"Red, please hang on. The old man I adore so much is your grandfather. He adopted me and left everything to me. You know what, when he learned about you, he asked me to look for you and marry you."
I sat abruptly from my bed. I had already dreamed about this before but I could not remember when. Sean was crying here while talking to me, and the dream seemed so real in my mind.
Why am I dreaming about this? What does this dream imply?
Then, I recalled that emotional moment he had when I got bitten by the Bronca bug. And I remembered that it was the time I dreamed about this. I got up from my bed and went to the terrace. The freezing temperature outside constricted my pores in a couple of seconds but somehow, it chilled my heart from the flaming soreness it suffered.
It was still three in the morning, but sleep had eluded me. I took a shower and changed into a business attire that I concealed through a thick trenchcoat. The climate had started to get freezing cold and everyone was already on their tight wraps. I decided to go down from my hotel room and wait for the breaking of the day at a coffee shop.
Ordering a hot cup of decaffeinated coffee and a breakfast set, I opened my laptop and checked the news. Almost all of the headlines were about the rising cases of the Bronc X virus infection in almost all parts of the globe, and the people were already demanding the states to investigate President Ric Abella. All those videos that showed how those Bronca bugs crawled out from his lapel flower every time he had speaking engagements resurfaced. And until this moment, the scientists were still confused as to what caused the Bronc X infection due to the diversity of viruses found in all those Bronca bugs they had seized.
"This is absolutely a frame-up. I have no idea how these Bronca bugs suddenly appeared in my lapel flower. But I can only point two people responsible for pushing me into this," President Abella said in an interview.
When asked who were these people, he laughed and replied, "I'm giving them a chance first to admit their sins. But when the time is up, all of you should throw stones at them together with me."
I gulped a lot of coffee to wash off the throbbing pain inside my heart. It hurt again so much when I got reminded that I trusted and married someone whom I really didn't know. He did not only betray me through Calla and took away everything my grandfather owned, he also involved himself in an underground movement with Patrick. I could not blame myself enough for having such poor judgment. If I had been sharp and discerning, I would not have invaded a more chaotic life with Sean. Eric many had hurt me, but at least, the battle was only between myself and my shattered ego. This legacy that my family had didn't appeal to me more than living a peaceful and happy life.
As I saw the crimson streaks across the sky, I called Philip. I doubted if I'd still see the golden glow of the morning sun because my mind was too fogged up with pain from betrayal, confusion, and anger. Perhaps anticipating my call, he picked up after one ring.
"Good morning, Dr. Red."
"Good morning, Philip! Have you told Sean to leave my grandfather's place?"
"I did not, Dr. Red because he informed me that he would be going home with his mother to his hometown."
"What do you think will happen to his mother in that remote area? How about her medications? Her regular check-up?"
"I don't know, Dr.Red."
I got guilty. His mother had Alzheimer's disease and I was sure Sean had her under close monitoring. But how could he do that in the mountain province?
"Philip, call him. Tell him his mother can still stay there. Anyway, I won't be living in that mansion."
Philip ended my call and I presumed he was calling Sean. After a few minutes, my phone vibrated and his name blinked on my screen.
"Dr. Red, Mr. Sean is not answering."
I got torn with remorse for not sparing an elderly so I started to feel stressed. We had to see Sean and tell him my willingness to spare her mother. I couldn't bear the conscience of disturbing the place that had become her home for so many years.
"Philip, can you take me to my grandpa's place?"
"Sure, Dr. Red. Meet me at the entrance in fifteen minutes."
In less than fifteen minutes, I was already standing at the entrance of the hotel, waiting for Philip to pick me up. And in less than thirty minutes, we were already at the Grey's estate. Before Eric could press his horn to inform the guard of our coming, the wide gate opened. Two taxis were in the queue before the gate. The one behind had an opened door. Then my eyes caught Sean walking with his mother toward the car. Once her mother had settled inside, he walked over to the other side and it was when I noticed that there was a woman standing with suitcases in her hands.
The woman was young and even if she was wearing a pair of boots and a long jacket, I could still tell that she was tall and had a great shape. I stared at her face, and I saw that she was extremely beautiful in her heart-shaped face and well-carved nose and lips. Her eyes were gentle under well-shaped brows and she glanced sweetly at Sean when he bent down to her and said something.
"Philip, who is that woman?" I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.
"It's Mia."
I pulled my brows together as I followed up on my question. "I didn't remember Sean telling me about a Mia."
"She's the nurse who takes care of his mother for many years already."
"It looks like she's going with them."
"Maybe. It's her chance already to have Sean all day long."
"What do you mean?" I asked, and I couldn't understand why my heart seemed to pound faster.
"It was not a secret to either Sean or his mother that she has feelings for him."
Then, I watched Sean opened the door for Mia before he glanced and walked towards us. Philip then rolled down the car's window by his side.
"Philip, you know where the keys to the mansion are."
"Yes, sir."
Sean moved his gaze towards me and Philip understood. He rolled the windows from my side, allowing Sean to peer at me. Sean gave me a pursed smile before he spoke, and I also held his gaze and gave him a soft nod.
"Red, I still wish this is not goodbye," he took a deep breath before he continued. "Please take care of yourself and the baby."
Mia suddenly appeared by his side and held his arm. "Sean, we're late already."