The last time Mrs beltran heard of her daughter was last night. She was so worried that she did not come home, but she believed that Chad would take good care of her. She walked slowly to the window and looked outside, completely lost in her thoughts. Johanna noticed her and walked up to her. She touched her shoulder gently and said, "How refreshing the morning air is" she closed her eyes and smiled.
Mrs beltran looked at her and smiled, "Yes, it is" They were silent for few seconds and Mrs beltran finally broke the silence. "Have you called Rachel to ask how she is?"
"No, not yet aunt"
"What do you think is happening to her now? Maybe something bad has happened to her"
"No, auntie, nothing bad will happen to Rachel when Chad is always there to protect her"
"Yeah, I did not even think about that" she said and paused. "Do you really believe that Chad's family will accept my daughter?"
"I don't know, but all I know is that Chad will fight for her and Rachel too will not give up on Chad"
"I don't want my daughter to get hurt because of his family" she said with a worried voice. Mrs beltran knew that Chad's family won't accept Rachel because she is poor.
"I know that Chad will protect her" before Mrs beltran could respond, they heard a honking of a car. She looked through the window and saw it was Chad.
"Oh Chad is around" she said and ran out of the house and Johanna followed her. Chad carried Rachel from the car and took her inside. He put her on the couch. "Chad, what happened to my daughter?" she went to Rachel and sat beside her, she touched her head gently and looked up at Chad.
"I am sorry aunt, but she was drunk yesterday and I couldn't bring her home so she slept at my place" he apologized.
"What!? She got drunk!? But how!?" Mrs beltran was shocked.
"I actually did not want her to drink, but she was stubborn. She told me that she can handle it so she ended up drinking 6 cups of wine" he explained in a soft, gentle voice.
"What!?" both Mrs beltran and Johanna were flabbergasted.
"She has never drank anything before so how could you allow her to drink that much" Johanna scolded Chad. "We left her with you because we thought you will take care of her" she shouted angrily.
"I am sorry" Chad felt guilty for allowing her to drink that much, but it was not his fault, Rachel coaxed him.
"You are sorry? What if..."
"That's enough Johanna" Mrs beltran stopped Johanna from completing her sentence. "I know Chad won't force Rachel to drink. My daughter is just so stubborn that she will do whatever she wants so stop blaming it on Chad"
This cold, arrogant Chad had turned to a gentle Chad. He face showed regret for allowing her to drink last night, but what could he do?
"You guys should stop blaming Chad, you should blame me. I forced him to allow me drink, he didn't do anything" Rachel could not hold it anymore as she finally spoke.
Hearing her voice, Johanna immediately ran to her and sat beside her, "Are you okay? Are you feeling any pain? Where?"
"I'm just feeling headache" holding her head, she said.
"I will go and get you some medicine to relieve your headache, okay?" she stood up and walked to the room, then came back with some drugs on her hand and a full glass cup of water. "Take this" Rachel collected the drugs and the glass from her, she put the drugs in her mouth and drank water.
"I will be going now" Chad turned to leave then Rachel stopped him. "Chad, please wait" he stopped and turned to look at her. She looked at her mom and Johanna. Mrs beltran understood what she meant so she took Johanna's hand and left the room.
The room feel into an awkward silence then Rachel finally opened her mouth. "Chad, I am sorry for what Johanna said to you"
"Next time, don't drink again" his voice was gentle, but cold.
"I will not" Chad walked to her and sat beside her and patted her head gently. "Good girl" he help her sit up so her back can lean on the chair. "About Mina"
Rachel looked into his eyes, waiting for him to talk. She wanted to ask about her because Chad never told her about Mina, but she thought that it wouldn't be appropriate if she asked him.
"Mina is my mom's best friend daughter. She once lived in my house when we were younger and then she left for the U.S. She came back some weeks ago, but I promised that I don't love her and I will never love her"
"Are you aware that your mom wants you to marry her?" she asked.
"Yes, but I don't love her. The only person I love is you, only you" he said and took her hand and kissed it.
Rachel knew Chad was telling the truth, he only loved her. Chad knew her mom wanted Mina for him, but he did not love her.
"I believe you" she said as she looked into his eyes.
His eyes immediately showed happiness as he smiled, "Really?"
"Yes" she looked at his eyes and only found love. "Don't you have work today?"
He check his wrist watch, "I think I am late already, I have to go" he stood up and kissed her forehead. "Don't forget to take some rest, okay?"
"Mhm" she nodded.
"Be a good girl and listen to aunt, okay?"
"Yes mayor" he smiled and left the house. Mrs beltran and Johanna came out when he left. "Who is Mina?" Johanna asked.
At the Torres mansion.
Mina had been in her room since morning and her eyes were red because she had been crying. Her mother and a young maid entered her room. "Mina, I brought you mango float" she took a small plate from the tray and put it on the bed. The maid closed the door.
Mina turned to her mom. "Mom, why does he not love me? I am more beautiful than that girl and I am more educated than that girl, but why?" she began to cry again.
Her mother sat close to her and hugged her tightly, "You are better than her in everything. I think that girl did something to make Chad love her, but don't worry Chad will be yours eventually"
"But when?" she asked and looked into her mom's face.
"Very soon"
Just like Mrs Torres, Mrs Sharon wanted Mina to get married to Chad. She believed that they are meant to be together.
"Mommy, I am going to die if I don't have Chad. I will kill myself if I don't have him" she cried helplessly. All her mom could do is to console her. "No you won't die, Chad will be yours soon, very soon. Now wipe your tears"
Mina wept away her tears and said to her mom, "Chad will be mine soon, right?" and Mrs Sharon nodded her head. Mina let out a smile on her face and ran out of her room. Her mother did not understand what she wanted to do so she followed her.
At carpeDiem Torres.
The Conference hall door opened and Mrs Torres walked in.They all rose and bow. She wore a black skirt and a black suit. She walked to her seat and sat down. The people in the hall saw her bandaged hand, but no one dare to ask her as they can see on her face, burning anger.
She looked around and asked, "Where is Chad?"
"I am here"