chapter 5 : when Gentle and Crazy collide

Santigos Mansion

"Mother, it's been six hours, and Uncle Ethan isn't back yet," Kimaya said, but was cut short by a horn.

"My grandson is here!" Gramma Wendy exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Ethan stepped into the room, his hands perfectly in his pockets, looking handsome and composed. Kimaya ran towards him, and he caught her, spinning her in his arms.

"And how is my favorite uncle doing?" Kimaya asked, placing a soft kiss on Ethan's forehead.

Ethan hated physical contact, but he accepted Kimaya's hug and put on a fake smile for her.

"Ethan, my son," Mrs. Elena, Ethan's mother, called out, approaching her son.

"Mother," Ethan replied, his tone neutral.

"How have you been?" Mrs. Elena asked, holding her son.

"Mother, I hate all this touching stuff," Ethan said, his annoyance evident.

"Come on, Ethan, Auntie just misses you," Kimaya said, immediately regretting calling him by his name as she avoided his gaze.

"Come, let's leave all this and celebrate with dinner," Gramma Wendy said, already seated and waiting for the family.

Gradually, everyone gathered at the dining table, the atmosphere tense and silent. Gramma Wendy was displeased with the constant arguing and fighting between Ethan and his father, David Santigos.

Flashback...

Ever since Ethan was little, he was always tortured by his father. His mother begged and begged, but it fell on deaf ears. Instead, she would get beaten too.

"Please spare him," Elena said, hugging her injured son.

"He's a bastard, not my son!" David spat, full of rage, as he readied his whip and landed it on both little Ethan and his mother.

Weeks passed, and David started coming home late. Months went by, and he brought home an unknown face.

"How can you do this to me, David? I have loved you all my life," Elena said, her eyes teary, as she discovered that the woman, Sophia, was David's second wife.

"Dad, you can't do this to Mom!" Ethan said, but received a slap on his face.

As they sat down to eat, the tension in the air was palpable. Ethan's father, David, glared at him from across the table, his eyes filled with anger and resentment.

"So, Ethan, I hear you're quite the successful businessman now," David sneered. "Too bad it's not enough to impress me."

Ethan took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. "Father, I've worked hard to build my own life and make my own way. I won't let your approval or disapproval define me."

David snorted. "You're still a failure in my eyes, Ethan. You always will be."

Gramma Wendy intervened, her voice firm but gentle. "David, that's enough. Let's focus on the positives and celebrate our family's accomplishments."

But the damage was done. The rest of the dinner was spent in uncomfortable silence, the only sound being the clinking of utensils on plates.

As the night drew to a close, Ethan excused himself and stepped outside into the fresh air. Kimaya followed him, her eyes filled with concern.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, placing a hand on his arm.

Ethan sighed and looked up at the stars. "I'm fine, Kimaya. Just tired of the same old drama and toxic behavior. I wish my family could just be normal and loving for once."

Kimaya nodded in understanding. "I'm here for you, Uncle Ethan. We'll face whatever comes together, as a team."

And with that, Ethan felt a sense of hope and gratitude. Maybe, just maybe, he had found the love and acceptance he had always been searching for.

..

Bellwether Art Studio - Meeting

Every staff member and worker was present in the huge hall, wondering why the sudden meeting had been called. Ava and Aurora, friends and colleagues, were also in attendance, despite being in different business units.

"I wonder why they called this meeting," Ava whispered. "Do they have to call it now when I have a blind date to catch by 12 pm, and this is already past 11?"

Aurora frowned, looking at every single person in the huge hall. "I thought you and Jack went on a date a few days back," Ava said, not hiding her curiosity.

"He is trash, bae. You know I don't do love. I only want sometime with you, dat…" Before Aurora could finish her words, Rachel came in. "Good afternoon, everyone!" She greeted, and everyone responded.

"Well I know you all must be curious to know the reason for this sudden meeting and the unplanned delay, well, our boss Kelvin would explain everything to you," Rachel said. As Kelvin walked towards the microphone, they all bowed, keeping an exciting face as if about to blow.

"I know you all must be curious to know what we are about to say," he said. "Come on, talk! I'm fucking late!" Aurora muttered. "Yes, we chorus!" The staff and workers began murmuring to themselves.

"Our studio, Bellwether Art Studio, was selected among the 17 studios, and our investor will be none other than Ethan Santigos, the richest and most influential man in the world," Kelvin said. The staff and workers began murmuring again.

"De Ethan Santigos!"

"Oh my gosh, I need to apply more makeup!"

"I can't believe this!"

"Our company beat the Race Studio; t

his is a big win!". That was what they said.

"Silent!" Rachel said, and everyone went silent. "And one more warning: no one should mess up anything, or else they will lose their job. I want the best graphic designs from our five selected people: Bella, James, Moses, Aviana, Grace, and Adrian," he said, and soon the meeting was over.

Outside, Aurora said, dancing foolishly, "Why? Because my dream guy is our investor!"

"Is it Athian Santigos?" Ava asked. "Not Athian, Av, but Ethan, promise it with respect, please." Aurora said, gaining a slight scoff from Ava.

"By the way, who is Ethan, and why is it that when they call his name, girls begin drooling over him?" Ava asked. "Laughs. My dear, take a seat and let me tell you who Ethan is," Aurora said, making Ava quiet, astonished.

"Ethan is the last son of David and Elena; he is the richest man in the world... He comes in a rotating car," Aurora said. Meanwhile, at the entrance, Ethan came with a rotating car. The door opened, revealing a straight and handsome leg, followed by the other.

"Then soon, his whole self, adjusting his suit with his dark shades on, his hair brushed perfectly to the left, his perfect straight jaws, and pink lips, and his two hands tucked in his perfect pocket, as his perfume fills the air," Aurora said, holding her chest. Ava was still in awe, eating the popcorn by her left side.

Meanwhile, at the entrance, Ethan came out in full, adjusting his navy blue suit, his hair perfectly combed, and then he began walking elegantly to the studio.

"And that is that for today," Aurora said. "And that's why girls are drooling for him, nonsense." Ava said. "You talk rubbish, you know." Aurora said. "Nlah blah blah. Do that again, and I will beat you till you beg," Aurora warned playfully.

"Blah blah blaaaagrghh." Ava said as she ran out of the room. As she kept on running, she looked back to see if Aurora was chasing her when she felt her head hitting a strong something. "Ouch." Ava said, rubbing her head. "Are you blind?" A voice roared, making Ava, who was backing him, face him. "You." They both said at the same time.