“I already told you leave Cassie alone. You didn’t listen, now look what happened! They could kick me out if they learn that I bullied someone again. I can see right through you. I’m not that stüpïd. Try harder!”
Romina called Jessa on the phone and told her that she was ready to give her what she wanted. She asked for the time and place and Jessa said she would call her later to tell her where to bring the money. She warned Mina not to double-cross her since she was the one who needed something from her. “When and where?” Mina asked.
“Don’t worry,” Jessa said. “I’ll tell you where the CD is after I’ve confirmed that you brought the money.”
“That wasn’t the deal.”
“I just wanna make sure, Romina. So you better make sure you don’t call the cops if you don’t want the evidence to disappear into thin air.”
At Maxwell, Cassie greeted Alvin on her way to class. Alvin was worried that Marga would try to do something to her again and Cassie told him that she was ready for whatever Marga had planned. Cassie then asked about his daughter and Alvin told her that he was waiting for the right time until she was ready to talk to him.
“Don’t worry Mr. Vin,” Cassie assured. “I bet it’ll happen soon. I’ll pray for you both.”
Back at the mansion, Robert asked Mina what the anonymous caller had said and she relayed the information to him, adding that she had warned her not to call the police. Mina was worried that the woman wouldn’t keep her word.
Marga vlogged to her ‘Baby Dragons’ while the Mean Squad followed. Nadya asked what was up with her and she told her that she had every reason to be happy. Nadya then pointed out Cassie who still stood talking to Alvin.
“I’m too happy to let her existence ruin my good mood,” Marga sang. “She’s not worth it,” she added before walking away.
“What’s wrong with Marga?” Nica said. “Normally, seeing Cassie gets her riled up in a second.”
Neil had gone back to work since his suspension was over. Gino was worried that he could get humiliated again and Neil told him that it was just a minor role in a commercial. “You just have to dance to Camila’s jingo,” Neil said. “You can dance, right?”
“Of course I can.” Gino began showing off some dance moves. Neil then decided to go back inside before they accused him of favoritism.
Myrna poured out her heart to Carlos and apologized for not being there when he was growing up. She asked for a chance to make it up to him and Carlos told her that all they could do was to value and spend the time they had with each other. Mryna was glad that Kulas had raised them well to be good people, and she was proud that they were her children.
Back at Camila, Gino was preparing for the audition in his own way when a guy asked for some tips since it was his first time doing an audition. Gino said he was a newbie at it too and the guy told him that he was hoping to get the role since his mother needed treatment.
“Treatment for what?” Gino asked.
“Breast cancer.”
“My mom had that too, but she’s cured.”
“Did she get chemotherapy?” the guy asked excitedly.
“No, she didn’t go through all that. I think it was because of her medication.”
The guy then asked to meet Gino’s mother so she could help him with his mother and Gino agreed to it.
“I’m Gino.”
“Alex.” Later that night, Myrna was trying to make a phone call when Jude came up to her. He told her that he couldn’t sleep because he had taken a nap earlier. Mryna then insisted on making him some milk. She advised him to take care of himself and not put himself into any compromising situation.
“Yes mom,” Jude said with a grin.
“Hey, I’m serious. Stop smiling there.”
“Mom, I can take care of myself.”
“Haven’t you thought of finding a girl and settling down?” Myrna asked. “Look for a kind, loyal woman. Someone who won’t leave you. Like I did.”
“Ma, what happened in the past doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that you’re here with us now.”
In class at Maxwell, Cassie and Marga were voicing out their opposing opinions about personal blogs. “Are you saying that personal blogs should also be controlled by the government?” Marga asked.
“That’s not my point, Marga,” Cassie argued. “We’re talking about social responsibility here. I’m just saying that even if it’s a personal blog, it doesn’t give anyone the right to say anything they want about others.”
“Cassie makes a good point,” the teacher commented. “It’s the responsibility of the blogger or anyone using social media to verify information before sharing it.” Before dismissing the class, she asked them to discuss and support their arguments with proper research before submission.
“That’s another point for Cassie,” Nadya said to Marga. “What now?”
“I don’t care, Nadya. It was just a class discussion anyway.”
“But it’s obvious Cassie was referring to us with all she said,” Nica argued.
“She’s all bark and no bite,” Marga said. “Forget about her. She can bark all she wants.” Marga walked away.
“Like hell I’ll just let this pass,” Nadya hissed.
“What do you mean?” Maureen asked, confused.
“It’s simple,” Nica cut in, glancing over at Cassie. “If she wants to bark, then we’ll give her a reason to bark. And I have a good idea on how to do that.”
Alex, the guy Gino had met at the Camila audition paid a visit to Gino and his family. Gino introduced him to his mother and his brother. Gino explained to Jude that Alex’s mom also had cancer like their mother, and he wanted Mryna to help them out with any questions since she had been cured of hers.
Myrna looked very uncomfortable. “So… how can I help you?”
“May I know who your doctor was?” Alex asked. “Gino told me he successfully treated your condition.”
“Oh, well…it was… Doctor Aquino. I’m sorry I can’t remember all the details.”
“Which hospital is he working at? Is it public or private?”
“…the Apostle Memorial Hospital. He runs a clinic there.”
“I’ve heard about that place. Did your doctor prescribe you medication?”
“Ah…can you give me a minute? I’ll try to make a call.”
Jude stared at Mryna suspiciously. Maureen told Marga about how Nadya and Nica were planning to prank Cassie big time.
Marga was agitated. “What?”
“They’re in the locker room right now.”
Marga left hurriedly. In the locker room, Nica placed a water flask containing some foul colored liquid on top of Cassie’s locker. “Once she opens her locker, it will pour over her.”
“How did you get it through the gate?” Nadya asked.
“Through my water jar. And the security guard didn’t bother checking it.”
Meanwhile, Marga was still hurrying over to the locker room, with Maureen on her tail. “I’m sorry, Marga,” Maureen apologized. “I tried to stop them.”
“You know I’ll get blamed for it, right?”
Cassie was having a conversation with Fatima and LJ as she made her way to her locker. She passed by Nadya and Nica and went to open her locker. Alvin stood a few steps away. Marga arrived on the scene just then as Cassie inserted a key into the lock. Alvin noticed the water bottle up there and he started running over. “Cassie!” He dashed forward and pulled her away a second before Marga also yelled out her name.
The water bottle fell and Marga yelled again as the contents poured on her, soiling her entire face and uniform. Kristoff arrived on the scene and offered her a handkerchief. Soon, the place was filling up with some other students.
Cassie was in shock. She glanced at Nadya and Nica. Marga ran off and the Mean Squad followed. Marga was cleaning up in the washroom while the Mean Squad stood by. “I already told you, leave Cassie alone. You didn’t listen, now look what happened!”
“Why did you pass by her locker when you knew we were pulling a prank?” Nadya asked.
Marga turned to her. “Is that the tone of an apologetic girl, Nadya?”
“Why do I have to say sorry? I did that as a favor for you. Or did you already accept defeat against Cassie?”
“Nadya, stop it,” Maureen pleaded.
Marga was upset. “I’m trying to be the bigger person here. They could kick me out if they learn that I bullied someone again. And you’re giving them a reason to do it.”
“Come on, Marga. We know you can’t do it.”
“I can see right through you, Nadya. I know you’re doing this so Cassie and I won’t fight each other, so in the end you’ll end up the winner. I’m not that stüpïd. Try harder!”
Jessa called Romina on the phone, asking if everything was ready. Mina said it was so and Jessa told her the meeting place. “Make sure to come alone,” Jessa warned. “Or I’ll burn this little CD. I’ll tell you the details later. Stick to the plan.”
Unknown to Jessa, Mryna had entered her room and heard her conversation. “What’s going on here?” Myrna asked as soon as Jessa ended the call. “That was Romina, right? What’s this CD you were referring to?”
Jessa was left speechless, completely taken by surprise. Robert told Romina that Bernard was preparing the money and he hoped that their lives would go back to normal after everything was over. Mina thanked him for being there for her and Robert said there was no need because he wanted their family to be at peace.
Daniela came into Robert’s office and he told her that he had already prepared the cash. Daniela was taken by surprise. “You’re giving in to an unknown caller? What if they’re lying to you?”
“I had the photo checked. It wasn’t tampered with. It’s real, so we’ll give the money. Romina will meet with this person. I just hope it all ends after this.”
It was that obvious. Danny girl was very, very agitated. Jessa told Myrna that she had started suspecting Kulas ever since Romina started to have her case reopened. “My hunch was right. He almost burned the CD. Good thing I saved it. It’s funny how he pretends to be so innocent.”
“You better stop whatever you’re doing,” Myrna admonished.
“Why should I? This is easy money, Myrna. We’re talking about five million here.”
“This is dangerous. Even the kidñäppers failed. And Mr. Robert isn’t one to play games with.”
“It’s Romina I’m negotiating with. I’m sure I can escape her. I’m doing this for us. Whether you like it or not, I’m going ahead with it.”
“Go ahead then. But I’ll split up with you.”
At Camila, Neil told Gino to be prepared for the audition since he was putting his reputation on the line for him. After Neil left, Alex arrived and told him that he had made enquires about the cancer medication his mother had told him about. “The doctor said they don’t use that for cancer,” Alex revealed.
“How come? That’s what my mother did to feel better again.”
“I don’t know either. Thanks for your help, though.”
Jude went to the hospital his mother had mentioned earlier to ask about Dr. Aquino. The attendant told him that the only Doctor Aquino there was in pediatrics and not in the oncology department. Jude pleaded with her to tell him the name of his mother’s doctor, and she eventually agreed. The attendant checked her computer. “There’s no Mryna Bartolome in our records. Are you sure your mother was admitted as a patient here?”
Daniela met up with Alvin and offered a truce. She told him that Romina was searching for new evidence to have her case opened and if he didn’t want to go back to prison, then he had to help her out. “She has a piece of evidence she can use for her case,” Daniela revealed.
“What do you mean?” Alvin asked, confused.
“I heard her talking about it earlier. She’s going to meet the person who has the evidence. We need to do something. You need to get to that evidence first.”
“Wait, why aren’t you the one doing it?”
“I’ll distract her while you go ahead of her before she makes her move.”
Myrna arrived home and on Kulas’ insistence, Gino told her that he had been humiliated earlier since the medicine she had prescribed to Alex wasn’t even used to treat cancer. “I’m sorry,” Myrna said. “It’s been a while since I was cured. Maybe I just got it wrong.”
Jude who had been standing outside listening, came in. “Was there really a prescription, mom?” he asked.
“Of course,” Myrna claimed.
“Who gave you the prescription? Is it Doctor Aquino?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I went to the hospital where you said you had your checkups. The Doctor Aquino there is in pediatrics. Your name is not in their records. Did you ever have cancer?”
Gino took offense. “Stop interrogating mom,” he said. “This isn’t the police station.”
“Keep quiet,” Kulas cut in, giving Mryna a look. “Answer your son’s question.”
Mryna was agitated. “Well… it’s…”
“Just tell us the truth!” Jude demanded.
“Please forgive me,” Mryna wailed. “I only said I had cancer because I wanted to be with you all.”
Kulas was shocked. “So you never had cancer. You were lying the whole time.”
“Forgive me,” Mryna pleaded.
Kulas gave her a stinging släp. “Screw you! We were worried sick about you! We even gave you money, but you were just føøling us!”
“Please forgive me. I only did that because you wouldn’t allow me to be with my sons.”
Kulas tried to go after her again but Gino held him back as he went on throwing a fit. Myrna said that she had come back for his forgiveness. Jude told her to just admit that she just wanted to live off on their money. “Where did all the money we gave you go? Where?! We trusted you, mom, and this is what we get? You’re such a horrible person.”
Kulas then kicked her out and locked the door. “Get out of my house!” he yelled. “If you come back, I will k!ll you!”
Myrna cried and pounded on the door, all the while calling out to her family for forgiveness. Carlos came to pick up Marga from school. He noticed the condition she was in and he asked whether there was something wrong. Marga said she was fine. “I’m worried about you,” Carlos said. “What happened?”
Kristoff came over. “Uncle… sorry I couldn’t help but to overhear your conversation. See, Marga’s dirty because she saved Cassie from being bullied by our classmates.”
Carlos was pleasantly surprised. “Is that true Marga? You did the right thing. Kristoff, thank you for telling me.”
Marga smiled at Kristoff and thanked him as he left. “This calls for a celebration,” Carlos said. “Let’s call your mother and tell her the good news.”
Carlos called Daniela on the phone and asked that they all go out together because he had some news which would make her happy. Daniela told him to go ahead with Marga, promising to join them later because she was busy with something at the moment.
Back at their meeting place, Daniela told Alvin that they couldn’t let Romina meet with the person who had the evidence. “She can’t have the evidence if she doesn’t have the cash. You’re gonna steal the money Romina plans to use for the evidence.”
“Are you sure?” Alvin asked. “Won’t that be dangerous?”
“Our lives are at stake here, so you better do this right so we can live in peace.”
“Alright. Are you coming with me?”
“I have to.”
Alvin called his brother and told him that he needed a car to get back evidence that could go against him in the räpë case. Hector was suspicious when he learned that Alvin had gotten the tip from Daniela but Alvin was convinced that Daniela wasn’t lying. “You’re as stüpïd as they come,” Hector said. “I’ll send you some men. Where are you?”
“I can handle this.” Alvin hanged up. Robert assured Romina that everything would be alright. Mina thanked him for all his help and Robert said there was no need because he was just doing his obligation as her husband. He insisted on going to meet the anonymous caller on her behalf but Mina was against it.
“This is my fight,” Mina argued. “If I can’t do this now, how else would I face my räpïst when I find him?” For a split second, Robert had some kind of guilty expression on his face. Somewhere nearby in the same location, Daniela and Alvin got into a car. Danny girl was appalled that Alvin had brought along a güñ since they were just going to steal evidence.
“We need to be prepared,” Alvin said. “Anything can happen. I don’t wanna go back to jail.”
Robert got into his car and drove Mina. Alvin and Daniela followed in the other car. Meanwhile, Jessa was waiting eagerly at the rendezvous place. At the mansion, Cassie asked her uncle where her mother was and Neil told her that she had gone somewhere with her father. Neil then told her that they were going to meet someone who had evidence regarding her mother’s case.
“Who are they going to meet?” Cassie asked. “Do they know that person?”
“I don’t know either. Your mom said she would call us as soon as she has the information.”
“I hope they are safe.”
Carlos took Marga shopping and asked if she wanted to buy anything else. Marga was excited. She had seen a nice watch earlier and Carlos told her to go ahead and get it so he would pay for it. “No, it’s okay,” Marga said. “I changed my mind.”
Carlos was surprised. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. That’s enough. I’m just glad we got to spend time together. Usually, I only do these things with mommy.”
Carlos smiled. “Okay. Do you wanna eat?”
“Sure.”
Robert was still driving to the rendezvous place. He noticed a car following them and took a turn suddenly. Mina asked why he had taken a different turn and Robert told her that someone was following them and they could be the anonymous caller’s accomplices. Daniela asked Alvin to stop the car since she was sure that Robert and Mina had noticed that they were being followed. Alvin was however determined to stop them from getting the evidence.
Hector decided to go and check on Alvin since he hadn’t called him yet. He however had a phone call before he could leave the gambling den. “Hello, baby girl.”
“Wow, you picked up pretty fast,” Roxanne teased. “Did you miss me, dad?”
“Of course I did. But why are you calling me?”
“I’m heading to Manila. Can you pick me up at the terminal? I will text you when I get there.”
“What? Hey, baby girl…”
Roxanne hanged up on his father. Romina received a call from Jessa and she told her that she was getting impatient of waiting. Mina told her that they were on their way and Jessa hanged up after threatening her. “Robert, we need to get there now,” Mina said worriedly.
Robert glanced behind. “Call the cops. We’re still being followed. If they’re with that woman, then we’ll be in trouble. We’ll need backup.”
As Romina called the chief of police, Robert suddenly sped up and took another turn, losing their pursuers. A moment later, Robert and Mina arrived at the rendezvous place. Mina then had a phone call. “Hello, I’m here now.”
“You did not do what you said, Romina.” Jessa watched them, hiding herself in the bushes.
“Robert is my husband. He wouldn’t let me come here on my own.”
“This was not part of the deal.”
“Please, he wouldn’t interfere. Believe me. I brought the money you asked for. 5 million, in exchange for the evidence.”
“This is your last chance. Just do what I tell you. There are five picnic tables ahead of you. When you reach the fifth one, I’ll call again. Do it alone. This is your last chance.”
The line went dead. Mina managed to convince Robert to stay behind. Jessa watched from her hiding place as Mina started walking to where she had instructed. Meanwhile, Daniela and Alvin were agitated and blaming each other for having lost Robert and Mina.
“They cannot get that evidence, Alvin.”
“I know that. Now shut up. I’m sure they haven’t gotten that far.”
Romina reached the picnic table Jessa had told her about earlier. Jessa called her and told her to leave the money in the trashcan on her right. Mina asked her to tell her where the CD was first and Jessa threatened her again. Mina then went ahead to drop the money. “Where’s the CD?” she asked.
“Tell your husband to find the blue trashcan besides the big tree.”
“How can I be sure that’s the CD I’m looking for?” The line went dead. Mina then called her husband, still agitated. “Hello, Robert.”
Robert walked around the park, surveying the area. “A big tree? There are lots of big trees here.” He then stopped at one of the trees.
“She said the CD’s in a blue trashcan.
“Hold on. I see a blue trashcan.” Robert went through it and found the disc. “Yes, there’s a CD in here.”
“We have to make sure that is the CD we’re looking for.”
“I’ll check it in the car. Wait for my call.”
