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
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,
MARA Since my shift started, I've been running back and forth, taking orders, serving food, and cleaning the table. We were five servers during this shift from twelve noon to eight in the evening, the busiest hours of the day in the diner, but our boss needed to hire another server during these hours. We couldn't even sit for a minute except during our break, and my legs were killing me. "Mara, table seven. Move faster. Can't you see there's a lot of customers waiting for their order?" Our manager said, glaring at me. Sometimes, our manager is so mean, but I endure it. It was hard to find a job here in the city, and It took me a few weeks to get this job; if ever I was fired here, I would need a few weeks again before I could find another job, and I don't have any savings left. "Coming." I moved to the city three months ago to find a better job after finishing my studies. I don't have any relatives, and I don't know anyone here, only Jared, my boyfriend, but I don't want him to kno
MARA It's been three weeks since I brought Grandpa home, and no one has been looking for him. What kind of family does he have? Aren't they worried about him, whether he is still alive or dead? What kind of family are they? I found out that Grandpa has Alzheimer's because a few days ago, I saw him pass out again. So I brought him to the clinic, and the doctor told me about his illness. I need more money. I used some of my savings to pay for Grandpa's check-up and bought his medicine. His medicine is not a joke at all; it's expensive, and the doctor said it's dangerous to skip drinking it since he already did for more than two weeks. I sighed. I can't bear to kick Grandpa out of my apartment as well. I asked him where he lived, but he said he forgot even his name he forgot. The only thing I know about him is that he has a grandson named JayJay, but how could I find him when I don't know his surname as well? I knocked on the door again when I got no reply, with my heart pounding
MARA It's been a week since I saw Grandpa. I missed him despite the fact he only stayed with me for three weeks. I missed the funny thing he did whenever he couldn't remember me. Every time I stepped inside the door, he would ask who I was, and then he would stay in the corner, his eyes following me as if I would attack him any chance. I would chuckle, stealing glances at him occasionally, and, at the same time, sad because I knew why he was acting like that. It was the woman that beat him. He was traumatized and scared that he thought I would hurt him like that woman did. That's why he stayed in one corner for over an hour until he remembered me. I wondered if he was like this in his home whenever that woman was around—just imagining him crying while the woman beating and pulling his hair angered me. I always let him be and waited until he remembered who I was, and once he did, he would rush to me, hug me, and say welcome home. Pretty good lady. I'm sorry I don't remember you so
MARA"Grandson?" The word echoed inside my head. I tried to step back, but Grandpa's arms prevented me from moving. Does that mean he is Jay Jay? But what if he is pretending? Grandpa said he didn't know him. What if he is a bad person? I need to confirm if he is his grandson. "How could you be his grandson? He said he doesn't know you." "Miss, he is his grandson. Grandpa has Alzheimer's, and that's why he forgets him once in a while." The guy with him said. But it doesn't convince me. "If you are his grandson, what does Grandpa call you?" I'm sure only his grandson knows. If this guy is a fake one, he won't know. "Jay Jay," He replied. I gasped and quickly bowed my head. "I'm so sorry, sir. I thought you were a bad person. I only want to be sure," I explained. "I want to talk to your manager," he said, and my eyes widened in fear. What is he planning to do? Is he going to ask my manager to fire me? The way he dressed, in a sharp suit and polished shoes, and looked, with his pier
MARA "About a few weeks ago, when I was away. Is there something that happened?" Jay Jay asked casually, leaning on the couch with Grandpa beside him while I just stood behind Grandpa. Everyone looked nervous instantly, and their eyes darted everywhere but him. "Babe! A woman's voice said, and I looked up to see a beautiful woman wearing a black dress that showcased her stunning body figure. I'm sorry for not informing you, babe. I also told the helpers not to tell you because I know you have an important business, and I'm sure you'll come back as soon as you find out that Grandpa ran away again. I searched him silently. I told the authorities not to report it but asked them to keep searching for Grandpa." "But still, you should tell me. What if something happened to Grandpa? What if bad people got him, recognized him, and asked for money, like what happened a year ago?" He angrily said. "Sorry, babe, it didn't cross my mind. I thought he would come back soon or we could find him
MARAThe following morning, I woke up at six a.m. I quickly bathed and put on the extra clothes Cassy gave me. I blew dry my hair and tied it in a high ponytail. After that, I went to Grandpa's room to check on him. I smiled to see that he was still sleeping. I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare Grandpa's breakfast. "Good morning, Nana." She's in the kitchen together with the chef. "Good morning, Mara. Come. Every morning, Sir Phil wanted someone to read a newspaper for him while he was eating, and after that, he needed to walk for thirty minutes in the garden behind the Mansion, and after that, you prepared his bath. It would be best to eat first because he will wake up at eight. "Okay, Nana." "Sit down. I'll prepare your food." "No need, Nana, I can do it." "Just sit down," she firmly said, and I gave in and settled in one of the chairs. She took a plate and went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned carrying the plate and placed it before me. My mouth w
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