'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

35

Lea is caught in a paralyzing dilemma. Accepting the building means Aga will have a permanent bridge into her life, a chance for his zeal to pierce through the boundaries she spent twelve years building. She can already envisage the wreckage that follows when a man like him enters the frame. But refusing it doesn't just hurt her; it destroys Emma and Jason’s livelihood too. She is truly 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 says gently, watching her friend’s internal struggle.

"Atsaka, Madam, this is not an easy one. Alam namin 'yung bumabagabag sa'yo. 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 kasi 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 kasi... it's time to let your child meet her dad," Jason explains, his voice softening with sympathy.

"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 a 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.... ganoon 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 sighs, the weight of the past pressing down on her.

"We get it, Lea. So... what's the plan now?" Emma interjects.

Lea huffs, a desperate light in her eyes. "I have been thinking about this a lot. 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 chuckles dryly. "You're kidding, right?"

"Lea, do you hear yourself? Lalayo ka na naman? And what if he found 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 of 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 know that."

Lea scoffs, her voice trembling. "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 of 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 gives her a genuine smile.

Emma is right—Eli has a deep soul and a pure heart—and that thought briefly ebbs Lea’s anxiety. But as she runs her eyes over the Deed of Sale, Gabriel, Emma’s husband, enters the office with Candyce.

"Hi, sweetie. How's school? Medyo maaga ata kayong na-dismiss," Lea asks, noticing Candyce looks incredibly edgy.

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