Race 27
Einah stood in front of the door in shock.
"Is this for real?" she asked incredulously, looking me straight in the eye. Easton, who had just come from the kitchen, demanded to know,
"Who's that, baby?" He took a glance at the door and saw his unexpected guest.
"Einah, what are you doing here?" he asked sternly.
"Brother, let me in. It seems like your girlfriend has no intention of letting me inside," she said in her usual snobbish way. I quickly opened the door wide so that she could pass through. She brushed past me and made herself comfortable on the couch.
Easton, with his arms crossed, looked at Einah sitting on the couch and asked,
"What are you doing here?"
Einah replied with a smile,
"I missed you, brother. I was hoping to catch you today since I didn't see you the other day, and you haven't been home for a few days."
Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked,
"So, since when have you been in a relationship?"
She looked at her brother, her eyes glimmering with mischief.
Easton, taken aback by her question, raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Einah's grin only grew wider as she teased him,
"Oh, come on, brother. Don't pretend like you don't know. Since when do you have a girlfriend?"
Easton, irritated by her teasing, replied curtly,
"It's none of your business, sis."
Einah continued to tease him,
"My brother, who is ashamed to say it, finally has a girlfriend—"
Easton had had enough and walked over to her, covering her mouth with his hand to silence her. Einah, amused by her brother's reaction, took his hand and said,
"You're talking too much. I told you to mind your business!"
"I can smell onions on your hand. Are you cooking?" She asked, ignoring what Easton had said.
"I cooked dinner for both of us, but you didn't mention that you were coming here," he replied.
"Don't worry, brother. I'm on a diet, so I'll just eat a snack at home. Mommy baked cookies. And please go home, I don't want to get fat while tasting mommy's cooking," she complained.
I met Einah at the racing track, far away from here. The competitive Einah I knew was different from the one I see here in Easton's condo. She seems like a normal youngest sister.
Honestly, my brother Randy and I don't bond like this. He's too serious, quiet, and always wants to be alone. We can only talk about cars and motorbikes.
I left them in the living room and went to the kitchen. There, I saw that Easton had prepared some food which was now on the table along with plates and cutlery. From the living room, I could hear the two siblings fighting.
After a while, the noise stopped, and Easton came into the kitchen with a frown on his face.
"That brat is so annoying. She's always bothering me here when I can't go home," he complained.
"It's just typical sibling problems," I replied with a shrug.
"What? Did you say something?" he asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"No, I didn't say anything," I replied innocently.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat. Where's Einah?" I asked, looking around the kitchen.
"I sent her home because she would only disturb us." He explained.
Easton then began serving food on my plate.
"Why don't you go home?" I asked him curiously.
He stopped serving and lowered the spoon he was holding with a sigh.
"I can't live with Daddy's adoptive brother," he confessed.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Do you have an uncle?" he chuckled.
"Surprised?" I nodded.
"You know, your life is not publicized in the media. Only your company and the one who runs it are known. Just like you, the only heir of Easton Corporation, that's all. Even Einah only knows her as a car racer and your sister."
He crossed his arms.
"Unlike us, who are followed by the media, I expected that since we are one of the longest-running companies in the country and many scandalous things have happened in our family since my ancestor," I added.
"Like in the scam issue of your great grandfather in our company?" he mumbled. But I can't hear it exactly.
"Huh?" He just smiled.
"Nothing, let's just eat." He said.
Despite my curiosity, I decided not to press further and instead focused on the food in front of me. We enjoyed our meal and talked about various topics, but I couldn't help but wonder what he had been trying to say earlier. However, he didn't mention anything more about it and it remained a mystery to me.
At approximately 7 p.m., I decided to head back to my condominium after spending some time outside. Since I had my car with me, I politely declined Easton's offer to drop me off. As soon as I reached my condo, I went straight to the bathroom to take a refreshing shower. After that, I picked up my phone and dialed Brother Randy's number to catch up with him.
As I picked up the phone and dialed my brother's number, I couldn't help but feel anxious. After a few rings, he finally answered, "Hello, Brother? How are you?" I asked nervously.
"I'm fine, lil sis," he replied warmly.
I took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "How is the favor I am asking you? Any update bro?" I asked, hoping for good news.
"Don't worry lil sis, I already arranged your schedule so you can see him," my brother assured me.
Relief flooded over me. "When will I visit him?" I asked eagerly.
"Tomorrow, after your shoot," he replied.
I smiled, feeling grateful for my brother's help. I opened the window to get some fresh air and looked out at the city lights, feeling mesmerized by their beauty. However, it was different from being on a plateau.
"Okay, thanks, brother," I said, feeling relieved.
"Anything for you, Red," my brother replied affectionately.
I hung up the phone, feeling grateful for my brother's help and looking forward to seeing the person I had wanted to meet so much.
On the next day, I had a series of photoshoots in the morning. I used to model cars, but now I'm hired by famous brands of shoes and clothes.
As I sipped on an iced coffee that my friend Danny had bought me earlier, he asked me, "I'm wondering how many millions you have saved in your bank, Red."
I raised my eyebrows and asked him, "Why do you ask?"
Danny explained, "Most of your past gigs were related to cars, like famous gasoline stations and new motor parts. But today, even luxury brands of clothes and shoes have hired you as a model. So, I was just curious about how much money you have in your bank accounts. I know you also earn from car racing."
I placed my coffee on the dresser and replied, "I haven't checked my bank accounts yet, Danny. Why are you suddenly asking me that?"
He responded with a laugh, "Just in case I'm pressed, maybe you can lend me some money."
"I rolled my eyes, amused by his comment.
"You're insane, Danny. Don't expect me to lend you money. Why isn't your salary enough for the daily expenses that you get from me and my brother?" I asked.
Danny replied,
"Why are your eyebrows meeting? What I said was just pretend, as in pretend. Gad, Red! I saved enough from the salary I get from you and Randy. I can resign from you at any time I want," he said proudly.
I wasn't convinced. "That's why you're asking about the contents of my bank because you're planning to resign from us?" I asked suspiciously. He shook his head.
"I'm just kidding, Red. What I said earlier was a joke. Of course, I will serve you until my last breath."
"Whatever, Danny. Let's just get our things together. We have somewhere else to go," I said, trying to move past the conversation.
We ate lunch before heading to the meeting that I arranged by my brother.
Danny and I were standing outside the city jail, and his expression was one of shock when he asked me, "City jail? Who will we visit here?"
I replied with a hint of hesitation, "Someone I know."
After going through the security checks, we reached the visiting area and took our seats. My heart was pounding with anticipation, and I scanned the room for any sign of him. Finally, I saw him walking towards us, and his face lit up with surprise when he saw me.
As he sat across from us, he spoke in a confused tone, "I don't know if I had an apparition when I saw you. Your face is familiar; it looks like someone I know."
Danny then placed a wicker basket of fresh fruits on the table which we had bought earlier before coming here. "We have something for you," he said.
He accepted the basket with a smile and thanked us. Despite his age, he still had a charming aura that was hard to ignore.
"Do I resemble my mother? You mentioned that I look familiar," I asked.
He was taken aback for a moment. "Do you know Reina Dominggo?" I inquired.
His expression turned serious. "Who are you? How do you know about Reina? What is your connection to her?" he asked one question after another.
"You said earlier that you had an apparition and that I looked familiar to you. Can't you recognize me now?"
"Tell me, who are you?" he demanded.
"I'm the result of the misdeed you committed, Father," I replied. His eyes widened in disbelief as he realized that I was standing right in front of him.