Attention

REALIZATION?

"Just leave..." Fiona said. She didn't receive a response, and she thought her mother had left because she heard the sound of her heels clicking on the floor. She let out a sigh.

....

Except for Fiona, who is still not coming out of her room, the rest of them were in the living room and some were in the dining hall.

"Calli, be nice to Fiona. She expects you to be close to her. Are you also distancing yourself from her, anak?" Imee asked her daughter. Rody was beside her, also persuading their daughter.

"Mom, I'm not distancing myself from her. I was actually surprised when you mentioned earlier that she was there. I didn't see her because I had my back turned, and I didn't hear her if she spoke. I don't have favoritism between her and Clara, I love them both. Don't worry, I'll talk to her later," Callista said.

Imee stroked her hair with a smile. She's sure she's sincere. She remembered how close they were when they were toddlers.

"Huwag kang gumaya sa mga spoiled mong pinsan, Callista. Matatakwil kita. Subukan mo talaga." Rody warned her.

Callista burst into laughter at her father's reaction. Imee playfully slapped him.

"Ano ka ba, Rodrigo." Imee blurted. Callista sighed.

"Cousin's bond niyo bukas, anong plan—

"Counsin cousin bond pa kayo mga yawa, pero di niyo naman isasama si Fiona; no, invite mo bukas si Nangnang, sa malacañang tayo mag brebreakfast," Rody said. Callista laughed and nodded. Imee rolled her eyes.

"How about, Irene? I'm sure hindi papayag yun na isama natin si, Fiona." Imee said. Rody clenched his teeth and scratched his nape.

"Wala ngang pake yang kapatid mo tsaka si Gregorio sa anak nila. Edi dalhin natin bukas. Tatahimik buhay ni Fiona bukas kapag wala sila." Rody told his wife. Imee sighed, understanding what her husband meant.

"Tita, Tito, Calli, dinner is ready, Tara na po," Clarabella said as she approached them.

The couple exchanged glances before walking towards the dining table. Imee looked around but couldn't find any trace of Fiona.

"Did you call Fiona?" Imee asked. Some of them brushed off her question.

"I did, but she didn't come down, so I didn't insist," Irene said nonchalantly.

"Clara, come sit here with Mommy." Imee calmed down and avoided exploding with frustration. She walked upstairs to call her.

Everyone fell silent when Imelda showed up and sat on the chair with a fresh look.

"Rody, nasan si Imee, nasan si Fiona?" Imelda asked.

"Nasan ang apo ko, Irene?" Imelda queried.

She shifted her gaze away from her mother. She implied that she is still in her room.

"And you didn't bother calling her?" Imelda asked.

Clara was about to take a seat between Irene and Imelda when Imelda interrupted her.

"Reserve this seat for Fiona. Aimee, go call Fiona upstairs. Callista, call your mom. We won't eat until they're here," Imelda said.

Aimee nodded to Callista, and they both went upstairs. But before they could take the first step, everyone saw them laughing wholeheartedly as they walked down the stairs.