The Casa Del Castaneda

First Misadventure

Paloma and Rafael were both surprised instead of playing, after hearing Rogelio's remarks. Especially for Paloma. The confession that the middle-aged man did, had already managed to make him feel piqued. “What do you mean, Father?” Paloma stared intently at someone he considered to be the best in-law in the world.

“Do not just talk, Dad,” rebuked Rafael who showed a look of dislike, for Rogelio's words.

Rogelio shook his head confidently, which signified that he was not playing around with what he said earlier. The middle-aged man who owned Estrella Pharmacies looked at Rafael and Paloma in turn. “That's the truth, kids. I am Paloma's real father. Carlos Sanchez is one of my servants,” Rogelio said as he sat back in his seat of greatness.

Rogelio exhaled a long and deep breath. Every now and then, he massaged his forehead. However, the middle-aged man did not immediately give a more detailed explanation. There was a heavy burden implied from the body language he showed. Meanwhile, Paloma and Rafael are still waiting for Rogelio's explanation. Paloma continued to watch the man who was stuck behind his desk.

“Honest, Paloma. Why do you want to go to Spain so much? Is it really to accompany Rafael and visit Nilo's tomb, or is it because you're going to see Sebastian?” Rogelio returned to his voice, after a moment of silence.

“Do not switch the topic of conversation.” Paloma's tone was not as gentle as usual with Rogelio.

Rogelio shook his head as he clucked slowly. It was time for him to reveal the truth, from the great secret that had been kept so tightly. In the end, Paloma did have to know the reality of the identity that has not been revealed.

“Eleanor is my wife. We never divorced until he was gone. Me and him are still legal husband and wife,” explained Rogelio began his speech.

“What? Then, what about my father ...”

“Carlos is not your father,” sidelines Rogelio while exhaling heavily. He got up from his seat, then stepped in front of Paloma.

Rogelio looked at the hazel-eyed young woman gently and lovingly. “You have the same eye color as your mother, son,” Rogelio said in a vibrating voice. Meanwhile, Paloma was just glued to look at him.

“Twenty-five years ago, when you were born into this world ...” Rogelio's shadow flies into the past, where he feels a tremendous turmoil.

That night.

It rained heavily, as Rogelio confronted his father, who was known to be as terrifying as a dictator. Emanuel Gallardo, the middle-aged owner of Estrella Pharmacies. He stood up with a hostile look. His eyes were sharp, like a knife skinning Rogelio's body.

“From the beginning, I didn't really approve of your marriage to Eleanor. Look what that woman gave you now.” Emanuel said cynically to his son Rogelio.

“This is not Eleanor's fault, Dad. We cannot resist the will of God,” refutes Rogelio quietly. From the way he spoke, it was predictable that he was so submissive to his father.

“I don't care, Rogelio!” suddenly snarled Emanuel. Making Rogelio flinch and take a few steps back. “You already know that I want a grandson. However, your useless wife actually gave birth to a baby girl!” Emanuel's tone grew increasingly high, unpretentious to the sound of lightning out there.

“I don't like it, Rogelio! What can girls do besides dressing up and crying? Nothing!” jolt Emanuel again. His face was red, as it held back anger.

“Happiness you can get when you manage to hold the world, son. Daughter, you can't count on helping you with that. She's getting married, pregnant for nine months, taking care of a child. Then, when can he focus on the business world?” Emanuel's words still sounded very loud.

“Please don't say that, Dad,” pinta Rogelio cuckold. He was so weak and submissive before his father. The only courage Rogelio ever did was when he insisted on marrying Eleanor, even though Emanuel did not like her very much.

However, in the end Emanuel still came out as the winner. She refuses to accept the presence of the newborn Eleanor.

“At that time, I really proved that I was a weak coward. I let Eleanor take you away. But of course I don't just take my hands off. I told Carlos to follow Eleanor who went to take you.” Rogelio bowed lethargicly full of regret.

“Your mother knows that Carlos is one of my confidants in the company. I gave him all the facilities. Home and all the things you need. One thing that made me feel so happy. Until the end of her life, Eleanor was never close to any man. He respects Carlos who you consider to be his real father. Eleanor is still on good terms with me. We just don't stay seatap,” said Rogelio.

“However, everything changed when you started to get bigger. You believe Carlos is your real father. I also became a coward. I dare not confess the truth, for I am too afraid that you will resist or even stay away from me. I can't, son. Although your grandfather did not accept, you are my daughter. My love fruit with Eleanor.” Rogelio looked at Paloma's nanar. A drop of tears fell down his cheek.

Paloma said nothing. He just looked at the middle-aged man, who was also looking at him expectantly. Paloma didn't know what to say. Everything was too sudden, so he felt so shocked. The young woman then looked down. Hiding the pain of everything that happened to him.

“That's why I married you to Rafael. He is my favorite foster son. I want to have you both. Just the two of you, no one else,” Rogelio explained. He laid out the reason, which underlies the betrothal between Paloma and Raphael.

“Do you realize that your attitude has been as selfish as Grandpa Emanuel?” raphael's Reprimand. He did not believe the story told by Rogelio.

“You know even more about Mr. Emanuel Gallardo than I do,” Paloma said with a bitter laugh.

“Sorry, Paloma. I might just be a lucky kid.” Rafael smiled wryly. There was a bad taste in his heart towards Paloma.

“Yes. Now I know and I shouldn't complain anymore. As it turned out, I was indeed born in a situation that made that luck seem so far out of reach. You heard for yourself, I have had bad luck even when I was just born into the world.” Paloma laughed bitterly. He wiped away the teardrops that started to wet his cheeks.

Paloma didn't want to cry. However, he could not reveal all the feelings raging in the chest. As a result, only the clear details of the eye pelupuk are considered capable of representing all the turmoil. Paloma moved further back and away from Rogelio. He turned around, then walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” ask Rafael.

“Finding fresh air,” Paloma said without turning.

“Let me company.” Rafael half-runs after Paloma, who has already opened the door and exited Rogelio's study.