Chapter 31
As Jesley descended the stairs, she noticed that the room was already crowded with people. Despite the crowd, she spotted her father chatting with his friends. She hurried over and embraced him from behind, resting her head on his back.
Alverdo turned around and was surprised to see Jesley standing before him, a wide smile on her face. He hadn’t expected her to attend her sister’s engagement party, especially after the pain Olivia had caused her.
“Surprise, Daddy!” Jesley exclaimed, hugging him once more.
“Jesley, how…?” Alverdo stammered, struggling to find the right words.
“Daddy, my sister needs me today more than ever. It’s a joyous occasion for her, and as her younger sister, I want to support her, despite our past differences,” Jesley said softly, her smile unwavering.
“You inherited your mother’s kind heart,” he said, pulling her into a hug.
Jesley’s lips curved into a sly smirk as she embraced her father, returning the hug. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration at the thought of everyone else not understanding the pain she was going through. Her fingers gripped tightly onto her father’s suit.
After releasing her from the hug, Alverdo placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a comforting pat. “I’m so happy to see you here, Jesley. Thank you,” he said, his voice shaking slightly.
Jesley chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the room until she spotted Kiel. He was downing glass after glass of wine, his actions rough and angry as he slammed the empty cups onto the table as if taking out his frustration on them.
“Dad, can we talk later? I just saw my old friend over there,” she said to her father, not taking her eyes off Kiel. Without waiting for his response, she walked away towards Kiel’s table.
She noticed he was sitting alone, drinking by himself. She sat down across from him, smiling and resting her hand on the table, intertwining her fingers.
“Looks like someone got dumped,” she teased, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Kiel looked up, meeting her gaze. “If you’re here to mock me, you might as well leave,” he said, downing another glass of wine.
Jesley chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I can’t help but wonder why she dumped you and who she left you for,” she said, pretending to ponder the situation. “Especially after you chose her over me!” She added afterwards, scoffing.
Kiel raised his gaze at her face, “Just leave me alone.” He muttered softly downing another glass of wine.
Jesley leaned in closer to Kiel, pouting, “I’m here to sympathize with you, Kiel.” she said. Kiel furrowed his brows in confusion for a moment, prompting Jesley to sigh softly and drop her shoulder. “We’re both in the same boat. You dumped me, Olivia dumped you. Isn’t it strange how life works?” She taunted, bursting into laughter.
Kiel’s fist clenched in anger, tightening around the glass cup he held as Jesley’s words grated on his nerves. “Snap out of your delusion because we’re not on the same boat. I’m getting my woman back, but you can’t have me back. That’s the difference between us,” he said coldly before storming out, leaving his table for Olivia.
“I’ll make you all pay for hurting me,” Jesley thought, a smirk forming on her lips as Kiel’s words echoed in her mind, “Haaahh!” She angrily swept all the glasses off the table, her chest heaving with rage. She abruptly stood up and stormed away.
********
Javier stormed into his room, hands in his pockets, waiting for Carlo to enter. Just then, Elvis walked in and found Javier pacing.
“Javier, please calm down,” Elvis pleaded, sensing Javier’s growing anger.
Javier stopped and turned to Elvis. “I can’t understand why Carlo was holding Olivia’s waist when I specifically told him…”
“You don’t want Olivia to trap Carlo,” Elvis finished for him, but their conversation was interrupted as Carlo burst into the room, clapping.
Confused, Javier and Elvis watched as Carlo continued clapping and approached Elvis.
Elvis attempted to step back from Carlo, but Carlo grabbed his arms, preventing him from moving. With a sly smirk on his face and a cold gaze, Carlo questioned Elvis, “You think you can do better than this, street rat? Why are you trying to turn my brother against me?” Angered, Carlo pushed Elvis, causing him to almost fall, but Javier quickly caught him before he hit the ground.
Javier looked up at Carlo in shock, while Elvis was puzzled by Carlo’s reaction. “I don’t understand, Carlo. What do you mean by turning Javier’s heart against you?” Elvis asked, regaining his balance and moving closer to Carlo.
Carlo turned to face Elvis with anger in his eyes, his fist clenched and ready to strike. “You’ve always wanted to replace me in Javier’s life. I swear I’ll send you back to the streets where you belong. You…” Before he could finish his sentence, Javier slapped him across the face, causing Carlo to stop speaking and look at Javier in confusion. “Brother, you…”
“What were you doing in Olivia’s room? Why were you two standing so close to each other?” Javier asked in a calm but dangerous tone. He understood Carlo’s intentions and knew he was trying to shift the focus by blaming Elvis.
“Javier, it’s not what you think,” Carlo defended. “Uncle actually asked me to check up on Olivia,” he added, trying to smooth things over.
Javier smirked, his eyes fixed on Carlo’s lips. He noticed a faint trace of lipstick, similar to the one Olivia was wearing. Instantly, anger welled up inside him. “What’s that lipstick on your lips?” he demanded, pointing at Carlo’s mouth.
Carlo’s hand shot up to his mouth, rubbing it with the back of his hand. He was shocked to see a smudge of lipstick on his skin. “Damn, I messed up,” he muttered, scrambling to come up with a convincing explanation.
“You kissed her, didn’t you?” Javier asked, his gaze intense as he tried to read Carlo’s body language.
“No, no, no, Javier, that’s not it,” he said with a nervous smile, trying his best to avoid sounding suspicious. “I did kiss a lady, but it wasn’t Olivia. Come on, she’s your future bride, how could I possibly pursue her? I wouldn’t even dare.” He raised his hands in surrender.
Javier was convinced by his cousin’s gesture and sighed softly. “I’m sorry for suspecting you. But I just don’t want to see you getting too close to that woman,” he apologized and warned before walking away, with Elvis following behind.
Carlo pumped his fists in excitement and let out a loud “Yes!” before showing off some dance moves.
After walking for a while, Elvis stopped Javier and stood in front of him. “Don’t tell me you believed him,” he said, giving Javier a glare.
“Of course I did. Carlo wouldn’t disobey me because he knows I was serious when I told him to stay away from Olivia,” Javier shrugged, checking his phone.
Elvis decided to overlook the matter, not wanting to appear as if he was causing a rift between brothers. However, he made a mental note to closely observe Carlo’s actions and gather evidence to prove Carlo’s alleged affair with Olivia.
“I apologize for Carlo’s behavior and for any offensive remarks he made,” Javier said.
“No worries, I’m fine,” Elvis replied with a shrug and a smile.
Javier smiled and nodded. “I’ve been trying to reach Natalie, but she doesn’t say anything when she answers. Have you spoken to her?” he inquired.
Elvis nodded, “I just spoke to her. She’s on her way,” he fibbed, flashing a sheepish smile.
“She shouldn’t be late,” Javier remarked as he started to walk away.
Once Javier was out of sight, Elvis carefully took out his phone to call Natalie.
********
Natalie sneaked back her cell back into skin-tight short and approached Helen, who was still crying uncontrollably with her face in her hands. Natalie debated whether to sit next to her and comfort her or to stand and talk to her so as not to offend her.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” Natalie asked softly, reaching out to touch Helen’s shoulder. When Helen looked up, Natalie quickly pulled back her hand and lowered her head.
“I’m fine,” Helen replied, wiping away her tears.
“My father used to treat my mother the same way when I was young. He always wanted her to bend her to his will , but my mother eventually left with me, leaving my two younger siblings behind,” Natalie shared, walking over to Helen’s dressing mirror to grab a tissue and handing it to her to dry her face.
Helen took the tissue and wiped her face and sighed heavily, “I once made a mistake that ruined my son’s life because of my absence. I regret it and wish I never ran away,” she muttered softly, bowing her head.
Natalie raised her eyebrows in confusion but decided not to inquire further as her phone vibrated loudly. She checked the caller ID and saw it was Elvis.
“Let me take this call,” she said, excusing herself.
“Come back after you’re done,” Helen called after her.
Natalie hurried outside and answered the call. “What is it, Elvis?” she asked.
“Javier wants to see you now,” Elvis said, looking around.
“Now? But I’m busy,” Natalie whined.
“This wasn’t the plan. Get out of Mrs. Helen’s room before Javier sees his mother. I’ll text you where to meet me.” He quickly relayed the message and ended the call.
Natalie shook her head and started to head inside, but stopped when she saw Helen emerging from her room. She noticed Helen had applied a touch of makeup to her face.
“Come with me. I’m going to Olivia’s room to check on her and bring her downstairs,” Helen said as she walked past Natalie.
Natalie stood still for a moment, then without hesitation, she began ran towards the back door, following Elvis’s instructions that echoed in her mind.
“Going somewhere?” Helen’s voice halted Natalie in her tracks, leaving her to ponder how Helen had known she wanted to run away.