Henrick's Words to Coleen

Two weeks passed by so fast since Georgina's father's death. Some of their relatives came to see her father for one last time and give their condolences for both the two children.

But in those entire weeks of wake, neither her mother nor Uncle Rex show up.

Throughout those days, only Warren show up in front of the guest together with Auntie Sita. Georgina never leave her father and stare on the coffin for almost a day. Sometimes she cries but most of the time she looks lifeless.

There's also some of her schoolmates and teachers came to give their condolences but neither of them can talk nor approach her.

She barely eats or sleeps and always insist to watch over her father. Besides Warren and Auntie Sita, only Henrick dare to come and talk to her for the entire week. His band didn't partake in the Music Festival anymore since she can't leave her alone. But luckily, his band mates understand the situation and told him that there's still next time.

Three days after her father's death, Henrick's parents came back home to help them assists on the other guests and needs.

After two weeks, little by little, Warren tries to accept that his father is gone, but it's the opposite of Georgina. She's still grieving as if her father died yesterday. She doesn't leave the room and always hugs the clothes he last wear while crying. Even if Warren wants to comfort her sister, he can't find a right words to say and keeps staring at her from afar whenever she seems out of her mind searching for their father. Auntie Sita alone, or even with the help of Marga, they can't calm her down. They need to call Henrick over despite of his busy days because she only listens to him.

It's already dark outside when Warren goes inside the garden and sits down while looking at the clear sky. His sister calms down at last after a few minutes of shouting and calling out for their father. Amidst of the cicadas' cries, he heard footsteps coming in his direction. He looked behind and saw Henrick. They never talk ever since he announces that he's Georgina's fiancé, even during the wake.

Despite of it, he can't dare to hate nor sue him away because he stayed with his sister throughout these tough times.

"How's Gina?" He asked without looking straight.

"She falls asleep at last. Why are you still awake? It's late already and you have class tomorrow."

Warren didn't answer and remain silence.

"Your sister is weaker than what you expect. She easily cries and gets hurt. She hated letting herself weak in front of those people she want to protect and take all the blame without hesitation." Henrick said that made him glance in his direction. "Do you know she only loves a three men in her life? She bravely fought for those people's happiness despite of being weak."

"What do you mean?"

"You, your father and the man named Giovanni Javier," Warren flinch after hearing Giovanni's name. He knows more than anyone how much she loves him, even if they already broke up.

"Gina won't say anything to me. I know she's having a hard time but..."

"It means she wants to protect you. Let her do. You might be the only reason she still dares to live, so don't take it away, be innocent, and stay as a little brother. In contrast, I'll be the one who'll protect your sister, so don't worry and cheer her up." Henrick pat his back and smile.

A momentary smile escape from Warren's face before he looks down. They stay outside for a few more minutes before going back inside to rest.

***

The next morning, Georgina wakes up because of the noises from outside. She scratches her eyes while yawning and walks outside to see the cause of the commotion. There's no one in the second-floor hallway, but she heard the shouting below. She looks down almost half asleep and saw Auntie Sita, Henrick, her mother and Giovanni who's lying down on the floor with bruises. Her senses came back to reality as she saw Giovanni groaning in pain. Without hesitation, she run towards their direction and went straight to his side, holding his face with trembling hands.

He has a blood on the side of his mouth, a cut in cheeks and a bruise on body. Giovanni can't open his left eye because of the bruise and whenever she touches her arms to help him sit, he groans in pain.

"V-Van... W-why did this happen to you? L-let's go to the h-hospital..."

"Where do you think you're going with that man?" Her mother's voice resounds in the living room, but she ignores it and focus to him. "Take her. I'll sell this house, so pack up and leave this place, Sita. We don't need your service. Besides, I'll be taking Warren with me."

"Ma'am Coleen, what are you saying? Why are you taking Warren? Does he know?" Auntie Sita said in confusion.

"He doesn't need to know. I'm her biological mother."

Georgina's face turns to dim when she heard those words, but it became soft while staring at Giovanni. It's still not clear why he ends up like this, but she knows it's her mother's fault. A tear falls down to her eyes as she caress his bruised face. Even if it's difficult for him to move, he reaches out to her hand before coughing some blood. He's beaten up pretty bad.

"C-call an ambulance, p-please call an ambulance... V-van... Van needs to be treated."

"Georgina, stay away from that man. He's been lurking around for a few days here. Your dad hates him. Do you want to disappoint him again?"

"V-Van... Don't listen to her, okay? They already called an ambulance, so hang in there and..."

"You really won't listen to me." She's about to touch Georgina's arms, but Henrick stops her hand.

"Don't touch her," he said with a serious face. "If you want to sell this house, then I'll buy it. Name your price,"

"Tsk. Fine, for the sake of marriage I won't sell this house, but I'll take Warren with me, so Sita, pack his things."

Auntie Sita hesitated to move or follow her order and look in Georgina's direction. She didn't refuse, but you can see the disapproval in her reaction while staring at Giovanni. In less than a few minutes, they heard an ambulance siren from outside. The maid let them come in with a stretcher and watch as they check his condition before taking him. They were about to leave, but Giovanni didn't let go of her hand. It trembles as he tightened the grip.

Henrick, who just glance in their direction, saw her soft reaction but was full of worries. Anyone will notice how she cares for the man. She didn't even butt an eye on her mother or listen to every word she said. It's as if in her eyes there's only the two of them exist. This is not the first time it happened. Whenever they're together and encounter Giovanni, she always wears that mixed emotion. The pain, regret, sadness, and worry. She always backs out if the man decides on something or didn't say a word if he has a final opinion. In the end, Georgina always ends up crying alone while running away.

A sigh escape from Henrick's mouth before turning to their way.

"We'll talk about this later. But for now, it's important to take him to the hospital," Henrick said.

Georgina glance at him with a sorry look, but he just tousles her hair and lets them go with the paramedics.

"I'll go after you. Stay there until I come."

He watches them walk outside the house until they heard the ambulance siren going away from their place. A silence lingers inside the living room. There's only five people inside, Henrick, Auntie Sita, Coleen and the other two men in black who's standing behind her. He looks back at them and smile.

"Mrs. Alvarez, you better mind your action with Georgina. We're not married yet. There's a few more months left." He said, taking a step forward. "If you want to take half of my part in Jung Family through her, it's better if you act according to my conditions."

"W-What? I can do whatever I want with my daughter. I'm the only family they have..." Coleen said while trying to avoid his gaze because she feels intimidated whenever Henrick was speaking like a tyrant.

"Yes, you're their only family. I can't take away that fact even if I dare. Even I or my parents can't change the law. It's absurd." He gives a short laugh. "Based on how you act and brought the man here in that state, I guess you have an interior motive like Mr. Alvarez's last will."

Coleen flinch as her eyes widen in surprise because of the words he blurted out. "What did you say?"

"I don't know what's going on with you and Georgina, but one thing is clear to me, you want to take a hold of those she cherishes while she's still in the weak state. You didn't get a single penny from your husband and want to take what's with your child by force. It's a ridiculous thought, but anyone with greed can do even the impossible."

"Y-you..."

"I think you made a mistake of choosing me as a future husband of your daughter. I'm not a person who has greed over something, but I'm overprotective, rude and straightforward. If you understand what I mean, then scram my future mother-in-law."

"How dare you tell me to leave in my house?"

"I don't have time talking to you. Besides, my wife's waiting for me. See her off Auntie Sita. I'll be leaving now." He wink towards the maid with a playful smile before walking towards the front door waving his right hand as a goodbye.

The maid let out a short laugh after hearing everything but acts seriously after Coleen glare back to her side.