**Aira's P.O.V.** It's been three weeks since Mom's surgery, and Miguel took her. After Miguel's warning that I'd be responsible if anything happened to Mom, we haven't talked about anything else. Dyson and Ken didn't respond to Miguel's threat, knowing they might have said the same thing if they were in his shoes. "Your dad's sending you back, isn't he?" Raven asked from behind me. Dad and I have been avoiding each other since the incident at the hospital. Dad didn't explain why he was there, but Ken and Dyson found out. It wasn't hard for them to figure out. Besides Mom, I didn't expect Dad to be sick too. The doctor gave Dad five months to live, so I understood why he was sending me back to the mansion. "I'm embarrassed," I admitted while packing some clothes to take with me. "What's there to be embarrassed about?" Raven turned to face me. "They might think I'm imposing myself on them, besides my family," I replied, feeling self-conscious. "No one outside your family knew you
"Really? Are you sure it's him?!" Raven asked me in shock. Here in the mansion's garden, Daddy, Ken, Meriam, and Sister May left together for the office. Sister Shane and Brother Jan stayed in their room and didn't come out, while Mommy left after Daddy. So I was alone here in the mansion and called Raven over. "Yes. I tried chasing him, but couldn't catch him outside the gate. I even checked the CCTV footage, but couldn't spot him, not even a glimpse. I really feel it's him, no one else," I replied to Raven. "Look at the letter!" Raven said, handing me the letter. "Hi, how are you? I know you already know the truth. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for being strong enough to face this. I'm sorry if I didn't have the courage to face you. I love you! Take care always, and take care of yourself," Raven read aloud. "Actually, if I didn't know better, I'd think it came from my mom," he added. I felt like Mama sent me the letter. My real mother. I searched for him and chased him
"He confessed to you?" Raven greeted me as she entered my room. Here in the mansion, it feels like nothing else has happened. It's as if we're all back to where we were before. Dad hasn't announced his situation yet. I'm not even sure if Mommy knows about it. "Yes," I replied simply. "What's wrong with you, girl? Why do you seem so indifferent? Don't you love him anymore?" he asked again. "I don't know. I just don't know," I responded quietly. "True. With everything that's happened, sometimes you may have given your all and now feel drained, unable to feel the sincerity of what he's saying. By the way, how's Aunt? She really works hard taking care of Mom. I thought she would have told you she underwent an operation, even though she knew." Raven spoke at length. "Mom said she's fine. Sometimes she looks for me, but she's too shy to come near. I'm planning to visit her sometime. Tell Dyson, let's go together," I told Raven. "Sure thing, dear," he replied. The two of us collapsed
"Moooom!" "Aunt!" We shouted at the same time as we entered Miguel's house. I knew he wasn't here because he was working with Daddy. Daddy was gracious enough to accept Miguel, despite his father being his business rival. "Children!" Mom greeted us cheerfully. She hugged each of us warmly, and we reciprocated. My heart swelled with happiness seeing him lighter now, unlike before when even his smiles carried traces of his lingering pain for his estranged son. "Come on in! I prepared a lot for your visit," Mom welcomed us to a dining table brimming with food. "Wow! Did Aunt prepare all this just for us?" Dyson asked enthusiastically. "Watch your manners!" Raven scolded Ken, who was about to grab something to eat. We all laughed at Ken's reaction, as if he was a kid being deprived of a treat. "Mom, aren't you tired? You've cooked so much, and it's just us eating. We could have ordered in," I suggested to Mom. "I missed cooking for you. Miguel helped me, so I'm not too tired," Mo
"Are you crazy?!" I shouted and pushed him as hard as I could. "I won't just chase after you and fall in love with you again? Your nerve!" I said, lightly kicking his knee as I stormed out and slammed the door to his room. "Oh! What's with that face?" Raven asked as I flopped onto the sofa. "Mom! Isn't there another CR here? I didn't get to use the bathroom," I shouted from the living room. "It's because the bathroom in the kitchen is dirty, so you used the one in the spare room. But why didn't you use it properly?" Mom shouted back. "Auntie, you might slip there. We'll clean it up after we're done," Dyson offered to Mom. "Wow! Super abnormal aunt is going all out. Give her some slack before she loses her mind," Raven teased Dyson. "I don't know about you. You act like a princess who avoids chores, but you're more like a king when you do," Dyson fired back at Raven. "Go on, keep it coming! You're really asking for it!" Raven retorted. Mom sat down next to Raven and me. I laid
"What? Miguel has been following me around for a while," I told Dad. His eyebrows arched as he looked at me. I gave him a hard stare and continued walking towards Dad. "Dad, here are the papers you asked for: the operating license and many more. What should I do next after this?" I asked. "Love me!" Miguel popped up behind me. I groaned internally. "Hahaha, okay sweetheart, call me later again. Muah!" I heard Miguel say to the person he was talking to. I heard Dad chuckle at my reaction. "What?!" Miguel asked in surprise when he saw me frowning at him. "Don't tell me you're jealous!" I teased, and both he and my father laughed. I gave a 'What now?!' look at Dad, who ignored it and handed me an envelope full of papers. "He's been following me from my department to Dad's office for these papers. Why didn't he just take them from me earlier? He even made me climb so many floors for this. Nothing goes right," I muttered. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? You've been following me
Miguel Ice Javier's P.O.V: Since I left Dad's company, what kind of investments have I been involved in? Actually, even when I was still at the company, I was slowly preparing myself to leave. I know that there will come a time when I won't want to work under Daddy and just be Daddy's shadow. Ever since I threatened to file a case against him, he kept quiet and didn't bother me. As for the woman supposedly pregnant, I proved it wasn't true. She was the only woman who chased after me and caused a scandal in Meriam's and my household. She's also the girl I asked to accompany me to the department store to shop for baby needs. Little did I know, she was preparing to file a case against me once I didn't stand up for her. The girl's father is also one of Dad's business partners, so I was able to use his influence against him. I settled the issue with her within a few months. After resolving the issues with Dad and the girls chasing me, I know Meriam was right—ever since her brother disapp
Miguel's POV: "You're too slow, brother-in-law! Why don't you find a way to soften my sister's heart again?" Ken yelled at me. Her father, Meriam, and Ken were all supporting me to win her back again. I know Aira has given me many chances, but this time, I am determined. "I can't rush your sister. I've caused her too much trauma, and time won't just heal that," I replied to Ken. "I think Ate still loves you; she's just going through a tough time right now," Ken said, patting my shoulder. Ken left me pondering at my desk. Sir James gave me a position in a department, albeit lower-ranked, but I'm keeping up. I enjoy my job and find happiness every day when I see Aira. It's like I'm back in my childhood, having a crush that I'm unsure will reciprocate. I watch her from afar, teasing her to get her attention. I'm glad when she gets annoyed because for a moment, I'm the only thing on her mind. I hope for the day when we can all be happy together. "Is the work done?" Sir James snapped