LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13: Complicated
Ethan's POV
I never expected that none of my friends would take me in. On my first day of being independent of my parents, I realized who my true friends were, and it seemed like none of them remained loyal to me.
They were always around when I had the money, but now that I am broke, no one answered my calls or replied to any of my text messages. It seemed they had forgotten about me overnight.
I knew my dad used his power and connections so no one would help me. I ended up in front of Vince's parent's villa, but my aunt and uncle didn't open the door for me.
I rode a taxi to my cousin's house and found out he had left for Adriana's farm. Her maid handed me a plain ticket and a duffle bag with my clothes. I sat on the front porch of Vince's house, cursing and punching the hard floor.
I had no money left, and I had no place to go. After Vince's maid handed me a couple of bills, I had no choice but to take a cab and go to the airport. And I thought maybe Adriana's farm was not so bad after all.
For the first time, I flew with an economy accommodation. I used to fly with my father in a private plane or chopper, and as I sat on my seat, I realized I was in a big mess, and I only needed to do one thing: ask for an apology and do what my dad wanted me to do, but I have my pride.
I will never let my father win. I will show him I can have my art gallery without his help. But for now, I need money to save and find my place. I can live my life without my family's support.
I knew I had broken my parents' hearts, especially my mother's, but I didn't want my father to dictate to me what to do with my life, including my love life. He had been talking about girls from wealthy families and tried setting me up on dates how many times, but it didn't work out since I always had my reasons not to show up.
Working on the farm is the least I want to do, and I don't even want to work in the office. How much more working on the filthy farm? I loved spending my vacations there as a child until I turned a teenager, but as I grew older, I became more in love with the glitters of the city lights.
I seldom visited the farm, even if my father asked me to accompany them. I tried to sabotage all my father's plans even though I missed spending time with him, especially our fishing time together.
"I thought you wouldn't come. I am sorry. I don't want to go against your father," Vince said after I sat in the front seat of the vehicle. I felt glad he fetched me in the airport.
"I really wanted to help you, but my parents threatened me, and I..." I didn't let him finish what he was about to say.
"Don't feel sorry, and stop apologizing. None of this was your fault; it was all my father's fault," I replied, and he looked at me sideways.
"I am sorry, but I disagree; it was all your fault, Ethan; who is in their right mind to feel happy after what you had done? He celebrated his birthday without his heir, and everyone was asking for you, and it pissed him off that you didn't even bother to answer his calls." My cousin responded.
"You partied all night and didn't attend your dad's birthday party just to upset him, and you spent a hundred dollars on a party almost every week. It wasn't your money, buddy. Everything you spent came from your father." He added, and I eyed him.
"I couldn't believe you are siding with my father," I replied, reclining in my seat.
"I am not taking sides, Ethan; as your best friend and cousin, it was my duty to give you some advice, but I was a coward even if I knew one day it would come to this," he responded.
"You pissed your father off; you spent money without earning a single cent; this is the best decision your father has ever made; you are already twenty-three years old. You are so lucky to have everything on your plate already, but you are a fool for running away from your destiny." Vince stated, and I looked at him, horrified by what he said.
"What happened to you, Vince? You enjoyed partying with me, but why have you suddenly changed your opinion and views in life?" I asked.
"I am only doing the right thing, Ethan. I didn't want to disobey my parents since they had done nothing to me but give me everything I needed. They provided for me and showered me with all their love and affection. I didn't have a reason to go against my parents, and I love them." He answered truthfully.
"I only wished to do what I wanted with my life," I mumbled.
"If that was the case, you could have started painting, but you party almost every night instead. I knew you hated the idea of working at your father's company, but I don't think it is that bad; you haven't even tried," My cousin declared.
"Come on, Vince, you know what I want," I replied angrily.
"You can work and paint in your vacant time, Ethan," he responded.
"My dad spent his lifetime working in that company where he barely had the time for his family. He missed many special occasions that I couldn't count, he missed countless birthday parties, and that is why I don't want to be like him." I declared.
"You don't need to be like him, Ethan; you always knew that. He did it all for you and your sister so you could have the comfort you had, " he replied.
"I don't want to talk about him, Vince. I am tired from my flight," I responded as I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the car's headrest, and I heard him chuckle.
"What is funny?" I asked as I opened my eyes.
"Nothing, I just couldn't imagine Ethan Almendraz taking an economy flight; it was hilarious for me." My cousin responded with amusement on his face.
"Me either, but it wasn't bad after all; it was a brand new experience for me, no special treatment, and I loved it," I sincerely replied.
"Good," my cousin muttered, and we both fell silent for the rest of the ride.
When we arrived at the farm, I couldn't help but smile, and I realized how much I missed the farmhouse.
"Nina will speak to you first," Vince said.
"Can I just head straight to my room?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"Unfortunately, no, you came here like one of us, not as the son of the owner," he replied.
"Hello, Ethan, my dear! It is nice to see you after so many years!" Nina said the moment I got inside her office in a separate building not so far away from the farmhouse.
"Hi, Nina. It is good to see you, too," I replied.
"Please have a seat," Nina responded.
"Thank you," I said as I took the side seat in front of her table.
"This is hard for me, but your father called and gave me instructions I couldn't disobey. I guess you understand what I mean." She said, and I nodded my head.
I needed a place to stay, and the farmhouse was the only place I was allowed to stay in all our properties. My father is making it hard for me, but this is only a start. Once I save enough money, I will leave and build my own business. Vince was right: I can paint during my free time, but I have to start painting while I am here at the farm.
"What?" My eyes turned so big after I heard Nina's words.
"Do I need to repeat it to you?" She asked, and I was silent.
"I am sorry, Ethan, but you can't use your real family name. You will be Ethan Vasquez while working as one of the farmhands. You are not allowed to disclose to anyone that you are the only son of Isagani Almendraz, am I clear?" Nina asked, and my throat felt dry.
"You will be washing your own clothes, and there is no maid that you can summon anytime. You will be working here as a nobody; that is what your father wants." Nina added, and I slowly nodded my head as I could feel the weakening of my muscles.
"One more thing, you will be sharing a room with Jonathan. You can't use your own room." Nina continued, and I couldn't believe this was happening in my life right now.
"All the old farm staff knew so that they would treat you like the rest of the farmhands, not as their boss's son." She explained.
"You are not allowed to ask them to do anything for you, like cleaning your room or having breakfast in bed like you used to, but you can ride your horse; at least your dad didn't prohibit you from horseback riding, " the manager added, and I was speechless.
It seemed like I had lost all my privileges as Isagani Almandraz's son.
"Hey, Ethan, wake up!" Jonathan's voice rang out as he shook my shoulder.
"It is your first time on duty today; you can't be late," he said, and I only groaned as I turned my body to face the wall.
"You go ahead, Jonathan, tell Nina I was still tired from my flight last night," I replied.
"Okay," he said before he left our room.
I fell back to sleep, and it was almost nine when I got up from bed. And when I went to the kitchen, the staff told me there was no food left since I woke up late. I frowned and was ready to curse at them when I heard Nina's voice behind me.
"You knew the drill, Mr. Vasquez; if you are late, there will be no food for you," she said, and I creased my forehead as I turned around and faced her.
"That is too much, Nina," I replied.
"Well, you are the only one who was late. Everyone had a good meal except you. You better not be late tomorrow. You are not allowed to be late." She emphasized as she widened her eyes at me, and I could tell my father was good at hiring his employees. They are reliable and loyal to him.
"Now, you have to punch in your time card. Always remember the number of minutes you were late will be deducted from your salary," she added.
"That is unfair!" I exclaimed.
"No, it would be fair with your fellow farm hands; it would be unfair to them if you get paid the same number of hours with them; they started earlier than you. You are one and a half late, Ethan," she answered.
"Don't disappoint your father," she added, and my face darkened.
"I am not working for him, and I am here because I want to earn money for myself. I don't want to do anything with my father. And right now, I'm just one of his mere employees." I responded, and she weakly nodded her head as she motioned me to follow her.
"Are you serious? I can't clean the stable, Nina; this is absurd," I complained when she brought me to the stable.
"Yes, you can; everyone does. You are in rotation. You can't choose where you want to work, Ethan. You will be cleaning manure and feeding the horses. That is your job assignment for the week." Nina responded before she left without taking a second look, and I was dumbfounded as I stood at the center of the stable and realized it was more complicated than I thought.