CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Carlos's voice broke the spell. "Which other place are we heading to, Miss Amy?"
Cherry hesitated, her eyes still locked on her mother.
She hadn't seen her since everything.
Her mother began chatting with a colleague.
Carlos's voice snapped Cherry once more out of her trance.
"Miss Amy!"
Cherry jerked back to reality, her eyes focusing on Carlos.
"Huh?"
"Let's go. You seem lost."
Cherry hesitated, her gaze drifted back to her mother's direction.
"Just a minute, Carlos."
She strode toward her mother.
But before she reached her, her mother disappeared into an adjacent room.
Cherry quickened her pace, following her mother into the staff area.
A worker blocked her path.
"Sorry, ma'am. This area is strictly for staff."
Cherry's urgency grew.
"Please, I need to see the woman who just went in."
The worker frowned.
"I didn't notice. There were many women entering."
Cherry clarified, "She registered her name just now."
The worker's expression changed. "You mean Mrs. Rubio?"
Cherry nodded vigorously.
"Yes!"
The worker nodded.
"Wait here for a minute."
Carlos approached Cherry with caution.
"Miss Amy, be careful who you talk to. You're a public figure, remember?"
Cherry's eyes remained fixed on the door.
I need to speak with her, Carlos."
"But she's a total stranger," Carlos protested.
Cherry's voice cracked.
"She's no stranger to me."
A tear escaped, and Cherry hastily wiped it away.
"Is that a tear? You're acting strangely," Carlos thought.
Cherry composed herself, avoiding eye contact. "I'm sorry, Carlos. Can you Just... give me a minute."
Carlos hesitated before returning to the lounge.
The door opened, and Cherry's mother emerged.
Cherry's emotions teetered on the edge, but she maintained control.
"Ma'am, may I have a word with you?" Cherry asked, her smile masked her turmoil.
"Of course, dear."
They stepped outside, settling beneath a shaded tree.
Cherry began.
"Thank you for speaking with me, ma'am."
Mrs. Rubio smiled.
"You look familiar, yet I've never seen you here before. What brings you to the pet store?" Cherry said as her gaze locked onto her mother's.
"I was wondering, why did you start working here?" She added.
Mrs. Rubio's expression softened.
"You're right, I just started working here recently.
It's been a comfort, taking care of these pets. It's helped me cope with...my daughter's absence."
Cherry's heart swelled as her mother continued.
"My Civil Servant princess, she was my rock. She ensured everything was perfect at home. But one day, she didn't come home from work."
Mrs. Rubio's' voice trembled.
"I've searched everywhere, but...I don't know where else to look. Working here helps me earn a living and hold onto hope."
Cherry's hands enveloped her mother's with a gentle squeeze.
"She'll be back soon, ma'am. Maybe she's on a business trip or exploring. You know how youth love adventure."
Mrs Rubio looked at Cherry's eyes and saw hope.
"Thank you, my dear!"
Cherry swiftly wiped away tears, turning aside to compose herself.
She retrieved a small change from her purse and pressed it into Mrs. Rubio's hand.
"I have to go now," Cherry said.
In a sudden, impulsive move, Cherry hugged her mother tightly, holding back emotions.
Mrs. Rubio watched Cherry leave, a puzzled expression on her face.
"She acts so much like my Cherry..."
Cherry rejoined Carlos in the lounge, her eyes welling up.
She tapped his arm. "Let's go!"
Carlos rose immediately.
Cherry distributed the little flyers in hand to passersby.
During the drive back home, Cherry remained silent, lost in thought, gazing out the window.
Carlos glanced at her periodically
Carlos glanced at Cherry's expression, mistakenly pointing it to her missing cat.
"Sorry we couldn't find the cat yet. But with our efforts, I'm sure we'll find it soon."
He pulled over, opened the trunk, and revealed a cage containing an adorable puppy.
"For the meantime, I got you this," Carlos said, handing Cherry the puppy.
The tag on the puppy's neck read "Ruby."
Cherry's eyes lit up a little.
As a dog lover, she couldn't resist Ruby's charms.
"Thank you," Cherry said, cradling Ruby in her arms.
Though Cherry appreciated the gesture, her true motives for searching for the cat remained –Finding herself, not the cat, was her ultimate goal.
Carlos smiled.
"I figured it'd keep you company until we find your cat," Carlos said.
Ruby snuggled in Cherry's arms.
*
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On reaching home, Cherry collapsed onto the bed, releasing a muffled scream into her pillows.
Just as she let out another anguished cry, the doorbell rang.
A maid stood at the entrance, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Good day, ma'am. Mr. Rafael asked me to give these to you."
Cherry accepted the flowers, placing them on her nightstand without a glance. She didn't even hear where it was from.
"Where are you, cat?" she screamed again on the bed.
Carlos intercepted the maid in the hallway.
"Who sent those flowers?" He asked with a straight face.
"Mr. Rafael, her fiancé," the maid replied.
Carlos's face darkened.
"Okay."
As the maid hurried away, Carlos's displeasure deepened.
"He's back," Carlos muttered under his breath in discontent.