Chloe and Franco Vero had to think of an idea on how to persuade Desmund to participate and avoid escalating the issue into a bigger scandal. Desmund was disobeying the doctor's orders and rejecting medications to stand firm on his claim that he is not crazy like his lawyer kept bugging him to admit. The parents, Chloe and Franco, were not allowed by Desmund to come close to him. He claims that these two were trying to limit his will to move around, so he didn't want to see them. And he was thinking about dropping the lawyer and standing for himself in court if he found it too much tolerating the presence of the lawyer around him. As a result, his condition worsened and became even more out of control.Hours passed…Trisha was safely moved by ambulance to a place Don Carlo and Trixie offered her to stay. She was not aware of the direction they went as the car drove off. Even when they arrived at the place, Trisha did not know she was brought right next to Denny's house because the ve
When Chloe and Franco Vero received the news about a murder case being filed against Desmund Vero, they sent people to investigate. They wanted to settle the issue without bringing it to court. They wanted to speak with the family. And when they got the results, they were thinking about sending their lawyer to communicate with the woman's family. They asked why Desmund would want to murder a woman already in a coma state. The first thought that came to their mind was the possibility of his mental illness ruling his mind and making him do such a horrible thing. But the investigator reported about Desmund asking for someone to find this specific person who turned out to be a patient in the City Hospital, and he went all the way from the airport, canceling his flight to France in the process just to inject a lethal dose of his meds. "What reasons?" Asked Chloe."This woman had an accident the same day with Mister Desmund Vero, not in the same spot but not far from where Mister Vero was
“Angel, we need to talk,” Don Carlo said as the two watched Yohan drove off the yard.“To the bedroom, honey,” Trixie pulled the man in a hurry to the direction where she suggested they talk.Soon, they arrived, and as if Trixie fears of someone eavesdropping on their conversation, she closed and locked the door behind her and spoke to her man with hushed tones.“What are we going to do?” Asked Don Carlo with a wary face.“We have to tell her everything we know, but I am also worried about how she might react. We have to make it clear that it was a Desmund Vero, not Denny Vero, who did all these to her mom. But the fact that the person involved is a Vero still horrifies me,” Angela replied, equally horrified. “Yeah, I can only imagine how it’s going to be hard to accept knowing another Vero caused her mom’s accident. And instead of helping the victim and her family, the criminal murdered his victim,” Don Carlo groaned in anger. “We have to be careful in telling her. We cannot add ou
"We can't be sure if we do not let the man have his chance to prove himself how much he is willing to fight for his love; his woman and kids, his own family," the Don looked at his Angel with eyes pleading for support."Okay, let's see how Denny is going to deal with this mess, but I am telling you, I am with Trisha no matter what," Trixie stated firmly.While Don Carlo and his Angel were discussing the matters about speaking to Aleah Silver, Chloe and Franco Vero were doing the same. Chloe told Franco about her doubts about the girl with Denny to be the daughter of the victim. And it was confirmed when the picture from the Private Investigator came later that day. "Do you recognize her?" Asked Chloe, handing the photo to Franco for him to check if he does."I am not sure, but she looks like the girl living with Denny nowadays," Franco murmured as he stared at the photo, taking his glasses on and off, making sure his eyes weren't fooling him."I was already suspicious when I heard th
“Denny! Oh, my boy,” Chloe cried even louder. Her sobs became uncontrollable.“Mom, what’s going on?” Denny was still confused, and he was in a dilemma seeing his mom in so much sadness and despair. He moved closer to embrace Chloe as she seemed hesitant to reach her arms out to hug her son. Denny’s heart slightly ached at the indescribable sadness on his mom’s face. Chloe’s eyes had reddened, and tears were endlessly streaming down her cheeks, no matter how often she wiped her face with the soft cotton handkerchief in her hands. She felt her heart was being crushed. She did not wish for anything like any of these to happen. Not with Desmund and Denisse, and most especially not with Denny. But she now realized she made a terrible move judging a person she should have never done without making sure her actions won’t bite her back in her heels. It was like she threw a ball, and it bounced on the wall, hitting her back so hard. The words she said to Aleah were usual. Any mother would ha
Denny apologized when he realized he seemed to have taken a different turn from what they were talking about."I'm sorry, dad, please continue," Denny shook his head as if clearing his mind. He cannot understand why he would feel a pinch of pain in his heart whenever he thinks of Trisha. It started the last night they passionately shared together, which he was thinking about having a talk with her the next day, but Desmund happened. And until now, his mind was not settled, and he was becoming even more restless. Worried about something he could not identify, no idea about what and why."Desmund is facing a murder case," Franco made his words quick."A what?! Murder?" Denny felt fright creeping all over his being."Yeah, but he is mentally ill. He is not in his stable mind," Franco hurriedly replied. Denny was astounded to see his dad looked like pleading for Denny to understand. "If you knew he is mentally ill and to the extent of murdering people, you should have been more careful
Denny dialed Trisha's phone. It rang. It kept ringing but unanswered. "Hon- Aleah, please answer the phone," Denny whined as he drove home. Denny found it hard to call her "honey" knowing all these ugly happenings. He feels too ashamed to dare be intimate with the woman a family of his had murdered. Insane or not, the family of the victim would still mourn losing the only parent left by their sides. "God…" Denny could not help his tears clouding his eyes as the thought of pain Aleah was going through right now stings his heart sharply. "This is so unfair…" he clenched his jaw as he whined, driving with a single hand while the other arm wiped his tears, clearing his sight.He dialed again. But like earlier, his call was not answered. A lot of thoughts were attacking his busy mind. "She must hate me and everyone related to the murderer. I can't blame her. I don't blame her. She has every right to hate whoever did these awful things to her family."During the time he was calling, no
“Boss, we’re here,” one of Don Carlo’s men called to inform him Denny had already arrived.“Don’t take his blindfold just yet. Take him in to the study room,” Trixie replied before Don Carlo could ever say anything.The men did as told, and Denny did not resist. He walked where he was led to go. He heard the phone conversation, and he was confident he would soon see Aleah. His heartbeats were racing. He felt like ice walls surrounded him and that even without the wind blowing, he felt like he was going to freeze in fear and anxiety. Soon he felt being guided to a cushiony chair—a couch. “Please have a seat,” the guy who picked him up and blindfolded him politely said. They were told to be respectful to the man they were taking to meet their boss, so they did not dare be rude. And so Denny was comfortable despite the fact that he was being taken with no way to know where they were going.Next, the man removed the cloth that covered his eyes. Denny did not rush to open his eyes. He was
“Honey…?” Denny called out carefully.Claudette was already about to enter the ward when she heard the man who introduced himself as Denny Vero called for Aleah so sweetly and concerned. She smiled. She just confirmed her thoughts that these two are romantically involved. She silently placed the food she bought and the change on a chair by the door before she lightly knocked and waved her hands to say she would be right back.Trisha bowed her head lower when she heard the knocking on the door. At the same time, Denny turned his head to look back and saw Mrs. Murphy pointing at the purchases she brought while she hurriedly exited the ward.Denny wasn’t able to say anything before the lady disappeared from his sight. He went to get the drinks and handed Trisha a cup of tea. There were two, so he supposed the other one was for him. He took a sip and just said anything. He urged Trisha to try hers, too.“Honey, the tea is good. You should have a sip while it’s still warm.”But Trisha place
Trisha turned her head away from Denny and faced her mom instead. Her tears started to cloud her eyes again. She bit her lips not to let her cries out of her mouth.She clearly understood what Denny had just said right now, but she could not respond right away. She was feeling torn between accepting or declining his offer of financial assistance. It wasn’t for herself alone. It was for her mom, most especially. He also mentioned being a philanthropist, which surely meant he was going to donate a considerable amount to get the procedure done with the best outcome. Yet, Trisha was still worried about what she might have to do to return such a huge favor from Denny Vero.When she was with Chloe earlier, and Denny was not by her side, Chloe spoke to Trisha with her honest and frank thoughts. Trisha realized that Denny did not know his parents already knew everything, the facts, not what they feared his sister, Denisse, might have told them. She was actually glad Denny accepted her suggesti
“She is so kind,” Denny moved closer and whispered to Trisha. “I like her a lot!”Then Denny moved back to look at the girl on her face with a silly smile.“But don’t let her know about that, okay?” Denny murmured again. “She might like me back. I am afraid of that happening.”The two shared suppressed laughter with their hands in their mouths, covering, as they both looked back in the direction of the door. They seemed to have the same fear that the person they mentioned was already back and heard what Denny just said.“I like her, too,” Trisha shrugged her shoulders as she giggled after making sure Claudette wasn’t back just yet. She played along with Denny’s joke not to let the lady Murphy know they liked her so much.“Kidding aside, she is awesome,” Denny cleared his throat before he made known to Trisha his honest opinion about the lady taking care of the patient.He also heard from the doctor and nurses he was able to speak with that Claudette is doing her duties more than a mere
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Murphy!” Trisha’s voice was shaky as she looked up from the other side of the bed, embracing her mom cautiously.Trisha felt emotional. She was glad even to only hear that her mom would regain her consciousness. She’s been in the hospital bed for almost seven months now. She might have seen the person driving the car when she was hit, but as she was still in a coma, they could not ask her. Trisha and her brother Yohan are still hoping to find the justice they deserve. The police seemed to have no more lead to continue the investigation, and since the Silver siblings did not have anyone influential to ask for assistance, they would have to rely on whatever they heard from their mom’s recollections.It would be tough to hold on to such possibilities, but they believe their mom is fighting within her to survive her situation. And one victory may lead to another if she could point out who caused her so much pain and stole so much of her time to stay healthy and pro
Soon they arrived at the ward where the name Elaine Silver was written on the chart by the foot end of the patient’s bed. A woman was reading a book seated next to the patient. She was reading the book aloud like a mother reading a bedtime story to a kid. She was too focused on her book as she read with enthusiasm and emotion according to the content of the story that she did not notice the two, Trisha and Denny, walking next to the patient’s bed.Denny and Trisha looked at each other with amused smiles on their faces. Denny gave Trisha a sign not to make a sound using his finger placed above his mouth. Trisha nodded her head as she agreed not to make a sound. She was beyond glad and satisfied that the lady Murphy was indeed attending to her mom’s welfare with so much dedication and sincerity. She was also happy that the man beside her seemed to have the same thoughts about letting the lady reading a book continue until she realized their presence. And so she continued to read:“A fath
Trisha smiled happily. Denny saw her serene smile in his peripheral vision, and he felt good. His idea was turning out to be successful. That was what he was hoping for, to make his “honey” smile, not the polite one that her face had seemed to be painted with the whole day, but the pure natural smile she would usually wear on her face when she is genuinely happy.Soon they arrived at the hospital. Trisha was worried he would be late with his appointment.“Honey, I can walk my way into the hospital. You don’t have to send me in,” Trisha cautiously suggested. “You might be late.”Denny chuckled.“It’s okay. You wait for me by the entrance. I will be right back after I park the car.”Trisha had no choice but to do as he ordered. She consoled herself that he should know what he was doing. He wouldn’t insist if he did not have enough time, right?“Okay, I will stand by the entrance door. You can call me if there are any changes,” Trisha raised her purse with her phone and wallet inside it.
Denny paused for a while. He could not say it was personal, but it wasn’t business either. But he did not want to explain further, so he just made his answer short, although a bit ambiguous.“A little of both?” Denny chuckled, helping Trisha to stand from her seat beside him.Chloe was not convinced. Or maybe even if she was, the mother still wanted to spend a little more time with her dear son, so she expressed her disagreement.“I can only let you go early today if you promise to visit us next Sunday again,” she bargained.Denny’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Mom, I cannot promise you that, but I will try,” the son scratched his non-itchy backhead as he replied.“Then you will have to stay until dinner today. What do you say about that, Aleah?” Chloe turned to the girl beside Denny.“I… am…” the service girl stuttered. She did not know what to say, but knowing her answer was awaited, she had to say something. “I’m very sorry, Mrs. Vero, but I do not decide things with…” Trisha could n
“Do you mean to marry this girl?” Franco Vero asked. His tone was still calm, not making his honest reactions known to his dearest son.“As of the moment, and if that is all for me to decide, I might say yes,” Denny chuckled at his sudden realization.The father was baffled by the son’s answer.“What do you mean?”“I don’t think the feeling is mutual just yet,” Denny let his weary mind off him.He felt good that his kind dad asked. He had been holding these thoughts within him. He could not freely speak about it with Don Carlo and Angela as he did not want to worry them for Trisha. But with his dad, he felt the assurance that his old man would understand where he was coming from. Denny let his heartfelt emotions flow.“I can feel this girl is purely doing business with me, and she never flirts nor misleads me to think she fancies me like a woman fancies a man. She is obedient in everything I ask and tells her to do because she is too cautious about losing her job. She has these invisib
As Aleah requested and without fear for Denny to grant them, they got dressed up with the doting Denny assisting his heart's wife; since they weren't legally married yet, in every step of getting her nicely yet comfortably clothed. "We should shop for new sizes of your underwear, honey," Denny gently suggested. "I am worried you might feel discomfort with the ones you used to wear and in your closet right now," he explained eagerly. He knew that pregnant women could be very sensitive, so he tried his best to clear any misinterpretations of his words. Angela excitedly bought Aleah different designs of pregnant dresses and others obviously needed by an expecting woman, but as she had not had the experience to reach pregnancy into a stage where her belly would swell up, Angela did not realize to include underwear in her shopping list. I have been meaning to do so, but as I was not allowed to go out without company aside from the nurse, I was just waiting when we could visit the shoppi