Chapter 13
1425 Words
Two weeks passed quickly, and Izzy suddenly realized that her mother was finally being discharged from the hospital.
She still wasn't completely healed, but even a little improvement was better than before the operation.
A wide smile spread across Izzy’s lips as she approached her mother, who was now able to sit up.
“Did you pack up all our things, dear?”
“I’m all done, Mom. We’re just waiting for Uncle to return, then we’ll be leaving soon.”
She answered cheerfully while adjusting the shawl her mother was wearing.
“That’s good. I really just want to go home… Oh, by the way, dear, have you called Sir Santiago again? When he visited, I told him I’d let him know as soon as we were discharged.”
Izzy grimaced at her mother’s question, unsure of how to respond, so she forced a smile.
Besides not knowing whether she should even call the man, the last time she saw Seth was the day he visited the hospital. That was also the last time she heard anything about him.
Izzy wanted to believe it was better that Seth Santiago had stopped reaching out, yet for some reason, she couldn’t help but feel sad. He was the only one who had shown interest in her, and then—just like that—he disappeared without a trace.
Izzy exhaled heavily at the thought.
It’s better not to hear from him at all… but would it really be so bad if I called him first?
She silently asked herself before shifting her attention back to her mother.
“I-I haven’t called him yet, Mom, but don’t worry, as soon as we get home, I’ll reload my phone and call him.”
“Yes, we wouldn’t want to seem ungrateful. He might think we just forgot about him after everything he did for us.”
That help wasn’t free, Mom… One day, Seth Santiago will come to collect his dues. The thought of how I’ll pay him back is terrifying, especially since it’s not money he wants. But I have no choice…
Izzy wanted to say those words out loud, but she couldn’t. Especially since not only her mother but also her uncle completely believed her lie—a lie that Seth Santiago himself had chosen to go along with when he visited.
“Hi… Who’s ready to leave?”
Both Izzy and her mother turned toward the door as her best friend, Carl, suddenly walked in.
“Well, well… You look extra fresh today, even wearing a suit. What’s the occasion? Don’t tell me you got all dressed up just to pick us up and take us home, ‘cause I won’t believe it…”
She teased, grinning when Carl frowned.
“I just got here, and you’re already messing with me. Aunt Hilda, your daughter seriously needs more sleep.”
Carl pouted as he turned to Izzy’s mother. Izzy’s grin only widened when even her mother commented on his outfit.
“It’s nothing. I just had to join a family gathering—my uncle’s in town. We were supposed to meet last month, but he didn’t even tell us he was already in the Philippines until now.”
Carl shook his head.
“Oh well, I’m happy you’re finally meeting him. Looks like your uncle is already outside, Izzy. We can go home now.”
“I’ll drive you home, Aunt Hilda.”
Carl said happily, but before he could do anything, Izzy quickly hugged him tightly.
“Thanks a lot for everything, best friend.”
As soon as they stepped out of Carl’s fancy car, a few neighbors rushed over to greet them. They had also been worried about Izzy’s mother.
One of them was Izzy’s flamboyant friend, who was dressed more extravagantly than she was. Izzy burst into laughter upon seeing his outfit. With his flashy spaghetti-strap top and shorts that barely covered anything, plus all the accessories, he looked over-the-top as always.
“Pating! What in the world are you wearing? Is there a parade today? It’s so early!”
She greeted him teasingly as he grabbed her bag from her hands.
“Ayy! What Pating? I am Patty! And no, I don’t need a parade to dress fabulously. Come on, this neighborhood is already so dull—shouldn’t we at least add some beauty to it?”
He said dramatically, making Izzy grimace.
“Mother… How are you? I heard you had surgery. That’s great! Now you can join me in beauty pageants in the next village. If I bring you along, we’ll win for sure!”
Patty’s high-pitched voice was full of enthusiasm, making Izzy’s mother shake her head in amusement.
“Oh, Pating, you’re even dragging Aunt Hilda into your pageants… She still needs to recover.”
“Oh, come on, Mang Pedring! Look at me—I look gorgeous! So feminine! And you still call me Pating? I told you, I am Patty!”
Patty huffed dramatically, then suddenly beamed when Carl stepped out of the car.
“Ayy! You didn’t tell me the future prince of Barrio Sais was with you! Hi, Papa Carl…”
Patty flirted shamelessly, even flicking back his nonexistent long hair.
Izzy couldn’t help but laugh loudly when she saw the look Carl gave her. He looked like he was begging for help, especially when Patty suddenly wrapped his arms around Carl’s waist.
“Help…”
Carl whispered, pouting when Izzy just grinned at him.
“Get him off me…”
He pleaded again, but Izzy only smirked and shook her head.
“Pating…”
Her mother finally called out to their friend. Patty dramatically rolled his eyes.
“Oh fine, Patty,” Izzy’s mother corrected herself. “Leave Carl alone. It’s obvious he’s not interested.”
“Wow, Mother, that hurts! And who do you think he’s interested in? Your precious daughter, Izzy? I am way prettier than her, you know!”
Patty pouted playfully before glaring at Izzy, who was trying to pull him away from Carl.
“Fine, fine, we all know you’re prettier than me. But for now, let Carl go—he has somewhere to be. Why don’t you just keep Mom company so she can rest at home?”
Izzy said, still laughing.
“Well, I suppose… But we’re not going straight home! The neighbors threw a little party to welcome Aunt Hilda back. We all pitched in to make sure she’d have a happy homecoming.”
Patty announced proudly, swaying his hips dramatically as he led Izzy’s mother toward the gathering.
“Thanks for the ride, and sorry about Patty. You know how obsessed he is with you…”
Izzy said after a while, smiling at Carl.
Carl just ruffled her hair and replied, “It’s nothing. You know you and your family are like family to me, Izzy. I’ll always protect what’s important to you.”
“Ugh, you sound so dramatic. But seriously, thank you, Carl. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“If I weren’t around, you probably wouldn’t have had a chance to rest at all. Honestly, I think it was a blessing in disguise that your mom stayed in the hospital a bit longer. At least you got to recover too. I’m really glad she had the surgery—I just hope she fully recovers soon. And… I hope that, out of all the people you know, you’ll at least tell me where you got the money for it. I don’t mean to pry, I know it’s not my business… but I’m worried, Izzy.”
Carl’s voice was gentle but firm. Izzy forced a smile and shook her head.
“I just… I can’t talk about it right now. I don’t want you to worry. I swear there’s nothing to be concerned about. For now, all that matters is that Mom will get better… Can we not talk about this yet, please?”
She looked at him pleadingly. Carl sighed before rolling his eyes.
“Fine…”
“There’s a party for Mom—wanna join?”
“I’d love to, but my parents are waiting for me. I’ll make it up to you next time, promise.”
Carl smiled warmly before giving Izzy a tight hug and heading back to his car.
Even after Carl had left, Izzy remained standing there, lost in thought.
A few minutes later, a text message made her heart race.
She hadn’t heard from him in two weeks.
Meet me later tonight…
- Writer
