"I was thinking, Gillian," Rye announced the next morning."What is it?" Gillian asked curiously.They were walking side by side on the sands. They were holding hands while he cuddled Rhys in one arm. The baby was watching the seagulls flying above drowsily."I want to build a house by the sea. I don't want to come back to the mountain house." Rye halted and faced Gillian. "What do you say?""It's okay by me. I'll live wherever you want to live, Rye," she replied softly."The mountain house has no occupants for a long time. My parents often forget about the place.""My mother often wonder why I chose to live in the mountains. The transportation is difficult. The houses are scarce. There is no excitement, as Ginny had always commented. Until you lived there..." Gillian murmured pensively."It is fate's intervention. I met you when you needed my help." Rye kissed her knuckles."Yes, Rye. Without your help to my family, I don't know if we could survive the storm..."Rye pulled Gillian on
When Baby Rhys woke, he gurgled noisily. Rye went to him."Hungry?" He glanced at his wristwatch. It was past lunchtime. "Yes, you are starving. You slept for four hours straight!"Baby Rhys chortled loudly."Let's disturb Mama!" Rye snuggled the baby to his chest. They crossed to the next room. He knocked on the door softly."Come in."Rye hesitated for a moment. He could not tell the mood of Gillian because her words were muffled.The baby wagged his chubby arms and short legs when he heard his mother's voice.Rye pushed the door slowly. He felt relief because it was not locked."Rhys wants his lunch," he said by way of greeting. He eyed Gillian's face searchingly. She was seated on the bed with an open book at her side."Come here, baby," she crooned to her child with open arms.The baby struggled strongly from his hold."Careful, Rhys," he cautioned while he laid the baby to her arms gently.Gillian opened her bodice to take out her breast. The child eagerly clutched at its softnes
The next morning, they were at the solicitor's office.Gillian felt peculiarly calm. Maybe, because Rye and Rhys were with her.Or maybe, because she found it in her heart to forgive Lupo..."Thank you for coming, Mrs. Gonzaga." Attorney Corpuz shook her hand formally. He bowed his head towards Rye and Rhys. "I see, you brought your husband and son with you.""Yes." Her voice was steady and unemotional.When they were seated side by side, the attorney started the meeting."My client wished that all his properties be liquidated at the time of his demise. Since every property was priced at fifty percent discount, they were snapped up by developers. But you won't want to know the details so let's go to the main part of this meeting." A letter was handed over and Gillian accepted it. "My client wanted you to read this."Gillian opened the sealed envelope. There was a very short missive inside.Rye was able to read, too. Gillian positioned the letter between them."Li-an, I beg your forgive
The next morning, they went to the property. Papa Jamil, Gillian, Rye, and Sam set out after breakfast. Rhys was with her big sister, Ginny. Genova and Tita Chedeng had business together."There! Please, hover around the property, John," Papa Jamil requested the pilot.Gillian asked the pilot to circle above the fisherman's shack twice.
Gillian had announced about the inheritance after dinner. She asked Rye to gather her parents and daughter in the library. They were seated closely in the comfortable armchairs."Serese left money to me... close to two hundred million."Both Genova and Ginny were shocked and speechless. Their eyes widened and their mouths opened but no words were uttered."I decided to share the money with you, Mother, and to my daughter, Ginny. We will have a quarter each," Gillian continued seriously. "The remaining quarter will be donated to three charities: to the research of the mental sickness called schizophrenia, to the single mothers, and to orphans."Silence reigned."Any comment?" Gillian pressed calmly."D-do you know about this, Jamil?" Genova asked her husband."Yes." Jamil patted her hand. "Decide for yourself, dear.""But I don't need that much money! I have what I need and it is you!" Genova wailed."Oh, Genova!" Jamil embraced his wife gently."Mama, what will I do with so much money?
"The lock won't budge!" Rye was red and sweaty from trying to dislodge the antique padlock from different angles. It was sturdy and, well, magical.'What a wishful thinking!'There were many instances when the padlock would give in to his forceful chocks with the use of a crowbar. When he was sure he could take away the padlock with the use of his hand, the splintered wood would become 'healed!'Rye was frowning when Gillian called him. He was staring at the wood. He was sure he saw it split and cracked. But now, the wood was as old and as weather-beaten as before. No sign of the destruction he was yielding."Did you open it? It's been a half an hour, Rye! You're tired." Gillian was concerned as she wiped the sweat from his face and neck with a white towel."That ancient padlock can be opened only by its key," Rye stated in defeat. "The wood didn't budge?" Gillian was amazed. "What kind of wood is that?""Something that I wouldn't destroy." Rye muttered and crossed his fingers. He did
Alicia went to the guestroom, followed by her husband. They stayed here before and the room became theirs officially. Jamil was a generous host.The room was a suite. There was a sitting room and bedroom divided only by a bookcase and a large television that could swivel three-hundred-sixty degrees.The sitting room had a large couch and two foot stools. She intended to use the couch again. Alicia and her husband didn't sleep on one bed ever since... well, she did not remember anymore."Shall I use the bathroom first?" she asked courteously."Yes. You do that," Jim smiled at her appreciatively. His heavy-lidded eyes followed her to the bathroom.Alicia leaned on the door she just closed with a thud. Her heart was beating hard. It had been a long time when Jim looked at her as though he wanted to taste her.Maybe he was just missing his mistress! A voice inside her mind whispered disgustedly.She straightened from the door instantly. She busied herself with brushing her teeth and gurgle
Jim was mopping his head with a towel. His hair had grey strands at the temple but they added glamour to his advanced age. Although he did not care about the glamour or appeal, as his secretary had often said. He was more concerned with his marital life. He was cheerful for the first time in months...? Years?Jim was anxious and fearful during the years when she was still a student. He was nervous when he asked her to marry him. He supported her education and was relieved when she graduated. Surely, that gave an added advantage to him.