Granting one last wish

SEB

I feel so terrified to hear from her saying she’s dying. How did her daughter take the news? Where is she, anyway?

“We both agreed not to tell our daughter. Not until tomorrow, at least, but I know she’s going to hate me for this or her father, Seb.” She pauses.

So, am I going to break the news to her? I never met their daughter, and I’ve never even seen her before. Mike and Catie seemed to be good parents, and if their daughter got the looks from both of them, then she is beautiful.

“Seb, I want you to promise me something.” She takes a long deep breath, and my palms turn cold clammy.

I hold my breath when I feel like I’m not going to like the next words will come from her mouth. In my twenty-five years of existence, I’ve never been in this position, making promises to a dying woman, which I know I can’t say no. So I have to do whatever she asks me to.

“Whatever, Catie. I’ll do everything you want.” I start sweating even the room is cold, and I feel claustrophobic.

I open one button of my shirt and loosen my tie.

“I know you’re happy with your life. You’re supposed to be the last person I asked a favor for, but I don’t trust anyone besides my husband. I’ve known you long enough to know what’s underneath that bad boy and playboy image, and you have a good heart, Seb. You have reasons why you choose this life, and you haven’t met the right one for you.” She takes a breath.

So that’s it, and now I’m getting more nervous.

I constantly swallow why a lot of jumbled thoughts pop in my head. Is this what I think it is?

Jesus. Good grace. Hallelujah.

This can’t be happening, and did I just promise?

Can I take it back? No.

I think I’m going to faint before her.

I feel that the worst day of my life is taunting me, and everything is flashing back in my head—it starts from the tabloid that ruins my life, to the meeting that gave me a headache, and to the last words of my dad.

And I’m still in front of a dying woman.

“Before I admitted myself, I finalized my Will, and even my husband doesn’t know most of it. Just me and my lawyer, Atty. Timothy Sanders. I made a copy for myself, and I want you to have it. You don’t have to be there during the reading of the Will, but make sure you secure it safely.” She breathes deeply again. “And you’ll know when the right time to open it, Seb.”

So it’s not that bad after all.

“Thank you for the trust you gave me, Catie. I promise you to keep it safe, and I will make sure you won’t come to haunt me.” I want to see her smile at least, so I continue, “So, you will trust me for your daughter, too? You know my reputation, Catie. I

forget this moment for the rest of my life. She motions to the drawer. I stand up and pull the drawer at her bedside. I notice a manila envelope. I pick it up with my sweating hand. It is light,

to me. It has a pendant—a tulip, our favorite flowers. My daughter likes red, and I like purple. So don’t you ever

why. I fold the envelope and tuck it inside my suit.

doesn’t like purple, huh? I keep that in

but I know my daughter will. Please take care of her.

and she breaths hard, and

my ears and my head. “Tell her I love her so much, and I love you so much, my love.”

promise Catie.

***

down at the delicious food on my plate, and suddenly, I lost my appetite. I push it away, still recalling the event earlier.

to my bathroom. A long hot shower might help to calm my nerves. I stand under the showerhead until I

a release. I grit my teeth when I think again. For fuck sake, Seb. You just witnessed

ashamed. My good friend is mourning for the loss of his wife, and there’s a daughter who just lost a mother, and she

such an ass.

the sad news, I dial my cousin and my best friend, Patrick. After the third ring, he finally

“You left your office early today, and

I remind myself to play cool, but I can’t tell him family emergency because he knows I’m lying.

I’m not good at lying, and I never lied to him and neither to Trixie. Our family treated us as

can hear the

I know he’s going to find out. I already told my

I had to leave soon,” I explain briefly.

your dad? I don’t think it’s about work because I should’ve known before I left.”

continue, “Pat, they’re okay. Don’t worry. Why don’t you pass by, and we’ll talk about it. I don’t want to talk over

throw a party. I stay here on weekdays. It’s close to my office, and I spend my

you? Did you really have sex with her? She isn’t your type, you know. You prefer blonde, tall and long-legged. She just wants your pocket while you’re balls deep in her

groan, rubbing my eye, but I know he’s just trying to

had is my picture and before you can come up with an idea that I have sex video with her, don’t go there.” I pause. “I’m sure my future wife is not yet even conceive. Get in here before I change my

is, still in suit one button open, loosened the tie, and

a word. He sits on my black leather couch, while I make my way to my minibar and pour ourselves two glasses of whiskey. I give him his glass then I drink mine instantly. It

liquor and Wine, but I’m always responsible when drinking. I sit on his opposite side

bad news,” he talks while I’m looking at the high ceiling of my penthouse. I can feel his gaze on me like he can see through my soul.