Mirae already left but her word's still flashing back on my mind.

"Crizzy is your daughter, do you understand?" She rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs.

"I as was saying, your grandfather have something to do with it. He paid your ob-gyn or more like, blackmailed her, para palabasin na patay ang batang ipinanganak mo. He's the reason behind all of these. Ang nagawa lang niyang maganda ay noong nagdesisyon siya na iwan ang bata kay Creed." I can feel Mirae's anger but she's trying to control it using a mocking voice while my tear's flowing down my cheeks and I still can't find a voice to speak.

I was back to reality when the door of my office swiftly opened and saw a familiar built of a man. Mariin ang bawat titig niya sa akin at para bang umuusok ang tainga. I can even see the veins on his neck.

Mariin akong napapikit at napahilot sa aking sentido bago tuluyang pinalis ang mga luhang naglalandas pababa sa aking pisngi.

"What the hell did you do, Lavinia?" I almost rolled my eyes at my Lolo. Mabuti na lang ang napigilan ko ang akin sarili.

Tumayo ako at sinalubong ang mga titig niya. "Should I be the one asking you that?" I asked with my voice full of sarcasm. Marahas kong inilapit sa kanya ang mga papeles na ibinigay sa akin ni Mirae. Naroon din ang mga litrato ni Lolo kasama ang doktora ko pati na rin ang resulta ng DNA test namin ni Crizzette.

Bahagya naman siyang natigilan at napatitig sa mga dukomentong nakapatong sa aking lamesa. Nasisiguro ko na kitang-kita ni Lolo ang mga iyon.

"Now tell me, what the hell did you do, Lolo!" Malaki ang respeto ko kay Lolo at hindi iyon mawawala ngunit ngayon ay hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na hindi magtaas ng boses. Six years, almost seven years and I thought I lost my daughter. I can still remember the days that I can't sleep while thinking of the daughter that I lost. Ngayon ay malalaman ko na buhay ang anak ko at si Lolo ang may kasalanan kung bakit hindi ko siya nakasama ng ilang taon.

"Saan mo nakuha ang mga ito?" He asked while he's still looking at the documents on my table.

"So totoo nga?" Sarkastiko akong napatawa sa aking sarili.

Hindi ako sinagot ni Lolo. I felt my tears on my cheeks and I immediately wiped it. "Of course! Lahat 'yan totoo. Paano mo nagawa 'to sa'kin? Apo mo ako, Lolo. Dapat-" Napahinto ako sa sasabihin at napasinghap. I slowly shook my head. "Hindi mo nga pala 'ko apo."

Napabaling sa akin si Lolo at mariing nagsalita. "You are my granddaughter."

I tilted my head as I sarcastically turned to him. Patuloy na naglalandas ang aking mga luha sa aking pisngi ngunit hindi ko na iyon binigyang pansin. "Yes. Maybe I am your granddaughter, dapat ay kilalang kilala na kita, bakit ba nakalimutan ko? I should know how desperate and selfish you are! Lahat ng gusto mo, dapat nasusunod, dapat nakukuha mo!" I intently look at him and I saw glint of pain in his eyes. "Ano naman ang rason mo ngayon? Saan mo pinagpalit ang kaligayahan ng sinasabi mong apo mo?"

Akala ko ay hindi na siya sasagot sa tagal niyang nakatitig lang sa akin. "You can't focus on Amherst if you have a daughter."

I felt my jaw fell opened as my lips trembled because of his answer. Ilang beses akong napakurap bago nahihiwagaang napatingin sa kanya. "Dahil lang doon? I can't believe you're that selfish. Sino pala ang nakaburol sa mausoleo na ilang taon kong iniiyakan?"

Nagiwas ito ng tingin sa akin bago ako tuluyang sinagot. "Wala." Muli siyang bumaling sa akin at nagtama ang aming mga mata. "Patawarin mo ako, apo." He looks sincere but I can't, hindi ko pa kayang ibigay sa kanya ang hinihingi niya.

"Maibabalik ba niyan ang mga taon na hindi ko kasama ang anak ko? 'Yong mga oras na araw-araw akong lumuluha at nagluluksa sa wala?" I can feel my heart clenching everytime I think about the years that I spent without Creed and my daughter.

Matapos mapagtanto na hindi na siya magsasalita ay agad kong kinuha ang mga gamit ko, pati na rin ang DNA test result na nanggaling kay Mirae. Nilagpasan ko si Lolo at walang salitang lumabas ng opisina. Dumiretso ako sa elevator at agad na sumakay doon. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag sa akin ng aking sekretarya ngunit hindi na ako nagabala para lingunin iyon.

The elevator opened and I immediately walked towards my car. I entered my Audi as I started the engine and maneuvered it swiftly towards the exit of the parking lot.

My tears are still rolling down my cheeks. Dahil doon ay nanlalabo ang aking paningin na agad ko namang pinapalis upang malinaw kong makita ang daan.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nagawa sa akin ni Lolo iyon, sa kabila ng lahat ng nagawa niya. Maybe because for me, he's still my Lolo and deep inside I'm still hoping that he won't do it.

Agad akong napapreno nang makarinig ng malakas na busina ng sasakyan. Iyon ang nakapagpabalik ng aking wisyo. I was oblivious that I am in the middle of an intersection and I'm already causing a traffic. Nagkabuhol-buhol ang sasakyan dahil sa bilang pagsulpot ng kotse ko.

Mariin akong napapikit at napailing sa sarili.

Hindi ko alam kung papaano ako nakarating sa kompanya ng mga Ferron na hindi naaaksidente sa sitwasyon ko ngayon.

I walked towards the entrance of Ferron's Company and I'm not oblivious of the employees' stares, maybe I looked like a mess because of crying but I don't care.

Taas noo akong sumakay sa elevator. May dalawang babae akong kasabay at nandoon sila bandang likuran. I saw their stares when I entered and until now I can feel it.

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at hinintay na lamang na makarating ang elevator sa opisina ni Creed.

"Iniwan siguro ng jowa."

"Hindi ba siya 'yong naghahabol kay Sir? Iyong nakwento ni Sela bago siya natanggal sa trabaho."

"Oo nga 'no? Kaya pala pamilyar. Akala siguro niya papatulan siya ni Sir."

Mariin akong napapikit nang marinig ang usapan ng dalawa. I'm not stupid, I know what they're talking about.

I slowly turned to them with my arched brow.

Natigilan naman ang dalawa at napaharap sa akin. Umakto sila na para bang walang nangyari at hindi na muling nagusap.

They should be thankful that I'm not in the mood to talk to them because if I am, sisiguraduhin ko na mawawalan sila ng trabaho.

Bumukas ang elevator at lumabas na ang dalawang babae sa aking likuran. Ilang sandali na lang ay nakarating na ako sa opisina ni Creed. I immediately saw his new secretary. Agad siyang napalingon sa akin.

"Where's Creed? Is he inside?" I asked.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am. Sir Creed have a meeting with Mr. Echavez several minutes from now. Do you have an appointment?"

I frowned as I sighed. "Can you tell him it's Lavinia?"

Creed secretary nodded and started talking to him through the intercom. I saw him nodded his head while listening. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at agad nang pumasok sa opisina ni Creed.

Nagtama ang aming mga mata kaya naman agad na napatayo si Creed at lumapit sa akin.

"Hey, did you cry? What happened?" Bungad niya sa akin, bakas sa mga mata niya ang pagaalala. Ganoon ba talaga kahalata na galing ako sa pagiyak?

I bit my lower lip. Muli kong naramdaman ang pagtutubig ng gilid ng aking mga mata. I don't know why I don't know how to answer him.

He pulled me closer to him as he encircled his arms around me. "What is it? Tell me, I'll listen," He whispered and I can feel him kissing the top of my head while he's caressing my hair.

Bahagya akong lumayo sa kanya. "Bring me to Crizzy, bring me to our daughter."

He repeatedly nodded his head. "I'll bring you to our daughter. Tell me why did you cry first?"

"Crizzy is our daughter."

"Yes, I don't care whoever her mother is, you're her mother and she's our daughter." He assured and I shook my head as I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks again.

"She's our daughter, Lolo planned it all. S-si Crizzette ang anak natin, pinalabas ni Lolo na patay na ang anak natin p-para-" Hindi na ako makapagsalita ng maayos dahil sa sunod-sunod na paghikbi.

Nakita ko na natigilan si Creed at bumakas ang gulat sa mga mata nito.

He pulled me closer to him and I felt his arms around me tightened.

"Fuck, Vinia." He whispered. "I thought I still can't remember some things. I hate my self for cheating on you with Crizzette's mother. Fuck, I thought-"

I cutted his words. "I'm Crizzette's mother, you didn't cheat, Creed." I shook my head. "You didn't." Bahagya akong lumayo sa kanya at sinalubong ang kanyang mga mata, I saw a glint of tears in it. "C-can you bring me to Crizzy now?"

We arrived at the Ferron's mansion and I can feel the racing beat of my heart just by thinking of my daughter. Creed didn't let go my hand even he's driving earlier. Hanggang ngayon ay hawak lang niya ang aking kamay habang papasok kami sa kanilang mansyon. Napalingon ako sa kanya nang maramdaman ko na bahagyang humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin.

"Calm down, I'm here," He muttered as he leaned on me and I closed my eyes when I felt his lips on my forehead.

I opened my eyes and smiled at him. Akmang magsasalita ako nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses.

"Lavinia, Creed, you're here!" Tita Merida muttered in an excited yet elegant way.

"Mom." Creed greeted as he kissed Tita Merida's cheek. Para naman akong natulos sa kinatatayuan ngunit agad ding nakabawi. Binati ko si Tita bago nakipagbeso rito.

"What are you two doing here? I mean, what a surprise!"

"Vinia wants to visit Crizzette, Mom."

Tita slowly nodded her head as she gestured her hands, inviting us to enter. "She's still in a class, she's inside the library. But don't worry, patapos na rin iyon."

"Anyway," Tita started as she turned to us. "When are you two planning to get married?"

"Mom, you're scaring Vinia. I haven't proposed yet." Pigil niya sa ina. Napabaling naman sa akin si Tita. Her eyes widened a bit as she looked at me. Habang ako naman ay hindi maproseso ang sinabi ni Creed.

"Why? Hindi mo na ba gusto ang anak ko? Hindi mo na siya pakakasalan? I-is it because he has daughter?" Naninimbang na sambit ni Tita na nakapagpakunot ang aking noo.

"Mama!" Creed interfered but Tita Merida continued.

"Y-you know Crizzy is a good-"

I waved my hands, gesturing her to stop. "Tita, its not that. I have no problem with Crizzy even though I thought she's someone else's daughter. Kahit noong hindi ko pa alam na anak ko siya ay wala akong problema sa kanya. Wala pong kinalaman si Crizzy sa kung anong meron sa amin ni Creed-" I stopped when I saw her eyes widened.

"O-oh my God! What did you say?" Tita Merida's mouth fell opened as she gasped and I was left dumbfounded because of her reaction. Did I say something wrong?

"That's why we're here, Mama." Creed cleared his throat and continued. "We found out that Crizzette is our daughter." Agad naman akong natauhan sa sinabi ni Creed at napagtanto kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksyon ni Tita.

I saw Tita opened her mouth to speak but no words came out of it. "Crizzy's mother is Lavinia." Paguulit ni Creed at doon na natauhan si Tita.

"Oh God! Ladia needs to know this!" Ilang beses akong napakurap dahil sa reaksyon ni Tita. She fanned her self na para bang hindi makahinga dahil sa nalaman.

"Mama, will you calm down?" Doon naman natigil si Tita at napakurap kay Creed. "Let Vinia tell Tita Ladia about this."

"Daddy! Mommy Vinia!" Agad akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng munting boses na iyon.

I saw Crizzy running towards our direction. I bit my lower lip the moment I felt tears forming in my eyes.

Malawak ang ngiti niya ngunit nang nagtama ang aming mga mata ay agad iyong nawala.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Sa akin ito dumiretso sa halip na kay Creed.

"Your Mommy have something to tell you." It was Creed. Sandaling napabaling sa kanya ang tingin ni Crizzette bago muling bumalik ang sa akin.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya para magpantay kami. I held her shoulders as I smiled at her. "Don't cry, Mommy-" Her words was cutted when I gently pulled her closer as I encircled my arms around her and my tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't there," I whispered. Matapos ay bahagya akong lumayo sa kanya at sinalubong ang kanyang mga mata. "D-do you want to meet your mom?" I cleared my throat. "I mean, the real one? T-the one who gave birth to you?"

Ilang sandali itong natigilan sa aking tanong bago ilang ulit na umiling. "No." I felt my chest tightened because of her answer.

"Crizzette!" Creed's voice thundered.

I saw Crizzy turned to her father with her confused eyes. Mukhang nagulat din ito sa reaksyon ni Creed.

Bumaling ako kay Creed at nakita ko ang mariing pagpikit nito bago hinarap si Crizzette at pumantay sa amin.

"I'm sorry." Creed caressed Crizzy's hair as he continued. "Tell me, why don't you want to meet your mom?"

"My teacher told us that our mom and dad love each other. I thought you love Mommy Vinia?" Inosenteng sambit ni Crizzy.

Creed frowned and answered. "Of course, I love her."

"Then why would I want to meet my mother? How about you Daddy, do you want me to meet my real mom?"

Creed smiled. "Yes, baby."

"How about Mommy Vinia?" Crizzy asked again. "Maybe that's why she's crying. Because you want me to meet my real mom." Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi mapangiti dahil sa sinabi niya. Si Creed ay napapangiti na rin sa inaasta ng aming anak.

"Answer me first, do you want to meet your mom?"

Bumaling sa akin si Crizzy at agad naman akong ngumiti nang nagtama ang aming mga mata. "After meeting my mom, you'll still love Mommy Vinia, right?"

I saw Creed nodded his head and a smile crept in his face. "Yes, I don't think I can love someone the way I love your Mommy Vinia." Sa simpleng sinabi ni Creed ay agad akong napahawak sa bandang dibdib dahil sa lakas ng tibok ng aking puso.

Lumawak ang ngiti ni Crizzette at sumagot. "Okay, I want to meet my mom."

"Alright, you already know Mommy Vinia?"

Bakas ang kalituhan sa mukha ni Crizzette nang humarap ito kay Creed ngunit sa huli ay sumagot pa rin. "Yes, Daddy."

"Baby, this is Lavinia, your mother."

Ilang beses napakurap si Crizzette bago tuluyang sinagot ang ama. "Daddy, are you joking?"

I saw Creed frowned and a deep furrow formed in his brow. "I'm not, why do you think I am?"

"I already knew she is. Ako pa nga po nag-insist para maging Mommy ko si Mommy Vinia."

"I mean, she's your real mom. The one who gave birth to you." Crizzy's mouth parted as I smiled. Nanubig ang mga mata nito nang bumaling sa akin.

"Mommy?" She called while directly looking at me. Bahagya akong tumango, kasabay noon ang paglapit niya sa akin at naramdaman ko ang mga kamay niyang pumulupot sa akin. I hugged her back as I felt her shoulders shaking.

Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Creed at kahit nanlalabo ang aking paningin dahil sa namumuong mga luha sa aking mga mata ay nakita ko kung ano ang sinambit ni Creed. "I love you both," he mouthed.

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