Chapter 17 Cheesecake

October 29, 2019

Baguio City, Philippines

Thera walked fifteen minutes from Kisses’ neighborhood to the tricycle terminal where she would wait for a cab to arrive and take her back to Sean’s Villa. It was her third attempt to try to see and talk to Kisses. Her second attempt was yesterday. She waited for about thirty minutes outside the latter’s house in hope that someone will come and open the gate for her.

She decided to return today and check again. Her hope rose when an old man in his fifties finally appeared at the front door and opened the squeaky gate for her. She could not recognize the old man but perhaps, he was Kisses’ uncle or grandfather she did not meet yet.

“It was already four years ago when they sold the property to me,” the old man said.

"Do they still come back here in Baguio?" she asked.

“Oh, I'm not sure but probably not anymore. Their youngest daughter got very lucky. I heard she married a rich businessman from Manila and they already settled there.”

Thera felt disappointed and happy at the same time. She was disappointed she was not able to see Kisses yet happy that she is now living a better life. She could still remember how often Kisses complains about how hard and tiring it is to witness her family barely surviving every day while squeezing themselves on her parents’ small cramped home.

They were in high school when they spend the night together at a convenience and agreed to complain how life was so unfair to both of them. That night Joshua prohibited her from going home because he has a guest.

Kisses on the other hand cried her heart out. She was disheartened with the news that her older sister who was her only hope to enter College was pregnant. She was scared she won’t be able to attend college with her once her sister gets married.

But before the morning came they have decided to look for work together to support themselves. Thera was curious if Kisses was able to finish her degree. Did she became a fashion designer just like what she dreamt? And who was the rich man she married?

But all those questions will only be answered once she got her memory back or when she finally meet with her. But they hate each other now, she sighed at the thought.

Thera would do anything to resolve whatever issue they have had over the years. But if Kisses was now staying in Manila, where and how will she find her? It would be difficult now that she could not remember anything.

Sean was her only hope but how would she convince him into helping her find her when in the first place he had no plans on helping her remember?

Thera hailed the first taxi that stopped in front of her.

“Where are we headed, Ma’am?” asked the middle-aged cab driver when she got in the car.

“Take me to Sean and Tan’s,” She replied.

Thera was surprised by her answer but kept her mouth shut anyway. She did not plan on visiting the TeaCaf but the name came out naturally from her lips.

Maybe it won't be an issue for Sean if she goes there. The only thing he clearly forbade was her going back to her home town - specifically to Joshua’s house.

Thera understands that Sean probably knew how his cousin treated him when he was still living in their house before. But it was all in the past now.

And even if it just happened just a few days ago, she was still willing to forget and forgive Joshua for making everything hard for her when they were younger. Joshua was older and perhaps a better person now that he finally has a family. Maybe somehow, he has changed.

That is why despite Sean’s order banning her to come back to Joshua’s house, she planned on visiting him again. Maybe then she could play with her little niece and had a deeper conversation with her cousin’s wife, Wela. Thera believed the two can help supply details about what had happened to her the past twelve years.

Thera focused her gaze outside the taxi’s window. She has been living with Sean for more than two weeks now but not once did he take her to Tea Caf. What she would do there, Thera was not sure. Somehow, she wanted to feel Sean's presence even though she knew she would not find him there.

Sean did not return to the villa for four days and three nights now. She was disappointed he did not even oblige himself to say goodbye to her the day he left. She just found out from the housemaids that he had traveled to Manila for a three days conference.

“We are here, Ma’am,” the taxi driver finally said after more or less ten minutes of driving.

Thera sat straight and quickly took her wallet out of her backpack. She handed a two hundred peso bill and waited for her change. She quickly got out of the car and had a look at the two-story building of Sean and Tan’s Teacaf. It was a modern building built in front of DM University where she used to study with Kisses.

She saw some students walking out from the elegant coffee shop, everyone was holding a cup of coffee, giggling as they crossed the other side of the road.

Thera stepped inside the coffee shop. It was her first time – as far she could remember dining into a place as nice as Sean and Tan’s. She has no money to spare for expensive stuff she’d rather save for her allowance.

The guard stationed at the glass door greeted her when he opened the door for her. His forehead knotted sa if trying to remember where he first saw her.

The warm air inside welcomed her with the coffee smell. Her eyes fixated on the transparent glass cabinet where baked foods were lined up waiting to be bought. From the cookies to the delectable, mouthwatering cakes.

Sean and Tan have an open kitchen-style bar. Hanging above the bar were coffee beans and tea bags. There were paintings and vintage photographs glued to the wall.

Thera walked towards the counter. The girl who was in her early twenties stationed at the cash register was shocked to see her but Thera’s eyes were on the menu she fails to see her face slowly turning pale.

“Can… Can I take your order… Ma’am?” she asked.

“Cappuccino,” She replied. Her smile was extra friendly when she finally realized the girl looked tensed. Perhaps she was new to the job. Or by chance, did she recognize her?

Maybe. She was married for ten years to one of the owners of the coffee shop. Thera handed her the money. The girl stared at it for a while before taking it and grope in the register.

“Thank you,” she said when she took her change.

Thera walked to the corner of the café. She occupied the seat for two where she could see DM University that served as her view.

Déjà vu. Thera felt like it was not the first time she sat there and drunk coffee. She waited for a few minutes before her order arrived. The waiter placed her order on top of her table but she was surprised to see a slice of cheesecake with it.

“I did not order cheesecake…”

"That's what you often have every time you come here, Thera,"

Thera’s gaze transferred from the cake to the waiter. He was not wearing a uniform, she noticed.

“Miguel. I am Miguel and I am Sean’s friend. I also run the coffee shop,” he said, smiling.

Thera’s face lit up. She stood up and extended her hand in front of the man for a handshake. The man got an amazed and confused look on his face but took her hand anyway.

This man knew her, Thera suddenly felt excited. She could probably get some information about herself from him. She opened her mouth to ask him a series of questions but he quickly apologized and said he has some things to take care of inside.

Confused and disappointed Thera went back to her seat. She stared at the cheesecake in front of her. Miguel said it was his favorite, she didn't remember though – all she knew was that it was her first time eating it.

She shrugged her shoulders as she reached for the cup of hot coffee. She clasped her palms there, it warmed her hands. She wondered if she also like cappuccino.

Thera decided to wait for Miguel to come out again. She took her time finishing her cake and coffee but his office door remained tightly shut, Thera smiled bitterly. Miguel seems to have no intention of going out.

Thera conceded. She decided to use the restroom first before returning to the villa. She was about to go out of the restroom when she heard a voice outside mentioning her name. She could her two different woman voices.

She didn't want to eavesdrop but curiosity was killing her. She opened the door slightly and listened to the conversation.

“Sir Sean's wife really persistent. She even traveled alone today riding a taxi. I wonder what happened to her driver and personal assistant. Do you think she fired them?”

Thera’s forehead knotted. They know nothing about her amnesia? But she was sure Miguel knew about her losing her memories. If not, why did he introduce himself to her earlier?

“Is she really not working in The Palace that she could still find time to visit us? Manila is almost four hours drive to Baguio, gosh. Does she not get tired of running the hotel that she still wants to interfere with the twin's business?”

Thera swallowed hard. A hint of sadness crossed her eyes.

“I thought I would pee in my panties when she approached me at the counter earlier. You see, I still have the trauma up to this day. ”

“It turned out well when you accepted her payment. Was it three years ago, when she threatened on making you eat her one thousand pesos?"

Thera’s grip tightened on the doorknob involuntarily. Did she… really do that?

“I’m still having goosebumps every time I remember that. I could not sleep for weeks because I was humiliated…”

Slowly, Thera opened the door. Two pairs of surprised, scared eyes fixated on her.

Thera cleared her throat, smiled apologetically at the woman who had assisted her earlier at the counter.

Her throat tightened as she spoke. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

“DID she say anything or asked anything aside from what happened between you and her before?” Sean asked.

He was inside his office with Miguel and Girlie, the waitress slash cashier whom Thera had a fight with a few years ago.

He was already in Baguio City when he received a call from Miguel informing him about Thera’s sudden visit at the TeaCaf.

He drove the car faster when after few minutes he called again telling him that Thera was having a serious conversation with Girlie inside the restroom.

Sean went straight to the Tea Caf instead of coming back to his Villa. Thera was no longer there when he arrived.

“She did not ask anything, Sir. She just politely asked me why she did that to me then. After that, she told me to went on my way first... She stayed inside the restroom and locked herself for a few minutes.”

Sean found out that Thera has been leaving the house for several days since he left Baguio. He had an idea where she was going to, though. To Kisses’family’s former house. Her curiosity about her past led her to ask questions to almost everyone who knows her. She could not wait any longer for her memories to return.

“Sir, is Ma’am Thera sick? She doesn't really seem to remember what happened then. I don’t think she’s faking it."

Miguel cleared his throat “Go back to the counter, Girlie. Thank you.”

But the cashier did not move an inch. She continued looking at Sean.

"Do you have anything more to say?" Sean asked.

“Sir, can you tell her to just forget what happened before? I felt bad for her. She apologized to me but I did not expect her to do that, so I was not able to answer her right away. ”

Sean did not know how to feel. But her heart went out to his wife. Thera apologized, it was a first after five years.

“I’m very sorry I made her cry.”

Sean slid his hand on his pocket and sighed. “She cried?”

When was the last time he saw her shed a tear? It has been five years ago one stormy night in Baguio. A bitter smile formed her lips.

“Becky and I heard her sobbing inside the restroom. She finished an entire roll of tissue paper and went out with swollen eyes and red nose a few minutes later.”

Sean massage his forehead when Girlie took her leave.

He no longer knew what to do. Now that he could see Thera and she was closer to him, he could feel her pain that if only he could ask God to not let her remember anything, he would - if that was the only way to stop her from getting hurt more.

“It's for the better if you don't distance yourself from Thera, Sean. She needs you more now. Don’t let your past mistake happen again. ” said Miguel who couldn't bear to see the pain and remorse in his eyes.

Those were the emotions Sean has been trying to hide from Thera since time immemorial.

Sean had a meal with his mother last night. His parents arrived earlier in the Philippines than he expected. They wanted to meet with Thera but he begged them not to. Things were already hard for her and Sean had been feeding her a few lies to save her from hurting.

Miguel and his mother, Charry said almost the same thing. They want him to start over again with his wife and correct the mistakes he has done in the past.

"Are you still avoiding your wife, Sean?” Sean remembered his mother asking him that. She sounded a bit annoyed and disappointed he did not want to answer her to prevent her from feeling worse. “Instead of staying away from Thera why don’t you use your time to get close to her again? You’ve been intentionally staying late at night at the Café to avoid her.”

“I want my marriage with her annulled. I don’t have any plans to reconcile with her.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have any feelings for her. I’m not buying it.”

‘Ma…”

“Why did you take her in then?” she asked. “You could have brought her back to our Mansion in Quezon City, hire a nurse and doctor that would take care of her but you chose to bring her in Baguio to make sure she won’t get hurt. You love her, you fool. You’re just too guilt-stricken you’re confused.”

Confused? Nah, Since the first time he laid his eyes on her, even until that very moment Sean could never confuse the feeling he had for Thera with other emotions...

But he had done enough damage. The pain he caused her was way too deep and much. His greed and foolishness changed her into someone she was not. He made her lose something any woman would not even think of losing.

He cut her open and the wound was too deep. He won’t be able to cure those wounds no matter how many times he dies and lives again. Sean was at fault and he had to take full responsibility. That was the least she could do for Thera.

Sean leaned back in the swivel chair, he suddenly felt restless. He looked up and stared at the white ceiling. The pain in his heart was too much to bear but it would pale in comparison to Thera’s anguish.

He deliberately ignored that pain ten years ago believing it won’t last long. He became the biggest bastard who still had the audacity to live after causing an innocent girl like Thera pain and suffering.

Sean smiled bitterly. He would still insist on having Thera with him until she remembers everything. He would keep her by his side until he could convince her to sign the annulment papers that would free them both from each other.

A chance with Thera while she could not remember anything? How could he ask her to trust him a little today and hate him the next day? He didn't have the right to do just that.

He loved her. He did not stop even for a minute. But for Sean, he’d rather die hiding his true feelings than make Thera fall for the same man who ruined her entire being.