SWEET SINNER ENGLISH

"I'm okay here Dad, don't worry about me," Erik replied laughing while talking on the other line to his father, Fidel, who was with his mother who was left behind in Canada.

"Come on, give me the phone and I'll talk to that son of yours," he heard his mother Aurora's voice which caused Erik to laugh softly.

"Mom, don't argue with Dad, it's just the two of you left together there," he joked and then laughed softly as he continued to separate the white and colored clothes that he was going to wash.

"What are you doing there and what is taking you so long to come back here? Well, it's been a year since you left, when will you come back here? Your grandfather never stops asking us questions about when his favorite grandson will come back. Nor did I or your dad know how and what to answer," his mother's long litany caused him to laugh weakly again.

"Mom---," but his mother quickly cut off everything else he wanted to say.

"Why are you laughing at me? Hey Enrique, maybe or have you ever forgotten your obligations here? In your grandfather's business. Your cousin is having a hard time shouldering all the work. Be thankful and you're not like other people out there who need to go job hunting to find one. All you have to do is to work hard and just have a good life. You have everything and yet they seem nothing to you!" his mother's continuing sermon to him.

That's when Erik bit his bottom lip to stop another soft laugh from escaping his mouth. He knew that when that laughter reached his mother's ears, her litany and sermon would be even longer.

Well, he's used to her.

His mother has been like that since he was a child. And when she didn't get angry and she didn't scold him, he knew something was different.

What he said is true, it has been a year since he left Canada and returned to the Philippines. That was to court and marry Keira. His best friend is now happily married to a rich businessman, Charles Salveron.

That plan was formed for the benefit of Nadine.

His former girlfriend left in Canada.

Like him, she is also a Canadian citizen.

But his family, especially his Grandfather Solomon, did not like what he did.

Nadine was the ex-girlfriend of his cousin Albert who committed suicide when the former broke up with the latter.

He knew that Nadine was not at fault for his cousin's decision after all. But he also cannot blame his family who was hurt so much because of the loss of their loved one.

He planned that he will marry Keira to get the part of the property that his grandfather will soon give to him as his inheritance. And the money he will get will be used to pay the debt of Nadine's father to his friend who owes him a lot.

Does he really love Nadine that much and is he ready to do something bad for her?

Erik just shook his head at the thought.

He even planned to disturb his own best friend from her quiet life because of his greed.

Erik once again felt a strong pinch of conscience that seemed to remain in his chest and only woke up when he thought about that plan for the past year.

He hasn't asked for Keira's personal forgiveness about that yet. But to the Lord God? There hadn’t been a night that he did not mention it in his prayers.

"Enrique!" again, his mother yelled at him from the other side of the line. "Are you listening to me? What are you doing? You don't seem interested in what I'm saying?" Aurora continued in the same tone.

"Mom, I'm fixing my laundry, I’m sorry if I cannot give you my full attention," he answered then laughed. "Please tell Grandpa I will go back at the right time. Right now I am still busy here and enjoying being an Architect," he added.

He heard his mother's deep sigh from the other line. Then she spoke again. But this time in a kind tone.

"Alright, I'm sorry if I scolded you again. I know that since childhood that's what you really wanted. Your father and I are just, well you know feeling regretful of the good life that awaits you here, son. Because of your profession, well, you can practice that whenever you want. Your grandfather's business is what you need to focus more on right now, what you need to study more," his mother continued to tell him.

Erik smiled at what he heard. "I know that, Mom. And don't worry, even though I'm here I can find a way to help Robert in running the business and farm.