Chapter 43: The Surprise
His mother and little sister got into the car. Timothy on the other hand stayed outside for a moment, watching the lenders go and once they were at a far distance, he got into the driver’s seat.
The moment he closed the door, his mother asked.
"Timothy... how did you have this car? And you just gave them fifty thousand pesos. Where are you getting all of this money? Are you doing illegal things? Is it drugs? Oh please, Timothy, you have a bright future ahead—don’t waste your—"
"Mom, it’s not drugs," Timothy had to interrupt.
Evelyn blinked, her hands twisting the hem of her apron, her worry etched deep in her face. Angela, seated in the back, leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Then what is it?" Evelyn pressed, her voice breaking slightly. "Because no student, no boy your age, suddenly pulls money out like that. If you’re hiding something dangerous from me, I’d rather know than watch you throw your life away."
"I’m not doing anything illegal, Mom. No scams, no drugs, nothing that would put you or Angela in danger. I’m working... just not the kind of work you’re used to seeing."
Evelyn’s brows furrowed. "Work? What kind of work lets you throw away fifty thousand like loose change? And afford this car?"
"Let’s say I have a business, Mom. I have been keeping this a secret for a long time. I just can’t bring myself to tell you yet," Timothy said.
Evelyn turned to him, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. "A secret business? Timothy, what does that even mean? You’re still a student! What kind of business makes this much money?"
"One that works. One that’s real. And one that’s enough to make sure you never have to scrub floors in a market stall again. Look, that’s all I can say mom. I swear I’m not doing illegal things."
"I trust you brother," Angela chimed in.
Evelyn had to cave in from the words his son had spoken. Timothy was not the type of man who would do illegal things, especially when she believed she had not failed to raise him.
"Okay..."
***
December 11th, 2024
Morning sunlight spilled across the streets of Manila as the black Ford Raptor rolled smoothly through the wide boulevards of Bonifacio Global City. High-rise towers shimmered against the sky, their glass walls catching the sun, a stark contrast to the cramped alleys of Tondo. Inside the car, Evelyn sat silently in the passenger seat, her hands folded tightly in her lap, while Angela pressed her face eagerly against the window, eyes widening at the sight of manicured trees and neatly paved sidewalks.
"Brother," Angela whispered, her voice tinged with awe, "this place looks... different. It’s so clean. Like we’re in another country."
Timothy smiled faintly as he maneuvered the Raptor into the familiar roundabout driveway of One Serendra. The security guards at the gate snapped to attention and saluted as the car passed. Evelyn’s brows knitted, her unease growing.
"Timothy..." she began carefully, "why are we here?"
"You’ll see soon, Mom," Timothy replied calmly, his tone steady, almost too steady.
The Raptor slowed to a stop beneath the tall glass awning of One Serendra. A uniformed guard stepped forward to open Evelyn’s door, while another politely greeted them with a bow. Evelyn hesitated before stepping out, clutching her worn handbag against her chest, as though the pristine marble of the lobby might reject her presence. Angela hopped out after her, spinning around to take in the vast towers rising above them.
"Brother, this place is like in the movies!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.
Timothy only gave a small smile as he gestured toward the entrance. "Come on. I have something to show you."
Evelyn’s suspicion sharpened, her steps cautious as she followed him inside. The grand lobby stretched wide, chandeliers spilling golden light across polished marble floors. Residents in tailored suits and designer dresses passed by, some glancing at Evelyn’s thrift clothes and Angela’s old shirt with curiosity.
Timothy hadn’t prepared them to dress nicely since this was a surprise. Well, don’t judge a book by its cover as they say. They don’t know the son of the lady they are probably mocking inside their mind has a whopping eight billion dollars in his account.
They reached the elevator. Timothy pressed the button for the eighteenth floor. The ride upward was silent except for the soft hum of the machine. Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest.
When the doors opened, Timothy led them down the carpeted hall until he stopped in front of a dark wooden door. He pulled a slim keycard from his pocket.
"Timothy... what is this?" Evelyn asked, her voice breaking.
Timothy slid the card, the lock clicked, and the door opened.
He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "This, Mom... is yours."
Evelyn blinked in confusion but stepped forward. Angela darted past her into the unit, her squeal of delight echoing through the wide living room.
The space was bathed in sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows. A gray sectional sofa sat beneath a gleaming flat-screen, a marble dining table stood ready with upholstered chairs, and the kitchen gleamed with brand-new appliances.
Angela ran to the window, pressing her palms against the glass. "Mama! Look! You can see the whole city from here!"
Evelyn remained frozen in the doorway, her lips trembling. "Timothy... no. Don’t tell me..."
Timothy stepped closer, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. "I bought this unit yesterday. Paid the down payment. This is our new home, Mom. You and Angela don’t have to go back to Tondo. Not anymore."
Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears, her hand flying to her mouth. For a long moment, she couldn’t speak, only staring at her son like she was seeing him for the first time.
"Timothy..." she whispered. "How... how could you...?"
Timothy gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I told you. I’m not doing anything illegal. I’ve been building something—something real. And this is only the beginning. You deserve better. Both of you do."
Angela came running back, her face flushed with joy. "Mama! Brother! Can we really live here? Can this really be our home?"
Evelyn finally broke, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pulled both her children into her arms. She shook her head, laughing through sobs.
"My son... my Timothy... what did I do to deserve this?"
Timothy hugged them tighter. "It’s not about what you did, Mom. It’s about what comes next. From now on, no more debts, no more late nights at the market. This is your new life. And I’ll make sure it only gets better."