TWW 16

"Do you want to work for us?" Luke asked over dinner. Sheryl tilted her head, looking puzzled.

"As soon as I start the campaign, I will be very busy and no one will look after Saraknib. So, if you would like~"

"I'll do it. But, I don't like the idea of you paying for my services," Sheryl answered cutting Arabella from explaining.

"Thank you so much," Arabella exclaimed.

Then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll check it," Sheryl said, rushing outside.

"Kuya Luke, it's ate Helena," Sheryl screamed in excitement as she returned with a cool lady. Helena was still her old self wearing a white shirt, a pair of black jeans, a black biker jacket, and a white rubber shoes.

"Have a seat," Luke said as he offered a seat. Luke introduced the two ladies.

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Adams," Helena said, extending her hand. Arabella shook it.

"Whoah! Luke's description of you was lame. I mean, look at you," Arabella exclaimed as she was amazed at her beauty. Helena just laughed at her statement.

For the following days, Arabella worked off the radar to avoid too much publicity that could ruin the course of her campaign. She wanted to gain people's trust, not exploit them.

"Where do you find that interest when you're talking to people?" Helena asked Arabella after she finished talking to patients and carers in a hospice.

"I dunno. I love talking to people and listening to their stories. I got it from my parents, I guess. I grew up watching them talk and listen to people," Arabella answered. Helena nodded before she drove to their next destination.

"Why would I listen to trash like you?" one patient yelled, obviously pissed off at her presence. "You stole Regina's boyfriend and now you come here with your pretentious kindness? That's bullshit!"

"Get away, you hypocrite!" one patient from another bed shouted. Few patients sympathized with her but most mocked her tacitly.

"I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. I hope you all get well soon," she just said before leaving the hospital with a heavy heart.

"Are you okay?" Helena asked.

"Nope. I already knew that I won't be able to please everyone, but it still hits me," Arabella said fighting back her tears.

"You're doing great!" Helena said as she handed Arabella a hankie.

"Thanks!" she said.

"Hmmm... do you wanna take a break? I know a place. Or maybe you also know the place," Helena uttered.

"The McKnichts' resort?" Arabella replied, raising her eyebrow. Helena chuckled.

"Uh~ I wanna go there, but I have a better place in mind," Helena said. Arabella was curious about it. She checked her wristwatch--- 4 pm.

They drove through a serpentine road leading to a hidden pyramid.

"Oh! It's GG's Spa," Arabella blurted.

"GG's Spa?" Helena asked, amused by her words.

"Glamorous Grace!" Arabella answered.

"I will tell her that! I am sure she would love it," Helena said, laughing at her statement.

They entered the quintessential structure and met Grace who was glamorous as always.

"I've heard about your Mental Health campaign," Grace told Arabella while she's being given a Swedish massage.

"Whoah! No secrets for you really," Arabella replied with her eyes closed. She let out a moan when the masseuse kneaded her back muscles.

"They are the royalty in this island, so what do you expect," Helena said. She was having her nails done.

"Cállate! Always saying nonsense things," Grace scolded.

"Lo siento, your Grace!" Helena teased.

The staff laughed. Grace just shook her head.

"Anyway, it would be a bumpy road for sure. But knowing your determination, I know you'll prevail," Grace assured Arabella.

"Ahhhhhh! That's so kind of you. Thank you," Arabella said.

After a month of endless visits and tireless conversations, she decided to take a step further.

"This is ridiculous! Who will listen to people's mental problems?" Mr. Harold, the owner of a radio station in the city, exclaimed. He tossed the paper on the table. Arabella remained silent while observing him and his office.

"She looks a lot like you," Arabella said, catching Mr. Harold's attention.

"Sorry?" he asked.

"The pretty lady in that photo, she must be your daughter, sir," she said warmly.

He smiled as he looked at the photo of her precious child.

"She has my face, but she's got her mother's stubbornness and compassion. She defied my wish for her becoming a journalist and followed her mom's footsteps instead," he replied. He chuckled at the thought.

"Nevertheless, you seem so proud of her," Arabella uttered, giving him a warm smile.

He nodded. "When she finally uttered her Hippocratic Oath, I was happy for her. Seeing her beam in joy made me the happiest father. But for only a year of working in Mevious International Hospital, she volunteered to join the UNICEF team in Africa, I discouraged her," he told Arabella. His voice cracked as he held back his tears. He took a deep breath and exhaled harshly.

"We argued. Her mother supported her, so even without my blessing, she went." He cleared his throat. "I never knew that it was the last time, I'd see her alive," he sobbed.

"I am sorry to hear that," Arabella apologized.

"Are you? Do you even know how it feels to lose your loved one?" he said bitterly. "I lost my daughter. I blamed my wife for it. I hated her and tormented her for it. So, she left me. Do you know how it feels to get your life ruined? No one knows. Nobody can understand!"

"I lost both of my parents when I was in university," Arabella said softly. "I was orphaned. I suffered. I blamed the world. Who knows what sufferings I went through? No one but me."

Mr. Harold was struck. There was a deafening silence before Arabella spoke.

"If only we'd give ourselves a moment to look around and listen, we would realize how similar we are more than different. No one deserves to struggle alone in the dark," she said.

He looked away. She stood and took her bag on the chair next to her.

"Have a good day, sir. I hope that you'll stop beating yourself up and find the peace of mind you deserve," Arabella said before leaving. He didn't answer and just kept staring at the window.

"How was it?" Helena asked while starting the car.

"Negative," Arabella said softly while putting on her seatbelt.

Back in Mr. Harold's office was him crying while holding his daughter's photograph tightly to his chest.