"I so wish I could be there to give Colby a warm hug," Ashley was telling Rebecca over the phone while the latter listened only half attentively. "But as it stands, I'm stuck in this boring office with hundreds of new designs and fabrics to sort out. Plus the fashion event which is fast approaching, there's also a wedding I've to arrange in a week's period. The couple are quite adamant that I personally see to all the arrangements. They don't want a speck of mistake. But I'll try to visit the hospital at the earliest. Perhaps tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes," Rebecca says to her friend, the sudden, piercing headache she's experiencing causing her voice to be a little raspy. "No rush, Ash. Just do whatever you have to do first. Colby will understand."

Ashley starts rambling about how dreadful the entire incident with Colby's mother is but Rebecca's mind isn't on Ashley's voice or words. It's on the growing ache in her head which appears to have doubled up tenfold in mere seconds. Her head feels as if its insides is being prickled by thousands upon thousands of tiny, invisible needles, the pain so raw and excruciating, her eyes begins to water with tears. Exhaling deeply and blinking away a few tears, she focuses her mind on the drive so as to not encounter an avoidable accident.

After several heartbeats, the pain had reasonably receded but its residue is still there; a dull but very much harsh ache which alerts her to the truthfulness of Fergal's words earlier this morning. First, it was the unsettling nausea from last night at the hospital and now the earth-splitting headache. It can't be a mere coincidence. She really needs to see her doctor.

Her mind returns to her friend just in time to hear Ashley say, "Give Colby a long, warm hug for me and tell him I offer the best of wishes to his mother for her speedy recovery."

"I will," Rebecca mumbles, hand tightening around the steering wheel. "But I don't think it's enough, Ash."

"What isn't? The treatment they're giving to his mother at the hospital?"

"No," Rebecca refutes. "I'm referring to the whole hug thing you want me to give him. I don't think it's enough. I don't believe I'm being much of a help to him."

"Oh Becks, don't say that. I'm pretty sure you're doing everything you can," Ashley contemplates, her voice muffled a bit. "Don't downplay yourself and I'm certain your support means the whole world to Colby."

Rebecca sighs deeply, as though in hopelessness but she knows deep down it's far from that. The feelings are more of helplessness and a scratchy itch to do more but not even having the faintest clue as to what she should do or how she should go about it. "I don't know Ash. He looked extremely fitful last night. It's especially his paranoia which bothers me the most. He doesn't have any hope things are going to improve and that's the complete opposite of the Colby I know. It's evident he's frightened about something. He left ten missed calls and five messages on my phone just this morning!"

"Oh, that's a bit much. Maybe he needed someone to talk to. Did he tell you the reason?"

"No," Rebecca replies as she steers her car to the right, en route to the hospital. "I called him back right after my shower and he said it was nothing, just wanted to make sure I'd reached home safely but I could tell he was lying. Something isn't right."

By her dismissive snort, Rebecca can tell her friend doesn't see any ominous lining in all the things she'd just told her. "You know what I think, Becks? You're the one being negativistic here. The poor guy just lost his father a week ago and the next week, his mother is hospitalized. Anyone in his shoes would've gone mad due to despair and uncertainty. With everything that has happened to him lately, it's understandable if he's a little pessimistic and scared. Besides, he gave you a simple but convincing—at least to me—reason; he wanted to make sure you'd reached home safely. What's your excuse for not picking up his calls soon enough?"

"My phone was on silent mode. . . ." Ashley doesn't even let her finish and cuts her off, making Rebecca roll her eyes.

"Gotcha. Listen Becks, give him time. Be forbearing. The best thing you can do for him now is to be supportive. Don't add any unwanted pressure on his list of problems by asking inappropriate questions. If he doesn't want to talk about something, don't press. When the time is right, I bet he'll definitely tell you. All in due time. Dear me," Ashley suddenly hollers out loud, "listen to me giving the cheesy relationship tips."

Rebecca instinctively smiles as she envisage Ashley dramatically fanning herself at this very moment, "You should quit fashion designing and swerve to counselling on marriages and relationships. You would really excel in it."

"Oh shut up Becks," Ashley chides her, only half serious. "It's all you and Colby's fault I'm turning into the mushy, romantic type. I was never like this. Giving advice on relationships? Yikes! Give me a hot guy for a fling for not more than a week, and I'm good. No feelings, no drama."

Rebecca laughs lightly, "You won't say that once you fall in love Ash. Seriously, you've a point. Perhaps, I'm reading too much into everything. Exhaustion is making me a bit cranky and paranoid."

Ashley's exuberant voice falters, "Is it the lack of sleep or are you just not feeling well?"

"It's the latter. I don't feel fine," Rebecca admits. "I felt nauseous and dizzy the whole time at the hospital last night. Fatigue forced me to catch a bit of sleep this morning when I was supposed to be cooking breakfast for Colby at the mansion. I don't know what's wrong. Headaches and fatigue aren't a good sign at all."

"Becks, you really need to see the doctor," Ashley advises, voice all fretful. It's amazing how she slips so fluently from the gaily type of person everyone around her knows her for and into the protective, caring friend in an instant and still be tolerable. "You can't continue like this."

Rebecca nods reluctantly, "I will, Ash. I promise."

"You better," Ashley exhorts, trying to make her voice sound stern but her obvious concern makes it come out as a plea. "I don't want to say I don't trust you to uphold your promise although I've every reason to since you never book an appointment with the doctor when you often vow otherwise. The symptoms are evidently coming back but it shouldn't because you've been taking your medicines religiously."

"I really have," Rebecca reaffirms, shrugging helplessly. "The medicines are clearly not working. I need to get new ones and only the doctor can help me. Fergal was right after all."

"What did he say this time," asks Ashley, seemingly incurious but Rebecca knows better. Similar to her, Ashley also has the pipe dream that Fergal might revert back to the person he was back in the day; the extrovert type he no longer is.

"A bunch of things I already know. Mom told him I'm dating Colby and Fergal was irate. He believes I won't take other aspects of my life seriously; specifically my health, now that I've drifted off to the path of love and eventual heartbreak again."

"Well he has a point," Ashley says to which Rebecca frown. "Hear me out on this, Becks. I get where your brother is coming from. Your relationship with Jeff never exuded the self-fulfillment and healthiness an intimacy with a partner is supposed to be. It left a sour taste in everyone's mouth, including Fergal's. It's clear he doesn't want you to get hurt again but you know him. Saying things in the most calmest of ways isn't his forte anymore. He has to resort to shouting and yelling and in the end, phew! Just like that. Everything else goes out through the window and both of you end up quarreling again."

"But that isn't how my relationship with Colby will be," Rebecca says defensively, jaw set, "at least I hope, and it definitely isn't. My relationship with him can't be compared to the one with Jeff. Jeff was basically my babysitter Ash." Rebecca swallows thickly at the self confession, her moments with Jeff flashing before her eyes in a rapid blur. She now realize she'd never truly accepted the truth; that Jeff was a mere nanny, her fantasy land where she'd run to to escape her problems and he played his role perfectly. Up to the very end until he'd brilliantly deceived her to sign the papers which would allow him to transfer all the money in her bank account to his and later run away with the woman he truly loved. On their wedding day, no less.

Rebecca forces the memories from her mind and concentrates on the road and her best friend. "Jeff was my babysitter. He was just there to prevent me from tipping over the cliff. The only bright side to it was, he wasn't paid to do so which is why his acting came off so genuine. It's different with Colby. Escapism isn't an option with him. He makes me want to make my life better, to find myself again and face my problems head-on. He enlivens me, Ash. But Fergal doesn't know that because he never talks to me. He has no idea what's going on in my life, how I feel and what I need. He has no right to judge things he's ignorant about."

Ashley hums in agreement, letting out a deep sigh. "All your points are valid, Becks. At the end of the day, it all boils down to lack of communication. It has exacerbated things between you and Fergal."

"It isn't just that. It's Fergal, the man himself. He's an estranged person now. Too quick to excoriate and judge. I had hope Mercedes was going to change him for the better but now I'm not so sure. How's a relationship going to work without basic communication?"

"A-ha, speaking of Mercedes! Have you seen the video?" Ashley sounds too giddy for her own good.

Curiosity flares up inside Rebecca, "Did the paparazzi figure out she's dating Fergal? Are they all over the news? God have mercy, Fergal will be livid if he's the center of discussion on gossip shows for weeks to come."

Ashley laughs at the statement, "He would've been but it isn't that. There's a video of Mercedes tripping on her gown at the party. You were the center of attention so the cameras missed the touchy, flirty moments between them but now they are wondering who she is and why her head was on his shoulder." A ghosted memory of Mercedes wounding her arm through Fergal's and laying her head on his shoulder passes through Rebecca's mind. But she can also recall how Fergal had flinched before looking away, possibly sheepish but it could be something more. 'Who knows,' she thinks. "They have turned the video into memes," Ashley adds genially. "It's in the process of going viral. It's crazy."

Rebecca can only gape, "Mercedes tripped at the party? When? How did that happen? Don't tell me Mom had something to do with it."

"I was granting interviews about my upcoming fashion show when I heard the commotion," Ashley elaborates. "But why do you think aunt Ann had something to do with it?"

"Mom didn't know Mercedes until last night but she already hates the poor girl with a passion," Rebecca bemoans. "It would've been fitting if you were there, Ash. It was shocking. She even called Mercedes a spy."

"Really?" Ashley sounds uncharacteristically stunned. If there's anyone who knows her mother better than her and Fergal, it's Ashley, but her best friend never envisioned Annette will take such a strong dislike to her son's girlfriend. Rebecca didn't either. "I know aunt Ann can be fussy at times but calling her a spy is on another level! I seriously missed some good drama last night. I've got some delicious cupcakes here, Becks. Hurry up and fill me in."

Rebecca shakes her head at her friend's facetious attitude as her car passes through the gates of the hospital and onto the driveway to the parking lot. "Seriously Ash, it was embarrassing. I wouldn't have loved to be in Mercedes's shoes at that point in time and to think she flopped as well. In front of everyone gathered?"

"Right in the middle of the party hall, with the cameras and every eye on her. Do you want to see the video? I can send it to you but you can very well watch it on YouTube, if you like. It's only two minutes length."

The grimace that appears on Rebecca's face is unavoidable. Ashley's cheerfulness is too infectious. "Ash, stop it. It isn't funny. Come on."

Ashley bursts into a noisy gale, "I'm sorry. I can't help myself. It's unfortunate whatever happened with her but Fergal's reaction was more hilarious. Just reminiscing it fills me up with amusement."

Rebecca's eyes bulge, "Fergal was there?"

"I wish he was but no. He was somewhere, I don't know exactly. But I called him this morning after I saw the video and informed him. Oh my God Becks, he was enraged and so desperate. He kept on asking me if there were ways we can pull the video down from social media but I told him it was impossible. Some of the guests had already posted the video last night before the news outlets did this morning. It's on people's phones and they are still sharing it. It's trending at number three on YouTube and number two on Twitter. But the positive side is, you are trending at number one, sweetheart. People loved the gown."

"All thanks to you," Rebecca praises with a grateful smile, unbuckling her seatbelt and grabbing the food basket and her handbag. "Fergal is going to bribe people to make sure the video is pulled down. It won't work though but he'll try nevertheless and my mother believes he doesn't love Mercedes. He does love her, I think, but in his own way. Which my mother and I don't understand. He pretty much said so himself this morning."

"Fergal is so enigmatic nowadays but oh well! I have to go, Becks. Duty calls and the models are creating a ruckus downstairs. I swear, this company is never short of drama."

"Which you love," Rebecca retorts playfully.

"You bet. Catch you later. Love ya!"

"Love you too." After she'd pressed the button of her Bluetooth earpiece off, Rebecca proceeds out of the parking lot with the basket in hand while her handbag dangles at her waist on an arm. She at first ignores the gabble at the frontage of the hospital but then she hears voices, one of them which she quickly discerns as Colby's.

Confusion and curiosity gravitates her to the source of the commotion. Hurling a few excuses here and there, she pushes through the throng of people assembled there to find Colby heatedly exchanging words with another man. It's only when Colby refers to the man as Jon that Rebecca recognizes him as Colby's brother. Jonathan, the brother that's never home.

Gaunt and surprisingly lacking in resemblance to Colby, Jonathan is everything Rebecca never envisaged. Considering everything Colby had told her about his brother, Rebecca envisioned him to be a flinty, frosty type of person with grim, hard lines drawn all over his face to signal his strong contempt of everything and everyone around him. But the person she's looking at now seems fragile and distraught, as though it's his mother hospitalized and not Colby's. Colby's fiery shouts and yells only appears to further enervate him, his posture less firm and strained.

The daze of the moment wearing off, Rebecca finally summons her voice to call out, "Colby." But he's too busy shrieking to even notice she's there and her voice, quiet and too feminine, doesn't reach him amid the puzzled chattering of the people gathered there and the loud echoes of cars screeching a mile away.

Even the security guard who finally intervenes and calls for calm and an end to the quarreling is met with such an angry shove from Colby, that the poor young man stumbles back and falls down to the floor. Rebecca's mouth drops open in surprise, so does everyone around and before one of the spectators had helped the security guard to his feet, the fighting had flared beyond expectations.

"I want you to leave and never come back! I'm tired of this!" Colby was yelling out while Jonathan angrily pleaded, shockingly even-tempered.

"You don't understand. I'm doing this for you! To protect you! To keep you safe! Which part of that don't you understand?!"

Rebecca can see Colby is neither moved nor convinced by Jonathan's words. He snaps back furiously, "The part I don't understand is where you leave without a single explanation and come back into my life as though nothing has happened. I need your help. I need you here but you're refusing to help me. What kind of brother does that?!"

"The kind who wants to keep you out of harm's way! Everything I've done, I've done to protect you, Colby!" Rebecca's heart melts at Jonathan's words but it only seems to have angered Colby further.

He scoffs bitterly, "'To protect me?' From who? From what? Tell me, Jon! Tell me so I can finally understand what is it you always say you've sacrificed for me. I don't understand anything. I'm lost whenever you start talking like this. You never explain. You never delve into the heart of the matter because you lie time and time again to cover up your lack of commitment and responsibility."

"That's not true."

"It is! You've made so many mistakes in the past and I never hold them against you. I overlook it. Do you know why? Because it was against me, not father or mother but when you decided to not step foot at the hospital your own father was confined in to ask how he was doing, if he was even dead or alive, that's when I knew the eldest son of this family is lost. The last straw came just a week ago when you didn't even show up at his funeral!"

"I had my reasons!" Jonathan defends.

Colby looks baffled, "Reasons? More like excuses! That's all you know how to do. Giving flimsy excuses. You don't care about anyone other than yourself. You've never appreciated me and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if you reveal to me right now that you have never once accepted me as your brother!"

Jonathan exclaims exasperatedly, stabbing long fingers through his hair. "For gracious' sake I do!"

Colby shakes his head, unconvinced. "You don't, because if you couldn't reciprocate all the love father showered on you, your own flesh and blood, then how can I expect you to be here and to care for the son of the woman whom you believe was responsible for your mother's death?"

Rebecca's heart sinks, knowing perfect things are about to escalate rather too quickly. She starts to speak up, about to take advantage of the sudden, tensed silence but then the overwhelmed grief in Jonathan's voice makes her pause. "I've never held that against you. I've never accused her of that and to me, you're my flesh and blood. You're my brother."

Colby appears momentarily conflicted, hesitant and wary but then he says quietly, regretfully, crumbling everything to the ground. "You've never accepted my mother as your own. It doesn't matter if you accept me as your brother just because I'm your father's son. It doesn't make a difference. It doesn't mean anything. If you haven't accepted my mother, then it means you don't accept me. I've lived through it. The disrespect and the scorn you often showed her. And you show it once again. Your total disregard for her safety and well-being. Would you leave if it was your mother on that hospital bed?

"Colby, you're going too far!" Jonathan finally erupts, almost on the brink of tears. Rebecca grows desperate.

"You wouldn't, would you? That's the difference between family and strangers! You've always seen my mother as such; a stranger but more than that," Colby's voice grows cold, "you've always seen as the reason for which our father left your mother. The reason for which your mother died of heartbreak and sorrow while all the documents prove otherwise. That my mother—"

"Colby!" Jonathan drawls out threateningly but the latter doesn't back down.

"My mother wasn't the mistress here. Yours was!"

Rebecca knew it was coming at some point, but it astonishes her all the same when Jonathan punches Colby right across the face, loud enough to hear a resounding crack. Colby staggers back in shock and when his head whips up, Rebecca sees the wound in his nose had unfortunately reopened, causing a stream of blood to trail down to his chin. As he prepares to retaliate, Rebecca strides over quickly to stand in front of him, her arms stretched on either side. By now, the basket of food is already forgotten somewhere on the ground and her handbag is in the process of sliding down, hanging precariously from the arm.

All that's left is her standing between them, a solid yet vulnerable wall to prevent this argument from escalating any further and the guilt that's gnawing at her for not intervening sooner. "Enough," she hisses out menacingly but Colby's blazing eyes aren't on her. They're still fixed on his brother.

"Get out of here." His face is even and rid of emotion as he says but it's the regret in his eyes and the way his fists are shaking at his sides, in obvious anger and pain that betrays it all. "From now onwards, you're no longer family. I sever all ties with you. I don't ever want to see you again!"

* * *

Somewhere In Philadelphia.

The sky was tinged with dark, blue clouds, the air carried a frigid feel and up above, on the second floor of the mansion, Renee watches the silent, eerie bustle of the grasses fanned by the frail breeze of the gloomy morning. Occasionally, she would catch glimpse of a few men below on the lawn but they never linger for more than two minutes, just pass hurried greetings to each other and vanish out of sight.

Everyone seems busy and engaged in one thing or another. Even Paige has been too engrossed with work inside the kitchen to even see or talk to her and Alberto who often huddle around her, pestering her with farcical questions is nowhere to be seen. And it is to be expected.

Once the boss arrives, all fun and games is a thing of the past.

Jaguar arrived four days ago, much to the surprise of everyone. There was a fracas in the mansion already due to the unannounced resettlement; everyone was confused and disturbed and without the guidance of the gang leaders to direct and explain to them why they had to move away from the previous location to here so suddenly, the uninformed arrival of Jaguar made matters worse and chaotic.

But Jaguar, ever the imposing, commanding leader, had quickly enforced order and calm and after giving unconvincing but acceptable nevertheless, reason as to why they had to move so abruptly, he had retired to his room leaving the mansion as quiet as a cemetery and everyone cautious of what they say or do so as to not attract the ire of the boss.

Ever since his return, Renee's emotions has been thrown into a frenzy dance. Although their interactions has been greatly limited over the past few years, enough to give her the assumption that she's no longer his favorite, she can't help but fret about the possibility of Jaguar summoning her. But so far, that hasn't happened and she very much hope it stays that way. She can't have Jaguar added to her pile of problems.

She has far more serious things to worry about; one of them mainly being Jonathan, who hasn't bothered to call her again after she informed him of the plans Jaguar has for his family last night. She expected his call this morning but so far, she hasn't received any. If otherwise, Paige would've let her know a long time ago.

Heaving out a deep sigh, she wills herself to be optimistic and gallant, even though every leer or glance from one of the men passing by causes her heart to sink down to her stomach. Overnight, more men had joined the gang, all unknown and freaky faces. All the familiar faces she knew are nowhere to be seen. She doesn't want to think Jaguar has done this on purpose. She doesn't want to think Jaguar somehow knows she's secretly handing over information about him to Jonathan and that there are people like Paige and AJ helping her. The mere thought of people dying because they helped her in her moment of crisis and knowing it would've been all her fault is daunting.

All the uncertainties and questions is gradually driving her mad and just as she's about to retire to her room to lie down for a bit, Paige emerges below the staircase, her pale skin a bright beacon even in the sunny environment. She signals for her to come down to which Renee quickly obeys and she allows her to drag her to the first floor where they smoothly swerve over to the kitchen. Once she has made sure there's no one about or near, Paige announces, "He called."

Renee's heart jumps, a smile forming on her lips. "What did he say?"

"He said you should wait for his message," Paige replies.

Renee's forehead creases, "Is that all?" Paige nods, peeking behind her for a second time. "But is he alright? Did he say?"

"I don't know." Paige shoves a phone into her hands and adds, "The guys will be coming for lunch in two hours time. Be quick. I told him I'll have you here with me in five minutes time but if he doesn't send the text in fifteen minutes, call him. I'll stand by the doorway to make sure the coast is clear and to alert you if anyone's coming."

As soon as Renee mutters her thanks and Paige moves to stand at the doorway, the phone in her hands vibrates and beeps. She stares blankly at the message on the phone, unable to believe what she's seeing. "He wants us to meet tonight at the usual spot. He says we're going to run away."

Paige checks if the nearby surroundings are empty for one last time before striding over to Renee and exclaiming excitedly, "That's such great news. Finally you'll be out of here."

Renee isn't as enthusiastic as Paige is, "But I don't understand."

"Don't understand what?" Inquires Paige, bewildered.

"His brother. His family. Jaguar isn't leaving them alone anytime soon and Jon knows it. He didn't want to leave his brother. He said so himself last week when we met and now out of the blue, we're going to run away? He's going to abandon his family?"

"Perhaps he changed his mind. He probably realized there's no use fighting a losing battle. Jaguar will kill him if he finds him. His family is already dead. Jaguar will kill them no matter what he does. He won't win against Jaguar. He's too powerful now."

"But I want to help him. They are the only family he still has and. . . ."

"Don't be so empty-headed, Renee." Paige scolds her gravelly. "You're in danger if you continue staying here. Jaguar isn't stupid. He has come to stay permanently in the United States and soon enough he'll figure out you're betraying him and secretly meeting Jon. He'll kill you, me and everyone else who has helped you up until now. Jaguar is preoccupied with his stuffs and the men are busy sorting out the supplies which is coming in. No one will notice when you leave. Seize this opportunity. Leave now when you have the chance. Think of yourself for once."

"You're right," Renee says in agreement. "I'm really scared now. I don't know. Jaguar hasn't given me his attention for years but still. . . ."

"I know," Paige empathises, squeezing her shoulders. "Jaguar greatly values his property and that's how he sees all of us; nothing but his properties. You've a chance to go away from here. Away from all this nightmare. Don't look back."

"I won't," Renee vows, nodding. "But I'm not leaving here without you, Paige. If I'm escaping from here tonight, you're coming with me."

Paige looks flabbergasted, "You want me to come with you," she whispers out, seemingly unable to believe what she has just heard.

"Of course. You've helped me a lot. I can't leave you. You and AJ have been of tremendous help to me. Jaguar still has a little bit of trust for AJ so he's safe. For now. But you? If Alberto finds out you've been helping me, he'll be the first one to inform Jaguar. It isn't safe. Or do you think Alberto is going to protect you?"

Paige shakes her head, still moved. "No."

"Then come with me," Renee exhorts. "We're going to go far away from here, where Jaguar won't be able to find us. Jon will make sure of that."

Paige shrugs, smiling brightly. "If you say so." She takes back the phone for Renee's grasp, "I'll just go to my room and hide the phone. We wouldn't want anyone to see it, especially now. Can you help me with the dishes?"

"Of course. You go do whatever you've to do. I'll manage things here."

Paige smiles gratefully and heads out of the kitchen. The momentum in her steps wavers with each movement, hesitant and and fray but then it quickly rebounds, firm and certain. She has made her decision.

She races up the stairs to the third floor, anxiousness and regret causing sweat to trickle from her neck to her back. This was supposed to be easy.

Until Renee offered for her to come along.

The offer is sweet and promising but unlike Renee and her lover, she knows the truth. No matter where they go, Jaguar will find them. It won't be long after Renee has escaped that she'll back into Jaguar's clutches and her hopes and dreams will once again be dashed.

If she ever manages to escape tonight. . . .

She waits by the door after she'd knocked on it once. After a minute, the door opens and four men emerges, fortunately not bothering to spare her any glance but Randy who comes out last does. He leers at her so intently that all her breath gets caught inside her throat. Thankfully, he doesn't stay there for long and leaves, trailing behind the four men before him.

"Come in." Jaguar's fruity voice snaps out of her squirming, his long fingers beckoning her to come in. Paige closes the door behind her as she enters the spacious, luxurious room. Jaguar being as
fastidious as everyone knows him for, it doesn't surprise her every spot is sleek and clean, flamboyant couches and tapestry adorning the room.

"Any news?"

Paige swallows thickly and places the phone before him on the polished mahogany desk. "Tonight. The usual spot. He wants them to run away."

Jaguar's long fingers curls around the phone. His eyes flicker once on the message on the phone before smiling up at Paige approvingly, cruelly. "Well done."