King remained quiet while DK continued spilling things that he held for too long already. “Honestly, Aunt Rita knows everything that you are doing here. Jash and I got caught” he revealed that made King surprised even more. Jash just looked away; he unintentionally told King’s family about Joanna and him being in the same room together with DK’s son.
Flashback…
Jash and DK touched down in Alabama as instructed by Engr. Joel. “This heat’s stressing me out” Jash complained while taking off his sunglasses. “Let’s get to business right away. I don’t plan on staying here so long” DK replied while checking his luggage. Jash chuckled, “I know. I’m sure you can’t wait to go home and see DJ,” he said.
DK grabbed a little meal for takeout with Jash in the nearest diner place they could go. Jash took out his card and paid their orders. They were both ready to go when a familiar lady approached them – a customer in the diner place also. Jash’s eyes circled upon recognizing who the lady was. “A-aunt Rita?” he asked which made DK glance at them.
DK grabbed the takeout bag and spoke no words. “I didn’t expect to see you two here,” Aunt Rita said, giving the two lads a beso. “We are actually sent here for work by Uncle Joel’s construction company” Jash answered with a smile on his face. Aunt Rita touched DK’s arm and asked, “How have you been, Dior? It’s been so long; you’ve grown to be a man”. She knows that DK and King are former friends turned colleagues.
“Sorry, Aunt Rita. I’m actually fine, just tired from the flight” he said conveying his low mood. “Then rush now and get some rest” Aunt Rita said and allowed them to go. Jash and DK said their goodbyes and proceeded to the diner’s exit.
Something dropped from DK’s pocket; Aunt Rita hurriedly grabbed it and followed them to the station to return DK’s phone which he did not notice fell off from his pocket. Aunt Rita was holding the phone when it vibrated – a call from overseas popped on DK’s phone. Aunt Rita’s face conveyed confusion when she read King’s name on the call details.
She immediately answered it and heard her son’s voice from the other line. “Joanna and I will send Dion to preschool next week. Just gonna remind you that I’ll take care of the kid’s expenses. Do not bother me and Joanna anymore” King said in the call. Aunt Rita’s confusion widened, not understanding why King spoke to DK that way.
She went outside and saw DK and Jash waiting for a cab to the hotel the company provided for them to stay. She rushed to them and gave back DK’s phone. “I think this is yours, DK,” she said. DK got it from Aunt Rita’s hand and thanked her. “By the way, I have some things to talk with both of you. Wait for me here, I’ll just get my car” Aunt Rita said, not waiting for them to respond.
“What could be it?” Jash asked but both him and DK remained curious of what Aunt Rita will tell them. They rode her car and went to the village where King’s family was staying. Aunt Rita remained calm and quiet; not giving them any signs of what she was about to say. They pulled over and entered the house; they were greeted by King’s father and some housekeepers.
DK massaged his nape; he hadn’t slept well during the flight. Aunt Rita offered them a cold drink while they consumed the takeout food they ordered. She sat down in front of the two and readied the questions she was keeping in her mind. “I won’t make things complicated for the both of you…” Aunt Rita started while the two were having their meal.
“Dior, can you tell me more about the child named Dion?” she asked while looking at DK. He took a bite of the sandwich he ordered and answered, “Dion is my child with my wife Joanna”. Aunt Rita nodded while connecting the pieces of information she had in mind. They surely cannot get away from Aunt Rita’s knowledge as a part-time legal consultant in the States.
“So, Dion is the preschooler King is talking about earlier,” Aunt Rita said which made Jash and DK feel suspicious. “What do you mean?” DK asked, not having time for beating around the bush. Aunt Rita sighed and answered, “If Dion is your son and Joanna is your wife, how come King seems to be with them?”.
Jash awkwardly chuckled, “Uhm… I think we are not in the place to answer that, Aunt Rita,” he said but DK interrupted him. “Since we’re here already. Maybe it won’t hurt to tell the truth, right Jash?” DK replied that made his friend nervous. They are not there to reveal the secret; Jash is hesitant to talk however, DK decides to speak the truth and so he revealed what King did to destroy his family.
“King hired a hostess to frame me while I was drunk. And he took the chance to use it against me so Joanna would prefer him over me” DK concluded. Aunt Rita cupped her mouth in disbelief but she remained tough. “How can I be so sure that it is King who is at fault?” she asked to confirm. DK grabbed his phone and opened a digital document. He presented it to King’s mother and answered, “I got it all investigated. But I dared not to speak. I can feel Joanna is falling for King already”.
She held DK with her shaking hands and begged, “Please, don’t hurt King. Promise I will talk to him”. DK nodded, “Just promise us also that you won’t let King know about this. You just have to convince him to work here also. Hopingly he will get into his senses” DK replied.
End of flashback…
Jash stood up and went near them. “King, I hope you understand. No secrets can be kept forever. Besides, Aunt Rita promised to stay quiet until you reveal it to her. She is not mad at you anyway” he said while holding a glass of whiskey. “Traitors” King whispered, knowing that his downfall was nearing. DK chuckled, “Us? Traitors? I bet you did it first” he returned the sarcasm.
Jash looked at DK and asked, “So, what are you planning now? I’m sure you are going to chase after Joanna now”. DK shook his head, “I’ll let things cool down first. Who knows? Maybe she wants to have some alone time after everything that happened. Besides, I should not be the one to disclose King’s wrongdoing to her. I don’t want her to blame herself for trusting King too much” he answered.
King stood up and consumed the beer left in the bottle. “Don’t worry. Once I build up my courage, I will be the one to tell Joanna about what happened. I’ll get going now” King replied and bid goodbye to Jash and DK.