The Wrong One

Chapter 14: Uh-oh.

"Tell me what?"

I repeated.

When both guys recovered from shock, Nate approached me and held my elbow.

"It was nothing Kate."

"No, I don't think it isn't."

I replied. I intently looked at Nate demanding for an answer.

"You're right Katherine. This isn't nothing. It's about you."

Lew butted in.

"Me? What about me?"

"Dude. Stop."

"No, Nathaniel. We need to tell her."

"Will you two just cut if off and tell me?"

I'm starting to lose temper. But at the same time, am very nervous because of the seriousness I can sense in Lew.

"Kate. You are.. you're mother's not who you think she is."

"What?"

"She's.. she's not your mom."

I was taken aback. My mouth gaped open. I'd like to believe this is all a joke. A big one. But then when I looked at them both, waiting for them to drop the bomb -- which they didn't, they were both very serious.

"What.. w-why.. how--"

"Babe. Relax, I'm here. We're here. Let's sit down first."

Nate guided me to the side and made me sit. His warm hands were now enclosed in mine.

"Katherine, I know this is a big shock for you but you need to know the truth."

It was Lew again, "your mom's my parents close friend. They're in the Philippines."

"Lew what is this all about? How did you know all this? Huh?"

I asked him.

"Kate, when we were younger, we were actually friends. But then you left, with your dad. He took you someplace we don't know. And your mom was really devasted. After that, your parents divorced. And the last thing we heard, your dad remarried."

Restless, I nodded to show that I'm comprehending.

Lew continued, "your mom, with the help of my parents looked for you. Every place possible. Your dad ended all contacts with your mom as soon as they got divorced and when they couldn't find you any longer.. they gave up. But then when Nate texted me just three weeks ago that your Alex Russel Reid's daughter, I immediately told my parents about it and they relayed it to your mom. That's why I got a bit distant. And I also stayed in the Philippines for two days. Apparently, we are right. You were the Kate we were looking for, you were Kate: my childhood friend and Amber Futon's daughter."

I don't know what I'm feeling right now. It's a mixture of anger, of confusion, of disbelief, hurt, and self pity. I turned to Nate and with pained expression I asked him, "and you.. y-you knew all about this?"

Nate nodded and I just felt.. betrayed.

"You lied to me! How could you?!"

I stood up and tears well up my eyes. And with blurry vision, I saw Nate's remorseful face.

"Kate, baby, I'm sorry. I did'nt want to tell you until it's confirmed. Lew said he would tell you everything when it's right. I didn't want to hurt you."

"And you think I'm not hurting now!?"

"Katherine, calm down."

Lew intervened, "none of this is Nathaniel's fault. None of us wanted this."