Through Your Eyes — Chapter 22

SEAN'S POV

"Sir, Dr. Red is the physician-on-duty today."

Philip reminded me about this three times already today. It had been a month since I left Sama Island. To forget Calla, I focused on the launch of our new branch in the city. Laminae, Inc, was Asia's leading supplier of hospital supplies and equipment such as medical scanners, ultrasound machines, hospital or home care full-electric beds, and many others. Every machine and equipment one could see at TAG Medical Center, where Dr. Red worked, had the logo of Laminae, Inc. in it because the principal shareholder was Thomas and Albert Grey (TAG).

My mom was Sir Thomas Grey's private massage therapist. Ever since I was a child, mom would always let me accompany her to Grey's residence for the couple's daily massage sessions. Their only son, Albert Grey, who was most likely thirty years my senior, would also entertain me with his computer games, or any of his ball games such as basketball or tennis. I always remembered him as a kind and good-natured man.

My father succumbed to his illness at an early age, so our bread and butter was my mom's daily fee from her massage sessions with the Greys. Other friends and acquaintances also hired her, but when Mrs. Grey's wife died, Sir Thomas offered my mother an exclusive contract as his massage therapist. As far as I could remember, Mr. Grey suffered from chronic lower back pain and numbness. He refused to take any muscle relaxants or pain relievers, so the only way he could sleep was through a massage before bedtime.

I noticed that a few years after his wife died, he took my mom with him every time he had business travels. I was so used to her means of living, especially to the Greys, where she had daily appointments, so I didn't give it any malice. I understood that because of pain and loneliness due to the loss of his wife, Sir Thomas's illness worsened. Aside from that, his need for sound sleep for his health was as important as his business.

My mom later transferred me to an expensive school where one of the Grey's drivers would take me back and forth to school. Mother said it was because Sir Thomas wanted to reward me for my diligence in school. I maintained my standing as the recipient of the highest academic honors despite our poverty, and that pleased the rich man. A few weeks later, we moved into the Grey's residence for the reason that she could leave me to the household helpers every time Mr. Grey had some out-of-town appointments.

One time, when I arrived home, I saw Sir Thomas and his son in the garden. They seemed to be arguing on something because their glaring eyes and their flushed faces said so. Their loud voices also scared me, so I hid in the garden's gazebo. I could not cross the path towards our servant's quarter that was on the other side of the garden because they would see me. I did not want to interrupt them. My heart pounded hard when I heard their heated argument.

"I never expect that you could do this to mom," Mr. Albert Grey loud confrontation pierced into my ears. His lips were trembling and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Dad, how long have you cheated on her? Tell me."

"Albert! How dare you accuse me of such a thing? God knows I did not. I honor your mother as your mother and my wife," Sir Thomas also defended himself with an equally loud voice.

Sir Albert's mirthless laughter rang against the silence of the garden, causing my heartbeats to accelerate. "Really, dad? What do this woman and her son doing here? You won't adopt them for no reason at all."

"Don't speak ill things against them, Albert. They are not as filthy as you think. They are worth to be respected because they are living noble lives. I invite them out of compassion and because of their loyalty to us."

"It's not about loyalty, dad. It's because you're giving them special treatment."

"They deserve it. If we're giving out charity funds to foundations, why not them who have served us for years?"

"Giving is not a problem at all, but I see those sparks in your eyes every time you look at that woman. I see how happy you are every time you are with her. And you deny that to me?" Sir Albert's voice was already quivering as he threw his accusation to his father.

"If you see something special in the way I treat them, there's nothing wrong with it. Your mother has already passed away-"

"So, I am right. You're falling in love with that woman! And you're willing to forget mom because she gives you that erotic massage that drives you crazy."

"Albert-"

"Dad, I can never accept that you have already replaced mom. You have to choose between me and mom, or that woman and her son."

"Albert, you have gone too far!"

"So, it means you can't throw them out of our lives. They win, alright," he yelled before storming away from his father.

I shuddered at the realization that my mom had become Sir Thomas's woman. Sir Albert had all the reasons to get angry. I understood the gap between the rich and the poor, just as oil to water. Yet, I was hurt. The harsh reality of our existence hurt so much. I swore at that very moment that I would bring a difference to our life, whatever it may take. Someday, no one would ever look down on us.

My eyes widened when I saw Sir Albert came out to the garden again. He was already pulling out two trolleys with his two hands. Sir Thomas stood frozen to the ground, too shocked to utter a word. He only called out and ran after him when Sir Albert was about to close the door of the car.

I knew later from mom that Sir Albert fled out of the country and that Sir Thomas could not find him no matter how much he spent for the search. Many years after, he finally knew why he couldn't find him. Sir Albert changed his name to Albert Nelson, and he boarded a cruise ship that later inspired him to shift his studies and become a ship captain.