I took my hand from his. "Jason, hindi ganun kadali iyon."

I felt horrible pero ayokong umasa siya sa wala. He was everything a woman could ask for in a man and I'm not close to the possibility that I might fall in love with him. Gusto ko si Jason, I was starting to like him more than a friend but not enough as a lover. But I needed to be sure of how I feel about him, I don't want to end up hurting him. I didn't want to be with him and think of another man.

He nodded his head and forced a smile.

"I'm willing to wait until your ready, Andi." He said in a sincere, sad voice. "I'll wait even if it takes years." 

"Ano ito?" Harold asked when Jason handed him a folder. 

"It's just some documents you need to sign to make our partnership official." Sagot ni Jason. Harold opened the folder and scanned through the papers. Jason and I exchanged a look and he knew exactly what to do. He cleared his throat and started explaining what was written in the documents para hindi na mabasa pa ni Harold ang buong nilalaman nun. 

I handed him a pen nang matapos magpaliwanag si Jason. "Here you go, dad." 

Kinuha ni Harold ang pen mula sa akin at pinirmahan ang mga papel. Jason and I looked at each other and smiled. Akala niya para iyon sa negosyong matagal na nilang pinaguusapan ni Jason. The poor old man didn't know he was signing his downfall. I've waited so long for this and all those years of waiting will finally pay off. Makakaganti na rin ako sa kasalanan nila sa akin at sa anak ko. Suddenly, a small pang of guilt when through me but I tried ignored it. I told myself that he deserved it. Kulang pa nga ito sa kinuha nila sa akin. They took a life away from me.

Harold looked up from the paper after signing it. He smiled at me and for a brief moment, I saw in that smile the man that used to be my hero. The first man I loved before I even knew what love was. The man I used to look up to. The memories stung, I sighed and shook the thought away. He wasn't my father anymore. He was the devil that killed my baby.

"Ibig sabihin ba nito hindi na kayo babalik sa Amerika?" Masayang tanong ni Harold. 

"Yes, dad." Sumagot si Jason. "We're staying here for good. Naisip namin na tama nga kayo, mas makakabuti kung dito na lang kami sa Pilipinas lalo na ngayon na magkaka-baby na kami."

I saw shock in Harold's eyes as he stared at me, bumaba ang tingin niya sa tiyan ko. "You're... you're pregnant?"

I slowly nodded my head. His shock turned into a smile. He then got up from his seat to come and hug me. I unconsciously clutched my stomach and stepped back just as he was about to throw his arms around me. I didn't want him near me or my baby. I knew he couldn't hurt the baby anymore pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang takot na iyon sa dibdib ko. His smile faded and he put his arms down. His eyes were soft and sad and guilt was written all over his face. Dapat lang makonsensya siya sa ginawa niya noon!

"I'm- I'm so happy for you, Andi." Pilit siyang ngumiti.

I tried to force a smile but I was sure it looked fake. Nakarinig kami ng katok mula sa pinto bago pumasok si Olivia sa library. She was holding a tray with three glasses and a pitcher of juice.

"Time for your medicine, old man." Olivia chuckled habang ibinaba niya ang tray sa coffee table sa harap ng couch. "Dinalhan ko rin kayo ng maiinom." sabi niya ng humarap siya sa amin.

"We're going to have a grandchild, Olivia." Sabi ni Harold.

Olivia paused for a moment, taking what he said in, before her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Oh my god, Miranda, is that true?"

"Yes..." Mahinang sagot ko.

"Buntis ka?" Hindi pa rin makapaniwalang tanong niya. I nodded my head. Ngumiti siya at lumapit para yakapin ako. "My God, I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother." I pulled away from the hug and she looked at me, teary eyed. Hypocrites. "Oh sweety, I know you'll make a good mom. I'm happy for you."

"It seems like yesterday I was holding her in my arms. Now, our little girl is having a baby." Harold said smiling. Napakuyom ang mga palad ko. Gusto kong masuka sa pinapakita nila ngayon. Now, they're acting like excited grandparents! It made me sick! They were the same people that got rid of my first baby like it was nothing... They told me it was just a piece of lump.  

I felt like I wanted to cry. Jason put his arm around my shoulder, probably sensing it. 

"Thanks for signing the papers, dad." Sabi ni Jason. He was already holding the folder in his other hand.

"Young man, take care of my daughter and my grandchild." Sabi ni Harold kay Jason. 

Jason nodded his head. "I will, dad." 

He kissed me on the forehead and I looked up at him. A cruelly cryptic smile playing on his lips. I knew exactly what his smile meant. Now it's time I get my revenge.

Narinig ko na ang kotse ni Harold sa labas ng mansyon. Kanina ko pa sila hinihintay. Their things were already packed. Pinaayos ko na ang mga gamit nila sa mga maid habang wala sila para pagdating nila dito aalis na lang sila. Ngayon akin na lahat ng kung anong meron si Harold. This mansion, his other houses, his cars, even his bank accounts. Wala akong ititira sa kanila. They'd be leaving here with nothing but their clothes. 

Bumukas ang pinto at nagtatawanan na pumasok si Olivia at Harold. Tignan natin kung makakatawa pa kayo pagkatapos nito. 

"Olivia, Harold..." I said with a smile. Pareho silang napatingin sa akin, They were both obviously shocked that I called them by their first name.

"A-andi, honey, is their a problem?" Olivia sounded worried and nervous.

I smirked at her. "Wala nang problema. I'm getting rid of it."

"Sweetheart... I don't understand what you're talking about." Sabi ni Harold.

"Nakita niya yun?" I pointed at the plastic bag that was sitting on the floor. Yes, that's where I put all their things. I thought it would be a funny sight to see. The high and mighty Harold and the classy and elegant Olivia Cordova, leaving the mansion with nothing but their clothes in a plastic bag.  "Iyon lahat ang mga damit niya. Kunin niyo na yun at umalis na kayo dito."

They both looked at me confused.

"Ano'ng ibig sabihin nito, Andi?" Tanong ni Harold.

"Ang ibig sabihin nito pinapaalis ko na kayo dito." I answered. 

"You can't do that." Olivia shook her head. "Hindi mo kami pwedeng paalisin dito."

I chuckled. "I own this mansion now. Harold gave it to me, didn't you... dad? He also gave me all his properties, his bank accounts and everything he owns."

"Andi, sweetheart..." Olivia said in a small, broken voice as her eyes welled up.

Humarap ako kay Harold. "Remember the documents you signed? Transfer of ownership iyon." Sabi ko sa kanya. "Ibig sabihin akin na lahat ng pagmamay-ari mo."

He still didn't say anything. I could feel his distress, his fear but he kept a stone cold expression as a way to make it seem like he wasn't upset. He was too proud to let any emotion show.

"You were stupid to trust me, Harold! Did you really think I could just forget about it when I came back?" My voice raised in anger. "You killed my child, you monster!" 

Harold turned his head to look away, hurt and guilt washed through his face.

"No, don't you dare look away! Look at me!" I grabbed him by the jaw and made sure he looked me in the face. "You disgust me and I will never forgive you for what you have done!"  My voice cracked at the end.

"Andi, sweety, tama na." Pakiusap ni Olivia. 

I shot her a glare. "Isa ka pa! You're a selfish, narcissistic, manipulative bitch! You don't deserve to be called a mother!"  

"Andi, I'm so sorry..." She said in a tear-clogged voice.

"Sorry?" I chuckled sarcastically. "You're sorry won't change anything, you muderer."

"What is happening here?" Tanong ni Jason pagpasok niya sa mansyon. Agad na lumapit si Olivia sa kanya. 

"Oh God, buti na lang dumating ka. Pinapaalis na kami ni Andi. Please, help us, Jason." Sabi ni Olivia. He looked at me and smiled grimly.

"Oh, shall I assist you out, then?" Jason said with a mocking tone. Olivia started shaking her head in complete shock.

"Hindi na kailangan. Aalis na kami dito." Harold finally spoke in a hard voice. He glanced at me with his sad icy eyes before he walked to the door and left. Agad na sumunod sa kanya si Olivia. I gazed down as I felt my face softened and tears began pouring out of my eyes uncontrollably.

"Andi..." Lumapit sa akin si Jason at mabilis akong lumayo sa kanya. I didn't want him to see me cry. God, why was I crying? I should be happy dahil nakaganti na ako sa kanila.

"It's... it's just hormones." Sabi ko bago tumakbo paakyat sa kwarto ko. I heard him calling my name but I ignored it.

I went to the bookshelf and took out the book I used to always read to my little angel on my first pregnancy. It was a children's book that I love when I was a kid. Ito lang ang natitirang alaala niya sa akin. They probably threw the fetus in the garbage like some trash after taking it out of my body. Hot, angry tears flew down my cheek as I clutch the book to my chest. I fell to my knees and started sobbing. 

I got the revenge my little angel deserved.

I didn't know Jason followed me to my room. I only realized he was there when he pulled me into his arms.

"Jason..." 

"Shh... it's okay. Cry all you want." He whispered. And I did, I cried against his chest while he comforted me.  

Tristan's POV

It had been days but I still couldn't stop thinking about Andi and the baby she was carrying. Pwedeng akin ang batang dinadala niya. How I wish it was mine and not Jason's. Andi and I had sex and we didn't use protection. Kahit na minsan lang iyon nangyari, kahit maliit ang posibilidad... hindi iyon imposible. I was holding on to that little possibility.

Kung akin nga ang bata gusto kong maging parte ng buhay niya. Hindi ko hahayaan na lumaki siya na iba ang kinikilalang ama. Gusto kong maging parte ako sa buhay ng anak ko bilang ama niya. Pero paano ko malalaman na akin nga iyon?

I was deep in my thought when my phone started to rang. I picked it up and saw Aiko's name on the screen. Sinagot ko iyon.

"Hello?" 

"Tristan, pwede ba tayong magkita ngayon?" Her tone of voice was serious. 

"Ngayon na?" I asked. She knew I was at the office right now.  Kapag alam niyang nasa opisina ako hindi naman niya ako tinatawagan at bigla-bigla na lang makikipagkita sa akin. Mukhang importante ang sasabihin niya. 

"Yes, now." She answered. Sinabi niya sa akin ang lugar kung saan kami magkikita. We decided to meet at a restaurant near the office.

Agad ko siyang nakita nang pumasok ako sa restaurant. She was sitting at a table next to a window but she wasn't alone, she was with two other people. Nakatalikod ang dalawa pang kasama niya mula sa kinatatayuan ko.  

"Hey." Lumapit ako sa mesa kung saan sila nakaupo. Aiko got up from her seat and gave me a quick peck on the lips. Tumingin sa akin ang mga kasama niya at agad ko silang nakilala. Sila ang mga magulang ni Andi. 

"Hi, baby. I don't know if you've met them but this is Olivia and Harold. They're Andi's parents." Sabi ni Aiko.

 I politely nodded my head and smiled. "Good afternoon."

Hindi kumibo si Harold and Olivia answered with a forced smile. I didn't understand what was going on? Why were they here? They weren't the kind of people Aiko would hang out with. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba ng maisip ko si Andi at ang bata. May kinalaman ba ito sa kanila? I was hoping and praying na sana walang masamang nangyari sa kanila.

 Pareho kaming umupo ni Aiko sa silya sa harap ng mga magulang ni Andi.

"Naisip kong tawagan ka kasi ikaw lang naman ang kilala kong makakatulong sa kanila." Sabi ni Aiko.

My brows furrowed in confusion. Why would they want help from me? 

"Ano bang maitutulong ko?" Tanong ko.

"Pupuntahan ko dapat si Andi kanina para bisitahin pero nakita ko silang dalawa sa labas ng mansion. I found out na pinalayas sila ni Andi sa sarili nilang bahay. Andi tricked his dad into signing transfer of ownership papers kaya lahat ng ari-arian ni Mr. Cordova sa kanya na napunta." Sabi ni Aiko. I couldn't believe what I just heard. Hindi ako makapaniwalang magagawa ni Andi iyon. Why would Andi do that to her own parents? 

"Wala kaming pera at wala kaming matutuluyan ngayon. I don't know what will happen to us." Naiiyak na sabi ng ginang. Aiko took her hand and tried to comfort her.

"I could call Phoenix and-" Ang akala ko gusto nilang kausapin ko si Phoenix para tulungan sila.  

"No!" Mariin na sabi ng ama ni Andi. "Ayokong malaman ng mga Cordova ito..." He took a deep breath before looking down and shaking his head. "Forget it. Salamat na lang sa tulong niyo." Tatayo na sana si Harold sa kinauupuan niya ng hawakan siya ni Olivia sa kamay upang pigilan.

"Mr. Cordova, please don't go." Pakiusap ni Aiko.

"Harold, wala na tayong mapupuntahan." Pakiusap ni Olivia. "Kalimutan mo muna yang pride na yan."

"It has nothing to do with pride, Olivia. Ayokong malaman nila ito dahil ayokong magalit sila kay Andi. Ayokong isipin nilang masama si Andi dahil alam natin pareho na hindi totoo iyon. Hindi masama ang anak ko. This is all my fault. Kasalanan ko kung bakit nagkaganun si Andi. " Sabi ni Harold. 

"But Harold..." Olivia's voice weakened. She was slowly letting go of his arm. I knew I couldn't just sit there and watch them leave. Wala silang matutuluyan. They didn't have any money and they didn't have any place to stay.  Harold was just too dignified to ask anyone for help. Siguro nga mas pipiliin niya pang matulog sa kalsada at mamatay sa gutom kaysa ang humingi ng tulong.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cordova, I have an extra room at my place. You're welcome to stay there if you want." I politely offered.

"Ito ang magiging kwarto niyo." Binuksan ko ang pinto sa guest room at ipinakita sa kanila ang kwarto. I have this room regularly cleaned even though no one sleeps in here. Buti na lang nalinis ito ng housekeeper noong isang araw. 

"Salamat." Sabi ni Olivia. I answered her with a smile.

I glanced at Harold, wala pa rin itong imik. He nodded to me. A thank you, I guess. Still no emotion in his aristoctaric looking face. 

"I'll leave you two alone. If you need anything I'll be in the library." 

Tumalikod na ako para pumunta sa library. Alam kong hindi na naman ako makakatulog ngayon gabi kaya dinadala ko na ang trabaho ko sa bahay. I've been burying myself with work so I won't have anytime to think about anything else. Ayokong isipin si Andi at ang ipinagbubuntis niya. I think I'd just go crazy.

I sighed as I sat in front of my computer screen. Everything's just crazy right now. I couldn't believe I would be living under the same roof with Andi's parents. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala na magagawang palayasin ni Andi ang mga magulang niya. That was not the Andi I knew. I sighed again. Hindi ko na nga pala siya kilala. Ibang tao na siya. Pero yung narinig ko kanina sa restaurant na sabi ni Harold siya ang may kasalanan kung bakit nagkaganun si Andi. It never left my mind. Did he really do something that bad to make her hate them so much?  It was so frustrating to have all these questions inside my head and not be able to ask them.

I heard a knock on my door. 

"Come in." Sabi ko. Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Olivia na may dalang tasa. Lumapit siya sa akin at ibinaba iyon sa harap ko.

"I made you a coffee." Sabi niya. "I went ahead and used your kitchen, I hope you don't mind." 

"Thank you but you don't need to do this, ma'am." Sabi ko. 

"Just call me Olivia." She said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Olivia." Sabi ko.

"I, um, just want to apologize for everything that happened in the past. The way we treated you. Hindi ko akalain na sa dinami-rami ng tao sa mundo, ikaw pa ang tutulong sa amin. Pambihira talaga ang tadhana." Her eyes were soft and sad but she forced a smile on her face. "I didn't want you for Andi because you were poor. I judged you even before I got to know you. I was wrong about you. I'm so sorry, Tristan."

I smiled at her. "You don't need to apologize. Naiintindihan kita, you only wanted the best for her. Let's just leave it in the past where it belongs."