"Hi Honey!" Celestine greeted her husband. "Cassandra, I'm glad you came. I bet you've already met Latrice," she turned to Cassandra.
"Yes. Manuel has been talking about her all the time." Cassandra answered in a serious tone. On the other hand, I was flattered with her remark; and I suddenly thought that Manuel still cares in a way.
"You two may proceed now to the library. I owe my husband an exploration to the place; I'll tour him around." Celestine announced.
I have deciphered that Cassandra is somehow nervous. Well, I can't blame her. I bet she already has idea of what we are going to discuss when she saw me - most especially that I am heavy with child. I requested Celestine that I wanted to speak with Cassandra all by myself and she conceded.
"Cassandra, - " I approached her.
"Undeniably, Elena has told me about the incident in your house. I hope you're not going to take it against her. She knows about my situation and I believe that that's what triggered her to share about it."
"And you've requested me to come here to convince me to call off the wedding. Am I correct? You are speaking with me because you would want me to back out from the wedding or else you are going to divulge about my true identity. Am I right?" "You are blackmailing me!"
"No, I am not talking to you to blackmail you -"
"Well, to be frank, I really didn't like the idea of marrying Manuel. You know why, Latrice. I was caught up with this freaking situation and was forced to marry someone who's totally not my preference! I like and love somebody else. I have fallen for a woman - a total opposite of Manuel."
"Latrice, I don't want to be married to him! But what can I do? There was an agreement between my father and their grandfather. Our company's status quo is on the rocks. We're near to bankruptcy. And the only person who could save our asses from this distress is the old man - Antonio Selegña. But he asked me to be married to his grandson in return. How would I say no? It's my family who is at stake here, Latrice. Now, how could I say no to them? I couldn't just stand seeing my family falling to the ground."
"And I believe that if you were in my shoe, you would do the same. You would forget about your own happiness for your whole family's peace of mind. I do realize that your baby needs his father but I hope you'll understand me if I'm going to pursue my wedding with Manuel. I don't have plans of calling it off. Well, unless you'll help me find another way to save my family's businesses."
I was speechless. How would I be of help to Cassandra's problem? Where will I lend some money to loan her? My own family is hard up.
I am doomed, but not if I'll speak with Manuel about this one.
Am I ready to face him now? What if he'll turn me down?
I have to be optimistic once and for all.
Yes, I will talk to him.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Cassandra. I am sorry too if I have put you into this situation. I'll do whatever I can to fix things up. Yet, I need your help."
"I am willing to cooperate, Latrice. I'm giving you my word. I'll call off the wedding once we can settle this mess. I want my freedom, too. I love my girl friend. I just don't have any choice. Yet now that you are here, I am counting on you. I hope we could really find another way to save my family's businesses."
"Alright. I'll see what I can do." We shook hands as if we've closed a deal.
"By the way, would you want to go sightseeing?"
"I would love to. But I have to go back to Batangas at once. Lexie, my girl friend, asked me to accompany her in an acquaintance ball tonight. I might as well tell her about our conversation earlier."
