Dialing Care's number for the nth time to no avail, Aster heaved a problematic sigh. An idea lurks in mind yet it was something she normally won't dare doing, trespassing. She gave in at the last minute because it was admittedly her best chance to talk to Care.
The perks of being overly familiar to the Aragon estate is finally put to use as she slipped through the wall located at the edge of their boundary. A small hole lies in a certain wall covered by bushes on the outside while an old oak tree inside which housed a treehouse. She hurried to the backdoor of the mansion. Since she knew where to go from indoors, she reached her room nice and smooth. She was hanging around the balcony when she heard aggressive growls reverberating somewhere on the porch.
Based on what she remembered, Care's mom owned a pack of dogs that ironically stayed at the villa of her parents. As she glanced below, her eyes dilated upon seeing Care running as if somebody was after her life. The events unfolding next to that were fuzzy. She remembered herself scuttling downstairs. Not a soul in the household detected her presence since they were fixated with all the screaming and barking on the front lawn.
What's worse?
Nobody among the servants moved a damn muscle!
Then, her eyes landed on Mrs. Aragon grinning while watching her daughter hunted by her dogs. The entertained look on her face paralyzed Aster's body. She only snapped out of it because of Care's agonizing scream. The appalling scene greeting her smothered the air in her lungs.
"Momma, I'm sorry! I... I'm s-so.. sorry! I'll say sorry to Mandy. I'd be p-perfect!"
Instead of running to Care's aid, she filmed everything regardless if her hands shook uncontrollably. But, the rottweilers soon joined their owner's side thus she retreated before the animals sensed her presence. Tears brimmed her eyes as she dashed out the wall where she entered earlier.
"I'll get you, Care! I surely will!" she bellowed between her sobs.
In spite of a blurry vision, she sped off her car to the main gate of Aragons. Her fear and reservations were thrown out of the window. The adrenaline possessed full control on her mind and body as of the moment.
A single glimpse of a body laying on dirt prompted her to hit the brakes and even bump her head against the steering wheel. She already knew what her friend's condition was but having a closer look caused her to break down.
"Oh no, please! Don't look at me!" Care begged so painfully.
"It's okay, it's just me. The skeletons under your closet won't make me go away." Aster assured as she encircled her in a tight embrace.
It took an hour before both of them calmed down, then another hour for them to discuss things because her wounds needed to be tended in a nearby clinic. The doctor and nurses signed a full disclosure due to Care's insistence. Aster endured the absurd process in one condition of her taking shelter in the Nguyen's until Arnaldo Aragon comes home.
Out of frustration, Aster rented an entire high-end club at Aurum's Centrale, the business hub of the city. They wish nothing more but privacy and zero disturbance so why not splurge the unused money on her credit card?
That was just a petty excuse, actually. Tonight was an indescribable nightmare! They rather not deal sober. Besides, bitter truths are easier to swallow with a couple glasses of vodka.
Perched on high bar stools, they clinked their glasses before chugging the booze.
"How long has Tita Ena been maltreating you? What other inhumane methods did you tolerate? Why didn't you expose her to Tito or at least the cops?" Aster dropped the consecutive bombs, exasperated.
Care took another throat burning shot then glanced up at her only to throw back the question, "Why didn't you?"
The bottle was already empty so Aster gulped the glass of Mojito among the assorted cocktails prepared by the bartender before he vacated.
"Goodness, yours is different. She's your MOM!"
"That's why it's much harder, she is my mother."
The image of Helena Aragon materialized in Aster's mind. The shocking revelation of her true nature earlier still felt surreal. Well, the video she filmed will help her accept the harsh revelation although she won't bring it up tonight.
"I know I'm being hypocritical but I beg you, don't tell anyone, especially Daddy."
They slugged another considerable amount of vodka like it was water. Care opened another one not that she complains. She even cackled humorlessly, unaware that she was speaking more than usual. The alcohol must be kicking in.
"Wow, this is exactly what you felt this morning. It's indeed cruel! Aren't you the same as me, used to abuse? But, unlike you, I want us paddling the same boat. I have a proposition you have no choice but to hear out."
The glint in her eyes piqued Care's divided attention.
"Then, pray tell."