Gus drove me home while I poured my heart out in the backseat.

I heard Gus' phone ring and the next minute he was talking to his caller.

"K, Ken wants to talk to you." I heard Gus said and handed me his phone.

"Trina, why are you going home? I thought you'll be with me when I'll face mom and dad and grandpa." Ken's words made me cry more thinking that I broke my promise to him.

"Kenny I'm so sorry. Can you please... come home? I can't... go back... there. Please..." I said in between sobs.

"Why are you crying Trina? What happened? I'll come home. Just wait for me at home." He said and I ended the call.

Everything will be fine. I'll be fine. Ken will be home. He'll be home.

I went straight to my room when I arrived home. I can't suppress my tears from flowing so I just let it go.

All the pain I tried to bury inside my heart for the last six years overpower my whole being. It's like I'm drowning in the lake of pain wishing to find an end to it.

But I know this moment will come and I deserve all these pain that I am feeling right now. I deserve this for hurting him, for ruining his life and for giving him so much misery.

He looked at me with those eyes full of hatred and disgust telling me he despise my presence and existence. And his touch! It warmed up my skin but brought shivers to my heart freezing it to numbness.

I was on my bed hugging my knees while crying when Ken arrived after a few minutes.

He went straight to me and enveloped me with his arms without asking any question. This is what I want right now. The warmth and love of my dearest brother whom I missed for almost a decade now.

"Ssshhh... I'm here now. You'll be fine K! Everything's fine." He utter those words to ease whatever pain I am feeling right now. He caress my back as if by doing so it will take all the pain away.

He just let me cry in his arms until I subside and settled on a more comfortable pajamas before I settled to the warmth of my bed, my companion for the longest time I am lonely.

He didn't left my side and stayed with me brushing his fingers on my hair. He said he wants me to sleep and forget whatever heartaches and pain I am enduring right now.

"Kenjie!" I heard a voice called out Ken's name but I am too restless to open my eyes and look out for the owner of that voice.

All I feel was Ken's caress on my hair before I fell into a deep sleep.

[Next morning...]

I feel a little headache when I woke up in the morning. I'm sure my eyes were puffy with all the crying I did last night.

I hurriedly got out of bed when I remember Ken. He was here last night and witnessed all the tears I cried and agonies I've been through.

He must have left the house and stayed in the hotel last night when I fall asleep.

I was taking the stairs when I heard laughter at the dining hall.

It's too early for my parents to have a visitor and have an early morning laugh. But it made me happy knowing that despite everything, they were able to laugh and stayed happy and in love.

I went directly to the dining only to be surprised to see four people sitting on the table with big smiles plastered on their faces while looking at me.

Grandpa, Dad, Mom and... Ken?!

"Sweetie! At last you're awake! Come join us for breakfast." My father called out happily.

I didn't move from where I stand. I blink my eyes too many times checking if I wasn't dreaming or hallucinating though there's no reason that I am feeling the latter since I am not taking any meds.

"Hey! Trina! Come on! It's breakfast time." Ken called out for me with a grin.

"You're here? You're really here?" I ask looking at him intently.

I forgot all the pain I felt while looking at my family's happy faces. They're the reason why I am happy. They're my source of strength and my life.

I didn't notice I was already crying looking at them when Ken stood up and took the gap between the dining table and to where I am currently standing.

He enveloped me in his arms and I cried in his shoulders.

"Everything is fine now. I'm here and we're a complete family now, Trina." he whispered as he kissed me in my forehead.

I look at his face questioningly. He knows what I want to ask. He knows what I want to know.

"They caught me in your room last night. We talked already. Patch things up and I'm staying till work is done here." he told me smiling.

"Then you'll be gone for months or years again once work is done?" I know he feel the pain in my words.

"Maybe but this time I'll find a way to visit. I'll make sure you won't miss me again."

He give me his sweetest smile after saying those words. And I know he'll keep his promise.

"Come on! Join us for breakfast." he lead me to the table and pull the chair beside grandpa. I wipe my tears away as I seated myself in the table.

He went back to his seat across grandpa when I settled in mine.

"Eat now sweetheart so that you can get back to sleep after." I heard mom said. I smiled at her then to Dad.

"I'm fine, Dad. Ken is here and I want to spend more time with him instead of lying in bed all day." I said and look at Ken. He smiled.

"I understand sweetheart. That's why we did not disturb the two of you last night." I can see joy in my father's eyes. He longed for Ken's presence for a very long time.

My Mom seems to be so amazed while watching her little boy grow fast like this over time. I know she is dying for this day to come and finally, it came. We shared a lot of laughter in the table making me forgot for a little while.

Ken shared to us some experiences he had during his travel with his band. He's a member of a famous boy band whom Mr. Perantes hired to perform last night at the party.

I'm so happy for him because finally, he was able to reach his dreams. He was able to spread his wings and achieve what he dreamed to become.

He loves singing and playing instruments since he was young. Mom kept some videos of him when he was young playing with guitar and the piano. Mom loves music which Ken inherited.

I came to think that maybe Dad was not totally disappointed with Ken pursuing his passion because he knows that was mom's first love before he marry her.

We decided to go to church together that day. A lot of women kept on staring Kenjie during the mass and on the way home. They seem to know him but shy enough to ask if he really was the man they're thinking him to be.

I suppressed a smile with the act. Kenjie tend to keep a low profile despite being famous. Back then, he was the shy type of guy and I guess it took a lot of courage for him to stand on the stage in front of a lot people and perform. He promised me to take me with him on their next show and I can't hide the excitement with the idea.

But that excitement vanished away when my father receive a call from his friend on our way home.

"Compadre! What can I do for you?"

I know who called and I can't hide the worry on my face when he took that call.

I saw Dad smiled and nod several times while listening to his caller.

"Well, I know Katie can handle him just fine. I will tell her about that."

Me? Why am I involve? And who is that him they are talking about?

I don't want to think that it is Rufos that they are talking about but who else? I can't think of anybody else.

The idea of him around me is getting me insane.

Am I ready to face him like nothing happened?

Good heavens! Help me get through this.

"Okay Compandre! See you! Bye!" and he ended that call with a smile on his face.

I acted as if I was not listening to their conversation. I hate to admit that this is one of those times when I fear talking to my own father.

I fear hearing what he will tell me about that call. And this is because I know it involves someone I don't want to see or talk to.

But Dad was silent along the way until we get home. I want to thank God for that silence. Maybe I was just overthinking about that call. Maybe he was referring to someone else and not that man I thought it was.

I felt relieved and relaxed especially when Ken started to ask questions about the hotel. We had a long conversation till we arrived home.

"Sweetie, can I talk to you for a while?" those words from Dad made me froze for a second

Fear hit me and I can't utter a word to say no. A lot of thoughts, bad thoughts actually filled my head.

This is about the call and I can't tell myself that everything after this will be fine.

"Katie? Are you okay, sweetheart?" my father asked after a long pause.

They're all eyeing me.

"Of course, Dad! I'm okay." I lied but they must not know.

Relax, Katie! You'll just discuss about business.

I kept on telling myself when Dad lead me to his study room.

"Have a seat, sweetie!" Dad instructed.

"Thank you, Dad!" I answered nervously suppressing a shiver on my voice.

I hate the pause that my father made with all the looks he gave me. That act made me hold my breath for a second.

"W-What's the problem, Dad?" I was not able to contain myself.

I want this to be over and done. I hate every second that passed.

"I know you were listening back in the car, the call with Mr. Perantes." he started.

"So. . . this is about that call? Is there a problem?"

"Yes, sweetheart this is about the call earlier but you have nothing to worry about. He called because he wanted to visit the hotel tomorrow."

"Oh, okay! I'll make my schedule free in the morning to accompany him, Dad."

"How about your scheduled meetings?"

"I'll have it move in the afternoon. I will just tell Charlotte to clear my morning sched."

"Okay, sweetie. I will tell Mr. Perantes that everything's settled then. They can come in the morning."

They?

That made my heart panicked again. So he's not alone?

"They?" I guess I was thinking too loud that it reached my father's ears.

"Yes, sweetie. Mr. Perantes and his son will be coming tomorrow morning. Do we have a problem?"

That made my heart beat fast.

He is coming over to visit the hotel tomorrow?

I will see him again? Definitely!

"Katarina? Are you okay? You seemed bothered."

"It's nothing, Dad. I will put it in my notes that Mr. Perantes is not alone tomorrow."

"Thank you, sweetie. I know I can always count on you and you can handle everything just fine."

Those words from my father made me think twice. Think twice if I can really handle everything tomorrow the way he thought I can.

The idea of me with him in the duration of their visit tomorrow is unthinkable.

"Is that all, Dad? Can I go upstairs now?" I asked permission.

"Yes, you may go now." I left the study after I gave my father a nod.

I was not able to sleep well that night. The conversation we had during dinner didn't help nor lessen my worries. Worries that I was holding back for years. Worries that I buried deep in my heart thinking our path won't cross again.

Why is that, Katarina? You thought you won't see him again after what happened? You thought that way because you know you came from two different world? Two very different world?

I erase the thought in my mind. I know in my heart that I never thought of that way. The more I never thought of him to be different from me.

Brace yourself, Katie! You have to face him and you have no way to avoid it!

Right! Tomorrow is the day, Katie!