Chapter 2

"Oh, God! Where can I get such a big amount of money! One million pesos?" I slumped down on the old sofa of our small apartment.

I want to cry because of the huge problem I am facing right now. The result of Thalia's check-up has come out, she has heart disease. And worse, it will take us a million or more for her operation.

"I did all kinds of work, just to put food on our table. And now, a million peso?"

My friend had pitiful eyes when I glanced at her. "How I wished I can help you with your problem."

"What should I do, Wena? The doctor said, my daughter needs to be treated immediately. She needs to get operation as soon as possible."

I stood up and walked back and forth in front of her. I don't know where to go to find help. I don't have anyone else, I only have Wena and Thalia.

"Should I just sell my kidney?" I said out of desperation.

"Smart ass!" She stood up and walked straight to me. "Even if you sell all your internal organs, it would not still be enough!"

"Then, what would I do? Should I sell my body instead? But even if I do, no one will buy either!"

She rolled her eyes and scratched her head. I noticed something unusual about her reaction. It was as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"We both know the answer to your problem," she said.

I stopped, frowning at her. "What?"

"Not what, who!"

I stared at her face for a long time. There was a look of confusion on my face, but when I figured out what she meant, I quickly shook my head.

"Wena, no!"

"Tanya, yes!" She glared at me. "You just have to choose! Either your pride or your daughter?"

"But Dylan will take my daughter from me!"

"You don't know that!"

I shook my head and went back to the sofa. "I know him, Wena! Besides, he and Dayana already have a family. And if he finds out about Thalia, he might take her from me! I can't let that happen!"

"Then, fight for your rights! Make an agreement! You are the mother, the law will be on your side. And one more thing, Thalia has the right to meet her own father!"

"What's that, Aunt Wena? My father is still alive?"

Wena and I froze when we heard Thalia's voice from the stairs. I stood up quickly. We look at each other when Thalia run towards us. Wena looked at me as if she was guilty.

"Mommy, is that true? Is my father really alive? You said he died? Why did you lie, mommy?"

It broke my heart when I saw pain in my daughter's eyes. I don't want her to look for Dylan, so I said that he died in an accident. I never thought she would ever know the truth.

"Baby, I'm sorry..."

"Mommy, I want to meet him."

My heart almost broke when I saw the mixture of sadness and longing in her eyes. God, what will I do now?

Before I could answer, Wena pulled me into a corner. "This is your chance! Tell her the truth! Your daughter and her father both need each other. Think of Thalia, Tanya."

I stared at her for a long time before turning to Thalia who was just looking at us, still waiting for my answer. Even if it's against my will, I couldn't do anything but give fate what it wanted to happen... for Dylan and I to cross paths again.

I went back to Thalia and knelt in front of her. "Baby, I'm sorry mommy lied to you."

"You said it was bad to lie."

"Yes, that's why I'm sorry." I stroked her hair before pulling her in for a hug. "Mommy, does that means, I still have a dad?"

A tear rolled down my cheek when I heard what she said. I was still hugging her so I couldn't see her face. "Yes, baby."

"That means, I still have a complete family?" She let go of my hug and jumped happily. "Yehey! I have a daddy! My friends won't make fun of me anymore because I now have a complete family!"

I looked at Wena after hearing those words. I wanted to cry in those moments. I don't know how to explain everything to Thalia when she finds out the truth.

***

"When will I meet him, mommy?" 

I stopped folding clothes, and walked towards the bed to get Thalia. She was standing on top of it and jumping up and down.

"Soon, baby."

"When is it soon? I want to meet him right now! I'm so excited!"

I smiled when I saw the excitement on her face. I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned my back against the headboard. Thalia was still in my arms.

She has been talking non-stop about how excited she is to meet her father. It's a good thing because she wasn't too curious to ask about anything else. I don't know how to answer her when she starts asking questions.

I just wish everything would turn out well. But, I feel like fate is playing with me. Because when morning arrived, I face another problem that pushed me further to decide to meet Dylan.

"Sita, we paid our rent for this month! You can't kick us out!"

Our landlady stepped toward me, glaring at me. "How many times do I have to tell you, I'm selling this land! I have remind you countless times!"

"Well, if that's the case, you should have not take the money I gave you!"

"Let me just remind you, Tanya. I didn't want to accept your money, but you keep begging and insisting for me to take it! Well, I don't care anymore! Pack your things because tomorrow, you are leaving!" She took something out from her pocket and slammed it down on the table. "Here's your money! You can't even pay me on time, but you talk as if you are paying me twice!"

She clench her fists and stormed out of the room. I swallowed hard after she left. I looked at my neighbors who witnessed the dispute between me and my landlady. They were whispering and looking at me as if I did something wrong.

I picked up the money and quickly entered our apartment. "Inconsiderate, bitch!"

I want to cry with so much anger. If only we had somewhere else to go, I wouldn't stay in this shitty apartment. This apartment is so expensive but with frequent power outages!

I quickly got dressed and left Thalia in Wena's care. Now I'm inside a taxi and on my way to Aragon Corporation, the company owned by Dylan's family.