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Chapter 163: After All

     "Good morning, ladies and gents, this is your captain speaking. We are about to depart at John F. Kennedy International Airport; please remain buckled in your seats until the safety belt signal is turned off..."

     "We've arrived!" exclaimed Adan.

     "Yes," Halley says, giggling, "and look at you, you're no longer terrified of takeoffs and landings."

     Halley tightens her embrace around her brother, assuring him that he was secure with her.

     "...Thank you for flying with Delta Airlines; we hope you all enjoyed your flight and we look forward to seeing you abroad again. Has anew, on the behest of Delta Airlines, we hope you all enjoy your trip and have an amazing day! Keep Climbing!"

     They all disembarked the plane shortly after and proceeded to the lobby to await Audrey and Emman with their bags.

     "Ate Hal, can we buy some ice cream?" Adan said, pointing to a gelato store nearby, "please?"

     "Sure," Halley responded, "let's go get some while we wait for Tita Auds and Tito Em."

     When Halley initially looked around the place, she saw Abbey's attention was drawn to her phone.

     "Avs," she called, "Dan and I are going to grab an ice cream."

     Abbey nodded and said, "Sure, go ahead."

     She then returned her gaze to her phone.

     Halley noticed Abbey had been engrossed in her phone for a quite long time, even as they boarded the plane; it looked as if she couldn't take her gaze away from it.

     "Are you okay? Is there something wrong or anything bothering you?" Halley asked quietly.

     Abbey answered, "Nothing."

     "Are you sure? You've been staring at your phone for quite a while and seems to be worried—"

     "I'm alright, Hal. I'm just trying to contact Gio but he hasn't responded yet; perhaps he's still busy," she said as an excuse

     Truth is...

     She had been attempting to contact Greg since yesterday for he had not responded to any of her calls.

     Abbey was concerned after she and her father had agreed that he would speak with Tricia and Vince to settle everything first before taking Abbey with him.

     "Okay, do you want us to bring you some ice cream as well?"

     "Sure, sure. That will be great."

     Meanwhile, Audrey and Emman were on their way to the lobby after getting their bags when Audrey abruptly stopped walking.

     "Hey, babe, what's the matter?" Emman asked, worried.

     Audrey sighed and turned to face him.

     "Do you want me to carry them? Mabigat ba yung dala mo?"

     "No, no. I was just thinking, babe," she said, "maybe we should tell them about what happened last night."

     "We can't,. Trish specifically requested us not to tell the kids until we're there, dba?" He softly grasped her hands, "relax, babe. Vince will do well, and besides, we're here now, we just have to—"

     Adan abruptly yelled, "Tita Pretty! Tito Guapo! Come na po, we have ice cream!"

     "Coming," Emman said, kissing Audrey on the forehead. "Breathe, babe. Your kuya will be fine."