Avelina began to feel suspicious of him. Ever since that man had given her the cash, things had started to change.
Why had her sister's payment been covered all of a sudden? Was it that man's doing? But she had been wearing a mask—surely no one could recognize her. No, this was getting stranger by the minute. Should she return the cash? No, she had sold the condoms, and she wouldn't just return the money. The extra cash was a tip.
Or… was that man a stalker? No..she had nothing to even be stalked over.
If she had known, she wouldn't have run to that car. She would have simply stayed back, being a good girl. But no, she had decided to try her luck, and she had. But what if he wasn't the right one? She shouldn't jump to conclusions; he might not be the one.
"Ave, are you okay?" Xie asked worriedly, staring at her.
"Oh… y-yes, I am," she stammered. She then turned to the lady and asked, "How about my parents? Where are they?"
The lady paused, pen in hand, and then looked up. "They are upstairs, waiting for her operation to be done they came three minutes ago."
"Thank you," Avelina said softly, then turned to Roxie with a gentle nod. They walked to the elevator, and Avelina pressed the VIP button. As it began to move, Roxie was the first to speak.
"This cannot be a mere coincidence. Tell me you're thinking what I'm thinking," she said, resting her hands on her forehead. Avelina nodded.
"Oh, great. I thought I was going crazy. Last night, did you wear the disguise we talked about," Roxie asked. Avelina nodded her head.
"Okay… now this is scary. Have you seen your supposed husband?" Roxie asked. Avelina nodded.
"I don't know if he's the one… he was wearing a chauffeur's uniform," she explained, and Roxie stared at her.
"Why didn't you ask, Ave? Thank heavens you're going there tonight. Make sure to divorce him," Roxie urged.
Avelina nodded, seeing the deep worry on Xie's face.
"But what if he refuses to get the divorce… or even sign the papers?" she asked, suddenly realizing how blinded by money she had been. She had signed without thinking—desperation had driven her.
"Then do what he hates… push him to his limit, and then suggest the divorce," Roxie advised. Avelina nodded. She could do that. One thing she knew about wealthy people was that reputation mattered. Maybe she could ruin his reputation—make him angry enough to agree to a divorce. After all, he was rich and had nothing to lose.
"No matter what happens, do not disclose any personal information. Wearing a mask would be better. And tonight will be the last time you meet him," Roxie added.
Lina nodded, and just as she did, the elevator pinged open. They walked quickly inside, and Avelina's lips parted as she looked around. Even the passage was neat and sparkling compared to the lower floor. Her eyes almost bulged when she noticed a man pushing a rolling cart of food toward a room.
"Hello, where is Ella Smith's room?" Avelina heard Roxie ask a nurse, though she had been so caught up with the food that she almost forgot why they were there.
The lady pointed to the room the man had entered with the food cart. Roxie thanked her, and they began walking toward it. Just as they reached the door, they pressed the doorbell, and it opened. Her mother and father stood there. Avelina entered and hugged her mother, while Roxie hugged her as well.
The room had a sofa on each side. It was cold, and in the middle was a table, with a food rolling cart nearby.
There was a door at the end.
"That is where your sister's operation is being held," her mother finally spoke. Avelina nodded and walked to sit on the other side of the sofa, while Roxie greeted her father, who gave only a brief nod.
"Ave, heaven has saved us! Someone unknown decided to help—an angel! Do you know how happy I am?" her mother said, sitting close to her husband and holding his hands. Mr. Smith, however, remained calm, making no effort to even respond to his wife.
Avelina stared at her father. She just wished her mother had married a better man.
"Thank heavens," Avelina whispered softly, even though she found the payment situation strange.
Her mother smiled, and the widening of her smile revealed that she had been crying; her lashes were slightly wet. Though the situation was odd, whoever had paid for the operation had helped, and she needed to be grateful. It seemed the operation had caused more money than Avelina had initially thought.
Her mother shifted slightly and then spoke again.
"They even brought food."
Roxie's hand caressed Avelina's thigh gently, signaling her to behave. Avelina pressed her lips together.
"We'll eat it when Ella's operation is successful," her mother continued. Avelina smiled softly, hoping her sister would pull through, praying that she was strong.
"We would also pack some for Alor," Avelina spoke, as her mother nodded.
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door. They turned as a nurse entered and spoke softly.
"Mr. Smith, someone wants to see you," she said.
Avelina and Roxie raised their brows. Who would want to see them at a time like this, when something so serious was happening?
"He says his name is Reverend Jude," the nurse added.
Mr. Smith sat up, and Avelina's eyes widened. Why would that man come here now? Couldn't he have waited to return to his place first?
"Thank you. Please, let him in," Mr. Smith said with a smile.
The lady nodded as she left. Not long after, a man entered—he had a bald head, just like Avelina's father.
'I can see why these two have so much in common,' Avelina said to herself as the man smiled.
Avelina turned to Roxie, and her irritated expression was so visible. Unlike Avelina, who could manage to keep her expression intact, Roxie could not.
"Bless this room," the man spoke as he walked to the middle.
"Bless you," Avelina's mother and father said in unison, turning to her and waiting for her response.
"Bless you," Avelina spoke. The man nodded with a smile, and Roxie spoke as well. The man's gaze lingered on Roxie for a moment before shifting to Avelina.
"Bless all of you. If I may ask, which of you is coming to the reverend school?"
He shifted his gaze, and Mr. Smith smiled.
"It is Avelina," he said, pointing at her. Avelina managed a small smile, even though she very much wanted to speak her mind.
He moved and sat on the sofa in the corner.
"I have a quick question," he asked, then added, "I would be leaving soon, as I have somewhere to attend to."
Avelina rolled her eyes. Then why do you come here?
"Is your daughter a virgin?" he asked, as Roxie turned to Avelina. Avelina could tell her best friend was trying to stay calm; she gently caressed her arms, as if to soothe her.
"Yes, she is," her father spoke, a smile on his face.
Avelina could not believe her father had just said this in front of a stranger. She did not care that he was a man—this topic was personal and sensitive.
"Given she was married before, that would have removed her from the requirements. But she is a virgin, so she would come. Sister Patricia would guide her," he spoke, as her father smiled.
"All we have to do now, since we have taken the parents' permission, is ask the child for hers."
They all turned as her mother and father stared at her with smiles, even though their eyes held warning.
"Would you like to become a reverend sister, Sister Avelina?" he asked, all eyes resting on her. Avelina did not even understand this man—she had not even entered the school yet, and he was already regarding her as a sister.
With a smile, she spoke,
"Respectfully, I do not want that."
The room fell silent.