Knowing the fact that Maureen was affiliated with Ghino behind my back, her involvement in the case might not only jeopardize our plan but put Judas at risk. So, before the tension between them got extended, I removed Maureen's hands from me. "We know you have a good intention, Maureen. But I'm afraid we cannot get you involved with it. Even Judas didn't want me to know his whereabouts..." "But she knew about his whereabouts, right, Elaine?" Maureen insisted before she crossed her arms around her chest and slightly rested the side of her shoulder on Dylan. "So, what's the point of having this conversation if you didn't know the entire story? How are you going to protect Judas if that would be the case?" Elaine and I exchanged bothered glances, to the point that we ignored the awkward feeling that happened between us before Maureen interrupted our conversation. After reading each other's minds, Elaine nodded at me, still skeptical, but Maureen left us with no other

Despite my eyes being fixed on the table across from me, the first thing that I noticed was that Noah and Elaine exchanged glances, especially when Judas avoided making eye-to-eye contact with any of us right after asking him that. Elaine's bothered eyes were telling me that they agreed to my confrontation. We could have done something for them if he or his Mom already told us something from our first time visiting their squatter residence. Needless to say, his Mom also died at the hands of the person behind my dad's death. "You were supposed to be cooperating with us instead of playing hard to get. After all, we have one thing in common. Our loved ones fall into the hands of the same person. So, I'll cut these nonsense demands, Mr. Nacua. Tell us the name of the person who gave your family half a million dollars." The heavy tension that hung in the air overwhelmed the entire room when all of us were put into profound silence. Judas must tell us about his truth and li

Elaine caressed my shoulders for a few seconds before she removed them from me. Then she turned around, carrying her serious expression. "I'm afraid I can't cancel my schedule with Ghino, Dylan." she hissed. "But we already had our plan, Elaine! Have you forgotten about helping me know the truth behind Dad's death, huh?" I frowned before I insisted. "Can you just skip that part in your marriage? Maureen and I did not do that." We agreed to face all the odds together to make the impossible possible - to follow what our hearts speak - to fight for our love. But from the way I understand her case, she chose Ghino over me. Before Elaine could say a word, she lifted the corners of her lips and turned them into a half smile. Then she reached out to my cheeks and uttered, "I know, Dylan. And I love you. But, have you forgotten I am Ghino's fiancee now?" My heart could not understand and fathom Elaine's upfront response. She loves me yet she cannot be with me was what I un

Seeing Ghino with his eyes burning in turmoil was the first time in our four months of being in a relationship. The weird and suffocating sensation felt like he choked me hard in the neck. For some reason, I wasn't expecting someone as calm and understanding as Ghino to get mad to the point that the veins in his neck popped out. What I was about to do was simply check on Dylan but he already threatened me. Even if we have shared the same feelings, after all, I am still his secretary. And part of my job was to take good care of him. "Elaine, are you all right?" Brother Noah contorted his face while looking at me with curiosity and confusion. He slowly dragged his gaze to Ghino who shared the same expression as him. "Aren't you supposed to check on Dylan?" Ghino added, his voice was calm without a trace of his turmoil five seconds ago. Wait, everything that happened five seconds ago was simply part of my helpless daydreaming? "Is everything all right, Elaine?" B

"Do you want to talk to them over the phone first?" I proposed when it was the first idea that popped out of my brain. In that way, he could have his first impression of them or the other way around. On top of that, we don't know, if he might get discouraged once they could make a conversation over the phone. "Do you think it's a good idea?" Ghino frowned as he kept on caressing my hands. "I mean, not that I don't want to, but I think it would be better if we could talk in person, right?" I could not help but sense that he was uncomfortable with the idea so I removed his hands from me and reached out to my purse. Then I dialed Mom's digits. "Mom, this is me your daughter, Elaine. It's been a while. How's dad?" I eagerly breathed the second she answered the call. Then I glanced at Ghino who rested his head on the glass window looking at me with his anxiety apparently visible with a human eye. "Of course. So sorry if it took me long enough to reach out to you