Kumakapit pa ba kayo? 

Konting unos lang ito na kayang lampasan. Ngiti ng konti sa pagsalubong kay Haring Araw sa umaga ng ang iyong puso ay mapuno ng saya. Lungkot ang mawawala dahil bukas ang puso natin sa ngiti ng iba. Maging ang lakas ng isa ang maging lakas na rin ng iba.

Kumapit lang po tayo sa mga ngiting ibinahagi nila, sa mga kislap ng kanilang mga matang ibinahagi sa atin. Ang pagmamahal na ginawad ng langit ay hindi pwedeng kunin ng lupa. Kumapit lang po tayo ng kanilang makita ang pagmamahal natin sa kanila.

Isang pangako ang aking ibabahagi sa inyo, maubod man ang sampung nagmamahal sa kanilang dalawa, ako ay mananatiling mamahalin sila.

Early update. Sunday pa sana ito. Pero dahil birthday night bunso ko and the only boy namin, I nag ah an ko na para naman Mapasaya ko kayo.

Kapit lang mga Pemily. 😄😄

-------------

"Meng, your Tatay wants you to stay in Bulacan for the moment while they are looking for Alden." Her mom rubbed her back while talking to her. She was just quiet. She's trying wrap her mind on why this is happening to them.

"No, nay. I'll stay here. Alden needs me to be here." She said sternly. She doesn't want to go anywhere. She doesn't want to move an inch. She will wait here where Alden could see her right away. She ran away before but not anymore.

"But Meng, you can't be here by yourself. At least if you at home we can take care of you." Her mom is trying to persuade her the best she could.

"No, nay. I will be alright here. I just wanted to be here. Alden needs me here." She said in almost a whisper.

"Meng, you can't be here all by yourself. Just go home with us. Tatay said so." Oh. That came in so bitter in her ears that she tasted it in her tongue. She looked up and saw the hopeful smile of her mother. She gave her a sideways smile and shook her head.

"Nay, did you hear what I said? Or you are becoming like Tatay and not thinking that I am na adult woman who is going to get married in a couple of weeks, and yet, you guys are still treating me like a mindless, helpless little kid that you push around and pawn for you business." She may have said it in a low, calm way, but her father snapped his head towards her. It was a word intended for her father.

Don't get her wrong, she loves her dad but it's too late for him to be the daddy she thought he would be right now. She doesn't want hism controlling the situation or her in times like this, Alden is more important and not her feelings. 

"Maisie Daine Mendoza! Mind you manners! She is still your mother!" His voice echoed inside the hallowed walls of Slinkee's. Everyone who's busy doing stuff and some are talking to the police, turn their heads on them and gazed in surprised, feel into silence, wondering what is going on.

She faced his glare with an equally intense stare. She is really angry at her dad's always "wrong timing" attitude. When is going to stop?! She said to herself. I need a father right now. not a dictator. She thought.

"I know she is." She glared at him. He felt the anger coming out of her eyes. He knows that she's going through a tough time at the moment and he just wanted her to come and relax at home while everyine is looking for Alden. Is it bad to think of her first?

"Menggay, wag dito." Her mom pleaded. She smirked. Her mother is always like that, the peacemaker. She always wanted peace at home that is why she does what he says. even if it meant no he able to do what she wants.

"Tell him to leave me alone then." She replied in a low and loving tone but stern. "This is my life now, Nay. I know you are all worried about me, thank you, I appreciate it but I can handle it. I don't have to go to Bulacan. And I would appreciate it more kung titigilan nyo ako." She said calmly but full of angst. She know that her dad just wanting to be the father that he needs to be but she does not like it when he inserts himself in her life in a controlling way. His controlling days are over the moment said yes to Alden. She getting married now..... to Alden. She can't wait for that to happen.

"Maisie Daine! I know you are going through some tough times but you have no right to speak to your mother in that manner." She glared at him that stopped him from what he is going to say next. He felt her anger and angst. He knows he's doing it again but he is only worried about her.

"And you? Do you know that? Or are we throwing the "I am the Padre de Familia card" on the table?" She asked. "Have we forgotten that you had lost the right over me when arranged me to marry him? And Chad? And Phil? You have given me away, Tay Like one of business merchandize. So what right you think you have to talk to me or tell me what to do and where to go?" And the skeletons in the closet that was buried long time ago, even after she had forgiven him, was pulled out.

That is when she realized that she hasn't forgiven him fully. She's still holding on to that pain in the deepest part of her heart. Is that the reason why she's feeling the tug of not being content in one place? Not being sure what she really wanted? Not so sure to settle down or not? That she felt that she doesn't have enough time to think things through? That she is somewhat confuse if she really wanted to marry Alden? Is this why? She knows deep down she loves Alden. Alden became her world. Alden was there for her when she was alone. And she will be here for him. Just for him. And Tatay has to accept it.

Maine....." Her mom try to stopped her from getting so angry at her dad.

Ann knew how her daughter and husband get mad. They are equally intense because Maine got it form her father. She's loving and tender with them. She's caring. She worries about her family like no other. Maine may not seem like that kind of person but if possible, she doesn't want to ask anything from them. She used to always follows what her dad wants her to do, all of them, but Ann also knew that there are those boundaries that don't need to be crossed and her husband had crossed it too many times in different situations, ways and occasions and she thinks that Maine had reached the boiling point. And with Alden, her future son-in-law being missing, and Ted is not helping at all.

"You can stay here if you want. We just wanted to be sure that you are okay." Ann was quick to defuse the escalating situation. Ted gave her a disappointed look. Ann had enough not his meddling. "You do what you think is best for you and Alden, I will be here to support you." She shut Ted an all knowin look. Meddle with this and YOU will answer to me. Ted looked down. He knows his wife had it too.

Ever since the marriage arrangements that Ted had put Maine through in the past, the father-daughter relationship was a bit tarnished in a way that she doesn't know if it can still be mend. A small crack in the relationship becoming so big as each situation rises, soon whatever's left were all broken pieces and she knows that Maine is still somewhat broken way deep down inside. She was hoping that this incident where Alden was taken by Kelly, which she was hoping that it's Kelly, whoever that girl is, and will mend that broken relationship.

As fir Alden, she knows whatvhis capable of. He loves Maine through and through. It is not a secret that Alden was a ruthless businessman. It had crossed her mind that someone from his past business dealings may not have been happy and did this to him, but she was hopeful that it would the first reason, Kelly.

Maine went silent as her mother's loving eyes was on her, tenderly looking at her and pleading. She dropped her shoulder and sat down on the chair where she was sitting before. Everyone went back to what their doing.

"Jon Harris!" A voice boomed from the doorway which broke the weird, awkward, eerie silence. Maine doesn't recognized who it was. The first walked in with ease then followed by three others. First look at them, they look so intimidating, a little hardcore, a bit arrogant and a lot of handsome, but they all look like someone you can easily trust. Her heat all of sudden felt light. A little smile formed on her lips.

"Hey! Thank you for coming with such short notice." Jon, the owner of the resto bar, greet the four newcomers with enthusiasm.

"Well, you called so distress. Sorry, we kind of came late. I waited for Ari here." She was just listening the the owner and the new comer talking. She saw Alric and Tony got closer to where Jon is.

Well, you know I can't leave Chai that easy." The Japanese looking guys said.

"It's okay, bro. Thank you for extending such helping hand to us. My friend Tony and Alric here needed both of your expertise." Jon said it with a smile. "This are my friends. Ari, Mark, Ramon and Zander. They will be the one helping us finding Alden. They are experts in tracking." Tony and Alric extended their hands to acknowledge the four gentleman.

"Thank you for coming." Alric said. "Come on. Let me introduce you my future sister-in-law." Alric continued. With the heavy situation going on right now, she felt heart smiled a bit more hearing what Alric called her, sister-in-law, that warmed her heart.

"She's over here." Jon said. The four guys followed the three. Tony stood on Maine's left. Her mom moved closer to her dad. Alric stood on her right. She felt like a well guard lady around these two and she's very thankful for them. She just hope that her father would be more like them.

"Maine, these are my friends." Jon started. The introduction continues.

"Oh my God. Mon, she looks like Mack." Zander blurted out. Ramon just chuckled and Ari gave with a hard hit on the shoulder.

"Actually, Zander was right, there is somewhat a resemblance between the two." Mark cooed. He held his chin between his forefinger and thumb, smiling.

"You're right bro. Oh, Mack should know about this. Hahahaha!" Ari gave out a hearty laugh. Mon just stared at them.

"You three need to quit playing. Let's be serious okay." Ramon scowled at him in a low voice. He just scratch the back of his neck. The three just laughed.

"Someone got off the wrong side of the "Jen". Hahaha!" They laughed even more. They earn a dahlia glare from Ramon.

"Guys, let's get moving." Jon said it with a chuckle. The four waved their hand to apologize. In one snap if a finger the four men's demeanor chnge. Ramon a d Xander yelled their laptops, Mark pulled out  gadget. Ari raised his phone.

"Does he have a phone with him?" Asked Ari. She shook her head then lift her hand with Alden's phone on it. Ari nodded. "Okay. What about the other person...... Ummm.... Hey, Jon who was that you said on the phone?" Ari continued as he turn to Jon.

"Chad. Roger Chad Gonzales." Maine said quietly as she was staring at her hands playing with finger nails.

"Excuse me?" Mark turn to her as he heard her soft voice.

"His name is Roger Chad Gonzales." She repeated looking up to see Mark's surprised face. She tilted her head trying to figure out why he looks and sounds so surprise.

"Roger Gonzales? Roger *The Devil" Gonzales? The casanova devil racer from Spain?" Maine looked at him puzzled.

"What? Maybe. I'm not sure. I don't know. Why?" She asked alternately looking at them and Tony and Alric.

"Do you have a picture of him?" Zander asked. Maine pulled her cellphone and went through her gallery. It took a little while because she got none.

She opened her social media and went through her friends list, tapped on Chad's profile. She was able to get one with Kelly on it. She's about to close her social media account when she saw a post from Kelly where Alden was tagged. She felt a sharp pain in her heart as she saw who he was with. She was looking at Alden's sleeping face and Kelly hugging on him was the most painful sight to see. She was surprised when Tony grabbed her phone.

"What the hell is she doing this for? She's delusional." Tony said out loud.

"We know it." Ivy, Jing and All un said in chorus. The guys looked at them and smirked in agreement.

"We got 'em!" Ramon excitedly uttered on the side table where the two laptops are sitting, facing him. He had a wide and proud grin in his face.

"Shut up, Bayaw!" Zander yelled from across him.

"You two knock it off. Para kayong gago!" Ari scolded the two, smiling.

Maine was just observed then. These men around ealways smiling. They may get annoyed with each but the next second, they are smiling and fist bumping each other.

"Bro, just let them be. That's how they are." They both chuckled at their friend's antics. Jon just winced.

"Guys, please not right now. Not here." Sheri butted in shaking her head. The two just looked at her and grinned. She rolled her eyes at them. Maine sees it as..... Refreshing. She felt  a warm touch in her heart.

"Did you get the location?" Jon asked.

"Not really but I got his last whereabouts." Ramon replied. He was staring at the screen, his forehead crunch up. "Zands, look at this? Is this even possible?" Zander quickly went behind him, so as Mark and Ari. All four of them look at what he was looking at.

"What is going on?" Jon asked. Ramon moved and showed him what he was seeing. "Their coming back from Isabela, and question is, to where? To here?" Jon asked absentmindedly.

Maine got up and shoved him to look at the monitor. Ramon was somewhat pushed to the side. They were just quiet and very much forgiven. They know how she felt since they all went through some stuff like this and worst.

"Maine, I think I need you to relax." She turn around to see the female's voice that spoke up. It was Sheri.

"Hey, Busty! Can you tell me what's possibly going on with this scenario?" Zander spoke. Jon glared at him. Zander being the playful guy, just gave him a toothy grin.

"Shut up, Zander. Call me right with my name!" She snarled at him. But Zander just laughed it off.

"Be serious dude. We are at the wrong place, okay." Mark said in a hush tone but Maine still heard it. Her stare never left the monitor. She's watching the little red moving dot. She thought that maybe that is the vehicle where Alden is being carried.

"Is that Alden? Is that then?" She asked. Her voice cracked. Tears came down again.

"I am not sure. I plugged in the information that Mark gave me about Chad Gonzales. That's maybe him." Ramon lowly said. He was pretty serious. So, it was Chad then.

"With the help of her post that Tony showed me, I was able triangulate their position. It is also a good thing that her social media account location is on." Zander added.

"Allyn!" Maine called out.

"Yes, Ate Maine?" Allyn came rushing to her.

"Do you have Kelly's number?" She seriously and morbidly asked. Allyn knows the war hasn't started yet. But it will soon.

"I think I do, I'm not sure. Let me look for it. If not Ate Ivy may have it." As soon as Allyn mentioned Ivy's name she came running right away. Ivy is always been the loving "Ate". Their agreed are not from from each other but she stand by as the big sister to all of them, including the guys.

"I'll call Aunt Amelia." Ivy took her phone out to make that call.

Everybody, except for Mark, Ari, Ramon and Zander, were all sitting now, waiting for what will happen next. Tired, no sleep and somewhat hungry, but everyone are all here. No plans of leaving her. From Alden's parents and siblings to Maine's parents and siblings, their friends, they are all here. Nikko and Nikki were just watching everyone go on with what they do. The cops are still talking to the guard and sometimes talking to Sam then back to Troy then back to Briggs. It was a real hassle. Jon had decided to close the resto bar for a couple of days. He knows that Alric will need help in figuring out his brother's disappearance, or best way to say is,  his brother's kidnapping.

Maine sat right next to Ramon quietly, sternly looking at the monitor, watching the red dots twist and turn. She's making a mental notes for f the the the surrounding town and highlights it is on. If that is Chad, where is he going. She was praying that he is still following them. She hasn't shown anybody about Kelly's post but she is sure that everyone in Alden's friend's list, which is only a few, might have already seen it, and Judging by the look on Allyn and Ivy's face, they may have seen it already.

She was in the middle of her thoughts when all of a sudden another red dot blinked and started moving ahead the other red dot. She looked around, trying to catch somebody's eyes, but sad to say the everyone is busy.

"Excuse me...." She paused a little bit trying to remember the guys name.

"Ramon." He answered quickly with a smile.

"Thank you, Ramon." She replied with a timid smile. He nodded. "What is that other red dot? I mean..." She stopoed. She's curious but she is also shy to bother them.

"I am not sure yet. Hold on." Ramon said.

"Hey, Ari. Do we know who the other red dot is? Did we make contact to both?" Ramon asked not even glancing to him. Maine saw how dedicated they are with what they are doing. She may be worried but ay least she know a little relax.

"Yeah. I tapped into Mrs. Samaniego's phone and was able to get that." Pointing at the other dot.

Maine turn around to look at Ivy. Ivy smiled at her dearly. She felt a warm touch in her heart. She smiled back at her, nod and mouthed a thank you.

"Who are you calling?" With one birw raised and the forruwed, Tony asked his wife. She mouthed Kelly. "That was quick." He commented turning to face Ari and Mark.

"She didn't pick up." Ivy commented. You can her the annoyance on her voice.

"It's okay, Mrs. Samaniego, we got it." Zander said without looking up. That was quick. She thought.

"Jon, thank you for bringing your friends to help us." Alric said smiling at the bar's owner. "We really appreciate it." He added. Jon shook his head and replied.

"No problem. I understand your situation. We went through these, too." Jon replied honestly then smiled at her.

"This happened to you before?" With briws crunched up tigether and furrowed, Maine asked alternately looking at Jon and his wife, Sheri. He nodded and kissed Sheri on the side of her head.

"A few times." Sheri said with a sad eyes but calm.

Maine looked at them and smiled even though she wanted to cry again remembering how Alden is such a sweet and loving man towards her. She steered her gaze down to Sheri's bulging belly. She felt a jolt of emotions.

"How far?" She asked smiling. Tony and Ivy saw the sparkles in Maine's eyes. She saw Tony smiled at Maine and she smiled, too.

"30 weeks." Her short response with a smile. Maine nodded and just let out a deep quiet sigh.

"Don't you have one yet?" Sheri asked. Maine shook her head and cried. She can't help it. She doesn't understand herself. She is so emotional. Well, she kind of but not fully. I am just missing Alden and scared for him at the same time. Convincing herself is not where she wants to go but that's all she can do at the moment. She knows that she shorthanding herself with hope.

"I'm sorry, Maine. I didn't.." Sheri's word was cut because Zander has to butt in.

"What did you do, Busty? Starting again?" Zander uttered smirking while staring at the laptop's screen.

"Whatever, hapon na binabad sa suka. I will tell Lena on you. You are mean." Sheri responded in a child like manner. Jon hugged her from behind and Maine felt a little envious. She really do wish that Alden is here. They need to find Alden right away. She bit her lower lip thinking of him.

"Zand, let go. You know she's pregnant." Ramon reminded him but Zander just chuckled.

"Listen to you brother in law, you idiot." Sheri sarcastically said. She then turn to Maine and pointed out the red dot behind another red dot. "That steady red dot infront of the new blinking red dot may be the car where your fiance possibly is in right now." She added smiling. Maine thought that she look so radiant and glowing. She thought that whenever she... if she gets pregnant, she wanted to look just like her. The way Jon look at his wife is the same way Alden look at her. Thinking of him makes her miss him even more. She felt a sting in her eyes. She knows water works is not that far either.

"How am I gonna know if that is actually the vehicle that carries him?" She asked not looking or asking anybody in particular. A short silence took place. Then a man's voice spoke up.

"Why don't you call your friend, whom you said was following your fiance. If that blinking red dot behind the steady one turns green then that's him." It was Ari who replied. "It means he's still following them." He added looking down at his gadget.

She didn't look at anyone because her eyes were watering already. She wants Alden back home with her and if calling Chad will help them bring them bring back, even though she doesn't want to, she will do it. She'll do anythin and everything for Alden. She will go to hell and back for Alden. Tears are now rolling down her cheeks. She felt a squeeze on her shoulder. She didn't look up but judging on the flat babydoll shoes she's seeing, it is Ivy. Her shoulder started shaking. Nikki came running next to her.

"Ate Nikki, I'm scared. What if she do something bad to him? What if she hurt him? Or worse kill him." Thinking of it scares her more. "Kuya Nikko!!" She yelled out loud for her brother. She felt an enormous feeling of panic. Anxiety is strikes.

Everyone turned to her, some get up on their feet and some ran towards her. Nikko on the other hand was so fast, flash fast, he was standing in front of her pulling her up for a hug. She cried out on her brother's shoulder. It is always her Kuya Nikko. No matter what the situation would be, it was, it is, it will always be her Kuya.

It's okay, Meng. Just cry it all out." He said rubbing her back up and down. "Alric, would it be okay if you make that call?" Nikko asked. Alric nodded. Ivy took the phone from Maine.

"We got it, bro." Jon answered. Not knowing to anyone, Nikko knew Jon Harris because of his older brother, Jon Francis.

"Thanks, Harris." Nikko replied. Everyone looked at Jon then to Nikko but nobody dared to ask.

"He's Francis' friend." Was Jon's short replied. Everybody just nodded and shrug it off. There's the answer but it wasn't that important, what's important right now is to find Alden and get him back. He was a friend of his too and he wants him back before his own wedding.

"Mon, I will call him from Maine's phone," Jon took Maine's phone from Ivy and dialed Chad's number. "Zander, will you monitor which dot would that be. Mark. Ari, can you hack his phone to get the app upload on his phone remotely? We need it there just in case his phone died we can still track him. Can someone please the other person?" He ask. Everyone's watching and listening to the five of them working while Sheri stood by next to her husband.

"Mark, Carmi texted. She was wondering what time you are going to the old house? Ninong's back." Sheri uttered staring at her phone still.

"I am not sure yet. Whatever time we get done here." Mark replued without looking. Sheri just nod and went back to her cell phone. "Hon, have you meet this girl that took Mr. Richards?" She asked still tinkering with her cell phone.

"No, not really but I think all of them knew her. Right, Ric?" Jon turn to Alric for an approval.

"How was she like?" She asked looking at Alric.

"She's a little bratty." It was Ivy that responded. "She's been like that ever since. She likes getting her way." She added.

"Just like someone we know, right bayaw?" Zander laughed. Sheri just rolled her eyes.

"Thank you, Alexander Nakatani. Like you didn't married one" Sarcasm is written all over those words. "If she is somewhat like I was, then yes, she could hurt him and herself in the process." Sheri said it like it was one regular conversations. Like it was one of those pep talks.

"Hon, don't say it like that." Jon whispered to her but Maine still heard it. She stopped crying for a little bit. She glanced at Sheri. She saw an apologetic look from her and smiled weakly. With that, it scares her even more.

"Kuya, what am I going to do? What if Sheri is right? What if Kelly hurt Alden? Kuya, I don't want to lose him." There goes her water works again. She can't help it. She's afraid nd she's missing him so much at the same time.

"We'll get him back before the wedding, okay." Nikko is trying his very best to calm her down. But in reality, he is scared himself, everyone is.

Maine knows that he will be back for her no matter what, but with this kind of circumstance, the little hope that she have this morning is slowly dwindling down to almost nothing. You may say that she's losing hope and that is exactly how she feels right now.

She wants to see a little hope, just a little to keep her going. Just a little for her to hold on, because if not, she may not be able go on anymore. She's feeling weak. Her shoulders are feeling numb. Her legs are crumbling underneath her. Her sight are getting blur to almost black because of too much crying, maybe, turning black to almost seeing nothing? That may be impossible, but that is what she's feeling and happening right now. She held on to her Kuya Nikko tighter. She could hear him calling her name but it seems like he is so far away and he's fading out. Then everything turned pitch black and a complete dark silence enveloped her.

--------------------

End of Chapter 17: Red Dots

Please vote, comment, share and good vibes

💖~Ms. J~💖
11.25.17
www.facebook.com/TheLadder89

Parting Time
©️Arrange Marriage: Destined? 2
First Published: October 9, 2016