" What assistance do you want from me? Are you requesting my help in bringing Louis back to his family or for some other purpose?"
Jennifer asked Martin who stared at her speechlessly. He hesitated for a moment before speaking once more. " In fact, I'm requesting your help for another purpose".
Martin explained to Jennifer the kind of request he wanted from her and how she could be of assistance. This time around, Jennifer was the one who was left speechless.
( Is he kidding me right now? How can he ask that of me?)
" I want your assistance with Sarah. My love for her is real. I truly love her and I can't imagine spending my life with someone other than her. I admit that I made a grave mistake by kidnapping her brother which I'm thinking of correcting and doing things the right way. Please! I need your help".
…
" Won't you help me out?" He stared at me pitifully.
…
" How can I help you out with that? I mean, you do realize that Sarah hates your guts, right? Knowing that, how can you expect her to forgive you for causing her so much sorrow?" I asked.
His answer followed and it was astonishing. " Her sorrow is due to me and my idiotic brain. If only I had thought before doing what I did, her sorrow wouldn't have existed in the first place. With that said, I know despite all the hatred she has for me, there's also a bit of love mixed into it. I'll fight for her. I won't give up on my love".
…
( His words are so profound and direct. His intentions are clear and I can't spot some seriousness in whatever he just said. Why not give him what he wants? Nonetheless, before I do, I have to make sure of Sarah's feelings towards him. Only after that can I know how to proceed).
" I'll think about your offer. How about that?"
My answer wasn't what he expected but he seemed satisfied nonetheless. He might have felt that way probably because he knew that one way or another, I would certainly help him. It might have been his intuition talking.
" In all of this, I didn't catch your name. Which is it?" He asked maliciously.
( It's only now that you're asking for my name! He's incredible that I don't know what to say).
" It's Jennifer". I introduced myself.
I told him my name and then he asked: " Is that your real name?"
" What?"
" That can't be your real name, is it?" He asked further.
( Did he see right through me?)
" Why are you doubting my identity?" I asked.
" Sorry! It's just that that name doesn't suit you, in my opinion". He said earnestly.
…
( The name doesn't suit me he said, huh? Does the name my parents gave me suit me, I wonder? Why did they name me Vanessa?)
" Anyways, thank you. I hope you'll offer me your assistance, Jennifer". He beamed joyfully.
" I never said I was going to help you".
" You didn't say it clearly but I know deep down you're going to lend me your assistance". He beamed.
…
" It's not that I'm bored, but I have to be on my way. Mrs. Evangelina will worry if I don't get back as soon as possible". I stood and started walking away slowly.
" Let's keep in touch, Jennifer!" He gave me a wave of the hand as I walked away.
( I know you'll lend me a hand on this, Jennifer. I just know you will).
At Esperanza Restaurant, the number of customers was increasing by the minute. As Jennifer walked inside the restaurant, she couldn't believe it was the same restaurant. She spotted Mrs. Evangelina in the kitchen and headed straight to her to hand her the ingredients she requested from her so that she could go and help Sarah and Lucas with the customers.
" Here's your order, sir! Do you need anything else?"
With our great corporation, tending to all the customers was done in a lesser amount of time. We closed the restaurant and headed home for the day.
" Jennifer!"
" Yes, Mrs. Evangelina".
" The plan you talked about before, when are you going to execute it?" She asked me straightforwardly.
…
( She's so impatient which is only natural. It's her child we're talking about after all).
" When is my brother coming back home?"
…
( Sorry, ladies! The plan which was planned to occur won't occur anymore. Nonetheless, you'll regain your joy back but it won't come from me. The one who hurt you will be the one to return your joy to you. It looks like I'll have to leave this to you, Martin. I hope you won't disappoint me).
" Louis will be with you sooner than you least expected it. What I'm trying to say is that your happiness will be back to you when the sun rises in a couple of hours". I uttered in response.
" You mean to say that tomorrow—------------". Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah became emotional.
" Yes! In less than twenty-four hours, Louis will be back with you. That's a promise!" I uttered confidently to them.
After we finished having dinner, everyone headed to bed, except for Lucas and me. He stayed behind to question me from what I could guess.
" I won't question you this time around". Lucas sat opposite me.
" Why is that?"
" Your intentions are pretty obvious. There's no need for me to ask you anything". He uttered.
…
" Since you have figured out my intentions, what will you do? Will you stick with me or denounce me to Mrs. Evangelina and Sarah?" I asked.
…
" If I wanted to denounce you to them, don't you think I would have done it by now?"
…
" Thanks for cooperating with me!" I uttered with a slight grin.
" You're welcome!"
The following morning, I went ahead of everyone to execute my plan which needed Martin Kyung's collaboration. I waited for him by the cafe where he brought me yesterday as I knew he would pass by this route to go to the abandoned house. After waiting for forty-five minutes and thirty seconds, he finally appeared.
" Miss Jennifer, what are you doing here? Were you waiting for me?" He asked inquisitively.
" You've guessed it! I was waiting for you". I answered.
" You must have something to tell me right if you were waiting for me here. What is it?" He asked.
" What we've discussed yesterday, I've thought it over which brings me here today. I've come to give you my response". I uttered in an assertive tone.
…
" I'll leave it up to you, Martin! You have until the restaurant closure today to act. Don't blow this up!"