Explanation (2)

Nicole can't explain her feelings. It was in a turmoil between anger, sadness, and confusion.

'Just who is this woman in front of her?'

She looked at Maurine intently. Observing her every move. And as seconds passed, she felt her blood boil at the thought that she might really be her father's mistress which is why she gave her a frowning look.

"Excuse me if I may be rude to you for asking these questions but what is your role in my father's life? Are you his other woman?" She finally let out, barely controlling her emotions.

Maurine was left speechless with the question as it echoed inside her head, trying to process it to give a response. After it finally sunk in her mind, she started to laugh loudly as if that's the most hilarious joke she has ever heard.

"Oh my goodness! That's very hilarious!" She wiped the tears from her eyes due to laughing as she continued to laugh some more while slapping the air. "Henry, what kind of shows are you letting your daughter watch? Teledramas about mistresses?" Then she laughed even harder. Seconds later she started to calm down.

"Oh dear, I will never be your father's mistress. It's because it's not really possible for us to do so and even if we can, I would never ever ever date a guy like him, like ever!" Maurine said with her arms crossed together forming an 'X' symbol.

Ashley heard from the kitchen maids that dinner is almost done preparing so they can now slowly enter the dining hall. So she presented to be the ones to call the family and let them continue their work. She took the platter, with a few pairs of sandwiches and some sliced fruits, with her as she headed to the living room once again. "Guys, the maids told me food is almost done being served so we can now go there and take our seats." After saying those words, she took one sandwich from the platter and bit on it before her gaze fell upon the woman with the arms crossed "Oh, mom. What are you doing here?" She asked. She placed the platter on the table before heading towards her mother and took her mother's hands to mano* then she did a beso-beso with her. After that, she continued eating the sandwich that's in her hand. Unbeknownst to her, as soon as she turned around to go towards her mother, Aldrich took a sandwich while Frederick took some sliced fruits.

"Well, I'm here to discuss work relations with your uncle Henry because he wasn't answering his phone since earlier and it turns out that today is the day of Maelie Nicole Lauren's return, which explains why he's been out the whole day." Ashley just nodded at her mother's explanation not being able to talk with her mouth full.

"Wait... what? You're Ashley's mom? The ones whom I never met even once since you are so busy with work?" Nicole asked.

"I guess I might need to make an introduction." Maurine softly chuckled. "I am Maurine 'Vargaz'-Smith, Ashley's mother. 38 years of age and most importantly, I am your father's cousin which makes you my niece." She emphasized on the Vargaz maiden name of hers and smiled at Nicole. "So now, please be rest assured about me and your dad's relationship, my beloved niece. Also, I never met you once since I really am very busy with work. As an owner of a magazine company with the latest trends and news about the high-class society, I needed to be kept updated with the latest scoops so that we can maintain our reputation and provide sufficient details to feed our consumer's curiosity. Now, if ever you want to know the latest happenings in the high-class society, Glam magazine is always at your service." Then she winked.

Ashley face-palmed and shook her head. "Seriously, mom? Sales talk? In the middle of a serious conversation?"

Maurine placed an arm around her daughter's shoulders and said, "This is how you do business, hon. Better learn early from me. You're the only one to inherit the business after all since you're my only child."

Ashley replied with an eye roll and took the last bite of her sandwich.

Nicole processed AGAIN the new sets of information. "So, if you're father's cousin and Ashley is your daughter, that makes her and me cousins too!" She said the last words excitedly. "I knew we were more than just best friends!" Then she hurriedly went to where Ash is standing and hugged her tightly.

"I know right!" Ashley said as a matter-of-factly. They chuckled together.

Frederick held out his camera while Aldrich have his phone. The two took pictures of their sister and cousin together, thinking that this is one of those adorable moments in their sister's life.

"Aw, you two are so cute!" Aldrich squealed while Frederick just kept on nodding his head in agreement as the two of them still continued to take their shots.

The girls smiled. Nicole faced Ashley and the latter followed suit. Nicole looked down and scratched her neck lightly. "Uhm... I am sorry about earlier." She lifted her gaze then looked back down. "I shouldn't have blamed you like that- No... I... shouldn't have doubted you in the first place. I'm sorry."

Ashley just smiled at her and held both her hands. "It's fine, I would be suspicious of my own actions if I were you too." They stared at each other and hugged even tighter than before.

After Ashley, Nicole faced Maurine beside them and also apologized for what she's said, "I am very sorry too, Aunt Maurine. I should've investigated the truth more first before accusing you." Maurine just smiled warmly at her and hugged her niece while caressing her hair and patting her back.

"It's okay, dear. I understand."

When both of them let go of the hug, Nicole faced her family and opened her arms to hug both her parents who are now sitting together. "Thank you very much to the both of you. Whether you are a farmer and a vegetable seller or an owner of each their own companies and businesses, whether we are rich or poor, I am and forever will be grateful to the both of you. I love you mama and papa." Then she started to cry and sob.

The parents heart were instantly melted as they hugged their daughter back. Laurena caressed her daughter's hair gently while Henry just hugged her tightly with his head tilted up, trying to stop the tears from flowing. The twins are also teary-eyed at the sight before them while recording every moment in their gadgets and in their hearts the one of the cherished moments in their life.

Nicole looked back at them and nodded her head for them to join the hug. They lowered their camera and phone then ran towards the group hug.

"Thank you for being the best brother's in the world too, Kuya Laurent and Kuya Laurence. Even though you were introduced as friends to me, I have always thought and wished of you to be my real brothers. That's how cool, kind, and awesome you are to me. I love you both too." These words made the twins stop holding their tears back and began to sob too.

The room was filled with heavy emotions. Crying can be heard from the living room. But instead of making the ones who are listening feel sad or annoyed, it lets them feel the warmth that the family are sharing as of the moment. Subconsciously shedding tears for them too to celebrate their happiness and empathy for the family. For it was not the cry of sadness but the cry of happiness.

The moment was captured by Ashley who immediately started to film as soon as Nicole let go from Maurine's hug. She saw one of the maids standing at the door that leads to the dining area in a formal manner. The maid looked at her, asking for her permission to speak. Ashley shook her head and the maid bowed to her before turning back.

Minutes later, everyone have calmed down and sniffing of snots can be heard in the room. Maurine placed a box of tissue on the table for them to use. She mouthed 'Thank me later.'

Nicole then looked at her family and said, "So, there is no way that I am adopted, right?"

Henry and the twins smiled sweetly at her and shook their heads.

"Of course not. Mother was just messing around with you when she said you're adopted." Frederick said and Nicole's smile grew wider.

"Now, fix yourselves. Dinner is ready. I am starving with all the drama around here." Maurine said as she started to head in the dining hall.

Ashley just shook her head with a smile on her face and was about to take the platter to eat what she left when she saw only the crumbs from the bread. She immediately went furious. "WHO ATE MY SANDWICHES AND FRUITS?!" She shouted.

"Uh-oh." Aldrich said.

"I think I'll help out in preparing the dining area. There might be something that I can lend a hand to."

"Oh my gosh, I am so hungry. Maybe I'll head in the dining area first."

Frederick Laurence and Aldrich Laurent made excuses to escape the situation, respectively and ran away.

"Ugh! Those two! Come back here!" Ashley shouted as she chased after the two with the empty platter in her hands.

Nicole, together with her mom and dad, just chuckled at what happened before them.

"Let's go join them now, too." Henry said with a sweet smile as he offered his hand in front of Laurena and Nicole to help them stand up and entered the dining area hand-in-hand together.