“Are you afraid that your stepmother will see me? I saw her together with your father, funny, right? They wouldn’t have ended up together if you hadn’t paid me to rãpë her. That’s karma, I guess. Does your husband know what you did?”
Kulas told Cassie that it would be better if she stopped asking questions. He warned her to stop digging out the past before she got hurt, and to be thankful and fortunate for what she had.
“But Mr. Kulas…”
“Go now,” Kulas ordered. “I have nothing else to say.” He asked Jude to take Cassie home.
Cassie was stubbornly adamant. “But Mr. Kulas…”
“Go home before your parents find out that you came here. Go, go, go on and leave. Go now.”
Jude walked walked Cassie out, and Myrna told her husband that he shouldn’t have talked to Cassie like that because she was just a child.
“Be thankful that’s the only thing I said,” Kulas grumbled. “That stubborn brat.”
Carlos arrived a moment later and asked what was going on. Myrna told him that Cassie had come to visit. In his place, Alvin put on a jacket and stared solemnly at a refection of himself in the mirror.
“It’s time. For some payback,” he thought to himself.
Esther came into Cassie’s room and found the place deserted. Marga entered the room a second later and Esther asked if she had seen Cassie.
“I actually haven’t seen her,” Marga said. “I thought she was still here.”
“I wonder where Cassie is,” Esther said worriedly.
Cassie entered the room just then and Esther asked where she had been. Marga noticed the mud on her shoes.
“Oh, I was at the poolside getting some fresh air,” Cassie claimed.
“Please message your mom. She’s worried about you, okay?”
“I will.”
Marga kept staring at Cassie’s shoes. She eyed her. “Are you sure you were at the poolside?” she asked as soon as Esther left the room. “Then why are you wearing jeans and shoes?”
“I don’t have to inform you about everything I do, Marga. Why are you so curious? Excuse me.” Cassie walked away without another word.
Carlos asked his father why Cassie had come there and whether she had come with Romina. Kulas told him that Cassie had come there alone, asking about what he had said to her before.
Carlos was frustrated. “I knew this would happen. What did you tell her?”
“What do you think? I told her to stop asking so many questions. They might pin the blame on me again if she discovers the truth. But we shouldn’t be keeping this from her. It’s wrong.”
“Dad, we have to respect whatever decision Romina and Mr. Robert choose for their daughter. Let’s not meddle into their family’s issues.”
“That’s the point, Carlos. Romina should be doing something to keep her from doing this. Tell them to keep a closer eye on Cassie.
“As they say, the truth always finds it’s way out. She’ll eventually find out about this, and when that time comes, I just hope she can handle it.”
Cassie made her bed ready and sat down. She had a flashback of her recent encounter with Kulas, and the words of the misërãble one-eyed-old man kept ringing in her head. “Why were they dodging my question?” Cassie thought to herself. “What are they hiding from me?”
Marga walked in. “I know you didn’t go to the pool,” she began. “Earlier, your shoes were such a giveaway. They were muddy, so you obviously went somewhere else. So tell me. Where exactly did you go?”
Cassie gave her an annoyed look. “Marga.”
“You went to Novatas, didn’t you? Did you find any answers?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Maybe you just didn’t ask the right questions,” Marga taunted. “It’s your problem to fix, not mine. Am just wondering what grandpa will do if he finds out that his princess disobeyed from not going to Novatas, but sneaked out just to do what she wants.”
Cassie stood up to her, her arms folded in annoyance. “You know what, Marga? You said it yourself. This is my problem and I should fix it. So, if you want to tell daddy, go ahead. Am ready to explain why I did what I did.”
“Well, let’s find out then. Let’s see how good you are at talking your way out.”
Robert and Romina greeted some guests at the Thanksgiving party. Alvin secretly had his eyes fixed on Mina. “You’re still so beautiful, Romina,” he said to himself.
Kristoff came to the mansion and asked a maid whether Cassie was home. Marga came over and Kristoff was surprised to see her there.
“Tope,” Cassie, said, coming down the stairs. “Do you need anything?”
“Why aren’t you dressed up?” Kristoff asked.
Cassie was confused. “What? What for?”
“Today’s your dad’s party at the office, right? It’s the reunion of past and present employees. My dad and I were invited. I thought we could go there together.”
“Mamma and daddy didn’t tell me anything,” Cassie mentioned.
Kristoff turned to Marga and asked if she was coming.
“Of course,” Marga replied. “Am just waiting for mommy to call me. What about you, Cassie?”
Cassie’s face was downcast.
“Well, you don’t look interested,” Marga went on, trying to provoke her. “It’s just a party with a bunch of old people from the company. Looks like it’s just the two of us, Kristoff.”
“No, wait,” Cassie said suddenly as they turned to leave. “Am coming with you.”
Bonita complimented Jepoy at the party, saying that he looked really good. Jepoy told her that he had dressed up because it was a party. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet a nice girl here.”
Bonita told him to behave because most of the people were old employees of Camila. “Don’t do anything silly.”
Carlos called Daniela on phone and told her that he was on his way.
“Alright,” Daniela said.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, am fine. Bye.” Daniela hanged up and went over to the people she had been talking to earlier. Alvin watched her secretly.
Back at the mansion, Kristoff asked Marga why she was there since he didn’t see her and Cassie hanging around that much. Marga told him that she was visiting her grandpa and she wasn’t there for Cassie.
“That’s good,” Kristoff said. “But, why didn’t you go with your mom to the party? Why stay here?”
Cassie was coming down the stairs, all dressed up. She stopped and listened to their conversation.
“Do I need to explain why am here?” Marga asked.
“You don’t have to answer, if am crossing a line.”
“Kristoff, am a Mondragon. I have a right to be here. More than anyone else. More than Cassie.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Uh…”
Cassie finally came down the stairs, and Marga seemed grateful for the interruption. “Oh. Cassie’s here.”
Kristoff, Cassie and Marga arrived at the party. Kristoff left to go and find his father.
“Marga, I’ll go talk to daddy,” Cassie said.
“Not if I get to him first,” Marga taunted. She started walking away.
“Marga.” Cassie was going after her when she bumped into someone. Alvin.
“Am so sorry,” Cassie apologized.
“You okay?” Alvin asked.
“Am fine.”
“You’re not hurt?”
“Am fine, thanks.”
Alvin walked away, smiling to himself.
Danny girl had seen what had just happened. She followed Alvin and shoved him into a room. “What do you think you’re doing here?” she demanded.
“Just relax,” Alvin said. “This party’s for all the employees of Camila. Am just here for the free drinks. I couldn’t drink in jail.”
“Is this all a joke to you? Leave before someone else here sees you. Go.”
“Why are you so agitated? Are you afraid that your stepmother will see me? I saw her together with your father, funny, right? They wouldn’t have ended up together if you hadn’t paid me to rãpë her.”
“Shut up,” Danny girl hissed.
“That’s karma, I guess,” Alvin went on. “She was supposed to end up with Carlos but now it’s you who’s with Carlos. It’s so complicated. Does your husband know what you did?”
Daniela was taken by surprise. “How do you know about all that?” she asked.
“Just because I was in jail doesn’t mean I didn’t keep an eye on you.”
“Don’t you dare tell my husband about anything you know,” Daniela threatened. “Because I will not hesitate to call the police.”
“What will you tell them? Let’s just help each other, Daniela. If you tell the police you’ll just open yourself up to more questions. – did you see anything? Do you have any proof?”
“I do. Cassie.”
Alvin looked shocked. “What do you mean?”
Daniela chuckled. “She’s the result of what you did,” Danny girl taunted. “I thought you were updated. Besides, I can easily testify and tell the police that you were the one I saw kĩdnäppiñg Romina.
“I just have to tell them that I remember it all because I saw you again. So don’t think that you can threaten me, Alvin. I play these games better than you.”
Kristoff met up with Cassie and Marga again. Marga asked if he had seen her grandpa and Kristoff told her that he had seen him going around talking to the guests.
An employee came over and asked Cassie if she had just arrived, adding that the guests had been looking for her.
“I didn’t come with mamma and daddy,” Cassie explained. “I came with Marga and Kristoff.”
The woman seemed confused. “Marga?”
“Yes,” Marga grumbled, showing off like always. “Marga. Margaret Mondragon-Bartolome.”
“Oh, Mrs. Daniela’s daughter.”
“Yes, that’s me,” Marga said annoyingly. “Parasite,” she muttered as she walked away. She found Robert and greeted him.
“Where’s your mom and dad?” Robert asked.
“I have something to tell you first, grandpa,” Marga said excitedly.
“Oh, okay.”
“Daddy,” Cassie said, coming over.
“And, what are you doing here?” Robert scolded.
“Dad, can we talk?”
Marga gave Cassie a look. “Me first.”
“Grandpa…”
“Sir, excuse me. Your speech is about to start,” an employee interrupted.
Robert told Marga that they would talk after his speech. He left with Cassie, telling her to stay by his side.
Carlos arrived at the party and approached Romina, saying that he was about to talk to Robert first when he saw her. “There’s something you should know.”
“Carlos, can we do this later? I have guests to greet.” Mina started walking away.
“It’s about Cassie.”
Mina stopped and turned.
“It might be better if we don’t talk here,” Carlos added.
“Alright.”
Daniela saw Carlos and Mina going down the stairs. She was about to follow them when Alvin came out of nowhere. Danny girl dragged Alvin away. “What are you still doing here?” she demanded.
“Hey, haven’t you cooled down yet? I came to find you because I want us to smooth things between us. We’re on the same team. You don’t have to be pissed all the time.”
Daniela looked around to make sure that no one had seen them talking.
“We started this together, so we should end it together too,” Alvin added.
“What more do you want?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I need money. I know how much you make.”
“How dare you ask me for more money after you basically threatened me? Are you insane?”
“Daniela, we both have secrets we can use against each other. But when it’s time to lay them down, I have the winning hand.”
“Carlos, what happened to Cassie?” Mina asked as they stood downstairs.
“I went to my father’s house,” Carlos began. “And I learned that Cassie went there to talk to dad. About what dad said.”
Mina was shocked.
“I just thought you needed to know.”
“Okay, thank you Carlos. Robert and I will talk to Cassie.”
Mina walked away and Carlos began climbing up the stairs. He saw Daniela standing up there, and he stopped to stare at her for a while.
“I hope the next time we meet, you’ll pay me more,” Alvin was saying. “It’s not like I want any trouble.”
“Daniela.”
Danny girl turned around, and Alvin walked away. “Carlos, she said nervously.
Carlos climbed up. “Who were you talking to?” he asked.
Danny girl looked behind to find that Alvin had disappeared. “No one. Relax.”
Robert, Cassie, Marga and Kristoff sat at a table. Romina joined them and asked Cassie what she was doing there.
“Romina, let’s not talk about it here,” Robert pleaded. “Wait until after my speech, okay?”
“Okay.” Mina turned to Cassie. “You have some explaining to do, young lady.”
Robert was given a thunderous applause as he stood up and walked towards the stage. He began to give his speech, saying that this year was the most challenging year for Camila.
“We’ve been through a lot. Faced challenges that needed the right solutions. But I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, and our families who are always right behind us when we need them the most.
“I would like to thank my own family. My beautiful wife, my partner, now my business partner, who brought new life into Camila. My löviñg wife, our vice president, Romina.”
The audience gave Mina a clap offering. Danny girl and Mrs. Galvez her partner in crime seemed annoyed.
“And I am extremely grateful because finally, my daughter has agreed to become a member of the Camila family. Because of you, I realized the full potential of Camila. My beloved daughter, Daniela.”
Another clap offering sounded. Inferior to Mina’s. Danny girl was smiling to herself.
“And, my one and only granddaughter who is as smart and brilliant as her mother, if the day comes that Camila would ever need her, am sure that she’ll help us. My granddaughter, Marga.
Another clap offering…
“And the symbol of Camila’s bright future. My daughter, Cassie. She will uphold the legacy of Camila.”
The audience gave Cassie a more better applause as she smiled so happily. Daniela rolled her eyes from where she sat.
Robert then made a toast, and everyone raised up their glasses, smiling. More clapping. Alvin was watching, hiding behind a wall.
Later on, Daniela sat at a table with Carlos, twirling her fingers nervously.
“Daniela, is there a problem?” Carlos asked.
“I have so much on my mind now. Dad already announced Cassie as her heiress. And I also…”
“And also what?”
“And I also saw you talking to Romina earlier.”
“We just talked because of Cassie,” Carlos explained. “Cassie went over to dad’s house. She asked him about her real identity.”
Danny girl was surprised. “What did dad say?”
“Thankfully, he didn’t say anything, and he also stopped her from asking questions about her past.”
“That’s good. He should just stay quiet. Things will only get harder if Cassie finds out the truth.”
Carlos was smiling now.
“What?” Daniela asked.
“It’s nothing. I just didn’t expect to hear that from you. We’re finally on the same page.”
Kristoff found Marga standing alone. He approached her and asked if there was a problem, and Marga told her she was fine and she just wanted to be alone.
Kristoff was doubtful. “Think of me as someone who’s ready to listen to all your rants and problems,” Kristoff said.
“I just don’t get it,” Marga began with her ranting. “Why can’t they see me the way they see Cassie? We’re both Mondragons. Unlike her, I am proud to be a Mondragon, but she’s still the center of attention while am like a speck of dust.”
“Well, she’s Mr. Robert’s daughter,” Kristoff pointed out. “You did both get a cool shout-out in the speech just now. And she’s been visiting around here since we were kids. That’s why everyone knows her a little more than you.”
Marga rolled her eyes. “It’s just so unfair, Kristoff.”
Marga approached Robert and asked if they could talk now. Robert asked if there was a problem and whether she wanted to talk at someplace more private.
“No need grandpa,” Marga began. “Something’s just bothering me. It’s about Cassie.”
“What about her?”
“We were alone together at the house, and I think she sneaked out to go somewhere,” Marga mumbled, putting on her ‘good girl act’. “Am just worried so am telling you this now. She must be going through a phase so she isn’t listening to you anymore.”
Robert had a resolved look of disappointment on his face. Cassie approached Daniela while she was talking to Mrs. Galvez, and the older woman gave them some privacy.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Cassie asked.
“Cassie, Carlos told me everything. Whatever you think you’re doing, just stop it already.”
“But why? Why is everyone trying to stop me? What’s really going on, Daniela? Do you know anything?”
Danny girl was silent.
“I know that mamma and daddy are hiding something,” Cassie went on. “Is that why you’re mad at mamma?”
“Cassie, you should never ask about things you wouldn’t understand.”
“I’ll understand if you tell me what’s going on,” Cassie insisted. “And I won’t be at peace until I find out the truth. Please.”
“Haven’t you thought of how dad might feel if he finds out what you’re doing? I have nothing to tell you. Stop this now.”
Robert noticed them talking, and he stormed over.
“But am the one who’s involved in it,” Cassie went on stubbornly. “You should tell me what’s happening now.”
“Cassie? Tell you about what?”
Cassie slowly turned around. “Dad.”
“Daniela, I’ll take care of Cassie from here.”
“Okay, dad.” Danny girl walked away.
Mina noticed them standing there.
“Cassie, let’s go home,” Robert ordered.
Cassie just stood there, unresponsive as Robert was walking away and Mina looked on from where she stood.
Robert turned. “Cassie. Now.”
The Mondragons were back home. Esther asked how the party had gone and Robert told her it had gone gone well. Mina thanked Esther for waiting up for them. Before going out, Robert and Mina asked Cassie to take a rest.
“Let’s go, Cassie,” Esther said.
No response. Cassie just kept staring in the direction her parents had gone.
“Is there a problem?”
“Daddy looked worried when he saw me talking to Daniela,” Cassie stated.
The Bartolomes arrived home. Daniela was upset that Marga had brought Cassie along to the party. Marga argued that she hadn’t done anything wrong, and neither had she told Cassie anything.
“But the fact that you brought Cassie to the party, you had a plan, didn’t you?” Daniela asked. “What if something happened and Cassie found out everything? We’ll get dragged into it. Do you really want grandpa to cut ties with us?”
“Hey, Daniela, calm down,” Carlos said. He turned to Marga. “Say sorry to your mother.”
“But dad…”
“We all know the issue concerning Cassie. We shouldn’t interfere. I believe you didn’t tell her anything, but you should stay out of it too.”
“Yes, dad.”
“Come on. Say sorry to your mom.”
“I’m sorry, mommy,” Marga said reluctantly.
“Just make sure you don’t ever do something like this again,” Danny girl scolded.
Robert had a flashback of Cassie’s conversation with Daniela at the party. Mina came into the bedroom and asked why they had come home so suddenly. Robert told her that he had heard Cassie talking to Daniela about what happened in the past.
“What?” Mina said, surprised. “Carlos also told me that Cassie also spoke to Mr. Kulas earlier. What if she doesn’t stop asking questions?”
“That worries me too. I think we should take Cassie away from here for a while.”
In her room, Cassie recalled her recent conversation with Kulas and Daniela. Robert and Mina came in and Cassie sat up.
“Cassie, we need to talk,” Robert said. “We should not sleep without resolving this problem, and clearing things between us. Did you go to Kulas?”
Cassie bowed her head down. “Yes, dad.”
“Cassie, didn’t we tell you not to go back there?” Mina asked. “What if something happened to you? You left without even telling anyone.”
“Is that the only reason, ma? I went to Mr. Kulas’ house. Do you think they’d actually hurt me? I just wanted to know the…”
“What?” Robert scolded. “So you disobeyed us to go talk to Kulas? Cassie, if you want people to trust, it should be your mother and I. We will answers all your questions.”
“Dad, I wouldn’t be doing any of these if all my questions had been answered. I still have so many questions. Why did Daniela and Mr. Kulas refuse to tell me?”
“Cassie, your mother and I are the people you should trust. You shouldn’t ask anybody else any questions.”
“Dad, am only asking simple questions,” Cassie went on stubbornly. “But why do you seem angry? There’s nothing wrong if I ask around, right? I might find out something even you or mamma don’t know yet.”
Robert stared at her daughter in frustration. Back in their bedroom, Mina told Robert that Cassie was having doubts. She suggested that they tell her the truth before their family shattered when she found out from somebody else.
“I don’t want to lose her before she finds out the truth.”
“And that’s why we shouldn’t tell her now because everything’s so chaotic,” Robert said. “She’ll be even more confused.”
Mina scoffed. “We wouldn’t be in this position if we just told the truth.”
Robert took offense. “Fine. I admit that everything’s my fault. But you don’t have to rub it in my face.”
“I wasn’t trying to blame you, Robert. Cassie’s getting hurt. My daughter doesn’t deserve this.”
Robert gave Mina a look, as if to say, “What did you just say?”
“Am sorry,” Mina said.
Robert looked away.
“Am sorry.”
“I don’t want to lose Cassie,” Robert said worried. “Cassie is my daughter. Let’s just wait until we have fixed all our problems. When this happens, I’ll be the one to tell her. I need more time.”
Without another word, Mina hugged her husband. Alvin stood outside the Mondragon Mansion. She had a flashback of how she had bumped into Cassie at the party, and how Daniela had told him that she was the result of what he had done.
“That’s a twist, isn’t it?” he thought to himself. “I suffered for so long but the moment I finally got out, my luck started to change. I think it’s time to claim what they have deprived me of. And you Cassie, are the key to everything.”
Cassie lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She sat up. “I don’t know if what am doing is right or not,” she thought to herself.
“But I won’t be at peace until I find out the truth. Everytime they ask me to stop, I get even more curious about the story they won’t tell.”
Alvin was at his brother’s gambling den. On account of the long face Alvin wore, Hector asked him whether he had screwed up again.
“In case you forgot, you just got out of jail,” Hector reminded him.
“I don’t plan on going back there,” Alvin declared.
“But it’s possible. Now spill it.”
“I met a little girl,” Alvin began. “She’s important to me.”
“A girl? So, she’s yours. She’s your kid. When did you have a child? And who’s that woman you fooled, huh? Why don’t you introduce her to me?”
“I can’t.”
“You can’t? Why not?”
“The kid’s mom is a rãpë victim.”
“So what if she’s a rãpë…” Suddenly, Hector understood what his brother was trying to say. “Alvin. You dirty bãstârd. You rãpëd a woman?”
“The kid’s an heiress. She’s the one I need.”
“Are you nuts? You’re definitely going to jail again if they find out who you are.”
“I told you, Hector, I don’t have any plans of going back there. I have a different plan.”
“Plan? So what is it?” Hector demanded. “Tell me.”
“Are you going to help me?”
“Am I going to let you go back to jail? You said it yourself. Your kid’s mother ended up with a wealthy guy. We need someone like him. So what are we gonna have to do now?” Brothers in crime exchanged mischievous smiles.
The next morning, Robert told Mina not to worry too much. He assured her that he would fix the problem they had. Mina told him that they needed to end it since they were both getting hurt.
“That’s why I couldn’t sleep last night,” Robert said. “I was trying to think of what’s best for all of us. Maybe it’ll be good if the three of us go on a vacation. I’ll be attending a conference in Australia.
“I’ll take you both with me. I’ll talk to the principal of Maxwell so we can come up with a solution for Cassie’s situation. She can continue her studies at Maxwell Australia.”
“But what if it doesn’t work, Robert?”
“I will make it work. We both know that it’s better for us, until we get the chance to tell her the truth. You’re right. It’s better she hears the truth from us instead of someone else.”
“You know that I trust you. And I know you’ll do everything to fix this, so I’ll give you a chance,” Mina stated. “But the moment I see that Cassie’s getting hurt by this, and suffering, I will tell her the truth. Whether you like it or not.”
“Yes, I understand. And thank you for trusting me.”
Cassie was toying with her food at the dining table. Mina offered her more sardines and Cassie declined, saying that she was okay.
“How about this?” Mina picked up a plate of veggies. “You didn’t eat that much.”
“Mamma am fine,” Cassie insisted.
“Okay.”
“I’ll just get ready my things for school. I’ll be back in a few.”
Robert then told her that he would drop her off at school today, much to Cassie’s surprise. “Then I’ll talk to your advisor and principal,” he added.
“What? Is there…is there a problem?”
“It’s nothing. We’ve decided that this is the right time for us to have a vacation abroad.”
“What?”
“Yes. I’ll talk to them so that they’ll let us know what we need to do so they can allow you to come with us. It’s going to be fun.”
The shock hadn’t washed away from Cassie’s face. She stared back at her parents, mouth wide open. One of Hector’s men who was tech savvy told Hector that he had wiped his brother’s criminal records clean. Hector asked if it would make Alvin’s work easier at Maxwell.
“But boss, isn’t it risky?” the guy asked. “Only influential people send their children to Maxwell.”
“What are you worried about? My brother’s just applying to be a janitor.”
“But boss, of all places, why does he want to work at Maxwell?”
Hector got upset by that. He slammed the guy’s chest with some cash. “It’s your pay. Anymore questions?”
“Boss, am good. Thank you, boss.” The guy walked away.
“So many questions,” Hector muttered to himself.
Romina came down the stairs and asked Cassie why she was still there since she had instructed Mr. Renee to drive her to school because she didn’t want to go with her dad.
“I just wanted to talk to you, ma,” Cassie said. “Why are we leaving? Is it because I keep asking questions?”
“Cassie, we’re just taking a vacation. You know, to bond.”
“But ma, we don’t have to leave to do that. What about my studies? I feel like you just want to keep me away from here. Mamma please. I don’t want to go abroad.”
“Your dad and I will talk about it. You should go or you’ll be late.”
Neil, who had been listening earlier came over to Mina after Cassie had left. He asked whether going abroad would be the solution to their problems. Mina told him she knew that wouldn’t solve anything, and all she wanted was for Cassie and Robert to patch things up before they told her the truth.
Cassie was dropped off at the school entrance. Alvin watched her go inside. He stood at the entrance of the gate.
Marga was dropped off by a taxi. As she was distracted, going through her bag, she bumped into Alvin. “Watch where you’re going, loser,” she mocked before walking away.
Robert came down the stairs. He told Esther that he would be going to Maxwell soon and he didn’t want to tell Cassie the truth yet. “It’s best I take her away from here for a while before things get worse.”
“But she still has to go to school, sir,” Esther pointed out.
“That’s why am going to Maxwell to speak with the principal. Based on our earlier conversation, Cassie can continue her studies in Maxwell Australia.”
“So you mean this isn’t a vacation? We’re actually moving there? Sir, do Cassie and Romina know about this?”
“Esther, all they know is that it’s going to be a vacation. They’re going with me to attend a convention. When we get there, I’ll tell them everything. If I tell them now, they might not come with me. I know it’s risky. Don’t tell anyone.”
Esther nodded. At Camila’s parking lot, Romina was going through some files. Bonita mentioned that she liked taking her work home with her, and Mina revealed to her that she had to put things in place since Robert was planning a family vacation.
“A vacation? Why is it all of a sudden?” Bonita asked.
“We learned that Cassie’s been asking questions about what really happened. She and Robert had a little argument.”
“Are they really going to stop fighting now?”
“That’s why we need to go on a break for a while.”
“Romina, I don’t mean to intrude but don’t you think it’s time to tell Cassie the truth?”
“We are planning to tell Cassie the whole truth. But, Robert asked me to give him some time to mend their relationship first, that’s why I agreed to this family vacation. I just hope they patch things up.”
“Me too.”
Marga had a run-in with the Mean Squad. They blocked her path and stared down at her.
“What?” Marga barked. “Cat got your tongue?”
“Congratulations, Marga,” Nadya said. “You’ve won.”
“What do you mean?”
“You really don’t know?”
“Just spill it out,” Marga said impatiently.
“Cassie and her family are going to Australia,” Nica announce. “Am sure it’s for good. She might study at Maxwell Australia.”
Marga had a dumbfounded look on her face.
“That means you’re back to being queen here,” Nadya added. “You’ve won.”
“But if Cassie’s attending Maxwell Australia,” Maureen began. “Doesn’t that make her the winner and not Marga? Their school’s way better, right?”
“Just shut up, Maureen,” Marga hissed.
The Mean Squad walked away. Marga saw her grandpa coming out with the principal. She hid behind a wall and listened as the principal asked Robert whether his decision to leave was final.
“Yes,” Robert replied. “Everything’s ready and everyone’s excited to leave.”
“Well, if that’s the case, let me confirm with the principal of Maxwell Australia,” the principal said excitedly. “To help facilitate your daughter’s transfer.”
“Thank you so much for your help,” Robert said, smiling.
“Don’t mention it. Excuse me, please.” The principal went back in.
Marga came out of her hiding place. “Grandpa,” she said, a pained look on her face.
Robert turned and froze, the smile disappearing from his face.
“You’re moving to Australia.”
Robert stared at her granddaughter, suddenly at a loss for words.
