Luna. What is she saying? Only now that I realize na hindi ko nga pala naitatanong sa kanya ang parents niya or anything about her family.

"Mommy mo si Lux, Luna?" Mom asked her.

"Y-Yes po, Tita," Luna said. "Sorry po. Alam ko na hindi siya invited.. Uhm, hindi ko naman po alam na pupunta siya rito—"

"Oo, Kianna. Anak ko 'yan," Tita Lux inserted. "Guess who the father is!"

To be honest, this situation is starting to attract other guests' attention. I don't understand the tension between Dad Ashler, Mommy and Tita Lux. There's something about them that screams anger.

Maybe it's something that has to do with their past? Ang alam ko kasi dating womanizer si Daddy kaya di na lang ako magtataka pag kilala niya yung model na 'yan.

"M-Mom—"

"Luna, 'di ba you've been wanting to meet you father?" Tita Lux, sarcastically asked. "Well, honey, you've met him already."

She laughed and looked at Mom, "Guess who, Kianna."

"To hell with you, Lux. Sino?" Madiin na tanong ni Mommy.

Ngayon ko lang narinig ang ganoong tono ng boses niya. She sounds so mad and pissed. I immediately rubbed her shoulders to calm her down. Hindi pa naman pwede mastress si Mom.

"Hmmm," Tita Lux teased and then eventually pointed to Dad Ashler. "Him."

"Bullshit," The only thing that Dad said. His expression was full of confusion and anger, 'pag na-high blood si Dad ewan ko na lang.

The next thing that happened is that Mom slapped Luna's Mom. So hard that everyone looked at us. Everyone gasped. I saw Mom's eyes and they were full of anger.

Oh shit.

"Stop ruining our life again, Lux. Stop spitting bullshits again," Punong puno na galit na sabi ni Mommy. "Wala ka nang ma-gagago rito!"

"Well, I am not lying, Kianna! Si Ashler ang nakabuntis sa akin!" Tita Lux screamed. "Si Ashler ang ama ni Luna! And I'm done hiding it! Ayaw ko nang malaman na masaya kayo tapos kami, nagdudusa!"

"Then tell me, Lux, how is that possible?! How was that possible!" Mom didn't hold herself back.

I heard Hiara crying so I look back at her but I immediately saw Jordyn comforting her. My eyes landed on Dad Ashler next, I saw him confused and yet he's trying to calm Mom down.

"Sa Australia, Kianna," Tita Lux answered. "Back when Ashler was so broken because of you and at the same time, I was going through something. I invited him over to my place then he immediately came. Nag-usap kami. We even went to an amusement park."

"But hey, alam mo kung ano 'yung hindi ko malimutan, Kianna?" She looked at Mom with her playful eyes. "It was when I ask him if he would fuck me someday, he answered 'I would fuck you right now—"

"Lux, stop it—" pag-singit ni Dad.

So, was it real? Magkapatid sa tatay si Luna at Hiara? Tangina I can't keep up! Bakit hindi ito nabanggit ni Daddy sa amin? Alam ba ni Mommy na may nangyari kay Lux at kay Dad?

"Fuck you, Lux!" Mom pushed Tita Lux. "Mas masahol ka pa sa hayop! Gago ka!" Kinuha ko kamay ni Mommy at niyakap siya, naramdaman ko rin na unti unti nang tumutulo ang kanyang luha.

"That first and last had a consequence. It was Luna," Tita Lux said. "Now you know."

There was a moment of silence and even our VIP guests. They must love the commotion huh? Sa dinami ng taong nandito, imposibleng walang makalabas na balita sa mga articles or even the news.

Kilala ang pangalan namin, at dahil dito sa nangyari, masisira ang reputasyon namin. But that is far from my concern right now. Kailangan ko muna asikasuhin ang pamilya ko.

Minasahe ko ang sentido ko bago magsalita, "Walang magsasalita. Kumalma muna tayo." I said in a monotone. Iniwan ko si Mommy sa hawak ni Tito Theo dahil alam kong ayaw niya dikitan muna ang kanyang asawa.

Umakyat ako sa stage at kumuha ng mic. It made a noise kaya natuon kaagad sa akin ang atensyon ng lahat.

"There's some unexpected guest that ruined the night. I would like to tell everyone to leave and since there are paparazzis here I would like to tell the people that I will be closing Eugenio's Cuisine temporarily for a week. We just have to deal with our family matters," I sighed. "For the meantime, please don't spread any fake news. I will request a press conference for me and my family members next week because I know that the community has a lot of questions. Thank you and have a good night."

It took more than 30 minutes for the guests to leave and when we're the only people here, bumalik ako sa kinaroroonan ko kanina.

"Kalmado na ba ang lahat? Oh, ngayon na kayo mag usap," I told them at nakita kong tumayo si Mommy sa inuupuan niya.

"Ano pa bang kailangan mo sa amin, Lux? Wasn't it enough that you fucked my husband years ago?!" Mom shouted at nakita kong nagulat si Hiara doon at nagtakip na lang ng tenga.

"Simple lang naman. Akin na ang asawa mo, sa'yo ang dalawa mong anak," sabay tingin sa tiyan ni Mommy. "I mean tatlo."

I saw disbelief in my Mom's expression. I just know that she's mad. Really mad. Well, kung babae lang din ako, pinatulan ko na siya eh.

"Nagbibiro ka ba?" napahawak si Mom sa kanyang ulo halatang nahihilo na kaya kinuhanan siya ni Tito Theo ng tubig at pinaupo.

"Tangina. Bakit kasi ngayon mo lang sinabi? Tingnan mo, apektado tuloy pati mga bata!" sigaw ni Dad at napaisip ako. Kahit naman maagang sinabi ni Tita Lux ay madadamay pa rin kami pero mas magiging understanding kami noon dahil bata pa kami kung ganon.

"Are you dumb, Ash? I was calling, texting you but you were not answering and even blocked my number! Paano ko ipapaalam sa iyo?" she sarcastically replied.

"E 'di sana pinalaglag mo." mabilis na sambit ni Dad at nakita kong lumaglag ang panga ni Lux.

Nagulat din kami nang biglang sampalin siya ni Mommy.

"How a great father you are, Hale," she said in a sarcastic tone at nakita ko naman ang guilt sa mukha ni Daddy. "Tangina, you're better than this, Hale! Kung alam kong ganito ang pakikitungo mo sa nanay ng anak mo sa labas, e 'di sana hindi kita pinakasalan!"

"Oo, parehas kayong nagkamali. Kayong dalawa gumawa kay Luna 'di ba? Pero Hale, isipin mo rin naman, anak mo 'yan. Umayos ka, kasi kapag hindi mo 'to naayos maghihiwalay tayo," pagbanta ni Mommy at natahimik naman si Daddy.

Tiningnan ko naman si Luna na nakatingin na pala sa akin, I scoffed before drinking water.

"Patirahin niyo ang anak ko sa mansyon niyo! Hindi pwedeng magmakasarili kayo dahil anak pa rin ni Ash si Luna. Babayaran niyo rin ang mga utang ko para lang sa anak ko," hirit ni Tita Lux at nagdalawang isip pa si Daddy bago umoo.

Mag-aayos na sana kami nang biglang himatayin si Mommy. Agad naman kami nagpanic at kinuha ko ang kotse ko kasama si Mommy, at Tito Theo. I was about to drive nang biglang humabol si Jordyn at sumakay sa passenger seat.

"Bakit mo iniwan si Hiara doon?" tanong ko. Pababalikin ko na sana siya pero sinabi niya na magdrive na ako.

"Sabi niya sasamahan niya muna si Tito Ashler. Halata naman daw na ayaw muna ni Tita Kia na makita si Tito Ash," sabi niya at tumango ako.

When we arrived at the nearest hospital, agad din namang nagising si Mommy. The doctor checked her vital signs as well as the baby at mukhang good condition naman sila parehas base sa sinabi ng doktor.

"Anak, let's visit your father?" sabi ni Mommy sa akin at ngumiti ako bago tumango. Inalalayan ko siya pabalik sa kotse at pinaandar ang makina. Hinatid ko muna si Jordyn sa dorm niya at si Tito Theo naman ay nagcommute na paalis.

"Thanks for the ride," she smiled.

"Welcome," I returned her my warm smile.

Nakita kong tiningnan ako ng may meaning ni Mommy pero hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagdrive na papunta sa sementeryo. When we arrived, we placed Dad some flowers and lit 3 candles.

"Hey, Eli.." Mom approached dad's tombstone. "Your son is now officially the owner of Eugenio's Cuisine. It went well, though something bad happened." pagkwento niya kay Dad.

"Yung bruhang nakwento ko sayo noon! Si Lux, nagparamdam siya kanina sa celebration ng anak natin. At ang worst part pa doon nagbagsak pa ng mga salita na ikinagulat namin. Yung kaibigan ni Kai, si Luna? Anak niya pala!"

I smiled while my mom was talking to my Dad as if he was still here. Nang matapos siya magkwento biglang may pumasok sa utak ko na tanong.

"Mom, I don't mean to ask this just because of the situation but do you still love Dad?"

She looked at me before smiling ang pulling me close to her, she hugged me and fixed my hair.

"Of course, anak. Your Dad Ashler knows that, too. There's a place in my heart that is only for Elliot. And I know that Hale understands and accepts that," she answered and I just gave her a smile.

"Be like your father anak. Find a person that you will truly love to the fullest and someone you can commit to," she told me and I nodded. Natahimik kami pero bigla namang may tinanong si Mommy.

"Naisip ko lang, yung sinabi mong girlfriend noon..." paninimula niya. I know where this is going. "Alam kong ayaw mo mag open up sa akin, pero curious lang. Ano nangyari sa inyo?"

I sighed before forcing a smile. Nagdalawang isip pa ako kung sasabihin ko ba kay Mommy ang totoo pero makokonsensya na ako kapag hindi ko pa rin sinabi sa kanya so kinuha ko lakas ng loob ko sagutin ang tanong niya.

"Me and her lasted 6 months. I loved her so much but everything fell apart to the point where we called off the relationship for the better." I told her at napatango tango naman siya.

"And tell you what, Jordyn is my ex."

Her jaw dropped open at walang lumabas na salita sa kanyang bibig.

"Shocking, right? We chose not to tell you guys since girlfriend niya na ngayon ang kapatid ko. I can't hurt her because she doesn't have to experience that kind of pain." I told her and she nodded, processing everything.

"'Wag mo muna sabihin kay Hiara or Dad. Ako na po bahala doon and for the meantime, we have to fix our family's situation muna." I told her before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Umuwi na kami sa bahay at 'di na ako nagulat nang makita si Lux at Luna na nandoon. Nalaman ko rin na dito na magsstay si Luna from now on which is okay lang din pero medyo awkward pa rin kami since it's a lot to take in na step siblings din sila ni Hiara.

Marami rin akong kailangan problemahin. My dad's companies, my school, and the media.

You can do this, Kairo. You can still survive the week.