Chapter Eighteen: Regrets

October 29, 2019

Quezon City, Philippines

“Do you think Madam is really fine? Her eyes looked sad even though she was smiling a lot. ” Laida asked. She was perching on the side of Yumi’s armchair, both of them were staring at the computer monitor where the video sent by the investigator they hired to follow and guard Thera was playing.

Their boss was inside a regular restaurant in Baguio City, sitting alone at a table near the counter. It was a usual sight since she lost her memories. She looked happy though he was eating alone again.

Thera used to eat alone. She does not have a family to share her food though. The only difference now was that the Thera they knew was confident and proud. She looked always like a hungry tiger who was always ready to kill or haunt.

While the Thera that was on that video was smiling. She looked innocent and pure that anyone who sees her would think she could not even hurt a fly.

“Can we really not see her? Or pay her a visit perhaps?”

“We have to follow The President’s orders, Laida,” Yumi answered. Her eyebrows were knotted as she stared at the computer screen.

“I just don’t get it. Why does Sir Sean need to hide the fact that Ma’am Thera was suffering from amnesia? Why did he take her to Baguio when we can take care of her here. Her memories might return sooner if she’s staying here with us.”

A few days after Thera’s accident, Eason, Sean’s executive assistant talked to Yumi.

The President’s office took over Thera’s unfinished and pending works. He ordered her not to mention anything about Thera’s accident. That no one from The Palace must know about her condition until their boss says so. If asked where the Vice President is, they must only answer she’s on indefinite leave.

He forbade them from communicating with Thera. He said the order came from Sean himself.

“Doesn’t Sir Sean want to take this the opportunity to get Ma’am Thera to sign the annulment?

He’ll try to get closer to him and then he’d… ”

“You should know better, Laida. I don’t think it’s even valid considering Thera’s mental condition.”

“If it was not the annulment, then what could be his reasons?

Yumi could not answer the question she was also asking herself. But…

“Was the King now protecting his Queen?”

“Against who or what? If you’d ask me, more than anyone else, Ma’am Thera should be more careful from her husband.”

Yumi stood straight. She put the paperwork inside her bags. It was past office hours. She’d rather work late at her house than stay in the office without Thera. She put her bag on top of her desk before raising her head to Thera’s personal assistant.

“Thera could not remember anything, Laida. This is the perfect opportunity for her enemies to hit her back. You and I know how many enemies Thera collected since she became the Vice President.”

“You have a point. I once thought that Ma’am Thera’s insolence might someday be the reason she’d die young,” Laida said thoughtlessly.

Yumi gave her a reprimanding glare.

“Don’t ever say that even if it is a joke.”

“Sorry.” Laida sighed apologetically. “I’m just worried. We only have a few weeks left before the part. Everyone will be curious as to why the Vice President won’t attend for the first time.”

“Sir Sean will take care of that.”

Yumi was about to turn the monitor off when Laida spoke again.

“You’re right. Sir Sean can take care of that. But I’m still having a bad feeling about this, Yumi. Maam Thera will get hurt even more if she doesn’t stay away from Sir Sean.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think is the reason why after five years Maam Thera still insisted about not signing the annulment? She wanted Sir Sean to be miserable? Because of his money?

Impossible. She was just too hurt that she misunderstands her true feelings for Sir Sean. Our hearts are silly, sentimental, and defiant. No matter how much the mind wanted to forget, the heart will ten times make us remember.”

“I don’t understand you at all,” Yumi said. Or was she just not paying attention to it? Thera was not over yet with Sean. Despite everything that happened, she was still in love with her husband.

“What if before Ma’am Thera’s memory return she had fallen for Sir Sean again? If you were her, how would you feel if you ended up falling for the person you despises before you lost your memories? Are you going to blame Sir Sean or hate yourself?”

Yumi’s eyes dropped to the monitor and gazed at Thera. She would rather hear her cursing and see her kicking someone else’s butts than see her weak again.

Yumi knew Thera more than anyone else. Their paths crossed when Thera was in pain and in despair. But surprisingly, Thera was the one to offer Yumi her hands instead. Thera gave her hope and courage even though it was her who needed it more.

Thera took her in without any other condition but never gave up on herself. Thera sent her to a famous school and gave her everything.

She treated her like her own sister and friend. When Yumi graduated College, she decided to work with Thera to show her gratitude and faithfulness. And most importantly, Yumi knew Thera had no one but her.

She witnessed all the struggles and all the pain she went through just to get to where she is now. She knew every single thing about her, all the secrets she harbored and all the pain she endured alone.

For the past four years, Yumi witnessed how gradually Thera’s heart become cold. Her eyes could literally shoot daggers every time she hears Sean’s name. She hated the fact that Sean was living his own life comfortably while she was still miserable.

Yumi hopes that it was Thera's chance to start again and forget the bad things that happened in the past.