LOGIN"What was that" Jethro asked."What?""What you did earlier? That was so over the top, huh?" Jethro said when I went to the kitchen. He was busy wiping the table."What do you mean over the top?" I asked again in confusion."Wasn’t it too much when you hugged your future stepfather? It’s like you never hated him before," he said, teasing me."You know what, Jethro? You’re the one who hates me. What’s wrong with hugging Daux—I mean—sir Dauxfer? You just can’t believe that we’re already close," I replied."It’s not hate, Menchie. It’s just surprising," he defended, but I only shook my head."You know what? I’m excited for tomorrow! I will finally meet his daughter, Astrid," I told him."Huh? You’re excited? Your mom isn’t even close with her," he said."We’ll become close someday. I just need to know what she likes and doesn’t like. Maybe she’s only strict at first because we don’t know each other yet," I explained."I hope so. I even heard from your mom that that girl has a bad attitud
"How was the ride?" Dauxfer asked after we finished riding the 'Wheel of Fate'. It was delightful. For a moment, I felt like I had returned to childhood.Well, technically, I am still young after all. I’m only twenty-three as Menchie."It was fun, sir. It’s a pity Astrid isn’t here," I mentioned. I noticed that although Dauxfer smiled, there was something hidden behind it."Yeah... but she doesn’t really like rides. She prefers enjoying herself with her friends, so I let her."I simply nodded slowly at Dauxfer. I could feel the quiet sadness behind his eyes, and the heaviness in his expression."Anyway, are you hungry? Come on, let’s eat. It’s already 6:00 PM, and it’s time for dinner.""Okay, babe. Let’s go," Mama replied, and we headed to a nearby restaurant.We ordered our food, and shortly afterward, Dauxfer’s phone suddenly rang."Hello, Astrid... yeah... are you? Okay... see you soon, baby. Bye," Dauxfer said before ending the call."W-Was that Astrid you were talking to?" I ask
"M-Menchie? Why?" Mama asked in confusion because of my emotional reaction upon seeing my husband. I froze for a moment and only then realized that I was Menchie... not Radiant."U-Uhmm... I-I was just happy. I’ve always longed to have a father, so I got excited," I lied.I looked at Dauxfer again and saw the smile forming on his lips. He seemed pleased by what I said."I’m so glad that you’re here, Menchie. I thought you wouldn’t accept me as your mom’s boyfriend," Dauxfer said."I-I thought so too... sir," I replied."Babe, let’s eat," Mama invited, and we all sat around the dining table. At the head of the table sat Dauxfer, with Mama beside him, while I took the seat next to her.I noticed that they had no intention of praying before eating. A faint disappointment stirred within me. We had never been like this before."Uhmm... Daux—I mean—sir, are we the only ones eating? Is there no one else joining us?" I asked."Yes. Astrid is in Boracay with her friends."My ears rang the mome
"This is not a fantasy story. I'm telling the truth, Jethro," I insisted.He finished washing the dishes, merely shaking his head at my stubbornness."Suit yourself. I still have a lot to do, Menchie. Besides, you should start getting ready since you and your mom are leaving soon," he said, but I did not respond."Y-You don’t believe me?" The question slipped from my lips. Jethro turned to me again and gave me a faint smile."Menchie, I’m your friend, and you can trust me with anything. But something this impossible? It’s hard to believe," he answered. I drew in a deep breath. Explaining my real identity to him was far from easy.What more if I were to face my family?What would I say? That I am Radiant Monrovia trapped inside the body of Menchie Robert?Tsk!"Come on, Menchie. Start moving before your mom gets mad at you for being late," Jethro said in farewell before leaving me alone.He probably thinks I’m losing my mind.I shouldn’t have spoken so impulsively.IT WAS TEN IN the mo
It was already half past eleven at night, yet I still could not fall asleep. Memories of who I used to be were haunting me again.Even though I have stayed in this new world for more than a week, I still cannot stop myself from thinking about the people I love, my real family.Where could they be now?I shifted slightly on the bed so Melanie would not notice that I was awake. We were sleeping side by side because she was worried I might relapse into another hysterical episode.I want to see my husband.I want to see my whole family.And my daughter... Astrid.Because I miss them so much, I could not stop the tears from falling. My chest felt unbearably heavy. Why did this happen to me?Did I sin against God that He is punishing me like this?I WAS WOKEN up early because we were scheduled to visit my mother’s boyfriend’s mansion today."Jethro, aren’t you coming with us?" I asked him while he was busy wiping the table."Why would I come? I’m not your mom's child," he replied."But you’
"Come on, let’s eat," Jethro invited when I made my way to the dining area of the house. I still couldn’t stop myself from glancing around because my life here was completely different from my real one."You cooked that?" I asked Jethro when I saw the steaming Beef Steak placed neatly on top of the table."This? Of course," he answered confidently. Really? It looked delicious!The aroma alone was rich and inviting.Jethro and I took our seats at the six-seater dining table. He led the prayer, and only after we finished did I scoop rice onto my plate."W-Where is Mela—I mean—Mom?" I asked him carefully."She’s at work. She’ll probably resign soon once she marries her boyfriend. He’s actually asking her to stop working already because he wants to be the one to stand as your father," Jethro explained."Really? That’s very kind of him," I replied softly."What? Kind? You’ve really changed, Menchie," Jethro teased, clearly unconvinced."What are you talking about?""Fine! It really does se







