Chapter Six

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"This just in: The mine which belongs to Gem and Diamond Corporation has collapsed, trapping some of the miners in it. Experts haven't confirmed if the miners ate dead or alive..." The newscaster on the news channel said.

Pilar paced up and down in the living room, calling her husband but he didn't answer. Alejandra was in the Judy's room, comforting her sister who seemed to be sad about the mine.

"It's all right,Judy. Dad will be fine." Alejandra said hopefully as she held her while stroking her hair. 

She managed to keep her sister calm but she wasn't calm herself. She was worried about her father's safety. She didn't want to believe that her father was dead like the news announced he was. Judy fell asleep and Alejandra went to the living room. Pilar had taken the news hard and was restless. 

Her husband was trapped in the mine and it was pouring. She turned to her side and saw Alejandra,who was standing close to the light switch with her arms folded and pretended to calm. Pilar wore a fake smile and approached Alejandra.

"Any news yet?" Alejandra asked worriedly.

"Not really! I've been calling his number but he isn't answering. But don't worry, your dad will be fine." Pilar assured.

Alejandra didn't believe her. She knew everything was in chaos and Pilar was only getting her hopes up. Alejandra knew perfectly the tactic her mother was using on her. She wasn't a child anymore to be fooled easily.

It kept pouring throughout that day. Pilar got impatient of waiting for her husband and wore her coat on. Alejandra did the same and took an umbrella with her and they left the flat. They went to the company where her father worked. There were people who crowded the entrance of Gem and Diamond Corporation. Journalist were present at the scene, holding their microphones in the hands, notepads,tape recorder and some were accompanied by their cameramen. 

As soon as the front door of the building opened,flashes from cameras went on and off,the journalists hurried with their microphones and recorder towards Mr Roman Gracia,the CEO of the company. His bodyguards shielded him from the curious journalists.

"Mr Roman Gracia,what do you have to say about the workers who are trapped in the mine?" A journalist asked. 

Her microphone had the logo of her news channel (Channel 5) on it.

"Mr Gracia,has the families of the victims being contacted?" Another asked.

Mr Gracia cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.

"Gem and Diamond Corporation has witnessed one of its worst tragedy since its establishment. The lives of our workers have been jeopardize by the unfortunate circumstances. On behalf of the company,we will gladly compensate the families for their loss. That will be all! Thank you!" Mr Gracia said, walking through the crowd to his car. 

"But Mr Gracia,-?"

"Mr Gracia,I have a question ask you." A journalist said, trying to get close to him.

His bodyguards walked beside him, pushing away the journalists. One of them had turned on the umbrella and held it up. Another guard was standing next to the car and opened the backseat door for him. Mr Gracia entered and the guard closed the door immediately. 

Pilar couldn't control her feelings anymore. She didn't want to believe what Mr Gracia had said. She walked over to his car but the bodyguards blocked her. Mr Gracia signalled them and they allowed to walk through.

"If you're here for the compensation, come tomorrow or leave your address with my secretary." Mr Gracia said plainly, concerned about the affairs of his company than his employees.

His company had made a huge loss because of the mine that collapsed.

"I'm not here because of the money. I'm here because-." Pilar said but was interrupted.

"I don't have time to listen to anyone right now. If you want to talk to me,book an appointment." He said coldly.

"I actually came because of my husband. He is one of the employees of your company." Pilar said, making her intentions known.

"Look ma'am, there are no survivors from the collapsed mine. And if they were, they would probably die of suffocation and injures. Like I said earlier, come tomorrow for your compensation, okay?" Mr Gracia replied.

The bodyguard made her to leave but Pilar was persistent. Mr Gracia wound down the window a bit at the top and stuck a paper out. It was a cheque which he addressed to Pilar.

"I don't want your money. I want my husband. He worked all his life for your company and this is how you repay him. You and your goddamn company can burn in the abyss for all I care. What I want is for you to give me back my husband back." Pilar said tearfully.

She tore up the cheque he had given her and threw the pieces in the air. Mr Gracia glared at her as she tore the cheque. He wound up the window.

"Start the car!" Mr Gracia said to his driver.

When the ignition was turned on,Pilar tried to get closer to the car again but the bodyguards pushed her and she fell on the ground. Alejandra rushed to help her mother and threw away the umbrella she was holding. She helped Pilar to stand on her feet and looked car as it drove off.

Journalist swamped around Pilar and her daughter, taking photos of them and demanding answers for their questions. Alejandra managed to pull her mother away from them walked away from the office building. Later that day,her father was brought out of the mine and was confirmed dead by the medical personnels at the spot. 

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Alejandra sighed after thinking about her father's death. She held on to the letter with a lost gaze. Judy entered the living room all dressed up for school and saw her seated at the table. She walked towards and furrowed her brow. Alejandra noticed her presence and folded the letter.

"Are you okay? You seem kind of lost." Judy said curiously.

"I'm fine!" Alejandra said convincingly, putting the envelope back in the letter.

"I'm off to school. I have an important exam today and I hope it goes well. I spent hours reading and preparing for this exam last night. I pray I pass this semester." Just said as put her notebook in her backpack.

"Don't worry! If you forget to the answer to a question, just tell the lecturer that the question he asked was too hard." Alejandra said, pretending to be happy.

"Then he will definitely fail me for sure." Judy chuckled and zipped her bag.

She wore one of the straps on her shoulder and let the other dangle in the air. 

"Bye!" Judy said as she headed for the door.

She turned the handle and left the door. Alejandra stood up and went to her room. She discarded the other letters in her drawer and kept the other in her handbag. She decided to go to the company herself. She went to the bathroom and freshened up. 

She got dressed and left her room, holding the strap of her handbag. She wore the strap over her shoulder in the corridor. She was walking pass Pilar's room and stopped. 

A part of her wanted to her mother about the letter and the other felt otherwise. She hesitated and tried to leave but she couldn't. She held on the handle,took a deep breath and opened the door. Pilar sat in front of her dressing table, facing the mirror and brushed her hair with a hairbrush. 

"I thought you had gone to work already." Pilar said, looking at her from the mirror.

"I am but-." Alejandra paused.

She looked at her mother who was seated comfortable at on the stool and brushing her hair. Alejandra rethought her plans on telling her and kept it to herself.

"I just wanted to know how you're doing." Alejandra said convincingly.

"I'm fine and you should be too. You better start going otherwise you'll be late for work." Pilar said and dropped the hairbrush on the table. 

Alejandra saw the smile on her face from the mirror. She nodded and left the room. She didn't want to remind her of the tragedy. She thought it would be best if she doesn't disclose about the letter to anyone. She left the flat and went to the lift. 

She soon arrived at the lobby and walked to the door. She walked through it and left the building. She looked up in sky and saw it was clear as a crystal. There were no clouds in sight either. Just the sun in the big blue sky. She stood close to the pavement.

"Taxi!" Alejandra called, waving down the taxi driving towards her.

The taxi stopped and she got in.

"Where to ma'am?" The taxi driver said, turning the dial on the radio.

"Gem and Diamond Corporation!" Alejandra said flatly.