Nang makababa ako ay hindi ang inaasahan ko ang sumalubong sa akin. My steps slightly faltered as I stared at the only man in the lobby. He was standing by the lounges, looking as though he owned the place.

Siya ba ang daddy ni Rye?

He was younger than I initially thought he would be, maybe in his mid thirties, and undeniably dashing. His dark hair was slicked back in a style that accentuated his sharp features. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue, the kind that seemed to see right through you. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, the material gleaming subtly under the lobby lights. The crisp white shirt and black tie added to the overall impression of authority and power. He looked like a character straight out of a crime thriller, exuding a dangerous charm and a sense of control that was almost palpable.

Nakatingin na siya sa akin bago pa man ako makalapit, maingat at mapanuri ang kaniyang mga mata. Habang pinagmamasdan ko siya ay mas lalo akong nakukumbinsi na ama nga siya ni Rye. Their similarities were uncanny. Siyang siya nila ang isa't isa.

"Mr. DiLaurentis?"

"Dr. Sandejas, I presume."

"Just call me Caice." Tumango ako at nagpakawala ng maliit na ngiti. "Rye is upstairs. He's safe, but he doesn't want to see you."

Silas DiLaurentis's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of impatience crossing his features. "Well, he doesn't have much choice. Does he? He is my son. He needs to come home with me."

Karapatan niya iyon, pero ano naman ang magagawa ko kung 'yung bata mismo ang walang balak sumama sa kaniya? They had subjected him to so much sufferings, hindi ba puwedeng huminga naman muna kahit sandali lang 'yung bata?

I held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. "Rye is in a very delicate state right now, Mr. DiLaurentis. He needs to feel safe, and at the moment, he doesn't feel that way at home."

Kahit pa magalit siya, sinabi ko pa rin iyon. Naniniwala naman akong alam niya na iyon. Hindi nga ba't talagang nagpilit na pumunta ng Pilipinas si Rye para makausap ako. Ang katotohanang iyon pa lang ay sapat naman na siguro para magising siya at makita ang kailangan ng kaniyang anak.

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "What are you suggesting?"

"Give him some time," I said. "Perhaps you could come back tomorrow, and we can all sit down together and talk. Right now, forcing him to leave would only cause more harm."

Sinabi na ni Rye kanina na hindi naman ito sinasaktan ng daddy niya. Pero ano nga iyong sabi nito? His father was a monster. What kind of monster was he? Was he the kind of monster who inflicted physical pain, leaving bruises and scars that marred both body and soul? Or was he the more insidious kind, the kind who wielded power and control like weapons, manipulating those around him to bend to his will?

Perhaps he was both—a complex combination of cruelty and manipulation, a master of deception who hid his true nature behind a facade of wealth and influence.

Despite the unease that his presence evoked, I straightened my spine, refusing to be cowed by the memories of my own cruel father.

"Let him breathe, even just for tonight." Mahinahon ko pa rin pakiusap sa kaniya.

Silas regarded me with a thoughtful expression, his gaze searching mine for any sign of weakness. But I held his gaze, unwavering in my resolve. I knew that this was the only way forward, the only path that offered a glimmer of hope for Rye. Nang una itong dalhin sa akin ay ipinangako kong hindi ko ito pababayaan. Tutulong ako hangga't may magagawa ako.

After a moment of silence, Silas nodded slowly, as if coming to a decision. "I will give him until tomorrow. But make sure he knows that I expect him to be ready to leave by then."

Hindi ko iyon maipapangako pero tinanguan ko pa rin siya. Palagay ko naman ay bahagya na siyang napanatag sa kaalamang mabuti ang lagay ng kaniyang anak.

Silas agreed to give Rye some time, albeit reluctantly, I felt a small sense of relief wash over me. Sinabi pa niyang may iniwan siyang dalawang bodyguards sa labas para siguruhin ang kaligtasan ni Rye. I wanted to protest. I wanted to tell him that it wasn't necessary, that I could take care of Rye on my own. But I bit back the words, realizing that Silas was simply doing what he thought was best for his son. If having extra security made him feel more at ease, then so be it.

Nang tuluyan na itong makaalis ay muli na akong bumalik sa itaas. Halos matunaw ang puso ko nang madatnan ang ayos ni Rye. There, on the couch, lay Rye, fast asleep. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his face relaxed in slumber. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded, so unscared. It was a rare sight.

I didn't want to wake him, kung hindi nga lang sasakitan siya ng katawan sa posisyon ng kaniyang pagtulog ay hahayaan ko na lang siya doon magpahinga. With a sigh, I approached him, gently shaking his shoulder to rouse him from his dreams.

"Rye," marahan kong tapik sa kaniyang braso. "Honey, you can't sleep here..."

"I don't want to go home, Caice..." Agad niyang protesta.

"I know, darling. You can use my room. You'll be more comfortable there."

Slowly, Rye's eyes fluttered open, his gaze bleary with sleep. He blinked up at me, hindi mapaniwalaan ang sinabi ko.

"Come on," I said, extending my hand to help him up. "Let's get you settled in."

With a groan, Rye pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He followed me as I led him to my bedroom, his footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. Sa sobrang antok ay hindi niya na nakuhang magtanong pa tungkol sa naging pagbisita ng ama.

As we entered the room, I gestured towards the bed, inviting him to make himself comfortable. With a grateful nod, Rye climbed under the covers, sighing contentedly as he sank into the mattress.

I watched him for a moment, feeling a swell of affection for the brave young boy who had captured my heart. Hindi lang naman si Rye ang naging kliyente ko sa mga nakalipas na taon, pero siya ang higit na mas naging malapit sa akin.

Nang tuluyan na siyang makabalik sa tulog ay hinila ko pang lalo ang kumot ay iniayos iyon sa kaniya. With a final glance, I turned off the lights and made my way to the door, leaving it slightly ajar so that I could keep an eye on him throughout the night.

Hindi ko na namalayang nakatulog na pala ako sa couch matapos kong maghapunan. Nagising na lamang ako sa marahang tapik ni Icen sa aking pisngi, nakauwi na pala siya galing sa hotel.

"Caice? Bakit dyan ka natutulog?" Kunot noong tanong niya habang inaalis ang pagkakabuhol ng suot na necktie.

"Si Rye, narito ulit siya." Nakuwento ko naman na sa kaniya si Rye dahil sa pagbisita nito sa akin noong nakaraan. "Ayaw umuwi sa kanila kaya hinayaan ko nang dito magpalipas ng gabi. He's in my room."

"Does his dad know he's here?"

Tumango ako. "Sinubukan siyang isama pauwi kanina, kaya lang anong magagawa ko kung ayaw sumama nu'ng bata? Sinabihan ko na puwede naman niyang puntahan na lang ulit bukas at subukan kung sasama nga."

Sinulyapan ko ang iron clock na nakasabit sa dingding. Madaling araw na, ah! Ngayon pa lang siya umuwi?

Bumangon ako paupo para matabihan ako ni Icen. "Bakit ganitong oras na ang uwi mo? Masyado bang maraming ginagawa sa hotel?"

Pagod niyang ibinagsak ang sarili sa tabi ko. "You can't imagine. Ang dami na ngang reklamo ni Oxygen, hindi talaga kami tinitigilan ni Uncle Kurt. Maraming pinapagawa."

Oh, yeah. Nabalitaan ko ngang nag-extend ng pagparito sina Uncle Kurt at Tita Corrine, pero hindi ko inakalang talagang pupukpukin nito ng trabaho sina Icen at Oxygen, si Dad pa. But Uncle Kurt? He was always chill and more laid back than Dad.

"It's been crazy," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But we'll get through it. We always do."

I nodded sympathetically, understanding all too well the pressures that came with running a hotel, especially one as prestigious as CHR. It was a constant juggling act, trying to balance the demands of guests, staff, and management, all while maintaining the high standards that had made the hotel famous.

"Si Zach ba, kumusta?" Biglang tanong niya, naroon ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang tinig.

"Still a work in progress," I admitted. Gusto ko mang pabilisin ay alam kong hindi iyon tama, hindi iyon makakatulong. "I'm trying to give him space, let him open up in his own time. I don't want to push him too hard."

"That's probably for the best," he agreed. "Ang sabi ay may misyon siya sa Pen Def na nagkaroon ng problema, and they had no choice but to fake his death. Pero hindi ako naniniwala. Hindi ko kayang paniwalaan na gagawin iyon ni Uncle Red."

I sighed. Miski naman ako ay hindi mapaniwalaan ang sinabi nilang iyon. The only way to uncover what really happened to Zach was to give him the time and space he needed to feel safe and comfortable opening up to me.

I knew it wouldn't be easy. Zach had been through unimaginable trauma, and it would take patience and understanding to earn his trust. But I was determined to be there for him every step of the way, ready to listen and support him whenever he was ready to share his story.

"Whatever he went through must have been incredibly traumatic. It's going to take time for him to feel safe enough to talk about it."

"I just wish there was something more we could do to help him,"

"We're doing the best we can," kinuha ko ang kaniyang kamay at marahan iyong pinisil. "He'll be okay, Icen. Nariyan ang pamilya niya, si Sasa at ang mga bata. I'm sure Zach feels their love."

Sumang-ayon man ay bakas pa rin ang pag-aalala sa anyo ni Icen. Nag-iba ang aming mga usapan, kung saan saan na napunta. Sa huli ay sinabihan niya akong gamitin na lang ang kaniyang silid at siya na ang matutulog sa couch. Hindi sana ako papayag kaya lang alam ko naman na magpipilit lang si Icen. Kaya para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan ay tumuloy na ako sa silid niya, iniwan ko na siya sa sala para makapagpahinga na rin siya.

Nang magising ako kinabukasan ay wala na si Icen, maaga na naman itong tumungo sa hotel. But he didn't leave without preparing breakfast for you and Rye. As I stepped into the kitchen, the scent of freshly cooked breakfast greeted me. Ganyan si Icen, hangga't kaya nito'y babawasan at papagaanin nito ang trabaho ko.

My eyes fell on a neatly folded piece of paper placed beside the plates, and I reached for it, unfolding it carefully.

The familiar handwriting of Icen adorned the note, each stroke reflecting his thoughtfulness and care. Minana nito ang ganyan kay Mommy, sigurado.

"Good morning, Caice," the note began, the letters etched with warmth and affection. "I hope you and Rye enjoy the breakfast I prepared. I'll be at the hotel if you need anything. Take care, and don't forget to eat well."

A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I read his words. Kahit sobrang dami na ng ginagawa nito ay hindi pa rin ito nakakalimot na alagaan ako.

He had prepared a hearty meal, complete with fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and a generous serving of fresh fruits. As I took a seat at the table, Rye emerged from the living room, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the food before him. Hindi na kasi ito nakapaghapunan kagabi.

I smiled warmly at Rye as he took a seat at the table, his eyes still filled with a hint of sleepiness from the night before.

"Good morning, Rye," I greeted him softly. "I hope you're feeling better today."

"Morning, Caice," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

We silently began to eat, and I couldn't help but notice the way Rye's appetite seemed to have returned. His fork moved methodically across his plate, savoring each bite of food with a quiet intensity. Nagutom rin talaga marahil.

"Rye, I spoke to your father last night," I began gently, my tone cautious. "He said that he would be coming to pick you up later today."

Rye's expression remained impassive as he nodded, his eyes fixed on his plate. He didn't offer any verbal response, but the tension in his shoulders was palpable. Alam kong kung siya ang masusunod ay hindi pa niya gugustuhing umuwi. Kaya lang, ano naman ang magagawa ko? Daddy niya iyon.

"I know it's hard to believe," maingat pa rin ang pananalita ko. Ang maramdaman ni Rye na ipinipilit ko sa kaniya ang pinaniniwalaan ko ang pinakahuling bagay na gusto kong maramdaman niya. "But your father cares about you, Rye. He wants what's best for you, even if it doesn't always seem that way."

Rye's silence stretched between us. I knew that he was grappling with conflicting emotions, at mas pinipili na lamang na manahimik kaysa ano pa ang masabi. I admired him for having that control at a very young age.

Natahimik lamang kami ni Rye buong umaga. Hinayaan ko lang siyang manuod ng tv sa sala habang ako'y may mga tinatapos basahin. Gusto ko sanang puntahan si Zach ngayong araw kaya lang siguro sa susunod na lang. Si Rye na muna ang aasikasuhin ko.

Tanghali nang muling tumunog ang buzzer at sabihin ng doorman na nasa baba ang daddy ni Rye. Nilingon ko muna si Rye at siniguradong ayos lamang ito bago ko sabihan ang doorman na paakyatin na si Silas DiLaurentis.

"Send him up, thanks."

Not a few minutes later, the door buzzed again. I took a deep breath and opened it to find Silas DiLaurentis standing there. Unlike last night's imposing figure in a tailored suit, he now looked more relaxed in a yellow golf shirt and khaki pants. Ngunit kahit siguro ano pa ang isuot nito'y magmumukha pa rin siyang mabalasik.

"Good morning, Mr. DiLaurentis," pormal kong sabi bago bahagyang umatras para papasukin siya. "Please, come in."

He stepped over the threshold without a smile, his eyes scanning the room as if assessing it. "Morning," he replied curtly. "Where is Rye?"

"He's in the living room," I said, gesturing towards the open area where Rye sat on the couch, his back straight and his hands clasped in his lap. He looked up at his father with a mixture of apprehension and resignation.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip kung anong klaseng relasyon ang meron ang mag-ama. Rye didn't seem at ease in his father's presence. Para bang takot na masaktan, but then, he told me his dad never hit him.

Silas walked over to Rye, his expression softening slightly, but he still maintained a stern expression. "It's time to go home, son."

I remained rooted to the spot, silently observing the exchange.

Rye looked up at his father, his eyes pleading. "Can I just stay with Caice?"

Silas shook his head, his tone firm but not unkind. "That's not possible, Rye. You have to go home."

Rye's shoulders slumped in defeat. Without another word, he nodded and stood up from the couch, accepting his fate. The sight of his resignation tugged at my heart. I wished there was more I could do for him.

"Mr. DiLaurentis," I began, stepping forward to bridge the gap between father and son. "Before you leave, I'd like to have a word with you."

Silas turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"

I gestured towards the small dining table. "Can we sit?"

He hesitated for a moment before nodding and taking a seat. I joined him, feeling Rye's eyes on us from the living room. Gusto ko lang naman siguraduhin na alam niya ang pinagdadaanan ng anak niya.

"I know you care about your son, Mr. DiLaurentis," I started, keeping my tone calm and measured.

Silas's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt. I took that as a sign to continue.

"Rye mentioned feeling like he's just something you own, not someone you care about. That kind of feeling can be very damaging, especially for someone his age."

"He said that?" Kumunot ang kaniyang noo na tila ba hindi pa agad mapaniwalaang sinabi iyon ng kaniyang anak. Silas exhaled sharply, a flicker of something—guilt, maybe—crossing his features.

"Yes, he did," I confirmed gently. "Whatever it is you're doing, job-related or otherwise, it's clearly affecting him. He needs to feel like he's valued as a person, not just as an heir or an obligation."

"I never wanted him to feel that way. I've always thought providing for him, keeping him safe, was the most important thing. But it seems I was wrong..."

"Providing for him is important," I agreed, "but emotional support and showing that you care are just as vital. Considering what he went through with his mother, Rye needs stability and love more than anything. He needs to know he's more than just a part of your legacy."

Silas's face softened, the stern lines easing into a more contemplative expression. "But he is important..."

"Then make him feel like it." I encouraged. "Start by spending more time with him, listening to him, and showing him that he matters to you."

Iyon ang mga bagay na hindi naiparamdam kay Rye ng ina nito. Kung sana'y puwede ko lang isiksik ng husto sa kaniya na sapat na pagkalinga ang kailangan ng anak niya to make the kid feel more secured at hindi sandamakmak na bodyguards ay ginawa ko na sana.

"Rye deserves better, Mr. DiLaurentis."