Chapter 8: Hope or Hoax?

I am used to it,

For all you did was forget.

I don't wanna hear your regrets

coming out from those lying lips.

Wrapped in his blankets. Resting his head in the soft pillows. He got up in bed feeling a painful sensation in his head.

'It must be the hang-over.' he stated.

He ran his hand through his hair, trying to ease and cease the pain he is feeling in this early Wednesday summer morning. He took a shower, opened his fridge and had a bite on an apple. Changed into his normal clothes, shirt, pants and sneakers. He is now ready to meet the him, he spent his night contemplating on how to act on front of him.

The car he booked arrived in front of his house, hurriedly he sit at the passenger's seat and the driver helped him with his seatbelt.

'Thank you.'

It was a smooth ride, not until they cross the busy street of Claveria.

'Traffic again?' he asked the driver.

'Ah yes Sir.' answered the driver.

'How bad is it?

'It might take an hour Sir, this traffic is barely moving.'

Accepting the bad luck laid in front of him. He calmly stayed and waited in his seat. He's used to it anyways, everyday of commuting requires patience. With the awful traffic and a hot weather, sometimes it is really possible to lose your temper. But right now, he is starting to accept this fact.

Luckily, the car he booked is air-conditioned. He does not have to feel the scorching heat outside.

The driver was right, it truly took them an hour to get out from that hell traffic jam brought by the rush hour and growing population in Davao City. Later on, he found himself entering an extravagant restaurant.

'Any reservation Sir?'

'I'm with Mr.Manalo.'

'Okay Sir. This way please.' he then guided Lucas to the table where Mr.Manalo is sitting.

'Lucas, take a seat. You should have told me so I could have fetch you from your house.'

'I got here safe and sound. I'm fine, you don't need to Uncle.'

'How are you, by the way?'

'I'm fine.'

'Well, that's good to he--'

'That's what you wanted to hear right?'

'Of course, I want you to be fine.'

'But where were you when I need you, Uncle?'

'You know that I was not in good terms with your father, he was full of pride and'

'Really? You are still thinking about that after you heard that he died?' he stated in a strong voice.

'I realized I was wrong, I should have came and help you.'

'But you didn't. It does not change a thing.'

After that conversation, they stayed silent for a minute or so. Feeling the atmosphere. Thoughts and regrets are running through their heads. Too many of it that their mouths could not say.

'Your doctor called me yesterday.'

Lucas just listened.

'You have a chance Lucas and we can't let that slip away. I can help you, I will spend my money for you.'

'To make it up to me?' he laugh bitterly. 'My life's been dark since then, I survived all those false hopes and loneliness, alone, and you are here now saying you'll do all those things for me?'

'Tell me, how can I lessen the anger you are feeling?'

'You really want to? Okay, sponsor my exhibit.'

'You still do art? How?'

'Stop the fuss.'

'Fine, I'll see what I can do. Visit me at my office next week and we'll see.

'I have to go then.'

'Lucas, please hear me out. If you ever have a change of heart, let me know.'

But Lucas, left the table like he didn't hear anything from him. He's angry. He's full of range. His emotions are slowly eating him that he started to tear up caused by all his frustrations towards that man so as soon as possible he left the table. He doesn't want his Uncle to see his weak side.

'Drastic circumstances, calls for drastic solutions, you need to get back in shape Lucas.' he whispered, he then put a money on the table and left.

Meanwhile, Lucas decided to go home. He must get ready for the exhibit. He gathered all his artworks piled at the wall. Artworks that he made when can still see and artworks he made when he turned blind. Doubting but he needs to trust on himself and hold into any chances of succeeding in order to fulfill his dreams.

At the same time, a man was having a conversation with someone in his white painted office.

'Goodness, you're here.'

'Why did you call me?'

'Well, I need you to get something done. This person is kinda hard to persuade and cannot be allure my sweet and caring words from me, so I need you to do the work.'

'As long as it does not involve murder, I can help.'

'Of course, no blood will shed, in fact we are helping him and at the same time, we can get someone from him.'

'Fine. Who is he?'

'This is him. I need you to keep an eye on him, be his friend, I don't know.'

'Okay, if that's all, then I'll get going.'

'Sure. Bye' and the door closed slowly.

The man is now alone in his room. In his tuxedo, and a blue tie, he seems formal than anyone else. But he's staring from a far with a glass of red wine. His thoughts are wandering.

'You'll be in my hands, soon.' and he take a sip from his glass.

What is this man thinking about?

Did Lucas at last found hope?

Or is it another wolf pretending to be a sheep?

It is a hope or is it just another hoax?