This feeling of rejection and abandonment stings America's heart, even though she is used to this treatment. It still breaks her heart.
America switched off the light and tuck Michael under the sheet. She slowly and quietly closes the door of the room and proceeds to the kitchen, she reheats the food inside the fridge and eats her meal. In between her bites she was contemplating whether to ask him directly or just use her instinct regarding this packages issue.
___
When Zoey arrived home around seven that night. Alfie helped her to step out of the car and guided her inside the house.
The family of three welcome the youngsters and startled to see a pale-skinned Zoey.
For Zoey, It is rare to see her older brother at home so instead of rushing towards her room and take a rest, she then roasts her brother by saying, "Good thing you remembered that you still have a home." She was grinning a teasing smile to Zick. This annoying face of her made her brother chuckled and said,
"I guess you're not that sick, you can still sprout nonsense to me." Zick reached them and carried his sister to the couch.
"What happen to you?" Mrs. Alcantara asked her daughter.
"Ribbon-cutting. I'm the host. Michael was there. Too much testosterone. Then I felt dizzy." Sentence per sentence she answered her parents. With her state, They thought that she is somehow drunk. Howbeit, they didn't understand what she has said, they have just concluded what had happened.
"Aside from being dizzy, is there anything else that is painful in your body?" Now it's her brother who shot her a question.
Zoey, under everyone's eyes, realized that her tummy is also aching. But before she uttered a word, She rushed to the nearest bathroom.
All the food she ate during the dinner party were gone. Not a single of it left. Her mom followed her and knelt to pat her back.
She felt that it was like a deja vu that someone is once again patting her back within this day. After she finished, she washed her mouth with water then returned to the living room.
At some point, Alfie thank God for not letting Zoey throw up inside his car. He has a soft tolerance regarding disgusting stuff. Like when she saw someone throwing up, he will also do the same or if she saw creepy medical surgeries online, his skin hair will electrocute at once giving him terrifying goosebumps.
When the mother and daughter arrive the living room, Zick, being the only doctor inside the house, took out his penlight and examine Zoey.
"She's fine, not even close to food poison, are you stress? Aren't you?" The parents sighed a deep breath when Zick confirmed that their child is okay.
"Maybe."
Without further ado, Zick carried her to her room to take a well night rest.
In the living room of Alcantara Residence.
Mrs. Alcantara invited Alfie to the garden to have a small talk. She has taken a hint about the reason Zoey felt stress although, as far from her concern, everything went well for the past few days.
"What did that Michael do to my daughter?" She asked the innocent Alfie. Alfie, on the other hand, felt scared with Mrs. Alcantara's blazing glares and solid voice.
"Ahhh, hmmm, errrrr." Due to his fear, it was actually the first he saw Mrs. Alcantara get mad, wanted to pee on his pants. She is worse than his own mom. Now he can conclude where Zoey got her demonish look when she is angry.
"She just told me that Michael wanted or trying to get her back. It stressed her out to her bones to learn that he works to Orb and will see him from time to time." He was stuttering while narrating Zoey's ranting to her mom.
"What kind of evil person is that man. He already hurt my Zoey and now he wanted to do it again? Does he has the heart to start with?"
The two went silent when Mr. Alcantara knocks the door and ask what are they doing in the garden.
"Nothing honey, I just ask Alfie about his mother "
___
It was already the third day when Nickel moved from his hotel room to Serenity Condominium. He moved earlier to save him from extending his stay to the condotel he rented when he arrived in the country.
The two condo units that Sealed Corporation bought are next to one another. The units have two bedrooms with fully furnished and well equip threshold. There is also a balcony area with a city view.
The only missing part is his stuff that will be shipped and arrived three weeks from now. His former supervisor offered to help him pack his things in Montana and shipped it in the Philippines.
The official first day of Asian-Sealed Corporation will be on Monday, three days from now. Working stations have been assigned after the ribbon cutting and opening ceremony yesterday. Unfortunately for Zoey but providentially to him, a surprise is about to happen.