“Is this the man who left me outside the hospital? Was it him? Is this all a joke to you? Did Daniela pay you? Did she tell you to lead me on a wild goose chase? How am I supposed to calm down? This woman is pointing the finger at my husband! She’s tarnishing the memory of my husband!”
Hector met up with Daniela and started rambling and asking if she was a heavy drinker. Danny girl told him to shut up and order whatever he wanted. He asked why she as drinking and Daniela sobbed, saying that she just wanted to feel numb to all the pain. “Did your husband hurt you?” Hector asked.
“This is all your fault,” Daniela wailed.
“Me? Did I hurt you?”
“No. But you forced me to look for Romina with you. I couldn’t spend time with Carlos, and now, I feel terrible because we fought.”
“I gave you a choice – baby your husband or come with me. I’m the one you chose.”
Danny girl grabbed Hector. “I chose Carlos,” she hissed. ” I will always choose to be with him. But Romina keeps causing trouble and ruining our plans!”
Hector took Daniela’s hand and soothed her as she cried some more. “Calm down. Relax.”
Roxy stood outside the restaurant, staring in shock. “Is that Marga’s mom with Pappa? She’s the woman he’s courting?”
At the autoshop, Carlos called the organizer of the conference and found out that Daniela had never been at the conference. Romina sat at the dining table, tending to her wound when Carlos came in and stared at her. He flashed back to the comical way he had proposed to her years ago and how she had accepted to be his wife. Carlos came to himself and went over and asked to talk to Romina about what had happened earlier but Mina told him that it was her issue with Daniela, and she didn’t intend on getting him and his daughter involved.
“It’s her fault,” Mina said. “She should be the one talking to me, not you. It’s not your problem.”
Daniela arrived home to find her husband asleep. She joined him in bed and vowed to do anything to keep him in her life, even if she had to ruin Romina’s life like she had done before. Danny girl started ki$$ing her dearest hun and Carlos woke up and asked if she was that desperate now. “I miss you,” Danny girl said. “Carlos, I’m your wife.”
“But look at what you’re doing.”
“Why do you think I’m acting like this? You won’t even touch me anymore. I’m your wife, remember?”
“On paper, Daniela. If you don’t stop this, I’ll forget about that too. If you can’t respect yourself, respect my decision.”
Carlos stormed out of the room. He stood in the living room, staring and checking out Romina who was taking her sweet time having a glass of water in the kitchen. When Romina noticed him staring at her, she came over and asked what he was doing there. “I’m just thirsty,” Carlos claimed.
“Then drink some water.”
Cassie and Neil arrived just then, and so did Marga. Neil asked his sister about her wound while Marga flaunted her trophy to her father and bragged about how she had beaten all the contestants. Carlos congratulated her.
“Where’s mommy?” Marga asked. “I’m sure she’ll be so happy to hear this.”
Carlos was silent for a moment. “She’s in her room. And she’s drunk.”
“I’ll just… tell her tomorrow.”
Alvin expressed his worries to his brother about how Romina wouldn’t believe him if he told her that he had no idea of the nurse’s whereabouts, and Hector told him that he would give him the address so he could pass it on to her.
“What? Are you out of your mind?” Alvin asked.
“No. We need to convince Romina that you gave her the correct address.”
“Are we just going to let her find the nurse?”
“Do I look stüpïd to you? I’ll move them somewhere else first thing tomorrow morning, so don’t tell Romina where they are until I need you to. She won’t stop searching for the nurse, so let’s give her a few dead ends.”
At the autoshop, Kulas went on and on about how Carlos needed to have a baby with Daniela to fix their marriage since he wanted another grandkid. Jessa reminded him that he still had Gino and Jude for that. “I don’t know why they haven’t married anyone yet,” Kulas grumbled.
“Your sons know to wait for the right person to come along,” Mryna reasoned.
Kulas ignored his wife and turned to his mistress. “Why don’t we have another baby?”
Jessa almost choked on the water she was drinking. “Slow down, Kulas.”
Myrna encouraged Jessa to do as Kulas wished since she had already accepted that their marriage was meaningless now. “You can make as many babies as you want.”
Kulas was laughing and excited like a teenager. Myrna covered her mouth with her hand to hide the self satisfied smile on her face as Jessa gave her a look. Romina sneaked into the Bartolome room. Seeing that Daniela was asleep, she tiptoed her way over to Danny girl’s bag and eventually found the spare keys Vickie (the nurse’s daughter) had given her earlier. Romina took a photo of the key and placed it back in the bag. She then turned to glance at Daniela who was still busy dozing off. Mina smiled triumphantly as she sneaked out of the room. Bernard couldn’t understand why his son was so ecstatic. He asked him whether he had won the music fest and Kristoff told him he had gotten second place. Bernard then asked why he was so happy and Kristoff revealed to him that Cassie had agreed to be his girlfriend.
“I can’t describe this feeling,” Kristoff said. “It’s like I’m walking on air.”
“I’m happy for you, son.”
“Thanks, dad.”
“But, Kristoff, remember this. Trust is a good foundation for a relationship. Cassie gave you her trust, so don’t do anything to break that. Take care of her. She deserves it.”
“Of course, dad. I’ve waited for this moment for a very long time, and I will do everything to make her happy.”
“I know. I’m happy for you, son.”
Kristoff hugged his father. “Thank you for insisting that I come here.”
Jessa was pacing around, worried about how Mryna was pressing Kulas to have a baby with her. Kulas sneaked into the room and started making advances at her. “I have you all to myself. You smell…so good,” said the misëräble one-eyed-old man as he guided her onto the bed.
Jessa forcefully shoved him away before he could even land a single ki$$. The poor thing. “Just tell me if you’re not in the mood,” Kulas grumbled. “You’re making me look like a räpïst.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not ready for that yet.”
“Or maybe you just don’t wanna do it. Be honest with me, what am I to you?”
“Kulas…”
“Do you really løvë me, or are you only doing this because I let you live here?”
A moment later, Myrna mocked Kulas with Jessa’s rejection as he was having a drink. Kulas got upset and blamed her for what had happened. Myrna however told him that he had gotten hurt because he trusted people too easily. “Do you want me to be alone for the rest of my life?” Kulas asked.
“Who says you’re alone in life. Our children are here for you, so don’t force yourself on someone who doesn’t løvë you.”
“Don’t be a hypocrite, Myrna. You’re the one who keeps forcing yourself on us.”
“Compared to a stranger? I’m only here because of our sons. You’re chasing someone who’ll toss you aside after she’s done using you.”
“You’re all the same.”
“Whatever. Why don’t you two take some time off from each other? Jessa doesn’t seem sure about you. Maybe a week, to think about your decision. Remember, your family’s at stake here too.”
Romina told Bonita about the apartment key she had found and how she was sure Daniela was keeping the nurse there. “Call Bernard. We’re going to save miss Pearlita from Daniela.”
Roxy served her father a cup of coffee. Hector mentioned that she seemed happy and Roxy told him she had had a wonderful dream last night. Hector sipped from a glass of water. “Why? What did you dream about?”
“That Marga and I were sisters.”
Hector spat out the water. “That sounds like a nightmare.”
“Pa, you don’t need to hide it from me. I know the truth now. You’re courting Marga’s mother.”
Hector was exasperated. “How’d you find out?”
“I followed you last night. You two looked sweet together.”
“You’re unbelievable. You really want me to get mad, huh?”
“I was just curious.”
“Don’t do that again, Roxy.”
“But Marga’s mother’s married, right? Isn’t that cheating?”
At the autoshop, Mikoy had still not shown up and his wretched uncle was still waiting for him. Myrna told Jude that there was probably a serious reason why Mikoy was avoiding his uncle. She suggested that he have him arrested, but Jude said he couldn’t do that until they proved he was a criminal. Meanwhile, the Mangubat brothers went to give the nurse and her daughter some supplies, but they found the house empty and deserted. Daniela had a call from Hector, telling her about Vickie and her mother missing. She asked him to find them so Romina didn’t uncover the truth.
Daniela flashed back to how Savannah had warned her that Romina could take everything away from her if she discovered the real culprit of her räpë. In the living room, Kristoff revealed to Romina that Cassie was now his girlfriend. Mina scolded them a bit for rushing things and Kristoff vowed to keep his promise of never hurting her daughter. Mina asked if they were really ready since being in a relationship wasn’t easy and they were both still young. “I løvë your daughter so much,” Kristoff said. “Please give me a chance so I can show you how committed I am to her.”
“Ma, please don’t be sad,” Cassie said.
“I’m not sad, dear. I just didn’t expect this to happen so soon. You know you’re my baby, right? But now, I’ll have to let someone other than your family take care of you.”
Does that mean…?” Cassie glanced at Kristoff.
Romina smiled. “Yes. I’m giving you my blessing, but be responsible and take care of each other.” A moment later, Mina had a phone call as she was leaving for work. “Hello, Bonita. Any news about miss Pearlita?”
“They’re safe now, Romina.”
Bernard told miss Pearlita that there was no reason to be worried because they were safe from Daniela. Vickie thanked him and and asked them to extend her apologies to Romina because she had only been forced to take her mother away that night only because Daniela had threatened them. “Romina’s a kind and sweet person,” Bonita said. “I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“But it’s very important that she speaks with your mother,” Bernard added.
“Don’t you worry. We’re ready to help her now,” Vickie assured.
Marga went to the autoshop to get Mikoy’s phone number so she could contact him easily. Mikoy teased her about having a crush on him but Marga denied it. “Are you a slice of pizza?” Mikoy asked playfully.
“Why?”
“I have a crush on you.”
“My gosh. I’m outta here.”
“Made you smile, though.” Mikoy then took Marga’s phone and punched in his number. “Just text me. No phone calls because I don’t have enough credit. And don’t call me past 9 pm. That’s my bed time.”
Marga snatched back her phone. “You wish.”
Mikoy smiled. “Did you come here just for my number?”
Marga sighed. “I’m glad you came back for me during the music fest. Nice to know you can think.”
“I’m not a guy who breaks his promises.”
“Whatever.”
A moment after Marga left, wretched uncle Badong caught and cornered Mikoy and greeted him with a punch to the belly. Romina had brought a sketch artist along to see miss Pearlita. Bonita told her that the artist was having a hard time drawing the man’s profile since Pearlita kept changing her testimony.
“Maybe I could help you,” Vickie announced.
“How?” Mina asked.
“On the night Daniela took us, she spoke to my mother while showing her a man’s photo. She asked if he was the one who left you at the hospital.”
“And?”
“My mother confirmed that it was him.”
“Do you remember what he looked like?”
“I do. I’ll describe him for you.”
At the CrAvenue Diner, Mini-Daniela told Sir Wacky that she was quitting the job because he had already been paid for having the diner used as the venue for her photoshoot. “That’s more than I owed, but it’s okay. You can keep the change. I enjoyed working here anyway.”
Sir Wacky forced a smile. “That’s good, but I hope you learned a little something here you can take with you in life.”
“Of course I did. I learned I am a Mondragon, and I shouldn’t take orders from others again.”
The Mean Squad came over as Sir Wacky left. Marga was upset with them and they invited her for a summer party to make up for what they had done. Nadya suggested that she bring Michael along since the Maxwell students were excited to meet him, and Marga eventually agreed. The sketch artist gave Jepoy the sketch he had made before leaving. Jepoy and Bonita wondered why the sketch resembled someone they knew.
“It doesn’t add up,” Bernard commented. “He couldn’t have done it.”
Romina snatched the sketch and stared at it in horror. “Hold on, Vickie. The man you described, he looks like my husband.”
“According to my mom, he’s the one who brought you to the hospital.”
Romina showed miss Pearlita the sketch. “Is this the man who left me outside the hospital?” she wailed. “Was it him?”
The old woman stared at Romina for a while before glancing at the sketch. “Who is that?”
“What trick are you trying to pull here?” Bonita asked Vickie.
“My mother has dementia,” Vickie announced. “She must have forgotten about it, but she really did tell Daniela that she saw that man back then.”
“You never told us your mother had dementia,” Mina wailed.
“That’s because no one asked.”
Mina was pretty upset. “Is this all a joke to you? Did Daniela pay you? Did she tell you to lead me on a wild goose chase?”
“Calm down,” Bernard soothed.
“How am I supposed to calm down?” Mina yelled. “This woman is pointing the finger at my husband! She’s tarnishing the memory of my husband!”
“Stop it,” miss Pearlita pleaded. “Stop shouting at each other. Vickie dear, let’s go home. I still have an early shift at work tomorrow.”
Jessa brought Kulas some breakfast. Kulas rejected it and Jessa apologized for the fight they had had last night. Kulas was still upset, and Jessa told him that she hadn’t been ready for what he had wanted to do. “Alright, then. I just have one favor to ask you.”
Jessa was smiling like she had just won the lottery. “What is it, Kulas?”
“Get out.”
“Of your room?”
“Of my house!”
Back at the safehouse, Vickie tried to convince Romina that she had been telling the truth earlier but she wasn’t confirming that her husband was the one who had left her outside the hospital. “What do you mean?” Mina asked.
“My mother has dementia. She has lapses in her memory, and they sometimes get mixed up.”
“In that case, we can’t believe anything she might say now,” Bernard cut in.
Romina could do nothing but stare at Vickie in confusion. Back in Kulas’ room, Jessa pleaded with Kulas not to kick her out because she had nowhere to go and no money for rent. Kulas gave her some money and told her to go and rent the house Myrna had gotten for her. She then called Mryna in and asked her to pack up Jessa’s stuff and call a cab for her.
“Don’t bother,” Jessa grumbled. “I can take care of myself.”
Myrna followed Jessa out the room as she gathered her things. “I hope that this is the last time we see each other, Jessa. Don’t you ever come back here.”
“Don’t celebrate too early, Myrna. I’m not done with you. You’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”
Vickie apologized to Romina and told her that she was leaving with her mother to a place Daniela wouldn’t be able to find them. Mina however insisted that they remain at the safehouse. She asked Bonita and Jepoy to look after them and give them everything they needed.
“But we won’t be of any help to you,” Vickie mentioned. “My mother’s sick, remember?”
“Romina is still hoping that she can still remember something that’ll be helpful to us,” Bernard explained.
“If she was able to recognize my husband, then that means she must have met Robert before,” Mina added.
“What if she just saw Mr. Robert when he visited you in the hospital back then?” Jepoy asked.
“Did Mr. Robert visit you then?” Bonita added. “Do you remember seeing him?”
“I don’t remember the details,” Mina said. “But there’s only one way that question can be answered – I’ll ask the person who was with me then.”
“Who?”
“Carlos.”
Carlos was in some kind of trance, flashing back to how he had checked out Romina’s body in the kitchen the night before. Gino noticed it and startled him, causing the water he was drinking to spill. He asked if he was okay and Carlos claimed he had just been thinking about the autoshop. “Where’s Mikoy?” Carlos asked. “I’ll let him buy the parts.”
“I haven’t seen him all day,” Gino replied. “I tried calling him, but he wouldn’t pick up. I’m starting to worry.”
Kulas came over and gave Gino some money as he was going out to look for Mikoy. “Buy us some booze. Let’s get wasted tonight.”
“Dad, what happened?” Carlos asked as Jude joined them.
“I asked Jessa to leave. I did what you wanted.”
“We never asked you to do that.”
“But that’s what happened. You were right. I think she was just using me.”
“About time,” Gino commented. “You finally came to your senses, dad. Why don’t you get back together with mom?”
Jude was against the idea, and so was Kulas. Gino and Carlos asked their father whether he would take back their mother if he found out that she hadn’t really cheated on him. Wretched uncle Badong was manhandling Mikoy in his house and ranting some nonsense about how he needed to pay him back for all the money he had spent on him. Mikoy reminded him that it was his grandma who had taken care of him, and wretched uncle smacked him and revealed that he had given her grandma the money.
“That’s why she died,” wretched uncle said. “She chose to feed you instead of getting treatment. You’ll work for me for the rest of your life.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Mikoy challenged.
Wretched uncle shoved Mikoy against the wall and started flogging him with his belt. The misëräble swine. “Take this. You think you’re tough?”
“Stop it, uncle,” Mikoy wailed.
“Are you gonna fight back? You’ll keep working at the autoshop. I’ll drag you there if I have to. If you ask for help, you’ll be sorry.”
The full grown bast*rd kicked Mikoy and stormed out. At Navotas, Kulas was as drunk as a skunk as he sat with his sons outside the house. He was mumbling some nonsense when Romina arrived. “What’s this woman doing here?”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Kulas,” Romina said. “I won’t stay long. I just want to talk to Carlos.”
“You’re disturbing us. Can’t you see we’re having fun here?”
“Looks like a pretty shallow way to have fun,” Mina mocked. “How much did you spend so I can pay you to keep your mouth shut?”
Kulas got, upset. “Why you disrespectful…”
Gino and Jude took their wasted father inside, while Carlos took hold of Mina’s hand and dragged her aside and stared.
“Carlos, your hand,” Romina prompted.
Carlos let go of Mina’s hand. Daniela met up with the Mangubat brothers and asked if they had found the nurse. Hector told her that she wasn’t anywhere and their neighbors hadn’t seen them since they left. “Because they’re hiding,” Danny girl ranted. “You idïøts. You should have kept a better eye on her.”
“You better watch your mouth,” Alvin warned. “You yell pretty loud for someone who needs our help.”
“How dare you talk back to me?”
“That’s enough,” Hector admonished. “Calm down. I’ll order my men to keep an eye on Romina.”
“You better hurry. You know how she is.” A phone call came in just then. “Dad?”
“Daniela, come to the house right now,” said the misëräble one-eyed-old man. How he managed to sober up after getting so drunk a moment before, and then to make a phone call, was far beyond me. “Romina’s hounding your husband again.”
“She’s there?”
“That’s what I said. Get over here right now before anything else happens.” Danny girl hanged up and looked on angrily, while Hector stared and smiled at her through the rearview mirror. Daniela eyed Hector.
