Chapter 170 - Shiela

"What do you mean?" he asked, chuckling, not fully understanding where her happiness came from. While he understood that closing a deal with a big client was a success for someone who just started a new company, her excitement seemed more than what he expected from her.

"Pa, Rough Seas is a promising and stable company. It already covers many countries in Europe and some states in the USA. I have also learned lately, that they are also expanding in UAE. Can you imagine my company's stability for the whole period we are connected to them?"

"Congratulations, dear. You do your job very well," Joey said, patting her head in admiration for her daughter.

He may not understand the whole concept of her business, but what he could only share was her excitement and the pride of having a brilliant and successful daughter. His sacrifice and effort paid off. She graduated with the highest honors and earned her first job at a prestigious company. Her career allowed her to meet old and new investors until she met the three of them who agreed to venture out into a company of their own.

"It's because of you. How can I invest in this business if it were not because of you?"

Joey replied with just a smile and a pat on her head. What she said was true. His boss was generous. Every time he did his job, he rewarded him with a massive sum of money. Being thrifty himself and not fond of buying anything for himself, his allotted budget for his expenses added up to his savings for years. When Shiela needed the budget to start the business, he only borrowed from his boss one-third of the required amount for her share.

"Just keep up the good work, dear. Your success is my happiness. You're all that I have in this world, after all."

Shiela hugged him teary-eyed. Though he never answered her question about how he got the means to provide her medical needs, she knew her father made a great sacrifice. Her aunt would often recall how he cried hard when it happened and how many people did he asked for help.

"How's your health?" Joey asked, but not before he gave her a thorough eye inspection, taking in the glow of her skin and the change of her weight.

"I'm fine a long time ago already, Pa. Stop worrying about me, okay? How about you?"

Joey chuckled before he spoke out. She was right; she already looked healthy and more beautiful as the days went by. Almost all her physical features resembled her late mother, who died when she gave birth to her due to eclampsia. 

"I'm fine, only that I would remain away most of the time."

"Pa, tell me honestly. Why are you always aways traveling?" Shiela could no longer hold back her curiosity. Ever since she was sick, her father no longer stayed longer than a week. 

"Dear, I borrowed money from a businessman when you were sick. He makes me his assistant, so wherever he travels, I must be there also. Don't worry. I am in good hands. I'll drop by every time we are in this country."

After a few more minutes of conversation, Joey left. He gazed at the facade of the building for a long time before he walked away. Whatever may happen, at least he could go without having to worry for her daughter. Besides, she's already old enough to support herself.

Shiela looked out on the window and watched the retreating figure of her father. Until now, she could never gather the courage to tell him about what happened eight years ago. He sacrificed a lot for her, but she returned it with disgrace.

Her thoughts flew back to the day when she fell in love with a schoolmate in college. They were already in the second semester of their last year in college when he went out with him on a date. She was staying in a student boarding house in the city, so she was free whatever she wanted to do and wherever she wanted to go.

"Thanks for inviting me, Neil," Shiela said after they went out of a movie theatre. The story was so moving, and she felt it was the best movie she had ever watched.

"You're welcome, but If it's alright with you, I want us to eat dinner together."

Shiela's eyes lit up with love and happiness, especially when Neil placed an arm around her waist. He was the talk of the university and to be acknowledged as his girlfriend, meant pride and envy from many girls who did everything just to spend time with him.

"Neil, the best place I want to go to is always the place where I can be with you."

"Same here, Shie," answered Niel as he looked into her eyes tenderly. 

The next thing Shiela knew was that they were already inside a hotel room and that Neil ordered a lot of food for them.

"We can watch more movies while we eat," he said while Shiela stood gazing at the wide bed covered with white-and-cream sheets.

Just as he told her, he turned on the TV set and chose the title of a movie where most of the girls loved. Drawn into the story, Shiela no longer cared that she already lied down with him in the bed with her back on the headboard.

As the scene got intimate, she got startled when Neil lifted her chin and claimed her lips. It was a light brush at first, but seeing she did not resist, Neil claimed her lips deeper into a French kiss. Overwhelmed by her deep feelings for him and the flattering sensation of being kissed by a handsome boyfriend, she did not stop him when his hands crawled under her shirt.

Soon, his hand unfastened the hook of her lingeries as his mouth covered hers, making her lost into the beautiful feeling of the moment. The sound of the couple making love in the screen, aroused both of them further until they stripped themselves of the last pieces of their coverings.

Engulfed by the irresistible sensation, Shiela opened herself out, finally submitting herself into him despite the drumming of her heartbeats and the whispers of her conscience. This did not happen once but many times, resulting in her five-month pregnancy when she graduated in college.

Afraid to be scolded, he went home with a heavy heart, concealing her bump with a thick and large jacket.

"Pa, I am accepted by the company I am applying for a job, but they need to send me to Japan for a one-year training period."