"We're taking down the provincial market today in Cebu, so that work can start next week," Albert declared during the board meeting.
"What about the residents? Have they been notified?" One of the board members inquired.
Daniel reassured him, "Yes, they have. We have prolonged this project more than enough. I think it's time to take the next steps about it, which will happen in a few hours. Our men are already there."
All of them nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Marie entered the company along with Williams, greeted by others as she passed.
"Hello, Ma'am Marie," Katrina greeted her with a smile.
"Is my husband inside his office?" Marie inquired.
"No, Ma'am, he's in a meeting," Katrina replied.
"I will wait in his office then," Marie decided, turning and leaving, collecting her handbag from Williams. "You can go back to the car."
"Okay, Ma'am," Williams bowed and left.
Immediately after Marie entered Albert's office, Gloria and Carlos rushed over to Katrina's space.
"I thought she's going to eat you raw," Gloria remarked to Katrina.
"Not now, Gloria. And why would she do that?" Katrina asked, confused.
"Have you forgotten? She accused you of flirting with Sir Albert last time," Gloria reminded her.
"Come on, Gloria, that's years ago. Why bring that up now? You're unbelievable!" Carlos interjected.
"Carlos is right, Gloria. You're unbelievable. I'm busy right now. It's better you both go back to your work," Katrina suggested.
"I thought we were friends? You two are making me feel bad. Fine, bye," Gloria huffed and turned to leave, with Carlos following her.
Cebu
"Sebastian, Isabella, let's go," Mrs. Francois announced, holding an empty basket in her hand. Anne walked outside, questioning her mother's decision.
"Hey, Mother, are you taking Isabella and Sebastian with you?" Anne inquired.
"Yes, I need to bond with my daughter since tomorrow is her surgery day," Mrs. Francois replied.
Anne felt uncomfortable with the idea but voiced her concern, "But Mother, can't you just wait until after Isabella's surgery tomorrow? Then we can celebrate."
"Anne, I want to cook Isabella's favorite dish for her tomorrow. Come on, we won't stay long, trust me," Mrs. Francois insisted, persuading Anne to agree.
Reluctantly, Anne agreed, and they left for the market. Inside the bustling market, Sebastian and Mrs. Francois held Isabella's hands as they made their way through the crowd, purchasing items along the way.
"Grandma, I think we should go home," Isabella suggested, sensing something amiss.
But Sebastian chimed in, trying to distract her, "Isabella, this place is fun, aren't you happy to hear different voices? Or should I describe everything to you?"
Mrs. Francois smiled at their innocence and thanked Sebastian, "You two are something else. Thank you for always making my granddaughter happy. And please, don't ever leave her."
Sebastian assured her, "Isabella and I are destined to be friends forever. I will never leave her."
Suddenly, chaos erupted in the market as people started running frantically. Mrs. Francois glanced around in confusion, and Isabella, sensing the urgency, asked what was happening since she can't see.
"Let's go, hurry!" Mrs. Francois exclaimed, abandoning her basket and scooping up Isabella while holding Sebastian's hand. Buildings began to collapse around them due to demolition, trapping people under the debris.
Mrs. Francois's panic heightened as Isabella's cries echoed in the chaos. Sebastian lost in the crowd, she frantically searched for him, "Sebastian! Sebastian!" Her voice drowned in the tumult. Sebastian, too, shouted Mrs Francois name, amid the clamor, but they remained unseen to each other.
Desperate, Sebastian decided to follow a group of people making their way through the market and ran home. Meanwhile, Mrs. Francois continued to search for Sebastian, her heart pounding with fear. Suddenly, tragedy struck as a building collapsed, trapping her and Isabella underneath its debris.
Breathless and trembling, Sebastian arrived home and met Anne and Uncle Peter outside, his eyes wide with fear. "Aunt Anne! Aunt Anne!" he cried out. Uncle Peter and Anne rushed to him, concern etched on their faces. "What happened, Sebastian? Where is mother and Isabella?" Anne's voice quivered with worry, her gaze fixed on the dusty, distraught Sebastian.
Sebastian struggled to speak through his tears and the dust clinging to him. "A building...collapsed... Mrs Francois and Isabella...they're still there!"
Anne's heart clenched at his words. "What do you mean, Sebastian?" she urged, her mind racing with dread.
A wounded figure stumbled past, his voice hoarse with shock. "They're demolishing the market...people are trapped!" he gasped before disappearing into the throng.
Anne's blood ran cold as she grasped the gravity of the situation. "Uncle Peter, we have to go!" she exclaimed, her voice urgent as they raced towards the market.
Arriving at the scene, Anne's worst fears were realized. The once bustling marketplace lay in ruins, debris littering the ground. Frantic voices and cries for help pierced the air as rescue teams worked to clear the wreckage.
"Mother! Isabella!" Anne's voice cracked with anguish as she strained to see through the chaos, her heart pounding in her chest. But the security barricades held them back, denying them entry.
"Please, let us through! My family is in there!" Anne pleaded, with desperation.
A security officer approached, his expression grim. "Follow me," he instructed, leading Anne towards a makeshift triage area where the injured were being tended to.
Anne's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of her loved ones. Her heart sank as she spotted a row of covered bodies, her breath catching in her throat.
With trembling hands, she lifted the sheet from one of the still forms, revealing the lifeless face of her mother. "Mother!!" A guttural cry tore from her throat as grief overwhelmed her.
Uncle Peter's stoic facade crumbled as tears streamed down his face, mirroring Anne's anguish.
But Anne's anguish turned to frantic desperation as she realized Isabella was still unaccounted for. "Isabella!" she cried out, her voice raw with fear.
Amidst the chaos, families clustered together, their cries of loss of their loved ones and despair blending into a cacophony of grief.
News of the tragedy spread like wildfire, igniting outrage and disbelief across the community. Rumors swirled, pointing fingers at A&T Home of Decor, accusing them of negligence and greed.