'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

26

Candyce asks her mom series of questions about Eli's dad but to no avail. Emma eludes to give any details towards the young ladies as per Lea's request. It has been long forgotten by Lea. Eli is on the safest side if she remains innocent of anything that relates to her dad, Lea thinks.

"I didn't get any, eh. Mommy said she doesn't know your dad but I can feel she's lying. Tita Lea tells all her secrets to Mama J and Mommy", Candyce pouts as she says to Eli of her failed plan. It's their lunch break so the two bunched on thd food court's table.

Eli grins to Candyce, "It's alright! I got his name". With brows wiggling, Eli squeals.

Candyce gaped at her statement, "really!? How? Did tita Lea tell you? She didn't get mad?"

"Of course not! As though mommy would be happy to hear me asking about dad noh. I just thought of an alibi, spiced up the conversation and tada! Mommy told me his name. He is Stephen Perez"

"Stephen? Nice name! So, what's next on your list? Where would we find him?", Candyce is pumped up for her friend.

"I look through Facebook and stumbled upon his account. He lives outside the town, and I haven't messaged him yet", Eli heaved a sigh.

"What? Why not? What else are you waiting for? Diba you want to meet him? And talk to him? Eli, you're close to that. So close"

"I don't know what to say! I can't just invite him for the event and hit the send button. I would sound like a lunatic. A weird teenage girl. I have to clear up my mind first. Help me please? Ikaw na lang magtype", Eli begs.

"What?! Why me? Eli, he is your dad"

"Please. Please"

"What will I say?"

Eli takes out her Ipad to kick off introducing herself.

"We'll figure it out", Eli hand over her gadget.

Candyce grabs it, thinking of words to help her best friend.

Hi, Mr. Perez. I am Maria Elise Salazar. Your daughter.

Eli narrows eyes into a squint, shaking her head in disagreement, "It sounds so straightforward, eh"

Hello, Mr. Perez. Do you still remember my mom, Maria Leanne Salazar? Your ex-girlfriend? I am your daughter. My name is Maria Elise Salazar.

Eli groans with unsatisfied countenance, shaking her head. Candyce jabs the clear button, and the two begun thinking again.

"Eli, just say what's in your heart na lang kaya. Mommy told me that writing a letter to someone dear to you should come from your heart", Candyce suggests.

Eli paused a sec, allows all words to fall into places. She heaved a deep sigh, "I am doing this for my grades. Just this one"

She grabs her Ipad.

Hi. I don't really know how to put this. My mom's name is Maria Leanne Salazar. Does it ring a bell? I am her daughter, Maria Elise Salazar. I grew up not knowing your name. I don't even know what you look like until recently. Our school has an upcoming event and I need a daddy on that day. Mommy has no boyfriend and so I don't have anyone else to grab. She doesn't know about this. I know it's bad to lie but she won't let me see you even if I asked for permission. She told me you have a family of your own. I don't mean to disturb you. Just this one. I hope to hear from you soon but if not, I'd completely understand, Sir.

"There you said it!", Candyce feels glad for Eli.

Eli hit the send button with a hope for Stephen to response. She begins to feel a guilt for lying about this from her mom. Lea never tolerates her wrongdoing and if her mom finds out, she'll surely pay a price.

Just in time, the bell rings. The two grab their things to go back to their classroom but when Eli turns around, she bumps into a man. Accidentally, she pours her drink to him. Her heart beats faster than usual as she saw the principal together with the school heads. The man is stunned upon seeing his shirt drenched with orange juice.

"S-sorry, Sir. I .... I didn't mean it", Eli takes out her handkerchief to wipe off the excess but the man gestures her to stop.

"Ms. Maria Elise. It's you again", her English teacher calls her attention.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I didn't know", Eli bows down her head.

The man who happens to be their school visitor turned around, "it's alright, Ma'am. Hindi naman sinasadya nong bata"

"I will just pay for your suit, Sir. I'll tell my mommy", Eli envisaged her mom's countenance. She just came from a fight last week when a classmate teased her. Her patience ran out, she just pulled his collar and punched the heck out of him. Lea apologised to the parents and shouldered the hospital bill while she just kept on rolling eyes at the beaten classmate.

And involving to another trouble would surely grow her mom another white strand of hair.

"It's fine, young lady. I didn't watch where I am going"

That gives light to her face. "You have the point, Sir. It could've been avoided if you watched your ....", Eli saw her teacher's lifted brow. A cue to shut her mouth or her mom would be called to the guidance office again.

"Apology again, Sir. It's my fault"

The visitor chuckles at her, "It's nothing. Don't mind it. I presumed you girls have classes to attend to. You might be late"

"Eli and Candyce, go to your classroom now", one teacher ordered.

The two girls rushed to leave out of the scene. Upon taking few steps away, Eli turned to look at their way. The man sends a shiver down her spine.

"You're really something, Eli. You should've shut your mouth noh. You tried to outsmart pa the visitor. If tita Lea finds out, you'll be grounded again", Candyce noticed Eli isn't paying attention. "Hoy"

It brings her back to senses, "what? Y-you're saying something"

"Are you alright? Do you know our visitor? Miss Alba said he owns a chain of restaurants daw. He came here to donate a building. He is friend daw with the school owner", Candyce tells her.

"I don't know him nor heard of him. He is just ..... tsk. Never mind. Siguro lang I met him before somewhere. Let's go"

The visitor tours around campus. So much memories dredged up his mind. It was long time ago when he sold his academy. He came to the town and donates contruction materials for a new school building. The school owner is a family friend and his father's classmate back in college.

"And this is our gymnasium, Mr. Martinez", the principal tells him.