After All

The Encounter at the Party

Later that night, Marie arrived at the Teodoro residence. At eleven o'clock, she unpacked her things, ready for her departure to Sierra de Oro. Cynthia and Gabo came to her room.

"Take care of yourself, Marie," Gabo said, giving her a warm embrace.

"I will, Uncle," Marie replied, hugging them both. "I'll return very soon."

"We'll wait for you," Cynthia added, her gaze thoughtful as she looked out the window at the television.

"Of all people to take her, it's Jessica," Gabo said, his tone serious. "Could this be the key to her identity?"

"We'll just have to wait," Gabo said. "Mako Marino has called us to return to duty so we can look after her while we continue our work."

"I knew this day would come," Cynthia said. "Another war against the Triads."

The next morning, Marie hurried to the airport, where Jessica was waiting for her. Marie rushed into the lobby, out of breath.

"You're late," Jessica remarked with a touch of irritation. "I told you to come early."

"It was traffic, Ma'am," Marie explained, her gaze falling on Brian standing beside Jessica. "Brian, what are you doing here?"

"I'll be coming with you to Sierra de Oro," Brian said, a determined look on his face. "I asked Ms. Jessica to allow me to join you."

"He really begged to come with you," Jessica said, shaking her head. "I was planning to visit my sister before heading to Korea. Don't embarrass me, okay?"

"I will, Ms. Jessica!" Marie replied cheerfully.

"Oh, that's the spirit," Jessica said as they boarded the aircraft bound for Sierra de Oro, marking the beginning of Marie's new adventure.

Jessica, Marie and Brian arrived in Sierra de Oro. Immediately they proceeded to the City Hall. As the three slowly approached the Mayor's office, employees were standing up trying to see a glimpse of Jessica with some taking pictures and selfies. It was the first time a pop idol stepped foot in their city.

They finally got inside the mayor's office, where Mako, Rina, Kazuki, and Sahoko were waiting for them. Brian and Marie sat behind Jessica. Mako was sitting behind her desk taking a glance at her younger sister.

"It's a miracle you came early for the event," Mako quipped

"I came here to pay you a visit," Jessica answered, "Because I just can't understand why the president suddenly gives an award to the dead."

"They should've given it to Mom when she was still alive," Kazuki lamented, grasping a sigh.

"The saddest thing is that Mom isn't even a politician that they would drag her," Sahoko added.

"Her husband is a politician, her stepchildren are politicians," Rina reminded her youngest sister.

"I am only here because of the charity event, nothing more, nothing less," said Jessica, "I'll say this again and again. I am not interested in politics."

"That's the same reason Rafael and Takeru said," Mako replied, but we'll respect that.

----

It was six in the evening, the Marino siblings went to the 5-star hotel to receive the President's conferment of the Legion of Honor to Riho. Being a former first lady, she is entitled to receive an award, a thing that she didn't receive because her husband died and Charlie died just before she was given an honor. Mako, who is the current mayor of the city, was present and so were Rafael and his girlfriend Karen, Rina, Kazuki, Jessica and Sahoko.