Chapter 3
They were discussing several current issues when their father went down. The table was full of platters of delicious dishes, but despite of this, no one dared to crack a conversation because everyone sensed the unfavorable mood plastered on their father’s face. Ellah knew it was because of her and she was waiting for the final verdict.
“What the hell are you doing, Mikaellah Lee?” Peter asked after they finished eating. This made everybody around the table turn a suspicious eye on her. She sat straight and say, “I’m giving up my post, dad.”
“What?” Mathew surprisingly asked.
“I’m quitting my job, bro,” Mikaella Lee said while mindlessly tossing the ice cubes in her goblet.
“But why, Ellah?” Carina asked in a low tone. The voice and image of a worried mother reflected on her face.
Mikaella Lee looked at each of them before she said, “Please, don’t ask me questions at this time,” her eyes were pleading and her voice was asking for understanding.
“We have just closed the deal with Key Tan’s Holdings. Why would you quit?” Peter Wang asked directly looking at his daughter’s eyes.
“Please, dad. I need your understanding. I need space. You see, I’m very much tired of the city life.” The moment she said this, Peter Wang’s tone changed a bit. His daughter needed to escape the city life. He thought she might have been tired of the heavy traffic and severe pollution in the city, therefore the province is a perfect place for her, and besides she will be able to directly manage their fuel stations. It might be a different field, far from her architectural background, but it would be a nice training ground for a young entrepreneur. Even an only girl, Mikaella Lee needed exposure to the empire he strived to build. She needed to master the in and out of the business world, and learn to play tricks in the world dominated by men.
By directly looking at her daughter, Peter Wang said, “Alright. I will inform Jason of your coming. He’ll assist you with all you need to know in fuel business,”“No, dad. I’m not going home in Romblon. I’m not managing our fuel company,” she replied without hesitation and regret.
Peter Wang stopped for a while, but eventually lost his temper and shouted, “What the fuck are you saying, Mikaella Lee?” His face reddened, his fist clinched.
“Ellah, what’s the problem, tell us,” Carina came closer to her and patted her shoulders, wishing to hear reasons.
“No specific reason, mom. I only want to find the missing part in my life,” her misty eyes looked at her, pleading and asking for a mother’s back up.
“Please,” she continued while pressing her mother’s hand and looking at her father.
“So, where are you going?” At last Peter Wang uttered after he regained composure.
“There’s a small island I’ve seen in the magazine, dad. I want there.”
“For how long?” Wilbert curiously asked. He and his sister didn’t have that ample time of a brother-sister bonding since his sister left their house and started living on her own. But they made sure to have a quality time during her Sunday visits and in gatherings like this.
“I don’t know, as long as I enjoy the place.”
“Where’s exactly that place?” Mathew interrupted. “So that we can at least visit you, sis.”
“Later, bro. Meanwhile, let me have this decision.”
Everybody’s eyes dilated, and in unison, they said, “Whatttt?!”
“My goodness, Ellah! You’re making all of us worry. You mean, you haven’t found that place yet?” Carina said as she stood up to gather fresh air. She walked slowly to the counter and when she came back with a glass of water in hand she said, “Mikaellah Lee, what’s wrong with us? Have we done something wrong for you to be like this?”
“I’ll call, Mom, as long as I have settled,” Ellah pushed her chair backward as a signal of ending the conversation.
“Thanks for the dinner, Mom,” she kissed Carina on the cheek before she faced her father.
“And dad, thank you for being a great provider,” she also kissed Peter Wang on the cheek before she finally turned to her brothers.
“And you, two, make sure to invite me on your wedding,” she said before giving each of them a hug. Wilbert sensed the insincerity in her tone and concluded that she only said that to break the monotony.
Among the three children, Mikaella Lee was the prodigal one. Although Mathew was the eldest and the first to earn a degree, he served as the internal auditor of their company. Up to present, Mathew lived with their parents in Greenhills.
At 18, Mikaella Lee asked for her freedom to live alone, she insisted to work part time in their firm to pay for her lodging and support herself. At her very young age, Ellah proved that she can be independent, she can manage to live away from the shadows of her parents. She liked and enjoyed her freedom.
After earning a degree in BS Architecture, Mikaella Lee applied for apprenticeship under senior architect Timothy Pascual in Paramount Builders. For two years, she learned the do’s and don't's of the actual architectural practice and was treated as an ordinary employee. She ran errands for others and often times delivered their cup of coffee during wee hours. Together with her boyfriend Vince, she took the board exam and both successfully secured a license.
Even she was living alone, Mikaella Lee set her limits. She and Vince didn’t do the usual things young couples do. No public display of attention, and hugs and kisses were done in private. For years, they survived the set up. She was on the conservative side and Vince agreed on it. He was patiently waiting for the right time that Mikaella Lee will finally give in and say yes.
Now, she wanted to prove another thing, she wanted to establish a name without being branded as the CEO’s daughter. But she cannot do that if she will stay in Paramount Builders. It was a great bargain, and the choice was crucial. She needed to go away and ventured on her own in a place that nobody knew her, nor anybody knew her father.
That’s why she is here, a complete stranger in this exotic place with nobody around except the sweet caress of the sea breeze and the melodious songs of unfamiliar birds around. She loves being alone, so this is it.
Yesterday, she talked with the owner of the islet and they agreed on a contract. She’ll develop the place, after 5 to 10 years, everything in the place including all the tangible things will be given back to the owner.
Manuel Amoroso and his son, Mark, live in the mainland, 10 minutes travel by motor boat. He inherited the islet from his foster father, the late governor. An orphan, Manuel, was adopted by Potencio Madrid, and he treated him as his real child. Because Potencio’s only child immigrated to the United States, Potencio gave Manuel full authority over his property, including the islet that’s known to native villagers as Isla Carillo.
During high tide, a boat isn’t needed to cross the other end. Everything is accessible in Isla Carillo. There is a small nipa hut and across is a brook that provides sufficient supply of water even during Summer Season.
Before sailing to the province, Mikaella Lee has planned everything. She saved every centavo she could from the time she started to earn a living. Now, she has the place just for herself, and with all the rights and obligations to improve it. Tomorrow, she’ll start her first step.
Ellah, shed a pensive smile as she slowly stands up and goes back to the nipa hut. As she rests her tired body to the bamboo thatch, she feels unexplainable excitement and joy.
Mark is Manuel Amoroso’s second son. He has just graduated in high school and he is waiting for the result of his college entrance examination. Though Mark was only 17, he has something that tickles Mikaella Lee’s spirit. His tall dark masculine looks makes him appear older than 17. Aside from that, Mark is a champion swimmer and a good surfer.
Because of Manuel Amoroso’s health, Mark always stays by his side and he knows everything about the contract. At first, he was quite hesitant to let a stranger set foot on Isla Carillo, and he thought of Mikaella Lee as an intruder. For him, the place is sacred, and only authorized people could see its beauty. But during her visits to his father, he learned the sincerity in the lady’s intention. So eventually, when Manuel asked of his opinion, Mark nodded to say yes.
Since her coming, Mark Amoroso visits Isla Carillo more often. For Mikaella Lee, Mark is jolly and fun to be with. His pair of round eyes decorated with thick lashes speak through the soul. The sleek raven black hair he usually tied with a pony tail adds appeal to his masculine look. And unknowingly, Mikaella Lee slowly falls in the trap of the island boy.