Chapter 1

My parents are coming to my house today. I do not know why. There is no reason why Mommy told me why Daddy suddenly came to visit me today. I just received a text from her sometime after lunch yesterday, telling me that they'll visit me today.

That's why yesterday, I really cleaned the house all day. I haven't visited my shop yet. I also don't have to visit the shop every day

'cause I know that Millie and Andrea could manage it so well. But I still want to help as an owner.

Because Mommy said their visit was sudden, my general cleaning was also sudden. I don't need it, actually. The maid only cleans the whole house every Monday. And it's only Wednesday. But I still want to do it. I need.

Mom's sudden announcement of her visit was a nightmare for me. But taking him to my father could be the death of me.

My mother is very strict and strict. Even small things he notices. He wants everything to be perfect in his eyes. He shouldn't see anything wrong that could affect Daddy's image, our family's image. She wants people to think our family is perfect because she is a perfect housewife.

That's why I have to make sure that Mommy doesn't see anything wrong with their visit. I've been living alone since a year after I graduated from college. I never expected my clothing line business to be so successful. Because of that I saved up to buy my own house.

I need to show my parents that I can do it on my own. That I can be successful without their help. That I can be proud of them.

That's why I cleaned the whole house yesterday. Maybe if Mommy sees something wrong, they will withdraw their approval for me to leave the house.

Then, my father is also there...

If Mommy doesn't see anything wrong, my dad is more strict.

There must be absolutely nothing wrong with me. Unlike Mommy, I can hide my mistakes. He just couldn't see. While my father wanted me to be absolutely perfect.

As a senator, he has to be the best in the public eye. He wants to see his family perfect too.

It was so hard for me to please my father. Both of my parents.

That's why I'm so tired from the cleaning I did yesterday. I repeated it twice. I also didn't get a good night's rest last night thinking that my parents would be visiting. That's why I can still feel my tiredness until now.

But I didn't realize that when I met my parents. I welcomed them with a wide smile on my lips. I met them outside the gate. I even saw Mommy's gaze wandering around my house as she got out of the car.

She was wearing a white blazer over her gray sleeveless dress that reached her knees. Her brown her were brushed backwards. Her face was full of makeup, it made her look

more strict and sophisticated.

While my dad was busy talking with someone who took this opportunity to ask for his help because he found out about my dad's visit today.

Senator, I finally caught up with you," the woman said. She was wearing a tattered shirt and shorts. The slippers worn are also dirty. She was clutching my father's hand that she didn't let go of when she shook hands with Daddy earlier. "I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time. I've been waiting for you at your house, but the guard always sends me away."

"Is that so? He's just ensuring our security. I'm sorry," Dad said calmly.

He was wearing a suit and even his hair was mixed with gray and black, Daddy's handsomeness was still evident.

"I know that, Sir. That's why I'm so happy I caught up with you here today."

"What can I do for you?" my father asked.

The woman told my father her story. His wife is said to be in the hospital. He's a sidewalk vendor and was run over while crossing. It was a hit-and-run. They don't have money to pay for the hospital and because only the father works and is now in the hospital, they don't have any money to buy for food. The three children are said to be unable to go to school because there is no school.

The woman even cried as she told my father her story. Daddy has his arms around her. Mommy came to them and listened to what the woman was saying.

Daddy handed the girl a calling card after telling the story. "This is my assistant's number. Just call him and tell him I promised to help you.

The woman burst into tears as she shook my father's hand. I was also in tears when I saw the joy on the woman's face while thanking daddy. She looked so relieved to receive help from him.

"Thank you very much indeed, Sir," the woman said repeatedly.

"There is nothing," my father's said and the woman finally released his hand.

"Don't forget that it was Sneator Gonzales who helped you," my mom said and the woman nodded.

"Yes, Ma'am. What they say is true. Senator Gonzales is very kind!"

The woman said goodbye and my parents finally went in. When they entered the gate, the smile disappeared from Mommy's lips and turned to me with a frown.

"What kind of subdivision is this, Natalia? Why do people like that get in here?" she pointed at the gate's door. I know he's talking about your girl. "Just get a house, even where the security is not good!"

My disappointment hit me like a hurricane. They hadn't even entered the house yet but Mommy noticed something wrong right away. All my hassle, my exhaustion, and my effort while cleaning the house all meant nothing. All my preparations were useless for their visit today.

I know. I know Mommy. Once someone notices one, it will continue.

She will be on a roll for the whole day.

I already failed.

"What's the sudden visit, Mom?" I just asked when we entered the house. I wasn't excited anymore.

Mommy passed by the display cabinet that is the first pass when entering the living room. She ran her fingers on the surface and checked it for dust. He looks to see if he can get dirt.

I cleaned that display cabinet several times. more than twice. I know that Mom will check it since it was the first furniture to notice when entering my house. I know that it was already clean but I still felt anxious. He started seeing me wrong. That will follow.

"I know that I already approved of you moving out of the house but only if I had known that you would be moving to this house, I would not have agreed." She looked around and glared at me afterward. "Jesus, Natalia! This place is so small!"

No... That's not true. I wanted to apologize but I chose not to speak.

There is nothing small about my house. It has four bedrooms and three bedrooms. A bathroom is right inside the master's bedroom so that room is spacious. The house has a front garden and a wide garage that could fit three vehicles. There is also a wide terrace on the side.

I always thought that the house I bought was too big for me. But for some reason, mom still saw it as something small.

"I'm alone, mom. There's no need for my place to be so big," I reasoned out.

"Think about what others will say!" mom exclaimed. "They'll say your Daddy and I let you live in the little house! They might even think you ran away! They'll mess up our family!"

I took a deep breath. I didn't speak.

I bought this house as an investment. And so I can finally be independent. I didn't buy it to show off my parents' wealth.

"Hush, Gwendolyn... Maybe people are still outside. Maybe someone will hear you," Dad said with a calm voice.

I bit my bottom lip. I tried to deny it, telling myself that I just wanted to be

independent, to learn everything on my own, that's why I bought a house and decided to leave my parents' house. But... they were also part of the reasons why I did it.

I'm so tired of this. I can't handle this scenario every day in my life. I love them. I still love my parents but sometimes... it's too much.

"Dad, why did you visit?" I turned to dad who was calm about what was happening. I have to control my emotions.

Dad glanced at me before raising his head in mom's direction.

"Ask your mom."

I looked at mom. She fixed her blazer that was resting on her shoulders.

"I heard from Tessa that her eldest son is going to visit and she wants you to join them." She stared at me. Her eyes were serious. "This is serious, Natalia. Yakov might even propose to you."

I let out a nervous laugh.

"I don't think so, mom. Yakov and I agreed that we'll settle once we're both stable and ready. And he's excited to meet his brother again and bond with him. that's something where he'll get bust and would steal time to bond with his brother."

Mom regarded my reason. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Still, better be ready." She raised her eyebrows at me. "Have you packed yet?"

I frowned.

"Why do you need to pack?"

Mom looked at me in disbelief. After a while he sighed. Like she's already used to me being like this.

"You'll stay in Siargao for the weekend. Tessa's eldest son enjoys surfing." She heaved a deep sigh again. "Goodness, Natalia Nicole! What are you going to do without me?"

I didn't speak. I decided to prepare tea for them. I know what they want to drink. I went to my kitchen but mom followed me.

"You wanted to be independent but with things like this, you can't be yourself anymore!"

Mommy was waiting while I was quietly preparing their tea. Even after I finished preparing it and went back to the living room to give my father his tea, Mommy still didn't finish waiting.

"Even in choosing a house you are sloppy!" she said as I gave her the tea.

Dad was busy with his phone as mom continued to rant about her disappointment with me. I'm just quiet and don't speak. It will only get worse if I reason out. The line will just get longer.

I tried so hard not to let her words affect me. I try not to listen to that.

But it's hard to pretend not to be affected especially when those hurtful words came from my own mother.

After lunch, they decided to leave. I drove them to the gate. Mommy got into the car first. The driver already opened the door for my father but Dad turned to me before he got inside.

"Natalia, I'll be handing out donations personally for the typhoon victims. I want you to donate some clothes from your shop."

I was surprised and couldn't believe when I looked at daddy.

"But, dad... Those are my designs-"

"Just do what I said." He didn't let me speak anymore and got into the car.

I stayed rooted in my place. The driver glanced at me before turning to the driver's side and getting into the car.

I watched as the car drove away.

So that's why my father visited me today. I was even surprised that he would go with me to visit Mommy. By the way, I just want to do something.

What is the point of visiting? He chatted with me about it. He didn't accept anything I had to say.

I entered my house, I felt so exhausted. I lost the strength to go up to my room and I collapsed on the sofa.

Whenever I meet my parents, I always feel tired afterwards. Mentally and physically. I feel so bad that sometimes, I think of not meeting them at first. I just want to rest. For myself.

I took my phone and dialed Yakov's number. It took a while before he answered my call.

"Hey, what's up?" he said after answering the call.

"Yakov... my parents visited me today. Your mommy told me that we will stay in Siargao for two days to bond with your brother?"

"Yeah..." I heard his laugh on the other line. "Kuya likes surfing. Which is great since, you know, I know how to surf! We have mutual interest, Nat! We're brothers!"

He laughed happily on the other line. He seemed happy and excited. He was very happy to discover that he and his brother had the same thing in common.

I was happy for him. But I was too tired to show the same energy as him. I was

tired to match his enthusiasm.

"Yakov…. you didn't tell me that we'll have to stay somewhere for the whole weekend," I said tiredly.

Yakov stopped laughing. There was silence for a while on the other line.

"Didn't I tell you that we are going to Siargao?" he even asked. He sounded so confused.

"No..." I let out an exhausted sigh. "You just told me to clear my schedule for the weekend."

"Oh..." I heard him mutter. "Babe, I'm so sorry. I just lost my mind."

I let out another exhausted sigh. Yakov heard that and it might've added to his guilt because he apologized again.

"Babe, I'm really sorry. I was so excited meeting my brother again that it probably slipped my mind." I heard his apologetic voice. "Nat, you know I would never do anything that would embarrass or harm you."

I know that though. He's right. Being the daughter of a senator, Yakov knew to help me protect my image for my father. He would never do anything to embarrass me or put me in a scandal.

I sighed.

"It's okay..." I said. "Good thing my mother visited me today. If not, I wouldn't have brought any clothes. I would be unprepared and make a fool of myself."

"I'm really sorry, Nat..."

I smiled out of exhaustion.

"It's really okay, babe... Just focus on how you'll spend your time with your brother.

Yakov chuckled.

"I might even make a list of what we'll do."

We talked for a while before we ended the call. I didn't prolong that either. I was so tired. my brain and body are begging for rest.

A good thing also happened during my parents' visit. I got aware that we'll be out of town this weekend. It's also good that I knew that right away so that Millie and Andrea could be told. It's still weekends. Many people go for a walk on weekends. I need to order some things from them.

I'll do that tomorrow. But for now... I really need some sleep. I really need to rest. I won't even visit the shop now.

I thought of going up to my room but I was really tired. So I closed my eyes and decided to just sleep on the couch.

\~𝘼𝙎𝙃\~

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***