“Are you not going to listen to me, son? And you actually plan to leave this house? You're going to leave me and your father because of that woman?”
It was Aurora as she watched him packing his and Mia's personal belongings.
When Mia was done fitting her wedding dress, they had lunch, then did some grocery shopping, and then went home.
And since he already knows that his mother doesn't like Mia, he decided not to include her in getting their personal belongings. Not only did she do that for his girlfriend but also for Aurora whom he also loves very much.
"Mom, I hope you understand that I only feel and experience this kind of love once," he said, trying not to look at Aurora.
That's not because of any reason. No matter what happened, he loved his mother, and he didn't want to see the pain and suffering in her eyes.
"You used to be like that with Nadine, have you forgotten already?"
Upon hearing that, Erik couldn't help but look back at his mother. That's when he looked into her eyes and then sighed. He couldn't help but feel great resentment. And he also couldn't stop asking why his own mother couldn't understand him.
"Mom, Nadine, and Mia are different. I don't want to compare but if I have to do that just to convince you that Mia is the one that I want to be with for the rest of my life, I will do it," he said in a calm tone.
"Son, please," Aurora begged him.
"What I felt for Nadine was also love. But I never saw myself growing old with her. With Mia, I saw all that. I have learned to weave many beautiful dreams and I want to give them to her. I am happy with the life that Nadine has now. I don't have the slightest bitterness towards him. But with Mia, Mom, when Mia is the one, I lost, I don't know if I will be able to return my life to normal. I know that when she disappears, I will never get tired of finding her. She is everything to me, Mom, I hope you understand that as much love as you and Dad had, we both have the same today. And that's the kind of love that's not easy but I know it's worth fighting for because there's nothing like it," that was Erik's long and pleading explanation followed by a deep sigh.
"But what about your grandfather? Do you think he will accept Mia for you? If I can't do that, what do you think his reaction would be?"
This time Aurora's tone was angry again.
Erik sighed and then decided to continue what he was doing. Even in his will, he could not stop resenting his mother.
"I knew it. It's all about money. Money and reputation. Isn't it, Mom?” he looked at Aurora for a moment then returned his eyes to what he was doing. He was also angry then, but he did not raise his voice.
"I'm doing this for you, Enrique!"
"Maybe so, Mom! But you are asking for something else in return. And that is my whole life and soul. Mia, so I'm sorry but I'm willing to sacrifice everything, especially material things, for her."
After saying that, Erik closed the suitcase and then he moved and left the room. His mother still followed him, but he didn't turn to look at her.
He couldn't understand which of the things he said was difficult to understand. But now everything is clear to him. There is no need to argue anymore.
Even if he loses all the luxury, he and Mia will still live well. He is an architect, and his income is more than enough to provide her and their future children with a comfortable lifestyle.
*****
"Your son will never listen to me, Fidel. After all the sacrifices I made, both of us just raised him properly. And now that I just want to ensure a good life for him, he doesn't want to listen to me. He still prefers that waitress!”
Aurora was really angry at that moment. For his son, yes. But even more for Mia.
She is angry with Mia because she knows she will only bring great shame to their family. But what worries her more is that his father-in-law might get angry and disinherit her son.
"Stop all this, Aurora. Didn't I warn you before we even went home? That your son will not listen to you. And as far as I can see he has to do all this. I know you that know that Mia is a good person. Maybe even when they were young, your son liked her. Maybe everything was delayed because we migrated to Canada," Fidel explained to her.
"I do not care! Is it hard to understand that she is not the woman I want for my son? If she hadn't gotten pregnant by another man, that's fine with me. But you, how do you accept that your son will end up with a woman like her?”
"You are going too far, Aurora! It isn’t right that you question my reputation as a father to our son just because I don't agree with everything you do?"
Aurora sighed because of that. "I'm sorry, Fidel. I did not mean that. But Erik can't marry Mia. Yes, when they were in high school, Mia was whom I wanted for our son. But the situation is different now.”
"If I were you, I will just stop all this. Because you are pushing your son further away from everything you do. He loves Mia, and if he told you that he is ready to sacrifice everything for his girlfriend. Respect that, because I'm sure he'll only be happy with Mia."
“B-But---.”
"Listen to me, Aurora. Don't ruin Erik's life. Who knows what else he can think of doing to himself if ever you succeeded with all your plans," Fidel reminded her in his tone and she got what he meant.
When she remained silent, Fidel continued with everything else that he wanted to say.
"Look at what just happened. He didn't think twice about leaving this house because you told him the real reason why we came home suddenly here in the Philippines. I hope you're thinking about what all your doings could result in our family. And not just because you want to do that to succeed in your plan!”
After Fidel said that he left their room to leave her. Meanwhile, everything her husband said is starting to sink in.
Maybe Fidel was right. But judging from everything she heard, Mia is the one to blame. Especially when her husband finally said that Erik was able to leave them to join and choose that woman. And now that's what she can't accept.