While Naneth was walking on the beach, her phone rang. Gio called and made a video call. She immediately adjusted herself.
“Hello Naneth, how are you?”
“I’m okay Gio, did you get a call? Do you need anything?”
“Ah! Nothing. Is it forbidden to call even if there is no need?”
“Haha! I didn’t just ask.”
“Ah! By the way, when are you going home to Manila?”
“I just arrived here in the province and you want me to go back to Manila immediately? Haha! Ah, maybe the next day. I also don’t want to stay here long because Robin is here.” She said to Gio.
“Oh! Why is he there?”
“He visited his secretary. Who gave birth?”
“So! What’s the connection? Why does he have to go there?”
“Long story.”
“Ah! Can I go there?”
“Ah! Don’t be Gio. Maybe you’re busy. I’ll go home the next day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’ll tell you when we see each other.”
He said goodbye to Naneth, and their conversation ended. Naneth didn’t know that Gio had a plan to follow her because she already knew the place there when Robin and Dominic took them.
~~~~~
In the office of Alpha Private Company…
“Good morning, Kyla and Dominic. I called you because I want to find something for you.”
“Who is that, Gio?” Kyla asked.
“I want you to find Naneth’s parents.”
“What?! Are you serious there? Where do we look for them? We need to talk to Naneth so that we have a lead.” Dominic replied.
“Do you know why I looked for you because you are Naneth’s friends, especially Kyla? Maybe Naneth has already told you something about her past and her parents?”
“Ha! Yes, but it’s not detailed because Naneth is very secretive, and she doesn’t want to be teased in her personal life.” Kyla replied.
“That’s okay. Let’s just take it easy. And Dominic, I know, bro, that you were with Naneth then. You had a crush on her.”
“What?! How did you know?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that you know a little about Naneth’s life.”
Kyla was silent because she was a little jealous of what Gio said to Dominic. She didn’t know that, only now she found out.
“So! Gio, what’s your purpose? Why we need to find Naneth’s parents? And does Naneth know that?” Dominic asked.
“No, and no one will tell her what I am asking you to do. Anytime you can start gathering information. Ah! Dominic, please tell Amer or even you just take over me. I will be gone for two days. Tomorrow, I have a client meeting. I’m leaving tomorrow, so you can attend first if Amer is busy.” Gio’s response.
“Okay! Where are you going?”
“Just unwind. I’m stressed about the city, so I want to rest. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in two days.” Gio replied.
“Okay! Be careful on the trip tomorrow.”
Gio left, while Kyla was deep in thought. She has to lie to her friend just to get what Gio wants. If it wasn’t for her boss’s order, she wouldn’t have obeyed. But what is Gio’s purpose? Why is he looking for Naneth’s parents? She just sighed.
“Hey, Kyla! The depth of what you are thinking? Is there a problem with our boss’s assignment?
“Nothing. A case is needed if you lie to Naneth. I can do that with my best friend.”
“Yes, Kyla! Even I also have to lie about what Gio wants and intentions, why he has to find Naneth’s parents. Even Naneth is no longer looking for her parents.” Said Dominic.
“I also do not know. I hope Naneth won’t be angry with us.”
~~~~~
“Hello dad, how are you? I’m sorry I only visited you once. Very busy, dad.”
“It’s okay Gio. I’m also busy with other work.”
“Ah! Dad, I’m leaving for the province tomorrow. I have a meeting with the client tomorrow, but I have ordered Dominic or Amer to take over first. I will be gone for two days, but I will also be back.” Goodbye Gio.
“Why? Where are you going?
“Ah! In San Remedios and in Batangas.”
“San Remedios?” Roel asked, the name of the place familiar to him.
“Yes, why? Do you know anyone there?
“Ha! I just didn’t ask.”
“Okay dad, you just take care of the office. Amer is your only servant.”
Gio had left Roel, remembered something.
Flashback...
“You’re really beautiful Martha. I’m so lucky for you.” Said Roel.
Martha is Roel’s first and last love. They were both young. After they graduated from high school, they both worked. They parted ways, but when they met again, they both got married. Roel was thrilled because Martha never fooled him, even though life was hard but they remained strong despite all they went through. Hopefully, they will meet again. Even a few years ago, he still misses Martha. Where is Martha now? Is there any hope that they will meet again? He just sighed.
Martha also remembered her past. Martha and Neva are one. Her name only changed when she went to Louie. It was Louie who named Martha Neva because he didn’t know her real name.
Roel’s happy memories returned. He did not think that their situation would happen to them now. She wants to talk to Roel again, but he hasn’t been given a chance yet because Louie is restricting her. She thought that the day would come when she could talk to Roel and she could say everything. So he just sighed.
End of flashback…
~~~~~
Kyla has already met her mother and one of her siblings. They went on vacation to Manila because that was her brother’s request. Her brother was thrilled because it was her first time in Manila.
Cecilia is her mother’s name, and Karl is her brother’s name. Kyla’s parents are separated because her father has a new family. But his father was not at fault, but what started with her mother. She also accepted what happened to her parents. But she was still a little angry with her mother for betraying her father. She has been the breadwinner of their family since her father separated from her mother. She is the one who gives alimony to her mother and to her brother because her father only gives once because he also has children with his second wife.
“Mom, Karl,” Kyla called, and she immediately hugged her mother and sister.
“It’s good that you’re on vacation. What Karl, are you happy that your request has been granted?”
“Yes sister, I’m happy. Take me for a walk here in the beautiful places in Manila!”
“Of course. I will take you on a tour so you can enjoy your vacation here in Manila. So let’s go shopping tomorrow. Just say what you want.” Smiling, Kyla said.
“Kyla, you may not have any money there. Don’t spoil your brother.” said his mother.
“Ah! Mom, don’t worry, because my money is already budgeted.” Kyla replied.
“Maybe you don’t have any money because of your brother’s luxury.”
“Mom, this is only once. Let’s give it to Karl. You know Karl is my only brother.” Kyla replied.
~~~~~
The next day, Gio prepared to go to the province.
“Naneth, let’s have breakfast.” Her auntie Lora calls.
“Yes, auntie. I’m coming down.”
In the other room were Robin and Lira, while in the other room were Naneth. Even if Lora is poor, it can’t be said that they don’t have a good home. That house was the inheritance of his late husband to their siblings. But there is no really specific owner in that house yet.
They all ate together. Everyone was quiet, and no one wanted to talk.
When Naneth’s phone suddenly rang. She said goodbye she would answer the caller to her. She moved away from a little so that they could not hear who she was talking to.
“Hello! Gio, why were you called?”
“Hello, Naneth! Where are you now?” Gio asked.
“Ah! I’m here at my auntie’s house. Why?”
“Can you go to the beach band?”
“Why? Where are you now?”
“Just follow what I say,” Gio replied.
“All right, I’ll just say goodbye to them.”
“Ah! Auntie, I just need to leave. Someone invited me. I knew her with us before as a friend. I will leave you first.”
Naneth quickly left. She searched for the location that Gio had sent.
She saw Gio at a resort in the countryside, sitting on a bench near the sea. She approached that.
When he saw her, Gio immediately hugged her. Naneth was surprised why he hugged her.
“Ah! Sorry, we just miss you.” Gio said.
“Ah! Okay, didn’t I tell you we will only talk in Manila?”
“Why don’t you want to be with me? I’m still on leave for two days.” Gio replied.
“It’s not like that. I just don’t want to bother you. By the way, no one is intervening between us. It seems like your concern is now."
“Ha! Nothing. Is it even necessary? You are separated from Robin, so maybe we can be!” said Gio.
“Oh! Wow, the speed ah! Why are you dating? You don’t even know if I will answer you.”
“Do not you like?” Naneth suddenly fell silent, not because she didn’t want to, of course, who doesn’t want to have a relationship with a man who already has everything.
“Ha! I do not know about you. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet! I’m already hungry.”
“Let’s go to a restaurant in this resort. So, you stayed here.”
“I just arrived. I’m only here for two days. I just want to be with you.” Naneth suddenly shuddered at what Gio said.
“You know, when you’re just teased, it’s just hunger. Order now so you can be full. So! What do you plan to do after you eat?”
“Of course you can take me for a walk. You’ve lived here for a long time, haven’t you?”
“Ah! So, you will make me your tour guide. Being a tour guide is not free.” Said Naneth.
“It’s okay, no matter how much I pay you.”
“Wow! The born rich are different. No one cares about money, even if it doesn’t matter how much you spend.”
“All right, please. To make my vacation more memorable.”
Naneth didn’t refuse anymore, but that’s exactly what she wanted. She just narrowed it down. They toured various beautiful places in Batangas.
Gio grew up in Manila, and he had also been in America for a few years, so he was not used to provincial life. But because of their sightseeing, he was amazed at the beautiful places there.
They arrived at the falls; the water was very clear. He invited Naneth to take a bath. Naneth didn’t want to because she didn’t know how to swim, but Gio pushed her. She struggled to get up because he couldn’t swim that deep. She shouted she called Gio, Gio quickly lifted her from the falls. Naneth drank water, so Gio just did CPR on her. Until she took out the water, she drank.
Gio didn’t know that Naneth wasn’t lying. He thought it could swim because it was a large province. She left and walked away from Gio, chasing her.
“Wait Naneth, I’m sorry. I thought you weren’t serious about saying you couldn’t swim.”
“Let me go Gio. I almost died because of what you did. You even have the urge to tell me I’m just kidding. When am I kidding, Gio?” Disgusted and angry, Naneth said.
“I’m sorry,” he hugged Naneth but Naneth struggled but Gio was stronger, so she just stopped while Gio hugged her.
“I’m sorry Naneth, I don’t want to hurt you. I also get hurt if you get hurt. I hope you forgive me.” Naneth was just silent that she also hugged Gio.
Will there be a love affair during Naneth and Gio’s two-day outing?