LYZA Gian flew to New York yesterday. Grandpa Carlos has a business meeting scheduled with one of their prospective investors. It's a massive investment if Gian can convince him that's why Grandpa didn't want to cancel it. So he called the man that Gian would replace him because he was sick, and Grandpa was relieved that he agreed and was quite excited to meet Gian. That's why Gian quickly took a flight to New York I just finished talking with Gian a few moments ago. He just arrived at his apartment, and now he was resting., because it was still night there. I already miss him, but Grandpa Carlos still looked sick when he came home two days ago. He looked weak, but Mom assured us that he was fine and only needed more rest. My father told me I could visit Gian every time I had school holidays, and Gian could return home if he wasn't busy. Dad said that Gian would only manage the business abroad until it was stable and could leave it to someone they could trust. The company in New Y
LYZAToday is the first day of my University life, and I hope and pray it will go smoothly. I went to the University where Gian graduated, and Dustin went too. He is taking up a Bachelor's in Information Technology, and he will graduate this year. I took up a Bachelor's of Business Management like Gian to prepare myself to help him manage the business of my father and Grandpa. I went downstairs to eat breakfast, and my parents and Grandpa Carlos were in the dining area waiting for me. They are like this every time school starts. They would cheer on me and give me encouraging words, and they also did it to Gian. My family is the best. "Good morning. " I greeted them, kissing their cheeks. "Good morning, Princess. Are you ready? " Dad asked. "Yes, Dad." I smiled and settled in my seat. "That's great. Study hard and make us proud. '"Don't worry. I will, Dad. Wait, Gian is calling." I smiled and pressed the answer button, and his grinning face greeted me. "Good morning, Love. "Goo
LYZA"Can I join your table?" I look at Marco's cheerful face, holding his tray of food, looking at us with hopeful eyes. "Okay!" I replied, which earned a glare from Dustin. But Marco is new in this school too. I'm sure he doesn't have friends like Avery and me."Thank you. I know no one here.""Then why transfer when it's your last year in the University? Dustin asked with an annoyed face. "I still have three years. I added two years to become a specialist in my field. And this University has it, that's why I transferred here. " Marco answered, ignoring Dustin's annoyed face. "You have a new friend. ""Ah, yes, this is Avery. Avery, this is Marco. " I introduce them. Marco smiled and offered his hand for a handshake, which Avery shook. We eat our lunch quietly. Only Avery talks constantly, maybe to ease the tension between Marco and Dustin because Dustin keeps glaring at Marco. I'm just relieved that Marco doesn't mind him. After lunch, we go our separate ways because each course
GIANI call Jack to accompany me tonight. He is the head security of Grandpa Carlos every time he is here, and he brought Allen, one of his men. Jack put a recording device in my breast pocket. He said it for a safety measure because he wasn't familiar with Mr Garcia. I'm just thankful that the dinner wasn't in their residence. Instead, he booked a restaurant for us to dine with his family. I only met him one time. It was a month ago, and I don't trust him. The way he looked at me, it seemed like he was looking at my weak point to strike to bring me down instantly. He was always calculative when talking, and I didn't see him smile during that time. I think he is trying to intimidate me. He doesn't speak much, but he mentioned his daughter during the meeting, and I am guessing the dinner meeting is for me and his daughter to meet. I'm glad I'm the one who met him and not Grandpa. This man is very suspicious. I make sure I look extra presentable tonight. Sometimes, looks can be dec
GIANIt was around eleven in the evening when I arrived home. I took a quick bath, turned on my computer, and called home. "Gian!! I smiled to see Uncle Jayson's face. Aunty Mara is sitting beside him, smiling at me. "Lyza, come here. Gian is calling. " I smiled to see Grandpa Carlos join them on the couch, and after a few minutes, Lyza came carrying. Sander. "Yan, Yan!!! "Hello! Sander. ""I miss you, Yan, Yan. ""I miss you too, little Prince. Did you behave? ""Yes, when you come back? ""I still have lots of work to do. I'll come back after I finish all my work here. Okay? ""Okay. " "How's the dinner meeting with Mr. Garcia?" Grandma asked. "Bad. ""How bad is it? " Uncle Jayson asked. "They want to integrate with us. " I said, chuckling. I find it hilarious for them to think that we will agree. "What? What are they thinking about offering that deal? They are already huge in New York while we are just starting.""They want a marriage proposal, me and his daughter a Annabe
LYZA"Lyza, are you free after class? I'm going to meet Christine later. Do you want to meet her? " Dustin asked. We are eating lunch together with Avery and Marco. I was amazed by Marco's patience towards Dustin. Dustin always glared and provoked him whenever he said something, but he kept ignoring him. This man has a mile of patience under his sleeves. "Really? I want to meet her. But I need to tell Mom that we are going to be home late later. ""Okay, Christine also wanted to meet you. " He grinned. "I have nothing to do later after school. Can I join you guys? ""No, Dustin quickly replied, glaring at Marco. I feel bad for him. I want to disagree with Dustin, but it is his girlfriend we are going to meet, and he has the right to choose who he brings to meet her."I'm sorry. " I mouthed Marco, and he only smiled and nodded at me. "Can I join? I'm free after school too. My parents are going out for a date later so I'll be alone at home. " Avery asked with hopeful eyes. "Fine, you
LYZAI have one week of school holiday, so I asked my father if I could visit Gian. Dad agreed, but he would come along. He doesn't want me to travel alone, and I don't mind. He also invited Dustin to go with us to see the company he would work for as he graduates. It should be the three of us, but when Sander hears, we will visit Gian. He told Dad he wanted to go. My father said no, but he cried nonstop. My god, he's screaming as if someone is beating him. This kid is a brat sometimes. He kept chanting I want to go. I want to go while following Dad around. And, of course, Dad, who always has a soft heart for his children, finally agreed when he saw that Sander was already sweating and tears and his mucus covered his face. Now, here we are, walking to the exit of John F. Kenney International Airport. Sander was so hyper. He slept the whole flight, and now he's full of energy. "Moma, I want down. ""No, there's a lot of people you might get lost.""I saw Yan, Yan. Yan! Yan! He screa
LYZA I roamed my eyes inside Gian's room, and I smiled to see a frame of our photo on his study table. I picked it up and caressed it. Gian took this picture in the cabin. He was kissing me when he snapped this photo. My eyes were closed while he looked at the camera with his lips pressed on mine. I blushed, remembering it. Gian chuckled when he saw me blushing and glared at him. At least he didn't comment about it. I returned the frame to his study table, and I saw another picture frame. It's our family picture: Dad, Grandpa Carlos, Grandpa Phil, pregnant Mom, me and Gian. I felt sad seeing Grandpa Phil so lively in this photo. I missed him. I sighed and returned it to the table, then stepped out of Gian's room and went to the guest room. The room has a king-size bed, an empty closet and bathroom, and nothing more. I stepped out of the room and went to the living room. Gian has a two-sitter couch and two single-sitter couches, a television mounted on the wall, a DVD player, and a
EPILOGUE GIAN I smiled as everyone enjoyed Gia's seventh birthday with my pregnant, beautiful wife beside me. Mom, Dad, and Grandpa entertain our guests while Sander, Christian, and Gia entertain the children. I cannot leave Lyza because she is already nine months pregnant and needs help every time she moves from one place to another. We will have our baby boy soon, and Gia was so excited to meet her brother. I chuckled as I watched Dustin chasing their three-year-old daughter around. Dina is a hyper child. You won't see her staying in one place. She's always running or jumping. Christine and Dustin got married when Christian turned two years old and a year after Christine got pregnant. The twins Alice and Ana are also present with their husbands and children. Ana has two children, a boy and a girl. Annalise is five years old, and her brother Adan is two years old. Annalise is Gia's best friend, together with Christian and Alex. Alex is Alice's five-year-old son, a timid boy,
GIAN"Sissy, Yan! Yan! I groaned and covered my ears with a pillow. It's only six in the morning, but Sander is already knocking at the door. "Mommy and Daddy are still sleeping. Everyone is still sleeping. Let's go to the park ourselves and Lily. Come on, uncle. " I heard our six-year-old daughter whine. "I told you to stop calling me uncle. I'm only five years older than you. " Sander said, and I could hear the annoyance in his voice. "But you're my mommy brother, so you are my uncle.""I feel old every time you call me uncle. Just call me by my name. It's fine with me. ""But mommy and daddy will get mad at me. They will think I don't respect you if I only call you by your name.""Just tell your parents I asked you to call me by name. So please stop calling me uncle, okay? ""In one condition." I chuckled. Sander was always fooled by Gia when it come to not calling him Uncle. "What condition? ""Let's go to the park, please. ""It's still early, and your parents will get mad at
GIANAfter a week of my return, Dad called a press conference. We hid my return from the public, and this would be my first appearance. We held the press con at the Fernandez Corporation main building, and all media outlets sent their representatives. The function hall is packed with reporters anticipating what Mr. Jason Fernandez wants to announce. There is some speculation that he might announce that I'm already dead after almost a year of searching, and some speculate that it is about the company. I watched in the waiting room with Lyza and our little Princess as Dad and Grandpa talked to the media and answered their question about the company, waiting for my turn. When the press started to ask questions about me, Dad signaled to Inspector Ronald, who was standing on the sideline guarding the people around him together with his men.Inspector Ronald nodded, and he came inside the waiting room. "It's time, Mr. Ramirez. " "Okay, Love, wait for Inspector Ronald to escort you to joi
LYZAThe following day, we returned home. Christine and her mother returned to their home together with Dustin. He doesn't want to separate from Christine and his daughter anymore. He was scared that something might happen to them if he wasn't beside them. Aunty Amy supported his decision, and after Christine and her mother coop up with what happened to them, they will talk about their marriage. I'm happy for them, and I hope Christine and her mother recover from the trauma that Maximi caused them. I smiled as I watched Gian's sleep. We are currently in our room because we didn't sleep properly last night. Gian was sleeping while I was afraid to close my eyes. I'm worried that once I open my eyes, Gian won't be here anymore, and everything will turn out just a dream. I caressed his face and pressed my lips on his cheek. He lost so much weight and was pale. He looks like a fragile thing right now, which I need to handle with care—gone my hero and my pillar, Gian. The eyes that were
GIAN I listened as my mother narrated what happened in the past and how she and my father suffered all these years in Maximo's hands. I hated her so much without knowing the suffering she went through. I believe what people told me, why my mother left me, and Dean didn't correct the lies the people said and let me feel them. I hate to know that the man who I love and saw as my father is the reason why I was separated from my family. I wanted to hate Dean, but I couldn't because he loved me as his son, and he provided me the things I needed, and he loved me unconditionally. He didn't lack as a father. "I'm so sorry, Gian." My mother said, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at me. "Your father and I didn't mean to leave you in Mr. Fernandez's care, but we thought you would have a better life than being with us. When Dean died in prison, that's when we found where you are, and we found out that Mr. Fernandez took you in. During that time
GIANAround four in the afternoon, we left for the Cabin. My mother and Christine ride in Dustin's car while I go with Daddy Jason and Grandpa Carlos. I know my mother wants to talk to me, but it can wait later after I meet my wife and my daughter. I'm dying to meet them. I feel saddened that I wasn't there beside Lyza during her pregnancy and when she gave birth. I missed a lot of time being with her and my daughter. When the car entered the gate of the Cabin, my heart pounded in excitement. I could already see Sander, Amelia, Tommy, and another kid I don't know chasing each other. When they noticed the car approaching, they stopped running and waited for us. When the car stopped beside them, Sander went to the driver's side, waiting for Dad to step out of the vehicle. He looked a lot bigger the last time I saw him."Dada! Grandpa," Sander grinned and hugged Dad's legs. "Hello, little Prince. Where's your Sissy?" "She is inside the cabin with Moma, taking care of Gia and the baby
DUSTINMaximo was screaming as he struggled from the tight grip of Inspector Ronald's men, who were dragging him and his men out of the mansion. "Inspector Ronald, thank you for helping us. " Sir Jason said. Gian stuck beside Sir Carlos as if afraid to be separated from them again. "Asking us for help is the right decision, and it helps us a lot as well. Finally, we can put Maximo behind bars after all these years. Ma'am, can you come with us, as well as you, Doctor Alfred, to the police station? You are our witness, so we can imprison Maximo until he rots inside. " "Okay, and I will tell you all his illegal dealings and where he keeps his goods. "Christine's mother said while Doctor Alfred nodded. "Doctor Alfred, thank you so much for saving me. I know what you went through, and if you need my help, don't hesitate to tell me. I owe you my life. " Gian held Doctor Alfred's hand, face full of gratitude. "It's my work, and I did it willingly, but Maximo just in prison me without giv
GIANEarly in the morning, we left Tinay Island. I glanced at Christine, who was stuck beside me like glue as if I were her salvation, and my mother, sitting on my other side, looked so tense. Maximo is sitting in front of us, a smile not leaving his lips. Doctor Alfred is seated behind us with two of Maximo's men. We are in a boat heading to the City. I knew everything that was happening around me. I was in a coma, but I heard all their voices. Christine and my mother is my constant visitor during that time, and they are always crying, begging me to wake up. "Now, I know what happened back then. Dean is not my real father but my kidnapper. My mom told me everything while I was in a coma, but I couldn't bring myself to hate Papa Dean, who raised and loved me as if I were his real son. My parents didn't hate Dean as well because if he hadn't kidnapped me, I would live like Christine, my sister, or Maximo already killed me. I don't have an amnesia. Christine was right. It's better t
DUSTINWe went to the cabin Friday afternoon. Everyone is excited except Sir Carlos, Sir Jason, and I. We set up four tents outside the cabin for the adults while the children, Maam Mara, and Lyza will stay in the Cabin tonight. Everyone is laughing, helping each other prepare our food for dinner. While we are busy here, Inspector Ronald is also busy in the mansion preparing his men for Maximo's arrival tomorrow morning. They will wear a civilian uniform and post as guards, but some will stay hidden. We found out that Maximo had a record of selling illegal drugs before, but he billed out. The authorities have been on his tail these past years, but they couldn't find evidence that could put him behind bars. A few years ago, the authorities intercepted a massive shipment of illegal drugs. Someone tipped them about the shipment, and the informant told the authorities that it belonged to Maximo, but someone took the blame, and Maximo got out of it unscathed. And the authorities are ea