“Why did you meet up with Alvin’s brother? Do you want me to give the evidence to the authorities? Let me call Romina and Carlos and then you can explain it all to them! Give me one good reason why I should listen to you. Give it to me!”
Cassie was indifferent at the dining table at the mansion. She vowed never to accept Alvin as her father because Robert would always be her father. Meanwhile, Robert was beating himself up by the poolside, a glass of wine in his hand, saying that he had done everything in order to protect his family.
“And now you show up to ruin everything we have? You are not Cassie’s father!” Robert slammed the glass on the floor. He started throwing a fit, unleasing his anger on some nearby couch as Cassie and Romina watched from inside. The next morning, Robert suggested that they get out of the house and have some fun before they left for Australia.
Neil suggested that they go to the beach. Cassie was somehow excited and Robert told Esther to make the arrangements. At the dining table at the Bartolome house, Marga was sad that her grandpa was leaving now that she was starting to bond with him.
Carlos tried cheering her up by saying that Robert would come around to visit them every now and then, and that they could also visit them abroad once they saved up some money. Marga asked her mother to do something about it and Daniela told her that there was nothing she could do and them leaving was probably for the best. Marga then had a phone call from her grandfather.
“He’s really leaving,” Marga said to her parents after the call. “But before that, he’s inviting us to a beach trip out of town.”
Roxanne told her father that she had heard Marga saying that Cassie was leaving for Australia. Hector looked really pissed since he had invested so much into his plan. The Mondragons, the Bartolomes and the Tejadas arrived at the beach. Cassie and Marga were excited and so was Kristoff. They left to go and have a swim. “Løvë, thank you for doing this,” Mina said to Robert. “Seeing Cassie happy makes me feel a little better.”
“We all needed this,” Robert said. “Don’t worry. Once we’re in Australia, things will go back to normal again. I promise. Let’s have fun.”
For the first event of the day, all three families watched some dolphins swim. Marga dragged her mother to the stage as volunteers, and they took turns touching a snake. Daniela seemed pretty scared though even as the others laughed in the audience.
They all happily shared a meal after that and the girls went shopping for a costume later on. The Mondragons, the Bartolomes and the Tejadas joined the others, watching excitedly as some seals and their trainers put on a hell of a show.
Robert took a photo of Romina as a seal stood by her, playfully sniffing her like a dog while Danny girl rolled her eyes in annoyance from the audience. Robert waved his hand at the seal in the form of a ‘hi’ gesture, and the seal pulled out it’s tongue at him as if in mockery.
Robert and Mina laughed along with the crowd. Neil went with Cassie, Marga and Kristoff to go swimming with the dolphins. Cassie offered to help Marga with applying some cream on her back since she seemed to be struggling.
“We’ll never be friends, Cassie,” Marga said.
“I know.”
“But for grandpa’s sake, Cassie, I’m willing to be civil with you.”
Cassie smiled. “Fair enough. I don’t want us to fight either. Our families are going through a lot right now. I don’t want to add to their worries.”
Neil came up with Kristoff. “Hey, why did you leave us behind?” Neil asked.
“Because you’re both slowpokes,” Cassie teased.
Kristoff smiled at the girls. “Less talk, more fun. Let’s go.”
Robert and Romina shared a meal with Daniela and Carlos. Despite the fact that Robert had chosen Mrs. Galvez as the one in charge of the company, he asked Daniela to watch over their legacy since he still wanted her on top. Danny girl told him to focus on his family. “You know I’m proud of you,” Robert said. “Despite my shortcomings, you stood by me. I know you’re going through something but you’re working hard to make it work. Thank you.”
“Thanks to you too, dad. I hope you can start afresh in Australia.”
“We really need a new beginning.”
“How’s your case going, Romina?” Daniela suddenly asked.
“We shouldn’t talk about that,” Carlos admonished.
“He’s right,” Robert added. “We’re here to have fun. To enjoy.”
“It’s okay, Robert,” Mina said, turning to Daniela. “We’re just waiting for results. Thank you for your concern.”
“Well, I hope it’ll all be over soon,” Danny girl said. “Especially for Cassie. She really has to face her battles.”
Marga had gone swimming with the dolphins and Kristoff asked Cassie whether she was okay, now that they were going to be apart again. Cassie nodded, saying that she wouldn’t leave if it was up to her. “But you agreed to it,” Kristoff pointed out.
“Because my family needs it. You know what we’re going through, Tope.”
“I’ll miss you.”
Cassie was taken by surprise.
“Um, Cassie… before you leave, I want to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Kristoff!” Marga called out as she posed with a dolphin. “Can you take my photo? Come on.” Kristoff went to snap some photos while Neil came over to Cassie and took a selfie with her. Kristoff went shopping and Marga came over and mentioned that he didn’t seem happy since Cassie was leaving. Kristoff said Cassie was her best friend and he had been meaning to talk to her about something for a while now.
“About what?” Marga asked.
“About the girl that I like,” Kristoff replied.
Marga was smiling. “You want to talk to her about it because she’s your best friend?”
“No. It’s because it’s her.”
“What?” Marga said, a defeated look on her face now.
“Cassie’s the girl that I like. I’ve always liked her.”
“But…I thought…why did you give me those flowers?”
“They were for Cassie. But I got cold feet. Wait, did you think…”
Marga shook her head vigorously. “No. Of course not. She always gets everything.”
“What?”
“It’s nothing. There are lots of girls out there, Kristoff. You don’t have to get hurt because of her.”
Later that night, Robert ordered various kinds of food and Bernard commented on it. Romina teased her husband, saying that he had done that so that he could eat the food he wasn’t supposed to eat. “No, I’m just doing this for Cassie and Marga,” Robert argued.
“Seriously, Robert.”
“You’ve got competition, grandpa,” Marga said.
“She’s’s right, daddy,” Cassie added. “We won’t let you have all the crab eggs. Dad, don’t trick us.”
“I won’t,” Robert promised as he dished out the food.
“Robert…” Mina admonished.
“I told you, it’s for Cassie,” Robert insisted.
“And you think I’ll believe you?”
Robert proposed a cheer with the food and everyone started eating. They later feasted on some fruits happily, smiling and laughing. Robert told Daniela that he was happy to see her having fun together with them and Daniela said that Australia was just an 8 hour flight and they could visit them anytime. Robert had a phone call and he left to answer it. “Any news?” Robert asked.
“Sir,” the private investigator began. “I’m sending you a report on your daughter.”
“Okay. Send it now.”
A few seconds later, Robert’s phone beeped and he was shocked to see a photo of Daniela with Hector. Daniela was at the washroom when Romina came in and asked about the kids. “They’re waiting outside,” Daniela said.
“Is there something you want to say?” Mina asked. “Go ahead.”
“Nothing. I just think that you’re so lucky. Not every woman gets the chance to start over. Nobody knows you in Australia. It’s a clean slate for you and Cassie.”
“I know that. That’s why I’m grateful to Robert because I know what it means.”
“Makes me wonder. Why do you have to see the case through? You can just leave and forget about it all.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I can’t just forget. We can’t run away from our past – you will always carry it with you until you deal with it.”
Daniela was walking around with Carlos and the others when Robert asked for them to talk. He gave Danny girl a look and walked away and she followed him to the dock. “What is it, dad?” Danny girl asked.
“Why did you meet up with Alvin’s brother?” Robert asked.
“Alvin’s brother? Who’s that?”
“Come on, Daniela. Don’t deny it. I placed Hector under surveillance because I knew something wasn’t right about Alvin. You know what I saw?” Robert showed her the photo on his phone. “Why were you with him? How do you know Hector?”
Cassie was deep in thoughts when her mom came in and asked whether she was alright. No response. Mina told her that she knew it was a difficult time for her, but she assured her that everything would go back to normal soon. Cassie asked whether they really had to leave and Mina told her that they had to go far away from Alvin for everyone’s safety.
“Especially you,” Mina said. “We might be in danger.”
Back at the docks, Daniela was frantic and denying that she had any connections with Hector and Alvin. “Don’t lie to me,” Robert said. “I have photos, videos, financial statements. All leading to Hector and Alvin. I need to know the truth.”
“Dad, please, let me explain.”
“Wait, am not done.” Robert went through his phone and showed her another photo. “You were seem with Hector outside the building where the DNA test was conducted. What were you doing there?”
“Dad, no. That’s not me.”
“Please stop lying! Tell me the truth. Do you want me to give the evidence to the authorities? Alright then. Let me call Romina and Carlos and then you can explain it all to them!”
“Dad, please, don’t do that. I’m begging you.”
“I just want the truth.”
Danny girl was still silent. “Okay,” Robert said. “Fine. I’ll call Romina and Carlos. Let’s all talk about this.”
“Dad, please don’t do that.”
“What?!”
Danny girl was frantically agitated. “Don’t do that,” she sobbed. “Don’t ruin my life. Don’t ruin my family. Please don’t do that.” Daniela threw herself at him. Robert shoved her away. “Give me one good reason, Daniela. One reason why I should listen to you. Give it to me!”
“Dad, I’m being blackmailed. They threatened me,” Danny girl cried.
“Blackmail?”
“They know something about my secret. What I did years ago.”
“What did you do, Daniela?”
“I paid Alvin to räpë Romina, dad. I’m sorry. I did that because I was immature back then. I hated Romina, that’s why I did it.”
“Why?” Robert cried out in disbelief as his daughter clung to him like her life depended on it.
“I’m so sorry, daddy. Please don’t have me arrested. Think about my family. Have mercy, please.” Daniela went frantic when Robert went for his phone. “What are you doing?”
“Stop!” Robert brushed her off and made a call. “Roland! Call the cops and send them over here now. Now!”
Daniela went down on her knees, pleading and throwing a fit, saying that she wouldn’t let him do that to her because she was his daughter. “It doesn’t change what you did,” Robert said. “How could you do that to Romina?”
Danny girl went ballistic. “This is all your fault! Why do I have to pay for your mistakes? All of this would never have happened if not for you. It’s your fault. You are to blame more than anyone else.”
Robert was speechless. “Now you’re pretending to be the best father for Cassie,” Daniela went on. “Please…I admit I made a mistake. I know it was sick but what I did led to you and Romina and Cassie. Now I have my own family. I’m begging you, don’t take my family away from me.”
Somewhere at the beach, Marga asked Carlos where her mother was and he told her that she was having a talk with her grandpa. Carlos was about to call his wife when the police arrived and announced that Robert had called them in to report something. Robert arrived on the scene with Daniela.
“Mr. Mondragon,” an officer said. “What do you want to report to us?”
Daniela looked like she was about to have a heart ättaçk. “Um… I’m sorry,” Robert said. “False alarm. I thought my luggage was missing. Our payment for the hotel was in there but they already found it. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
Robert was deep in thoughts in the bedroom at the mansion and Romina told him to get some rest, asking if he was okay. Robert said he was just thinking about the transactions he would have to make before they moved out of the country. A phone call came in from the private investigator but Robert rejected it. “Who was it?” Mina asked.
“Just work. I don’t wanna deal with work now. I’ll get ready for bed.”
Mina looked on doubtfully. Marga made a video call with Nadya and Nica. Both girls asked about Kristoff and the flowers he had given her and whether she had gotten close to him yet. Marga said she didn’t really like him and she had been busy bonding with her grandpa.
“He’s a catch,” Nadya teased. “He really likes you.”
“Well, he’ll have to fall in line and take a number,” Marga said. “Dating isn’t a priority.” She ended the call and had a flashback of her conversation with Kristoff at the beach. At the Bartolome house, Carlos ki$$ed his wife goodbye and drove off to work. Daniela was about to do same when Hector came out of nowhere and stood in the path. Danny girl came down from her car. “What the hell are you doing here?” she hissed.
“Good morning to you too, Daniela,” Hector teased.
“Get in.”
Hector got into the car and Danny girl drove off. Cassie was painting by the poolside when a maid came to tell her that Roxanne was looking for her. Cassie went to the gate and asked what she was doing there. Roxy said she just wanted to have at talk with her.
“Are you mad at me too?” Roxy asked. “I have nothing to do with whatever you think papa has done in the past.”
“No. I’m not mad at you.”
“Just like you, I also met him recently. No matter how hard you try to deny it, we’re still sisters. I just want to get to know you a little now that you’re leaving for Australia.”
“How did you know about that?”
“I heard you talking to your classmates. Can we at least spend some time together before you go abroad?”
Daniela pulled over at an undisclosed location and started throwing a fit, saying that all their plans would be ruined if her family saw him. Hector told her that he was just showing her how easy it would be for him to ruin her life since she hadn’t been answering his calls. “What do you want?” Danny girl asked.
“Your father’s leaving the country with Romina and Cassie,” Hector began. “Do everything you can to stop them. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
Back at the mansion, Roxy was still giving Cassie the ‘we’re sisters’ crap but Cassie wasn’t buying it. She asked Roxy to leave before her mother saw her there. Back at the undisclosed location, Daniela told Hector that she couldn’t stop Robert from taking his family to Australia. Hector smiled wickedly. “Find a way. You know what I can do. Don’t test my patience.”
“Daddy already knows the truth, Hector.”
“What do you mean?”
“He knows everything. My hands are tied. If I make a move now, all of us will be in trouble. I can’t do anything or we’ll all end up in jail so I’m begging you – let it go while you still can.”
Kulas was having breakfast with his sons when he asked whether the one who had räpëd Romina had been caught yet. Jude told him that they had to find the suspect’s accomplice since he didn’t want to confess. “Accomplice?” Kulas asked, surprised.
“Yes, dad,” Jude replied. “Someone probably helped him since no one saw him at the party. We’re looking at the possibility that someone drugged Romina instead.”
Kulas had a flashback of his encounter with Daniela after he had caught her talking to Hector. “I hope the culprit gets arrested soon,” Gino commented. “I feel so sorry for Romina.”
“Same here,” Jude added.
Daniela was ranting about Hector threatening her when she got to the office. Savannah pointed out that she had warned her that something like this could happen. “I have to find out who Cassie’s real father is,” Danny girl said.
“It doesn’t matter who Cassie’s father is,” Savannah argued. “You’re still the mastermind behind everything. You should deal with that problem first.”
“No, dad would never rat me out.”
“He almost got you arrested, Danny. Knowing your father, he’s going to do the right thing in the end. If I were you, I would make sure Alvin keeps his mouth shut.”
Robert’s secretary reminded him that he had a summit meeting to attend in Cebu in two days, adding that everything had been made ready. Daniela came over. “Dad, can we talk?”
“Not now,” Robert said. “Some other time, please. I’ll let you know,” he added before walking away. Hector visited his brother in jail. Since the Mondragons were leaving the country, Alvin suggested that they tell them the truth because he didn’t want to rot in jail for something he didn’t do since he wasn’t the one who had räpëd Romina.
“Are you crazy?” Hector said. “If you change your statement now, you’ll look even more guilty.”
“But we won’t get anything from them if they leave,” Alvin argued.
“We need to stop them from leaving.”
“How?”
“We gotta get rid of Robert. Once he’s gone, there’ll not be any more obstacles to our plan.”
“What about Daniela?”
“Don’t worry about her. I know how to manipulate her. She won’t find out about our plan. Trust me.”
Robert was pacing around in one of the rooms at the mansion. He went through the photos of Daniela and Hector on his phone angrily. A family portrait accidentally fell and broke. Robert picked it up and placed it back on the table, staring intently at the photo of himself, Romina and Cassie.
