Chapter 4

[Hera, I heard you are back in the country. How are you doing?]

“Patrish, did you really call me just to say that?”

[Um, yep? It’s been so long since I last saw you. I want us to have a reunion again… if it is alright]

Holding her phone, Hera was pouring coffee into her cup. Wearing a white long sleeve, she tops it with a black cardigan with knee length. 

“I have to pass for now. Still have something I have to do”

Taking a sip, she heard the fuming sound on the other line. Indeed, Patrish wants to see her so badly. 

[But Hera… I will be at my uncle’s funeral. Are you sure you are not coming?]

The sound of the taxi honking was then heard. Enough for the two of them to hear it.

[Seems like you got to go]

“Yeah”

[Tch, just as I thought. You would use that excuse. But Hera… I really wish to meet you soon.]

Slightly laughing at what she heard, Hera then picked up her things.

“Making a wish? Are you a kid? But bye, gotta go”

As soon as the door closes, she drops the call. Heading to the taxi that was waiting for her. 

“Can we drop by at any flower shop first?”

…

“I barely recognize you… Kia”

Smiling as I looked at my reflection in the mirror, it was thanks to Jena that this became a reality. Her connections surely are great. The fact that she is a trusted friend of Shaun is the reason why Drake and I let her know about this. 

To tell the truth, Drake had no idea that I would be doing this. But… I need to see Mr. Sebas. And most of all, I have to go there.

“Hmm… Kia would sound similar to my name even if it would just be for disguise… it would surely make me be…”

Fixing my curly blonde hair, I also did put on a reddish contact lens. Thanks to Serena, even though I faked my death, my work is still ongoing. But it was mostly her who did the job. Should I visit her after I settle some matters?

“Then what would you want me to call you then?”

Even Jena is in disguise. Although I am sure that her character as a Jena is also a disguise… there is no point in digging into it deeper. I have so much on my platter for me to trouble myself in other things. 

“Hmm… Bea”

“Bea? May I ask how did you come up with that?”

Giggling to myself, how can I tell her that it was the name that came up when I added Drake’s name and mine?

Bennett and Amanda, the second name we had… that makes Bea… isn’t it cute?

“Because… I like it”

I smile. I hope Drake won’t be mad at me. But if I let him go with me then he wouldn’t be able to finish his work. And also, it is a punishment.

Who says he shall let me be puzzled? He even dared deny the fact that he admitted those things that he said. I mean… I don’t know what is wrong with him. Although I am sure it is not just me who is in the difficult position… 

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, Bea”

“Okay, Jea”

And she looked at me a bit confused. It is a disguised name too. But that sounds similar to Jena… well, just let it be. It is not as if she would meet someone she knows there… for…

It is I who would meet many people that I know.

Arriving at the location, I did not buy any flowers with me. Am I a bad person for not doing so? I don’t know… but I do believe he doesn’t deserve something grand. 

Many people are gathering today. The security is not tough, which is a blessing in disguise since I wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t the case.

“His wife didn’t even appear”

“What a poor man. To lose his daughter and have this kind of fate… an accident? I bet it wasn’t the case”

“Who knows, maybe it was the plan of his wife. I mean, she would probably be insane”

“To have your daughter die and learn that your husband has a child from another woman…”

“But I heard that his son is older than his daughter”

“Does that mean…”

“Oh god, let’s not talk about it any further”

Hearing numbers of voices speaking ill to my mother… how dare they… it isn’t what truly happened! My mom loves my dad so much! If you just knew…

“I thank you for your love and support for my father. I didn’t know that time would fly so fast. It is like yesterday… I finally have someone I can call my family. But this thing happened”

Hands shaking, I dare not look at him for I know he would feel my gaze if I ever do so. 

“Please do not blame my stepmother if she wasn’t able to be here. I know it is hard for her too”

But that man…

Just saying that would make you gain sympathy… is it not?

Kianna, calm down. You need to calm down.

“In the short time that we had together, I learned how great my father is.”

How can he not be when he was with the son he had dreamed of? I am not sure if he knew about it when he married my mom but I think if it was the case then he probably would have married his first love instead…

“He taught me things and gave me all of what he had… it feels like a dream.”

Now I wonder if it was truly the case. Things happened so fast. I know, it is wrong to just assume things bit still… I can’t help but wonder if things were really how it seemed to be.

Something felt like it was not right…

 “But if all of it would be able to bring him back, I would gladly, with no doubt, give up everything just for him.”

As I hear him say those words, I want to shout at his face to do so. But it makes me feel like an idiot to feel like this…

“My father,” I want to curse. All this time I thought I was the only child of my mom and dad… I am the only daughter… but not the only child of my father…. “… whom I will always remember…”

He acted as if looking back at the coffin that was near him…

“… may you find comfort in your journey. You will never be forgotten. The memories we share together will always be my greatest treasure”

I was left speechless by what I had heard. Did I come here just to hear his bullshits? I feel like I wasted my time in coming here…

Clapping was heard and of course… I too shall clap for them.

Clap… clap…

One for him and one for you…

I did remind myself not to glare at him yet… just as I thought. I failed to do so. 

How can I not when things become like this?

He looks in my direction. For some moment, I felt like he looked at me. But there are so many people, it would be impossible!

Again… he looks at my side.

Shit… now our eyes met.

Did he realize who I was?

I dare not act strangely and just continue standing here silently. Maybe we should leave soon too. Before things become complicated.

“Jea”

I whispered. I think we shall go. After all… I have seen enough. But, why is she not speaking?

“Jea?”

“Who are you?”

That familiar voice… with that familiar tone... Surely, it isn’t Jena. Where is Jena? I don’t know… but…

The moment I look at her, I thank myself for not flinching in surprise. 

Hera… Hera Hidalgo… Why is she here?