“You have no right to talk about my mother like that. She’s not a loose woman! My mother was räpëd and she isn’t a whørë like what you said. What kind of person does it make you to make fun of other people’s misfortune?”
Robert poured out his heart to Bernard at the Tejada residence, telling him that he felt like Cassie now felt uncomfortable around him. Bernard told him that was to be expected and Robert said that was the reason why he didn’t want to tell her the truth. Bernard pointed out to him that he couldn’t really blame Cassie because finding out the truth must have been a big blow to her personally.
“I just don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t deserve all I give her,” Robert worried.
“Just give her some time,” Bernard advised. “Let her sort out all the emotions that she’s feeling. Make her feel like things are still the same.”
Kristoff stood up on the stairs, a surprised look on his face. He had heard everything. Preparations were ongoing at the mansion for the double birthday celebration – Marga and Cassie’s Sweet Sixteen. Robert gave both girls a birthday present and wished them a happy birthday. Even after receiving her own gift, Marga looked on with jealousy as Robert gave Cassie hers.
Kristoff, LJ and Fatima arrived at the mansion. While the girls were being worked on, Carlos and Daniela gave Marga a gift and she thanked them excitedly.Marga looked on with jealousy again as Robert helped Cassie wear the golden necklace he had given her earlier. Cassie was glowing and ecstatic and she thanked her father again.
LJ and Fatima offered to stay with Cassie so Marga didn’t cause any problem for her. Cassie said she was fine alone and she didn’t want any trouble, adding that Marga probably wouldn’t cause any scene since it was her birthday. LJ pointed out to her that she could never predict Marga’s actions.
“I won’t let them bülly me in anyway,” Cassie said. “Mondragon or not. I need to protect myself.”
“Wait, I have an idea,” LJ announced.
“What?”
Robert told security not to allow anyone who wasn’t on the guests list entry into the mansion. A moment later, the Bartolomes arrived and were stopped by security. Robert apologized and Kulas mentioned that it was good that he had tightened up security at the mansion. Kulas asked if there was any updates from the police regarding the kidñappiñg. “Not yet,” Robert replied. “That’s why I hired a private investigator to help out.”
“What if they cause any trouble, Mr. Robert?” Myrna asked.
“See the men around? I tightened security so no one can cause any trouble.”
Cassie thanked LJ and Fatima for the contact lenses they had given her earlier. Marga left the room to check whether her friends had arrived. She gave Cassie a backward glance before leaving.
“You do look beautiful without your glasses on, Cassie,” Danny girl began.
Cassie smiled. “Thank you, Daniela.”
“You might as well try to look like a Mondragon,” Daniela added mockingly.
LJ and Fatima glanced at each other in confusion. Daniela asked them to give them some privacy while she had a talk with Cassie. They left after Cassie had given them the go-ahead. “You look very expensive,” Danny girl mocked. “But do you deserve any of this?”
“Daniela…”
“We both know that the one who deserves to be treated like a princess isn’t you, Cassie. It’s Marga. You’ve been taking what I deserve ever since you were born. Now you’re trying to steal the spotlight from Marga too?”
“Listen, I never meant to take anything from you.”
“Then prove it to me. Show me that what you’re saying is true. This party should be Marga’s alone, and yet you’re here. If you don’t intend to take anything away from me, then you should do something about that.”
Cassie went down the stairs, with Kristoff by her side as her escort. She looked troubled as Daniela’s words rang in her mind. “Cassie?” Kristoff said. “Ready?”
Robert began the celebration with a short speech. “Let’s welcome my darling daughter, Cassandra Andrada-Mondragon. And my granddaughter, Margaret Mondragon-Bartolome.”
The audience gave a clap offering. Romina was beaming with joy while Daniela looked on casually. A moment later, a door pulled open and Marga came out to the cheers of everyone. She joined her grandpa on stage. “Where’s Cassie?” Fatima asked the audience.
Robert looked around nervously, searching for any signs of his daughter. “Where’s Cassie?” Mina said worriedly.
“What’s happening?” Bonita added.
Daniela was gloating now, smiling to herself in satisfaction. Robert asked a servant where Cassie was and she told him that she had seen her inside earlier. Marga was basking in the spotlight, enjoying all the attention while Mina and everyone else looked on worriedly. Daniela exchanged a smile of triumph with her daughter. But they were soon to be disappointed. Cassie came out with Kristoff just then.
“Let’s welcome Cassie and her escort, Kristoff,” Robert announced amidst the clapping. Cassie joined her father and Marga on stage. While she and Mina beamed with joy, Marga and Daniela looked annoyed. A moment later, Cassie joined her mother after greeting her løvëd ones.
“You look so beautiful,” Mina said.
“Thank you mamma.”
“Cassie, you really scared us,” Mina admonished. “We thought you wouldn’t show up.”
“Mamma, I would never throw this opportunity away. Thank you.”
Marga joined her mother at the table. She gave her a look of discomfort. “Mommy…”
Danny girl forced a smile. “Marga. Put on a smile. And just let it go.”
“But mommy…”
“Just let it go for now. We need to make sure to get on your grandpa’s good side so that by next year, Cassie would be out of the picture.”
Carlos gave a speech and wished Marga a happy birthday, and so did Daniela. Romina went next and gave her speech, saying that Cassie was her strength in all the struggles they went through. Finally, Robert took the stage. He promised Marga to be a better father to her unlike how he had been with her mother. Mina was crying as Robert went on with his speech.
“Cassie, I might not have been a perfect father or husband before, but you gave me a chance to be a father again. Cassie, you are my daughter, remember that. And I am so blessed to be your father. I løvë you very much. And happy, happy birthday.”
As the audience clapped, Cassie stood up from the table and went to hug her father on stage. A moment later, Cassie danced with Kristoff and he wished her a happy birthday while Marga looked on enviously. “Too late,” Cassie teased.
“Happy?”
“Yes, I am. I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m very lucky.”
“Finally. That’s good to hear.”
“Everything I could ask for is already in front of me.”
“But… what about your parents’ secret? Are you still pursing that?”
“Not anymore. I’d rather forget about it.”
“You know that whatever happens, I’ll always be here. No matter who you may be, I’ll always be your friend.”
Cassie smiled. She turned to see LJ and Fatima making heart shaped symbols with their hands at her. Cassie laughed. “What’s so funny?” Kristoff asked.
“Nothing.”
Marga still couldn’t find anything better to do than to stare annoyingly as Cassie and Kristoff kept on dancing. The Mean Squad walked over. “Wow, talk about being upstaged,” Nadya teased. “Is Cassie the only one with an escort?”
“Just shut up, Nadya,” Marga hissed.
Carlos stood nearby. While the Mean Squad left, he came over to Marga and asked what had happened. Marga said it was nothing and she just wanted to thank him for his speech earlier. “I may not be able to give you everything like your grandpa,” Carlos began. “But I’ll do everything in my power with what I have to make you happy.”
“Come on, daddy. You’re making me cry.”
Carlos hugged her. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, daddy.”
Gino interrupted the moment and eventually pulled Marga to the dancefloor. He started showing off some awkward dance moves and Marga laughed and followed in his footsteps. They seemed to be having a good time. Kristoff gave Marga a gift and wished her a happy birthday. Marga complained and asked whether it was really for her or Cassie.
“This is for you,” Kristoff said. “Why, don’t you like it?”
“It’s not that. I’m just surprised you got me a gift. I thought we weren’t friends anymore.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because you chose to be Cassie’s escort instead of mine.”
“I didn’t know you wanted me to be your escort.”
Marga gave him a look. “Duh. You’re the only guy-friend I’ve got.”
“I’m sorry but I already promised Cassie.”
“Just admit it. You wanted to be Cassie’s escort because you like her. Don’t you think you’re wasting your time on Cassie? She doesn’t like you. At all. She only sees you as a friend. An older brother.”
Kristoff shook his head. “You don’t know that.”
Cassie walked in on the scene.
“Perfect timing,” Marga began. “We just want to ask you something. Do you like Kristoff?”
“What kind of question is that?” Cassie asked.
“I’m just looking out for Kristoff. If grandpa hadn’t adopted you, we would have been childhood friends.”
“Marga, stop it,” Kristoff admonished. “And Cassie, you don’t have to answer that.”
“It’s just yes or no,” Marga went on. “Do you like Kristoff or not”
Cassie glanced at Kristoff. She was overwhelmed and speechless for a while. “Um…yes.”
Kristoff smiled.
“I like him,” Cassie added.
Kristoff’s smile was bigger now. “As a friend,” Cassie added and the smile on Kristoff’s face disappeared completely. Daniela eavesdropped on Romina as she asked Jude whether there was any developments in her case. Jude told her that nothing new had come up and she still needed to present new evidence to be submitted to the court.
“You can only file a case when you have identified a suspect,” Jude said to her.
Mina nodded while Daniela looked on worriedly from where she stood. Daniela was worried about Romina reopening her case since a new investigation could be conducted. Savannah asked her to relax since Mina didn’t have any proof that she was the one behind her being räpëd.
“But there’s a witness,” Danny girl whispered. “Alvin.”
“Who’s also the räpi$t. Nobody would believe him, and I’m sure he won’t rat you out because he knows he’ll land in prison.”
“I hope so. Who knows what goes on in that criminal’s mind? Even after he saved Cassie. He can betray me anytime he wants. He’s a ticking time bømb.”
“It’s his word against yours. You need evidence against him. Get a DNA test done for Cassie.”
“I’d look even more suspicious if I did that.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“A confession. A recorded confession of Alvin saying he was the one who räpëd Romina. That way, I can finally get rid of him.”
Hector asked his brother why he hadn’t attended his daughter’s birthday party. Alvin told him that he hadn’t been invited and security was probably tight at the mansion. Hector mentioned that he was the kid’s father and Alvin told him that wouldn’t change anything. “Is that the reason?” Hector asked. “Or maybe you don’t like seeing Cassie with her fake father? Don’t worry, I’ll help you be with your daughter. You just wait.”
After the party was over, Robert asked LJ and Fatima to stay over for dinner but they declined the offer saying that it was late and they were already full. Robert ki$$ed them goodbye and thanked them for coming. Carlos came up and thanked Robert for organizing the party. “I wouldn’t have let you shoulder all the expenses,” Carlos said. “But Daniela used all our savings for work.”
Robert was taken by surprise. “Wait, she used all your savings?”
“She says she’s handling some projects and she needed to use the cash for them.”
“Do you mean to tell me that Daniela used your personal savings for our company’s projects?”
Carlos looked confused now. “Why, isn’t that true?
“Don’t worry. I’ll check with finance.”
Jessa passed by Kulas’ house and Kulas invited her to join them for dinner. When she asked where all the food had come from, Myrna explained that it was their granddaughter’s birthday and they had probably thrown the party to help the girls forget about the ordeal they went through. “I don’t think that’s the reason,” Jude said.
“What do you mean?” Gino asked.
“Because Romina approached me to talk about what happened to her before.”
“You mean about her räpë?” Myrna asked.
“Yes, mom. And she wants to reopen the case.”
Kulas acted all nervous. “Is she serious? It happened years ago. That case didn’t even reach the court.”
“I know that, dad. I told her to find new evidence and Romina is really determined to do it.”
That night, Romina had another episode, and she woke up with a start, frantic and agitated. Robert tried to assure and comfort her, saying that it was okay because she had just had a nightmare. Kulas was drinking outside the house. Myrna came up and the one-eyed-old man yelled at her to leave him alone and Mryna went back inside.
Flashback : Years ago, an officer showed Kulas new evidence that could help in Romina’s räpë case. The officer played a video, showing an unidentified man sneaking up on a disoriented Romina. In the video, the man subdued Mina and carried her into a car. Kulas was shocked. Some time later, Kulas called Carlos on phone and asked how he was doing in Taiwan. Carlos told him that he had adjusted well to the place, adding that Daniela was there with him.
“It would be better if you never find out about this, Carlos,” Kulas thought to himself after the call. “Because if you do, am sure you’ll get back together with Romina. You’re better off with Daniela than that woman.”
In another scene, Kulas asked the officer who had given him the CCTV footage whether anyone else knew about it. The officer said he had already told the chief about it. Kulas then asked him to take it back. Present Day : Kulas made a phone call. “Hey, it’s me. It’s about the evidence I asked you to destroy. Do you remember it?”
“Regarding Romina’s case? Of course. I kept it.”
Kulas was agitated. “What? You mean you didn’t get rid of it?”
“No.”
Kulas ended the call. “No one should know about that footage,” he thought to himself. “I won’t let anyone dig up the past. I need to keep it to protect my son.”
Romina decided to stay home since she hadn’t been able to sleep last night after her nightmare. Robert wanted to skip work too so they could spend some time together but Mina told him that it wouldn’t change anything because her past kept haunting her in her dreams. “I hate seeing you like this. What can I do to help you?”
“Allow me to reopen the case, and let me find the person who räpëd me.”
“Romina, let’s not dig up the past. Let’s move forward. Please.”
“Robert, that’s the only solution to this. The kidñäpper knows something about the incident. That’s the only way I’ll be able to move on. I’ll continue the investigation whether you support me or not.”
Robert sighed. “Alright. If that’s what you want… let’s reopen the case.”
At Camila, some officers updated Robert on the graphic sketch they had sent out. They asked for the records of his past and present employees, explaining that the suspect was probably someone he mingled with since he knew about what had happened to Romina. Robert made a phone after the officers had left.
“Diego.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Find out what my daughter Daniela is doing with her money.”
“Alright, boss.”
Kulas went to meet the officer who had shown him the new evidence years ago. The officer gave him the disc containing the CCTV footage “Let me retire in peace,” he said to the misëräble one-eyed-old man. “What are you going to do with that?”
Romina went to the police station. The chief of police told her that they would need new evidence if she wanted to pursue the case. Mina asked for the records of her case. The chief had the files brought to her and Mina went through them.
“Sir, why was an item erased from the evidence list?” Mina asked.
The chief checked the file. “That means something has been included which shouldn’t have.”
“Don’t you have a copy of the document?”
“We have a carbon copy.” The chief gave Mina another file and she went through that as well.
“Sir, what does this mean?” Mina asked, showing him an entry in the document.
“It means that they received an additional piece of evidence – another CCTV footage.”
“But why was it erased from the original document?”
“Only the officer who filed the report can answer that. Maybe it was just an error.”
At Maxwell, Kristoff was staring at one of the birthday photos of Cassie on his phone. Cassie came over, calling out to him by his nickname. Kristoff quickly hid his phone as Cassie joined him. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened at the party yesterday,” Cassie said.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to explain anything.”
“Tope…the truth is…”
“Kristoff!” shouted one of his annoying basketball friends. “Let’s go.”
Kristoff left with them while Cassie looked on in disappointment. Damn. Marga was upset that Cassie was getting more social media attention than her because of the party. The Mean Squad mocked her, angering her all the more. Cassie was praised by her classmates for having such a grand party. Marga came in and started causing a scene.
“Didn’t I tell you to know your place?” Marga began.
“I know my place,” Cassie shot back. “And I won’t lower myself to yours. All you ever do is to accuse me of everything.”
“What if I told everyone in Maxwell about your secret? Do you think they’d still like you?”
While Cassie looked troubled, the Mean Squad were excited. LJ told Cassie to ignore Marga since she only wanted attention.
“I’ll show you attention,” Marga mocked. She went to stand in front of the class just as soon as Kristoff arrived at the door. “Hi, everyone. I just want to make a very special announcement. I want you all to know…”
“Marga!” Cassie yelled.
Marga smiled wickedly. “That Cassie is not a real Mondragon! She’s not my grandpa’s daughter.”
Kristoff bowed his head down in disbelief as the class began murmuring among themselves. He went over and asked Marga to stop humiliating Cassie. LJ and Fatima backed up Cassie, saying that Marga was telling lies. Cassie was on the brink of tears.
“You don’t believe me?” Marga asked. “Why don’t you ask your friend? We all know she doesn’t tell lies.”
Kristoff looked annoyed. He tried dragging Marga away but she resisted and refused to budge. “Why are you always defending Cassie?” Marga barked. “Are you in a relationship?”
“This isn’t funny,” Kristoff said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. After all, she just took after her dirty mother.”
Cassie grabbed a book angrily. “Marga, one more word about my mother and I won’t think twice about throwing this at you!”
“Go ahead then. You being so defensive proves that you aren’t a real Mondragon. My grandfather just took you in after your whørë of a mother got banged up.”
Cassie was crying now. “Alright!” She threw the book at Marga. “I am not a real Mondragon!” she cried out. “I am not daddy’s daughter but you have no right to talk about my mother like that. She’s not a loose woman! She didn’t go around flirting around with other men! My mother was räpëd and she isn’t a whørë like what you said.”
Marga was shocked, standing in front of the class like the idïøt she had made of herself. Cassie cried some more. “What kind of person does it make you make fun of other people’s misfortune?” Cassie ran out and LJ and Fatima went after her. Kristoff gave Marga a look and the entire class stared at her in disbelief. Meanwhile, Kulas started a fire at the house and dumped the CCTV footage into it. As soon as he went inside, someone came up and safely retrieved the disc from the fire.
