TRISTAN'S POV
"Get out. I'll drive," President Constello said as soon as he comes out from the hospital. We left Mister Amadeo at his mansion and assured him to take Miss Zainea back to him, safe and sound.
"Pres—"
"Get out!" he shouted. I'm quite shocked. I immediately get out. I barely see him this mad.
Is there something wrong? Where is Miss Zainea? Why is President Constello coming out alone?
"Call for a backup and follow my track." As soon as he left, I did what he said.
We're now following him to nowhere. He's driving very fast. This road is secluded. Is she here? How can he be sure that Miss Zainea is here?
After minutes of driving, I saw a car ahead of us. President Constello speeds up and tried to keep pace with the other car. The driver of the cab speeds up, too. Fortunately, President Constello's driving skill is beyond a racer's skill that he managed to overtake it and made a full U-turn, blocking the cab. The cab tried to escape, but we blocked it at the back. When the cab stopped, a woman came out of it; it was Miss Zainea. We immediately went out of the car to protect her.
"Check the car," I commanded.
"Zay..." Miss Zainea weakly said.
President Constello run towards her and gave her a hug.
"Damn it, Cal! Why did you leave there?! What if I was late?!" he scolded her.
"Why are you scolding me? Can't you comfort me? You're so mean." Miss Zainea sobbed. "I thought I was going to die."
President Constello stroked her hair.
"I was just worried. I'm sorry."
For the first time in my life, I heard him say those words. I've been working for him for almost 10 years, but I didn't hear him saying sorry to anyone. Just now.
Miss Zainea stopped sobbing.
"Cal?"
I was confused when he calls her 'Cal', but I shrugged it off. Maybe, it was their endearment.
"Let me go! Don't touch me!" A woman?
"Cal? Fvck!" She is now unconscious.
"Boss, what about her?"
"Send her to the police and help with the investigation. Whoever that woman is, make sure she rots in jail," he said without even looking at the culprit.
He carried Miss Zainea to his car and left.
Our President Constello is in love.
"Miss Maxine Amadeo, it's time to pay for what you did."
----
CALAIS' POV
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be resting in your room? Get out."
"I don't want to."
"Mom, will you send him to his room?"
"Mom, no. I'm a patient, you should not force me to move all around."
"Tss. Patient, huh?"
"You two, stop it, will you?! If I didn't watch the news that something is going on with Zainea's family, I won't even have the chance to know that my son and daughter-in-law are both here in this hospital. I already had a bad feeling when I broke the glass—"
"M-Mom?" The word came out from my mouth like a whisper. The three of them looked at me. They are around my bed.
I thought she already left. Why is she here?
"You're awake! How's your feeling?" mom asked me while she's helping me to get up.
"I'm good. When did you come? I thought there's something you need to take care of?"
"I immediately came back when I heard the news. Of course, you're more important than that trip."
I smiled at her. Having a mother like her is a blessing. I like her as a mother-in-law. Too bad, she's Zainea's. She's acknowledging me as Zainea, not as Calais.
I turned my gaze to Zayden.
"Where is that woman?"
"What woman, sweetie?" mom asked.
"That woman who—"
"I've taken care of it last night. You don't have to worry," Zayden cuts me off. "You won't get mad at me if I tell you that she'll be imprisoned for a lifetime, will you?"
"Why would I get mad at you? She did me wrong, you just did what is right. Well, although a lifetime imprisonment is too much."
"Because that was your sister."
I was shocked at what he said.
"Sister?" Caileigh?! I cannot say her name. Their mom is here. She will question who on earth is Caileigh, plus the fact that Zayden mentioned it’s my sister.
"No, I mean..." He cleared his throat. "Your stepsister." Oh. Zainea’s sister. I thought it’s my sister.
"Is she the one who did this to you?! Those mother and daughter, I cannot believe they actually have an ill intention to you. If I get to see them, I'll pull all their hair off," mom suddenly said.
"Since when did you become a war freak, mother dear? You're now becoming like some man out there. Ruthless." Zerro didn't point out who's the man he's talking about, but it's crystal clear that he's aiming at Zayden. Obviously, among us, he's the only person who loves to do things the hard way.
"One more word from you, I'll kick you out."
“Try. Come on.”
"That's how they show their love for each other," mom whispered in my ears. But honestly, it's not a whisper. She intentionally made them hear her words.
They both look at each other. "Love?!" they said in unison. "Gross."
Pfft! Are their minds connected? They're saying the same words!
A knock from the outside interrupted us. The door opened, revealing Zainea's dad followed by their father.
"My daughter! Are you feeling good? I was so worried last night that I couldn't sleep. I badly wanted to visit you, but the media is all over the house until the morning." He held my hands.
"I'm sorry this happened to you. It's my fault." He looked at me with apologetic eyes.
"Dad… No... I-I—"
"I guess, we should leave you both. Have some good talk. I'll visit you again tomorrow, sweetie."
"Hm. Take care, mom."
She dragged her sons outside. Chairman Constello left the basket of oranges on the table and followed them. He’s also here. I thought he’s having some business in Italy and won’t be able to be home for a month? Did he set aside his own business to visit his daughter-in-law? Did I judge him?
"If only I didn't marry—"
"Wait. Wait, dad." I stopped him. Is he going to say something? I think, it is better for Zainea to hear her father out. I don't know what is going on between them, but I wanted them to reconcile.
I removed the bandage on my arm.
"What are you doing? Is it okay for you to remove that? God! It's not healed, why—Zainea!"
------
ZAINEA'S POV
"Dad?" He's about to go outside when I called him.
What's happening? Why am I here? Why do I always wake up in a hospital?
"Wait there. I'll just call the doctor—"
"No! No need, dad! I'm fine. Really. Can you just accompany me here? I will really feel better if I have you here."
He sighed. "Okay then."
He sat on the chair beside me and wrapped my arm with the bandage.
"What are you thinking? Are you torturing me? Showing me your injury is more than enough to make my heart ache, honey."
You got it wrong, dad. Maybe Calais removed the bandage for me to wake up. Why? Are they having an important discussion that she thought it would be best if I'm the one to hear it? What is it all about?
"If I knew that they will do this to you, I wouldn't have sheltered them. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, honey. I really am."
Them? Who? Don’t tell me, it’s stepmom and Maxine.
"Why... why did you do that? Why did you replace mom?" I asked instead. I was unable to spend my childhood days with my mom because she wasn’t there. I grew up with a memory of her, leaving us. That's where I was brainwashed that she's the one who abandoned us, but no. I accidentally heard the conversation of my stepmom and Maxine. They are the reason why mom decided to leave. They pushed her to do so. It is not my mom’s fault why I grew up without a mother, but them.
"Replace? No. I-I met Victoria during my business trip in Europe," dad started.
"You actually cheated? Dad, you..."
"No. No. Hear me out first. Please. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t replace your mom. Actually, I was involved in a hit-and-run when I was in Europe, and she was the one who took care of me until I regained consciousness. All of my important credentials and phone were snatched, I couldn't contact my secretary that time. That's why I thought meeting Victoria was one of my luckiest day." He sighed in disappointment. "But it's also my greatest regret. Look at how messed my family now is.”
I tapped his shoulder.
“To show how thankful I am, I offered her a house. But she didn't take it; instead, she wanted me to take her and her child away from Europe. She said she'll work as a maid, as long as her child's future is secured. That touched my heart, she loves Maxine so much that she's willing to do everything for her. And I did. I came home with them," he continued.
I'm remembering vague memories. I was four years old that time, I guess. I was happy when I saw Maxine. At last, I have someone to play with. That's all I care of. I am the only child in the family, so having Maxine gave me happiness and excitement.
"I cleared with your mom that nothing is going on between us. As a kind woman as she is, she agreed to let Victoria stay. She's grateful to her, so she treats Victoria well. Your mom doesn't consider her as a maid, but a savior. You played a lot of times with Maxine, too, do you remember it?"
I nodded. "I let my guard down because of that. All I thought, Victoria won't do such things that could destroy our family. I believed all her words, and I doubted your mom.”
“Doubted?”
“Our company was having a problem, and I was so busy taking care of it. Then, I came to know that your mom is meeting with my competitor. I didn’t believe Victoria when she said that since I am more than sure that your mom is not that kind of woman, but when I saw her coming out with that man from that hotel broke me."
"W-What? No... mom won't do that to you. Maybe, she just did some talking with your competitor to help you."
"Victoria even sent me pictures of your mom having a private meeting with the other shareholders. Those shareholders..." He gulped. "Those shareholders were the ones who wanted to remove me as the president of the company, so tell me, why wouldn't I doubt her? She's not saying anything to me. She didn't explain when I asked her about what I saw. Instead, she quietly left. I was devastated because of her decision to end everything between us. It’s okay that she left, I can lower my pride and coax her, but when she sent me divorce papers?” He smiled bitterly. “We had no communication after that. I was so angry that I couldn't stand hearing her name nor seeing her face."
Is that why you removed all her pictures? But you don't know everything. You were kept in the dark for so long, dad.
"Is that why you married Victoria? To show that you are not affected with your divorce? Dad... have you even gave mom a chance to explain her side when she came during my graduation? I saw her come, but kept her distance from me. I was about to talk to her, but she disappeared. Did you kick her out?"
"No. No. I didn’t know she came that day, but… I… I threatened her not to come near us, not to talk to you. I was afraid she might take you away from me. And honestly, I only married Victoria not to get back at your mom, but because I saw that you needed a mother's love. She can take care of you while I'm busy."
You were right, dad. I needed one. When mom left us, I cried my eyes out, I felt alone. Victoria helped me get through it. She's a nice mother, but I don't know if she did that genuinely, or she's just good at acting being a good one. I adore her, not until I was enlightened of the truth. I don’t like her anymore. I just wanted my mom back.
"So, I never thought that this day would come. That they will harm you. I don't understand. Why did they do these things to you? Why didn't you tell me that they are not treating you well?"
"If I told you, will you believe me? I was afraid that you'll abandon me if I say things against them, so I kept my silence. I draw a line. I distanced myself from you. I kept all their mistreatments from you."
After I knew that he believed my stepmom than my mom, I became scared to compete with her in any way. I don’t want to be doubted by my own father. I don’t know where will I go if that happened. I don’t know where to find mom.
"I thought you're just having your puberty stage, and it's normal that you're being distant to me. I didn't know that you're feeling that way. I'm so sorry. I'm wrong."
We stayed quiet for a moment. Dad is looking on the floor while holding my hands.
"Dad..."
He raised his head.
"I guess you should—"
"Will you forgive me? For everything?"
I gave him a smile. "I want to have a complete family, dad."
"Is that a yes?"
"I've forgiven you long ago, dad." I don’t want to prolong this kind of negative feeling any longer. Don’t you think it’s time for me to experience having a complete and happy family?
"Thank you, honey. Thank you. What is that again? What were you trying to say?"
"I want you to settle down things with mom. Don't you think it's time for you to talk? Maybe the truth you knew is not the truth."
It's not my story to tell, so I won't give you a word, dad.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Mom can only answer your questions."
"I don't know how will I face her." He let out a small laugh. "I'm not getting any younger, but why do I feel so nervous every time I think of having a conversation with your mom?"
"Psh. Dad, I thought you're angry at her?"
"I am, but still— I don't know. I’m mad at her, but just a little? I'm being weird, don't you think?"
"You are." I giggled. "Anyway, dad. About me and—"
"Zerro?"
"How... how did you know that I am going to talk about that?"
"I'm your father."
"Oh."
"So, I was thinking..." He stopped.
I don't care why Zayden agreed to marry me. All I care is Zerro's feelings. Now that my life is starting to be fixed, I want to get things straight between the three of us.
"We should break the deal with the Constellos. Honey, I don't want you to live with someone you don't love. It's my fault for forcing you to marry Zayden. I'm to blame. Don't worry, I will talk this with Zayden. I don't want you to live an unhappy and miserable life like me. I've been there, so I won't let my only daughter to experience it, too."
"Dad, thank you. But why now? Why didn't you stop the agreement before?"
"I thought it would be the best for you. Zayden is the heir of the Constello Enterprise and El Grande and having him as your husband will secure your future and career, so why not? Have you not developed any feelings for him? I hear things that you two are being sweet publicly."
That was not me. Don't tell me... Calais, do you like him??
"No, dad. My heart will always scream Zerro's name, no one else. One more thing, dad, I don't want a rich husband for me to feel secured. I only want someone who can love me like you do. But, dad. Do you know something about Zerro's family? About why didn't their father allow Zerro to marry me since he's the elder one, and he's also a Constello. He knows our relationship, but he sent Zayden in place of Zerro."
I don't want to say things to him. I just want to see if dad knows that Zerro is not a real Constello.
Is it possible that Chairman Constello doesn't want an outsider to benefit from marrying me, so he sent Zayden instead of Zerro?
"It was written on the agreement, honey. Your grandfather and their grandfather both decided to marry you off to the second son of Constello family."
But there was no second son!
"Zerro was five years old while you were still in your mother's womb, so maybe they thought, Zerro was not a match for you. He's five years older than you."
Dad doesn't know anything.
"Have you seen grandfather signing the agreement, dad?"
He furrowed his eyebrows at my question.
"No. Why are asking me these questions? Do you know something I don't know? Tell me the truth."
"N-Nothing. I was just curious."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Just curious."
"Now that you've mentioned that, I'm starting to doubt if there really is an agreement. But I saw my dad's signature on it. It was legit. His signature can't be faked by just anyone."
If grandfather's signature was on it, does that really mean that it was Zayden whom I should marry? Does that mean I'm only overthinking? Chairman Constello is just following his father's last will?
-----
THIRD PERSON'S POV
The Constello family gathered in the room of Zerro. No one dared to open up a conversation.
Zerro cleared out his throat and was about to talk when Chairman Constello buts in.
"Why are you here? Didn't you decide to cut ties with us?" He's sitting on the couch while looking at a magazine.
Zayden's mother scoffed.
"I decided to cut ties with you, not with my sons. You can't stop me from visiting them. One more thing, what does it have to do with you? We're done, you can't command me of what should I do."
Her sweet and kind side was gone. She can't stop herself from being irritated every time Chairman Constello appears in front of her. She still can't forget of how he controlled her of her life that she felt so suffocated when they were together. That's why she decided to leave and divorce him. She can't find the man she first fell at. He changed. Chairman Constello was so controlling, until now.
"Mom, hush. Relax." Zerro tapped her back.
"Now that we've gathered here, I think it's better for us to clear things out. Tell me what did that man do to you that you moved out of the house. I heard from the maids that you're no longer living in that house." She faced Zerro who is sitting on the bed.
"Mom. Nothing. I simply wanted to live independently."
"Tell me the truth. I know it's not nothing. Who was that Felicity Trouvaille?"
The three men were shocked. They thought she didn't know anything since she's not opening it up, but she's quite updated of the happenings.
"You can't always keep me from the truth. I know his attitude." She points out Chairman Constello. "He's up to no good. Is he making plans for your life?"
Zerro takes a glimpse of Chairman Constello who is pretending to read. "No, mom. I told you, I only want to be independent without anyone else's support," he lied.
"Did you put a spy in my house?" Chairman Constello asked. "You're really something."
"It's not a spy, old man. They were just being loyal to me. Don't feel betrayed. Who would stay beside you when you changed into a monster? Someday, I won't be surprised to hear that you are being betrayed by your most trusted man."
Chairman Constello lost his temper.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me clearly."
"You..."
"Since everyone is here, I want to ask something then," Zerro cuts him off. He is not sure if the person who sent him the text message and DNA results is inside the room, but he’s quite sure that it is someone who is close enough to Chairman Constello that he managed to get his DNA. That person is still not revealing himself.
"Who are my biological parents, and where are they?"