Thorne III
Finally, they reached their destination.
In the next morning, he also had to bid goodbye to her.
Yes, he needs to get back to Queens because he has many things to do.
He introduced Ayinah to Nanay Sol.
He told the woman about Ayinah.
And the reason why he took her in his villa rather than settling in Queens. Though he can take her to another state, he was thinking, who will help take care of his surrogate if not his trusted woman? Nanay Sol is the most trusted person in his whole life. She was his nanny back when he was little. She's the one who looked after him until he grew up. So she's like a second mother to him. When he bought a villa in Boracay, he asked her if she could look after the villa while he was not around. The old woman was delighted, and if ever she's not well, she asked her nieces to take care of his place. Of course, he paid them too.
"Thank you, Nanay Sol," he said when the woman promised to look after Ayinah.
"You're welcome. So when are you coming back?" The woman asked.
"I don't know, but I'm sure before she gives birth," he replied.
The next morning, he is getting ready to go back to his life.
His life in Queens as the bachelor, which many women have been trying to get his attention.
They shared breakfast together, which Nanay Sol had prepared this morning.
Nanay Sol is only in her fifties; that's why she is still strong. Maybe because of her surroundings. Fresh air and fresh foods every day.
That's also the reason why he chose this place to grow his baby inside Ayinah's womb. Because this place is not polluted.
"Nanay Sol, please take care of her for my baby," he said to Nanay Sol.
"Don't worry, I'll look after your mother and child." Nanay replied with that knowing smile.
He is sure she is trying to read his thoughts.
She knows him really well.
"Nanay Sol, thank you, but it's only the child," he said, whispering to the woman. He doesn't want Ayinah to hear that.
"Yes, for now. But only God knows what's next," the woman replied.
"Okay, Nanay, love you," he said, hugging the woman.
The woman hugged him back.
"Be careful in your flight, and take good care of yourself. We will wait for you here. I hope that before she gives birth, you're here," Nanay Sol said.
"I'll try my best, Nanay, but I will not promise," he replied, peeling himself from the woman.
After he kissed the woman's hand, he waved goodbye.
He just waved to Ayinah, who is standing a few meters away from where he and Nanay Sol are standing.
Ayinah waved back.
He embarks on the boat that is waiting in the port.
The boat will take him to the mainland so he can go to the airport.
So much has changed in the area; now there's an airport in Caticlan. They don't have to travel to Kalibo.
He will take the plane in Caticlan that will take him to Manila. From Manila, he will fly to Queens.
Because he has arranged his travel, he just made sure that he will be in the place at the right time.
All is in its place.
Just like how he mananged his businesses. All are well managed.
In 24 hours and 40 minutes, he finally arrives at LaGuardia Airport.
The moment he arrived at LaGuardia Airport, he asked the valet to get his car. He drives straight to his grandfather's home. Their ancestral home. His parents also staying there, he's the only one who moved out and bought his own house only a block away from them.
"Thirdy!" His grandpa happily greeted him.
"Hello Grandpa, are Dad and Mom home?" he asked.
"No, you know them; they're busy partying," his grandpa replied.
He is not happy with his parents. They are always out for the party.
"So what's the good news?" His grandpa asked.
He laughs.
"Come on, spill it out." His grandpa urges him to speak.
"Let's go to your study then," he said.
They went to his grandpa's study. Who would say that his grandpa will turn 105 in ten months? And that's why he worked on it to give his grandpa a special present he asked for. To see his great-grandchild.
"Okay, now," his grandpa asked when they were both seated on the couch.
"Wait, I'll show you something first," he said, pulling out his laptop from his briefcase and turning it on.
When it's ready, he opens the folder of their pictures to show his grandpa.
"Here, Grandpa, check this," he said and put the laptop on his grandpa's lap.
"This is the woman I saw on the news with you. You mean you have been with her for the entire time?" His grandpa asked.
"Yes, so what do you think? Does she pass your standard?" he asked.
His grandpa looks at him and back to the pictures he is watching.
"I think she's highly qualified. Real woman. Where did you find her?" His grandpa asked.
He told him everything from the moment he saw her outside their T. Muller building. Until he sent her to Boracay and left her there with his former nanny and now his villa's caretaker.
"Think about this, Thirdy: she's carrying your child for nine months. Do you expect that the child will know you and be close to you if you're here, thousands of miles away?" His grandpa said.
"What do you mean, Grandpa?" he asked, confused.
"Have you read any books on what the husband should do for their pregnant wife?" His grandpa asked.
"But she's not my wife; I only want the child," he replied.
"Granted, but do you know the unborn child knows who loves and takes care of them?" His grandpa asked.
"Grandpa, you told me you want to see your great-grandchild; now that it's on the way, what else do you want me to do?" He asked a little annoyed at his grandpa now. He thought that it would make him happy.
"Think about this, Thirdy. She carried your child for nine months. Their bond as mother and child is already fixed. How about you as the father? What bond can you have with your child?" His grandpa asked him.
He shakes his head. He admitted it to himself; he doesn't know.
"The unborn child knows who loves and cares for them. If the child felt abandoned and rejected, he will be an attention seeker when he or she comes out in this world. because they felt they were unloved. Or they will be those who have low self-esteem," his grandpa continued.
Does he want to have a child who has very low self-esteem? He is the boss and always wanted to win. He is the one who is always superiorâand his child has an inferiority complex. No way. He won't allow that. How will he go to take over their business when he gets old? He wants his child to be above his knowledge. He may not be ready to have a family, but his dream for his child is high.
"I'll be there when she's in her 7th month too; that means I still have two months," he said.
"It's up to you; I'm already old, and I will never see how your child grows." His grandpa said.
"But don't tell me that I didn't tell you what the right thing to do is," his grandpa added.
"Oh, I like this one." He said laughingly, showing their picture together. It's their selfie with both of their tongues out and them being cross-eyed. They didn't talk about what their face would be like, but they came out the same. That's why they are both laughing at it.
"We like it too," he said.
"Hmm. I know that it can't deceive the people who have eyes," his grandpa said.
"What do you mean this time, Grandpa? You always said things in a riddle," he said.
"Oh, you know exactly what I'm saying. You've got a high I.Q.," his grandpa replied.
Sometimes it's better to give him a problem to solve than giving him riddles. Especially those he doesn't want to admit. He never replies, so his grandpa will not add more riddles that he will only deny.