★★★★★
Everyone watched in astonishment as Mr. Monterio went on his knees, staring at them with a remorseful gaze on his face.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“I know it’s already too late for this, but believe me, I’m badly regretting my actions now”
“You really don’t have to” Hailey went to him and tried to get him to stand up but he refused.
“No, I have to. I was wrong, I shouldn’t have done that to you and your family. It was so foolish of me” he said.
“I was only after my son’s happiness. We’ve gone through a hard time in the past and I didn’t want that to repeat itself, I’m so sorry. I should have just reasoned it with you before acting rashly” Mr. Monterio said.
“You’re Charles’ Dad?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes. I know no amount of apology will bring back the damages I’ve done, but I’m ready to make amendment please”
He faced Hailey.
“Hailey, I’m so sorry. For calling you all sorts of names and for hurting you emotionally, I’m sorry. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, please”
Sebastian glanced at Leah who smiled at him. He sighed heavily before facing Mr. Monterio.
“We already forgave you even without you coming here. It wasn’t our fault that we are poor anyways. Besides, your son already apologized on your behalf” he said.
Mr. Monterio looked at Charles who had no expression on his face.
Hailey held his hand and raised him up, she smiled gently at him.
“You’re Charles’ Dad, so why won’t I forgive you?” She muttered.
Mr. Monterio smiled.
“You’re so good, Hailey. Your parents did great in raising you, thank you for forgiving me despite everything I’ve done to you” he said.
He looked at Charles.
“Charles, Dad is sorry, okay? I just lost my senses for a while, now I know people are truly different. You made me realize that, Hailey made me realize that. I can boldly say, you both are free to date, I’m giving you my blessings right now”
On hearing that, a wide smile spread on Charles’ lips.
“Is it possible for them to get married now?” Mr. Monterio asked.
Everyone bursted into a loud laughter as it echoed around the house.
“I’m serious here, Hailey is the best daughter-in-law I’d ever wished for. I must commend you both for a great job” he smiled.
Jaime smiled and looked at Lilian. He couldn’t believe they were going to be inlaws.
“We’re about having dinner, why don’t you join us?” Leah asked.
“Of course, I’ll gladly do that,” Mr. Monterio smiled.
****
IN A HOTEL***
Roberto paced around the room, a stick of cigarettes in his hand. He was smoking heavily as different thoughts were swirling in his head.
What if Cecilia was already with Andrius? What if they’re back together? What if she already told him the truth?
“Why is the time so slow?” He yelled out. He arrived a few hours ago and he already made plans to visit Andrius the next day since it was late already.
“Cecilia, you won’t escape from me, not while I’m alive. I’ll kill your d@mn husband and your useless children if that means having you by my side without any obstacles” he said to himself.
He never knew she was gonna escape from him, after making sure the house was heavily guarded, she still managed to escape.
“You’ll surely pay for making me panic,” he said to himself, releasing smoke from his mouth.
****
MONTERIO’S FAMILY HOUSE***
Cecilia and Alexa alighted from the cab and paid the cab man before the car drove off.
“Are we in the right place, ma’am?” Alexa asked, staring at the gigantic mansion in front of her.
“I hope so,” Cecilia sighed heavily. She actually got the address when she searched for Andrius Monterio in Social Media.
They walked to the gate and it started beeping loudly when they got to it.
“What’s going on?” Alexa panicked.
Soon, different men came outside and surrounded them, frightening the hell out of Cecilia and Alexa.
“Who are you?” They chorused.
“We’re not bad people please” Alexa begged, she was almost in tears.
“I’m… I’m looking for Andrius” Cecilia stammered. Would they even allow them in?
“I need to talk about some things with him,” she added.
“How dare you address the Chairman as his name?!” One guy yelled.
“We can’t allow you to enter here so go back to where you are from” one of them said.
“Please, we…” Cecilia stopped when they all pointed their guns at them.
“If you don’t want to get killed then take ourselves away” they all entered the house.
Alexa fell to the floor, her heart thudding loud against her chest. She couldn’t believe she almost lost her life.
“Alexa, are you okay?” Cecilia asked.
“I’m… I’m..”
Cecilia pulled her to her chest and rubbed her back for a few times before pulling away.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this, Alexa. I’m so sorry” she said
“I just need to see my family even if they don’t believe me, I just want to see my children” Cecilia said.
“Can we stay here a little bit?” She asked.
“How? They won’t even allow us in”
“We can just lurk around, who knows if Andrius might come out” Cecilia said.
“Please Alexa” she begged.
“No problem, ma’am”
Cecilia smiled at her. Alexa used almost all her savings to prepare a flight for them to Washington as fast as possible.
“Thank you” she muttered.
****
BROOKLYN’S RESIDENCE, 10PM***
Everyone sat on the floor, looking tired. They finished eating a few hours ago. They’re all resting.
Lilian and Jaime excused themselves and walked to the kitchen while Charles and Hailey went to Hailey’s room.
“I’m glad everything turned out to be good” Hailey smiled after they entered the room.
“Hmm, never knew he was going to act that way” Charles muttered, referring to his Dad.
“That’s because he’s actually a nice person”
Charles smiled before holding her hand.
“Thank you for forgiving him even after everything he did to you, you really are what I need in a woman” he said.
Hailey blushed and hit his chest slightly.
“What’s with the cheesy words?” She muttered.
“Right. Your Dad mentioned about your Mom during the dinner, he said she’s dead… Is that true?” She suddenly asked.
“I don’t know and I don’t care. A mother that abandoned her husband and children who were still very young, is that a mother?”
“Charles,” Hailey called softly.
“She might have had her reasons,” she said.
“Reasons? Well, yeah she did. Reasons were because my Dad was poor. I don’t care if she’s alive or dead, all that I know is, I don’t want to ever set my eyes on her again” Charles said coldly.
Hailey sighed and hugged him, placing her arms around his waist.
“I’m sorry for bringing back the past,” she muttered. It must have hurt a lot for them.
She didn’t want to imagine what would have happened to her and Jaime if her mother should abandon them.
She quickly shrugged the thoughts away, it was never happening. Never!
***
