"M-mom, D-dad?" I call them again. They were just looking at me and little by little was drawing a smile on their lips.
"S-Sunny?" My daughter did the same, her eyes talking as she smiled at me.
I almost ran to where they were to give them a tight hug. But before I could even reach them a strength arm stopped me. When I looked back it was Drew's pleading eyes I saw. He's stopping me from reaching my parents' and daughter. Seems like he doesn’t want me to approach them.
"Sydney, I'm here." Drew said in a whisper. I turned my attention back to where mom and dad were, even my daughter.
But when I looked back to where they had been before, I was so shocked...because it was a dangerous place where you could fall with just one wrong move, and they were no longer there.
"D-Drew? D-did you see them? Mom and Dad and Sunny?" Apparently none of my own question to Drew. Drew didn't say a word but didn't take his eyes off me.
"Drew they're here! They smiled at me," I was excited to report to Drew as I pointed to him where I had seen them earlier. I thought he would be pleased with what I said, but suddenly tears welled up in Drew's eyes. I moved closer to him to wipe away his tears.
"Why are you crying?" I asked him with a smile. I don't know why he's crying, while I'm here and happy. I am happy because aunt Fely and her husband who were her accomplices in the plan to destroy my family and me have finally been caught. I will make sure she will rots in prison for the sins she has committed. She has to pay for the evil she is doing!
"Our daughter—" I was stunned as I waited for what Drew would say next. "—Sunny is gone," It looked like a sharp object slowly sinking into my chest. I was held on the right side of my chest, where I could feel the fresh pain. I recoiled slightly shaken by what I heard from Drew.
"D-Drew...is that just a joke? Tell me, Drew, you're just joking. Right?" I approached Drew to tell him to take back what he said, because I didn't believe it.
"Drew what! I told you to take back what you said, right? My daughter is here! She just called me earlier! I could hear her voice Drew! It's so clear to my ears! those smiles of her...Drew, what?" I repeatedly slapped Drew on his chest. But every stroke he just catches. He doesn't speak, his tears just keep flowing.
"Sydney!" Drew called out to me but I didn't look at him. I left the building straight down to the first floor.
When I finally got down and out of the building I ran to Drew's car that was parked not far from the old building.
"Fuck!"
I was so weak that I was suddenly stumbled by a rock sticking out of the road.
"Sydney!" It was too late because Drew had already caught up with me. I'm very tired. I can’t take it anymore I feel right now. Its too painful. It's like I just want to disappear too.
"Drew our daughter!" I cried softly in Drew's chest. Here we are now on the thick lawn. He didn't say a word, but just hugged me tightly.
"Let me finish first," I stopped at what he said.
"W-what do you mean?" I was still crying questioning him.
"Sunny is no longer in the Philippines, I have sent her to the State with your parents for her more effective recovery." My eyes widened at what he said. Does that mean they are real life? Were they really here before? Did I really see them?
"Y-you mean...my parents are really alive?" I clarify. Drew smiled and nodded three times.
"R-really? H-how come? How did it happen?" I asked unbelievable. I cried more and more, but not because of the pain, but because of the great joy.
Perhaps it was just because I was so excited about them that the images of them I had seen earlier. I also got caught in my head because I was still a little dizzy from what Aunt Fely had done earlier.
"It's a long story Sydney, it's getting late and we need to be at the precinct. After we settled everything, we're flying to State for Sunny—and for you to meet your parents, again." As Drew said those words he seemed very handsome in my eyes. But I was shocked to remember how he had threatened me a while ago.
"Ouch! What's that for?" He asked annoyed and shocked after I slapped him hard on both cheeks.
"Did you really ask? Did you know that I almost beat that building earlier because I was so scared? Why did you scare me like that?" I shouted angrily at him.
"You didn't even let me finish," he laughed as he scratched his neck.
"Heh! Don't talk to me! You even cried!" I was still annoyed, I told him before I tried to stand up.
"Andrew!" I angrily shouted his name when he stretched my waist, I fell down and sat on his lap.
"I love you." He said sweetly before kissing me on my lips which made me smile. It was a sweet and passionate kiss. Because of the shock, my eyes remained wide open as I just let Drew kiss me. That kiss only lasted a few seconds. He immediately cut it and helped me stand on the grass.
"We've only been apart for six years. You immediately forgot what I taught you ... how to respond to the kiss of a handsome Michael Andrew Claveria ..." He laughed, warming my cheek. It's getting a little dark around but my cheeks are still hot because of what Drew said.
"Wow! Really?" I said with a raised eyebrow before I preceded him in walking. Annoying!
"Don't be so rude, Mrs. Claveria!" I would like to stop walking because he called Mrs. Claveria to me I just didn’t do it. Maybe later Drew will think that I really feel what he said. Well, not so ... just a little!
"I love you!" He said again once stealing a kiss on my cheek. I was just shaken.
"Nothing has changed yet." I whispered to myself. "Isn't there even 'I love you too' there?" He was carving. We are still walking today to his car. Why is it too far, where he parked his car.
"Set aside your noxiousness Drew, Sunny needs us!" I said frowning at him.
"You said that, okay? When our daughter comes home, it's okay for me to ask you?"
"You know? You look like a kid Drew!" I laughed telling him. Suddenly, his face became serious.
"Who says that I'm like a kid huh?" He deepened his voice. I kept laughing with laughter.
When we got in Drew's car, we immediately went to the precinct to file a case against Aunt Fely and her husband.