Disclaimer: All rights reserved to the copyright owner of the lyrics featured in this chapter.

"Wow. I thought I had at least a year or a couple of months," I said to myself as I read the newly published article about the Valmonte Group.

It's all about the temporary inauguration of Rueben as the CEO of Valmonte Developments and Designs. My father's absence caused fear among the board members that Uncle Lucas and Uncle William might not accept the responsibility because they are both busy with the other companies.

Rueben has been training for a year or two now, so I guess he has learned something from Dad and our Uncles. He's bound to take over, though, with or without the accident. He wanted to run the family's business, unlike Sara, who wants to enter the medical field and, of course, unlike me, who wants to turn my passion into a profession.

My phone rang, and Sara's name flashed on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Have you read the article?" She asked.

"Yes," I sighed.

"I don't think I have time for this," she said, worried.

Sara's in her second year, and I understand why she can't attend the event with all the things that are happening. 

"I know, but Rueben will be very disappointed if we don't appear at his inauguration," I tried to make her realize that.

Both Rueben and her haven't been home for weeks. They'll only come home to pack their clothes. Rueben's been staying at a hotel near the company for convenience while Sara is at the university at day and will go to the hospital to monitor Mom and Dad at night. I volunteered for us to take turns, but she refused. I need to look after the house and manage the other minor responsibilities they have before the accident happened. With their absence, now it's all mine.

"We? Of course, you're going. I went when Dad told me because I turned eighteen," Sara's teasing me.

"That what makes it unfair! I'm just seventeen-"

"Then consider yourself eighteen."

I pronounced a sigh.

"Rueben should've let me enjoy this summer," I mumbled.

Sara laughed on the other line.

My phone beeped because I received multiple chats from our family's group chat after Sara ended the call.

Valmonte Family

Elaine: Are you all excited about your gowns and suit? (insert emoji winking face with tongue)

Guiding us in choosing our gowns and suits for an event is one of many things that makes Auntie Elaine happy. She's a professional model before and is now an owner of a famous clothing line both here and abroad. She's responsible for making sure that our family will stand out in every event. She even designed Mom and Auntie Irene's gown before the company's anniversary celebration last year.

Aaron Vaughn: Should we pick you up, Auntie El?

Elaine: Thanks for the offer, Aaron, but I'll be going with the girls and the twins.

Rueben Thiago: Pick up Sara and Jael, instead.

Elaine: Hahaha!

I joined the conversation.

Me: Is Nami coming?

Aaron Vaughn: Yes.

Me: Yey!

Aaron Vaughn: What time should I pick you up?

Me: Why would you do it? Let my brother do his duties.

Iris Johannah: Ouch.

Ciara Abigail: You just got burn, @Rueben Thiago Valmonte.

David Lawrence: HAHAHA!

Rueben Thiago: I need to attend a meeting at 7 in the evening.

Me: I'll wait then.

Rueben Thiago: Okay, hard-headed.

Me: (insert emoji face with raised eyebrow)

Samira Allisson: Can I go with you, @Aaron Vaugh Valmonte? I need to be there's early as I can so I can review for my exams.

Aaron Vaughn: Okay. We'll drop by at 4 in the afternoon.

Samira Allisson: Thanks.

Rueben Thiago: Uncle Lucas sent more guards there. Have you seen them already?

Samira Allisson: Yes. No need to drop by at the hospital before leaving. You'll get stuck in traffic.

Rueben Thiago: Understood.

Me: Buy some food before picking me up, @Rueben Thiago Valmonte.

Rueben Thiago: Bye. I'm reviewing some papers.

Ciara Abigail: And us, too!

David Lawrence: Six boxes of pizza, please.

Iris Johannah: They'll arrive late. Y'all be sleeping in your rooms.

Aaron Vaughn: There's a thing called "midnight snack," Hana.

Me: Hahaha!

I always find it funny when Aaron goes against Hana. They're just too cute to handle.

Samira Allisson: I think Hana needs some ice pack.

David Lawrence: HAHAHAHAHA!

Seconds after, we saw Uncle Lucas, Auntie Irene, and Uncle William have seen the chats.

William: What happened to Hana? Why does she need ice?

Lucas: You all need to sleep early if you want to look good in the photos.

Irene: Kids, get out of here now. These adults are no fun.

Almost everyone reacted "Haha" on Auntie Irene's message and last chat in the group.

***

"Did you have dinner?" The first thing he asked me when he opened the door for me.

"Yes. You?"

"I had dinner with some of the board members."

I put on my seatbelt and noticed that he had bought a lot of snacks. All of it was at the back of the car.

"You didn't take them seriously, did you?" I was referring to our group chat earlier.

"Those were just chips and some drink. We'll buy more on the way there so it won't get cold."

Rueben seems strict and uptight whenever we want to have fun, but at the end of the day, he and Aaron will always provide the things we need to enjoy as long as we do it within the family only.

"Are there alcohol?" I looked back.

"You're not yet allowed to drink," he said strictly.

I eyed him.

"Not for me! For you and Aaron. The two of you should have a drink. It's been a crazy month for all of us," the last sentence was a whisper.

I stopped for a moment and try if I'll pass this time.

"If you only let me and the others drink just a- "

"No."

I reclined the chair, providing my body a position to sleep peacefully. I looked at my phone, and it's already 9 in the evening. I had some sleep while waiting for him, but since he doesn't talk too much when he drives, the only choice left was to sleep.

"This is what I get for picking you up?" I heard him say.

"Yes..." I closed my eyes.

"Want to hear something that'll wake you up?"

I covered both of my ears to tease him.

"Rueben, if it's about a girl that you like but can't ask her out-"

"It is about a girl."

I looked at him seriously, and he didn't even blink once.

I sat up properly and pointed my finger at him.

"Are you dating someone? For real?! Does Sara know?"

He smirked and focused his eyes in front.

"Do you think I have time for dates?"

I pouted. I thought he's not joking.

"Befriending Belle de Silva isn't enough," he suddenly changed the topic.

My forehead creased, and confusion started to eat me.

"She's not living with her parents. She has her own condo unit. Someone told me she's living there for months now-"

"She's living on her own? Are you sure about that?"

I just can't believe it. She's younger than me, right? I barely manage these days without the rest of my family, so how can she live independently?

"Of course, she's financially supported by her parents. She's just not living with them," he answered.

"Why not?"

I mean, what kind of daughter does not want to live with her parents if they're an actress and a politician? She already has people searching her name on the internet, all thanks to her parents.

"I'm not sure, but the person who told me she isn't living with them said that it might be because... Belle spotted her mother with a man and-"

"So she knows about the affair?"

"I don't know-"

"What if he knew Dad?"

"Maybe not, Jael-"

"You're not sure of that! What if she knew us all this time? What if she became suspicious of us when Abi approached her?"

Rueben suddenly parked to the side and stopped. He looked at me, and his lips formed a thin line.

I let out a big sigh and breathe naturally. He's just beside me, watching me make myself calm down.

"I'm not sure of all those things. I can't really trust the person who said that. After all, he works for the de Silvas. Me, personally asking around about them might put our family's name at risk. And the workload in the company is piling up right before my eyes so-"

"So this is just the right time for me to take action," I continued.

He faced me with a worried look.

"Jael, we aren't in a movie or something. This... should not make you feel excited. This should make you feel scared and a little bit angry. I think I got a little bit carried away when I asked you to help me-"

"You cannot stop me from getting involved. I already know something, and letting me stay out of this will not help you because you know how hard-headed I am," I said, trying to convince him.

I know I'm young. I did not yet reach the legal age for some things, but this is my family we are talking about. That woman gets in between my parents, and she ruined us. That's not all. The accident that happened a month ago isn't as simple as they think it is. The state of my parents when they were found was so close to death. And if ever one of them had died because of it, I don't think I can forgive. So I have to know the truth.

"Whether this is related to their affair or not, we have to know the truth, Rueben. I'm hoping that this is just a plain car accident and not an attempted murder. Because if it is, things will not go back to where they used to be. Mom and Dad's lives will still be at stake even after they woke up."

We have to plan this carefully. If Belle de Silva isn't living with her parents because she knew about the affair, there's a high chance that she'd been looking for that man, my father. If she saw his face, then she could've already done a background check, and she might've known Abi from the very beginning. But if not, we can still use our previous plan, but we have to change some things.

"Does that make Belle de Silva useless for us?" I asked.

"Not really. We could still use her to get some information, but if she's been staying at her condo for the last months, maybe she aren't aware of the current situation of Lucille de Silva, so... I'd recommend that we still keep an eye on her but not waste our time on her."

I nodded.

"So we need someone close to her as of the moment. Right?"

"Yes."

But who could it be? Her staffs? Her make-up artist? Stylist?

Who can be someone closer to her own daughter?

***

"Midnight snack? Really? I heard you snore all night," Hana welcomed Aaron, who just woke up and is currently on his black pajamas.

Apparently, the people who have been begging us to buy midnight snacks aren't awake when Rueben and I got here at the mansion past midnight. They were all sleeping in their rooms, and only Uncle Lucas and Auntie Irene welcomed us.

"Drop by my office some time so you would know," Aaron answered back.

I haven't been able to sleep enough. I think I only slept for two hours, and then I found myself making some breakfast.

"They'll be here at 10, so prepare yourselves after you eat your breakfast," Auntie Elaine is already preparing the living room for the designers that will arrive later.

"Are we good here, or should I let them use the multi-purpose hall?" I heard her say.

I stood up and did some stretching.

"Anyone wants to join me for a jog?" I asked them.

Hana shook her head. Aaron fell asleep again on the couch. I saw Sara on the balcony when I woke up reviewing for her exams. Rueben's still asleep, David is taking a bath, and Abi is not yet fully awake because I saw her staring at the fishes in the aquarium.

I took a bath and changed clothes. I walked from the mansion up until the gate, and when I passed through it, I started running.

The mansion is located in Laguna. The lot that our grandparents bought is too big for the villa only, so Dad and my uncles had decided to put it to good use when they first got their positions in each company. Actually, the mansion's location is a bit isolated from the other neighborhood and far from the city. They thought it's a good idea to purchase a land far from everyone to be relaxing and peaceful. If I took one of our cars and decided to drive a little farther, there's a waterfall that we could always run to. Not to mention the mountains that surround the area, too. In short, whenever we go here, this place can always be our escapade.

I put on my earbuds and started playing one of Taylor Swift's songs – Sparks Fly.

The morning vibe, clean road, and cold breeze make me feel motivated to run around and waste time. While running, I set the alarm an hour before the designer's arrival so I could go back and prepare.

"The way you move is like a full-on rainstorm"

"And I'm a house of cards"

"You're the kind of reckless that should send me running"

"But I kinda know that I won't get far"

"And you stood there in front of me just"

"Close enough to touch"

"Close enough to hope you couldn't see"

"What I was thinking of"

I increase my speed a little faster.

"Drop everything now"

"Meet me in the pouring rain"

"Kiss me on the sidewalk"

"Take away the pain"

"'Cause I see, sparks fly, whenever you smile"

"Get me with those green eyes"

"Baby, as the lights go down"

"Gimme something that'll haunt me whenever you're not around"

"'Cause I see, sparks fly, when you smile"

I felt a slight pain in my legs after running for some time and realized that I haven't jog for a while, so I feel this tired already.

I stopped for a moment and realized that I reached farther from what I expected. When I look closely at the signs present at the side of the road, I found out that this is precisely where my parents got into an accident. I didn't know it's this near to the mansion because I couldn't come here myself a month ago because of too much shock.

"So this is where everything had happened..."

I walked and wandered around. I saw the tree they were talking about that might have caused the impact on the front's car, but as I assumed, it's magnificent like the car didn't even bump on it—no single sign of a crash.

Something felt weird inside my shoe, so I instantly took it off and saw a bug inside. I plucked a leaf and used it as a tissue to get the bug and throw it away from me.

"Hey!"

Suddenly a dog came from nowhere, bit my shoe and ran away from me.

I ran after him while limping. It went deeper into the forest to the point when I looked back. I almost cannot see the road. But I cannot go home without my shoe!

It went inside an old cottage, and I happened to corner him, so he barked multiple times at me. How can a small dog like him end up here?

"Where's your owner, huh?!" I talked to him as if he's going to answer me.

He barked again. I think he feels scared of me because his bite at my shoe is getting deeper that I can almost see a hole in the side.

"Give it back!" I shouted one more time.

I saw a rusty metal rod at the side, long enough to use it to make him go away, but as soon as I grabbed on it, he just barked at me even louder.

"Your barks are too loud for a small dog like you," I said to him.

I slowly walked towards him. He squeezed himself at the corner while still barking at me, and when I extended my arm to get my shoe off of his mouth, he suddenly dropped it on the ground and ran towards me. I got scared suddenly, so I lost my balance, hit my butt on the ground, and I lost the metal rod; that's why it landed on my feet, and it hurts so much!

"Aw!"

I held the part of my feet where the metal rod was numbed due to the pain and rubbed it back and forth.

I lift myself slowly so I could reach my shoe and saw that its shoelace, tongue, and collar are all damaged. I let out a heavy sigh, wondering how I ended up in this situation where all I wanted was to jog peacefully. I shook off the dirt in it and managed to wear it still.

Now I want to go home.

"I paid for your shoes before, so I guess there's no need to hold a grudge against my dog."

I immediately looked back and saw a silhouette of a man standing in the doorway. The sun had already risen outside, and I can't see his face clearly because of the shadow. He went in and walked towards me, and that when I understand who he is.

"You again?"

He flashed an irritating smile on his face as he pets his dog, who's in his arms right now, looking at me, and barked once again.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I should be the one asking questions. Why are you here? Is that your dog?"

"You scared him-"

"I was peacefully looking at a tree at the side of the road when he bit my shoe and ran," I corrected him.

"He bit your shoe because you're trespassing."

"I did not- wait, what?"

I'm trespassing? Does he own this place?

"Go now before I call the cops," he warned me and walked away.

I am speechless. This guy really gets on my nerves! How dare he say he'll call the cops? Hello? Excuse me? Your dog inconvenienced me, isn't it obvious? This guy just has no consideration for others at all!

I took my courage with me and went outside the cottage. I walked as fast as I can while limping, and because of my frustration for him, I did not see the broken branch in front of me that caused me to tripped and fell behind him.

I bit my lip as hard as I can so no sound will come out from my mouth even though it hurts a lot.

He suddenly appeared next to me and held my leg, but I kicked his hands and moved away from me.

"Don't touch me!"

I tried to stand up on my own, but my feet just hurt more, and I growled because of pain, so he held my left arm to stop me from standing up.

"I said don't touch me, you jerk!" And threw some fallen leaves right at his face.

I managed to get up, and I hurriedly ran away from him. I could feel my tears started rolling down my cheeks because of the pain and humiliation I received. I did not know where I was running to, but I know that I wanted to get away from him.

Because of the tears, my eyesight started to blur, and I couldn't see anything, so I use my hand to wipe off the tears, but I forgot that I threw that guy some dirt with my hands, so it eventually went inside my eyes that just added to the pain.

I cried louder and wished that Rueben and my cousins would be here anytime, but I cannot reach for my phone because my eyes hurt so much. Someone held my arm from behind and made me faced him.

"Stop running away from me," he whispered, and I knew it's the same jerk back there.

His hand was firm, holding me to stop me from doing anything impulsive again.

"W-what's that?" I asked because I still cannot fully open my eyes.

I felt and heard water. That's when I knew that it was bottled water he was holding. He made me form my hands into a position where he could pour the water there, and I can use it to wash off the dirt from my eyes.

I washed my entire face, and bits of my hair in front got wet and. While I'm still making sure that there is no dirt left in my eyes, he suddenly placed the strands of my in front behind my ears so it won't get in my way.

Our eyes met, and I glared at him.

I removed his hand from my face. "Do you have multiple personalities?"

He showed me a grim face.

"You're arrogant and inconsiderate but have a conscience at the same time," I said and stepped backward for us to have some distance.

I fixed myself and shook my clothes for the dirt to come off.

"How about you?" He suddenly asked.

"What now?"

"Back at the mall, you act like you're all grown up but today..."

He didn't finish his sentence, and he just looked at me from head to toe and squinted his eyes.

"I said don't stare at me!"

I glared at him before turning my back at him. I started to walk again, bearing the pain in my feet. My alarm rang, and it's time to go home. But how can I go home instantly in this state?

I should call Rueben.

"Where are you?" His question welcomed me.

"Come pick me up," I said in between my breaths.

"What happened? Where exactly are you, jael?"

The guy is now walking with me as nothing happened.

"Are you for real?" I asked him.

He just looked at me with his poker face.

"What?" Rueben, on the other line, thought that I was talking to him.

"Not you. I was talking to someone," I answered.

"You have company?"

"Yes," I breathed. "A company that I want to get lost."

I saw him smirked at the side. I rolled my eyes at him and just focused on my conversation with Rueben.

"Bring me a pair of shoes and some first-aid kit. If Sara is available, tell her to come... if not, I could wait until we get home. I'll text you my location."

I ended the call immediately before Rueben starts to ask endless questions. First, I got to get rid of this guy before I totally lose myself because he stresses me out.

"Stop following me," I said, not looking at him.

"If I stop following you, sooner you'll get lost and cry again... kid."

I stopped walking and face him. I don't know what he wants from me, but he's starting to push me to my limits.

"Don't talk like you are years older than me-"

"I am older than you," he seriously said.

"Then how old exactly are you for you to be treating me like this?!"

He walked towards me and went near enough so he could feel my anger for him. I did not back down? Why would I? He insults me in every possible way he could, and I hate it.

"Old enough to know that minors like you tend to act like an adult when someone looks down at you because you hate it," he breathed. "More than anything," he added.

I stepped towards him. "Stop babbling and just answer my question."

He got down on his knees and lifted my left feet. I almost lost my balance, but he held my hand, so I did not fall to the ground. It will be the third time today. If he did not keep me from falling; I don't think my butt will cooperate anymore.

"Suddenly interested in me?"

"As if!" I tried to kick him, but he dodges every of it.

"I don't date minors," he continued.

"Excuse me? I also don't want to date old geezers like you," I sneered.

He stood up and glanced at me. I was confused for a bit about what he's about to do, but he scooped me up in a swift and walked back to where we've been.

"What are you doing? Put me down! I can walk!"

"You can, but before you get out of this place, your feet will be swollen enough, and you won't be able to walk for weeks."

For weeks? It can't be! The event is bound to happen next week, and I should be there.

"Then just carry me to where the road is, and from there, I'll wait for my-"

"You're too young to have a boyfriend," he commented.

All words that come from this guy's mouth just always left me speechless.

"Why do you talk like you know me?"

He always concludes things about me when he doesn't know my name. Anyone in my situation will also be frustrated when they meet a person like this.

He did not respond. He just continued walking.

"When I get out of here, I hope to not cross paths with you again," I whispered, but I made sure he will hear it.

"Tss. You trespassed on my property. That's not what I want to hear from you."

I gave it a thought. So he owns this place? Does that mean that he knew about my parent's accident a month ago? Does he know that I'm their daughter?

"Fine... I'm sorry for my inappropriate behavior," I said with all my might.

He stopped walking and looked at me.

"And... t-thank you for doing this..."

And then I bit my lip and buried my face in my hair.

"Now you act like a responsible one," he whispered.

I ignored his comment and breathed some air to ask him some questions. I just want to know if he knew something about the accident if he really owns this place.

"Have you... heard about the couple's accident here... a month ago?"

I looked at him, and he's just looking in front of us. He focused on where he was going.

"Yes. People who live here often told me about it before I purchased this-"

"You're not the real owner?" I cut him off.

He glanced at me with a weird-looking face before looking away again.

"No. What will I do with a land that has a lot of controversial issues about the Valmonte couple?"

I pulled his nape so he would stop walking.

"Then why did you buy it? Did someone make you buy it? Wait. What's your name?"

"Hey, I told you. I don't date minors, and you're not my type, so-"

"If you're not interested with her, you can put her down now."

Rueben is standing in front of us with Aaron and David behind him. I saw two cars parked where I last stopped for a jog. Uncle Lucas and Uncle William were just standing there.

"Rueben," I unconsciously said.

The look on my brother's face is very dark. Aaron is just standing behind me, but David went to us and got me from this stranger.

"Are you alright?" David asked.

I nodded and glanced at the guy.

"Let's go home," I heard Aaron said.

"I want to know what happened," David suddenly looked at him.

"We can talk about that at the house. Let's go now, David," Aaron repeated himself.

"What if this guy did something to Jael? I won't let him go off the grid that easily-"

"So your name's Jael?"

This guy had the confidence to smirk when he knew that David was ready to punch him in the face anytime.

"Stop looking at her and just answer my question," David said.

I punched him in the chest. "Will you calm down? I was just jogging, okay? I didn't notice that I have come here because I was too preoccupied with my thoughts. A bug went inside my shoe, so I had to take it off but his dog bit it and ran away with it, so I ran after it and then he found me. That's all, David."

He wouldn't cut his glare at the guy; that's why I punched him again.

"Let's go now," Aaron said for the third time.

They were all about to go back to the car, but I stopped David.

"Wait, I have to ask him something."

"What? Jael-"

I ignored David and stretched my body so I could see his face.

"What's your name?!"

"Jael," Rueben called me.

"We have to know his name," I said to him.

I cannot tell him why because Aaron and David are here, but I think whoever made him buy this land has something to do with the accident. It came directly from him. Why would he buy something with a lot of controversies? What benefit would he gain?

He just plastered a smile on his face as he would always do whenever I'm dying to receive an answer from him.

"Come find me."

"What?" David growled.

"So I could return this," and he lifts my earbuds in the air.

He walked in the other direction and left us there, confused with his actions.

This guy! 

I need to know his name. He or someone he knows might be connected to this.