“I’m just getting started, Daniela. If you’re telling the truth, then you shouldn’t be scared. And if you’ve got a good internet connection, karma is digital now. Now it’s your turn to suffer. Who will be the last woman standing?”
At Camila, Daniela complained about her party being ruined and how Carlos was still mad at her. Savannah suggested that she let him be for the moment to think things through, but Danny girl wasn’t having any of it. “I’m his wife,” Daniela grumbled. “He should be on my side. Besides, he and Romina are history. That’s the reason she’s called an ex. Over. Ended. Finished.”
“Be careful, Danny,” Savvy admonished. “Because Romina won’t let anything stop her. There’s something in her that’s keeping her determined.”
The board were all seated in the conference room as Romina projected some mugshots of Daniela. Daniela came in and both women exchanged a few words. “I’m actually glad you’re here,” Mina taunted. “Because you might suddenly grow a conscience.”
“Is this the way you treat the CEO of the company?”
Romina ignored Daniela and played the CCTV footage from the day she had been räpëd. “I never would have gone through such a horrendous experience if it weren’t for that woman. The man who abducted me already confessed that it was Daniela who had me räpëd.”
Daniela and the board looked on as Romina flipped to a photo of Robert. “As if that wasn’t enough, this happened years later – my husband died because he discovered that it was Daniela who had me räpëd. If you still find it hard to believe me…”
“Stop it,” Daniela barked. “You can’t ruin my reputation that easily. You’re a lose woman, that’s why you got pregnant. You just claimed you were räpëd so everyone, especially dad would pity you ”
Romina glared at Daniela. Daniela went at Mina and both women started pulling at each other’s hair and the board managed to separate them. “Now tell me,” Romina taunted. “Is this woman fit to run this company?”
“Is this how you wanna get back at me?” Daniela asked. “You still haven’t proven anything.”
“I’m just getting started, Daniela. I’m here to remind you of all the things you did.”
“I had nothing to do with anything you’ve accused me of. Yes, I’m mad at you, but I never got to the point where I could have k!lled my own father or have you räpëd.”
“If you’re telling the truth, then you shouldn’t be scared.”
“Both of you, stop this,” a board member cut in. “Stay away from each other.”
“We didn’t come here to watch you fight,” another admonished. “And to you, Daniela, our CEO. We’re disappointed at how you handled the situation.”
Romina scoffed. “If you want to know more about Daniela’s crimes, you’ll find them on the internet. I’ve also emailed a specific link to all our employees for easy access.” Mina turned to Daniela. “You have all the time in the world to decide on the company’s future, and if you’ve got a good internet connection, karma is digital now.”
Sir Wacky scolded Marga for missing several working days and she apologized, saying that it wouldn’t happen again. Sir Wacky then asked whether she really wanted to work there. Mini-Daniela noticed Cassie and Kristoff cleaning nearby. “I’ll stay, Sir Wacky. Until I pay you back the money I owe.”
Sir Wacky then instructed some guys to take some equipments to the kitchen and Marga asked why he had ordered a lot of food and new kitchen equipment. “That’s for the diner’s mother’s day special,” Sir Wacky explained as Nadya and Nica arrived. “Cassie thought of a really nice concept to convince our customers to spend mother’s day right here.”
“You can abort Cassie’s idea, because I’ll be doing a photoshoot for the product I’m endorsing. I’m sure we’ll fill up the diner.”
“That’s a good idea too. Both events will be able to help out the diner.”
Nadya came over with Nica as Sir Wacky left. “We heard everything, Marga. Why didn’t you tell us you were doing a photoshoot?”
“Don’t tell me you’re still playing second fiddle to Cassie,” Nica added.
Marga gave them a look. “Why don’t you just sit down. I’ll get you your usual.”
“Whatever.”
Daniela was walking around Camila, in the company of Savannah and Mrs. Galvez. Noticing how some employees were checking their phones and staring at her, Danny girl unleashed her frustrations on them and threatened to send them to the HR office if they were caught browsing the internet during work. “Get back to work. Now!”
The workers didn’t move an inch and Mrs. Galvez tried to convince them to go back to work. “You used to be the evil boss,” Savvy whispered to Daniela. “But now, they will start seeing you as a criminal…”
Romina came out of her office just then. “Why, isn’t she? It’s good that our employees know now since that’s the truth.”
Daniela turned to Mina. “You’re pushing me to my limits. And you’ll be sorry if you cross that line.”
“Don’t scare me with your empty threats, Daniela. Instead. Do it.”
“I will sue you for this.”
“I’ll see you in court. Friendly tip – you gotta make sure none of your plans backfire.” Mina then addressed the gathered employees. “Everything you heard and read is true. Your CEO is no saint. She’s a sinner. Feel to talk to me if you want more info, so you can protect yourselves from her.”
“Oh, stop this nøñsënse, Romina,” Mrs. Galvez cut in. “You’re just doing this to steal her position. You’re just tarnishing your own reputation by spreading false information. If you do become CEO, how do you expect to gain our trust if all you do is throw tantrums?”
Romina eyed the older woman. “I’m not after her position, Mrs. Galvez.”
“Oh, really?”
“Justice. Because it’s yet to be served. I will never stop my efforts to remind everyone about Daniela’s crimes.”
Mikoy went to the Cartolome autoshop and Myrna treated him to some food. He noticed Carlos struggling with a car and Myrna told him that Carlos was her son and the owner of the autoshop. “He’s been at it for a while now,” Myrna added. “He hasn’t even eaten yet.”
Mikoy then insisted on helping out and Myrna walked him over. “Who’s this kid?” Carlos asked.
Mikoy offered his hand but Carlos refused to shake it. “I’m Mikoy.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
“Don’t take out your frustrations on the kid,” Mryna admonished. “He just wanted to help out. He’s a good kid.”
“Is the oil leaking?” Mikoy asked.
“Yeah. I already changed the break muscle but it’s still leaking.”
Mikoy then went to work and Carlos asked how he knew so much about cars. Mikoy told him that his uncle used to run a car shop as well.
“So that’s why you’re a little expert,” Myrna commented. “Why don’t you stay there anymore?”
“I can support myself now,” Mikoy replied. “I don’t wanna squeeze myself there with his family.”
Carlos went to start the car after the boy was done and it responded.
“Wow. Very good,” Mryna said.
“You fixed it,” Carlos added. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Back at the diner, the Mean Squad were mocking Marga with Cassie and Kristoff’s relationship. Marga went on about how she didn’t need to wait for anyone because she was a brand ambassador, adding that she didn’t care about Kristoff any longer. Isaiah, a customer, came over and asked for Marga’s number.
“Marga’s already craving for someone,” Nadya teased. “She’s not interested.”
Marga gave Nadya a look. “Who says I’m not?” She took Isaiah’s phone and punched in her number.
“I’ll call you,” Isaiah said as he walked away.
“And that’s the reason I don’t wait for anyone,” Marga taunted. “Enjoy your meal.”
Romina thanked a tech guy for his help in making the truth known about Daniela. The guy told her that he owed her and Robert a lot since he had graduated college because of them. Daniela barged into Romina’s office and started harassing the tech guy.
“Pick on someone your own size,” Mina said. “Why don’t you face me?” Mina dismissed the tech guy. “Ready for our next round, Daniela? Cause I’m itching to start all over again.”
“You don’t have the right to ruin my reputation,” Daniela argued. “Leave me alone, Romina. You are messing with the wrong person.”
“I’m doing this because you do not threaten me. I told you I wouldn’t forget everything that happened. You didn’t listen, that’s why you didn’t see this coming.”
“Let’s see where your arrogance takes you, Romina.”
“We’re even now, Daniela. You embarrassed me in front of everyone before. Now it’s your turn to suffer. You put me in prison, and you ended up there too. We’ve got two points each. The question is, who will be the last woman standing?”
Carlos noticed some discrepancies in the shop’s bank account and he asked his mother where his father was and whether she knew anything about it since the shop had been earning a lot lately. Myrna hesitated. “He and Jessa have been going out a lot… I think they’ve been going to a gambling house.”
“What?”
“I heard that Jessa is a regular at those kinds of places.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, mom?”
“I’m sorry. Your father told me to stay out of his business. I didn’t know his gambling problem had gone this bad.”
Neil and Bonita complimented Romina on how she had confronted Daniela earlier. Mina told them that she wouldn’t back down no matter what because a lot of people were counting on her to close the case. All three of them were surprised to find the Mangubat brothers still working in the company. Romina exchanged some few words with the brothers and then asked Bonita to give them a list of their responsibilities. She looked on solemnly as the Mangubat brothers walked away. Back at the autoshop, Carlos confronted his father and asked whether he had really been gambling with the shop’s earnings. Kulas told him that he had only been entertaining himself and that he would pay it back.
Carlos was still upset though. “You know that we need that money for the shop. To buy new equipments, and you just gambled it all away?”
“I’ll win it back. I know my luck will change soon.”
“Dad, nobody wins in gambling. You always lose. That wasn’t even your money to begin with.”
“Don’t you raise your voice at me. I’m still your father.”
“You should have known better. But you’re putting our business at risk. Be responsible.”
Back in her office at Camila, Neil and Bonita asked Romina why she had allowed the Mangubat brothers to continue working in the company since they were also a threat to her. “So I can keep an eye on them,” Mina stated.
“Isn’t that dangerous, Romina?” Bonita asked. “We might end up having to watch your back.”
“It’s nothing compared to what I’ve been through. My idea of dangerous is different than this.”
“We just want you to be safe,” Neil cut in. “Romina. Please, listen.”
“Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing. The closer they are to me, the better I can monitor them. All their actions – the way they think, even the way they breathe. I need to learn everything about them.”
Kulas was upset that his son had yelled at him earlier and Jessa asked him to relax, saying that people lose their cool whenever money was involved. Kulas complained about not having anymore money and Jessa tried to convince him to have some money borrowed for gambling.
“What if I lose?” Kulas worried.
“But what if you win? Then you’ll be able to pay your son back, and you’ll be able to take me shopping again.”
At the CrAvenue Diner, Cassie introduced her friends to Sir Wacky and told him about how they were helping her prepare for the mother’s day event. Excited for having some of his stress lessened, Sir Wacky offered to treat the girls to milkshakes and cake. “Wow. Thank you,” Fatima and LJ chorused excitedly.
Mini-Daniela intruded the moment with her witchiness and offered to help. “As always, she wants to be the center of the universe,” Fatima mocked.
“Yeah, she’s like the sun,” LJ added. “I get a migraine if I stare too long.”
Meanwhile, Sir Wacky told Marga that she didn’t need to exert herself. Mini-Daniela showed off about how she was also doing it for the working experience because she would one day have her own business just like her mother. Unfortunately, Sir Wacky was swayed by the melodrama. Daniela met up with Hector and asked whether he and his brother had really returned to the company. Hector told her that it was so and that Romina had seen them but yet she hadn’t given them any trouble.
“You need to leave,” Daniela said.
“Why? You think I’m a coward?”
“Find a way to get rid of Romina. All she does is to give us problems.”
“Got any ideas?”
“The judge is about to release her verdict. If you find a way to make sure Romina gets a guilty verdict and ends up in jail, then we can all finally live in peace.”
In the study room at the mansion, Romina told Bernard about how she had striked fear into Daniela such that she had tried desperately to cover up and make excuses for the things she had done. Bernard told Mina that they needed to be careful because he was sure Daniela was plotting against her. “I won’t back down,” Mina declared. “I’ll do everything to find out what really happened to me. And to Robert.”
“So how do you plan to start exactly?”
Romina thought for a second. “With Alvin. After all, he started this mess. And out of the three of them, he is the weakest.”
Bernard then received a short phone call. “The hearing for the verdict has already been scheduled,” he revealed to Romina “Either we win, or you go back to jail.”
“We will win this case,” Romina declared. “But we still need to be prepared, just in case things don’t go the way we expect.”
“What do you mean?” Bernard asked, confused.
“There’s only one reason why I’m doing all this to Daniela, and that’s to get evidence we can use. You said it yourself. Daniela is Daniela. We can never be too prepared against her.”
Daniela called Hector on phone and ordered him to carry out their plan since the court would be reaching a verdict soon. A moment later, Hector told his brother that they needed to carry out their next job personally since they couldn’t trust anyone else. “Why can’t we order someone else?” Alvin asked.
“Are you serious? All our men are useless. Do you remember what happened with Robert? The people almost confessed. In fact, one of them almost peed his pants when Romina confronted him.”
“What’s the plan then? If anything happens to Romina, we’ll be the prime suspects.”
“And who told you we’re going after Romina? We should be focusing on whoever’s handling the case. The one who’ll give the verdict. The judge.”
Alvin had a phone call as soon as his brother went inside. “What do you want, Romina?”
Let’s meet up.”
“Why would I meet with you?”
“Let’s just say, this will put an end to all the mädñess we’re in the middle of.”
Cassie thanked Fatima and LJ for helping her decorate the diner. As Kristoff approached, LJ asked Cassie to introduce them to her boyfriend. “Don’t be silly,” Cassie said.
“Not yet, LJ, but soon,” Kristoff cut in. “I just gotta wait a bit longer. Right, Cassie?”
“You’re crazy,” Cassie teased with a smile.
After Kristoff left, Marga came over with Nadya and Nica and started spouting her usual nøñsënse. She then told Cassie that she would be introducing her to her date, adding that she didn’t like Kristoff anymore because her date was way better. Daniela arrived home and told Nanny Esther about the upcoming mother’s day event at the diner and how she hadn’t been able to tell Carlos about it because they barely saw each other lately.
“If you’re having problems, try to fix it,” Esther counseled. “Especially after what happened to Marga.”
“You don’t have to remind me, Nanny. Because I always give my best when it comes to my family. Why don’t you join us? Celebrate mother’s day with us.”
“Thank you, Daniela. But I’ll just meet you there. I’m waiting for Romina.”
Danny girl forced a smile. “Just in case we don’t get to talk later, happy mother’s day.”
Esther smiled. “Happy mother’s day to you too, Daniela.”
At the autoshop, Carlos caught and scolded some guys trying to send Mikoy out for some errands. Mikoy told him that he could pay him back with a snack since he was starving but Carlos said he couldn’t hire him because he was a minor and it was equivalent to child labor.
“But boss, I’m starving here,” Mikoy argued. “This isn’t child labor. I’m just running some errands.”
“Are you sure your parents wouldn’t mind?”
“I don’t have parents anymore. My grandma was the one who raised me when I was a kid, but she’s up in the clouds now.”
“I’m willing to pay you to help around the shop. Will that be alright?”
“Sounds great. What are you doing here boss, it’s mother’s day.”
Carlos was amused. “Do I look like a mother to you?”
Mikoy laughed. “I mean, why aren’t you with your family? With Miss Myrna, and your wife?”
“The shop’s really busy. What’s up with all the questions?”
“I justice remembered what my grandma told me before – life is like a matchstick. Burns away fast. So light your life the way you can or it will vanish like smoke.”
Romina met up with Alvin and asked him for the truth. Alvin told her that it depended on his mood and Mina said she wasn’t there to play games. She offered him an envelope of money. “How much did Daniela pay you? I can double it. Even triple it. Just tell me the absolute truth. I want to know everything.”
“Where do you want me to start?”
“What do you know, Alvin?”
“Daniela is the one… who will win in the end. Did you think this will work on me? I won’t let you trick me again. You won’t get anything out of me again.”
“Don’t you want money? Mark my words, I will be acquitted soon and once that happens, I will take everything away from Daniela. You will lose your cash cow.”
“That won’t happen. You won’t be acquitted. You’ll rot in jail.”
Romina grabbed Alvin. “I’m not playing, here, Alvin.”
“Do you want me to betray Daniela?” Alvin started flirting with Romina, brushing his hand against her skin. “Go out with me for one night. I haven’t tried you out yet.”
“You bästärd,” Mina hissed. She shoved Alvin away and walked off.
A second later, Hector came over and congratulated his brother. “We’ll make all your threats against Romina come true. We’ll talk to the judge. We’ll k!ll all her chances of being acquitted.”
Roxy finished cooking and tried to call her father on phone but he wasn’t reachable. She asked a goon if he knew where he was and he told her that Hector was out with her uncle Alvin. Meanwhile at the autoshop, Gino and Jude organized a mother’s day surprise for Myrna with Mikoy’s assistance. Myrna thanked them and asked where Carlos was.
“Carlos is celebrating at their house too,” Gino said.
“You really shouldn’t have bothered,” Myrna said.
“We couldn’t greet you last mother’s day, so we’re just making it up to you.”
“You don’t have to make up for anything. I don’t even deserve to celebrate this day. I’ve never been a good mother to you, but thank you.”
“Cut the drama, mom. Let’s eat. Mikoy’s waiting.”
“Happy mother’s day, mom,” Mikoy sang.
Daniela arrived at the diner and Marga told her about the table she had reserved for her and the apron for her dad. She asked where he was and Daniela told her that he was on his way. Nadya and Nica came in just then with their mothers and Daniela told them that her daughter was just doing the summer job for training since she was her sole heiress. Marga ushered them in to have them registered while Nadya and Nica stayed behind to tell Daniela about Isaiah.
“Marga has a suitor?” Danny girl asked in disbelief.
“Didn’t she tell you?” Nadya said. “That’s Marga, full of secrets.”
The Mangubat brothers tailed the judge handling Romina’s case. Hector mentioned that they wouldn’t be able to get past her security detail. “How will we convince her Romina’s guilty if we can’t go near her?” Alvin asked.
“Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”
Romina arrived at the diner with Neil and Nanny Esther, and Cassie and Kristoff wished her a happy mother’s day. Sir Wacky came over and Cassie introduced him to her mother. “Thank you for guiding my daughter,” Mina said.
“I should be thanking you,” Sir Wacky complimented. “Cassie and her creative ideas have been a great help here. To think that this is just a summer job.”
“We’re not even surprised,” Esther cut in. “She’s not just hardworking, she’s got a great work ethic too.”
Romina smiled. “She got that from me, nanny.”
“Enough praise,” Neil added. “We all know Cassie got her pretty face and kind heart from me.”
“I can see that,” Sir Wacky teased and everyone else laughed.
Kristoff left the group as Romina congratulated her daughter yet again. Cassie then went over and asked whether he was okay since he had left all of a sudden.
“I just wanted to greet my mom,” Kristoff replied. “But she’s not answering my calls.”
“Maybe she’s just busy. Let’s call her later.”
“I really miss her,” Kristoff sobbed. “Especially after I saw you and your family together. You and your mom make me wish mine was here too.”
“Are your parents still not on good terms?”
Bernard walked in on the scene and listened, unnoticed. “I guess it’s because she already has a new family back in the states. If I can wish for one thing right now, I’d wish for her and dad to patch things up.”
“I wish that too,” Bernard said, announcing his presence. “Kristoff, forgive me for putting you in the middle of our problems. I promise to work things out with your mom. Maybe we lost the chance to get back together, but we have to be there. For you.”
“Thanks, dad,” Kristoff sobbed.
Cassie looked on as father and son hugged. Somewhere in a restaurant, the judge waived over a waitress who told her that everything had been paid for. He pointed out the Mangubat brothers who sat at a nearby table and the judge went over to them. “Excuse me. Have we met before?”
“No introductions needed,” Alvin taunted. “We already know you.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Judge, our boss wanted you to have this,” Hector said, handing her a bag. “A token of gratitude for the verdict you’ll be giving tomorrow.”
The judge opened the bag and found some money inside. “What’s your boss’ name?”
“It’s Romina,” Alvin announced. “Romina Mondragon.”
The judge stared at the Mangubat brothers for a while. “Do you know that it’s against the law?”
“We’re just following orders, judge.”
“Come on, judge,” Hector added. “We’re all equals here. We know this isn’t the first time you accepted a little gift.”
The judge gave the brothers a look. “Are you insulting me? I can put you in jail this instant.”
“Don’t be like that, judge,” Alvin teased. “Our boss just wants you to think carefully about the verdict.”
The judge dumped the bag of money on the table. “You’ll regret doing this,” she threatened before storming off.
Nadya and Nica asked Marga about the guy she had given her number to and she told them that he was on his way. Nica glanced around. “So, where is he?”
“I don’t know,” Marga replied.
“Why don’t you call him?”
“Don’t you dare. I don’t wanna look desperate.”
“Maybe he’s just getting your hopes up,” Nadya cut in.
“Nobody stands up Margaret Mondragon.”
“Slash Bartolome?” Nica added mockingly.
“I’ll wait for him outside,” Marga shot back, annoyed.
Romina arrived at the diner with her family and soon faced off with Daniela, who told her that she didn’t deserve to be a mother to anyone after k!lling her father. Neil mentioned that his sister’s name would soon be cleared but Danny girl disagreed, and Esther reminded her that it was the court’s job to uphold the truth.
“If I were you, I’d be nervous,” Romina taunted. “Or should I say, pack up your things. Cause once I take back everything that’s mine, you and your family will be on the sidewalk outside my house.”
“Try it. That way, Cassie will see your true colors – that you are a worthless mother who shouldn’t have been freed.” Daniela went to rejoin Nadya’s and Nica’s mothers. “Don’t mind them,” Romina said to Cassie. She then turned to stare at her treacherous stepdaughter.
