The Accused (A Series #1)

Chapter Forty-Eight

Warning: Suicide

She stopped talking when a waiter came to serve their food. She tried to compose herself while Scarlette thanked the waiter when he was finished. Nung umalis ang waiter, agad siyang hinarap ni Scarlette at nagsimulang magsalita.

"I went abroad for myself and my baby, and not because I was afraid of you, August. I wanted to wait for your release, but something came up that I have to rush with my family to States. No one in my family here in the Philippines told us, or maybe my parents knew but hid it from me, about you coming to Derroso's residence. I'm sorry that you were not able to find me. I could have helped you more. And about our family, they already forgave you."

Her heart pounded hastily with what she said. Scarlette offered her a reassuring smile.

"My mother is sick. We went to States to get her treated. After a year, I was able to convince them that I was fine, and I never hated you for what you did. It was true that I was scared for some time, but I deeply understood where you were coming from. I understood it more when I first carried my child in my arms. I knew then that I was willing to give her my life and even go the full course of crossing other people if it means she gets to live the life she deserves. I'm sorry that you have to fight for your love in that way. We were both blinded then, that's why I don't want you to take all the blame."

There saw a pure sincerity in her eyes that whatever she say, she would willingly accept everything.

"Noong nakumbinse ko sila, I then tried to convince them that you were just a victim as well. Hindi mo alam yung nangyari kay Tita, at hindi mo kasalanan na ganun ang naging takbo ng pangyayari." There was a guarded uncertainty painted in her eyes. "Is it okay to... talk about this, August?"

She appreciated how she was considerate of her feelings. And although she was unsure of the answer to her question, she still nodded her head. She could not think of any more time where it would be best to talk about the past that she was part of, but was not completely known to her.

"Did you know about this already? Did you perhaps... talk to your mother?"

She wasn't able to because she was angry at her too. She wanted to cry again remembering the wrath that her mother's eyes carried when she saw her again after she went out of the cell.

Instead of uttering a response, she just shortly shook her head. She saw a glint of surprise in Scarlette's eyes before she masked it quickly.

"Is that so? Kung ganun, hayaan mo akong sabihin sa'yo ang alam ko. One day, I was trying to find you on the internet and left my laptop open. Nakita ni Mom yung nasa search bar ko. That time, I did not know bakit nagalit siya sa akin. As far as I know, you were just a simple and harmless daughter of a business tycoon. Akala ko matatapos na run yung pag-uusap, but I was shocked when we went to Grandma's house and they confronted me in trying to know you. I was confused because I asked them what was with you that they seemed to be so triggered, but no one was telling me anything. Paulit-ulit lang nila na sinasabi na iwasan kita."

Her forehead creased a little when a question bugged her mind. Did she know her right before they met each other?

"Why did you search for me? And... how did you know about me?"

"Oh." Napansin niya ang bahagyang pagkagulat nito sa tanong niya na parang may mali itong nasabi at nahuli niya ito. "Well, I was curious." She nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.

"Why?"

"Ahm..." The look in her eyes told her that she was deliberating if she should tell her or not. "Okay, fine. I was curious because we could always see you back then, Calev and I. Whenever we go out, we actually see you from afar. It was actually creepy the first time but whenever Calev started talking about you, he just could not stop. It fascinated me, and it stopped me from being bothered then."