Smile For Me, Ressler

43

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Don't talk like you know everything.

Zild

"Thanks, Diego," I said, hearing him chuckle on the other line.

"Glad to help," he replied before ending the call.

I asked Diego Gazino for help. I needed his connections to know where Morales lives.

I know it may sound selfish and I may not be in the right position to do that, but it's the only thing I know I could do to help Tam.

I drove all the way from Realgorez to Belle Ville. It's a town near Realgorez. It took forty minutes before arriving at Belle Ville.

I parked my car in front of a big modern house.

After ringing the doorbell, a tall and handsome man in his late forties opened the gate.

"Who are you?" He asked. I think he's the father of Morales.

"I'm Zild Morris, and I need to talk to your daughter."

He raised his brow at me, making me wonder why.

"I have no daughter. I'm still in college. I don't have a family yet. You've got the wrong house," he retorted, making me question his statement.

It's obvious that he's one of the old men. He doesn't look like a college student.

And this is the exact address Diego gave me.

I was about to speak but someone intruded.

"Dad, you need to eat. Stop running away from me," she begged, looking exhausted already.

My eyes are still on her. She resembles her so much. Actually, no. She looks like her so much that if only I didn't know that she's already dead, I would think they're the same person.

The old man went back inside their house, leaving me and this girl alone.

She shifted her eyes on me.

"I'm sorry about that. My father was suffering from Alzheimer's so he's usually like that," she explained. I didn't speak. I just can't believe what I'm actually seeing right now.

"You're Zild, right? Ressler's cousin?"

How does she know?

"I saw your picture with Ressler's wife. It was saved in his phone," she added, noticing my confused look.

"What can I do for you?"

I couldn't speak.

Is she her twin? Or it's just a coincidence?

She laughed softly. "I'm not her twin, if that's what you're thinking right now," she said, as if she has the ability to read my mind. "Nagkataon lang na magkamukha talaga kami."

Raising my brow at her, I stepped closer to her.

"How did you know about Ressana?" I asked. I've finally found my voice to speak.

"Ressler told me everything about her," she replied, flashing me a genuine smile.

"And my voice, I know it sounds the same as Tamara's." She paused, shaking her head with disbelief. "Ressler and I became friends only because he thinks that I'm the combination of his older sister and his wife. My face, plus my voice and personality, perfect combo."

Ressana Morris, the older sister of Ressler who died a long time ago.

"Anyway, I know you won't be here if it's not important. So, if you have something to tell me, can you please make it fast? My dad's waiting for me inside. He needs to eat."

Right.

"You know that Ressler's married, right?" I asked, my jaw clenched.

"Yeah. I know that," she replied. "And I'm also aware about your relationship with his wife. You guys seriously have the nerve to have that kind of relationship? You seriously have the nerve to do that to Ressler?" She crossed her ams above her chest.

I scoffed in disbelief. "Don't talk like you know everything. His wife is dying, Morales. She chose to push Ressler away from her because of her f*ckin' cancer!" My voice was shaking, not knowing how to handle my anger anymore.

"O-Oh. I'm . . . I'm sorry I didn't know," napapahiya niyang sabi. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat.

"The next time she cries because of you, I'll make you pay," I warned her, turning my back from her.

Before I could even get inside my car, she called my name.

"Can you do me a favor?"

Really? She has the nerve to ask me for a favor? What the hell?

"I need to talk to her. Please watch over my dad hanggang sa makabalik ako."

I was stunned by her desperate voice.

I actually don't like the idea of her talking to Tam, but I can see the sincerity in her eyes.

"Kedda Hospital. Room 706," I informed her.

"Thanks. Uhm. I'm Jezra, by the way," she formally introduced herself, offering her hand to me.

I scoffed. "I'm not interested about your name, Morales. And if you're thinking that we can be friends, dream the hell on."