I stopped by McDonald's to grab some food since I hadn't eaten yet, and I knew my son probably hadn't either. He didn't want to go to school today, but I convinced him because we're picking up Grandma and Grandpa from the airport later.

I ordered three pieces of chicken, a sundae, fries, and a float, plus Jam's meal.

The kids were starting to head home, so I knew it was time to leave. I waited in the waiting area.

As time ticked by, I started getting impatient. It was already 2 PM, and Jam wasn't there. I couldn't reach him by phone, either. I decided to go into the school and check on him in his classroom.

I saw Kyle's teacher heading out, so I approached her.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am Janel," I said. She turned and gave me a warm smile.

"Good afternoon din po, Misis," she said. I didn't beat around the bush and asked her where my son was.

"Ma'am, asaan na po si Kyle? kanina pa po kasi ako naghihintay sa waiting area pero wala pong dumating na Kyle roon at hindi rin po matawagan ang yaya niya. Kanina ko pa rin po tinatawagan yaya niya hindi sumasagot, " nangunot ang noo nito sa tanong ko. "May nabanggit po ba silang pupuntahan nila?"

"Po? Kyle left earlier. He finished his work first," she said. My stomach churned with anxiety.

"O-Okay. I'll be going then," I said, unable to wait for a further explanation. I rushed out of the room.

I ran to the parking lot, got into my car, and sped off. I tried calling Jam several times, but she wouldn't answer. My worry grew. What could have happened?

Finally, when I tried calling her again, she answered.

"Hello, Jam? Where are you? I've been calling you for ages, but you weren't answering. Where's Kyle?" I asked, my voice tinged with panic. I heard her whimper, and I almost slammed on the brakes because of what she said next.

"A-Ate, si K-Kyle... si ... may kumuha po s-sa kaniya," she said, her voice trembling. I dropped my phone. I heard the car behind me honk.

Kumuha sa kaniya?

"W-What? H-How did Kyle get kidnapped? Don't joke like that, Jam. This isn't funny," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. My heart hammered in my chest.

"A-ate, sorry hindi ko siya nabantayan... andito ako sa likod ng school samay mga puno... hindi ko alam kung paano ako napunta rito. Tulungan mo a-ako, Ate," she said, her voice strained, like she was in pain.

"Wait for me. Papunta ba ako," I said, and quickly made a U-turn. I didn't care about the other cars. I just sped off, my vision blurred by tears.

It didn't take long before I reached the back of the school. It was hard to find Jam because it was all trees, but I could hear her whimpering.

"T-tulong, please, s-saklulo, tulongan niyo ako." I heard her call out, her voice filled with pain. I followed the sound.

"Jam, J-Jam. Ikaw ba 'yan?" I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. She was covered in blood, and I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Was it his?

Tears streamed down my face, and I didn't know what to do. She looked so fragile and vulnerable, and I was frozen, unsure whether to approach her or not.

"A-Ate, h-help m-me..." she said, her voice weak. Then she slowly closed her eyes. I quickly scooped her up and ran a short distance, since my car was at the edge of the woods. I tried to call for help, but there wasn't a single person around. She wasn't that heavy, so I could carry her.

"J-Jam, please d-don't give up. I'll take you to the hospital," I said, even though he was unconscious. As soon as I got her in the car, I drove as fast as I could to the hospital.

Aquino Hospital was a long drive, so I prayed that Jam would make it. I was so worried about him, and I still hadn't heard from my son.

I finally got Jam to the hospital. I called Mom and Dad, and they were on their way. It was already 10 PM, and I lost track of time because I was so worried about Jam and my son.

"Anak/Liana/Ija/Ate," a chorus of voices called out. I looked up, and my tears flowed freely as I saw Mom and Dad, Tita Mica, Majika, Francisco, and Tito Carlos, along with Tita Kristine and Alicia.

Tumakbo ako palapit kay Mama at saka yumakap sa kaniya.

"Ma, ang anak ko... ang anak ko may kumuha sa kaniya, yung ang anak ko... Nawawala, hindi pwede ito, hindi pwede mawala ang anak ko kailangan natin siyang mahanap kailangan natin siyang mahanap ngayon sigurado ako hinahanap niya na ako..." I sobbed uncontrollably, unable to calm myself.

"Anak?" Tita Kristine and her husband asked in unison, but I ignored them. I wasn't ready to tell them yet.

"Anak, huminahon ka muna,"

"No, Ma, how can I calm down? Nawawala ang anak ko. Nawawala si Kyle!" I said, interrupting Mom. My sobs intensified.

"Here, drink first, Liana. What did the police say?" Dad tried to intervene, but I still couldn't focus. All I could think about was my son.

"My son... My son needs me, Ma. He needs me!" I screamed, the words echoing in my ears before I blacked out.

"ANAK, IJA, ATE!"

Yung anak ko.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the white ceiling. My head throbbed, but I didn't care. I was instantly thrown back to the memory of my son, and I started to panic. I saw Francisco asleep next to me, but I ignored him.

I immidiately jumped of bed and tried to leave, but someone grabbed my arm. When I turned, Francisco was awake, his eyes filled with concern.

"Francisco, what are you doing? Let me go. My son needs me," I pleaded.

"No, you'll stay here. You need to rest. We know where Levi is. The mastermind is Chatalina. She's back," he said. I shook my head, frustrated. That damn Chatalina.

"How can I rest when my son is missing? I can't, Francisco," I said, tears welling up. I was about to walk out when I heard a familiar voice that stopped me in my tracks.

"FIND MY SON NOW!" he roared, his voice echoing in the room. I turned to Francisco, my eyes wide with confusion.

"Anong... What's he doing here?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We don't know either. He just suddenly showed up and started yelling about his son. Maybe he didn't stop investigating, or someone told him Kyle was missing. If I'm not mistaken, he knows you're carrying his child," Francisco said.

How did he know? Paano niya nalaman?

I scoffed. "Right, he's rich. He can do anything he wants," I said dryly, knowing he was following us at the airport.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR? MOVE!" Mateo's enraged voice boomed from outside, causing me to run a hand through my hair in frustration. Why was this happening?

"You, call Jerome and tell him to check the CCTV footage. You, get my men ready. We're going to the address Chatalina gave us. That bitch. She really knows how to get on my nerves." Chatalina, that woman!

Kung may mangyari mang masama sa anak ko sisiguraduhin kong magbabayad siya.

"Copy, sir," I heard one of his men respond.

I pulled my arm away from Francisco and marched out of the room. Mateo was sitting in a chair, his head in his hands.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice tight with apprehension. He looked up, his eyes burning with anger. He stood up, and in a flash, he was in front of me, grabbing my jaw in a bruising grip.

"Why didn't you tell me we have a child?" he snarled, his voice filled with fury. I winced in pain and struggled against his grasp.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Impossible you didn't know! You've been following us since we got back, so it's impossible you didn't know. You're acting like you don't, but I know your game, Mateo. Alam ko galawan mo, Mateo." I spat.

I knew he was following us because I saw him outside my son's school the other day.

"What the hell, Mateo?! Let go of me!" I yelled, struggling against his grip. When he finally released me, I slapped him hard across the face.

"Tandaan mo ito, Mateo. If anything bad happens to my son because of that bitch friend of yours, I don't know what I'll do. And why didn't I introduce my son to you, Mateo? Do you think after what happened, I could even consider that? No. Mateo, it would have been okay if you'd just told me it wasn't true because I would have accepted it, but you didn't say anything," I said, taking a deep breath. "And when my mother came to get me, you wouldn't let her, even though she was begging. You wouldn't listen, you're so selfish, Mateo. I don't know if I can ever forgive you. Remember this, Mateo. You don't deserve my son." I finished, my gaze unwavering as I watched him. He stood there, expressionless, his hand stroking his jaw, his jaw clenched.

I took a deep breath, stopping myself from crying. "Nagmukha akong tanga sa paniniwalang mahal mo ako. I became a mafia's obsession. Hindi ko nga alam kung minahal mo ba talaga ako, o naging laruan mo lang," I said, breathing heavily. "Minahal mo ba ako? O baka naman para lang tayong artista na gumagawa ng movie?" I added, my voice filled with resentment. He didn't answer.

I won't deny, I loved him before. I loved him because I thought we were going to be married, and that our love was real. Akala ko lang pala.

Mateo's gaze snapped to Francisco, and with a roar, he lunged at him, his fist connecting with Francisco's jaw.

"Mateo!" I screamed as he rained blows on Francisco. The police tried to intervene, but Mateo was a giant of a man, strong and fueled by rage. Three officers couldn't hold him back.

"You fucking bastard! We were friends for years, and you do this to me?!" Mateo bellowed, his face flushed with fury. He tried to break free from the officers' hold and charge at Francisco again.

"Stop it, Mateo! Ano bang ginagawa mo?!" I yelled, struggling against the officers who were trying to restrain me.

"I regret loving you! Nagsisi akong minahal kita at nagpa luko ako sa'yo!" I yelled, my voice sharp and cutting. Mateo stopped in his tracks, his anger momentarily frozen.

"Calm down. You just woke up. The doctor said you need to rest," Francisco said, his hand gently rubbing my back as he held his jaw. I ignored him, my attention locked on Mateo, whose dark gaze was fixed on Francisco.

"You would have introduced him to me, this shit wouldn't have happened," he snarled. I clenched my fists, my own anger mirroring his. If he was angry, I was furious. "I can protect him... Specially you."

"It's my fault? Why don't you blame yourself, since you're the one who's been involved with this and your friend?" I said, jabbing a finger at his chest. When he didn't respond.

I turned my back on him, ready to walk away, when I heard him sob.

"I was willing to change everything for you... If you had told me about you carrying our child... I would..." His lower lip trembled, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"I was ready to tell you who I am. I know I've made mistakes. I lied to you, "How... How could you do this to me? How could you hide my son? He's my son, too! How heartless do you think I am?" Mateo uttered, pain lacing his voice.

I stopped in my tracks, stunned by his words.

"Ikaw ang makakasagot niyan, kung bakit ko ginawa 'yon." Sagot ko.

I just kept walking, my back to him.

I saw Mom talking to the police, so I quickened my pace.

"Ma, what's the news? Have they found my son yet? How is he?" I asked, my voice a flurry of questions.

"Anak, Alam na nila ang address..." Mom said.

"If that's the case, why aren't we going? What are we doing here? Nag aaksaya tayo ng oras," I said, my frustration mounting. Alicia approached me and rubbed my back, trying to soothe me.

"Ija, calm down. We can't rush into anything." Tuta Mica said, and turned her gaze to her son. "What happened to your face, anak?" Tita Mica asked, noticing Francisco's bruised jaw. He just shook his head.

"Ma'am, it's not possible right now, but we need to go there early tomorrow morning because they might leave or do something bad to the hostage," the policeman said, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. Tears streamed down my face.

"S-sasama ako, gusto kong sumama." I choked out, my voice trembling.

"You can't go. It's dangerous. You should stay with your mother and wait for our call," Tito Carlos said, but I shook my head, my resolve unwavering.

"No, I won't. I'll die if I don't see my son," I said, shaking my head repeatedly. I felt Francisco take my hand.

"Calm down. Fine. You'll go with us, but you have to stay in the car," he said. I nodded repeatedly, burying my face in his chest.

"Please, Francisco. My son," I pleaded, tears streaming down my face.

"Shh. We'll make sure Kyle is okay. He's strong. Calm down," he said, soothing me. I looked up and saw Mateo, his jaw clenched, watching us intently.

~~~

"Come here and eat. You didn't have dinner," Francisco urged. I shook my head.

"I'm not hungry, Francis." I was waiting for 3 am. It was already 2 am.

"You need to eat to have energy for the rescue. You want to see Kyle, right?" He insisted. Even though I wasn't hungry, I ate.

After I finished, I went to Jam's room. She was still asleep, having lost a lot of blood. The tests showed he had been hit on the head. We were waiting for her to wake up so she could tell us what happened to him and my son. While I was eating, my phone rang. It wasn't a registered number, but I answered anyway, thinking it might be one of the people who took my son.

I swallowed hard. "Hello? Who is this?" I asked, standing up abruptly. Francisco and the others turned to look at me.

"Hi, dear friend," a woman's voice answered.

"Who is this? What do you want?!" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

"Chill, babe. Hot-headed, huh? Calm down if you still want to see your son," Chatalina said.

"What have I ever done to you, Chatalina? Please, just give my son back to me. I'm begging you. Don't hurt him. I'm talking to you," I pleaded, my voice breaking. I could hear her wicked laughter.

"What a pity. The wife of a man everyone fears, begging me," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

I started to crumble, the thought of my son suffering in the hands of his kidnappers overwhelming me.

"Please, I want to talk to my son," I pleaded, my voice a broken whisper. Mom came to me, her hand stroking my back. I saw Mateo approaching, his face dark with rage.

"What a sweet mother. Fine. I'll let you talk to him," she said, her voice cold and calculating. I heard her footsteps as she walked away.

"Hey, kid. Wake up. Your lovely mother wants to talk to you," I heard Chatalina say. Then, I heard my son's whimper.

"M-Mommy... Where is my M-Mommy?" I heard him say, his voice weak and strained. My heart shattered.

"Here. Talk to your mother for one minute and then say goodbye," I heard Chatalina say. I could hear her laughter, but it faded as she walked away.

"Hello, baby. Kamusta ka po? Are they feeding my baby? Where does it hurt, baby? Tell Mommy. Don't give up, baby, okay? Mommy will come and get you. Please be strong. You'll see Daddy again, right?" I babbled, my voice filled with fear. I could feel everyone in the room staring at me.

"M-Mommy, p-please get me out of here. I'm s-scared. T-they're hurting me. The girl slapped me hard b-because I was noisy, M-Mommy. I want to go h-home," he said, his voice trembling. I was about to respond, but Mateo snatched the phone away from me.

"Buddy, this is Daddy. Wait for Daddy, okay? We'll get you and hurt the people who hurt you. Wait for us, son," Mateo said to Kyle. I sank into a chair, pulling at my hair in frustration. Someone approached me, but I didn't turn to face them.

"Y-you are my D-Daddy? You are Daddy Mateo?" I heard my son ask. Mateo was about to respond when I heard another voice on the line.

"Enough with the drama," Chatalina said. Then, I heard Kyle scream.

"M-MOMMY D-DADDY HELP!" I cried, snatching the phone from Mateo. "Chatalina, please don't hurt my son-" I never finished the sentence. The line went dead. I threw the phone down and let out a scream. I saw Mateo punch the wall, his fist slamming against the plaster. He sank to the floor, his head in his hands. Mom came to me and hugged me close. I saw Tita Mica crying.

"My son, Ma. They hurt my son. I'm so stupid. I didn't protect him. It's my fault," I sobbed, my voice choked with despair. Mom tried to stop me from hurting myself. When that didn't work, Tita Mica joined her in trying to calm me down.

"Anak, stop it. Hindi mo kasalanan ang mga nangyayari. Please, you're hurting yourself," Mom said, her voice laced with concern. I just shook my head, unable to stop the self-loathing that was consuming me.

"It's my fault. If I hadn't let him in, this wouldn't have happened," I said, my voice thick with despair.

"Ija, enough. It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself," Tita Mica said, her voice firm.

"It's my fault if I hadn't-Luliana!" I felt someone catch me before I could collapse. Then, everything went black.

~~~

We were leaving to go to where Kyle was being held. Even though I was still weak, I insisted on going. Mom tried to stop me, saying I should rest since I had just woken up, but it was my son, and I wouldn't be left behind.

The doctor had told me to rest, explaining that this was the second time I had passed out, but I was stubborn.

"Are you ready?" Francisco asked, his voice a gentle question. We were about to leave to find my son. I nodded.

"I've been ready since the moment this all started," I said.

He sighed. "Promise me you won't get out of the car," he said.

"I can't promise that, Francisco. Especially not when my son is in that situation," I replied. He let out a long breath, his eyes filled with worry. I glanced at Mateo. He was staring at us, his expression unreadable.

Everyone was ready. Even the police.

"Mag iingat kayo ro'n, anak. Ha? Keep us updated, okay?" Mom hugged me tightly. I nodded and hugged her back before stepping into the car with Francisco.

Umalis na kami para pumunta sa address na ibinigay medjo malayo layo ito kaya natulog muna ako.