“It’s okay. I brought you here because I thought you needed to hear Greta’s side of the story, too. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us. I just wanted to protect my daughter. Believe me, I tried to put some sense into her but it didn’t work. Besides, for the first time, I saw her happy during her book signings. I knew it was so selfish of me to try to make her happy at the expense of someone else. I’m so sorry, Alison. After she came to your apartment, she started to change until I had no choice but to bring her here.”
I ran my hands over my face. So, that was the reason why Greta looked like that when she saw Jeremiah in my apartment four months ago…
“Greta, it’s good that you’re here,” I said after I came out of the room. Jasper informed me of her arrival. “I need to talk to you about-“
She cut me off and screamed, “This is all you need, right?” She took the cash out of her wallet and tossed them onto my face. “There! That’s more than enough for your three-month allowance! Now, go back to your room and write something, damn it!”
Greta walked closed to me and shook my shoulders violently. “I need the fifth book for my series! You need to write! If you don’t come up with something this week, I’ll tell my father to take away your mother’s life support, you beggar witch!”
“My Mama is not a witch! You are!” Demi yelled while hiding behind my back.
I clenched my hands. I let Greta treat me like that a few times before. The woman would throw the allowance money right on my face every time my story was approved. And like a beggar, I would quietly pick the money on the floor. I allowed my cousin to trample on my pride many times because I needed the money desperately.
I swallowed all her insults as long as Jasper or my daughter wouldn’t find out about it. But now…
“Really, kid? Then let me show you this witch’s bad side-“
“Stop it, Greta!” I said along with Jeremiah who had just arrived.
“Don’t lower yourself for someone like her, Ali. She’s not worth it,” Jeremiah said as he stood between me and Greta. “You really disappoint me every time I see you, Greta. Frankly, I think this is your real talent, you know, annoying people.
“I never thought you would stoop this low,” Jeremiah added. “Be thankful that Alison still treats you as her cousin even if you’re not really blood-related. Otherwise, I’d sue you for harassment. I don’t know why your father hasn’t told you yet that I already paid all of Alison’s debts. Take back your money. Alison doesn’t need that anymore. I don’t ever want you near her and her family again. Mess with her again and I will see you in court.”
“Jeremiah, you were wrong.” Greta tried to reach out for Jeremiah’s hand but the latter evaded her. “W-what you saw was j-just-“
“I don’t want your explanation. Just go back to where you belong and write something yourself, Greta, instead of stressing everyone here. “For once in your life, Greta, try to make something worthwhile, will you?”
“J-Jeremiah…”
Greta’s tears fell. She looked at me and then at my best friend before she ran away while crying her heart out.
After she left, Jeremiah carried Demi who was also crying. He turned to me and asked, “Are you hurt somewhere?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you,” I replied, still embarrassed. Despite that, I couldn’t help but be amused. “That was the longest thing you’ve ever said to someone.”
“Because that’s the utmost I can do. She’s a woman, after all, and she should really be thankful for that. Otherwise, I’d have punch her the second I heard her say those nasty words.” He glanced at Demi. “Don’t worry, pumpkin. She wouldn’t be able to step foot in your house anymore. I’ll make sure of that. Come, let’s go buy your Mama an ice cream. She needs it to cool down. I’ll also buy your favorite lasagna and chocolate cake. Pizza for your uncle Jasper and pancit for Nana Marcia. Let’s hurry, we’ll have to go to different stores.”
“You never forget our favorites, brother Rem,” Jasper butted in. He looked a little calm now. “Thank you. If only you and Alison ended up together, she wouldn’t have experienced any of that.”
Jeremiah fell silent. He brought Demi down and told her to head in to his car first. When he turned to me, he smiled proudly.
“Didn’t you see your sister’s facial expression earlier? For the first time in years, she wanted to fight back, Jasper. She would have done that if I didn’t stop her. Because that’s who my best friend is. She doesn’t need anyone to protect her. Even if I didn’t do what I did earlier, Alison would have found a way to put some sense in Greta’s thick head.”
“But it would have been different if she chose you instead. She wouldn’t have gotten hurt-“
“Stop it, Jas.” I shot my brother a warning glance. “That’s too much-“
“It’s okay.” Jeremiah shrugged. I don’t know a lot of things about love, Alison. I just know that love isn’t supposed to be like that. If all you’re getting is pain, that’s torture. That’s not love anymore.”
“Why are we even talking about this now?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Right. Did you look into the scrapbook I gave you eight years ago?”
“I did. What about it?”
He shrugged once again. “Never mind.”
“Alison?”
I was startled when I heard uncle Paul’s voice. My head started wandering elsewhere that I almost forgot I was standing beside him in a mental asylum.
I sighed. “I want to forgive your daughter not because she deserves it. But because I need it. I need it to free myself.”