"Saan daw po nagpunta? Wala pong sinabi kung kailan ang balik?" narinig ni Charlie na tanong ni Gael sa katulong ni Dr. Andres. Naroon sila sa bahay ng doktor upang sana magpa-check up. Subalit mukhang wala roon ang doktor. She's was having an upset stomach for 2 days now in a row. At sobrang nag-aalala na ang asawa niya sa kanya kaya naman pumayag na siya sa hiling nito na magpa-check up. At base sa narinig niyang usapan ni Gael at ng katulong, baka kailangan nilang humanap ng doktor na maaring tumingin sa kanya. Maya-maya pa, bumalik na sa kotse si Gael. Umayos naman ang pagkakaupo niya sa passenger's seat. The car is older than that of Gael's car kaya hindi siya masyadong kumportable sa upuan niya. Sir Eric exchanged Gael's car with that old one as part of their precautionary measures while they settle there."Kailangan daw nating pumunta sa susunod na bayan para magpacheck-up sa doktor na kakilala ni Dr. Andres sabi ng katulong," ani ni Gael nang makaupo na ito sa driver's sea

Tahimik si Charlie habang nakaupo siya sa sala ng penthouse ng pamilya niya sa SSL. Doon siya dinala ng mga bodyguards niya at ni Deigo matapos siyang iwan ni Gael. Gael.Hurt raked her chest once again when she remembered her husband. She gripped on her ring finger, the one with the ink on it. Her lips quivered as she recalled every moment she had shared with him for the past 6 weeks. Every kiss. Every fiery night. Every promise. She remembered it all.But now that she was seating in their home—alone, she cannot help but think if any of it were true that Gael was able to give her up just like that.He left her. He left just like that!Tuluyan nang tumulo ang luha niya at niyuko ang kanyang mga kamay.Palagi.She never knew how that word could hurt so much until now.Maiksi lang pala ang pangako ng palagi kay Gael. Hindi nagtatagal. Nang-iiwan. Lumilimot.Few moments more and the front door opened. Iniluwa niyon ang humahangos na bulto ng Mommy at Daddy niya.“Charlie!” mangiyak-ngiy

Charlie felt weak when she woke up the next day. Bumalik din ang pagduduwal niya kaya sinabihan siya ng Mommy niya na umuwi muna upang doon niya ituloy ang pagpapahinga at ipapadala na lang daw nito sa bahay nila ang family doctor nila upang matignan siya.At first she protested, dahil gusto niya sanang makausap muna ang Daddy niya dahil hindi niya ito naabutan nang magising ito. She realized that after yesterday’s scare, important words to say must not be delayed. But her mother insisted that she goes home. Kaya naman napilitan na rin siyang umuwi.Her heart was hammering against her chest during the whole travel back to their mansion. She had been away for more than a month and she doesn’t know what chaos she brought there too when she eloped with Gael.When Jacob pulled the car over at the driveway of their home, a nostalgic feeling suddenly enveloped her. She suddenly missed her peaceful yet sad life. Noong hindi pa bumabalik si Gael sa buhay niya. Noong hindi pa siya nagkakamali

“Charlie, will you need me to help you pack your things?” anang Mommy niya kay Charlie. Nakasilip ito sa pinto ng kanyang silid. She gently shook her head and gave her mother a faint smile. “No, Mom. I can manage,” aniya, habang tinitiklop ang ilan pa sa mga gamit na ilalagay niya sa loob ng suitcase niya. Her mother forced a smile. She can clearly see the visible lines of worry on her face. lt has been a tough week for all of them. “Okay, sweetheart. Remember, don't get out of the bed or stand for too long. Kapag kailangan mo ng tulong, just call me, alright?"Marahan siyang tumango. “Yes, Mom.”Her mother gently pulled the door closed. But despite of that, she can still hear the chaos outside. She was hearing rushed footsteps as well as hushed and worried conversations from their househelpers. Why wouldn’t they? It was like their packing the whole house with them!They are migrating to the US in haste. First because of her Dad’s health condition. Second, for them to be safe. Three

It was ten minutes before lunch at kanina pa inip na naghihintay si Charlie sa may waiting room ng opisina ni Mr. Jones. Ilang beses na rin niyang nakausap ang secretary ng lalaki. But everytime she does, iisa lang ang sagot nito, may importante pa itong kausap na tao sa loob ng opisina nito.She had always been very patient when it comes to her business dealings. Her Uncle Joshua told her to never show extreme emotions when dealing with clients or business associates. And so she had learned to manage her emotions well. But this transaction, no matter how she needed it to go smoothly today is clearly testing her patience. Why wouldn't she? Sinunod niyang lahat ang protocols para makakuha ng appointment kay Mr. Jones. But now that she's here, she felt like the CEO was just making a fool out out of her by making her wait for hours! Hindi niya tuloy maiwasang isipin na baka inutusan ito ng mga Mondragon na paglaruan siya. This is not the first time the Mondragons have used their conne