Chapter 2

“LYV, are you sure you’re alright? I can accompany you if you want.”

 It was his older brother Dimitri’s voice. He was now in her room watching her tidy up. Lyv was going to the high school reunion of their batch.

 “I’m fine, brother. I will only get crazy if I stay at home,” answered the girl. 

Her older brother sighed. “Could you just tell them that you’ll not be going? I am sure, they will understand why.”

 “I’m only going to see Eli so we can be together,” she reasoned. “Lab, Kaye, Jade, Zey, Darcey, and Joana are already there. They have been waiting for a while. It would be a shame if I backed out.”

 “But—”

“The reunion will be held at the mansion of Allaine, who is Congressman Jerome’s sister, so it will be heavily guarded,” the girl interrupted what her brother was about to say. “Jhaz is said to be going with me since your girlfriend is also my batchmate. And one more thing, Aylo was also there. He will not leave me.”

 Aylo was her childhood friend who has been courting her since high school. He was a simple businessman who was working hard to grow the small chicken business left by his late parents. Like them, he was now an orphan of his parents and supports himself alone. He was her legal lover. It’s just that, he hasn’t won the heart of her big brother yet. Her brother wanted to see him succeed in life first. She understands this because his brother only wanted her future to be smooth if ever she decides to get married and start a family. The truth was, she also has eyes for the young man but they both agreed not to enter into an official relationship until their dreams and aspirations in life have been reached.

 He knew what happened to her. Like her brother Tri, he was very sad when he found out what happened to her. He said, if only he had been rich, he would have been able to pick up the girl to the places she wanted to go with his own car. But since he was also not very lucky in life, he could do nothing about their situation. Despite everything, Lyvette was thankful that the young man came into her life. It was one of the things that helped her overcome her tragic experience.

 Her brother Tri raised his hand as a sign of surrender. He didn’t speak anymore and just watched her continue what she was doing. Even though he knew her friends, he was still not contented to leave her alone. His older brother became paranoid when she was abducted. He couldn’t be at ease every time his sister disappears from his sight.

 Lyvette looked at her brother Tri lovingly. He was the only family left. Their parents were gone—both died of cancer. Tri was ten years older than him. Despite his age, he still hasn’t proposed to his girlfriend Jhaz. He said he was not going to do it until she becomes a flight attendant.  Such an unselfish thing to do. Her older brother always puts her welfare before himself.

 It’s been two months since that nightmare happened. Their lives changed forever after that. Her brother became more protective and overbearing. She let him be even though sometimes it was already suffocating her. Maybe that’s his way to move on. He was blaming himself for what happened to her. In his mind, if only he hadn’t bought a coffee before picking her up, maybe she wouldn’t have been kidnapped by the man.

 She could vividly remember that night like it was just yesterday. That was the time she thought was the end of her life. Fortunately, before they were killed by that psychopath, they were rescued by the police. The girl still remembers how her older brother lost his energy when he arrived at the police station after finding out what had happened.

He was never the same after that.

According to the investigation, that man was a serial-psycho pervert. He was a frustrated film director who never made it in the industry. She will no longer wonder why, knowing how twisted his views were about art.

He was kidnapping beautiful women. He was said to have a particular taste in women—tall, fair-skinned, and have long hair—things which Lyv has. It was said that the area near the Paraiso Airlines office was really his target because there were a lot of women coming there who fit the profile he wanted. Thank God they survived. But unfortunately, the man escaped and was still wanted by the authorities.

Lyv took out her favorite purse from the dresser. She excitedly glanced at herself in the mirror. This was the first time she will be able to socialize after the incident. She made sure that she was okay before she faced her friends in case the topic will be brought up. 

Her brother Tri was still quiet. He was looking at the floor and thinking deeply. Lyv couldn’t stop herself to embrace him. She caressed his hair. “Don’t worry, big brother. I can handle myself. But if it would make you feel better, I will only be there for 3 hours. Then, you can pick me up.”

His face lit up. “Really? That’s a promise, right?”

“Promise, brother. Now, let me just—”

She suddenly became nauseous causing her to grab onto her brother’s shoulder. All of a sudden, she felt like she was riding on a roller coaster. She felt her insides being dug up. After a while, a hot and sour liquid came up from her stomach. Before s could make a mess on the floor, she immediately ran to the bathroom.

She vomited in the next few minutes. She was even worse than someone who traveled on the sea in extreme dizziness. She also felt her brother followed her to the bathroom. He was constantly rubbing her back.

When she recovered, she gargled to wash the acid from her mouth. She came out of the bathroom after and sat on the edge of her bed while her brother was assisting her. There was still a slight tremor in her body but it has subsided.

After a while, a pungent smell filled the room. As if on cue, the door spat out Jhaz’s bulk. “What is the smell?!? It smells horribles like a funeral flower! Is that your perfume?” she asked the newly arrived girl.

Tri and Jhaz looked at each other meaningfully. Lyv watched as her brother swallowed while Jhaz covered her mouth. They both stared at her full of concern. She hated them for staring at her like that. She felt something was very wrong and she was scared to find it out. Her chest also began to rumble.

“What is it?” she asked nervously.

“Tell me, Lyv,” said Tri. “When was the last time you had your period?”

***

TRI couldn’t stop himself from crying. Their entire home was filled with sadness. Jhaz was constantly comforting him because he was like going to lose his mind. While Lyv could not cry anymore. Her emotions were already drained from everything that has happened. She thought that she could forget what happened that night. She thought that she could recover from it. But she was wrong. Because now, she was holding the proof of its lasting effect on her.

At first, Lyv and Tri were both in denial of the situation. After several positive pregnancy tests, they decided to visit a hospital just to be sure. The little hope they had was completely erased by the three words that came out of the doctor’s mouth.

“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”

The girl clutched her chest because of sudden shortness of breath. She never saw this coming. No one did. She has only seen such scenes in the movies. It was a different feeling when it really happened in real life.

“I’m sorry, Lyv!” her brother said. He was kneeling in front of her as if begging. “I didn’t protect you like I promised Mom and Dad. I was a failure as a brother. I was no good! I am a useless brother! Useless! USELESS!” He hit himself one after the other. 

She felt even more sorry for her elder brother’s condition. She just hugged him with full love—full of understanding.

“It’s okay, brother. It’s not your fault so stop blaming yourself. We can handle this test. Remember, we are Castillos! We can surpass every obstacle!” She tried to put positivity and enthusiasm into her words. Her brother was suffering too much for her. She was afraid that he might lose his mind forever.

She needed to be strong for him.

Jhaz also approached and hugged the young man. They have no one to lean on but each other. There was nothing they could do. Fate has decided. Even if they repeatedly ask why God chose to put their family in this situation, they will not know the answer. What happened has happened. There was no turning back. She could also not get back in the past to change anything—everything.

This is her truth now. To be a mother . . . with no choice.

***

“POSITIVE, ma’am. Miss Castillo is pregnant.”

“A-Are you sure about that, Georgie?” replied the old woman hesitantly.

“One hundred percent. I have already spoken to our personnel who are monitoring the girl’s family. The doctor himself who looked at her confirmed it.”

The lady was no longer surprised by what she heard. They were the Dela Vegas after all. Even private agreements between doctors and patients could be broken by them. They certainly knew how to work things out. Even the most impossible.

Anastacia Dela Vega was the matriarch of the prestigious family. At 60, she still looked strong and fabulous. She was not fond of lipstick or makeup but she always looks presentable. From a distance, you’d think she was the queen of England because of her form and style.

The Dela Vega’s were known to the business industry. Why not? They alone owned the largest Land Developing Company in Asia. Also include its chain of luxury hotels, cruise ships, and fancy restaurants.

A billionaire clan indeed!

But unfortunately, they could not get the best of both worlds. Although they were abundant in the wealth of the world, the sky has become weedy for their race.

The Dela Vega family was not that lucky with children. No matter how much scientific manipulation they do, women actually only produce one baby per generation in their clan. The youngest was Sandro, the current heir. He no longer has parents. They lost their lives early due to a car accident.

At the age of thirty-five, they thought Sandro was the last of their bloodline. Unfortunately, his manhood was damaged after the kidnapper hit his scrotum multiple times. The old lady’s world almost collapsed from what happened.

But heaven performed a miracle. Who would have thought that the grief of that event would bring hope to a dying family? The baby that the woman was carrying could be considered a miracle!

She cried a little while remembering how he knelt before God for a miracle. It was true that God listens to prayers. The lady witnessed how heaven opened mercy and compassion for their family. She will never forget it.

Finally! The Dela Vega clan now has an heir!

“Georgie, cancel all my appointments in the next 30 days. I have something important to take care of,” she ordered her secretary.

“Yes, madam.” Then he bowed slightly to say goodbye. 

The old woman just gave the secretary a modest smile. She stood up and looked out the window. The whole city could be seen from her room. She placed her smooth hand on her chest and closed her eyes tightly. Little by little, tears fell from her eyes and she whispered lovingly into the air,

“Wait for me, my little Dela Vega. Nana is coming to get you.”