Daughter

"B-but… how?" Lanie's brain cannot process what Alvarez said. Althea is Tyler's alliance? Then, who is the… real Tyler? Is he the person I think he is?

"I am not in the right position to tell you that. I'm sorry. Talk to her instead, like how you talked to Mark." Alvarez knew something. And he does not want that to come from him, he wants that to come from the person who has the position to tell their story. "But promise me, promise me if you find out their story… I hope their stories will give you the courage to tell your story too." He gently said.

***

Lanie has been waiting for the perfect timing when she can invite Althea to travel with her since their Christmas break is already coming.

'If she can tell her story to Alvarez, she can tell me that, too, right?' Lanie was wondering for a second about the thought of how she told her story to Alvarez that easily and why Alvarez seemed to believe in Althea knowing that Tyler is her boss. Did he also know Tyler Lancaster like Althea knew him?

"Hey, Christmas is coming. What's your plan?" Althea asked her. Oh. She will ask the same question but Althea said it first.

"Travel, I guess? I need that kind of vacation, you know. And I will visit my grandma." She answered.

"Can I join you? I don't want to celebrate Christmas alone. It's sad." Lanie stared at her and smiled.

"Of course. Always." Just like that, they already planned their Christmas break and she also got the opportunity to be with her so that she will be comfortable if she finally lets her listen to her story.

Two days before their Christmas break, Althea did not come to work. Lanie asked Penelope and Mark but they did not either know where she was. Today is December 18. She contacted Alvarez if Althea said something to him but Alvarez said nothing but to wait for her, that he thinks Althea is taking her time- preparing herself or… maybe, she is with Tyler.

Lanie was bothered. Bothered where Althea was and what happened to her. Today is their first day of Christmas break. December 20. She decided to go out and have a walk and also look for gifts. She smiled when she saw a group of friends, families, and a couple enjoying each other's company while buying and strolling at the mall. After she bought some things she thinks her friends and Grandma will like, she decided to eat in a restaurant that is not that crowded.

"Table for one. Ma'am?" The lady asked when she entered the restaurant. She scanned the whole place. She guesses she will look too lonely if she eats when she is surrounded by family and friends who are eating together. The lady seemed to notice it, "We have a private room, too. You can enjoy your free time there while eating and enjoying the view since our restaurant is located where you can have a great view of Taal Volcano." Lanie agreed to what she said and followed her. She left after she made sure she got what Lanie ordered. She sat near the window where she could see a better sight of the volcano. Upon seeing it, she feels calm.

She doesn't know the reason. Is it because of the view or is it because she was alone in this place that she feels so safe? Feel safe. When she feels it, she knows someone's here- watching her. And she thinks it is her. She is here. At last. Her hunch was confirmed when she saw her coming in. Althea smiled at her, and Lanie just shook her head.

"So, Alvarez already told you." Althea started when she settled on her seat beside Lanie. She just nodded. "I am sorry to leave you hanging two days ago. Tyler wanted me to take my time and think about what I am deciding to do. I think Alvarez told you that I am Tyler's alliance, right? I am here to tell my story and not Tyler's story. I just want you to know that, Lanie. This is my business and Tyler had his own business." She explained as they both stared at the breathtaking view.

"I am Althea Garcia." Lanie looked at her- raising her right eyebrow. As if she didn't know that.

Althea chuckled. "Don't you remember something? Althea Garcia… Athena Garcia." She said slowly. Althea Garcia. Athea. Lanie gasped. Is she…, "Yes, I am her daughter. I am the daughter of Athena Garcia who was one of the maids at Gerpacio's mansion. Don't you remember? We used to play there when my mother brought me there." She laughed. "I guess you forget already since you were traumatized that night causing you to forget some of your childhood memories, right?" Lanie was stunned. She doesn't know what to say. Althea knew. Both who she is and it is possible she also knew what happened that night.

"When that tragedy happened, I was in the backyard because my mother ordered me to play there instead of disturbing them in the kitchen. But when I was about to go back, I heard a loud noise. A gunshot. I was a little scared ass back then that's why I hid in the storage room and I… forgot my mother. But I think, if I choose to travel back to that night, my mother will like that I hide there instead of coming back inside the mansion. I stayed there until the situation was finally okay and I saw you and your Grandma escaping… I also saw how one of the officers looked at you and let you escape. That officer was Lieutenant Alvarez's father, right?"

She is one of the victims of that tragedy as well as her… mother. Lanie's sight was starting to blur. Tears again. She always felt guilty. Guilty for letting the truth be locked up in her for a long time- for not voicing the truth when she knew that there are so many people out there seeking justice for a very long time. She can't even look at her properly now.

"I know it is hard for you because there are so many people, you treasure so much, who are involved and there are these scary and powerful people also. But, I just want you to know that I am here to help you. I will not force you to tell me what happened that night, the whole truth because I want you to tell me that when you are finally ready. Just let me help you with the things you are planning right now."

Lanie's tears flowed to her cheeks as Althea told her that. She felt comfortable and felt safe again. Because Alvarez and of course, because of Althea who were both involved in the tragedy, a tragedy that Lanie is the only person who can solve.