Chapter 24

Alex can do nothing but watch her sister rush outside the dining room. She was upset about what had happened. She felt mad about herself. She knew she was the reason why her Ate was crying. It's all her fault. "And you, Alexandra. I know you have a part about what happened," Benjie said. 'Dad…" She feels like crying. Not only because she's afraid of their father, but also because of the guilt she's feeling for what happened to Angel. "You are also grounded. WiFi will be disabled and we will confiscate your cellphone and iPad, as well as your sister's." For the first time, Alex did not care about the WiFi connection. Because right at that moment, all she can think of is her crying sister. She has never seen Angel cry before because of their parents' anger. Just now, and that's because of her. And it crushes her heart. She can't see her older sister getting hurt especially if it's because of her. She's the real one at fault so she's the only one who should suffer. All that Angel did was to be a good sister, but she's the one suffering right now. She has to stop this. She has to make things right. "Dad-" "End of discussion, Alexandra," Benjie said. 'Next time, think of the consequences of your actions if you cannot stand not having internet connection and access to social media." Alex was dumbfounded. Does her father think that she's crying because she's sad about not having WiFi connection? 'But Dad-" Benjie stood up. "I'm done here. I'll ask the maid to get your cellphone and I expect you to give them immediately." He then went out of the dining room. Alice followed Benjie, and up to that moment she still haven't said any word. Alex was left in the dining room. She feels like laughing because of her father's mistake. But she can't even make herself smile as she thinks about her sister. She leaned back on her seat. She feels guilty about what happened. She feels bad as she remembers the hurt that her older sister is feeling. That shouldn't be the case. Angel should not be the one suffering because of her wrongdoings. She made up her mind to fix everything. She needs to correct her mistakes. No one should agonize because of her. She should be the one getting all the torment caused by her actions. As she stood up and walked towards Angel's room, she finalized her decision. She has to make things right. She has to end this madness immediately. She has to put a stop on this now, even if it means losing Richard and never seeing him again. ************************************************************************************* Alex slowly opened the door to Angel's bedroom. She peeked inside for her sister, and found her lying on her stomach, crying. She went to her and lied down beside her. She went closer and embraced her. "Ate... Ate I'm sorry..." She started crying as well. They stayed like that for a while. Angel got up when her crying finally subsided. "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault," Angel told her. She wiped the tears that are constantly flowing on Alex's face. 'It's all my fault. If it were not for my and Richard's relationship-" 'Shhh! Don't say that." Alex looked down because of embarrassment. 'Loving someone is not a sin. It's not your fault that you fell for the wrong guy. Or rather, he's not wrong because what happened 20 years ago is not your doing." 'It's wrong to fall in love with someone like Richard, Ate." 'No. Nothing's wrong in that. Richard is a good person. You should not be the ones to suffer with what happened before." 'And you should not suffer as well, Ate. I'm very sorry. You were hurt because of my foolishness." Angel shook her head. 'Remember when we were young? That time when we accidentally broke the pot of Mom's bonsai because we hit it by a volleyball. She was so mad because that was so expensive." 'I was the one who threw the ball at the plant, but you took all the blame for me. I was also the one who convinced you to play volleyball even if the garden is not wide enough because of Mom's plants. But you took all the blame, Ate. You're the one who was scolded by Mom." 'It's because you're my baby sister. Mom and Dad told me to look after you, to take care of you because you're our baby." 'Ate…" Alex embraced her sister. She felt more guilty because of the love being shown to her by Angel. 'Don't worry. Just like what happened to the pot incident back then, we can get through this as well." They stayed embracing each other for a while, until Alex moved to look at Angel. 'I'll stop seeing Richard." Angel looked at her. "Is that really what you want?" Alex shook her head. "Then don't. Don't give up on him." 'But Ate-" "Do you love him?" Alex gazed at Angel. "Unfortunately, Ate, I'm one of those people who fall in love easily." "Fight for your love, Alex. Don't stop what you have with Richard just because of me. I won't be happy either. The guilt that you're feeling, that's also what I will feel if you'll stop seeing Richard." 'But, how about you?" 'This will pass. We just need to wait for Dad's anger to subside. Then we will think of a way for us to reconcile again." 'What if we tell them the truth? So that Mom and Dad will get mad at me instead of you." "No, don't do that!" Angel snapped. 'It's better that they're mad at me instead of you. Also, I'm afraid of what Mom can do to you. I don't want you to experience what happened to me." 'Ate, I don't think Mom will spank me." "Alex, please! Just listen to me, okay? We will find a way to fix this. Just don't give up." Alex nodded in agreement. 'I know they are also mad at you, because they're thinking you tolerated me. But their anger is not as intense as what they feel for me." 'Yes, Dad is mad. He doesn't want to listen to me earlier. He told me he will turn of our WiFi, and he will confiscate our cellphones and iPad." "We're grounded, that's for sure." 'It's just annoying that he thought I was crying because he is disconnecting the WiFi." Angel couldn't help but laugh at what she said. 'It's your fault. You're too addicted to the internet." Alex scowled. 'I'm not that insensitive, you know." Angel continued laughing despite the tears that are continuously flowing down her cheeks. Even Alex laughed because of her reaction. "See? That's why I love you," Angel said. "Because you always make me laugh." Alex smiled. 'Don't worry, Ate. We will find a way to end this grudge." "I'm sure of that." Somehow, Alex's guilt was lessened because of Angel's assurance. But because of that, she felt more motivated to settle whatever grudge her family has with Bryan and Richard's clan. If before, that goal is just for her, now it's also for her older sister. And she knows she can do it. With Richard's help, they can fix whatever needs to be fixed. For her sister. As Alex felt her sister calm down slowly, she thought of a way to start executing her plan. And the first thing she thought is to tell everything that happened Richard.