AGTML

Chapter 33

Modest Lies

It was almost noon but Julie wasn’t able to sleep well. The incident that occurred to her was still vivid in her memories. Every time she closes her eyes, the silhouette of Jean’s impression troubles her.

Julie couldn’t settle herself in one place. She often peeks from the window trying to be sure that Jean didn’t locate her.

“Darling, try to calm yourself in a while, here have a drink.” Bianca offered.

“Thanks Auntie. I am just not letting my guard down. After jean tried to attack me, I realized how devious he is.” Julie said.

“When Jean was still in PSJ, it never occurred to me that he had plans to brig the company down. He was industrious and witty. Indeed, a person’s face is the greatest lie of all. You can never tell what’s inside a person’s mind by merely looking at their faces.” Bianca commented.

“You are right Aunt.” Julie exhaled “But above all, I feel very sorry for Moe. All this time he was Jean’s puppet and was used to destroy everything important in his life.”

“Was it truly Moe who made PSJ meet its end?” Bianca asked.

“Yes Auntie. The very business that the three of you founded was bankrupt. A day after it was declared 3rd of the best in Australia, It was painful to all of us especially on my part.”

“Oh Dear.” Bianca reacted.

“I tried myself to refrain from seeing Moe for I was shocked and furious of what he has done. But after I learned the truth about everything, I felt that the person who was hurt most was Elmo. His past was used by Jean to destroy his future… our future. I couldn’t blame him anymore because even I, if put into that situation, will act according to what I feel… Anger.”

“But do you still love him during those times?”

“My mind was furious and my heart was crying because I felt betrayed. However, despite of that I still love him. Because when Jean told me that Moe was dead I felt like my world was torn into pieces.”

“That’s why you told him that you love him without hesitation when he called?”

“Because that’s what I truly felt.”

“Likewise, he did the same thing.”

Julie went silent.

“My darling princess, I never had the chance to meet the man of my life but as what I saw from Cherry and Marie…” Bianca started to explain, “… we often feel betrayed because we always thought that someone lied to us. Your mother, Anna Marie, thought Fred left her because he never said anything about Cesare’s bribe to his family. Yet when Fred returned to her, she wholeheartedly accepted her. Julie, lying is different from not telling the truth. The former is an action while the latter is an omission. There is only a hairline difference between the two.”

“They are just the same Auntie.”

“At first look, indeed you are right; but if you examine them thoroughly you will realize that there is a difference. Like any other things, lies do have their kinds and forms. The two I mentioned differ from the intent of the liar. Typically, lies pervert the truth, just like what Jean did. He lied to change the truth. On the other hand, Elmo lied to you in such a way that he refrained from showing you the truth. He did this not because he wanted to pervert it but rather to clarify the lies that intertwine your situation. In that sense, the truth about his love for you remains genuine. These type of lies is what I prefer to call modest lies because no matter how logical these lies are, it always humbly submits itself to the genuinity of the truth. These lies are made to make the truth clearer to you. How tall people emphasize his shorter contemporaries when the two are together.”

“I think I am getting the picture.” Julie scratched her head.

Bianca giggles, “One good example of a modest lie is when our parents scold us because we have done something wrong. Sometimes, because of their anger, they tell painful things to us. Your parents know that you are not that kind of person but why did tell you otherwise? It is because they want you to realize that they care and love you more than their lives. If you continue your wrongdoings, you might end up hurting yourself and that is something that no parent could accept. That is the genuine truth behind their uttered lie.”

Julie smiled.

“Elmo may have done and told you a lot of painful things but by judging how he has cared for you these past years, I am confident to say that the lies he told you are modest. He has his reasons to do it but the truth that he loves you never withered.” Bianca ended.

Julie burst into tears and embraced Bianca.

“Thanks Auntie, it is clearer to me now.” Julie said.

“Oh don’t cry my dear princess. You should be proud that you have someone like him who loves you.”

“I do…” Julie answered.

“Here have some tea.” Bianca comforted.

***

That Afternoon

(Phone Conversation)

“Bianca! It’s me Exodus! Set your phone to speaker so that Julie could hear me too.” Exodus started “Listen very carefully. After this call pack your stuff immediately so that when we arrive, everything will be quick. We cannot risk you to stay longer there for Jean may already know your whereabouts Julie. He still have no idea that Elmo is still alive. Both of you will be joining me on my van while Moe will secure us from any tailing.”

“You mean Moe is not coming with us?” Julie asked.

“He will, but he will be driving another car. We decided that he would prevent anyone to come close to us and follow our location in case Jean’s path and ours cross.”

“I see. Exodus can I talk to him?”

“Apparently, he is outside preparing everything.” Exodus answered.

“Okay.” Julie sounded sad.

“Don’t worry Julie, in a while you will see him again.” Exodus assures.

“How about Jean?” Bianca interfered.

“Moe and I will plan it after we take you to a safer place.”

“Okay. Please hurry up.” Bianca said.

“Don’t worry, we’re on our way.”

(End of Phone Conversation)

***

“Moe are you up?” Exodus called out.

“Better ask that to yourself gramps.” Elmo Joked.

(Laughs) “Okay let’s go save your future wife.” Exodus tapped his shoulder “ALRIGHT MEN LET’S ROLL!” Exodus ordered his men.