"What?" Fernando exclaimed, staring at him in disbelief. He recalled how they had searched for them, for years without finding any trace of them. They had stopped searching, when the information got to them that they died in a plane crash, and Peter could not marry again. "Yes, Imelda is here in Texas, with our daughter." He broke down the news."Wait, wait. What really happened? Why did they leave? You didn't tell us the whole story," Lukas said, and Peter could only sigh.Flashback…Imelda had just returned from work, and had gone to see her baby, who was sleeping, peacefully in her room. She stared at her in admiration, and so much love and joy in her heart, and kisses her head, whispering goodnight.Her heart sank the moment she saw her husband in bed with their nanny. He was half naked, only in his shorts, while the nanny—a 22-year-old woman was putting on a revealing night gown, and was in the process of taking off her gown, to seduce him. She had spiked his drink, making him
Peter tried to call her again, but it was no longer reachable. It was at this point, he knew he lost her. If only he had insisted on sending Rita away, when Imelda had brought her in, then, this would never have happened. How was he going to tell his brothers that his wife left him with their daughter, because she had seen him in bed with someone else, which happened to be a misunderstanding?What was he going to do? After years of wooing her, she finally accepted, and now? It all went down the drain.He tried to call her again, but with another number.He prayed that she would answer the phone, because he needed to clear the misunderstanding. His prayer was answered, but not as he wanted it to end."Peter, do not call me! Isn't your mistress available, today? Was I really nothing to you? You kept lying to me, all this time; it's over, now. You have Rita. Let my daughter and I have peace," she said."Imelda, you're wrong. It… it's just a misunderstanding, whatever she told you isn't
"Peter, where is Imelda, and your daughter?" Lukas asked, when he visited his brother.He was expecting to see them as usual, since it holiday already, but he was surprised to see just Peter."They…She…they travelled," he stuttered, trying to find the right word to use. Lukas found it quite strange to see Peter stutter that way."Travelled to where?" He asked."Uh…"He didn't know what to say, and luck was on his side, as Fernando just walked in; he was able to avoid the question, but not for long."Hey, Peter." Fernando greeted him, "you didn't tell me you were coming over, Lukas.""Just thought it'll be nice to drop by. I was going to get something for the twin.""Where is Imelda?" Fernando asked, looking around the house for her."Peter said she travelled with the daughter," Lukas replied."To where?" Lukas looked at him, "that's what I was asking him, before you came in.""They went on a vacation to LA," he lied, praying inwardly that they don't ask any further questions, but th
He followed them to the table, where they ate chicken, and vegetable salad. He managed to act along, while his eyes roamed around the room they were in, trying to find the slightest evidence he could, to confirm his suspicion that she had come here.His instinct never failed. He had a strong feeling that Imelda was in the house. Intellectually, there was no where she could go, if not her parent's house. "Do you enjoy the food?" The woman asked."Oh, yes. I do. It's delicious," he replied, still scanning the room.While they were busy eating, and laughing over the table, Melvin tried to communicate with him, without getting caught. Smart Fernando noticed his intense gaze on him, and turned to find Melvin staring at him.He arched his brow, in a way that seemed like he was asking him what the problem was.Melvin told him to wait.He feigned to have a cough, in order to leave the table. It was somewhat like a rule that no one leaves the table, until they finished their food."Excuse me,
Fernando could feel his brothers' eyes tailing him as he walked into the house. He could almost hear the questions they were itching to ask."So....?" Lukas asked, an expectant look in his eyes."Give me a minute, boys." He murmured, shrugging out of his coat. "Let me say hi to my son, first."He walked further into the house, not waiting for a response from them. Before he got to his son's room, Jayden was already peeking through the door."Dad!" The boy called out.He watched as the face of his little boy lit up in happiness, then spread his arms wide. Jayden let out a childish giggle and ran into the arms of his father. As Fernando hugged the little boy, he caught the reflection of his brothers on the opposite mirror, the impatient gleam in their eyes."Alright," he sighed, standing to his feet and releasing his son. He turned to Peter and Lukas, eyebrows raised in mild annoyance. "What, I can't say hi to my son first?"Peter let out an impatient sound and grabbed Fernando's arm, l
Peter drove back home, looking upset. He took a bottle of whiskey and ice, and poured it into a glass cup. Not minding how strong the alcoholic content was, and how much it burned the throat of anyone who drank it, he gulped the whole content at a go.The sharp pain he felt in his throat was not enough to compare to the pain he felt in his heart. He poured, yet, another drink into his glass, and took it in a gulp. It felt really nice to him—like he was drinking a glass of juice. The more glasses of whiskey and ice he drank, the more tipsy he became. The thought of Imelda leaving him, because of some misunderstanding that could be settled, if she had waited; made him feel bittered.The thought of not seeing his precious little princess anymore made his stomach churn. He was mad at himself. If only he had insisted that Rita should leave the house, then, maybe this would not have happened.He had several thoughts running through his mind. Who would cheat on his wife, and sleep off, upo
Peter had already planned to maintain his stance, if ever they—especially Fernando, tried to convince him to stay back.He never thought it would be easy for him to accept his decision. He was shocked, and so was Lukas. They both knew how Fernando was, so his response came as a surprise to them. He must be up to something. But, what could that be? Fernando sometimes, could be unpredictable.After Peter had told them about his plans to travel to France, Lukas was about to talk him out of it, when Fernando replied."Alright, then. If it's what you want, then, do it!" Lukas gave him a questioning look. His lips were itching to blast him with questions, but no words came out of his mouth. He was just speechless."He doesn't even know when he is coming back, and you are letting him go? Are you sure you heard what he said, clearly?" Lukas asked, still doubting that Fernando could easily support his decision—that particular decision."I heard him, clearly. I am letting him go, because it i
"Why the hell did you hide all these from us?" Lukas asked, after knowing the whole story. He had not known the whole truth about the main reason his wife left him. Fernando was quiet, he was not shocked at all. He knew everything, even things Peter had not known. They drank the last content in the glass, and sat in silence for a few seconds."So, how did you find them? I mean, you were not in Texas, nor the US. You were in France! How did you find them?" Lukas questioned, his eyes gleaming in eagerness to hear the story."You haven't changed, Lukas! I met her in Texas, man. I can't believe she was in Texas! I came back to meet some representatives from the companies that wanted to invest in mine, then I met her. Jeez! We were shocked, I couldn't even say a word." Peter said, recalling how shocked he was when he saw her."Lukas, call your family to come back to Texas. Peter, tell Imelda to bring your daughter. We need to have a family get-together. I have something important to tell