159 I Was Also A Young Man

"Who is your bride, Dr. Wayne? It seems that she does not know about your plans." Jia retorted with a glare.

"Because I do not want to hear any objections. You have already agreed with it before." Jim stood up and hugged her from behind.

"I'm sorry." He added with a remorseful tone.

"But I still look pregnant." She argued.

If she was to decide, she would not pursue in it anymore. They were already happily married and to have another wedding ceremony would just be an act of publicity.

"It doesn't matter at all. I want to prioritize it before we would get fully occupied with the demands of Hailey's Pill. As of now, it's already a great headache. The demand is too high and we are now totally out of stock. People are already getting angry for not being served. "

"What should we do? "Kuya Nap asked, being hopeless on how to reproduce the stocks in a magical manner.

He was also appointed by Jim as one of the legal counsel of the hospital the moment he took over his dad's office.

"We will hold another press conference to admit our mismanagement of product release.It should have been released only to those who were diagnosed with cancer. "

"The plants need certain time before it would be ready for the harvest. And the research team are still looking for possible places to grow it effectively aside from the forest

soil. By then, the products could be distributed to all consumers. "Jim explained.

"Son, I think we should help in the investment for the plantation. The Ybañez may fall out of budget in opening up those farms simultaneously. It would also be best to invest in the machineries. " Mr. Wayne suggested.

"That's the best solution, dad. We would declare a temporary stop of product release until the supply is enough. Or else, the quality of the product would be compromised." Kuya Nap agreed.

"Sweetheart, where would be the venue? " Jim shifted the topic back to the wedding plans.

"Jian's Garden. " Jia quicky replied.

"My dear, please make a separate distinction between our business and our personal matters. " Jim disagreed.

"Why not? Jian's Garden is a very scenic place. It sits on top of a hill and from there we can have the view of the rows of hills on one side, the sea on the other side and on another side is the city below."

"Jia is right, Jim. There's a portion there that fits exactly to what is going in her mind. It is a grassy plain surrounded by Maria Buhok trees. I even believe that those trees were carefully planned and arranged artistically before those were planted to become a park or something. It really looked like a paradise. I was about to suggest it to both of you to preserve the area and develop it into a mini - paradise. It would be ideal in the future for camping or memorable events like weddings ." Anthon selflessly suggested, concealing his own elusion to hold his future wedding with her in that paradise.

He did not know why but that dream of a marriage with her was persistently returning almost every night. He wanted to push it out of his mind since he needed to accept the fact that there would never be 'them' in the future. He needed to move on and learn to love again with someone else. But his heart refused to. He'd rather stay single forever.

"Thanks, Ton. Whatever it is that you believe as the best thing to do, then let's do it. I believe in you. " Jim said sincerely.

"With few touches and some enhancement, your wedding would be a fairy - tale. "

"I want to see it. " Jia demanded enthusiastically.

"I'll be going there tomorrow to instruct the gardeners. " Jim said, giving them his chance to be able to guide them.

"I'll go with you." Kuya Nap hurriedly presented himself.

"I'll go as well!" Mr. Wayne seconded.

"Okay, all of us will go there. Prepare your picnic mats."

Mr. Wayne was so amazed of Anthon's skills and talents.

"Ton, you're not only an engineer but an architect and a designer. Not to mention your cooking prowess."

"Thanks, sir. "

"This delicious food is a proof. How did you do this? " Mr. Wayne complimented as he took a bite of a beef steak cooked with his secret ingredients and unique blend of sauce.

"By the way, Ton, your parents must be very proud of you. Where are they now? And where do you live? "

Jim listened attentively. Perhaps, he was starting his investigation.

" I am the son of Mr.& Mrs. Greg Rodriguez who both originated in Bohol. As far as I have remembered, we already lived here in the city ever since. But when my brother died, I was already working in a shipping company at that time, my parents decided to go back to their hometown. "

Mr. Jim nodded. Still succesful in hiding his emotion.

"I happened to know a certain Greg Rodriguez. Your mother's name is?"

Mr. Wayne's heart was already pounding like a bass drum.."

"Rosanna?"

"Rosanna... "

They both mentioned the name simultaneously.

Jim was no longer comfortable in his seat. His throat suddenly went dry. Kuya Nap was fidgetting as well. But they both succesfully tried to remain calm.

Jim picked up a pitcher of cucumber - lemon juice, poured it out on his glass and another on Kuya Nap's. Their eyes met and they both understood it. Only the two of them understood the shuddering they both felt inside.

Jia did not mind about their topic. She knew his family already way back in their high school days. She was busy cutting those steaks for Jian who was busy himself with his blocks.

"It's an honor that you knew them, sir."

"Actually, it's through your mother's bestfriend that I came to know

them."

Anthon did not reply right away. He glanced at him and seemed to be recalling something.

"Yes. Mama Sylvia. I used to live with her until she died when I was six. "

"Where did she live? " Mr. Wayne asked further.

"Somewhere in Palawan, Sir. I could no longer remember. "

The three other men almost fainted. Then, Mr . Wayne started narrating his story.

"Back then, I was also a young man like you who stubbornly fell in love with a woman... "

All eyes fell on him as his voice started to quiver .

"We secretly went to the Office Of The Civil Registry and got married without the knowledge of our parents. How could we tell them at the height of their quarrel against a piece of land no one was wiling to give way? Due to the intensity of the fight, her grandfather killed my own grandfather with a sword."

"Aside from that, their family culture stated it that when anyone of them will get married to anyone out of their tribe, she or he would be

killed."

All of them held their gaze at him, at the same time held their breaths.

"Eventually, his parents knew about our marriage. Instead of killing her, they sought for my life and she helped me escape... "

"It was then that my VISA was granted as my grandfather was a US Veteran who chose to live here after the war. "

"Sons, " Mr. Wayne paused and looked at all of them in the eyes.

"You knew how it feels to be in love, right? " He stared at Jim.

"Jim, you even went against me to fight for her.. " Drops of tears, then, fell down from his eyes .

"I felt the same... I had loved her the same way you love Jia. "