REUNION

"Evie, you can do this. You have to do this. It's what everyone wants. You can't let them down."

Evie encouraged herself as she stared at herself in the mirror. She had arrived at this restaurant with the aim of making peace. But as soon as she had seen Joanna smile, her heart tightened. She had wanted to snap at her and run away from there but she had promised Edwin so she held back.

But Isabel's daughter had kept looking at her and it made her uncomfortable. She had excused herself to get away from her and to get a hold on herself. She looked at her reflection and forced a smile on her face.

Standing in front of the mirror was a young woman in a maroon colored dress. She looked beautiful in her nicely done hair and simple makeup. She looked strong and independent. She wasn't that weak girl that only knew how to run away from her problems. She had finally become the person wanted her to be. Picking up her purse, she walked out of the restroom.

She walked back to the table where both families were sitting and took her seat and the little girl - that sat directly opposite her - resumed looking at her. She wanted to exchange seats with Edwin but she knew it wouldn't make any difference. She looked down to avoid the girl's eyes.

"Aunt Evie, you're beautiful." The little girl spoke in a tiny voice and got everyone looking at both of them.

Even though Evie wasn't happy with the little girl, she had just complimented her and it would be rude to stay quiet. She smiled wider and told her a thank you hoping that she would leave her alone. But she didn't. The little girl stared at her curiously with wide eyes. She was cute, Evie admitted but she would be much cuter if she kept shut and looked away from her.

"Do you hate me?" She asked again and Evie widened her smile. She babbled some words about how impossible it was for her to be hated as she was cute and adorable. But the little girl didn't stop.

"So if you don't hate me, why are you acting all weird at a happy occasion?" She asked earning her a scolding from Isabel. Evie realised that her name was Hope. She saw that the girl was saddened and she softened up to her. She wasn't her enemy. Neither was her mother.

"Hope, I don't hate you. I have no reason to. I just don't like it there. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way."

"Why don't you like it here?" Hope asked again and Isabel glared at her.

"Hope, that's enough. Not one word."

Evie knew she didn't have to answer but she needed to let out the words. Joanna needed to know how badly she had hurt her. "Because I've been hurt beyond words by somebody here. I've been broken beyond repair."

"Everyone heals. It may take a long time but you can." Hope encouraged. There was simply no wounds that couldn't be healed. Her mother had told her that when she had injured herself as a baby. And she had been right.

"Caleb was as optimistic and naive as you are. Now he's gone. Forever. I'll give you an advice. Not everyone that claims to love you really do. Especially the people you trust with your life." Evie paused and threw glances at Isabel, Mike then Joanna before looking back at Hope. "Some of them will help you to the best of their abilities but it won't be enough because they are only human. While others will leave and when you need them the most, you can't find them. Yet others will be the reason why you're dying and will refuse to help even though they can. So at the end of the day, all you have is yourself."

Hope didn't need anyone to tell her who Evie was talking about. She knew Joanna did something to Evie even though she didn't know what. But no matter how hurt she was, she felt better when her parents were with her. Maybe it was the same for Evie. "But what about your family? Don't you have them as well?"

Evie bit her lips in an attempt to hold back her anger. It didn't work. She still exploded. "You know what? Screw this dinner!" She stood up and threw glares at Joanna and Hope. "Screw you and screw Joanna! I'll make you pay!! I surely will!!!" She stormed out of the restaurant angrily. She heard Hope burst into tears behind her and Edwin apologising to everyone on her behalf.

She took off her heels as she stepped out of the restaurant and held them in her hands as she walked to her car. She reached inside her purse and brought out the keys. She was about to open it when Mike blocked her way. The sadness in his eyes brought guilt to her heart. She felt like apologising to him over what she had said. She never thought he abandoned her as she had been the one who encouraged him to leave. She was sad and angry and wanted him to feel her pain.

But seeing him standing clueless in front of her made her realise her mistake. He had no idea and would be caught in the middle of her war against Joanna. Just like he was with his parents. At that moment, she hoped he would ask her to leave everything behind and go with him. Because she would.

"Evangeline Rivera. Wow, a lot has changed since I left the country. But you changed the most. What happened back there?" She heard him say with the nonchalance that always annoyed her. It made it difficult to know how he was feeling. But one thing was certain. He had chosen to take Joanna's side.

"Michael Martinez. Stop faking ignorance. You should know better what your parents did. Aren't finding out secrets your thing? Find out what happened to Caleb Carlos seven years ago on June 21. After you do, stay away from me." She said coldly and entered into her car feeling guilty.

He was the first friend she had made in this city. If not for him, she wouldn't have met Tori. And she would have died in that cabin. There were a lot of things she was grateful to him for. But she no longer had the opportunity to show it. Determined to not cry in front of him, she drove off as tears flooded her eyes.

***** ***** *****

"Mommy, Evie's at the gate!" Hope exclaimed happily as she saw Evie through the laptop. She ran to Isabel who was in the kitchen and tugged at her. Isabel looked at her doubtfully. A call came from the gatekeeper and he gave a description of the person at the gate. It was Evie. She told him to let her in as she took off her apron.

She heard a squeal from Hope who had rushed into the sitting room. Hope was cheeky at times. She couldn't let her cause trouble with Evie again. She hurried out to meet them and sighed as she caught sight of the four year old hugging Evie tightly. She called out to Hope and she let go of Evie. She grumbled as she reluctantly walked up the stairs so Evie could have a chance to talk with Isabel.

"I'm sorry about that. Hope's liked you since she first saw your picture. She's fascinated by you. I'm sorry for any inconvenience she caused you." Isabel apologised as she wiped her wet hands with a towel.

"No need to apologise, Aunt Isa. I'm the one who should. That's why I'm here. I'm sorry for my outburst yesterday. I really don't blame you for Caleb's death. You did your best."

"But it wasn't enough. I depended on Joanna too much that when she abandoned me, I was weak. This is all my fault. I promised to protect you and Caleb from David but I failed. If only I hadn't gone through with that stupid plan. I'm really sorry."

"I forgave you already. It just came out of my mouth. And I'm sorry for making Hope cry. Can I talk to her? Please."

"Sure, but don't say any hurtful words." Isabel said with a bit of sternness.

"I won't." Evie replied and Isabel called Hope. She came running down the stairs immediately. After Hope came to her, Evie smiled softly and held her little hands. "Hope, I'm sorry. I was being a jerk yesterday and I said things I shouldn't have. I just want you to know that I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. I'm the one who made you angry. Mommy said I shouldn't speak unless I was asked a question but I didn't listen. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" Hope said and looked pleadingly in Evie's eyes.

"Come on, honey. I forgave you already. That's why I'm here so you can also forgive me."

"I forgive you Aunt Evie."

"Thank you." Evie felt relieved and she smiled sincerely at her. "How about you call me Evie? Just Evie, no Aunt."

"Sure. Evie, can I come to visit you sometime?"

"If your parents would agree, I'd be glad to have you." Evie said with a smile and hugged her. Hope was an adorable kid. She was much like Caleb. Evie knew she had fallen in love with this child and would do anything to protect her. And she surely wouldn't spare anyone who tries to harm her. Same way, she wouldn't let Joanna and David get away with Caleb's death. Caleb deserved justice and she was certainly going to give him that.