Do Me A Favor

Prince couldn't answer. He's alert about the voice recognition, and something might slip off his mouth that'll make Bryce angry. Aria will repeat it, and it'll cause a spark inside their plan. It will lead to any conflicting emotions that Bryce and Prince can recall.

There's no due in their execution, but their time was running out. What if one day, someone got to state where Aria De Leon is residing, and Prince had to receive his punishment at the same time? It must be one of the headaches that everyone will suffer from.

With Prince and Aria getting along to raise the bars and finally fit the missing pieces in a puzzle, Bryce was there to listen to Aria's words every moment because he longed for her. Not only did Prince had to develop a crucial point for them to overturn Aria's killing, but he's giving a bridge to let Bryce know what happen to Aria after he cut her loose.

He said it's important, but today, he must have realized it's insignificant.

"I kept on remembering how much he slapped me that time. I was too excited to confess that I'm pregnant. Hugging her on the middle of an exhausted day was something I live up with. I never wanted to have anything else but his hug. But he's…"

Aria broke out once again. She hissed, covering her mouth with the back of her hand, turning in another direction, and knew that if she cry, she'd be embarrassed. Not only did Prince have the time to listen to all her problems, he's a stranger, too. Someone who would never understand what kind of pain he's going through.

Aria puffed her cheeks, wiping away the tears repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Prince. You should have dinner now, not listening to my rants about my life. After all, you don't care. So how…" Aria changed her expression to something happy. Even though it's hard to hide the grimace, she still did it. Aria stacked the saucers on top of one another and took a roll of foil from the side while Prince watched her on the other end. Aria sighed, looking at Prince's silence as a good sign to end the conversation, and she did so.

He wanted to talk more, but Aria must have cut off the midst of her drama.

Aria turned around and put the platters down the sink while uttering, "Go to the dining table, Mr. Gomez. I know you're hungry, and cookies aren't enough to suppress your hunger. So go there. I can take care from here."

...

Bryce listened to all the recordings he saved before going to bed.

"Bryce had done so many things to me. I was at my happiest when I'm with him. He introduced me to the life that I never known before. Prince, I even slept with him, even though we're not wedded."

Bryce pulled his shirt on. He sniffed, straightening his shirt, before falling down the bed.

"We even have a baby living inside my womb, and I so, so, wanted us to be a happy family. But I don't even know the reason why he had to kill me like that. Probably I was just not enough?"

He propped his hands on his knees, nodding, and convincing himself this is good. A better sign to see since Bryce had the knack to listen to her words just for the sake of seeing if she's transparent. He had to do it… like how Prince was doing…

"Look at me, Prince. Was I not enough for his love? Or was I enough to be his punching bag?"

Bryce closed his eyes, and let the tears fall. He didn't dare to stop the recording. Bryce let his heart shatter into million pieces as Aria questioned her worth. She's pregnant, but Bryce will kill her if she isn't. He is just…

… guilty because there's another person living inside her.

"I kept on remembering how much he slapped me that time. I was too excited to confess that I'm pregnant. Hugging her on the middle of an exhausted day was something I live up with. I never wanted to have anything else but his hug. But he's…"

It made Bryce sob. With Aria's words of regret, he couldn't help but to feel it, too. Bryce would never have done it if his father didn't ask so. He's just pushed to the limit, letting Nathan Fajardo take over his mind, conditioning it to something they like. If only Bryce knew he'd hurt Aria badly, to the woman he truly loves, to the woman who doesn't seem to let go of their past and continue with her life.

He'd be gladly get convicted by no other than her.

Bryce buried his eyes on his palms as he wept. It's enough to drown out the words from his cell phone.

…

To: Prince

From: Bryce

'Let Aria push the charges. You have half a year to gather the evidences. Pretend there's something.'

Prince tapped the side of his cell phone as he leaned his head back on the board. He's getting ready to sleep, and all the lights are out, except for the lamp on the side table from which he left turned on until the morning.

What was going on with Bryce? Why did he have to let Aria push the charges?

To: Bryce

From: Prince

'You'll get convicted, and it will be aired on the national television. Do you want for Aria to find out who we are and where did she come from?'

This might be the biggest leap of their plan. As everyone have known about Prince Gomez being the son of the then-corrupt official and legal adviser, Ian Gomez, as well as Bryce Fajardo as the son of the former Chief Justice, Aria De Leon's identity wouldn't come off as a surprise.

What's astonishing was the fact Lara hid her so well. With the news breaking out about Avery De Leon's death, speculations about her twin sister should have come off publicly now. But no, there's no single thing about it.

Prince only knew Tin Malahan and Lara De Leon were behind those schemes. They're not a joke, too. Both of those women have the guts to compel with Prince and Bryce.

To: Prince

From: Bryce

'This might be the solution, Prince. See, you can get a tangle of wrong and right answers. We have an appeal coming for our fathers, and you gather evidences to my conviction, which will stand out well with Aria, stirring her emotions on.

With the ongoing appeal, you're getting ready for my trial.

Then, our biggest move will be the hearing. Why? Everyone will find out Lara De Leon's another daughter, and this will favor us on the appeal.'

As soon as Prince read his explanation, it made sense. With the appeal they have for Ian Gomez and Nathan Fajardo, they had to bring out Lara into the limelight. Once again, the evidences of they have fabricated should resurface to.

Prince got afraid for a while, but then, they couldn't destroy it as the case has been closed.

All of the evidences should remain intact or the judge will be suspicious.

To: Bryce

From: Prince

'This trial revolving around Aria might be our tool to win the appeal. I get what you're pointing out. Still, we didn't know what would happen. We have to prevent of what's to come in order for it to be organized.'

To: Prince

From: Bryce

'You are strongly be a candidate of sue warrant, too. Hiding Aria might be a good move, but… Prince you have to be careful about Tin and Lara's mouth.'

It's the disadvantage of doing the unnecessary turn without a plan.

Before Prince can compose a reply, someone knocked at his door. It was soft, but enough to be heard.