Chapter 32 Chapter 16 (ii)
That night, I was at the mall again, buying everything I could from my list and new books for my shelves. I didn't plan to find new work until next month, and I wanted to dedicate my free time to reading.
During our dinner yesterday before we focused on packing, Jigo asked about my financial portfolio, the investments my father left me.
The truth was, I didn't need to work if I was smart about spending my income from my father's investments. I had what I needed—my own home, a city car, my passive income, and I had no loans to pay. I inherited some real estate properties in Batangas. My father left me secured financially.
Thank you so much, Daddy!
But Jigo wanted to look at my portfolio, with my permission, to check if the investment items there were still sound, suggest new income streams if needed, or include me in his own sound investments. I agreed, and he wanted to look into my files next week.
But we didn't talk about the elephant in the room.
My fear that by agreeing, I would deepen our relationship. This was what friends did in circles like ours. My father's connections to clients like Carl's father were the reason he had a strong investment portfolio that he passed on to me. Carl used to update my portfolio. Carl, who called me earlier before I got home from the mall, but I didn't answer.
He was probably worried about me and couldn't resist checking on me. We had a history. Whatever happened, whatever my feelings were for him before, he had always acted like an older brother to me whenever he could. That's why when I received the wedding invitation, I attended in the capacity of a 'younger sister.' Then I found out that I was not really invited; instead, his vindictive wife had malicious intentions towards me.
But that was all in the past.
I needed to distance myself and take a break from the man and his memories so when the time came for us to meet again, I would be ready for the changes that would come.
I wouldn't forget my gratitude towards him or the care his family showed me when I was orphaned. That's why I knew we would meet again and talk. That we would be together again, because even if I left his grandfather's law firm, I couldn't resign from my relationship with the Eastons.
But I felt sad when he called. I felt miserable thinking about him. I realized it had just been a few days—a testament to how well Jigo had distracted me. But the wound? It was still festering. It was still fresh.
When I got home, I placed my new books on the bookshelves in my room. I placed the new curtains near the windows in the living room to be installed the next day. I watered my plants that were already on stands on my balcony. I hadn't had the chance to repot them yet. I planned to buy more cacti and other house plants while I toiled on my little pot garden. I wanted to see green and colors here on my balcony in the next few weeks.
Carl didn't call again. Jigo didn't call either.
He messaged me.
Jigo: Unfortunately, we’re having an impromptu dinner at my lola’s house and it will be late before this is over. Can I visit you tomorrow?
Ah. He was back in Manila.
I felt a sudden disappointment at not seeing him. That kind of worried me. I didn't want to become too attached to Jigo too quickly. I didn't know if it was right to emotionally depend on him more than I had become.
Even though we were open with each other, there were things we needed to navigate in our relationship—whatever the label to that relationship was. So, instead of replying with a chat, too, I reacted with a thumbs up.
Then I prepared for bed.
When I lay down, I put on my ear pods and listened to rain sounds on YouTube while opening one of my unread books.
I read until I got sleepy and fell asleep.
Slowly, I found that my new life was making my empty hours easier. Sliding in activities to these hours was simpler than I expected. I started to settle into my new house, establish a routine, and indulge in various activities to keep myself occupied. I got excited about my plans for the coming weeks. I was going to finish painting my small canvases, repot my plants, reorganize my small possessions and continue to redecorate, catch up with my readings and TV shows. I had more time to visit the charity groups we used to check up on with my friends.
I planned to cook food for our monthly food drive at an orphanage, and I scheduled when I would start listing other law firms I could apply to after my hiatus. I wanted to travel to other provinces before I started working again because I knew it wouldn't be easy to find time for travel once I got busy with work.
Speaking of the girls, I couldn't avoid the calls and messages from them on my phone anymore. I knew they were eager to catch up with me. It was already the weekend and if I still didn't reach out, they might go to Majarlika Royale Resort to look for me!
So, instead of using a group chat, I posted a picture of myself sitting on the sofa in my new living room then captioned it with, well, My New Living Room.
I laughed when, in less than two minutes, someone reacted to my post. And that's how my housewarming party on Friday evening got planned.