“Do you think I can just forget about what happened to me? You want me to forget how I was violated, and how the man who räpëd me basically ruined my life? There’s no one else I can rely on. I’m more than capable of solving this on my own. Even if the people involved keep hiding the truth from me.”
Romina asked Carlos if Robert had visited her when she had been admitted to the hospital after she had been räpëd, and Carlos told her that he and her mother had been her only visitors. After Mina left, Jude came over and asked his brother who he would side with if Romina found incriminating evidence against Daniela as the mastermind of her räpë.
Carlos was taking a rest a moment later when Daniela arrived and started bickering with him over his talk with Romina, accusing her of trying to destroy her family. Carlos told her that Mina hadn’t been speaking ill of her.
“Then what was she doing here?” Danny girl asked.
“She just asked me about your father.”
“What about him?”
“She wanted to know if your father ever visited her at the hospital after she was räpëd.”
“What did you say?”
“I told her he didn’t visit.”
Daniela sat down as if she was in some kind of trance. “Are you okay?” Carlos asked.
“I just got dizzy,” Danny girl claimed.
“Is that it or are you up to something?”
“I’m not, Carlos.”
“I won’t protect you anymore if I find out you did something again, Daniela.”
Daniela walked out of the house and made a call. “Hector. Romina’s suspecting my father. You need to stop her now.”
At the CrAvenue Diner, Sir Wacky called over the employees and announced that they would be throwing a surprise farewell party for Marga since she was leaving. He put Cassie and Kristoff in charge of inviting the guests. The Mean Squad, who sat at a nearby table suggested that they invite Marga’s suitor as well and Sir Wacky gave the go-ahead. Cassie and Kristoff went looking for Mikoy at the address Marga had given. The attendant asked for his unit and phone number but they had neither.
“But his name is Michael Sarmiento,” Cassie supplied.
“Sarmiento?” The attendant seemed confused.
“Yes, ma’am. Why?”
“We don’t have any tenants with that surname.”
“Are you sure?” Kristoff asked.
The attendant checked her computer. “His name isn’t in our records. Maybe you’re in the wrong building. The person you’re looking for doesn’t live here.”
The next morning, Romina sat at the dining table waiting to be served. Daniela snatched a plate from a maid and poured the food on Mina’s lap. Neil came over, saying that it was too early for her to start fights and Daniela told him to shut up. “When it comes to your husband, you become fierce,” Mina teased. “Just like an animal.”
“And just like an animal, I guard my territory,” Daniela shot back. “And I will ättaçk whoever tries to take what is mine.” Danny girl grabbed a fork and brandished it.
“Oh, I’m trembling,” Mina taunted. “Why are you so scared of Carlos seeing me?”
“Maybe because Carlos still likes you,” Neil cut in.
Danny girl gave Neil a look. “Shut up, you little twat.”
Romina laughed. “Don’t worry, Daniela. I’m not that desperate. Unless…he wants it.”
“Carlos will never look in your direction.”
“Really? I know your marriage is on the rocks. Trouble in paradise, my dear?”
“Carlos will never leave his family for anything or anyone.”
“Then why do you seem so scared.”
“Well, if you want answers, Romina, just google it. My husband isn’t a search bar.”
“But he’s got the results.”
Neil laughed as Daniela stormed off. “It looked like she was about to breathe fire.”
“I don’t care. Carlos might know something,” Mina said. “Unfortunately for her, nothing will stop me from going after her husband.”
Marga arrived at the diner and Sir Wacky and his crew launched the surprise party. Mini-Daniela started making a scene when she saw Roxy there. Cassie and Kristoff announced that there was no tenant named Michael Sarmiento when they had gone in search of him. “Is he lying to you?” Nadya asked. “Or are you lying to us?”
“Haven’t I told you?” Marga began. “Michael moved out. He was just renting that unit since he has no family members in Manila.”
Over the phone at Camila, Alvin told his brother that he was going to find out where Romina was hiding the nurse. Romina arrived with Bernard just as soon as he came off the phone. “Why are you here?” Mina asked.
“I…I wanted to talk to you about Hector. I’ve been trying but he wouldn’t tell me where the nurse is.”
“Forget it.”
“Why, have you found her? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We don’t need her anymore,” Bernard explained. “Apparently, she’s suffering from dimentia.”
Romina stopped Alvin as he started leaving. “On the night I was räpëd, you said that somebody else showed up.”
“Yes. Why?”
“Was it Robert?”
“Why would you ask that? You think he räpëd you? That’s impossible.”
“And why do you say that?”
“Daniela hired someone to räpë you. What makes you think Mr. Robert would do that?”
“He has a point, Romina,” Bernard cut in. “Robert wouldn’t do that.”
“I know. I’m just making sure?”
“It’s possible the culprit is someone from Camila,” Alvin added. “But it’s not Mr. Robert.”
The Mean Squad discussed with Marga about their upcoming summer party. Nadya suggested that she bring Michael along. She then called Cassie and Kristoff over and invited them as well.
“Don’t waste your time on Cassie,” Marga mocked. “It’s not like her mom will allow her.”
“How sure are you?” Cassie asked. “Tope and I are coming.”
Marga tried reaching Mikoy on phone but it wasn’t going through. Daniela stared at a portrait of her father, asking for her help since Romina was getting closer to the truth. Mrs. Galvez came in to tell her about how their cheques kept bouncing and the board being suspicious, adding that she was the root of the problem.
“Romina’s back in the company,” Mrs. Galvez said. “The board trusts her a lot. We cannot afford to make mistakes. She has a good reputation. We either break it or do better.”
“I know,” Daniela said. “During the next board meeting, I’ll appease all of them.”
“Stop worrying about your problem with your husband. You have to learn to chose the battles you will fight.”
“I don’t really have to chose. I’ll win them all.”
At the autoshop, the Bartolomes discussed about Mikoy’s sudden disappearance and Myrna brought up the fact that his uncle had been physically abusing him. Marga tried blackmailing her father into going to look for him. When he hesitated, Gino reminded him about the thief the boy had fought off and how it was time to repay the favor.
Since Mikoy was still not answering his calls, Myrna used Carlos’ phone to send the boy a message, saying that his salary was ready for him to come pick up. “If Mikoy’s uncle really forced him to go back, then I’m sure he has Mikoy’s phone.”
“You think it’ll work, ma?” Gino asked.
“People like Mikoy’s uncle only want one thing – a chance to earn quick cash. Let’s eat while we wait.”
Roxy spied them from where she stood near a car. Alvin told his brother about the nurse’s health condition. Hector was determined to find the nurse to get on Daniela’s good side, thinking that Romina had just come up with that excuse to throw them off. Marga arrived home with her father, who assured her that he would let her know once he found out Mikoy’s whereabouts.
After Marga went up into her room, Carlos stared at Romina and her family who were having some small talk at the dining table. He then flashed back to his past relationship with Mina. The next morning, Kristoff announced that he would be taking driving lessons soon so he could drive Cassie around. Cassie wanted to learn as well and Mina asked Kristoff whether he was considering enrolling in a driving school.
“I plan to,” Kristoff said.
“Don’t bother,” Jepoy cut in. “I can teach you myself. Free of charge. You guys look like fast learners anyway.”
“Are you sure, uncle Jepoy?” Cassie asked.
“That’s only if it’s okay with your mother.”
“You should be careful,” Mina admonished. “I’ll give you a ride.”
Everyone got into the car and Jepoy pulled out of the mansion. Cassie noticed Alvin standing and staring nearby. Alvin followed them in his car but he soon lost them. Marga went to the autoshop to ask about Mikoy. She was surprised to find Roxy there. She pulled her aside and asked what she was doing there and Roxy said she had been worried about her and wanted to help her find Mikoy.
“Don’t ever say that name,” Marga said. “Especially in front of Nadya.”
“As long as we’re friends again.”
“Fine.”
“Yes.”
Wretched uncle Badong came to the car shop to get Mikoy’s salary, saying that the boy couldn’t come himself. Carlos gave him the money and asked where Mikoy was since he wasn’t answering his phone. “He’s okay,” said the misëräble swine. “I’ll be going now. Thank you.”
After wretched uncle left, Carlos left to tail him. Gino called Jude and informed him that Carlos was on his way over so they could find out Mikoy’s whereabouts. Marga looked on worriedly. “Marga, don’t tell me you’re gonna follow them,” Roxy said.
“Are you coming with me or not?”
Wretched uncle Badong was actually savoring the easy money he had obtained. Mikoy asked him to give it back since he had worked hard for it. The bast*rd punched the boy in the belly, saying that the money was now his. Carlos and Jude found wretched uncle’s place.
After ordering Mikoy to keep silent, Badong came out and asked whether they were following him and Carlos said they just wanted to make sure that Mikoy had received his salary. Wretched uncle spouted some nonsense. Jude asked to have a talk with the boy but Badong claimed that he lived there alone.
“So where is Mikoy?” Carlos asked.
“I don’t know. The kid moves from place to place.”
Hector found Vicky entering their house and called Daniela to tell her about it. “I’m sure she’s headed to her mother right now. I’ll text you the address. Be there.”
Bonita stood outside Danny girl’s office, spying. She hid herself as Daniela quickly hurried out. Meanwhile, Vicky came out of the house and Hector followed her. Marga arrived with Roxy at Badong’s place and asked about Mikoy. Jude told her that his uncle had said the boy didn’t live there anymore.
Inside, wretched uncle was spouting obscenities and actually flogging Mikoy, who was pleading with him to stop. The Bartolomes noticed the disturbance and barged in. Wretched uncle managed to flee from the Bartolomes, shoving Marga away in the process.
Mikoy stumbled out of the room. “Are you okay, Marga?”
“Yeah, but I should be asking you that. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I’m glad your dad came.”
“Thank Marga too,” Roxy cut in. “She’s the one who wanted to come and help you.”
Mikoy stared. “Thank you, Marga.”
Vicky arrived at the safehouse and Romina asked where she had gone, and she told her that she had gone to get some of their things. Mina asked whether she had been followed and Vicky said she couldn’t be sure. Mina then pleaded with her not to go back to their old house again. She then gave her some money to buy whatever they needed. A moment later, Jepoy drove Romina away from the safehouse as the Mangubat brothers looked on.
Before leaving through the backdoor to buy some medicine, Vicky told her mother not to let anyone in. Jessa went to return all the stuff Kulas had ever bought for her, saying that she didn’t want him to think that she had taken advantage of him and that all her feelings for him were sincere.
“Stop trying to føøl me,” Kulas said. “I know you don’t løvë me.”
“I do løvë you Kulas. I was just afraid because I thought I wasn’t ready to settle down with you.”
“You aren’t lying?”
“I never lied to you,” Jessa said as Myrna arrived at the doorway. She pleaded for him to take her back. Myrna eyed them as they hugged and reconciled. During the drive back to the office, Bonita told Romina over the phone about Daniela’s sudden disappearing after talking to someone on the phone, adding that she had also cancelled the meeting. Mina then asked Jepoy to turn the car around.
The Mangubat brothers broke into the safehouse and demanded to know what nurse Pearlita had told Romina. The frail old woman passed out a moment before Daniela arrived. After arguing for a while, she suggested that they take her to the hospital but the brothers didn’t really have any plans of going back to jail.
Romina arrived at the safehouse and went through the gate. Back inside, Daniela and the Mangubat brothers went into hiding a moment before Romina came in to find the nurse unconscious on the floor. She called out for Vicky but there was no answer so she hurried out for help.
The Mangubat brothers came out of hiding with Daniela, and placed the nurse back in her wheelchair. They then wheeled her into the room leading outside through the back. Romina came back to the living room to find the place deserted. Vicky arrived through the backdoor and Hector threatened to k!ll both her and her mother if she didn’t shut up and play along.
Vicky then went to the living room and told Romina that her mother had already left for the province. Mina was certain she had just seen the old woman passed out on the floor. Vicky pleaded with her to leave them alone since her mother was sick.
“Let us live in peace,” Vicky said.
“Why are you saying that?” Mina asked in disbelief. “We were just talking earlier. Is this because of Daniela?”
Vicky dodged the question. “You won’t get anything from my mother, so please leave.”
“Romina, you said the nurse was here,” Jepoy mentioned as Vicky walked away.
Mina was in shock. “Jepoy, I saw her.”
Later that night, Cassie came into the study room and told her mother that she and Kristoff wanted to continue with their plan of taking driving lessons so she could pick her up whenever she needed something. Mina reminded her to always drive safely and Cassie promised to keep the advice in mind. “Thank you for giving me your permission, mamma,” Cassie beamed, hugging her mother. “…Ma… something’s been bothering me. The other day I noticed that someone was following me.”
“Did you see who it was?”
“I’m not sure… but it looked like Mr. Vin.”
“Are you sure?”
“Not really.”
“You need to be careful from now on. You should always have Tope or your uncle Jepoy with you. But don’t worry, I will find a way to make sure all of us will be safe.”
“Alright, ma.”
The Bartolomes brought Mikoy home and he started teasing Marga about her having a crush on him since she seemed to worry about him so much. Carlos came in and noticed some bags. He asked who they belonged to and Myrna told him that it was Jessa’s. Carlos then asked his father to allow Mikoy stay at the house and he eventually agreed. He then announced that he and Jessa would be living together. Marga’s mouth was wide open in wonder. Carlos arrived home and went into the study room. He found Romina asleep and noticed the räpë case files she had been looking over earlier. He then flashed back to the incidents after Mina had been admitted to the hospital. Romina woke up and quickly gathered up the files.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just passing by,” Carlos said. “What are you doing?”
“I’m just reviewing my case.”
“Are you that determined? So many people are getting affected by your investigation.”
“Do you think I can just forget about what happened to me? You want me to forget how I was violated, and how the man who räpëd me basically ruined my life?”
“So you’ll continue investigating on your own? You need to take better care of yourself.”
“There’s no one else I can rely on. I’m more than capable of solving this on my own. Even if the people involved keep hiding the truth from me.”
Carlos sighed. “I understand. I hope you find the answers to all your questions, so we can all finally move on.” Romina looked on as Carlos left the study room.
