I stared blankly at the white wall. The silence is deafening. I sat there, lifeless, while everyone is praying and hoping that my parents will get through this.

Even if it was unbearable to see, I looked back to see my parents. They're both lying on different beds with different machines attached to them. I could feel they're struggling. And it just pains me more to see them both there.

Sara's not here. She couldn't even move when Uncle William fetch us earlier so we can rush here. She's too shocked to process everything right now.

Uncle Lucas is on his phone. He's been receiving endless phone calls since he got here. They're all asking about the accident and my parents' status.

Auntie Elaine held both of my shoulders. I looked at her as I try my best not to cry.

"How's Sara?" She's trying her best, too.

"H-home..."

She caressed my shoulder up and down, and the warmth it gave me just made my tears fall.

"I heard you reached h-hundred thousand subscribers..."

I covered my eyes and started crying like a child.

"I-i did... I did, but..." I couldn't even finish my sentence.

Auntie Elaine hugged me from the side. I was the only one crying inside the ICU. Because as a seventeen-year-old girl, what can I do?

She offered to buy some hot chocolate and coffee for everyone. She left me and promised to come back as soon as possible.

My eyes are wandering when I realize I could not see Rueben anywhere. I stood up and roamed around outside the ICU, but when I still couldn't find him, I decided to go for some long walks to find him. I was scared to leave my spot, but I was more afraid to be alone near my parents, fighting for their lives. Uncle William and Uncle Lucas left, too, to meet Auntie Irene. She's a neurosurgeon here in the hospital, and she will explain to us the possible outcomes when my parents regained their consciousness or what we have to expect for the following days.

After minutes of looking for my brother, I saw him outside the hospital, talking to someone. I saw them left, so I ran after them. I maintained my distance so he won't see me. I saw the man he was talking to gave him an envelope. Rueben opened it, and I saw him pulled out some photos. I also saw him gave that man some money before he left.

When he was about to pass where I was hiding, I came out from my hiding spot and prevented him from reaching the elevator.

He looks surprised and immediately hid the envelope behind him.

"Who's that?"

"You don't know him... just a friend of mine..."

I do not believe him. He looks suspicious. My eyes went to the envelope he was hiding so he hid it even more.

"What's that?" I asked again.

"Nothing. Just a business proposal," he answered, trying to succeed with his lies.

"Okay," then I shrugged my shoulders.

I went beside him, and we started walking together. His left hand now is holding the envelope.

"Is Sara coming?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

"She wants to, but I think I won't let her for now. She's more emotional than you."

"You should let her. She needs to see Mom and Dad now. If anything happens, at least-"

"Jael, stop it. You're overthinking," his brows drew together.

"Am I?" I faced him.

The elevator in front of us opened.

"Of course. You're just seventeen. How could you-"

"I'm seventeen, but I'm not dumb, Rueben," I said to him as we rode the elevator. "That's not a business proposal. You don't exchange money for a business proposal..."

I heard him pronounce a sigh.

"Stop now, Jael. Let's not fight..."

"If you don't want us to a fight, stop fooling me. Stop sugarcoating things for me. I'll turn eighteen this year, and I don't know what difference it makes!" I stopped and caught for some air.

He's just silent beside me.

"This... this is not just a random car accident. I don't believe them. Maybe the passerby lied? Or maybe he didn't get to see the whole incident. What did they bump to for the car to appear that way? There were no signs of the crash in the nearby trees or traffic barriers-"

"The car was found next to a huge tree-"

"And the tree is perfectly fine!" I insisted. "I saw it! I saw it on television, I saw it in the pictures, and that tree clearly, has nothing to do with them! Look at them, Rueben! Daddy has fractures all over

his body! Mommy bumped her head and suffered from internal injuries! Now, don't tell me that I'm overreacting 'cause I'm pretty sure someone else is involved!"

The elevator opened, and he walked away from me immediately.

He pissed me even more. I ran after him and pulled his shirt.

"You know something, don't you?" My eyes squinted.

He looks so annoyed at me, and he keeps removing my hands off of him. I grabbed the opportunity to get the envelope from him and ran as fast as I can. I ran towards the comfort room for women so he won't be able to get in. When I already locked the door, I tore the envelope apart, and pictures from inside fell to the ground.

"W-what..."

I picked up the photos from the floor where I saw my father, Arthur Valmonte, is with a woman I am not aware of. They looked casual together, so why does he need to hide this from me?

I looked at the photos one by one. I was trying to figure its importance for my brother. As I was almost finished, the last photo caught my attention.

My father is inside our family car... with the same woman from all of the photos... and they were... kissing.

***

Abigail jumped to my bed.

"Ugh! I'm so sleepy! I wish Uncle and Auntie would wake up soon..."

I saw her enveloped herself with my comforter and closed her eyes.

Instead of resting, I sat in front of my table and opened my laptop.

"What are you doing? Didn't you ask me to go home so we could rest?" She asked in a sleepy tone.

"I have things to finish," I answered shortly.

I typed "Lucille de Silva" on my search engine and went to the images section.

"Is it related to your Youtube channel? Were there any comments about the accident? None, right?"

"Of course. My viewers saw them, but I don't remember mentioning their names-"

"But what if they do a background check on you? You never know! You're famous now and-

I looked back at Abigail and glared at her. "Why are you all making a fuss over a hundred thousand subscribers? Yes, I'm grateful, and no, I'm not famous. Just sleep, Abi. I'll lay beside you after this, so you have to be asleep by that time."

She made a mocking expression and buried her face in my pillows.

"Lucille de Silva (born on June 16, 1980) is an actress and a model in the Philippines. She has gained recognition for her roles in both blockbusters and independent films and her women's rights work. She is known for her charity works and generous donations on various departments involving children."

It's her. The woman in the photos. It's her.

My hands are shaking because of anger and frustration. I even unconsciously gritted my teeth, and I want to shout at someone to vent out this pain suddenly.

I leaned back and stared at her photo. Was she known for her charity works? Women's rights works?

"Who are you kidding? You just destroyed a family," I whispered to myself as I felt a tear rolled down my cheek.

I clicked on her family information and saw that she's married to Gabriel de Silva. They have a daughter named Belle de Silva. When I clicked her husband's photo, a lot of campaign images loaded on my screen.

"He's running for Mayor next year..."

I also clicked her daughter's profile and saw that she's just a year younger than me. We also go to the same university, and she looks like a typical girl who does not know what is going on with her mother.

I enlarged their family picture. They all looked like they're happy. So, what's wrong? Why cheat with my father? Why destroy my family?

I covered my mouth so I won't wake up Abigail because of my sobs. It felt like something sharp just stabbed my heart multiple times.

We were okay. I thought we were okay. I have the best parents I can have. So, why pretend?

Of all the things, why this?

My phone beeped, so I wiped my tears and cleared my throat.

I received a message from Rueben.

Rueben:

We need to talk.

***

"What took you so long?" I asked him when he got in the car.

"I came from the site," he said and looked back at the passenger's seat. "Do you have my shirt?"

I gave him the paper bag he told me to get from his bedroom. When I looked inside it, it's full of plain shirts, maong pants, and some clean briefs.

"Do you plan on abandoning us? You haven't been home for days now," I joked.

He smirked and took off his shirt to wear a new one.

"There's a pile of work in the office. All of the pending projects that need approval from Dad is going through another set of review. I suggested it."

"If the last step is getting those signed by Dad... that means he probably agreed to those. Dad is updated in every process, right? Why do you have to review it again?”

"Because I have to know which one of these projects has a relation to that woman. I have to know when did this started and… for how long Dad has been fooling us all..."

I went silent. There's a high chance that Dad met that woman while working on a project. After all, the de Silvas have ancestral mansions and some real estate properties. They must have met in the field.

Right. I have to know, too, which moment or part in my life Dad started to pretend he still loves my mother.

“Why are you telling me this? I thought you don't want me involved?” I hissed at him.

“Jael, I can't do this alone,” he said. “As much as I want you not to get involved… I don't think I can bear this alone. When Mom wakes up… I want her to know the truth-“

“But what if Mom already knows the truth and she just hid it from us all this time? What if the car accident might be related to this? What if Gabriel de Silva knows everything? He's a man with power-“

“Until he's not elected as Mayor, he is not that powerful to me,” he said in a dark voice. “Your assumption about the car accident is the same with the police. They also think someone else is involved. When all of our hunches are right, those people who need to pay must pay.”

“We don't know for sure who those people are….”

“That's why I called you here,” he looked at me. “To what extent can you do for our family?”

“Everything,” I answered firmly. “Just tell me what I need to do.”

“I'm sorry if your summer break has to be this busy.”

I smirked.

***

Wearing a plain black shirt paired with black jeans and white sneakers, I waited at the cafe in front of the bookstore inside the mall. I usually don’t wear my eyeglass, but because I have to use my eyes, I wore them today.

“Did you do a background check on her? Isn’t that illegal, Rueben? How did you know her schedule?”

I heard him growled at me on the other line.

“I did not. What do you take me for? It’s not hard to know her whereabouts. She takes after her mother. From what I know, she left the States for good to finish her high school here and to help with her mother’s donation drives and charity events.”

That’s reasonable. Their family will become so busy with Gabriel de Silva’s campaign.

“I only know we go to the same university. She’s younger than me, so… Grade 10, right?”

“Yes.”

I sipped on my coffee. I feel like we’re actors in a particular movie. But I’m not sure if I’m the heroine or the villain.

“When school starts, I know you won’t be able to be with her all the time, so I asked someone to help us,” he said.

“What? Who?”

Someone sat across me. I cannot see his face because he’s wearing a black cap and a mask.

Rueben ended the call. I sat properly and tried to look at him, but he suddenly grabbed my hand.

“H-hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”

I was prepared to scream and ask for help when I noticed how smooth and slim his hands are.

Wait… these hands are…

“I can’t believe you didn’t recognize my supermodel body. I am so disappointed in you, Jael.”

“What?” I am so lost.

He removed his cap and mask.

“Abi?!”

“The one and only,” then she leaned back at her seat.

“Why are you here?”

“Rueben told me you’re here. He told me to make friends with someone that’ll be in my section this upcoming school year,” she narrated.

My phone beeped, and it was a message from Rueben.

Rueben:

Don’t tell her anything. I just told her to be friends with Belle de Silva.

I let out a heavy sigh.

“I get that Rueben is concern about my social status, but, hey… I have a lot of friends, okay? He doesn’t have to worry about me being alone on the first day. I can be friends with a total stranger in a minute! Please, tell your brother that I do appreciate his efforts.”

“Right. That’s why I understand why he chose you to help me…” I whispered to myself.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I cleared my head for unnecessary thoughts. I have to be careful now that Abigail is here with me.

We ate breakfast first and had a conversation about when will we buy stuff for the upcoming school year. I remembered that I have to buy for a new set of school uniform this year because the uniforms for senior high students and junior high student differs. Same color and pattern but different design.

“Where are the others, by the way?” I was referring to our cousins.

Abigail is my closest cousin. I grew up with my cousins; that’s why we are intimate with each other. Uncle Lucas is the oldest of the Valmonte brothers. He’s married to Auntie Irene, the neurosurgeon. Aaron, David, and Naomi are their children. Rueben, my brother, and Aaron are both college graduates and are now helping in their desired company of the Valmonte Group.

My father, Arthur Valmonte, is the second son, and Rueben and Sara are my siblings. I am the youngest. Sara is in her second year and is taking up BS Nursing because she wanted to become a doctor, so she stays with our parents most of the time.

The youngest of the Valmonte brothers is Uncle William. He’s married to Auntie Elaine, a lawyer. Their children are Hannah, Abigail, and the twins Isaac and Israel. Sara and Hannah do almost everything together. At the same time, we adore the twins and Naomi so much.

They all witnessed what kind of family we are, so I know how much it will pain them when my father's idea of having an affair with that woman is accurate.

“Why did he want me to be friends with her, anyway?” Abi suddenly popped the question.

I stopped eating so I could think of an answer.

“Well…” I trailed off.

“He could’ve asked you. Or maybe not because you lack social skills,” she assumed.

I gave her a death glare.

“Does he like her?”

“What?” I was surprised.

“I think your brother likes this girl-“

“That’s not the case, Abi,” I just can’t tell you now.

After convincing her that what she claims is not valid, thankfully, she surrendered.

After eating, we both decided that she’ll head first to the bookstore to observe her more and plan a perfect way to initiate a conversation while I’ll go to a shoe store so I could buy myself a pair of shoes. It’s what I promised myself if I reach a hundred thousand subscribers.

I went to the shoe section of black school shoes. Senior high school students must wear a pair of black shoes with heels a minimum of 2 inches. I quickly picked a couple. It’s pointed and has a simple design.

Next, I went to the heels section. I don’t usually wear heels, but I’ll turn eighteen this year, and Dad promised to bring me to companies ‘events. With our family’s situation, our presence will be needed in the upcoming events, and I want to look presentable even though I do not know much about our business yet.

I roamed around the mall. I moved from store to store so I can find the perfect one. I searched through different colors and designs.

While still wandering around, there’s a pair of heels that caught my attention. It was isolated from the other heels and was placed in the middle of the store.

It was white strap heels. The color is not white; it’s more of a bright white. If ever there’s a color like that. The kind of white that brightens whenever you looked at it. The heels are tall, but I think I could still pull it off.

“Do you want to try it on, Ma’am? It’s the latest piece from our collection,” a sales lady went to me.

“Size 9, please.”

I looked around the store as I wait for her. I noticed a guy entered, and he went straight to the same heels I just adored.

“I want a size 9 of this,” I heard him say.

Maybe her girlfriend and I have the same size and taste for heels.

The sales lady he just talked to entered the same door where the sales lady I asked for my size entered earlier. I sat down on the couch, and he did, too, at the sofa across me.

When he removed his cap and ran his fingers through his hair, I heard the gasps of the other staff behind the counter.

He sat and looked so manly in front of me. I pursued my lips, preventing myself from smiling as I saw how the female staff gushed over him. I get that he’s handsome, but how can they be head over heels over a stranger? Unless he’s a regular customer?

He suddenly lifts his face, and our eyes met. He raised an eyebrow at me, so I raised my eyebrow at him, too.

The sales lady who assists me came back with a box in her hands, and she went to me with a wide smile.

“This is our last stock for size 9, Ma’am.”

I happily removed my

sneakers and fit them. The sales lady who assists the guy in front of me went back and looked disappointed. Like she’s sad the guy might leave earlier than they expected.

“I’m sorry, Sir. We just ran out of size nine stocks. Would you like to see our size 10?”

I saw in the corner of my eye that the guy looked at me, so I looked back at him, too.

What are you staring at?

“No. I need a size 9,” he said in a low voice.

“Sir, if you like, we can place an order for you. You can come back next week-“

“I need it today,” he cut her off.

“We’re sorry, Sir.”

I don’t know who exactly he is but a woman wearing a suit in her late 20’s came to him and asked him if he wants to look at the other designs.

“Did you see me looked at other designs except for this?” It’s like he pointed a sword at the shoes I’m wearing with his eyes.

I put back the heels inside the box and placed them beside me.

“Go to another store and find a pair that looks exactly like this one—no need to create a fuss about it. Stop making them feel like it’s their fault,” I said to myself while wearing my sneakers.

“Checking inventories of products that are fast-moving in a store is a must. Of course, a lazy businesswoman wouldn’t think of that.”

All of the staff looked at me. When I looked at him, his eyes are focused on me, but he suddenly switched it to the manager.

“I’m talking to you,” he said to her.

I gritted my teeth and licked my lower lip before biting it because I just felt annoyed.

“We’re sorry, Sir. We’ll keep it in mind.”

After scolding the manager, I thought he’ll leave immediately, but he stayed and just sat there. Everyone in the store except him is confused.

“A-are you interested in looking at other designs, Sir?” One of the salesladies nervously asked.

He looked straight at me. “I told you before. I’m not interested in those. I. Want. That. Only. Besides, you cannot tell me that you’re out of stock because I still see a pair of them in my desired size.”

This guy is just unbelievable!

“I already have it. It’s mine. What else are you after for?” I scowled.

I failed to keep those thoughts inside my head. He pisses me even more.

“I haven’t seen you pay for it,” he answered back.

“I will pay for it! I’ll choose a couple more shoes, and I’ll pay for everything at the counter!”

“Then let me see it with my own two eyes. After that, I’d be more willing to leave,” he said with a smirk.

Let’s see whose time will go to waste, then.

I checked every shoe from shelf to shelf and in every single corner of the store. I picked out everything that meets my preference, and I made sure to waste time. I asked the sales lady to get a size 9 for every pair of shoes I picked. It will not be a waste because I can give this as a gift for Hana, Sara, and Abi. For my Mom and my Aunties, too. I want to prove to this guy in front of me that I’ll buy the pair he wanted the most!

“How old are you?” Someone asked.

When I looked at the sales lady beside me, she shook her head and used her lips to point the guy in front of me. My eyebrows meet when I saw him looking down at his cellphone.

Who asked the question? Is it for me? There’s no way it’s him.

“We’re the only customers here. None of the staff here are interested in your age. They only want your money,” he suddenly said.

I squinted my eyes before answering his question. If I tell him that I’m still a minor, maybe he’ll belittle me.

“I’m 22,” I proudly lied.

I heard him chuckled. My forehead creased.

“You look seventeen to me,” and then he scanned me from head to toe.

“Stop staring!” I shouted.

“And you act like a seventeen-year-old, too….”

“If I'm seventeen, my parents will not let me buy all of these shoes in a single visit,” I answered back.

“Exactly.”

He stopped for a moment.

“So, where are your parents?”

I glared at him and remembered my situation. My parents are not here because they are both victims of a car accident. So I'm all alone here doing everything I think I can to solve this puzzle. Those are my thoughts while I'm glaring at him. When I felt some heat around my eyes, I snapped and stood up.

“You should leave. I'm going to pay for these now, and it might hurt you, so….”

He smirked and licked his lower lip because of the insult I gave him.

He didn't leave as I expected, so I ignored him and paid attention to my shoes. Everything was going well when my phone rang, and it's Abigail who's calling.

“Jael, where are you?!”

As usual, her high pitch welcomed me.

“At the second floor. I just bought some…,” I glanced at the shoes. “Some shoes. Why? What happened?”

“You should've come with me! Her mother fetched the girl! You didn't tell me Lucille de Silva is her mother! I didn't even know she has a daughter! She looks so beautiful and sexy in person!”

I immediately went out of the store to ride the elevator leaving everything behind.

“Is she still there?”

“Yes, yes! Do you want to take a picture with her?”

I can hear the noise of the crowd on the other line.

“U-uhm… yes. Do you think you could somehow stop her from leaving?”

I need to see her. I need to see that woman's face.

“Her bodyguards surround her, but I'll see what I can do. Hurry! She's about to leave!”

She ended the call, and I ran as fast as I can to the bookstore.

When I got there, traces of her popularity is the only thing I saw.

“You missed her!” Abi pushed and pulled me.

I placed my hand on my chest because I was busy catching for air. I missed her. I did not get to see her in person.

I immediately texted Rueben about what happened.

Me:

Lucille de Silva fetched his daughter at the bookstore. Abi saw her, but I didn't. I was at the shoe store, and when I got there, they left already.

“She could've taken some more pictures with her fans if only her daughter didn't behave that way.”

I cannot understand what Abigail was saying because I am frustrated with myself. I wanted to go to her and present myself. I wanted to know her reaction if he knew I am the daughter of the man he had an affair with.

I suddenly stopped walking when I remembered something.

“The shoes!”

I hurriedly ran towards the store and found every shoe I picked are already inside the paper bags. I can't believe I left that way. That guy must've thought that I couldn't pay for these!

But where is he?

“I’m sorry, I had to leave earlier because of an emergency.”

“No worries, Ma'am. Besides, the customer here earlier paid for everything,” they said with smiles on their faces.

“Huh?” Abi and I both reacted.

“What guy?" She asked.

“He paid for everything? But why didn't he bring these with him?”

They pointed at the paper bags. “These are all yours, Ma'am. He wants you to know that this is his way of saying “thank you.”

I stopped for a moment and think. Why would he express gratitude towards me?

“Hold on a second… did he leave with my shoes?!”

Abi looks so confused as she stared at the shoes. “There’s… a lot of shoes here. Your shoes? What shoes? Don't tell me there's more?! Are you stress shopping, Jael?"

"Do you perhaps know his name or any contact information that I can use to reach him?" I almost begged them.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. We do not disclose our customers' personal information. It's in our policy."

I feel like I'm about to go crazy. How could he snatch it from me?

"Let's go home before you plan on buying this mall, okay?"

I looked at her, and I wanted to cry.

But I want those shoes! I like those shoes!