CHAPTER 3:

Tristan thought that his parents also abandoned him after what happened. But after hearing from Drayven that they will pay a visit for him tonight, he has now a reason to boost his self-confidence. According to his brother-in-law, his parents didn’t come to Danica’s burial as well, he presumes that his parents have no courage to face Danica’s parents without his presence and he understands why they felt that.

Their family has a business, but they got bankrupt while running it. That’s when Danica came into his life and save this business, she invests and made a promise that she will never let their family suffer once again. Therefore, Danica’s death affects their business as well. Tristan is worried about what future they will face now that they lost their loyal investor. That’s why he wants to talk with his parents regarding this matter.

Before the incident happened, all of Danica’s promises to his parents were granted. They had a good relationship and they always tell to his wife that Tristan is lucky to have her, and he agrees with that as he knows any man would be happy having an intelligent, responsible, business-minded, and beautiful wife like Danica. He knew there are so many men out there who wished to have her, and he is lucky indeed to win her heart.

It was the same in his wife’s family. Before the accident, Danica’s parents were also proud of him and they also told him that he deserves their daughter. Their business fell, but it is not because he has no marketing strategy at all. The Ignacio family salutes him in terms of how he manages to still operate the business even though they only have small capital compared with their competitors. Tristan still made it on top despite their advantage. His diligence when it comes to business caught Danica’s parents lead him to get Danica’s heart as well.

Tristan suddenly realizes that he is smiling as he reminisces about those times. But when the remembered that his luxurious life ended and he goes back to failure once again, that smile fades away. He was still hurt and he hates himself, but he was trying to stay strong believing that his parents will save him from this miserable situation.

“Bro, they are here… your parents,” Drayven said.

He tries to feel the surroundings to imagine what is happening around him. Tristan knew that Drayven goes outside a while ago to fetch his parents outside the Hospital to lead the way to his room. As he heard Drayven’s voice, he also heard the doors open and some footsteps assuming that his parents were there with him.

“Thanks, bro,” he answered as he sits out of his bed.

Tristan didn’t hear a response from his best friend, and he also don’t know what is his parents doing right now. Drayven didn’t mention if his parents already knew about his condition, but he presumes that they are now observing him as they stay quiet. He just hopes they will—

“How stupid of you, TJ. You look like a failure.”

He didn’t want his parents to pity him as he lost his wife, he just wants them to comfort him and made him feel they were still there to support him after what happened; that’s why he asked Drayven to let them know he is now awake. But hearing those words from his father, he regrets asking them to come and visit him.

“I thought you loved your only son, but it sounds like you already lost him and you don’t care anymore,” Tristan said bitterly.

Drayven was shocked, he never imagines Tristan’s father will badmouth his son in front of him. His gaze turned to Tristan’s mother, she was just holding her husband’s arm as if she was controlling him to do something against her son. But her mouth is shut, she is about to cry as she witnesses her family talking in that way but has no courage to interfere.

“Yes, I just come to check if you’re alive because I wish you were not! You are just an embarrassment in our lineage, you made our family a piece of trash!”

Tristan’s mother begins to cry in silence as she lets go of her husband. She was standing right in front of her son but acts as if she is not there. Drayven wants to remind her that she was supposed to defend her son, or at least make her husband stop badmouthing Tristan. But like her, he has no courage to interfere as he knows the issue here is outside his line.

“Are you done insulting me? You may now go. Thank you for nothing.”

Tristan controls himself not cry, his father already called him a failure and he doesn’t want to satisfy him more. He knew that his mother is watching him as well, he can hear her sobbing as she witnesses her husband saying those words to her son. But like in the old times whenever his father scolded him, she can’t stop him. She just cries on the edge while waiting for the both of them to stop. He was assuming that his mother comes along to at least ask him how he feels right now, but he was wrong. They both disappointed him more.

He suddenly heard the door slam; it means his parents already left. “Lock the door, I don’t want another visitor,” Tristan commanded.

Drayven may not know what he feels, but he understands why Tristan acts cold after hearing those words. But he can’t just do what he says because Tristan’s mother stays in his room without his knowledge. He was about to tell it to Tristan but she made a gesture to make him stop.

She slowly walks near beside her son’s bed while Tristan lies and covers his whole body. Her son acts totally like her, cry in silently. She wants to hug him, but she still has no courage to do that. Instead, she just looked at her son’s best friend and the only person she could trust.

Drayven read her lips as she says, “Take care of him.” He nodded in response, then she left with a smile.