AFTER ALL THAT HAPPENED

Almost two years have passed since what happened with Elias took place, everybody's life activities continued as usual and Esmeralda's too. Work and family-related matters have been Esmeralda's only concern for the past years.

Esmeralda made sure she dedicated her life to her work and family only.

"So how is your project going on Linda?" Vanessa asked her niece.

They all just finished the dinner and are currently having dessert. The Fernandez family consisting of 5 members always made sure to have their dinner together and make time for each. It was Robert's request since he is not getting younger anymore.

"Aunt, it's going well… am almost though too," Linda replied.

"That's good to hear my dear."

Years are passing by and he is aging as well, that's why Robert wants to keep his family together always. He wants to be at ease and assured that they will always be one and support each other every step of the way. Even if he is to leave them anytime from now.

Life is short and no one has any guarantees about how long they will leave. Something is bothering Robert and he wants to inform his children but he made a promise years ago after what happened to not interfere in their lives and allow them to make their own choices in life. Robert always tries hard to stop thinking so it won't affect his heart but he fails all the time.

Robert's only wish right now is to see both his girls settled and happy with a family of their own before he passes.

"Dad, are you feeling alright? Should I call the doctor?" Esmeralda asked her father after seeing how his expression changed.

"Dear, am fine so there is nothing to worry about," Robert assures his daughter.

"I hope you are telling us the truth dad," Linda said. Because even she now realized he doesn't look alright at all.

"I said am fine…. Am perfectly alright so don't worry girls," Robert reassured his worried girls, they are now keeping a close eye on his health since he isn't as young anymore.

"Okay, then Linda and Esmeralda, since your father says he is fine then stop pestering him and allow him to eat all these desserts I make just for him.

"Aunt, it's just dad didn't look alright earlier that's why," Esmeralda protested.

Vanessa shakes her head, these kids, they worry about their father too much, "I know, but we all also too feel uneasy sometimes right? So stop making me feel like the worst sister in here for asking you girls to stop pestering him!"

Esmeralda quickly intervenes, how can her aunt think like that? Linda and her will never think of her like that at all. She saw Robert wasn't alright at all earlier that's why Linda and she were insisting on asking him how he is feeling.

They never meant to hurt her feelings in the process. "Aunt, how can you ever think like that? Please don't because that's not how Linda and I meant to make you feel."

Linda didn't even bother saying anything at all, the woman is been too much, there is nothing to be sensitive about over here.

"Alright, will you all keep quiet and allow me to have my desert in peace now!" no one said anything again after hearing Robert's words. They all quietly enjoy their desert and stop trying to prove anything to one another.

Vanessa gave Esmeralda a look which didn't pass Linda who saw what she did, she is now sure this woman is not the same as she used to be anymore and has changed a lot.

All of Vanessa's actions have been recorded by her all this while. The woman has also been getting closer to her lately more than usual. This also only means something is fishy over here and she must get to the bottom of it.

***

After what happened at the dining table the other day, Linda tried speaking to Vanessa but the woman always has something or the other to say and makes her way out.

Today Linda has hatched a plan in such a way that Vanessa will have no other option but to face her and expose her as long as she is up to nothing good.

Linda is currently on her way to her dear aunt's bedroom, she wants to get over the silly games her aunt has been playing for a while now. It's irking her and more over the fact that the woman is trying to use her all his while is not something good at all. She has to stop Vanessa Fernandez from creating any problems for her.

Linda arrived at Vanessa's door and is about to knock only to start hearing Petro's complaining voice, "Mom, I have been doing all that you say but she is still not falling for me at all…"

"What to do now mom?" she heard Petro complains again.

Who on earth are the mother and son talking about?

It can't possibly be her because all she got when she confessed her love to Petro, was a cruel rejection. He didn't even look merciful when rejecting her at all.

Linda was so disappointed in herself for falling in love with Petro, she never thought he was going to reject her in such a way that he did. He was so cruel while doing so; he didn't even consider her feelings at all and kept saying all those words to her. But despite all that Linda, was thank full for how it all ended. She was hurt but at least it was nothing compared to her sister's pain.

She thanked God; Petro said it all to her face that day. He didn't lie and told her how he feels about her unlike Elias, who lied of been in love with her sister and later broke her heart shamelessly.

Linda was hurt but not like her sister since Petro was honest towards her from the very start no matter how cruel he was.