Chapter 27

FLASHBACK] 15 YEARS AGO

Young Oliver happily watched his mother stitch letters onto a handkerchief.

"Why doesn't this handkerchief have my complete name?"

His mother took the handkerchief with the stitched letters CH.OL.CA and handed it to him.

"Your father stitched this. He's not very skilled, that's why the letters are incomplete."

"Does my father's last name start with CA?"

His mother didn't answer, focusing instead on her work.

"Is he a good man?"

At that moment, his mother dropped the thread she was holding. She smiled faintly and stroked Oliver's cheek.

"Of course, you two look so much alike."

"If he's a good man, why did he leave us?"

His mother paused, taken aback by his question.

"Everything has a reason. When you grow up, you'll understand. I hope fate allows you two to meet."

"I'll look for him. I'll also show him this handkerchief so he'll know I'm his child." Her mother smiled faintly.

He happily looked at the stitches on the handkerchief made by her father.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"Do you have any more questions?" Anya asked.

Anya couldn't really understand Christian anymore. If it weren't for her mission, she wouldn't have stayed here.

Oliver didn't respond, but Anya saw the sadness in his eyes.

"None." She thought he would leave, but instead, he sat down to eat.

Anya felt nervous as Christian took some of the pinakbet (a Filipino vegetable dish) she cooked. He didn't take much, but before eating, he glanced at her.

Anya secretly smiled when Christian took a bite of the pinakbet.

"Can I ask again?" Christian asked, pausing for a moment.

Anya stopped eating, curious. "You can ask. What is it?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Christian spoke.

"The boy you mentioned who gave you the handkerchief..." Christian paused, while Anya is waiting for Christian to say next "Was he a good kid?"

Anya finished chewing her food and took a sip of water. "Yes, he was super strong. I remember how he took care of his sibling. But the world was really cruel to those two siblings. I hope I get to see him again so I can return the handkerchief. And I hope he's found his sibling."

"What if you've already met him, but you just didn't know it was him?" Christian asked.

Anya was taken aback by the question. "Yeah, right, maybe we did meet. But we wouldn't have recognized each other, and it's been a long time. But there's no harm in hoping, right?"

Christian secretly smiled at Anya's response. "Do you want to come with me?"

Anya was surprised by the question. "Where?"

Christian stood up and offered his hand to Anya. Even though she didn't know where they were going, she accepted his hand.

They walked hand in hand out of the house. They even met Glaiza, who had a huge smile on her face when she saw them holding hands. Once they were out of the subdivision, Anya thought they would get into Christian's car, but that didn't happen. Christian even made a call on his cellphone using his right hand, without letting go of Anya's hand.

Their walk took about twenty minutes until they reached the beach. Anya noticed that there were houses built on the water itself, and kids were playing and chasing each other in front. She couldn't help but tear up while watching the kids. She quickly wiped away her tears, not wanting Christian to see her crying.

She had experienced all the hardships of being a poor child. They walked closer to the beach. The kids immediately recognized Christian and greeted him.

"Who's the girl with you? Is she your girlfriend?" a young girl asked. Her face was dirty, and her clothes looked old.

"No, but she's going to be my wife soon," Christian replied.

Anya felt a strange flutter in her chest when Christian said that.

"Have you eaten yet?" Christian asked the kids.

The kids smiled when Christian asked.

"Don't worry, your big brother Bryce is coming, and he's bringing a lot of food," Christian said.

The kids' faces lit up, and some of them started jumping up and down.

"Yes!" they cheered.

Christian and Anya sat down on the side, watching the kids play.

"How long have you been visiting them?" Anya asked.

"It's been a while... When I have time, I give them food. Their parents are still around, but it's not enough for them to eat properly. Sometimes, I also give their parents jobs, but not everyone can be helped. Another problem is their stupid parents who just waste their money on nonsense stuff."

After a few minutes, Bryce arrived with large paper bags filled with food for the kids. Christian and Anya stood up to help Bryce. At that moment, their hands separated.

The kids were overjoyed as they received their food. After they finished distributing the food, they sat back down.

"Sorry again for saying you don't value things," Anya said. "I know I was judgmental. I was just carried away by my anger back then."

"No, it's okay, it's my fault too, I yelled at you," Christian replied.

Anya took out the handkerchief from her pocket and looked at it. When Christian saw it, a hint of pain appeared in his eyes.

"What do you think these letters mean?" Christian asked, looking at the handkerchief.

Bryce sat down beside them and glanced at the handkerchief. "Wow, it has stitches just like Oliver's handkerchief."

Christian gave Bryce a meaningful look and signaled him to be quiet. Bryce immediately stopped talking.

"Really? You have something like this with a stitched name?" Anya asked.

"Yeah, my mother made it," Christian replied.

"Can I see it?"

"No, I didn't bring it," Christian replied. He stood up and got into the vehicle that Bryce brought. Anya was surprised by his actions.

Only Anya and Bryce said goodbye to the kids before leaving. "What's wrong with your boss?" Anya asked Bryce.

"That's just how he is when he wants to be babied. Just pamper him, Anya," Bryce replied.

Anya gave him a stern look. Bryce just laughed and got into the vehicle.

During the trip, Christian had his eyes closed, while Bryce drove. Just as they arrived, a heavy downpour started, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

They were greeted by other maids holding umbrellas. When they entered the house, Anya was surprised to see Christian immediately go up to the second floor. He looked like he was going to sleep.

"What's wrong with that guy? I really can't understand his behavior. He's okay one moment, then suddenly he's in a bad mood," Anya thought to herself, puzzled.

"It's unfortunate that it's raining. By the way, Anya, can you check on Oliver?" Bryce asked.

"Why?" Anya asked curiously.

"He has trauma when it rains heavily with thunder and lightning," Bryce replied.

Bryce didn't explain why Oliver had trauma, and Anya didn't ask. She simply nodded.