"Beware the person with nothing to lose." -Italian Proverb

People like that are found anywhere. They're the people with the greatest thirst for vengeance. Be careful. -H💋

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Marina, can you do me a favor?" Mom asked.

A week has passed since Tita Khaila and Drew's visit. They promised they'll be back next month and I'm really looking forward to it.

Today is Sunday and we're at Mom's boutique helping her out. She'll be having a fashion show in two weeks which is why she's really busy. She'll be presenting her 60s-inspired collection.

Each piece of clothing she designed is absolutely breathtaking. I actually would be asking her production team to reserve pieces for me to take home.

"Sure, Mom. What do you need?" I asked.

"Please go to Sandra's agency and get the list of the models that'll be in the show," she said.

I smiled before nodding. "Who will drive me there though?"

"Your dad," she answered and my smile faded.

"Can't you do it?" I asked.

She smiled as if she's assuring me that everything's gonna be fine. "Be back early, okay?" she said before going back to what she was doing.

I walked over to where Dad was standing and told him that we should go. He nodded and walked with me to his car.

The car ride going to Tita Sandra's agency was so awkward. I don't know if Dad feels the same way as I feel but the atmosphere sure is heavy.

I had my phone plugged in the car's stereo but it was not enough to mask the awkwardness around us.

"Does it still bother you?" he asked, referring to the events that happened years ago. "Don't answer if it's hard for you."

I gave him a small smile. "I'm okay with talking about it, Dad."

"I just don't want you to stress and get–"

"The attacks? I'm fine right now, Dad. I've been taking my medicine, remember?"

He took a deep breath. "I want to know if you believe that I cheated on your mom."

"To be honest, I actually think you did. I'm sorry, Dad." I sighed.

"It's okay, Ariel. I understand." He looked at me and smiled a bit before diverting his gaze back to the road. "Sandra is just a friend. I only helped her then because she seemed lost and I do owe her that because I broke her heart when I decided to marry your mom."

"Did she ever show motive that she wants to get back with you and ruin your marriage?" I asked.

"No. Our story is as good as done," he answered. "I never told your mom about this but when she kicked me out of the house, I lived in my car for days. I didn't find an apartment to stay in because I believe that she'll tell me to come back," he narrated. Mom did ask him to come back but it was too late. Their short breakup already took a toll on me.

"I love your mom more than anything, Marina. I love you and Maxwell too. Being away from the three of you that time was a torture which is why I promised myself that I would never upset your mom again," he said, looking at me and smiling a bit.

I felt tears starting to build up on the corners of my eyes. This is the first time I listened to Dad's version of the story. I forgave him before but I still thought that he was the one responsible for everything.

"I'll just wait here," he said when we reached Tita Sandra's agency.

I nodded before wiping my tears and walking out of the car.

"Hey, Gabbie," Mel, Tita Sandra's assistant greeted when she saw me enter.

"Hi, Mel," I greeted back.

"Your eyes look swollen. Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah. This is nothing," I answered.

She smiled and nodded. "Are you here for Miss Sandra?"

"Yes. Mom asked me to get the list of models from her."

"She's in her office. You know where it is, right?" she asked and I nodded as a response.

I excused myself before walking over to Tita Sandra's office. I knocked on her door before entering.

"Gabbie, hi," Tita Sandra said when she saw me enter.

"Hey, Tita Sandra," I said, sitting on the chair in front of her desk.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

"Mom wanted me to get the list of models you'll be sending for the fashion show," I answered.

"Ah, I see," she said before standing up and rummaging through her files drawer. She took out a brown envelope from there and handed it to me. "The body measurements of the models are there too so your mom doesn't have to worry about anything."

"Thanks, Tita."

"How are you, Gabbie?" she asked.

"Never been better," I answered.

She giggled. "You seem really happy. Looks like Gabriel allowed you to get a boyfriend, huh?"

My eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"I know a girl in love when I see one, hun," she answered and I giggled.

"How about you? Planning to get married soon?"

She made a disgusted face. "I don't want to get married. It's such a waste of time."

"How about kids? Who will you pass this agency to?"

She shook her head. "I don't want to have my own family. I'm fine with living alone and I could give Mel the agency."

"So you're okay with just giving her your empire?"

She chuckled. "Of course. I trust that girl with my life," she answered and I nodded, understandingly. "Why are you so interested in my love life, huh?"

I laughed. "You started it."

She shook her head. "I'll see you around, Gabbie."

"See you, Tita Sandra," I said before waving her goodbye and walking out of her office.

"Got what you need?" Mel asked when I got to the hallway.

I raised the envelope. "Yup. Thanks, Mel."

She smiled. "Take care, Gabbie."

"You too," I said before going to Dad's car.

"We good?" Dad asked when I entered.

I smiled at him and said, "We're good."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Marina, someone is here for you," Dad said when he opened the door to Mom's office.

When we got back from the drive, I quickly handed Mom the list and helped her with figuring out additional designs for the collection.

"Who is it?" I asked.

He shrugged. "See for yourself."

My eyebrows furrowed before walking out of Mom's office. My eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"Xander!" I ran to him and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed my baby," he answered.

Dad cleared his throat. "I would appreciate a little distance."

Xander immediately let go of me. I chuckled.

"Is it alright if I take you out?" he asked.

I sighed. "I would love to, babe but I'm helping Mom with her show."

"Can I help too?"

My eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

He shrugged. "Why not?"

"Uhmm... excuse me," someone said from behind us. Xander and I turned around and saw a woman holding out one of Mom's dresses. She has short blonde hair and is wearing a dark black dress. She looks like she is in her early 40s.

"How may I help you, ma'am?" I smiled.

"Do you have this dress in black? Purple isn't really my style," she said, raising the dress.

"Wait one moment, ma'am," I said and was about to grab the dress when someone pulled me away from her.

"What are you doing here?" Dad told the woman.

The woman smirked. "Gabriel Winters. What a pleasant surprise."

Hold up! He knows her?

"Hanna?" Mom said when she stepped out of her office.

She knows her too?! Who the hell is this woman?

"Lianna Tyler. Or is it Lianna Winters now?" the woman said.

"I have a restraining order. How dare you step into my wife's establishment?!" Dad exclaimed.

"Your restraining order expired years ago. It won't work on me anymore." She laughed.

Hearing her laugh sent shivers to my whole system. She seemed so scary.

"I might have to ask you to leave. You're not welcome here," Mom commanded.

"Is this really how you treat your customers? It's very..." She raised her head and pretended to think. "Out of class," she said while smirking.

"Hanna, just go," Dad said but she didn't listen and instead, faced me.

"Marina Gabrielle Winters, isn't it?" she said, walking closer to me. "Want to know a secret?" she whispered.

"Ma'am please leave," Xander said, pulling me away from her.

"I'll be back for you. Just wait," she told me before walking out of the boutique.

"Who was that?" I asked Mom and Dad.

"Hanna Planes," Dad answered.

"Your dad's former stalker," Mom added.

My eyes widened. "Planes? Is she-"

"Sandra's sister," Dad said, finishing my sentence.

"How did she become your stalker?" I asked Dad.

"I met her back in high school. Sandra and I weren't dating yet but we were close. Her sister visited her house one day and she got obsessed with me," Dad narrated.

"A little cocky, but okay," Mom said, and Dad glared at her.

"I had to get a restraining order just so she would stop pestering me." Dad shook his head.

"Is she Tita Sandra's half-sister?" I asked and both of them nodded. "What's her problem with you, Mom?"

Mom sighed. "I met her when I was in fashion school. She was jealous of me because I was the top in our class and-"

"Who's cocky now?" Dad smirked.

"Shut up, Gabriel," Mom hissed. "And she just started hating me then."

"Is she uhmm... unstable?" I asked, hesitation in my tone.

"Probably. I don't know. Even her own sister hates her," Dad answered.

I sighed. "She said she'll be back. Should I be worried?"

Xander caressed my back and gave me a side hug. I looked at him and he smiled at me like he's telling me that everything's gonna be alright. "Don't worry, Brielle. I'll protect you. You have nothing to worry about."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

Xander's POV

"We have a problem," I said when I entered the apartment.

I instantly saw her sitting on the couch and watching a mystery series.

"What problem?" she asked, pressing the pause button.

I sighed. "I want to cancel the plan."

She scoffed. "Are you kidding me? What happened? Don't tell me you fell for the girl? She's the daughter of the enemy, Xander!"

"No! It's not like that, okay?"

"Then what is it?"

I closed my eyes and massaged my head. "Guilt is eating me up."

She laughed. "Oh, my goodness! Fight it then because I don't want to cancel anything," she said, turning her back.

"Can't we just wait for karma to bite them in the back?" I argued.

She laughed again. "Oh, honey, I am their karma. We don't need to wait because I'm already here," she said before standing up and walking towards me.

"We will push through with the plan. Hanna Planes is not one to back down. You promised, Xander. Don't break it."