"DADDY!" I ran directly the moment I arrived in the mansion and he welcomed me home safe in his arms.
"My dear, what happened to you? Did they hurt you? Did they touch you?" Dad held my soiled sweaty hand and anxiously checked my body if I got hurt anywhere.
"Daddy," I sobbed, and he locked me in his tightest embrace. We are surrounded by investigators, police officers, as well as the maids. I haven't noticed them until one of the officers approached us and our family doctor arrived to check on me.
"Mr. Fortalejo, if it's okay for you and your daughter, we will ask a few questions about the kidnapping incident." I didn't pay attention to the police in front of me because my eyes were searching for Marc.
Where is he? Why he isn't here?
"It is much better Sir to give Ms. Fortalejo rest first before we proceed to the investigation." My doctor saved me, and Dad also agreed.
Vividly, I'm still weak to give a statement for the investigation. The private nurse assisted Manang Belen upstairs in the guest room treating her wounds while the doctor checked me up inside my room. Amidst checking my vital signs, Dad entered the room together with the nurse and spoke to us. He prescribed supplements for me after the nurse informed us that I ingested arsenic earlier in my juice. Dad's spirit was crushed due to shock after hearing from the nurse how Manang Belen described the sequence of events and the antidote she remedied for me. That answers how I came back from the dead. Clearly, I have no pulse and it tricked Mrs. Fuentes. After the doctor checked me up, I couldn't sleep because I wanted to see someone, none other than Marc. I was worried about him when I was kidnapped.
Could he be hurt? We need to talk but why can't I catch his shadow here in the mansion? Where is he? Did something bad happen to him?
I only came back to my senses when Manang Belen entered my room because the door was left open. I got up to greet Manang but she raised her palm and sat near my bedside table.
"Manang, how are your wounds? You need to rest." She smiled a little and following her from behind was Dad.
"Don't worry about me, I'm still as strong as a carabao." She even joked before she sat beside me. "I'm sorry if I haven't done anything for your mother. I was too late when I arrived and I can't return back the time, so from now on I'll do everything to make it up for you." I smiled sadly and held her hand.
"Manang, please don't think about that anymore. You saved my life and I'm grateful for that." I found myself again in the safest circles of Manang Belen's arms somehow, I felt that Mommy Sabrina is here... hugging me through her. Dad smiled as well from behind while watching us being a family.
"Manang Belen, my family is indebted to you. For more than 5 years, you served the Fuentes family in seeking justice for what happened to Sabrina. You sacrificed a lot for us and I'm sure that my wife is rejoicing that finally, we can give justice to the death of her best friend." I was shocked by the sudden revelation of Dad. So, it means that he knew Manang Belen from the start? That explains why I am alive. She has a connection to Dad, and does it mean that everything that happened is planned and backed up?
"Dad, can you tell me what's really going on? And where is Marc? I need to see him. Ms. Fuentes told me that… he ki-lled my real Mo-m, is that true?" I stood after unclasping from Manang Belen's hug. My forehead creased and Dad's fine lines are all showing in stress. Manang let out a heavy sigh and then held my hands. He looked directly into my eyes then Dad nodded. It was meaningful but I cannot understand.
Maybe this is just a misunderstanding, right? It couldn't be him. He can't be.
"I took the trust of the Fuentes couple so I could find evidence of my Sabrina's death and as I gathered information I gave it to your family since your mother was still alive. I continued to do so even though your mommy's condition worsen. While you were growing up, I was also the one who informed your mommy that you and Jacob had to be separated because... you are siblings." Manang Belen told me a long story and here I am again, lips quivering, crying while listening to her.
"Sir, here is the last evidence that will prove that Ms. Fuentes killed Sabrina because she wanted to get all the wealth of the Fuentes family and give it to her only son, Jacob." I was taken aback when I heard about the reason why that witch wants to kill me so bad.
"Attached to this are the conversations between her and her parents to kill Jessica because she found out, that Alejandro inherited all his land and farm to his daughter with Sabrina and nothing was left for Jacob." I took from the drawer the CD that Manang had given me earlier in the taxi and I gave it to Daddy. Dad examined the cover all the way inside and then put it in a zip lock that will help for the investigation.
"Alejandro has been looking for you for a long time but his wife Clara is preventing him." Manang Belen stopped telling her story when someone knocked on the room and Dad let her in. My heart almost jumped with joy because I was hoping to see the person I had been waiting for but...
"BESSSS!" Marz managed to enter my room and threw his body on my bed, then he cried about how worried he was about me. Speechless, he got up to hug me tightly with the twins.
"How did you know?" I sounded disappointed. I thought Daddy kept it a secret because I don't want my friends to worry about me, especially Marz. After all, he will go really crazy.
"Of course, Papa Marc informed us," Marz quickly answered me then they hugged me.
"Jess, we're going to sleep here because we're leaving tomorrow." Jia's voice cracked as she unhooked herself from me and hugged my Dad.
"Dad, why are we suddenly leaving? Where are we going?" I broke away from the tight hug of my friends and then looked at Dad, hoping for his answer to enlighten me.
"You are all going back to Cebu with Marc." My jaw almost dropped and when one of the maids knocked on the door and informed us that all my things were ready. I became more perplexed and restless.
"Dad, how about you? How about Manang Belen?" I anxiously asked transferring my look to them.
"We will take care of this. After you give your statement to the police tomorrow morning, you will directly leave CDO and you will stay in your new house." This time, I stood in surprise not because things happened so fast, and I need more time to be with Manang Belen to know more about my Mommy Sabrina.
Apparently, Dad plastered an expression that he already made up his mind and I understand that he was doing everything that is best for me... for us.
Eventually, the extra bed was transferred inside my room where my friends were already snoring except for me whose mind is still running in circles, overthinking about my situation. I can barely close my eyes to sleep because I'm mentally disturbed and bothered by what happened in that weird house. I kept having flashbacks earlier about how I drank poison, waking up beside my grave, running away for our lives, and now revelations that don't stop leaking in front of my eyes. One thing that keeps echoing inside my head was what Ms. Fuentes said back there before I lose my senses completely.
That Marc was an orphan and…
He killed my mom.
That's ridiculous, right?
How can a kid kill my mom?
Unbelievable! I just can't imagine, and I don't know how to handle myself if she's telling the truth. I tried contacting Marc for the countless time but he's not answering any of my calls nor replying to my chats and texts.
The next day, I revealed everything that happened to me in the safe house as best I could without crying in front of the police. I also told them everything I could remember. Manang Belen also helped the police to trace the location of the house because she served the owner. It turns out the owner was Ms. Fuentes's late father. It's heartbreaking but Manang Belen has to stay here in the mansion so that the case of my Mommy Sabrina can be reopened. I badly want to stay with her but maybe this is not yet the right time.
The interrogation with the police ended. Discreetly, I gave the suspected arsenic sample that I intentionally put on paper for testing in the laboratory. I firmly believe that Marc has nothing to do with my biological mother's death and I will prove it until the end. Later after we ate lunch as a family, my friends and I immediately headed to the oval with Manang Belen, Dad, a few maids, and bodyguards where the private chopper is awaiting. I was expecting to see Marc in the chopper as Dad instructed but disappointment struck me to the core when I can't even find his shadow inside the chopper.
"I know you didn't see how much your Mommy loved you but this is the last thing she left before she passed away. Take care Jessica and I promise, after all this, I will tell you everything about your Mommy." Manang Belen felt the warmth of my cheek and then gave me a similar CD she gave me yesterday. "Your Mommy and Daddy love you very much, don't forget that. Right now, everything is still chaotic and you don't get along with them, but one day you will also understand why all this has to happen." That's how she said goodbye to me. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and she was contented with how she sees my Mommy in me as if looking at an old picture of her child.
"Manang, maraming salamat po. I can't thank you enough every day for your loyalty and love for my Mommy and our family. I hope things will be settled once and for all so that I can be with you again. Manang Belen, please take care of yourself. Please watch over my Dad for me. Thank you for everything, Manang Belen. I know that we just met yesterday but, in my heart, I can feel our deep connection and I'm looking forward to spending time with you. Mahal kita." I hugged her so tight but not saying goodbye and after Dad spoke to the pilot and the co-pilot which is my not-so-close cousin Red. His sleepless face stared deeply at my face as he cupped my cheeks like a fragile glass.
Note: Maraming Salamat means Thank you. Mahal Kita - I love you in Filipino.
"I'm sorry you have to go through all of this my dear, I promise I will fix this and give you a normal life just like how we used to be. I love you my dear and advance Happy Birthday." My jaw almost dropped when Dad showed me a small pink box with silver leaf dangling earrings.
"Daddy..." I sobbed covering my face using my elbow. I'm so touched and overwhelmed by all the love I'm receiving.
"You know I'm always sad every time I have to be away from you, and I miss you every day." My voice cracked and my tears are threading as Dad rubbed my back cooing to comfort me and I can also hear the sad sighs of my friends who already settled inside the chopper.
"My dear, everything will be fine. For now, you have to go. Always take care of yourself okay? Don't worry about me." When I saw how aging is evident in my Dad's face, I cried more and I don't want to let go of his arms.
"Jess, we need to go. Marc needs you." My forehead creased in confusion when Hazel spoke from behind and I was torn between staying and leaving. Hopelessly, I let the twins grab my elbow almost dragging me inside the chopper.
"Uncle, we'll take care of it." Jia supported me and they both waved their hands while my eyes set on my father standing still under the persistent heat of the sun with an assuring smile that tomorrow will be a better day.
***
After 3 hours in the air, we landed safely in a wide vacant space. There was complete silence aside from the chopper's engine and no signs of people except for 3 black bulletproof cars with bodyguards all in black standing by and securing the perimeter.
Absentmindedly, we arrived in the new house that Father prepared for our safety, and just like in the safe house in CDO, we are surrounded by bodyguards tightly secured. We are not allowed to go outside whenever we wanted to, and we are required to be with our bodyguards all the time even in the garden.
Apparently, the dark clouds devoured the daylight reclaiming their throne above. I forced my eyes to shut close getting some rest after taking vitamins that the doctor prescribed but no matter how cozy my new queen-sized bed is, it doesn't feel right especially since I thought I'm going to finally see Marc today but he was not around. Earlier in the chopper, we had a conversation with Hazel, she refused to tell me anything after dropping a clue that gave a million goosebumps and overthinking in my mind and body.
A week passed full of patience and questions swirling in my head. Questions that remained questions until now that I haven't seen my love. Every day that passed made me miss him more, worry for him more, and think how he is, if he was doing well, or if he was hurt while trying to save me when bad guys were abducting me.
"Jess, we're here for you. If you want me to do cartwheel or do acrobats in front of you, I'll do it!" Marz jokingly told me while eating popcorn. We were watching Kimmy Dora with the bodyguards in the back while the twins were doing something in the kitchen. Later they came with ice cream and sliced ​​cake.
"Jess, we baked chocolate chip cookies partnered with sweet rainbow cake ice cream, especially for you." The twins sang sweetly as sweet as their creation. I really appreciate all the efforts they were doing for me. Although they weren't telling me until now where Marc is and why I can't see him temporarily, I respected them and patiently waited for his return.
By nightfall, everyone was sleeping soundly but my spirit was still awake like the beautiful moon in the dark sky. Since I couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried, I decided to leave the room and get some air on the balcony. I hugged myself as the cold wind caressed my body. I looked up at the peaceful sky full of bright stars smiling at me.
When will this all end?
When can I see him again?
When can we talk?
"Can't you sleep?" My eyes widened when I unexpectedly heard the voice that I wanted to hear again for a long time. I slapped myself as I thought I'm delusional. Perhaps, I'm just hearing voices in my mind because I keep thinking about him. I ignore it and go back to the room.
But, I was wrong.
The voice I heard was real. I am not imagining things because I wanted to see him. He's actually in front of me. There are still band-aids around his lips and forehead. He walked slowly closer to where I was standing. I didn't move an inch and my stare never left his face for a split second afraid that he'll be gone by my sight again. I remained on my spot until we were facing each other and he was smiling at me. I ran out of words to confess and my tears were the only way to tell him how much I missed him.
"I'm sorry..." He locked me inside the big circle of his arms, and I cried in silence as I ran my palm up to his back. This is what I need, the warmth of his embrace after a terrifying experience and I won't exchange this for any riches in the world.
***
"More stories!" I pouted while he was fixing the blanket up to my chest. He's sitting on my bed waiting for me to fall asleep, but I just can't.
"Jess, I ran out of children's stories you know. You need to sleep already." He tried convincing me but my obstinate attitude peaked every time insomnia hits me hard.
"But I'm not yet sleepy."
"Jess, you are safe here. I won't leave. I will stand on guard. No one will hurt you here okay?" He comforted me, assuring me that I'm gonna be fine. Lost in his gazes as deep as the depths of the ocean, I forgot to ask all the questions I have in mind because I was overjoyed the moment I saw him.
"Can't you stay?"
"I'll sleep here on the couch." He stood up from my bed with heavy eyes, but before he could leave, I reached his wrist and pulled him back to my side.
"Sleep beside me." I boldly said to his eyes making him gulp and looked around awkwardly as if it was our first time. We already slept together at CDO after that lantern festival in the tent, what's with the shyness now?
Eventually, he sat and wrapped himself in a blanket and when I noticed how uncomfortable he was, I initiated moving closer to him and let his shoulder extend so that I can lay my head on it.
"Good night, Heart. I love you." I almost whispered and slowly closed my eyes. The last thing I knew was he was brushing my hair using his hands whispering, "Sorry" repeatedly.
The next morning, I woke up alone on my bed. Afraid that last night was just a dream, I immediately threw my blanket and almost swoon when I stood because of a terrible headache. I shook it off and rushed downstairs with my sleeping dress on and messy hair. I searched the whole house to look for him but I couldn't find him, even my friends weren't in the room so I asked the maids relentlessly.
"Manang, have you seen Jia?" I breathlessly asked Manang who was carrying a tray of juice.
"They are in the garden, Ma'am," Manang answered modestly, then served juice to the guards around the house.
"Thank you." I immediately went back to the room and took a quick shower, changed clothes, and went straight to the pool where my friends were chilling.
"Best! Good morning! Or should I say good afternoon?" I was surprised when Marz opened up to me so my neck rushed to the wall clock and it was 2 pm already.
Gosh! How long did I oversleep? I exclaimed at the back of my mind.
"Where's Marc?" I asked Marz after sitting down on the sunbathing bed. Jia and Hazel were taking selfies while draining their bodies on the clear water.
"Hasn't he told you yet?" I frowned at what Marz said and didn't answer. He went up and asked Manang for juice the same maid I asked earlier.
"My ghaad best! Your face is obviously clueless. I thought... he already confessed to you last night." The strong pounding in my chest came back again and I can't explain it. It doesn't have anything to do with what Mrs. Fuentes said, right?
"Marz, what is that all about? Please just tell me. I hate it when everyone just keeps on dropping hints and I don't have any idea." I pulled my hair in frustration then I held both of his arms but he looked away and approached me hesitantly.
"Best! Just ask him directly. He's already approaching us." Marz stood in the middle of our conversation and left me unanswered.
"Jess, I need to tell you something... in private." Marc's face was restless and I gazed into his eyes for a very long time torn between hearing the truth from him and pretending that the past is a forgotten scroll of history. He hasn't said anything yet but I feel like I know what we're going to talk about and I'm skeptical.
I'm afraid something will change.
I'm afraid I might make a mistake.
I am afraid of what will happen next.
He offered his hand to me and he walked me out to the garden back inside the house. He led me to the library where no guards are watching, just the two of us. I saw how he nervously gulped and turned his back to breathe. He flinched when I tapped his shoulder, but I mustered the courage to tell him, "Heart, you can tell me whatever it is. I will understand." I carefully cupped his cheeks and lean my forehead against his. His jaw moved aggressively, and he removed my hands away from him. I was confounded when he moved backward putting a distance from me.
"I'm sorry." He knelt in front of me stirring a lot of emotions inside me. Ever since last night, he kept saying sorry and I cannot grasp what is it all about.
"Heart, why are you apologizing?" My heart doubled in beat as tears covered his eyes in mist.
"It was me."