“You saved me, Perez. I am so sorry to bother you when you are together with your wife,” agad nagsalita si Barbara nang makapasok na siya sa kotse at umupo sa backseat. Madeleine peaked at the rear-view mirror and was suddenly shy when she was caught by Barbara for looking at her.“Hello, you are Madeleine, right? I am Barbara, by the way. Perez’s bestfriend,” pakilala ni Barbara sabay lahad ng kan’yang kamay.It would be rude to not accept the handshake kaya agad tinanggap ni Madeleine ang kamay nito at nag-handshake silang dalawa.“Why did you do, Barbara? Ito ang unang beses na naglayas ka, what are even doing?” pagalit na tanong ni Perez ngunit may halong pag-aalala sa boses nito. Tahimik lang si Madeleine at nakikinig.“Nag-away lang kami ni Dad, okay? Maliit na hindi pagkakaunawaan lang,” sagot naman ni Barbara.“Small misunderstanding? Is it enough for you to run away? Just like that?” hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Perez habang nagmamaneho.Hindi na pinansin ni Barbara si Perez

“At talaga ngang sinusubok mo ako, Barbara! You are being insensible. I’ve raised you, binigay ko sa’yo ang magandang buhay ngayon ay susuwayin mo lang ako. I can’t believe nakipagbalikan ka sa lalaking iyon. I supported you before dahil you said Xenon will get the inheritance. Now, what? He cheated on you; he already loses the trust with some of the board members!” galit na sabi ng nasa kabilang linya.Napakagat ng labi si Barbara at pinapakalma ang kan’yang galit na ama. “Dad, just trust me one more time, okay? I love Xenon, you know that. He also loves me, gano’n naman siguro ang pag-ibig di’ba, Dad? This is just a challenge that we need to conquer. Xenon had always been the one who was cast aside from any business matters, I want to give him a chance to prove himself. And if I can help him, I will do this to make him happy. Let’s support him one more time.” Pagkukumbinsido ni Barbara sa kan’yang ama.“You.. foolish child!” sigaw naman ng kan’yang ama. “Don’t be fooled with that ma