Chapter 31 Lost

Thera had been awake for the last few minutes but decided to lay down on the bed for a little bit. Her head was throbbing for crying overnight. When her digital clock reached six twenty-six, she finally got up from bed, avoided looking at the other side of the bed.

She dragged herself towards the pantry and started to look for something to prepare for herself. After several moments of opening and closing the fridge, she still couldn't find the right thing to cook. The refrigerator was surprisingly filled with anything essential for cooking, but she had no idea what to prepare.

Thera took her blazer and handbag after getting dressed. She decided to contact Laida and asked her out. After putting sunglasses on, she hurried towards the door.

By the time she yanked the door open, Sean's figure had appeared in front of her. He was squatting on the floor, half-asleep. His other thigh was folded. His white long sleeves polo was crumpled, and his tie was loosened up.

She reckoned he stayed outside her unit all night long, considering his current appearance.

"Please don't shut everyone out, Thera," she remembered him saying those words last night after telling him she wanted some space. "Call Yumi if you need her."

She could tell a variety of emotions in his eyes when he said those. Fear. Pain. Love. Regret. She took a heavy sigh and carefully went back in. She reached the middle part of the living room when she saw her reflection in the life-sized mirror. Sean usually fixed his tie in front of that particular mirror every morning.

She turned to the door. Why didn't he leave when she told him to? She guessed he's all numbed and stiffed staying long in that position.

She went back to her room and rang Laida, and told her to buy food instead. She checked on Sean via video intercom. Her heart pounded seeing him standing in front of her door. He's looking haggard.

Thera could tell that he wasn't able to get enough sleep. Sean raised a hand, contemplating whether to press the door buzzer or not. She saw how he released a series of long breaths before turning his back and left.

THERA pushed the plate off of her after clearing the food. She was aware of every sneer and shrug that her personal assistant was giving her at the moment. Laida was obviously wondering where Sean was.

He was supposed to be there for Thera after the attack incident, but he was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, Sean left five missed calls, but Thera ignored them all.

"I noticed that the unit's passcode was changed. I was wondering why," Laida interrupted her thoughts. Curiousness was evident in her face.

"I remembered everything," she answered, took the cup of coffee that Laida prepared for her.

"Ah…" Laida nodded awkwardly. Afterward, she stood motionless, realizing what she just heard.

Thera scoffed. It took a while before it finally sank into her.

"Stay for the night. I want you to clear the entire unit. After that, contact Yumi. Tell her to come here after her shift in the office. I need to talk to her."

Laida nodded, still puzzled. The assistant couldn't get any more tense seeing the reserved persona of her boss while sipping her coffee almost calmly.

December 8, 2019

The Palace Hotel

She pulled up her car right in front of The Palace Hotel. Thera drew a deep sigh, composing herself. Carefully, she got out of the car. When was the time she last wore high-heeled shoes? It was one hell of an adjustment she had to do.

At the entrance of the hall, she could see the congratulatory flowers lined up perfectly. It came from different organizations, corporations, politicians, and high-profile individuals in the country.

It was written in the invitation letter that the theme was black. But she chose to wear red. Laida tried to protest, but she insisted. She won, of course.

Thera was wearing a red backless ball gown paired with elegant long lace gloves. She was also wearing a bib-style necklace and diamond earrings; even her handbag looked fancy...

Yumi greeted her as soon as she arrived and ushered her towards the function hall.

"Did they start already?"

"A few minutes ago."

It was faint, but Thera heard the soft music enveloping the space of the function hall from the outside. It served as the background music while Kisses was delivering her speech.

Thera heard from Yumi that Kisses had a power of attorney which Mr. Hernandez signed for her five years ago.

The vast door of the hall opened for her entrance. Just like that, they all drew their attention to her. Waves of whispers and sharp stares flew around her the moment they saw her in a red dress, clearly going against the black-themed dress code.

As per Yumi, the glamorous masquerade-themed anniversary party had started a few minutes ago. The function room was designed with a black and white color palette. The overall ambiance gave a renaissance feel— from the Venetian style lamps, chandelier, and furniture. The guests looked like they're ready to flaunt their outfits on the dance floor later.

An air of elegance filled the space as Thera walked on the red carpet. Immediately, she saw Sean's figure towards the end spot of the aisle. He had his phone in hand, calling someone. Thera knew. She felt her phone vibrate in her handbag continuously.

Sean was wearing a well-fitted Armani tux and black patten leather shoes. He was holding a Venetian phantom masquerade mask, which made him look more handsome and stylish.

Thera could remember that look on his face. She suddenly felt nostalgic. Almost ten years ago, she experienced walking down the carpeted aisle, towards the edge, Sean was waiting for her. He was not talking a lot that day, but she could read the adoration and love lingered in his eyes.

Thera took her eyes off of him. But Sean remained to stare at her. On the other hand, kisses kept swallowing the lump in her throat as Thera threw her a blank stare.

Thera occupied the seat that Yumi prepared for her. She stayed there for a few minutes when she saw Tan entering the hall. Just like Sean, the bachelor surgeon was wearing a phantom of the opera mask. All their eyes shifted towards him. Then, the waiter approached him, offering a glass of drink.

Sean saw her. He kept glancing at her, but he couldn't find the timing to approach her. A group of foreigners was talking to him. They all looked like prospect investors, and with that being said, he couldn't find the right time to excuse himself.

"You didn't read the invitation letter, did you?" Thera heard a voice behind her, seemingly annoyed.

Thera drew a sharp breath and glanced over her shoulder to face the origin of the voice. She smirked, seeing Kisses with an unexplainable expression painted on her face.

"I've worked so hard for this night, Thera. Creating a grand entrance with a conflicting dress color was highly unnecessary, don't you think?"

"Are you disappointed that someone was not interested in joining your cult? How about you? Why are you wearing a mask? It is unnecessary, too, I believe. You've been wearing one since time immemorial."

After saying those words to her face, she picked up the wineglass and gestured to Laida to follow her behind.

She turned on her heels after giving Kisses the most taunting smile and grimace she could muster.

MIDNIGHT was long past, and Thera had barely fallen asleep yet when her phone suddenly rang. She tapped the screen of her phone and figured out who the caller was. Yumi registered on the phone screen.

“Mr. Hernandez is gone, Thera.”

The shock was an understatement. The old man collapsed while giving his closing speech at the party, according to Yumi.

She had no idea what to think. Unsure how to properly grasp the sudden news. She must be lying if she'd say she had forgiven the old man for meddling with her life. But she couldn't feel anything other than guilt.

She got up from bed and straightened up. Her hands went to her face, brushing it. Four years ago, she visited Mr. Hernandez in the hospital after receiving the news of his mild stroke. She thought she must at least pay him a visit, especially knowing that he was suffering from heart disease. On top of that, they found out that he was diagnosed with cancer.

But doubt quickly crept in when she saw Kisses and this familiar woman in a wheelchair coming into his ward. It was Marjorie Romero.

Thera investigated the matter. She later found out the connection Marjorie had with Mr. Hernandez. She was his eldest daughter. The illegitimate child that he was trying to hide from everybody. Including his wife.

The woman lived in Sagada under the care of Mr. Hernandez's parents. Then, a memory struck in Thera's mind. Her father's death. He died in an accident. As odd as it may seem, the nineteen-year-old Marjorie was in the car, too.

It was past midnight, two decades ago, when her mother received a call from the hospital staff, informing her that her husband was rushed to the hospital and was in critical condition.

Her father was accused of reckless driving which resulted in two innocent people's death and Marjorie's injury. The latter was also in the same hospital and had to undergo surgery because of serious injuries. Her eyes were greatly affected since there were pieces of broken glasses that got into her eyes. The damage could cause her blindness.

Before her father died, with broken sentences, he could say that it was Marjorie who drove the car and not him. He said, Marjorie insisted on driving despite being highly intoxicated from partying all night long. However, the blame was directed against her father.

At that time, Thera fully understood why her mother refused Mr. Hernandez's offer. He was bribing them in exchange for silence. Her mother endured all the hurtful comments thrown by the bereaved families.

How could they put the blame on the innocent? Their family had to endure everything and had lived to a sin her father did not even commit.

Loneliness and wrath swept over her mother. She passed away after two years.

Thera was left alone while Marjorie turned blind. Aside from that, the only thing that helped her walk a little was the prosthetics and metal attached to her legs. She had been admitted to almost different hospitals across the globe because of that, but it didn't help her at all. She had been suffering from depression since the accident.

When Mr. Hernandez's wife passed away, Mr. Hernandez did everything just to find Thera. He then found out her condition. But instead of asking for her forgiveness, he rubbed more salt into her open wound.

The mistakes he committed to his family were just too much. He thought that appointing Sean to be a successor of the company could compensate for everything his daughter had done. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he ordered an urgent marriage for her and Sean. He used Marjorie so Sean could not refuse.

Since then. Mr. Hernandez kept moving in and out of the Philippines and Switzerland— for his medical therapy. His executive assistant, Kisses, was always with him because of his declining survival rate.

Now, he was gone forever. Guilt swept into Thera even more, knowing that she never lent an ear to his explanation and apology.

December 14, 2019

The Palace Hotel

Thera rushed to the boardroom. The only seat that was left empty was hers— besides Mr. Hernandez's seat that had been emptied for four days now.

The shareholders kept exchanging glances, including Sean. He was looking at her; his eyes followed her when she got in and even until she took her seat. He looked as though he was trying to collect himself while staring at her keenly.

It was only days ago after the chairman's death was announced, and the shareholders called for a meeting to appoint a new chairman of the company. She had already calculated the possible decisions they're going to make. They would either choose her or Sean as a chairman.

Nevertheless, Kisses will also attend the meeting since she held a special power of attorney. Although, Sean's contribution to the company was huge enough compared to hers, considering his leverage in the company he earned for a decade.

"Since we're all here now, let's commence by—"

Thera slammed a folder on the table. "Resignation letter," she spoke, seeing their questioning gazes. "I'm giving up my position as the Vice President of this company. Thirty percent of my share will be donated to charity. The remaining seventy percent shall be given to Mr. Sean De Marco."

For a moment, they all exchanged glances at each other. A wave of murmur flew around the space of the room. They could not believe what they were hearing.

With a head held high, Thera stepped out of the room almost calmly. Sean ran after her before she could even step into the elevator. He gripped her arm tightly. She didn't shrug, but she gently removed his hands off of her in a subtle way.

"What was that about, Thera?"

"You heard it well, Sean. The money was yours, to begin with. I am returning it to you," she answered, not showing any hint of emotions.

"Thera, I don't…"

She slipped the envelope into his hand. Sean's eyes shifted to it. Her face softened; she smiled a little.

"I'm sorry I made you wait this long before finally signing it. I'm leaving, and I have no idea when I'll be coming back."

Sean stood speechless. Then pain crossed his eyes. She saw how his Adam's apple rocked up and down, indicating that he was trying to contain his emotions.

Well, so did she. She loved this man so much. And she knew he loved her too. If Sean was having a hard time, the effect reflected much more in her favor. Why does it have to be this tragic? They both loved each other, but they couldn't seem to fix the turmoil no matter how hard they try.

"Thera…"

"Please don't wait for me. I hope you find your own happiness while I reclaim my lost self."

Holding back her tears, Thera stepped inside the elevator. Ten years ago, she chose him. Now, she finally had the courage to choose herself.