19 You Can Run, But You Can't Hide!

There's an old saying: "You can run, but you can't hide" in Ann's case, she had been hiding from her mother, but she couldn't run too far.

All her life she had been anticipating the moment when she would meet her in person, and the day had finally arrived, but instead of a happy reunion, why did it become very awkward?

She had long dreamt of this day. Now that it happened, why did she feel so dissatisfied with the outcome?

==

Flashback:

When she was a child, her classmates would tease her and call her names "Orphan! An orphan, she was an orphan!" Likewise, kids at school would tease her.

Others would join in teasing her, "ah-ah! She's not an orphan; she's just a little mushroom that popped out from the ground."

"Grandma Wen just found her by the side of the road and plucked her out of the ground and took her home!" For Ann, who was at a tender age, it hurt her feelings. She would run home crying to her grandmother.

One beautiful day she found the courage and asked her grandma about her parents. "Lola, (that's what she called her grandma) where are my parents?"

In the beginning, Her Lola would make up stories and tell her that her parents were just busy with business somewhere very far away and that they let her live with her temporarily, and that one day they would come back for her and take her home.

She believed that for many years, but as she got older, the day never came.

When she was around 12 years old, she got very sick with stomach cramps. She was in so much pain that she was about to pass out. She called for her "Lola" for help, but there was no one at home. She felt so alone...

She needed to go to the bathroom, but when she got up, that's when she realized that a lot of blood was oozing from between her legs, which scared her.

She didn't know what caused it, and she thought she was dying.

She had no one else she could call for help. No friends, no siblings, no parents, and no relatives. The only one she had was 'Lola,' but she was not home.

She laid her body back down on the bed, trying to ease the pain, and just waited for her end to come. Ann stayed like that, lying down in a bed full of blood in a dark room.

When Grandma Wen got home late that day, she was scared half to death when she saw the sight of Ann's room. She thought something horrible had happened to Ann and started panicking.

What she saw was Ann lying on top of her bed, looking like a corpse and not moving. She rushed to Ann's side and shook her: "Apo... Apo... wake up! It took a couple more times of shaking before Ann opened her eyes. As soon as she saw her 'Lola,' she cried so hard that she made her 'Lola' much more concerned for her. 

"What happened?" her 'Lola' asked.

In reality, Ann just had her first period, and she didn't know what it was. Grandma-Wen never told her about women's stuff like the monthly visitor. She never saw any tampons or pads around the house and never saw grandma ever having a period. 'If only I had a mother around to talk to or teach me about things like that,' Ann had thought...

Finally, grandma-Wen decided to tell her the truth about her parentage.

When she heard that her mother was an actress and a singer in Asia, she was elated first. Then, she was so proud to find out that her mother was somewhat famous and a celebrity at that.

However, after a while, her feelings for her mother turned to hate instead of admiration. Finally, she promised herself that someday she would surpass her mother's achievements and when they finally met each other, Ann would show her that she turned out very well despite being abandoned at birth.

==

==

Lea received a phone call from the assistant of the marketing director of the MegaWorld Department store to inform them of the meeting for the collaboration between Sophia and Ann.

Sophia's manager also received the same call.

==

In the Tan Mansion:

Sophia had passed out from drinking all night. This was the sight that CEO Tan saw when he went to check on her that morning.

"Sophia! Sophia! Wake up! Your manager just called to inform you about a meeting with Ms. Ann for commercial collaboration." Albert Tan told his wife.

Sophia opened her eyes, still half asleep, half awake, not comprehending anything Albert Tan said.

It took a couple of seconds before it registered in her mind. "Ouch! My head hurts so bad, get me a painkiller, please!" she requested from her husband.

"What's going on with you? Why have you been acting weird lately? You've been so strange ever since we came back from meeting the new spokesperson of the Mega World Group. Are you upset that you have to share the limelight with an unknown personality? Tell me! And I will take care of it for you." Albert Tan said.

"I told you that I would give you whatever you wish for, as long as it's within my capability. So getting rid of that girl is nothing. All I have to do is call and talk to Chairman Go, and it will be settled." He told her endearingly.

"Say the word, and I'll do it, okay! That girl is nothing. She's an unknown personality from abroad." He continued.

'She probably slept her way to get where she is now, looking at her, and anyone can tell that she's a beauty with no brains.' So Albert thought, not realizing that he had spoken it out loud for Sophia to hear.

"What did you say? Repeat that and see if I don't file a divorce from you in a heartbeat." Sophia retorted, anger showing on her beautiful face.

"Huh?" Albert scratched his head, confused.

"You better leave that girl alone, you hear me! If I ever hear that you or your spoiled daughter did anything to that poor girl, wait and see what will happen." Sophia threatened him.

Albert Tan was afraid of what she just said. He knew her temperament very well, what she thought she would do, and she might file for divorce and leave him. He will never let that happen in this lifetime or the next.

He rushed to her side and hugged her, coaxing Sophia a little, and asked her in a sweet low tone of voice, "If that's not the case, then why are you in this state? Tell me… you know it pains me to see you like this. I will do anything; just say the word!"

Sophia thought about her actions just now and realized that she was overreacting. It's not good for Albert to start suspecting her relationship with Ann Wen, so she changed the subject, "Why are you still here and not at the office?" Sophia asked, kissing Albert.

"I'm on my way to work. I just came to check on you and to tell you that I love you, my dear wife. As well as to relay the message from your manager." He kissed her back and turned around to leave for work.

As soon as Albert left, Sophia grabbed her phone and called her Manager. "I'm hungover right now. I need to relax to clear my mind. Make an appointment for me to the Salon and invite Ms. Ann Wen and her manager ASAP." She instructed her manager.

Sophia had so many things that she wanted to talk to Ann about, but she didn't know how to approach the subject without Ann being suspicious.

She needed to find a way to get close to her without being obvious while also being careful of people around her, especially her husband and step-daughter should not suspect anything.

It was not a good time for them to know about their actual relationship. However, she will tell them when the time is right.

Ann made the first step of getting closer to her without being obvious. But, like her mother, she would also do everything in her power to make sure she had a smooth transition. 

'Did Mother ever tell Ann about me?' Sophia wondered...

==

In the Go mansion:

"Lea, do I have to go?" Ann asked her friend. Concern was visible on her face.

"What do you think? Girl, I swear I don't understand you sometimes; other newbies like you would kill to have their name linked to a famous personality like her." Lea made it sound like she was a brat.

"You, on the other hand, are acting the exact opposite. You don't seem to want to be seen with her at all! Why is that?" Lea shook her head while asking Ann.

"I have a reason if you must know, but I promise, I will tell you everything when the time is right, okay!" Ann said apologetically.

"Fine! You better, we made a promise to each other, remember? No keeping secrets between us, alright! Please, start getting ready. We don't want the 'Diva' to have to wait for us, you know," Lea said, huffing and puffing.

"Alright! You win, give me a few minutes, and I will get ready ASAP". Ann sighed and got ready.

"That's my girl! Let's make you the most beautiful of all in the land of Asia! Hahaha," Lea left happily.

==

Sophia was incredibly famous in Asia. She was referred to as the 'Diva,' and even though she was now older and recently married, she was still as beautiful as ever.

She was and still is a goddess in the industry. Men, women, young or old, worshiped the ground she walked on. Salon owners fought for the privilege for her to utilize their service, a free advertisement with benefits.

Sophia received VIP treatment wherever she went.

However, it was an entirely different story with Ann; she was a nobody in Asia. A newbie, just like Lea said so.

Ann and Lea arrived at the Salon. It was a prestigious and luxurious-looking facility. As soon as they walked in, a hostess greeted them.

"Hello, welcome! To 'The Island Resort,' how may I help you today?" the receptionist asked them while looking at them from head to toe, appraising their value.

Lea did not miss that look the girl gave them; she was about to give her a tongue lashing when Ann gave her a warning look and decided against it. 

"Someone invited us to come to meet them here today. " Lea did not mention a name. 

"I see," the girl replied, uninterested, not even looking at them. Instead, she was just looking at the computer in front of her. "And who is this person that invited you?" She asked but further thought, 'Yah! Right, like you would know anyone in the elite circle,' not realizing she had said it out loud.

Ann, who was standing behind Lea waiting, suddenly looked up and was about to say something. When a voice from behind her said, "You're here!" It was Sophia and her entourage following behind her.

When the receptionist saw the person embracing Ann, she immediately changed how she was addressing them and became an entirely different person from before.

"Madam, Sophia! Welcome! Everything has been prepared, just waiting for your arrival. This way, please!"

Sophia just ignored her and continued hugging Ann, who was feeling very uncomfortable at the moment. "Let's go have a girls' day and pamper ourselves. We'll get massages first, then facials, manicures... oh… and we will give you a makeover, how's that!" Sophia asked Ann excitedly.

Lea: '...?'

Ann: '...?'

Sophia's entourage: '...?'

They were all wondering what was going on with Sophia, but no one dared to say anything, or else there would be hell to pay.

The owner of the salon was informed that the 'Diva' had arrived. He rushed right away to where they were; he must make sure that nothing goes wrong. He always took care of Sophia, no matter how busy his schedule was.

However, this time, he did not anticipate what was about to happen.

The owner of the salon always took pride in providing Sophia with the best service personally.

Whenever Sophia's Manager called and made an appointment, he would make time from his busy schedule to squeeze her in.

Today was no exception, he had another appointment scheduled with another socialite, but he ended up telling his assistant to attend to her.

The owner prayed that the socialite would not make an issue and cancel at the last minute; it would be a significant loss as part of his clientele.

=====

Ann was suffocating from Sophia's embrace, but she didn't want to offend her. One way or the other, she needed to find a way out of her embrace.

"Hmm... M-Ms. Sophia, I'm sorry!" Ann said while wiggling out of Sophia's hug. "I appreciate your offer. I truly am flattered. However, I have important things to do. Could we do this another time?" Ann said, putting a distance between them.

Sophia was disappointed, and it clearly showed on her face, but she agreed anyway. "How about we do brunch then? I did not get a chance to grab a bite, and I'm famished right now. So what do you say?"

'What's going on with Sophia?' Everyone was wondering as they watched her acting weird.

Once again, Ann tried to reason with her and declined the invitation.

Before Sophia could utter another word, Ann received a phone call from Jeff.

"Hello! Are you finished? I want to eat you! N-no! I mean, I would like to eat with you! 'Lunch' is what I mean" Jeff finished his sentence with a light laugh.

Ronald, standing not far away sipping his coffee, almost choked when he heard what his boss just said. 'God! I pray that no calamity ever comes between these love birds, or we ' the little pawns' will be suffering from a torturous death for sure,' He thought while looking at Jeff seriously.

"I'm finished! I will be leaving now, alright!" She made sure that her voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear.

"Ms. Sophia, once again please, accept my sincere apology and thank you for the thought. It's what counts. Goodbye, and enjoy your day!" Ann said, then walked out without waiting for a reply or looking back to the person still standing in shock.

'How does it feel, Mother? It's how I felt when you abandoned me without looking back. The difference then was that I was just an infant and didn't know anything.' Ann was almost in tears while in deep thought.

'But I lived through it all my life. The feeling of abandonment, a constant companion.' Tears were now flowing in her beautiful green eyes.

'Whereas, you just now found out how it feels, Mother-dear?' Ann thought to herself while full of self-pity, sadness, and triumph at the same time.

Lea sensed that something was going on, but she couldn't put her finger on it. 'Ann will tell me in good time as she promised, and she has all-time in the world; she's not in a hurry at all.'

=====

Sophia didn't understand her feelings at that moment: 'What happened? Why did she suddenly change her mind? I was sure she would be willing to spend time with me today.' She was at a loss and didn't understand what happened.

'Why would she come all the way and suddenly say that she has another engagement? That's unheard of. Something must have happened before my arrival. I need to find out.' Sophia thought.

The Owner of the establishment was speechless and clueless. He just stood there, waiting for Sophia to begin the treatment.

On the other hand, the receptionist knew she was in trouble after putting two and two together.

"Let's get the F-k-out of here!" Sophia ordered her entourage, then walked out as well, enraged.

She didn't need to ask what happened; she could see it from the receptionist's worried looks.

The owner realized what was happening and went running after Sophia apologizing.

"Ms. Sophia, please forgive us just this once! I will take care of that receptionist right away. I beg you, please!" The owner was pleading earnestly to Sophia.

"We will see! If Miss. Ann forgives you, then so will I. You do know what I mean, right?"

"Yes! Yes! Ms. Sophia, I will apologize to Miss. Ann, personally, if I need to get down on my knees, I will!" The owner said, full of remorse.

The receptionist who had treated Ann and Lea indifferently a while back knew that she would be 'Fired!' soon and started sobbing.