ROYCE
Almost midnight when I got Dennis's number from my private detective and immediately dialed it to talk to him. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long before he answered the call.
“Who is this?” Dennis asked with a trace of irritation in his voice.

“It’s me. I guess I wouldn’t have to introduce myself to you.”
“What a surprise? A pleasant evening Mr. Park,” Dennis greeted sarcastically. “Tell me, what made you call me at this hour?”
“Dennis, I need to talk to you tomorrow.”
Dennis burst out laughing on the other line. “Who do you think you are to command me?” His voice hardened in conviction. “I only met up if you made an appointment ahead of time, Mr. Park. You can’t force me.”
“Who told you I’m forcing you, Dennis? This is for your good and if you can’t meet up tomorrow I’ll have to proceed on my second plan.”
Dennis laughed again like a wicked man. “Are you threatening me? Nice try.”
“I’m not. I’m trying to be honest. Anyway, I don’t want to waste my time with you…”
“Hold up. Is this about Nelly? How is Nelly now? Are you guys still together huh? I bit you’re not. Too bad,” Dennis teased and then he giggled.
It boils my blood hearing Dennis laugh at me when Nelly was in a desperate situation looking for justice for his family. Dennis seemed to have to know everything going on between me and Nelly. It convinced me even more that he has something to do with the fake report sent to Marica. It wouldn’t be impossible if Roxie was involved as well.
“Mr. Park? Mr. Park…”
“You will pay for this Dennis. Mark my word, you will pay for this,” I said angrily and then I cut the call.
The following day I was all set to end what Dennis started. I let my secretary reschedule all my appointments of the day to make sure I have the whole day to get rid of Dennis. Dennis’s father agreed to meet me at 2 PM in one of the nearest cafes.
Since Dennis didn’t agree to meet me and talk things over I made the fastest way of getting rid of him. Henry Tan is a business Tycoon known land developer and owns a chain of drugstores, and groceries. I spent the whole morning getting to know him better and determining which point to hit him so that he won’t have any choice but to agree on my terms.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Tan,” I greeted as I shook his hand. The man was standing a little bit smaller than me, probably 5’11. He was wearing a black suit which I guessed was from his office and had to leave to meet me.
“Pleasure to see, Mr. Park.” Henry Tan had a warm smile on his face.
“Have a seat.” I offered, pointing to the chair opposite me as I arrived earlier than him.
“Thank you. It’s been a while, the first and last time we met was during your grandfather’s burial. Time flies so fast. Look at you, you’ve grown so much and I’ve heard the business was exploding when you took over your uncle.”
“That’s a compliment I wouldn’t forget, Mr. Tan. I owe so much to my grandparents and my uncle. They were my mentors starting when I was a kid until now my uncle stays open if anything comes up that I couldn’t handle.”
“Impressive. Your grandparents raised you well. By the way, what’s the reason you want to talk to me personally?”
“I need a favor from you,” I answered without hesitation.
Henry Tan straightened his back on the chair. “What would a businessman like you probably want from me?” He said casually.
“It’s about your son, Dennis.”
Henry Tan’s face scrunched when he heard his son’s name. “What stupidity my son did now? Did he try to attack you?”
“It’s more than that. I don’t want to waste your time and talk directly about my point.” Henry Tan nodded. “I would appreciate it if you send your son out of the country.”
“How did Dennis do wrong to you Royce?”
“I can’t divulge everything because this is something personal and I am not the only one involved. But I’ll give you good reasons to make it easier for you to decide. Are you willing to listen?”
“I’m all ears.”
“I know that you are currently struggling to win among your chain of grocery competitors.” Henry Tan's eyebrows narrowed but he didn’t cut me off.
“I prepared a good offer that would help you outsmart the competitors. As you have known that all our organic products are taking over the market may it be canned goods, snacks, bottled fruits and vegetables, and even our produce. My offer is we will create exclusive products for your chain of member-only grocery stores which will give you an advantage over the competitors. What do you say?”
Henry Tan was quiet for a few moments as he seemed weighing things. “I wasn’t wrong when I said you’ve grown up and I mean as a wise businessman. It looks like you did good research about this.”
“No offense Mr. Tan, I was left with no choice. I tried to settle this with Dennis yesterday but he refused. I carefully considered the offer in which both of our companies will benefit.”
“This must be something big that you had to take on offering a business deal to get rid of my son.”
“As I’ve said, I can’t divulge everything but rest assured I will no longer disturb your family when you do the favor I asked.”
“On the lighter side, I will have a valid reason to take Dennis to the UK for a second rehab and new life. I’ve been meaning to send him to the UK for the second rehab but my wife was so against it.”
“I see that it’s a win-win for both of us. Do we have a deal?”
“Deal.” Henry Tan proposed a handshake and I took it. “You have my word, Mr. Park.
“I trust you. Thank you for this favor.”
“Don’t mention it, we are both in gain this transaction.”
As soon as Mr. Tan and I parted ways. I called Marica to spill the good news. Marica took the phone call immediately.
“Hello, Marica. Thanks for taking the call, I have good news.”
“Oh, you sound elated. So what’s the good news?”
"Dennis won't be a problem anymore. I already fixed this matter and now only Roxie will be a problem but it will soon be over. My private detective is working hard on finding the truth and how we can get rid of her.
"What do you mean get rid of her? Royce, you wouldn't plan to..."
I laughed at how hilarious Marica's reaction was. By the sound of her voice, she must have thought I decided to become a criminal by killing Dennis and Roxie.
"It's not what you think it is. My goodness!! Do you seriously think I can do that?"
"No, but please make it clear."
"Well, I talked to his father and offered a business deal he can't say no. It was a win-win offer where both of our companies would benefit."
"Hmm... impressive. How about Roxie?"
"I'll tell when I'm done talking to her. Marica, do you have news about Nelly? Can you possibly share it with me? How is she?"
I heard a sigh on the other line. "Royce, I talk to Nelly every day and she's doing well. As I've promised, Nelly is safe and you don't have to worry about her. Just hold on, you'll meet her soon."
"Alright then. Have a good night."
Later in the evening, I had a knock on my door which was unusual. My heart became erratic to the hope that it might be Nelly finally wanting to talk to me.
But it was uncle Philip standing at my doorstep when I opened it.
"Hey, uncle, what brought you here?"
"Am I not welcome here?"
"Oh, come on. Uncle, my home is your home too. Please come on in."
I took uncle Philip to the kitchen where I was cooking dinner.
"You have to try my cooking uncle, let's have dinner together."
"Sure. You haven't changed, you still do each of your meals."
"One of the lessons I've learned from my grannies. You know that, right?"
"I hate to break the atmosphere but that's the reason why I'm here. It seems that you've forgotten some of your grannies' lessons."
I stopped tossing the pasta and looked my uncle in the eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Royce, I still have friends in the company. I knew about the deal you had with Mr. Tan in exchange for a certain favor. This is not like you and something your grandparents wouldn't approve of.
What is your problem? You could have talked to me."
"Uncle, I don't want to disturb your peace anymore. I can handle this myself. And I assure you, the deal will be beneficial to our companies."
Uncle tapped my shoulder. "Anyway, I trust you. I just came to remind you, not to be clouded by your emotions. I don't want to repeat what happened last time with..."
"Uncle, don't say it. Nelly is different and I know I am doing my best to make the right decision."
I knew my uncle was thinking about what happened when Roxie broke up with me, that's why I cut him off.
That night, I chose to cook the pasta recipe I've learned from Nelly because it felt like having dinner with her. I miss her so much. Nelly is at the forefront of my head every day.