PART 37.
Tyler's POV
(//FEW DAYS BEFORE GOING TO KOREA//)
After we ate at the restaurant, I drove her to her house. She's still giving me the cold shoulder, and I don't know how to cheer her up. She's still angry because I didn't tell her where her friend is, even though I have no idea where her friend lives in Korea. The only one who knows is my brother, Hades. I parked the car outside her gate, and she quickly got out of the car. I followed her to the gate of her house.
"What, want some heartfelt 'thank you'? Thanks, but No Thanks," she said sarcastically while raising an eyebrow. She opened the gate of her house and was about to enter, so I suddenly spoke up and stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"Come on, Ayesha. We were friends before, remember?" I reminded her because it seemed like she had forgotten about it.
She smirked and then removed my hand from her arm. "Yeah, I even thought about that as well, but not anymore. Unless you tell me about Xyrel, I might change my mind."
I let out a deep sigh, "Look, I don't know where she lives, alright? But I know that she's in Korea. Hades met her there."
Suddenly, a smile appeared on her lips, then she jumped and hugged me. I stood frozen, surprised at what she did. "Thanks, Tyler. It made me happy a lot."
She let go of the hug and wiped her tears. "Happy, but you're crying?" I asked.
"You know what these are?" She pointed to her tear-streaked face. "These are tears of joy."
"Alright, if you say so," I said with a grin.
"Alright, now leave! It's late already!" She shooed me away and entered her gate, locking it.
"Don't do that again, alright?" I suddenly said as she was leaving, causing her to turn her attention back to me.
"What do you mean?" she asked with a furrowed brow.
"Waiting outside my house, even though it was late in the evening."
She tilted her head. "Nah, I was just desperate," she said, fully turning away from me and entering her house. I sighed and got back into my car. I glanced at her house one last time before driving back to my own place. I bought my own house three months ago because I had the means. I was getting embarrassed living with Mom and Dad, especially since I'm getting older and have my own source of income.
When I arrived home, I immediately lay down on the bed. I couldn't help but think about her. She was a true friend, and those are hard to find. I'm glad she was a friend of Xyrel's.
The next day, I woke up early and headed straight to the office. I was shocked to see Hades there, still in his suit from last night.
"Aren't you going home?" I asked him as I made myself a cup of coffee. He just shook his head in response while continuing to type on his laptop.
"Do you want coffee?" I offered, noticing that he was in the coffee area but didn't have any on his desk.
"Yes, please," he replied while still focused on his work.
"What makes you such a workaholic, bruh?" I asked, placing his coffee beside him. He immediately took a sip.
"Hey, that was still hot!" I scolded him, but he seemed unfazed by the heat of the coffee. I just shook my head in disbelief.
"What are you working on?" I asked, taking a sip from my own coffee and turning to face him.
"I'm working on a letter. I'm trying to secure an investor before the end of this week," he replied without looking at me.
"A business proposal? Who's the lucky recipient of the letter, then?" I asked, taking another sip from my coffee.
He took a drink of his coffee before giving me a quick glance and returning to his work. He's really working hard to save father's business.
"It should be 'are,'" he replied to my question after a few moments of silence. I mentally rolled my eyes. Is this really how this guy is? Suddenly speaking up after minutes of silence?
"Okay, who 'are' those lucky recipients then?" I asked again with a rephrase subject and verb.
"One for Villanueva, Fuego's, and another one for Filler's. I'm going to set a meeting with them right after."
"Okay," I simply answered because I didn't know those people, so I stayed silent.
Several hours passed, and we were busy with work in the office. Everyone was occupied with a project we were handling. When lunchtime came, I stood up from my office seat and headed to Hades' office. He was still engrossed in his paperwork.
"Hey bro, aren't you going to eat?" I asked as I entered his office.
"Yeah, maybe later," he replied while checking and signing the papers in front of him.
"Come on, bro, stand up! Let's have lunch. We'll be back soon anyway," I said to him as I approached his desk.
"Fûçk off, Tyler!" he warned, but I refused to listen.
"Stand up, Hades," I said impatiently, crossing my arms in front of him. He let out a heavy sigh and diverted his attention to me.
"I told you already, Tyler. I will eat later," he replied smugly.
"Okay," I replied, giving up. I walked towards his door, mentally shaking my head at his workaholic syndrome.
As I was about to open the door, someone opened it from the outside.
"Ayesha? What are you doing here?" I asked her with a furrowed brow. She raised an eyebrow before responding.
"Obviously not for you," she replied with little interest and walked towards where Hades was seated.
Okay, what was that? I thought we were good already. So why is she giving me the cold shoulder yet again?
"Hades," she called out my twin brother's name in a soft tone. I frowned as I watched them.
"What is it this time?" Hades asked, showing no interest and not even looking at her.
"I texted you about it already. Please, Hades. Please?" My brow furrowed even more. What is going on with these two? Hades let out a sigh and looked Ayesha in the eyes.
"I can't tell you. I won't," Hades stubbornly replied.
"Hades, please. Just this once. Please? I promise I won't bother you anymore." She even raised her palm in front of Hades.
"Why are you like this?" I spoke up and approached the two of them. I caught their attention, and now they were looking at me.
"Leave already," she said through gritted teeth, speaking in a lower voice as if she didn't want to be heard by Hades.
"Why? What do you need from Hades?" I asked, growing impatient.
She sighed and gave me a glare. Then she redirected her attention to Hades, who was busy checking papers and signing them.
"Please, Hades, just tell me," I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of Hades' office.
"What is it, Tyler?!" she exclaimed in annoyance, trying to free her arm from my grip. But I continued pulling her towards the coffee area.
"Now tell me, what were you saying earlier?" I asked her when we arrived at the coffee station.
"It's none of your business," she replied, still trying to remove her arm from my hold. I tightened my grip.
"What is it, Tyler? You're hurting me!" she shouted and gave me an angry look. I sighed and let go of her arm.
"What is it you're after?" I asked again for the ninth time already.
"Xyrel's house," she finally answered and immediately turned away. Why does this girl have such a bad attitude towards me? I even treated her well last night! I was the one who told her that Hades knows the whereabouts of her friend. Psh, what an ungrateful kid!
I saw her go back inside Hades' office, so I just shook my head and walked out of the building. I'll just grab something to eat outside.
She's going to annoy Hades for a couple of days again. I smirked at that thought.
Several days passed, and Ayesha kept coming back during lunchtime and at the end of the workday. She kept pestering Hades to tell her Xyrel's location in Korea, but Hades kept refusing her. I didn't even know why he didn't want to tell her, even though I could tell he was getting annoyed by her persistence.
"Hades, please, pleeaaasee~" I heard Ayesha's voice from inside Hades' office. I shook my head and massaged my temples. This girl has a stubborn head.
"If you don't tell me, I'll report you to Aunt Lacy!" she threatened Hades again. I couldn't help but grin; she had been doing this for days, yet she never stopped.
"Go ahead, then," Hades simply replied, confident that she wouldn't actually speak to his mother-in-law.
"Okay, fine! You asked for it!" I heard the frustration in Ayesha's voice as she stormed out of Hades' office. She glanced at me and gave me a glare.
"Laugh all you want, Tyler! Psh!" She stomped away, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. I don't know, I just find joy in her face, especially when she's annoyed.
Days passed, and Ayesha returned again the next day. I watched her from the coffee area as she walked towards Hades' office. It was lunchtime, and I had ordered food from outside. I decided to accompany it with a cup of coffee, so I started brewing it here. After I finished brewing, I sat down and continued to gaze in the direction of Hades' office. Ayesha went inside and started pestering Hades again. A grin spread across my face, and then I choked on the coffee. I quickly stood up from my seat upon seeing Aunt Lacy and Uncle Lucas.
"Ti-ti-tita, and Ti-tito. Wh-what brings you here?" I asked, stuttering.
"Where's Hades' office?" Tita Lacy asked with authority in her voice.
"Th-there," I pointed towards Hades' office.
"Thanks," she replied and they made their way towards Hades' office. I bit my lip and lowered my gaze, staring at my untouched food.
After a few minutes, Tita, Tito, and Ayesha came out of Hades' office. I immediately noticed the joyful aura surrounding Ayesha. It seemed like she got what she wanted.
"We'll go ahead now," Tita said to Ayesha. Ayesha smiled in response.
"Okay, Tita. Thank you," she said, bowing in front of them.
Tita and Tito turned away from Ayesha, and she now walked in my direction.
"Take care, Tita and Tito," I bid them farewell, and they returned it with a smile. I kept my gaze on them as they walked away until they finally exited our office. Then, I looked at Ayesha, who was jumping in excitement. I approached her.
"Did he tell you already?" I asked her, and her smile faded as she raised an eyebrow.
"What do YOU think?" she sarcastically replied.
"I think he told you," I said confidently.
"Well, if that's the case, why are you still asking?" she responded, questioning me, then flipped her hair and walked away. I followed her.
"So, are you going there?" I continued pestering her.
"Yes, together with Tita and Tito," she casually replied.
"When?" I asked while still following her towards the exit.
She suddenly stopped walking, turned to face me, and asked, "You're not planning to come, are you?"
I smiled innocently, "Can I?"
"Of course not!" she immediately answered, rolling her eyes.
"Please, Ayesha. I want to see her as well."
She rolled her eyes again and then took her leave. I just sighed because it looks like I'll have a hard time with this. I suddenly smiled when an idea came to me.
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"What are you doing here?" she asked when she found out I was at the airport as well.
"Hello Tita and Tito, good morning," I greeted Xyrel's parents, who were smiling at me.
"Are you coming with us?" Tito Lucas asked, and I nodded in agreement.
I noticed Ayesha rolling her eyes, and I secretly smiled. I followed her yesterday and found out that she bought a ticket to Korea, so I bought my own ticket as well. After a few minutes, we boarded the plane, and I intentionally purchased the seat next to Ayesha, so we ended up sitting together.
"Aish! It's annoying," she muttered, adjusting herself in her seat.
"Why were you so hot-headed towards me?" I asked with a slight grin on my face.
"You still have to ask? By the way, how did you find out about our flight?" She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Secret. I have superpowers, you see?" I grinned in response, and she rolled her eyes at me again.
"How about work?" I changed the topic, and she looked at me with an expression as if I were the dumbest person alive.
"What? I'm just asking because you're here. Aren't you working at Lavisca's Empire? Don't tell me you were given special treatment and actually took the day off?"
"Are you stupid? Today's Saturday, îdīøt!" She replied with irritation, rolling her eyes intensely. She can be so sassy.
"Okay," I replied with a grin and fell silent afterward. I didn't bother her further because it seemed like she was in a bad mood. She's really hot-headed. We finally arrived at Xyrel's house, and we were immediately welcomed inside and offered coffee. I was truly happy to see her again, and damn, she looked even more beautiful.
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Xyrel's POV
My child is happily playing with Yesha and Tyler. They're currently chasing each other in the small field we bought for us, Hades, and Mom and Dad are smiling as they watch the three of them.
"When are you coming back?" Dad asked, so I looked at Mom and Dad sitting at the table while having coffee.
I let out a deep sigh and pondered deeply. "I don't think we will ever come back."
Suddenly, Dad's smile disappeared, and he wore a serious expression that I couldn't decipher. "Aren't you going to let us spend some quality time with Walter then?"
"I'm so sorry, Dad, and Mom. I had personal reasons I couldn't tell you about. And besides, we're doing great here in Korea," I answered as I sat at the table with them.
My mom let out a deep sigh. "What's stopping you from returning home?"
My eyes narrowed as I felt slightly annoyed. I really didn't want to talk to my parents. They were just trying to make me go home and kept pestering me about it.
"Mom, I already told you guys, something I couldn't tell you about," I said, rolling my eyes out of frustration.
"Watch your language and behavior towards your mother, Xyrel!" Dad warned with authority. I sipped my coffee and remained silent. I turned my gaze to Yesha, Tyler, and Walter. They were happily playing in the field, which made me smile.
While they were playing, I noticed Tyler picking up the watering can and without hesitation, he threw its contents at Yesha. As a result of Tyler's actions, Yesha got wet from the water in the can.
"Tyler!" Yesha shouted angrily, glaring sharply at a laughing Tyler. My child looked at the two of them, confused.
"Sorry, sorry. I thought it was empty," Tyler said, laughing, as he approached Yesha who was currently wiping the wet part of her clothes with a hand towel.
"You know for a fact that it contains water, bruh," Yesha said irritably, giving Tyler a disapproving look.
"Here, Tita Yesha," Walter offered, handing her a towel. I didn't even notice Walter leaving to get it from the room. Yesha smiled and accepted what Walter gave her. Then, she kneeled down to match Walter's height and messed up his hair.
"You're so kind," she said to Walter, and my child pouted.
"What are you saying, Tita Yesha?" my child asked, furrowing their brows. Yesha looked at me and gave me a disapproving look.
"You didn't teach them Tagalog?" she asked me, so I chuckled in response.
"I was busy," I replied, smiling.
"What were you busy with?" she asked, standing up with crossed arms. It was evident that she was angry with me. She has been like this since earlier. I think she's upset because I didn't inform her about my departure or even contact her, and it took two years before she saw me again.
"Tita Yesha, stop getting mad at Mommy, please," Walter pleaded.
"See, now you're in trouble with Walter," Tyler said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at Yesha. It seems like Tyler enjoys teasing my friend Yesha. Hmm, I can't help but think that they make a good pair. It secretly makes me smile. They seem to have chemistry.