144 The Deepening Mess

It seems Michelle Alcantara has swallowed her tongue. She sees Gabriel and Claire, holding hands like they're together in joy and sorrow and all sh1t like that, and the last words she says is a thinly veiled, sarcastic, "And a pleasant morning to you, too."

"What are you doing here?" Gabriel's voice is clipped with rising anger.

Mrs. Gomez's gaze ping-pongs from Gabriel's face, then to Michelle's , then to Claire. Repeat as necessary. "Uhhh, sorry, Mr. Tan, everyone in the office has volunteered. The rest are on their way here, on board our shuttle buses. And by everyone, I mean, including Mich—"

"Why are you apologizing on my behalf?" Michelle snaps. Then she turns to Gabriel. "I'm here not for you or anyone else, but for Miguel. I didn't even ask why he's in this medical situation, or who did what to him. I'm here because I want to help, like an old friend. So stop being melodramatic, Gab."