“Daniela wasn’t hurt at all anyway, but now, we’ll make Daniela pay in a different way. Times are hard, everything’s expensive. I bought that house with my own bløōd and sweat. I’ll make her pay.”
Savannah had a talk with Daniela and tried to convince her to move with her family into the townhouse her father had given her earlier. “Don’t you want to leave Mr. Kulas’ house?” she asked.
“I would rather live among räts and cockroaches than to accept my father’s help,” Daniela replied.
Savannah asked about her father-in-law and Daniela told her that the man was always being nosy and interfering in her affairs. Savannah told her she had no choice but to tolerate him since she had refused to move out and accept her father’s help.
“Do you really think I would allow him to boss me around?” Daniela asked. “I’m Daniela Mondragon, Savannah. Nobody tells me what to do.”
Savannah told her that since she had decided to stay at Kulas’ house instead of asking help from her father, then she had no choice but to live there by his rules. Daniela was upset, asking who’s side she was on. “I’m just explaining things to you,” Savannah said.
Just then Daniela’s cellphone rang. It was her father. Savannah asked her to answer.
“What for?” Daniela asked.
“You’re in need of options. And that is an option.”
Reluctantly, Daniela picked up her phone. “What do you want now, dad?”
“Dinner. With my daughter.”
At the grocery store, Mina and her team were still having trouble competing against the ‘Super Sardines’ which was having higher sales more than ever. Mina then asked Bonita to cook some corned beef while she tried to woo the people to their side, asking them to come and try their corned beef.
Soon, the people started lining up and they all had a taste of Mina’s corned beef. Nadya talked to Marga on phone, asking that they make a video call. Marga said it was too late and they would see themselves tomorrow anyway. Nadya asked if she was avoiding her and Marga eventually agreed to the video call.
“Nadya, hello. Can you see me? Because I can’t.”
“Why is it so dark?” Nadya asked.
“Hello..I can’t get any reception. Bye.” Marga said before hanging up.
“What do you mean? The reception here is great,” Gino said the moment he walked in. “You haven’t told anyone that you live here, have you?”
“If I did, they’d stop being friends with me,” Marga replied.
“True friends, no matter what, will accept you for who you are.”
“Uncle you don’t understand,” Marga said. Meanwhile, Daniela stood by the front door, listening. “I’m a Mondragon. Everyone should be looking up to me. But look at where I am. I’m in a swamp. The slums. It’s crowded. Dirty. And it smells. And there are so many insects.”
Marga kept on complaining, saying that it was very hot in the house and she always had to wear pajamas and socks so she wouldn’t get bitten by mosquitoes. “And there’s no air conditioning. Do you know how hard that’s for me?”
Gino offered to buy her mosquito nets and coils. “I would even fan you. What do you want?”
“My friends. My old life back,” Marga replied.
“We’ll figure it out,” Gino said, giving her a hug. Still standing by the door, Daniela seemed to be almost on the brink of tears. Someone was hidden in the bushes, taking pictures of Marga at her new house.
The next morning, Marga was trying to send something but there was no signal. Daniela asked her to get ready for school before she was late. When Marga was going to pick up her bag inside, Daniela noticed the blood stain on her skirt.
“You’re having your period,” Daniela stopped her and pointed out.
Marga was horrified. “I don’t have any pads,” she wailed.
Daniela asked her to wait while she went to buy some for her. However, she couldn’t get any at the local store.
“That’s what you get for being a bragger,” an older woman mocked.
Marga came running up to her and Daniela told her that she would ask her uncle Gino to buy the pads for her. Marga asked why she didn’t want to ask for help from her grandfather. “He’s your father. And he’s rich.”
“Because he chose Cassie and Romina over us,” Daniela said.
“But Cassie seems pretty nice,” Marga told her.
Daniela was offended. “What do you mean?”
“She actually helped me to paint the wall in school,” Marga explained.
“Just because of that?”
Marga said that she had noticed that they both had a lot of things in common. Daniela told her to stop talking about ‘that family’ because she didn’t want to hear anything about them. “And don’t worry, your dad and I are taking care of things,” she said. “But we would never ask help from your grandfather.”
At Maxwell, Marga was trending. The photo which had been taken at the slums while she talked to her uncle Gino had gone viral. Majority of the students had the photos on their phones. The caption read : ‘Marga Poor Girl’. Cassie came in and was shocked to see some of the photos postered on the school wall as well.
Robert waited for her daughter at a restaurant. When Daniela came in, she warned him that he would only be wasting his time if he still wanted to talk to her about the townhouse.
“If you don’t want my help, I understand,” Robert said. “I accept it. I won’t force you. But Daniela, this has been going on for way too long…why do you shut me off in your life? All I want is an hour, dinner and bonding with my daughter. Is that too much to ask?”
“Is that why you asked me to come here?” Daniela asked. “Now you’re wasting my time too.” She stood up to leave and Robert held her hand and pleaded with her to sit down. Daniela sat down reluctantly and Robert asked how he could fix things. Daniela just stared back in silence.
Back at Maxwell, the students were still laughing over Marga’s current living conditions. “She’s poor,” one of them said while the others kept passing unfriendly comments.
Marga walked in and noticed the scene. Cassie came along and tried to take her away inside. Marga refused. “I want to know why these people are staring at me like I have the plague,” she said. Cassie asked her not to mind them.
“Marga, poor girl,” someone mocked.
Marga confronted the girl. “What did you say?” Cassie tried to intervene but Marga told her to shut up. She snatched the photo from the girl and she was horrified at the sight. “Where did you get that?” she asked.
“It was sent to our group chat by an anonymous number,” the girl teased. “Why, didn’t you receive it, ‘Marga Poor Girl’?” she added with a laugh.
“No! It’s not true!” Marga was hysterical, snatching the photos from those who stood nearby and eventually scaring them off. She redirected her anger at Cassie, demanding to know if she had told everyone since she was the only one who knew.
“Marga, I would never do that,” Cassie said. Marga pushed her aside and stormed off.
At Mr. Kulas’ house, Carlos had a talk with his father about Daniela and Robert. This time too, Daniela stood by the door, listening. Kulas said he had only interfered in their affairs because Marga, her granddaughter was suffering and not used to their new lifestyle.
Carlos said they were working hard to make things better and Kulas wondered why they chose to suffer when someone was willing and ready to help. “There’s someone willing to help, but you don’t want to accept it. You and your wife are too proud,” he said.
Daniela came out. “Dad, don’t worry, I’ll think about it,” she said to Kulas. “You know how much I respect you.”
“As you should,” Kulas said. “I’m your husband’s father. I only want what’s best for your family.”
“Let’s forget about it. I’ll cook dinner for you,” Daniela said.
Kulas was smiling now. “I hope it’s delicious.”
“Of course.”
At the conference room at Camila, Mrs. Galvez was still whining about their sales not going high enough despite Mina and her team’s efforts. “What we’re doing is throwing money down the drain,” she added.
Mina smiled. “I beg to disagree, Mrs. Galvez.” She gave Bonita the signal and she started handing their sales report to everyone present. Mina explained that though they hadn’t had much sales in the morning, their sales in the afternoon had increased three times. “We don’t only want to win. We want to crush our competitors. But we can’t do that if we don’t have the courage to take risks.” Most of the board members took her side.
At Mr. Kulas’ house, Daniela made ready to prepare something. “Uh, why did I even say I’d cook for him,” she said to herself.
Gino came along and Daniela asked him to take over. Gino told her that she could do it herself and Daniela was annoyed when he left her alone in the kitchen. Daniela turned on the gas stove and poured some oil in the frying pan. She turned and grabbed her phone from the table and walked out. Unknown to her, the frying pan behind her had caught fire and had started burning.
“Hey, Savannah, I need to borrow your kitchen,” Daniela said over the phone. “Their kitchen is so dirty. It’s disgusting.”
At Camila, Mrs. Galvez confronted Mina. “I seem to have underestimated you,” the annoying woman said. “You won. This time.”
“I’m just thinking about what’s best for us and the company,” Mina said to her.
Mrs. Galvez said Mina was only showing off because everything was a competition to her.
“I’m just proving what I’m capable of,” Mina said. “Something you continue to question.”
“You really should have seen how Camila handled this company,” Mrs. Galvez said.
“I wish I did. I could have learned a lot from her. But we never stop learning new things, do we?”
“Oh, please.”
Robert came by and asked what was going on there. Mrs. Galvez explained that she was only congratulating Mina for a job well done. After she had left, Robert congratulated Mina. “This calls for a celebration.”
“Thank you lövê,” Mina said. “I’ll just call Cassie.”
At Mr. Kulas’ house, the entire place was almost on fire, burning up furiously while Daniela was still on the phone.
“I don’t even know how they eat the food that comes out of this kitchen,” she complained.
Marga arrived from school and noticed the fire. She prompted her clueless mother. Soon, the fire had caught the attention of the neighbors and there was chaos and pandemonium. Carlos came to drag her wife away but Daniela resisted, saying that Marga’s school fees was inside. She broke away from Carlos and rushed into the burning house.
Carlos followed her inside as Marga and Kulas yelled out their names. Daniela grabbed her bag. Before she could rush back out with Carlos, a burning log above broke and fell. Daniela screamed. At Maxwell, Cassie greeted her parents excitedly when they came to pick her up.
Robert told her they would be celebrating because her mother’s project had been a success. Cassie congratulated her mother. A guy came running out of nowhere and bumped into someone. He had dropped the photo of Marga which had gone viral. Robert picked it up, shocked to the bone.
Mina looked surprised as well. “Cassie, what is that?” she asked.
Carlos had been admitted at the hospital, his leg wrapped in a caste. Kulas asked Jude to go and find the doctor because they couldn’t rely on Daniela for anything. Carlos asked him not to say that and Kulas pointed out that Daniela had burned up his house. Daniela came in and said that it had been an accident.
“Forget about it. What’s done is done.” Kulas said.
The doctor came in and informed them that she had already told Daniela that the patient had second degree burns and a leg fracture.
“Unfortunately, it will be a while before Carlos can walk again,” Daniela added.
“What?” Carlos was shocked. “For how long? I can’t be bedridden. Doc, I have to work. My family needs me.”
The doctor told him that it was only temporary until his fracture healed. Kulas and Jude left to see if they could save anything from the house. Daniela was scared about what would happen to them since they had lost everything again. Carlos assured her that he would find a new place and take care of them.
Daniela made a face, an idea brooding in her mind. Back at Maxwell, Cassie told her parents that someone had found out about Marga’s financial problems and told the whole school about it. Robert still hadn’t recoverd from the shock.
“Daddy, am worried about Marga,” Cassie said.
Back at the hospital, Daniela cried her eyes out, saying that she felt sorry for her daughter because she shouldn’t be going through this kind of ordeal. “Now we don’t even know where we’ll end up. We don’t even have a home to go to,” she sobbed. “This isn’t the life I dreamed for my daughter.”
“What’s your plan?” Savannah asked.
“I need to do something to change this,” Daniela said.
“Like what?” Savannah asked. “You turned down your dad’s help, remember?”
Silently sobbing, Daniela made a phone call. “Dad. We’re at the hospital.”
Robert and Mina came to see Daniela at the hospital. Carlos was fast asleep. Robert asked how she was and Daniela said she was fine but it would take some time before Carlos could walk again.
Robert bowed his head down. “I really want to help you, but…”
“I accept.” Daniela sobbed. “I accept the help you’re offering.”
Robert glanced at Mina in surprise while Daniela cried that she didn’t know what to do.
“We lost everything. I don’t know what to do,” Daniela cried. “I feel so sorry for my daughter. And I know I should be doing something as a mother. I know that you feel the same way.”
Robert and Mina just stared, speechless.
“Dad, we just need a place to stay,” Daniela went on, crying. “The doctor said Carlos needs to properly recuperate. And Marga’s still in school. We just need a temporary place to stay,” she cried.
“Daniela, don’t worry about anything,” Robert said to her. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you dad. Thank you so much.”
“You will have a home,” Robert assured. “Just focus on your husband”
At the Mondragon Mansion, Robert and Naana Esther made the house ready for Daniela and her family. They would be moving in tomorrow. Robert left everything in Esther’s care since she already knew how Daniela was like. Mina came in and told her husband that she hoped he had made the right decision, and that she hoped there wouldn’t be any problems since Daniela would be living there.
“This is only temporary,” Robert said. “The townhouse they’re moving into is being prepared. And I want to take this opportunity to be a grandfather to Marga. And a father to Daniela, even for just a while. You understand, right?”
Mina nodded, forcing a smile and Robert thanked her.
Jude had rented a house. He and Gino brought in some things they had saved from the fire. Some pictures of their mother were among the things that hadn’t burned up. Kulas threatened to burn them himself if they didn’t throw it away. Gino mentioned that their house had been destroyed because of Daniela.
“So why don’t we live with them while our house is being repaired,” he asked. “I’m sure we can all fit in the mansion.” Jude supported his brother but Kulas disagreed. Kulas said they would only be able to do that if Robert offered them the chance.
“Daniela wasn’t hurt at all anyway,” Kulas added. “But now, we’ll make Daniela pay in a different way.” Jude was against it since Daniela was now part of their family.
“So we should just let it slide because she’s family?” Kulas asked. “Times are hard, everything’s expensive. I bought that house with my own bløōd and sweat. I’ll make her pay.”
Daniela, Marga and Carlos (who was now in a wheelchair) arrived at the Mondragon Mansion. Marga asked if they were going to live there from now on and Daniela said it was only temporary.
“Hi Marga,” Cassie came up and greeted excitedly. Her parents joined her at the door.
“Marga, Daniela, Carlos, welcome home.” Robert said.
“Thanks dad.” Daniela said. On her request, Marga greeted her grandfather, and Cassie told Daniela that she had a surprise for her.
Cassie went calling out Esther’s name, and the older woman came to welcome Daniela. Neil and some maids came in with a banner : ‘Welcome Home Bartolomes’, it said. Cassie announced that it was her surprise and Daniela ‘thanked her’ and asked if the rooms were ready.
“Marga is so beautiful,” Naana Esther commented.
“Baby girl, greet your nanny,” Neil said.
Daniela nodded her approval and Marga went to greet Esther. Daniela asked about her room again.
“If you’re referring to your old room, that’s where Cassie stays now,” Robert said to her.
“But, I can share with Marga, or we can change rooms if you want,” Cassie offered.
“Nevermind,” Daniela said. “Where would we be staying?”
“You’ll be staying in the guest room for now,” Mina answered. Daniela turned to stare at her, forcing a smile.
Later on, Cassie showed Marga around her room. Marga was impressed with the designer bags Cassie had in her closet. Marga asked why she never used them and Cassie said her books and art supplies were all that she needed.
“Ah, what a pity,” Marga sighed. “If only these were mine.” Marga tried on one of the bags, and commented that it would be great to go out with it. Cassie said she could borrow it if she wanted.
“Really?” Marga was excited.
“We’re family,” Cassie said. “What’s mine is yours.”
Carlos talked to his boss on phone, pleading with him not to fire him. However, the man fired him and hanged. Daniela tried to comfort him, saying that he would have another job soon. Carlos asked when that would happen since he didn’t even know when he would be able to walk again.
Daniela said they didn’t need to rush because her father was willing to help. Carlos told her he didn’t want to rely on her father and Daniela said she felt the same way, but she was only doing so because of Marga’s sake. Carlos worried that Daniela might make things worse with her father and Daniela promised not to cause any problems as long as Mina stayed away from him.
The Mondragons had dinner with their new houseguests. Robert asked where Carlos was and Daniela told him he was resting in his room, and would have dinner there. Naana Esther passed Cassie her favorite food. Marga was disgusted, asking why they were eating sardines.
“You don’t like sardines?” Robert asked.
“Sardines is this family’s bread and butter,” Neil said. “It’s also Cassie’s favorite.”
“Excuse me, Sardines is also Marga’s favorite,” Daniela jumped in, giving Marga a look. “Right, Marga?”
Cassie was excited. “We’re really alike,” she said. On her mother’s request, she gave Marga some of her sardines. Marga was disgusted, as if she wanted to vomit, the look on her face ridiculously resembling that of a woman in labour.
Robert announced that they would be going shopping after school tomorrow so that Marga could replace the things she had lost in the fire. Marga was excited. Later on, Daniela confronted Mina at the kitchen. Mina said it was evident that Daniela was bored and that was why she had come to see her.
“I have changed after so many years being a Mondragon,” she said. “People change, you know?”
“I’m impressed with your survival skills,” Daniela said. “You’re like a cockroach…to think you even let us live here.”
Mina smiled. “I’m not unreasonable, like other people. You are Robert’s daughter. You are my stepdaughter. Let’s just say that I’m performing my motherly duties.”
“Don’t push it, Romina. I am meticulous just like you. And just like this kitchen…I want everything in order. I choose the people I associate with.”
“I don’t expect you to accept me,” Mina said. “But don’t ever cause trouble for this family…If you want things to remain peaceful.”
“Is that all? I can try,” Daniela said, turning to walk away. She turned back and stared at Mina. “But I can’t promise.”
Carlos was frustrated being confined in a wheelchair. He tried walking and Robert came in and warned him that there was somethings that couldn’t be rushed, and he would only worsen his condition if he pushed himself too hard. Carlos said he needed to get better because he didn’t want to be a burden.
Robert told him to take much care of his injuries if he really wanted to get better. He even offered to bring in a therapist to help with his recovery but carlos refused the offer, saying that he didn’t accept handouts and neither did he want to be indebted to anyone.
“Alright. You can work for me to pay back your debt after you have recovered,” Robert said.
“I can take care of myself,” Carlos told him. “Letting us stay here is more than enough…I do appreciate your offer though. I’ll do anything to support Daniela and Marga.”
In Cassie’s room, which she now shared with Marga, Cassie was busy with a painting when Marga came in with some pair of shoes. “Cassie, is this nice?” she asked.
“Yes,” Cassie said, glancing back for a second.
“What about… this one?” Marga held up another pair.
“It’s perfect,” Cassie said without even turning around to look.
“What about this?”
“It really suits you.”
Finally noticing that Cassie wasn’t paying attention to her, Marga sneaked up on Cassie, picked up a paintbrush and painted Cassie’s nose.
“Marga, why did you do that?” Cassie asked.
“Because… you weren’t paying attention to me. Why are you so serious anyway?”
“I’m just thinking of something,” Cassie replied. Cassie then asked why their mothers never got along. “I could tell there was tension between them during dinner,” Cassie said.
“I don’t know either,” Marga said. “I always wondered why I never got to see you when we were growing up. As long as I can remember, mommy’s always been mad at your family.”
Cassie said that she had tried asking Naana Esther and Uncle Neil but they wouldn’t tell her anything. Cassie asked Marga to ask her mother about it but Marga refused.
“Do you want us to get involved in their fight?” Marga asked.
“No. Of course not.”
“Then let’s just mind our own business,” Marga said to her. “Let’s not get involved.” Marga painted Cassie’s face with the brush again, laughing before running over to the other side of the room.
“Marga!” Cassie picked up a paintbrush and started chasing Marga around the room.
