'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

35

Lea can't made up her mind yet of Aga acquiring the building under her name. If she acquisced to it, Aga would surely bridge the gap in between them. It might bestow a chance upon his zeal to pierce through her boundaries. She can envisaged the possible trouble that may come along if she lets Aga be in the picture. But closing down the business would as well affect Emma and Jason. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Lea, whatever decision you come up with, know that we got your back. We would understand if you decline his offer", Emma asked Lea.

"Atsaka, Madam, this is not an easy one. Alam namin 'yung bumabagabag sayo. You left out of his life because it's the right thing to do. Now he's back and wants to be part of Eli's life. It makes you anxious, but ... madam kase nasasabik din yung junakin mo eh. Madalas niya kaming kulitin ni Emma noon about her dad. She wanted to know his name. Kung ano ba raw itsura niya because she's afraid to ask you. Baka lang kase ... it's time to let your child meet her dad", Jason explained.

"As much as I wanted Eli to grow up with a father, it's not that easy. Jason, we're talking about a man with wife and child. Pamilyado na 'yun. Do you think Luisa and his parents would accept Eli with arms wide open? Isa pa, tahimik na 'yung mga buhay namin. Masaya na siya with his family and Eli with me. He doesn't need my child. Twelve years na ang nagdaan. Di ba pwedeng .... ganon na lang? Lumayo nga ako because I want her to grow up far from chaos. I just want a peaceful life for my Eli", Lea sighed.

"We get it, Lei. So ... what's the plan now?", Emma butt in.

She huffs, "I have been thinking about this few times. I can't push away Aga now that he found out about our daughter. So, I guess .... I should be the one to walk away. I want to leave the country"

The two answer in unison, "what?!"

Jason chuckled, "you're kidding, right?"

"Lea, do you hear yourself? Lalayo ka na naman? And what if he found out your place again? Saang lupalop ng mundo mo na naman itatago si Eli? Lea, he has all the means to follow you. Mauubos na lang 'yang ipon mo, but you can't go far away from him. Lei, we understand that you're afraid to where this might go, but .... ito na 'yun eh. Just accept it. Now that he found out about Eli, hindi na yun papayag na makalayo kayo sa kanya ulit. He is persistent, and you knew that"

Lea scoffs, "So, what should I do, Em? I can't think of anything else than this. Gulong gulo na yung isip ko. Luisa belongs to an influential family. Buti sana kung ... kung ako lang eh. Kaya ko. Besides, what kind of pain I haven't been through yet? Lahat na ng sakit napagdaanan ko, but this is about Eli. This is about my daughter, and not myself anymore. I am afraid for my daughter's safety. And ... I am not yet ... prepared to let Eli know of my past. How would she grapple with it if she finds out that her mother was .... was a whore?! A hooker!"

"Lea, we get you, but Eli is an understanding kid. She loves you so much, and has a brilliant mind. If time comes for her to find it out, I am definitely sure nothing's gonna change", Emma gave her a genuine smile. She is right. Eli has a wide scope of understanding, and pure heart. Having said that, it somehow ebbs the anxiety she feels. Upon running her eyes over the Deed of Sale, Gabriel - Emma's husband - enters the office with Candyce. He picks up Emma and their daughter, Candyce, whenever he can.

"Hi, sweetie. How's school? Medyo maaga ata kayong nadismiss", Lea asked the anxious Candyce. She feels edgy since Eli begun to commune with Stephen and Aga.

"Hello, t-tita Lei. Uhm. Yeah. We ... we were dismiss earlier today. Eli has a ... club meeting", she tells her.

Lea nods despite the discomfort manifests in Candyce's behavior. While Emma fixes her things, Gab adverts to Lea. "Oo nga pala, Lei. Congrats to your mag ama"