A VICTIM OR AN ENEMY?

The sterile hospital corridor echoed with the soft shuffle of footsteps, a symphony of murmurs and beeping machines creating an ambient backdrop. Gia stood by Deep's bedside, a somber vigil keeping her tethered to hope as he lay unconscious, a victim of Ejay's malicious intentions.

Amidst the hushed atmosphere, an unexpected presence disrupted the solemnity. A woman, elegantly dressed but with an air of anxiety etched upon her face, approached Gia tentatively.

"Gia?" The woman's voice trembled slightly, her eyes scanning the room nervously.

"Yes?" Gia turned to face her, her expression guarded yet curious.

The woman took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "My name is Hellen. I... I'm Ejay's mother."

Gia's initial surprise was quickly replaced by a cautious wariness. She had heard about Ejay's mother in passing, a figure shrouded in mystery due to her scarce appearances in public.

"What brings you here?" Gia inquired, her tone polite but guarded.

Hellen hesitated, her eyes darting between Deep's motionless form and Gia's scrutinizing gaze. "I'm deeply concerned about my son's criminal activities. He's spiraling out of control, and I fear for the safety of others, including yours."

Gia's skepticism remained palpable, but a flicker of curiosity surfaced. "Why come to me? What do you want?"

Hellen's voice wavered as she spoke, desperation tainting her words. "I've seen the damage Ejay has caused, and I'm afraid. I want to help take him down to ensure he can't harm anyone else. I'll do anything to stop him."

Gia regarded Hellen with a mix of surprise and suspicion. The idea of collaborating with Ejay's mother seemed far-fetched, but her distress appeared genuine.

"I understand your concern, but why should I trust you?" Gia's words were measured, her guard firmly in place.

Hellen's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I know it's hard to believe, but please, I'm terrified of what my son has become. I want to make things right and help bring him to justice."

Gia mulled over Hellen's words, weighing the sincerity in her voice against her inherent distrust. Deeply conflicted, she knew she needed to tread cautiously, but the possibility of an unexpected ally in their battle against Ejay lingered in her mind.

As the hospital room filled with palpable tension, Gia contemplated the implications of Hellen's unexpected appearance, wondering if this encounter would mark the beginning of an unlikely alliance or just another layer of deceit in the intricate web spun by Ejay and his connections.

Hellen, with a heart heavy with worry and a glimmer of determination, sought out Mr. Azzua, Ejay's father, in an attempt to unite forces against their son's criminal activities. She had hoped to garner his support in aiding Gia and the authorities in bringing Ejay down.

In the opulent living room of the Azzua estate, Hellen stood before Mr. Azzua and Mrs. Azzua, who regarded her with a mixture of skepticism and disdain. The air was thick with tension, with each member of the trio maintaining a steely resolve.

"Hellen, what brings you here?" Mr. Azzua's voice was laced with restrained hostility, his stern gaze fixed upon her.

Hellen's eyes darted between Mr. Azzua and Mrs. Azzua, trying to gauge their reactions. "I've come to discuss Ejay. I'm deeply concerned about the path he's on.

Before Hellen could finish her sentence, Mrs. Azzua interrupted, her tone dripping with disdain. "We know very well what our son is capable of. What makes you think you can help in any way?"

Hellen's resolve wavered under the weight of their skepticism. "I want to assist in stopping Ejay's criminal activities. I've approached Gia, and I—"

"Approached Gia?" Mr. Azzua's voice rose with incredulity. "You think we'd believe that you suddenly want to help take down our son after all these years of silence?"

Hellen's desperation surfaced as she tried to explain herself. "I understand your doubt, but I've seen the harm Ejay's actions have caused. I want to make amends to help bring him to justice."

Mrs. Azzua scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think a few words will absolve you of your silence and inaction all these years? You're no ally to us or Gia. Your sudden concern is nothing but a façade."

Hellen's attempts to reason fell on deaf ears as Mr. Azzua's gaze hardened. "We won't trust you. You've shown no loyalty to us or Ejay. Leave now before you make things worse."

Defeated, Hellen knew her efforts had been futile. She turned to leave, her heart heavy with the weight of their disbelief and rejection. As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling of isolation and regret, realizing that her past choices had led to a fracture of trust beyond repair.

In the silence that followed, Mr. and Mrs. Azzua exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of Ejay's situation weighing heavily on them. Despite their refusal to believe Hellen, a seed of doubt lingered—wondering if there was a chance, however slim, that she might genuinely want to assist in halting their son's downward spiral into the criminal world.

As Hellen turned to leave the Azzua estate, a resolute determination surged within Gia. She swiftly stepped forward, blocking Hellen's path, surprising Mr. and Mrs. Azzua, Grace, and Simon, who were observing the tense encounter with cautious curiosity.

"Hold on, Hellen." Gia's voice resonated with unexpected authority, her gaze fixed on Ejay's mother.

Confusion flickered across the faces of the Azzua family and their associates, taken aback by Gia's interruption.

"What are you doing, Gia?" Mr. Azzua's tone was tinged with disbelief, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

Gia's resolve remained steadfast as she addressed them all. "I know this is unexpected, but we're facing a common threat in Ejay. Protecting each other is crucial, especially for those under threat because of him."

Mrs. Azzua scoffed, incredulous. "Protect us? From whom? And why should we trust you and her?" She gestured towards Hellen, her skepticism evident.

Gia held her ground, her determination unwavering. "I understand your doubts, but we can't ignore the danger Ejay poses. Hellen may be our best chance to gather information and protect those in his crosshairs."

Simon, an old family friend, voiced his concerns. "Gia, are you suggesting we trust someone associated with Ejay? We don't know her intentions."