SISTER IN LAW

WHY HE LOOKS LIKE ME?

FREDERIK'S POV

"Let's buy it now, Mom." I heard Daniel plead. We are now here at the Mall’s supermarket, and we have not finished shopping when our son wants to buy his new helicopter toy. I looked at the list of things we need to buy, and there were a few stuffs to look for so I told Diana and Daniel to go first in the department store where there is a toy kingdom, to buy the toy our son wanted.

"All right, babe, go there first and buy the toy he wants. I'll take care of the groceries here." I commanded.

"Are you sure, babe?" Diana asked skeptically. I just nodded in response and they left.

I was just roaming around here when I saw a boy reaching for a chocolate drink, I think. The boy is tall but the product is just located high above him so I approached him to lend a hand.

I reached for it and handed it to the boy. But suddenly I was stoned to death.

‘Cause the boy looked up at me and I stared at him, examining every point of his face. He really looks like me. Damn! But before I could say a word, he already took the chocolate drink I handed him.

"Thanks, Mister!" he just said it without a smile so I just nodded and the boy turned around and walk away from me... I look exactly like him. Shit!

I suddenly asked myself, "Did I get someone pregnant that I do not know?"

I did not move in my position but I could still see the bulk of the boy I just met, until it was approached by a woman carrying a little girl that was just look like the boy. I can’t see her face but her hair is short and her body shape is so beautiful that was visible because of the fitted white shirt and pants she’s wearing.

I suddenly felt nervous; my heart beat faster than the usual. I was just in that state of mind until I could no longer see the bulk of those three persons.

LEYSA'S POV

I heard my cellphone rings so I picked it up and answered.

"Hello. Yes Grandpa? Uhuh. Okay. Tomorrow --I'll meet him. Yeah, yeah don't worry. Sure thing." And I ended the call.

I looked at my children in the backseat to see if they were already sitting comfortably and safe. When I made it sure, I started my car. We just finished grocery shopping and now we’re going home.

And yes, my children and I are already in the Philippines. We just arrived yesterday night. So only now can we buy our needs.

"Mom." And since we were still stuck in traffic I turned to look at Leyson, my son.

"Hmm?" I replied.

"I met a man in the supermarket, who really looks like me..." my son continued. I was suddenly stunned, fortunately we were still stocked in traffic because if we were not, I am sure, I would be able to brake in no time which is not good especially that I am with my children. I do not know what to say, I do not know what to answer.

Maybe... maybe because, but why all the time he goes to the supermarket is when we are also. What is this? Shit. I don't want to think about it. And even more I do not want to think it's what they call destiny or something like that. But just shit! I am already thinking that it’s already is.

I just smiled at Leyson, "Really, baby? Ah. That's --that's great, isn't it?" I just responded like a fool with a laugh of hesitation.

What I should say, that there is a possibility that it was their father, which is true. Who else will my children look like, other than me? Leyson just nodded at what I said in agreement and concluded our conversation about it. My children are smart kids, and I can't deny that there is a possibility that Leyson already has an idea who that person is - that I am not ready to answer and confirm with him.

Fortunately, the traffic was moving so we immediately reached the mansion that Grandpa gave me. Yes, my grandfather really prepared it for my comeback here in the Philippines, it is located in a private subdivision here in Greenhills where only famous and rich people can afford to buy a lot, so it is safe and not crowded.

***

I am now in my children's room, they are in the same room with two separated beds, because they can’t have separate rooms for now because they are still babies and it is difficult for me to watch them in their sleep. This room has a door connected to the master's bedroom, which is my room.

But I prefer to stay here in my children's room tonight. I just sat between their beds. And look closely at their faces.

"What if Frederik Wilford found out about you?" I asked myself.

How would I react if that ever happens?

I am not sure if he will accept the two of you, or reject you because he now has a family of his own and I think they are already happy and contented.

Hays, life --you are really complicated.

I was in such a state of mind as my eyes gradually closed. I'm so tired.

But one thing is for sure, I will protect my children against him and anyone who would despise them. I will make sure he will not know about them. I will make sure of it.

FREDERIK'S POV

"Hmm? Yeah yeah. Who? Leysa... what? Guevara? Are you sure? Leysa Guevara? Ah ... nothing. I thought. It's someone I know. Alright then," I replied to the person I was talking to on the phone. Shit, I suddenly felt nervous and excited when I heard the name of the CEO of Guevara Estate who will negotiate with our company for their expansion here in the Philippines. But it suddenly disappeared when I heard its last name. Maybe it’s just someone else with the same name with her.

Damn, Fred. Move on. Sure, Leysa has a life of her own now and she has already forgotten you.

I sorted out my scattered papers and lay down on my sofa bed here in my home office. I don't want to sleep in our room now, together with Diana because she might talk to me and I can't answer her properly. Because I was still overwhelmed at the thought of the boy I had encountered earlier.

While lying down, I was holding the album which contained my photos when I was a child. I really look like him. I even saw a picture of myself where I thought it was a picture of that boy.

Is it possible? I got someone pregnant that I just don’t know who it was? Damn, my head hurts mentally. I have been thinking a lot about the company and the new partnership with WILCO., and this thing will add more to my problems.

****

"Good morning, Sir." Greetings to me from the employees here at WILCO, I just nodded in response to them.

I will take my private elevator to the top floor (36th floor), which is where my office used to be occupied by Grandpa who is now mine. My former office when I was the General Manager here had been renovated as a conference room.

I was in the elevator with my secretary, he was a man. Because Grandpa did not want to have another scandal like before, so they avoided getting me a woman secretary, as if I wanted other woman than Leysa Frank. And this secretary of mine was also one of Grandpa's scholars back then so he was reliable and trustworthy in anything. But as far as I can remember, Grandpa did not interfere in my issues with Leysa, which is surprising to me because Grandpa is a scary but family-oriented person, and he hates infidelity. And there is really nothing to blame, so it was agreed to just conduct a press conference and point all the mistakes to Leysa. Where it hurt me too but what could I do? I could do nothing, because things had already happened. And after all it will all be just a lesson learned for us.

About half an hour passed when I reached my office. And before I could go any further in front of my office I could already see the people inside.

It was my grandfather, Don Rafael Wilford and his very good friend and best buddy, Don Leonardo Guevara, and maybe the grandson of Mr. Guevara --Leysa Guevara.

I can’t see the face of his granddaughter because she’s facing back at me, but the bulk of the woman looks familiar to me. She looks like the woman I saw at the supermarket yesterday. Oh well, I just went in.

"Good morning." I greeted them, which the two adults smiled as the woman remained silent while she never dared to look back at my direction. What is this… have an attitude right away? She did not even know how to turn around and greet me back.

And since this woman did not seem to have any intention to say a word, I continued walking and stood beside her. As if I had another choice, I also did not look at her. And I fixed my gaze on the folder that contains everything I should know about Guevara Estate.

But I stopped reading when I heard what Don Leonardo Guevara said to my Grandfather.

"How unlucky, if your grandson, Frederik would have gotten married right away. They would be fitted together with my only granddaughter!" He sudden litany that my Grandfather just laughed away. Shit, seriously? What is this?

"Yes, comrade. It also sadden me, if just my grandson is not that greedy to own my company to his self, he wouldn’t have just decide to marry that instant. Look at them, they would have been a good couple who will take good care of our beloved companies," my good Grandfather replied and they both laughed at the same time.

Seriously? They are talking about it, like we do not exist in front of them.

"Stop it, Grandpa. Mr. Wilford was already married. Let's not push the lost arrangement you have with Don Rafael."

Damn. I missed it after 6 long years, I heard it again, her soft, sweet voice... the voice I always hears in my dream and in my mind.

I want to look at her, but I am afraid because it might just be my imagination. Maybe it was just a fabrication of my mind because she was re-entering my system, lately.

"But annulment is possible, isn't it, or maybe it's not actually legal, you know that marriage of your grandson, comrade. Just kidding."

I was stoned in my seat because of what Don Leonardo just said.

Shit! Damn! How could I possibly forget it!