Thirty Four

To open the gate, I used the remote control. Then I exited the car.

"Is that a new purchase, Miss? I just saw that now."  Devora asked.

"It's been a long time, I forgot to use it, and if I didn't get a dress from the farthest part of the closet, I wouldn't be able to see this." was my response.

We arrived at the private cemetery about a half hour later. I pulled over to the side of the road and parked the car. And Lucianna and I walked in together.

The gate has been opened. Perhaps another visiting relative was buried here as well. Lucianna and I both entered at the same time.

"Are we still a long way away, Miss?" Devora asked.

"We're almost there," I replied.

When we turned left, I noticed the gate to my parent's grave. I made it myself to use in the construction of a house. So they don't get wet from the rain. I swung open the locked gate. And then I went inside. I stopped bringing flowers because they didn't want them. However, I was surprised to see fresh flowers on my mother's grave. Did anyone visit them? Who is he?

"Did anyone else come here, Miss? I think that flower has been here a while because it hasn't withered yet," Lucianna said.

"I'm not sure, Lucianna; I was surprised, too." was my response.

I went over to my father's grave. I also stroked the area where his name was written.

"How are you, Daddy? I'm sorry because I just thought of visiting you two, but that doesn't mean I forgot about you. You know, your woman showed up in your office and you two have a child. That woman. I was shocked because I couldn't imagine you could fool mommy, but when that happened, I was ready to accept them. Maybe when mommy found out that you had another child, she punched you. And hung you upside down."

My mother's name was caressed with one hand.

"Mommy, how are you? Do you know how much I missed you? It's been a few years since you left my side, but I know you're happy where you are now. Just don't hurt Daddy anymore because he had children. I don't have to sweep and clean your house anymore because it's clean. So I'm leaving. I'll just visit you again next time." I caressed the graves of the two of them and
I shut the gate and lock it again.
When we got out, I ran into the man who was watching over this place.

"How are you?" I asked him.

"It's all right, Ma'am, I just saw you visit again, but a man visited your parents' grave, and I happened to be here at eight o'clock, so I opened the gate for him," the man said to me.

My brow furrowed. That is why flowers exist.

"Did he tell you his name?" I inquire.

"No, but he said he was from your parents' family," the old man explained.
I simply nodded. I also gave him money.
"What is this for?" he inquired.
"That's for your expenses and as a thank you for cleaning my parents' house," I explained. "Thank you. We're leaving."

"I appreciate it."

And then we exited the cemetery gate. What the old man told me was indelible in my mind. What kind of news did this bring me? Isn't my mother and father telling the truth? I got in the car and turned it on so Lucianna could join me.

"First, Lucianna, let's go to the city," I suggested.

"That's all right, Miss."

Our return flight to the city took an hour and a half. I came to a halt in front of the mall.

"Are you planning on buying anything here, Miss?" Lucianna inquired.

"Yes, I'll get Calvin a new phone and Lara a tablet," I said.

Lucianna nodded, and the two of us walked into the mall. We go straight to the gadgets section. I went on the hunt for a good phone model.

"It's just this phone and a tablet, Miss," I explained.

After that, I paid. I first showed it to Devora.

"Don't you want to buy anything for your child, Lucianna? New clothes and shoes; what about a phone? Does he already have one?" I asked.

"I already gave him gadgets on his birthday, Miss," Devora replied.
"Good."

On our walk through the mall, I was about to collide with Mr. Yun, but I was already hidden on a perfume shelf. I grabbed Lucianna's hand and yanked her away from me.

"Let's go home."

"What happened, Miss?" Devora asked.

He must have been perplexed as to why I had dragged him.

"Mr. Chin is inside the mall; good thing he didn't see me," I explained.

He laughed as he looked at me.

"You look like a teenager, Miss, avoiding your stalker," Devora commented.

"I believe he's a stalker, and he's a childish human being when it comes to acting," I explained.

We've already left the mall. I got into my car. Then Mr. Yun appeared outside the mall.

"Hurry up, he's gone," I said.

I stopped the car when Lucianna came in. I was sweating profusely when we arrived at the mansion. I opened the gate and got into the car.
I went out with Devora.

"Please get some juice we're hanging out under the mango tree; I don't think they've arrived yet, so the house is quiet," I said.

"All right, Miss," he said as he went inside, leaving me on the bench under the mango.


I was scrolling through Instagram when I noticed a photo. A picture that made my heart beat faster. We were still on the beach at the time, Mr. Yun and I. So, what is his motivation for releasing this photo of us? The caption, in particular, irritated me. He allowed the media to ruin my life, which I was trying to avoid, according to the caption on the photo. He provided me with yet another reason to dislike him. So I missed Devora handing me the juice. He poured me a glass of something. I drank it all in one go. As a result of my rage.

Even though it's noon, my mother hasn't returned home. As a result, I spent the night alone at home today. The swinging gate swung open. When they walked in, I mistook them for my mother. Duke's happy expression was all I could see.



"Did you get a visit here at home, Duke? I thought you went to Amara's house," I asked him.

"We're all going there together; no one will be ahead or behind," he said.

"Is that so?"

"What's the deal with your house being so quiet? Where are your mother and Melissa?" Duke asked.

"Mitch and I went to Uncle Augusto's beach house last night, but we also went home because she was on duty at the coffee shop," I explained.

"I see, is it nice there? Maybe we can go there on vacation and skip school; we'll just rent it," Duke said.

"It's beautiful there, and the whole place is quiet. Uncle Augusto will never let it be rented, so we can stay there for free," I explained.

"Good."


Duke sat next to me.

"When will Amara's birthday party begin?" I ask.

"It's still tonight; she texted me earlier."

And he was looking down at his phone. Suddenly, his brow furrowed.

"What are you looking at, Duke?" I'll ask him.

"Mitch's friend Zaneska Vergara. Featured on social media." Duke response.

"Why?"
"She's with someone on the beach. Take a look at this," Duke said, handing me his phone.

I took a look at the photograph. Duke was correct. Mitch's best friend is on the beach with a man. The woman is dressed in a yellow swimsuit that complements her white skin tone. Because his eyes were small, the man with him appeared to be Chinese. In my head, I smiled.

"They don't fit together," only Duke said.

"Do you mind them, as long as they feel the same way?"

"She is far more beautiful and attractive than he," Duke said.


I'm laughing.

"It's as if you don't eat and instead just observe other people's lives," I explained.



"I'm very full, but the hours are ticking away, and even if I stop the time, I won't be able to do it. I'm nervous, and I don't know what to do," Duke explained.



"Just believe in yourself, Duke," I said.

"I sincerely hope so."


Regardless of how much Duke and I talked, we had no idea what time it was. When I looked at the clock, it was already seven o'clock in the evening.

"Do you want to go home and change your clothes, Duke?" I asked.

"No, I'll just get dressed here; my clothes are in the car," he explained.



He got to his feet and left the house to get his clothes. He returned with the paper bag a few seconds later. We went inside the house by ourselves. I left him in the living room as I entered the bedroom.



I got dressed and left my room.

"Come on, we'll just go by Mitch's apartment," I said.

Duke gave a nod. And he came up to my car.

"Is this your car? It's nice," Duke said.

"Yes, is that what we're bringing, or is it just yours?"
"We'll just use my car," Duke explained.


We walked through the gate. Duke drove away first, while I closed the gate to our house. Mitch texted me as well, saying he had been waiting for me for quite some time. I get in the car. I was sitting in the front row, next to Duke. I just sat quietly while he drove.