Chapter 2: Land Title

Chapter Two

As Lohan fell asleep, Simone emerged again to join those who were keeping vigil that night. Up to now, Simone still couldn't believe that she had finally met Colleen's irresponsible husband, who had been missing for over six years. She still felt the ache in her heart. She didn't understand why her heart raced when she saw Jonathan Clark, perhaps it was her instinct to recognize who Jonathan was and suddenly appeared tonight.

She was greeted by Carol and other neighbors who were also attending the wake. Some were drinking but not drunk yet, still in their right minds.

"Oh Simone, sorry for letting that man in, huh. Although we had an idea who he was, we thought it might cause a scene if we sent him away," Carol apologized, Lucille’s daughter. "But even though we let him in, we're ready to kick him out if needed," she added, nodding to the others who agreed.

Simone shook her head. "You don't need to explain. I think it's normal for him to come to his ex-wife's wake," she said and sighed, then turned her attention to where Colleen lay.

"If that's the case, why did you send him away?" Lucille asked directly, making Simone look at the others.

"I was afraid he might be here to take the kids."

It was six years ago when her brother, Samuel, brought home Colleen. She knew she was married, so it wasn't easy for her to accept Colleen, but they explained why she chose to come with her brother, so Simone understood in the end. Colleen said she was abused by her husband's family, so when she learned she was pregnant, she decided to save herself and her child. Colleen said her ex-husband knew she was pregnant, but he didn't care because he loved his family more than her. So what stuck in Simone's mind was how worthless her husband was, and it wasn't surprising that Colleen left him.

Simone's grandparents didn't like her mother either. For some unknown reason, their names seem to be attached to the in-laws who didn't get along with their children's spouses, and Simone's family was one of those in that situation. Fortunately, her father never let her mother be treated poorly by others. So Simone also felt sorry for Colleen because her husband wasn't as responsible as her father. Her brother, Samuel, learned from their father, so she was sure and confident that Colleen would find what she didn't experience with her husband in her brother.

They became friends with Colleen, and she became like a big sister to Simone. Unfortunately, even though their relationship was good, it didn't end well for Colleen and Samuel. Samuel worked abroad to provide a better future for Colleen and her child. Their three-years relationship was good, but eventually, it changed when Samuel was in Saipan. In the end, they still separated but on good terms. Samuel was still recognized as the father of Colleen's children, Lindsay and Lohan, twins named after Colleen's favorite actress.

Colleen's children are twins, a girl and a boy. Lohan is healthy and strong, everyone who sees him can't help but praise him because of his handsome features. There are almost no features of Colleen visible in him. Only Colleen knows why, and that's because Lohan really looks like his father, Jonathan. So it's not surprising that even as a child, he's handsome. His perfect nose, pitch-black eyes, red lips, no wonder who's the father. He looks like mini Jonathan, especially when he smiles.

Lindsay, on the other hand, takes after Colleen. Her curly light black hair, big round eyes, with long curly eyelashes and a slender nose. Every perfect feature of Colleen's face, she got them all. Lindsay is very beautiful like an angel baby, she looks perfect, but until they realized her condition. Lindsay has a disability; she can't walk. They noticed something was different when they were one year old. Lohan was learning to get up, crawl, and even stand sometimes. But Lindsay couldn't. She was weaker than her brother. They thought it might be a delay, but when Lohan started walking and she didn't, they knew something was wrong.

They took the child to a specialist, but the doctors found nothing wrong. Perhaps Lindsay was premature when she was born, or maybe she inherited something from her relatives. That's all the doctors could say.

Because of Lindsay's condition, even though Samuel and Colleen are separated, Simone didn't leave her friend to take care of the children. She knew that in Lindsay's condition, the only thing they can give her is their pure love and unconditional care. Even on Colleen's deathbed, all she talked about was taking care of and loving her children, especially Lindsay. That's Colleen's deathbed wish to Simone, and she willingly gave Colleen her word.

"But Simone, wouldn't it be better if the children were with him? Especially since Colleen's husband seems wealthy, he might be able to find better doctors for the child," Lucille suggested.

Simone, exhausted, sat down on the nearest chair. She briefly considered what the lady said, but in the end, she shook her head.

"Rich and heartless. Have you forgotten how Colleen's former in-laws treated her? If they are that kind of person, do you think they will treat the disabled child properly?"

She felt disheartened by her own idea. Simone didn't want to think badly of people she didn't really know, but she couldn't help it, especially since all she had to hold onto were the stories of Colleen and her brother, and her promise to protect and care for the two children. Painful as it may be to accept, she was aware that there are such kinds of people, who can be cruel even to their own flesh and blood.

Carol sat beside her. "You have a point there. I just hope that man won't come back here, so the days until Colleen's burial will be peaceful."

Simone just sighed in response, recalling what happened earlier. Thankfully, she immediately recognized who Jonathan was earlier, before she could describe the appearance of what seemed like an Adonis suddenly appearing in their place. No one could blame Simone, even if she didn't get to look at Jonathan. At first glance, his handsome and attractive appearance was noticeable. But Simone was still grieving for Colleen's loss, perhaps that's why she didn't care about anything or anyone now, except for the two orphaned children.

Simone closed her eyes tightly as she remembered what Jonathan said earlier. He wanted to cover all the expenses for Colleen's burial. She had already made up her mind not to accept it, but if he insisted, hopefully, his staff would be the one to return, not Jonathan Clark.

***

That night passed, just as promised Simone rested until morning, and there were fewer people at the wake. Lucille, who got rest last night, was in charge that morning. The neighbors and friends who stayed up last night were also gone. It was already noon when Simone woke up and decided to start taking care of her deceased friend's papers, so they could bury her. They didn't know any of Colleen's relatives, so they weren't waiting for anyone to arrive. Samuel couldn't easily come home because of work and expenses.

Simone absentmindedly ran her hand through her hair while staring at Colleen's drawer, where she knew her important belongings were kept, but she couldn't find what she needed.

"Colleen's birth certificate isn't here, Aunt Lucille. That's one of the things I need to get her death certificate."

Why did their town require so many documents before they could bury the deceased?

"Maybe it's in another place?" Lucille also helped in the search.

Simone shook her head. "I've searched the house, and I even asked Lohan where his mommy usually puts her things, it's only here," she said while rummaging through the drawer again. The only things there were the children's papers and bill records.

"Girl, maybe it's with her ex-husband? Weren't they like a runaway bride and groom somehow?" Carol interrupted.

Simone paused and thought about what Carol said. She was right, Colleen barely had anything with her when her brother brought her home, just a handbag with few clothes. She also tried to remember when Colleen might have needed those papers, but she couldn't recall. Colleen and the children's only source of livelihood was helping Simone with her online selling. Simone owned the business, so the permit was also under her name. She also remembered that Samuel was the only one who could leave the country because Colleen couldn't due to lack of papers, but they were planning to move abroad together when the children were a year old. They had just changed plans when they broke up. 

"Maybe you're right," she said, then looked at Carol in wonder. Carol was the one who was supposed to watch over Colleen in the garage, she was being helped by Lucille in the search. "Why are you here? Where's Lohan?"

Carol snapped her fingers. "Oh, right. I was about to call you, Jonathan Clark's man is outside."

"Why am I not surprised," she muttered. "Why?"

"He said he's here to talk to you, he's outside because he wants to talk to the person arranging Colleen's burial."

She went outside to face what was she mentioned. She felt relieved when she saw that the man there was the same one who was with Jonathan last night. His name was Lorenzo, he said. But she became nervous again when she noticed that Lorenzo kept glancing at the two children beside each other, Lohan and Lindsay. They were playing chess, they only knew how to move the pieces to eat. Simone once thought she taught them, but they couldn't remember all the rules.

Simone cleared her throat to get Lorenzo's attention. He immediately turned to her with his hands behind his back.

"Good afternoon, Miss Simone."

"Good afternoon." She was in a good mood since it wasn't Colleen's irresponsible ex-husband in front of her, so she was polite. "You're looking for me?"

"Yes, Miss Simone. I was with Jonathan Clark last night." 

"I remember you," she nodded.

"He wants me to give you this." He handed her a long, thin envelope. In curiosity, Simone accepted it and immediately opened it before Lorenzo could say goodbye.

Her eyes widened when she saw that it was a money check worth 500,000. Signed and with Jonathan Clark's name. She immediately knew what it was for. But this amount was too much, way more than they spent and would spend in the coming days.

"He said to let him know if that's not enough, he also wants to give this to you." He handed her another folder. Simone didn't want to take it, but it was already given to her. When she looked at it, she felt even more dizzy.

"A land title?"

Lorenzo nodded. "That's under Mr. Clark's name, but you can use it anytime since you have all the papers. Just contact him if there's anything that needs to be signed, his contact is also in the folder. He bought land in a graveyard so you wouldn't have to worry about his wife's burial-"

Simone quickly shook her head and didn't let Lorenzo finish. "I can't accept this. Tell your boss that all the expenses are already complete, it's not necessary."

She returned the folder and envelope to Lorenzo. But instead of accepting it, he stepped back two steps away from her and put his hands behind his back.

"I apologize, Miss Simone, but Mr. Clark said that if you return these to me, don't accept it. If you want to return it, you should talk to him directly." He bowed. "I'll take my leave. Thank you."

He turned and walked away. Simone just stood there, gaping at Lorenzo until he left their garage. She felt tricked. It was clear from last night that she wouldn't accept the offered help, so maybe he used that trick on her. Simone wanted to curse when she fully recovered, but she didn't do it because the two children were watching her.

"He must be really rich. He was able to buy land here in Bulacan right away, and he also has the title, which means it's not on installment," Carol said, amazed, not noticing that Simone isn't happy with what's happening right now. 

Simone shook her head and thought about her brother. Samuel would surely be angry with her if she accepted any help from Colleen's husband. Even though they were separated, Samuel still didn't want any connection or debt to Jonathan, especially concerning the children he considered his own. Samuel also has his pride, so he surely wouldn't agree to accept help from Jonathan after he had run away with Colleen before, and now they would accept help from Jonathan? That's also why, even though Colleen knew that Jonathan might be their hope to help Lindsay, she still didn't approach her ex-husband.

"I need to return this," she said and took the folder from Carol.

"What? You're returning it?" Lucille couldn't believe it. She pulled her inside the house and instructed Carol to watch over the children. Once inside, she made Simone sit on the sofa. "Simone, be practical. That land is a big help; how many years will you pay for the land for Colleen's burial? Do you think your brother's fiancée will agree to help you pay for land for his ex?"

She didn't answer, but she knew Lucille had a point. That's why she decided to call Samuel and tell him about Jonathan's gift. She didn't mention that Jonathan had already been there to avoid causing too much panic to her brother.

"Return that, Simone. We can't have any connection or debt to him; he might even take my children."

"Samuel, didn't he know his wife was pregnant back then, but he didn't care. Do you really think he'll take the children?"

Simone also thought about whether she needed to be afraid of separating the twins from her.

Samuel was silent for a few moments before he found his words again. "It's better to be sure. Just return them now."

After talking to her brother, Simone pondered. She could return the money and the title after the burial, but she also thought she might take the opportunity to get Colleen's important papers that she would need.

"Aunt Lucille, please take care of the twins for now."

"Alright, but why, where are you going?"

Simone looked at the card that came with the folder Lorenzo gave her. Jonathan Clark's contact and office address.

"I'm going to visit Jonathan Clark."