After Angela's wedding, we didn't go home right away. It was my decision because I wanted to rest first. I didn't want to worry about problems back home. I avoided thinking about things that would stress me out. I knew deep down that she had a profound reason, and if she didn't want me to get involved, then so be it. Who am I to her, right?"Ate, are you sure you want to go home?" Ken asked."We left work behind. Besides, I'm sure I can handle myself. I've learned a lot. I'm not a child," I replied simply while packing our things. We were cleaning up the hotel room we had stayed in for almost a week."Don't worry, Ken. Your sister can handle it. If anything happens, we're here for her, just as she has always been there for me. I can't even remember what I did to deserve her company, even though she didn't really want to be here because Miguel wasn't around," Raven said as he approached and hugged me from behind. I gave him a bitter smile before walking to the bathroom to gather my ess
**Meriam’s Point of View**“Does Ate Aira know about this?” I asked my siblings, who were with me in the living room. I didn’t even know why we were all here while the two were away. Ken was always with Raven and Ate Aira. He’s really close to them since they’re almost the same age.“She probably doesn’t,” Ate May answered simply.“Why did this have to happen when they’re about to travel? I approved Miguel’s leave because he said it was his only chance to make up to Aira. I didn’t expect he’d get married to someone else during his leave. He’s so irritating. Dad accepted him wholeheartedly and trusted him,” Ate May said unusually long.“If May hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve confronted him by now,” Dyson, who was sitting next to Ate May, said angrily. I didn’t like Dyson’s arrogance, but what could I do if he was the one Dad chose to be Ate May’s partner.I was annoyed that all my siblings were getting married. At least Miguel married someone else. I wasn’t exactly thrilled, okay, maybe
**Aira’s Point of View**"I told you, right? No one should disturb me. I need to rest. What's so wrong with that?" I shouted from my room as someone knocked on my door again."He said he’s here and wants to talk to you. Don’t shout at me; I’m just doing what I think is right. You’re too hot-headed. If you don’t want to talk to him, tell him yourself. You're so high maintenance," Meriam's voice boomed. I could hear her stomping. I sighed deeply.“Where is—Miguel?” I exclaimed in surprise when I opened my door.“What are you doing here?” I asked again.“Can you calm down first? Let’s talk properly,” he said calmly.“Come in.” I walked back into my room. “Lock the door.”“Aira, I’m sorry!” he began.“What are you sorry for? For not joining us or what?” I asked sharply.“For everything,” he added.“People apologize for things they didn’t mean to do. Do you think you didn’t mean to do that?” I faced him.“I-I don’t know what you want to hear. If I tell you the truth, will you accept it? Wi
**Aira’s Point of View**“Hey!! Wake up!” I shouted.Everyone was asleep in the condo's living room. It was already noon, and since it was Monday, I knew we all had work, especially Dyson and Ken.“You're going to get in trouble with Ate May,” I warned as they groggily got up, rubbing their eyes. Dyson rushed to grab his phone from the kitchen table. “Oh crap! Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? I'm going to be in trouble with your sister! This is going to be another 'talking to' day!!”“What’s a 'talking to' day?” Raven replied casually as she emerged from the bathroom. “Why didn’t you wake me up? You look like you’ve been awake for a while.”“I just woke up. We drank too much last night, so I took a shower right away to cool off. You should shower too, so when your wife scolds you, at least you’ll look fresh.” Raven teased.Dyson dashed to the bathroom while Ken took his time. I shot him a disapproving look. “Just let it go. I’ll explain to Daddy. I don’t want to get eaten alive by A
**Aira’s Point of View**It has been two weeks since Miguel last contacted me to explain himself. He also said he would wait for me to call and let me get ready. I haven't gone home to the mansion yet. I'm staying in the condo because Mama, Miguel's mother, wants to see me. I don't want to go to their house because I don’t want to see Miguel. I suggested we meet outside, but Mama insisted on talking privately, so I thought the condo would be a good place. I asked Ken to pick her up so that Miguel wouldn’t be the one to drive her. Well, Miguel isn't even aware that Mama wants to talk to me, which is one reason I agreed. It seems important.Someone knocked on the door, so I opened it immediately.“Please come in. Wait for me downstairs. Mama and I just need to talk,” I told Ken. I didn’t let him inside. “Sorry it’s a bit messy here. How are you? Would you like something to drink? Tea, coffee, or something cold?”“Don’t bother, I’m fine. I’m just here to ask for forgiveness,” he began.I
**Aira Jane’s Point of View**I’m sure now.I’m ready to talk to him to clear my mind. I know I’m prepared, so I met him at a private restaurant. That’s what he wanted. If he can’t explain himself properly, I’ll make sure he gets a couple of slaps.“Have you been here long?” I was slightly surprised to hear his voice.“Not really.” I stood up, but he just followed my lead and sat down.“Let’s order first.”“No need. I ordered for both of us earlier. We just need to wait for it to arrive.” I replied while looking around.“We still need to order something, but maybe we can do that later when it arrives.”After a while, a strong-looking man arrived. His attire indicated he held a high position in society. Miguel introduced him as his attorney. He said it was important for him to explain things to me so that I wouldn’t doubt anymore. I didn’t fully understand his initial explanation because I was focused on his reason for being there.“Okay, here’s the deal. Abby and Miguel’s marriage can
**Aira’s Point of View**Three weeks later,"What did you say?" I asked Ken again. He had shared some news that I could hardly believe."Yes. My brother-in-law left the company to help his sister Cheska run their own business because their father surrendered to the police. I don't know the other reasons, but one thing is certain: my brother-in-law has left us," Ken said sadly."I can't do anything about that. If he wants to go, then let him be. It might even be good for him; he knows a lot about our company that he could use for theirs or to undermine us.""That's not how my brother-in-law is, ate. You know that!" I shrugged and walked out of the mansion.He has no gratitude. After being fully accepted by Dad, he just leaves for the person who caused our problems before. I might be trying to forget what happened, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him. They say you can’t truly forget until you learn to forgive."Here you are again," Raven commented when she saw me in the bar."As far
**Aira Jane’s Point of View**“It looks like you’re in a good mood today. Have you and Miguel reconciled?” Meriam asked me with enthusiasm.I continued walking towards the dining area, ignoring her because I didn’t want any commotion to disturb my beautiful morning. I woke up feeling light, as if all my worries had vanished. I wasn’t sure if it was because I realized Miguel truly loves me and I’m still his safe haven, or if it was because I had spent almost the entire night with him.“Did you know you’re trending again? Ever since you started dating Miguel, you’ve never left social media. You’re always the topic of conversation.” She followed me while saying all this. I turned to her and replied, “You know, Meriam, after all this time we’ve been living, aren’t you used to being talked about by others? Their opinions don’t matter to me, unlike yours.” I said it sharply without even looking at her.“Really? What if the topic now is your boyfriend marrying his fling? Doesn’t that matter