Ara and I started walking again, laughing silently at how Manang Zabeth grumbled as she walked away. At that moment, we had forgotten our own worries. We were instead talking about how painful it would be for Maezy when she would start paying for her debts.
"Vengeance is not ours but the Lord's. That's why I wouldn't give them the joy of seeing me hurting."
I didn't expect Ara would be as strong as this. All these times, I was worried about how to break it to her gently. I was afraid that the pain of knowing the truth would affect her pregnancy. But I realized I was wrong.
"From today and onward, I will no longer shed a tear for him. Enough were those nights that I went sleepless. I couldn't afford to get sick for them," she scoffed.
"I admire you, Ar. I couldn't believe you have this strength and an open mind."
Ara smiled bitterly. "And by the way, I need your help. I want to send all of Tim's things to Maezy's house."
My eyes sparkled as I got an idea. "Sure. Leave it to me."
"Really?" she asked to confirm, laughing afterward.
"Of course."
We kept on chatting, not minding where we were already. Then, suddenly, a voice disrupted our conversation.
"Miss Ara!"
We both looked up and found a car stopping in front of us. Then, from the window on the co-pilot's seat, popped out Mr. Yuki's wrinkled face.
"Mr. Yuki!"
"Since you might be hungry and thirsty already, can we have coffee together?" Mr. Yuki asked, his voice loud but quivering.
Ara's face creased. But Mr. Yuki didn't give her a chance to refuse.
"Of course, not in the house, but there?" Mr. Yuki pointed to a gate not far away from us. To my horror, I realized it was Kim's house.
Ara turned to me, her eyes saying something she couldn't say in front of Mr. Yuki. I understood she didn't want to go, but she also couldn't turn him down.
"Come on, ladies. Would you please follow us? I won't take no for an answer."
Ara glanced at me again, looking helpless. So, I nodded, assuring her through my expression that I wouldn't leave her.
Soon, Mr. Yuki ushered us to a luxurious seat by the porch. We gathered around a glass center table facing a lush garden. Just by looking around, one could tell how much Kim poured money on landscaping. The surroundings were so breathtaking that they reminded me of the garden in Kim Yuan's Apartelle in Japan.
"You always like gardens, don't you, darling?" Mr. Yuki's voice broke into my reverie. I didn't realize I already got lost in my thoughts.
I glanced at Ara, then at Mr. Yuki, wondering who he was speaking to. Ara nudged me on the side, confirming that Mr. Yuki was indeed speaking to me.
"Yes-" I paused, wondering how I would address him. Should I say, sir or dad?
"That's right. I always remember Kim buying imported plants because you like them."
My heartbeat almost stopped. Ara still didn't know about my past. But most of all, I didn't think he knew me. During that brief introduction we had at Maezy's house, it never occurred to me that the frail-looking old man was just observing me.
I looked at Ara, just as she also turned to look at me, her brows furrowing. Then, to my horror, Mr. Yuki made the matter worse.
"I'm glad he found you, only that he came at the wrong time. Everything is already complicated. But I understand you, dear."
I nodded and smiled. If I say "thank you," it's like confirming to Ara that I knew what Mr. Yuki was talking about. I just felt it wasn't the right time to let her know yet.
However, the door to the main house opened, and Kim came out, bringing a tray of teapot and cups.
"Good morning, ladies," Kim said, moving his eyes on Ara and me.
"Sir Kim? Why are you here?"
"It looks like we have a long story to tell." He placed the tray on the table, then bent down and kissed me on the cheeks. My vision darkened, and I almost fainted.
I stole a glance at Ara, and her eyes widened in shock. I also felt like I was a slut in her eyes.
Kim poured tea for Mr. Yuki and him while he served Ara and me with glasses of milk. A helper then came out, bringing another tray of food.
Before Kim could sit down across from Ara and me, Mr. Yuki turned to Ara.
"Dear, what is your plan after your pregnancy? I've heard you want to work in the US?"
"Yes, sir. My sister helps me in processing my papers."
"Do you need help? Because I can help you speed up the process."
"Really, sir?" Ara's eyes grew large, and a huge grin broke on her face.
"Yes, but I would like to know first about your plans now that your boyfriend is playing fire with Maezy."
My goodness, he's got a straightforward tongue!
Ara ran her eyes at the two of us. Although she didn't say it, I could still figure out how nervous and shocked she was. Perhaps, more shocked that Kim already knew about his wife's illicit affair.
"I'll keep my head up high and leave silently. I won't confront him nor throw hurtful words at the two of them. But someday, I'll show Tim how wrong he is for doing this to me."
" Someday soon, he'll drool out in seeing his son from a distance. Showing how unaffected we are to their betrayal is the best revenge we can do." Ara's tears already trickled down her face after she spoke. And I could feel the depth of her pain behind those words.
Mr. Yuki chuckled. "That's my girl. But, don't worry, I have better surprises for them."
We left an hour after, just in time for all of us to prepare for work. Kim walked us to the gate with arms on my shoulders and a quick kiss on the lips before we went out. I could see a hundred questions in Ara's eyes, and I knew I would earn a twist in my ear once we'd be alone.
Just as I expected, Ara began confronting me the moment we stepped out of the gate.
"Yen, what's the meaning of all I've seen? How can you betray Zed?!"
I looked at Ara and asked, "Ar, how did our friendship start?"