Chapter 8 Her Name Is

• -=Ram's Point of View=-
• She replied, "Nothing; however, someone called your private line, identifying herself as Atilla; when I told her you weren't available, she hung up."
• I tried to recall if I knew anyone by that name, but I couldn't think of anyone with that name, so I was guessing it might be some random girls I hooked up with before Janine.
• It also occurred to me that it could be the prostitute, but I recalled that the pimp told me her name was Jocelyn and not Atilla, so I decided to disregard the possibility.
• I decided to check on my father's health at his residence, so I went back home.
• One of the maids took my things when I got inside.
• "Thank you; is my dad in the study room?" I asked her, but I was surprised when she shook her head.
• "Your father left," she replied.
• "He left? Where?" I asked.
• "He said he would go to the US," she answered, looking startled.
• "Damn it!" I silently muttered.
• He made sure I wasn't home before leaving, because I told him before that he was not allowed to go out of the country because that was his doctor's advice.
• "You may leave," I told her, and after she left, I grabbed my phone and dialed my dad's number.
• "What the hell were you thinking?" I couldn't help but yell when he picked up my call.
• "Calm down, Ram. I talked to my doctor before leaving and they told me that my health is already stable that I could already leave the country, and besides I will only be gone for a week, so you don't have to worry he said.
• I still couldn't stop worrying about him, even though the doctor already gave him the go-ahead, and since I couldn't do anything anymore, I might as well give him my blessings and ask for him to take care of himself.
• "What now?" I asked myself.
• Now that dad has left for the US, there is no point in my staying here, so even though it was already past eight, I decided to go to my condo unit in BGC.
• For some reason, there's something inside me urging me to go there, which I can't really explain.
• After talking to Agnes, who happened to be the head maid, I went ahead and went back to my car, and then I drove to my place.
• "Weird."
• I couldn't explain the rapid beating of my heart; normally, I felt this way if
• I was going to acquire something I wanted, or maybe I succeeded in something I really worked hard on.
• "Good evening, sir. You have a very special guest waiting for you," the night guard said.
• "Thank you," I just replied, feeling confused since I didn't expect any
• visitors, but a sudden thought made me excited all of a sudden.
• "Maybe it's her!"
• And with that thought in mind, I hurriedly ran towards the elevator and boarded it; I didn't care if I looked like a child on his birthday opening his presents.
• I was a little surprised when I noticed the door of my unit was open, but I just shrugged it off. I was too excited to know Jocelyn's answer, but that smile immediately disappeared when I saw the person who was waiting for me.
• "What are you doing here?" I asked in a cold voice.
• I thought that our last meeting would be in my office, and I already made it clear to her that I didn't want to see her again. But then again, I should be thanking her, because if it wasn't for her breaking up with me, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet that prostitute.
• "I miss you, Ram," she said, and I could see the honesty in her expressive eyes.
• "It's over between us, Janine. Did Jeffrey know you were here?" I asked.
• I noticed her eyes twitching, telling me that her boyfriend doesn't know she is here. I mean, what kind of boyfriend would allow her girlfriend to meet her ex-boyfriend at night, and of all places, in his condo unit?
• "Please, Ram, I'm ready to fight our relationship with dad; now I realize you're more important than my inheritance, so please, give me another chance; I love you," she said, looking at me.
• When she didn't hear anything from me, she decided to walk towards me, and she didn't stop until we were only a few inches away from each other.
• Her face gradually came closer to mine, and then she kissed me, teasing me as if waiting for me to respond, but no matter what she did, I didn't feel anything with that kiss.
• "Give me another chance, Ram; I promise, you won't regret it," she said, when she finally let my lips go after not responding at all.
• "Sorry, Janine, but for me it's over, so please leave," I said.
• She did not leave immediately and looked at my face as if trying to discern my expression, but she eventually left with limp shoulders.
• After closing the door, I sat down on the sofa in the living room, feeling very disappointed because all along I thought it was that prostitute waiting for me, but I guess I was wrong.
• A few minutes later, I decided to get inside my room, but I stopped when I heard a knock on my door.
• I felt annoyed when I thought that it may be Janine who came back just to beg for another chance, but one of my rules in getting into a relationship is that once it's over, it's done, and I don't believe in second chances.
• The knocking continued, so I had no choice but to walk aggressively up to the door and forcefully open it.
• "What do you want this..."
• I was stunned when I opened the door and saw who it was—and it wasn't Janine at all.
• "Can I come in?" She asked hesitantly.
• I tried to say something, but it felt like there was something stuck in my throat, so I just held her hand and guided her inside.
• I still can't believe that she came back, and now she's sitting on the couch opposite me.
• She looks very different now than when I last saw her with Henry Cervantes.
• Compared to the last time when she was wearing a very sophisticated dress, she's now wearing a simple shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a pair of Chuck Taylor shoes.
• After clearing my throat, I finally managed to speak again.
• "Would you like anything to drink, or maybe you're hungry?" I asked, and I couldn't stop myself from reprimanding myself for rattling.
• "Is your offer still available?" She asked, and I almost yelled yes when I heard that. Good thing I managed to keep the excitement to myself; I didn't want her to think that I was so eager to have her as my girl.
• "Yes, my offer still stands, Jocelyn," I answered in a nonchalant manner.
• I couldn't help but feel nervous even though I could already guess her answer. What if she changes her mind? It's better to hear it from her.
• It also made me wonder what made her change her mind, because, like I said, Henry Cervantes is far richer than me. I guess my being single made her decide to see me again.
• "I will open a bank account under my name, and I want you to give me five million pesos, which I will deposit in that account," she said in a challenging voice, making me raise my eyebrows in amusement.
• I'm not sure if she was challenging me or maybe doubting that I could produce that kind of money, but that small amount is nothing to me; I'm Romano Santiago for crying out loud.
• Instead of answering, I decided to get inside my room and grab my checkbook, and instead of five million pesos, which is what she was asking for, I decided to write down ten million pesos instead.
• "Here is a check worth ten million pesos; if you want, you can withdraw it tomorrow or deposit it, whichever suits you," I said.
• I was disappointed when I didn't notice any changes in her reaction because honestly, I was expecting for her to be thrilled about having this kind of money, but maybe, Henry already gave her a large amount of money before.
• "When do I need to move in?" She asked.
• Her question caught me off guard, making me tongue-tied, and when she didn't hear any reply from me, she went ahead and called my attention.
• "Ram?" she said.
• Hearing my name come out of her lips brought a sense of joy inside me, which I quickly dismissed.
• "I want you to move into my condo as soon as possible, Jocelyn," I said in a serious tone after clearing my throat.
• "Give me five days, so I can take care of some things I need to take care of," she said.
• "Okay."
• After that, she decided to leave, and I stopped myself from telling her to stay; she said she needed five days, and then I would be willing to give her that time.
• I'm not worried that she would just run away with my money after she left; I could tell that she was serious about being my woman.
• She didn't say anything as she exited the door, but before she could totally close the door, her head suddenly appeared in the doorway.
• "By the way, my name is not Jocelyn; it's Atilla, Atilla Salvador," and with that, she finally left.
• I suddenly remembered the call I missed when I was at the mall. I remembered my secretary mentioning the name Atilla.
• "Atilla," I muttered, liking how her name rolled on my tongue.