TARA

Don Juan Miguel  was changing his clothes with the help of their houseboy Elmer. Today, Tara will be checking out from the hospital, and he must accompany them, along with her aunt Tita and Beth. He has a vacation house in Tabuelan, Cebu, in the northern part, and it's a beach house. Their family rarely goes there, in fact, Sara has been telling him to sell it. He could not do so because it's his first house bought with his own money and hard work. It holds sentimental value for him. He also feels sorry for the caretaker husband and wife, Lando and Daday, who have spent most of their lives there, efficiently taking care of the house. He wanted to give this house to Tara; he believes the place is good for her health and well-being. Aldo disapproves of him going with Tara because it's a long drive, and Juan Miguel might get very tired. But he insists, saying he needs this to find more strength, especially when he sees Tara happy, well, and safe.

"Where are you headed? You seem to be going somewhere," Juan Miguel looked at Sara, who was now in his room looking at him and Elmer.

He answered, "Elmer and I just wanted to go out and chill outside. Right, Elmer?"

Sara scrutinized him, "Yesterday you were also out and came home late. Where were you?" Sara inquired.

Juan Miguel just chuckled.

"Seems like there have been some changes in you lately. You appear very happy and not tired anymore. Why is that?" Sara persisted as Elmer assisted in settling Juan Miguel in his wheelchair, even though Juan Miguel typically did it alone as part of his exercise routine. His wheelchair was remote-controlled, making it easier for him to move around.

"Sara, we need to go. I realized that life is too short to stay stuck in bed, alone, and constantly tired. I need to get out once in a while to connect with friends, nature, and others. Is that too much to ask?"

Sara's eyebrows quivered as she replied, "That should be fine as long as you don't cause any additional trouble. Do you want me to go with you?"

Juan Miguel maneuvered his wheelchair using the remote and replied, "No, you don't have to. Let's go, Elmer!"

Elmer brought Juan Miguel to the parking area where his car was parked. His driver Tudjo was waiting for them, and they settled Juan Miguel into the back seat of their latest black Grandia Van.

As they drove off, Juan Miguel called Aldo, "I'll accompany Tara to the house, and you go with Jin today; he needs you. He is not in good shape, so take care of him. Thank you, Aldo. Elmer is with me, and I'll keep you updated about my whereabouts.

.....

Meanwhile, Tara is now eager to leave the hospital. Her dad informed her that she, along with her Aunt Tita and Beth, will be staying at his beach house in the north of Cebu. She is very excited as she has always dreamed of going to the beach since she was a child. Her classmates used to talk about going to the beach, but she couldn't go due to lack of money. Now, she will be staying there for a while until she fully recovers, according to her dad. "Dad"... such a beautiful word that she never imagined using in her life. "Thank you, Lord, for making me happy and whole again, knowing that I have a family." Beth has already resigned from her job, and Dad offered her the opportunity to go back to school if she wanted to finish a degree for herself. Aunt Tita will be with me, and Dad said he would give her a monthly allowance as well. Today, I hope to talk more with Dad and get to know him better. He also seems ill, as he is in a wheelchair, and I wanted to ask him about his health. The only thing lacking to complete her happiness is Jin. Tito Aldo told me to forget about Jin for a while and that he would handle everything concerning him. He said that for now, for everybody's safety and peace, she and Jin should not see each other for a while. The time will come, maybe when she is already willing and everything is settled, they will let Tara decide for herself if she wants to see Jin or not.

Tara was actually planning to distance herself from Jin and leave him after all the treatment because she felt she was not deserving of him, especially when everything is a mess with her and his family, especially his mom, and also with Michelle.

How can she forget when Michelle finds out where she lives and everything she did and said to me that time? I was happily watching television when the doorbell rang, and I heard a commotion between Beth and a woman's voice. When I turned my head to look, a very sophisticated girl dressed in a business attire suit in pink, filled with fury in her eyes, stood before me. Her face couldn't deny how beautiful and rich she was. Behind her, Beth was asking her to leave, but she entered without permission. I looked at Beth to gauge her reaction. The lady stood there, looking at me straight in the eyes, her hands folded into her stomach. "So you are Tara?"

Tara stood from the sofa and looked around before bowing slightly, saying, "Yes, Ma'am."

The girl then said, "So, obviously, you don't know me." She looked at me from head to toe and added, "Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror?"

Beth interrupted, "Ma'am, please..."

Michelle turned to Beth, saying, "I'm not talking to you, get out of my face before I lose my temper with you," with bold eyes, then back to Tara. "Let me get straight to the point and not waste our time. I am Michelle Sotto, the director of Imperial Company and the fiancée of Dr. Jin Alvarez. So, I'm telling you to stop tempting my fiancé with your bald-faced audacity. Do you really think Jin would fall for you? Wake up, you fool! I know all about your shady past, how your former boss was victimized by you, and how he's still supporting you. Wow, you're a piece of work—you have two benefactors. Is having cancer your business model?"

Tara stared at her, unmoving, absorbing every word without shedding a tear. She remembered Jin's words, to not let anyone trample over her and to stand up if she's innocent.

"Hey, you moron, talk to me! Or are you mute and deaf, too? Haha, the nerve to attempt to steal my fiancé!"

Tara replied softly and calmly, "I believe, Ma'am, that you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm not anyone's mistress. Dr. Jin offered to help me with my treatment, that's all."

Michelle approached Tara and slapped her instantly. "Do you expect me to believe that? The mere fact that you're staying in his condo is a sin, and you are guilty. Get out of here before I contact Jin’s mother and have you dragged out this instant. Do you understand? Leave our sight now, or you'll regret it."
And with that, she was out of the condo, leaving me on the floor crying. When Jin arrived at the condo after Beth called him, they were already packed and ready to leave.

"Tara, your dad is already here." Tara wiped away her tears and put on a smile so her father wouldn't see her pain.