A Kristine Series Fanfiction: Elisse, Dearest (Completed)

Chapter Four

Because of that Alaina's now a sought-after photographer internationally. She even shot for Harper's Bazaar last year.

"I'm sorry kung sa 'yo ako sumabay ngayon," Alaina apologized to her son unnecessarily. "May board meeting kasi ang Papa mo't ayaw niyang umuwi akong mag-isa."

"It's okay," Zach responded.

Although Nick Navarro is Zach's real father, hindi 'to ang kinagisnan niyang ama. It's because Alaina got involved in an accident that caused her amnesia. Due to lack of identification, kinupkop na lamang siya ni Leoncia Javier at pinalabas na asawa ng kaniyang anak na si Philip, whose real wife died in the same tragedy.

Nagkataon namang anim na buwang nagdadalang-tao si Alaina kay Zach ng mga panahong 'yon. Kung kaya naman nang isinilang si Zach ay ang mga Javier ang tinuring nitong totoong pamilya.

Until, one day, everything changed when Zach accepted his friend's invitation, Caleb, at a feast in Santo Cristo during summer vacation where he met his true grandparents, Franco and Beatriz Navarro, together with his real dad, Nick, and sister, Drew.

And pieces started to fall in its proper place since then. Nalaman nila ang tunay na pangyayari sa likod ng pagkawala ni Alaina at napanagot ang mga may sala. And, finally, after more than fourteen long years, unti-unting bumabalik ang mga alaala ni Alaina.

Pero, hindi pa lahat. 'Yon ang dahilan kung bakit sila nagtungong Europa buong pamilya. To seek the best neurologists in the world to help his mother's condition and, of course, to bond as a family also. And after touring the continent, they settled in the USA.

Hanggang ngayon ay nagkakaroon pa rin ng flashes si Alaina. But, unlike before which is from time to time. Pero, delikado pa rin 'yon. Kung kaya naman 'di hinahayaan ni Nick na magmaneho ng sariling kotse ang asawa o maglakbay ng malayuan mag-isa.

Ilang beses ring iginiit ni Nick na magkaroon ito ng personal driver. Pero, mariin 'tong tinatanggihan ni Alaina. Dahilan nito'y she wanted to be normal. Sa kagustuhan ni Nick na 'wag ma-upset ang asawa'y pinagbigyan niya na lamang 'to. Sa halip ay pinipilit na lamang niyang isiksik sa kaniyang tight schedule ang paghatid-sundo rito.

Nick became overprotective of her because of her illness. Na siyang dahilan rin kung bakit naging moody si Alaina. Pero, pinagpapasensiyahan na lamang niya 'yon. Katwiran nito'y he rather have bad times with his wife than lose her again for a very long time. And besides, he really loves his Laney.

"How's school?" Alaina inquired her son. "Nakapag-adjust ka na ba?"

"Well, I'm getting good grades, if that's what you mean?" Zach answered. "Hindi ko nga inakalang mas advanced pa pala ang lessons na tinuturo sa Pilipinas kumapara dito sa US."

"That's nice to know," Alaina praised him. "What motivates you, then?"

"Pangako ni Lolo Franco'y bibilhan niya raw ako ng yate 'pag naka-graduate ako sa isang Ivy League university," Zach said enthusiastically.

"A yacht!" 'di makapaniwalang usal ni Alaina.

Spoiling grandchildren was very unusual of Franco Navarro. Ito'y sa kadahilanang nakamit niya ang tagumpay, katanyagan at kayamanan dahil sa sariling sipag, tiyaga't diskarte sa buhay. For him, you deserve the best only if you've done hard work.

Sabagay, Alaina thought. Ang makatapos sa isa sa mga Ivy League schools is a damn hard work!

And maybe, it's also Franco's way para makabawi sa kaniyang long lost grandson. Besides, si Zach ang bunso sa lahat ng kaniyang mga apo.

AFTER fifteen minutes, matiwasay namang nakauwi ang mag-ina sa kanilang luxury home located at Bellaire.