The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air as Doris kneaded dough at the counter, her hands moving with ease that shows her years of experience. The morning sun streamed through the bakery’s windows, casting a warm glow over the rows of pastries and cakes. She placed a tray of croissants into the oven, and went back to the table. It's been years, and she had managed her family's bakery single-handedly. Younger sister married, Doris, of course, was happy for her sister. However, she seems to be unlucky with relationships. The last one, in fact she was engaged yet nothing to show for it. She had to put everything relationship on a pause for the moment.
The doorbell rang signalling the arrival of a new customer. Doris looked up and froze. Standing in the doorway was Kerry, her eyes red and swollen, her face pale and drawn. It had been five years since Doris last saw her and from her appeared she looked terrible and sleep-deprived.
“Kerry?” Doris said, her voice hesitant. She wiped her hands on her apron and stepped around the counter. “Is everything okay?”
Kerry didn’t answer immediately. She walked slowly toward Doris, her gaze fixed on the floor. When she finally looked up, tears spilled down her cheeks.
“It’s been five years, Doris, you are asking me if I am okay?” Kerry whispered, her voice breaking. “Five years, my whole family disappeared. I—I can’t do this anymore. I have tried to move on to believe that there's nothing I can do to change the past, but it's driving me even more crazy…it's all my fault I will never see my family again”. She broke down crying.
“Kerry, I’m so sorry,” Doris said, reaching out to pull her into a hug. Kerry collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “I know how much you miss her. I do miss her too.”
Kerry clung to Doris, her body shaking with grief. “I…. I just need someone who understands me…you know. Courtney took me in, and she had been busy trying to get the Montero's heritage back from Damon. She had been a great support too but … I can't still move on… Doris, you are close to Angela, her best friend, tell me how do you move on so quick?”
Doris felt her heart tighten in her chest. She shouldn't feel sorry for Kerry, knowing how hard she made Angela's life. However, torturing her for this long isn't fair either. She thought by now Kerry would move on and forget everything, but she is still living in pain and guilt. She took a deep breath, then spoke softly.
“Kerry, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.”
Kerry looked up at Doris curiously, her brow furrowed, confusion mingling with her grief. “What is it, Doris?”
Doris hesitated for a moment, then met Kerry’s gaze. “I know where Angela is.”
For a moment, there was silence. Kerry blinked, trying to process the words. But instead of the anger or betrayal Doris had feared, a look of pure relief washed over Kerry’s face. Her eyes widened, and her tears turned from sorrow to joy.
“You—you know where she is?” Kerry gasped, her voice trembling with hope. “Is she okay? Is she alive?”
Doris nodded with a little smile. “She’s alive, Kerry. She’s safe. She’s been living in Japan, I have a friend over there who she stays with, trying to start over. I… I didn’t tell you even though she wanted me to because of how much you hurt her in the past. I told her that it will be your punishment.”
Instead of being angry, Kerry grabbed Doris’s hands, her face lighting up with a smile that hadn’t been there in years. “Doris, you have no idea how much this means to me. Knowing she’s alive, that she’s okay… I don’t care about anything else! I’m just so happy she’s safe! Oh my goodness, I will have to tell Courtney!”
Kerry’s hands trembled with excitement as she pulled out her phone. Her fingers flew across the screen, typing out a message to someone she knew would share in her joy.
Doris watched her, a sense of unease growing in the pit of her stomach. “Courtney? That name sounds familiar”. She thought.
Just as Kerry was about to hit send, Doris reached out, her voice urgent. “Kerry, wait!” Doris said, her tone sharp. “Don’t tell anyone about this. Not yet.”
But it was too late. Kerry’s finger had already tapped the send button. She looked up at Doris, her smile fading as she saw the concern etched on her friend’s face.
“Oh no…” Kerry gasped, her voice puzzled. “I just told Courtney. She’s Antonio's cousin… she’ll be so happy to know Angela's okay!”
Doris slapped her forehead then took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but the disappointment was clear in her eyes. “Kerry, I didn’t want you to tell Courtney because… Angela has been trying to avoid the MONTEROs. Courtney is a member of the Monteros.”
Kerry’s face paled as the realization hit her, her eyes filled with guilt. “Oh no… Doris, I am sorry. She has been in grief over Antonio and her grandma. I was so excited to tell her that Angela is alive. I didn't know. I am so sorry I messed things up again”.
Doris forced a small, sad smile. “I know you didn’t. But now that Courtney knows, we have to be careful. If Damon finds out where Angela is, everything she’s worked for could be in danger.”
Kerry clutched her phone, her mind racing. “What do we do now? Should I call Courtney and ask her not to say anything?”
Doris shook her head. “It might be too late for that. But yes, try to reach her and make sure she doesn’t tell anyone else. We need to protect Angela. No one outside this circle can know where she is—not yet.”
Kerry nodded, already dialing Courtney’s number. But as the phone rang, Doris couldn’t help but blames herself inwardly for that mistake. This simple mistake could unravel everything. She just hoped they could contain the situation before it spiraled out of control.
“Kerry?” Doris voice came but this time cold and dry. “Yes?” Kerry looked up from her phone.
“There's a bad news”. Doris muttered sadly.
Kerry eyes widened. “What…what …do…you mean…you said she is alive right?” Her heart raced fast.
“Yes, also the twins are also perfectly fine and healthy ...... Jace..”Doris paused abruptly.
Kerry searched impatiently for more explanation in Doris's eyes but the little tears in them made her even more confused. “Jace is fine too, right?” She asked in a panicking tone.
Doris shook her head.
Kerry's phone dropped from her hand, her eyes widened even more as tears rushed out of them. “I am sorry Kerry”.