Years After - Continues (Completed)

40 - Worries

It is almost dinner time and Laura has not seen Althea around. Lately, she noticed a low-spirited Althea which is contrary to what she is expecting. Almost all evidences are gathered to finally get Harold pay for his betrayal and she expects a vibrant Althea.

There is only place in the house that she has not looked for Althea yet, the room which remains empty for years already. And her hunch is correct upon slightly opening the door. Althea is in her art room. It's been a long time since she sees her sitting on that chair and her canvas in front of her.

Since Althea arrived from Italy, this is the first time she saw her visits her art room. She chooses to watch her for a while and it already almost five minutes and Althea has not touch her paint brush. She only remains sitting and staring at the blank canvas. Now she is certain that something is bothering the eldest child of the Monteiro family, therefore she decided to intervene.

"Baby, it is time for dinner." Laura said. "I've been looking for you all over the house. And it is only now that I realized to check on you here. Matagal na kasing hindi napupuntahan ang room na ito, Baby, kaya nakalimutan ko na dito ka dapat unang hanapin," she added.

"You are right, Mommy, it's been a long time since I visited this room. Pero hindi ko po sya nakakalimutan, Mommy. And thank you for preserving this room for me." Althea said.

"Each one you have their own place in this house, Baby," Laura said. "The library is Vino's place, while the kitchen is for Lauren. The swimming pool is for Carrie, and the playroom is for Nathan." Laura added.

"Yes, Mommy, you are correct." Althea uttered, smiling.

"Kanina ka pa ba dito?" Laura asked.

"Yes po, siguro more than two hours na po," Althea briefly replied.

"Is that a new canvas, patingin naman nung natapos mo na," Laura said.

"Wala pa po akong nagagawa, Mommy," Althea replied.

"Pero sabi mo two hours ka nang nandito," Laura said.

"Yeah, naglinis po muna ako, I have to throw yung mga paints na hindi na magagamit." Althea said.

"It is dinner time, I understand if you want to stay here a little more para naman hindi mawala ang momentum mo. Or better yet, ipadala ko na lang yung dinner mo dito," Laura said.

"Do you think I can still do it, Mommy?" Althea asked. "I've sitting here for almost an hour and yet wala pa rin akong nagagawa kahit tatlong linya lang," she further said.

"Of course you can still do it, Baby. Matagal mo na kasing hindi nagagawa kaya naninibago ka." Laura uttered.

"Are you saying that my system already forgot how to paint?" Althea asked.

"Your system will never forget painting, nasa subconscious mo na yan at kahit kelan hindi na yan maalis, sa isip at puso mo." Laura said.

"But why is it for a long time na nakaupo ako dito, wala akong nagawa. I have been holding this paint brush for almost an hour and yet it has not touches the canvas until now." Althea said

"Do you still worry about what you find out about Harold? It will soon be over, Baby, same goes with the drama. Don't blame yourself on what Harold has become. He is in his right age to know what is right and what is wrong." Laura asked.

"But if I did not get close to him, he would not have the guts to betray us. I always have wrong judgement at people, and it is very frustrating for me because I am next in line to take care of the business. Admit it or not, Mommy, ako pa rin ang naglagay kay Harold sa ganyang sitwasyon and I did it because of my wrong judgement." Althea uttered.