CHAPTER: TWENTY-NIGHT

HIS MOTHER slapped him the moment he opened the door for her. He has no idea what that was for. 'What—" 'How dare you!" she said through gritted teeth. 'I was wrong when I sent Andie here to seek help from you! You took advantage of her, don't you?" 'I—" 'Don't try defend yourself because that wouldn't change a thing! Alejandro's already dead and that's because of you." Jonathan froze. Andie's father was dead. But why was his mother blaming him when all he did was stay at home all day? 'Until when will you make my life miserable?" his mother added. His fists clenched. Nothing changed through the years. The blame was still on him whether he does anything or not. 'Why do you keep blaming me?" he snapped. 'What? Do you think you're innocent?" She scoffed. 'Did you know why Alejandro died? He was lying on the hospital bed, fighting for his life, and then his daughter came telling him that she loves you and asked for his blessing!" 'It's not our fault—" His mother slapped him again. 'It's your fault, Jonathan. Don't you remember why Alejandro fell ill? It's because he took care of Andie while she was in coma. And you're the one who caused the accident that put her in coma." Jonathan shut his eyes. Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. It was all coming back to him. 'Andie will never be happy when she's with you. You will always be a reminder of her father's death. So, leave her alone. Let Andie have a better life." JONATHAN was out of reach for almost two months now. When she went to his apartment, it was closed. Andie tried to look for him at the headquarters, but one of his org mates told her that he went on an out-of-town quest. But Andie has a hunch that he ghosted her. Because if not, why would he ignore her messages and reject her calls? She recently learned that her stepmom went to Jonathan and blamed him for her father's death. It was not right because Jonathan did nothing wrong. No one was at fault for her father's death. It was just that he could not take her confession at that time that triggered his heart attack. If truth be told, she felt guilty for days and blamed herself for not keeping it a secret. But then, she realized that no one could really control someone's life and death. And didn't she ask the grim reaper a favor to make his father's death easy? Perhaps he really granted her a father. Andie took a deep breath before she pushed the doorbell to Altea's house. She decided to see her and ask about Jonathan and Oreo's whereabouts. Altea must have known it since he was the latter's wife now. And Andie hoped that she would help her again this time. Minutes passed before Altea open the gate for her. 'Yes?" she asked upon seeing her. It looked like she was not able to recognize her. Well, it was normal because Altea never saw her back then. 'Hi. I'm Andie—" 'Oh, my God!" Altea hugged her. 'Finally, we meet." 'A-ah, yeah. It's nice meeting you." She hugged her back. Altea ushered her inside the house. 'So, what brought you here, Andie?" She beckoned her to sit down. 'Wait for a second." Altea went out of the living room, and when she returned, she was holding a bottled tea that she handed to her. 'Thanks. Anyway, I came here because I'm hoping that I can talk to Oreo. I haven't seen Jonathan for more than a month now…" 'I'm sorry to hear that." Altea cupped her hand and gently squeezed it. 'I know you know where I can find him. His org mates said that they were out of town for a quest. But I don't buy it. It has been almost two months. And he's nor answering my calls, same as Oreo. I have a hunch that he's hiding from me." Andie palmed her tummy. She saw how Altea's eyes grew wider. Well, it was not just for show. She was indeed pregnant with his child. 'It's true that Oreo and Jonathan went on an out-of-town quest. But they went back after three days. And from what I heard Jonathan went to the province. I think he's staying with his grandmother." She hugged Altea. 'Thank you so much… I don't know how to pay you back for this one—" 'Don't mind it, Andie. Just seeing you happy is enough." Altea patted her back. 'WHAT'S the matter, Jonathan? Why are you still here? Don't you have anything to do in the city?" He turned his gaze to his grandmother, who was sweeping the floor in the living room. 'When I moved to the city to study, you're begging me to come home. Now that I'm home, you're pushing me away." He scanned the TV channel again. 'I'm not pushing you away." She hit his leg with the broom's handle. 'I'm asking you what's your problem. I know you. You wouldn't stay here for this long if nothing's bothering you." Jonathan laid on his back. 'Nothing's bothering me." Of course, it was a lie he had to tell just to keep the conversation short. 'It seems that it's going to rain. Go and get those bedsheets that I hanged outside." Jonathan groaned as he rose from the sofa and lazily marched to the door. He was at the doorstep when he noticed someone leaning on his car parked outside. It was a woman wearing a wide brim hat and a dark-rimmed-glasses that covers almost half of her face. She walked towards her and smiled upon reaching him. His eyes widened when the woman removed her sunglasses and hat. 'A-Andie!" 'Hi, Jonathan. It's been a while." 'H-how did you…" 'Ah… my memory must have failed me again. I didn't realize you could be here… hiding from me." Andie flipped her hair. 'Why are you doing this, Jonathan? Is it thrilling to ignore my calls and messages? Do you find it funny to ghost someone?" 'Listen, I—" She pushed him. 'Well, damn you!" 'Andie—" 'You made me feel sad! I was so scared I might not see you again! You've hurt my feelings. After all that we've been through, you chose to leave me when I needed you the most!" 'I'm sorry I couldn't be with you anymore." His fists clenched. He had to do that for her own sake. 'You need to get a life, Andie… a life without me—" 'Because your mother told you that's what the best for both of us?" 'How did you know?" 'She confronted me after dad's funeral. Your mother was blaming you for everything. She said if not for you the accident wouldn't happen, I wouldn't fell into coma, and dad wouldn't fell ill." Andie heaved a sigh. 'Mom's wrong, Jonathan. If it's not you, then it could be someone else, right? Because putting things into place is the law of the universe. What is meant to happen will happen regardless of the circumstances."