Jonathan didn’t leave. He stood at the door, talking to himself: “I lost my cool earlier. You paid back all the money. I wanted to see you, but you were saying there’s nothing left for us to talk about. Then you went out to eat with that guy, Thomas, and even went to a hotel with him. You came back so late. I stood out here in the rain, just waiting, wondering when you’d come home. Do you have any idea how that felt for me?”

Teresa remained silent.

Jonathan said, “Get some rest. I’ll come by again tomorrow. Looks like it’ll rain again, so just stay in, okay?” His footsteps slowly faded away.

Teresa was up by seven the next morning. She got ready and headed out for work. When she got downstairs, she saw Jonathan’s car already parked outside.

“Can we talk?” Jonathan called out.

“There’s nothing to talk about. You’re always right, aren’t you?” Teresa snapped, shaking off his hand and getting into her car. Jonathan noticed she didn’t even bother adjusting her seat before driving off. He stepped back and said, “Alright, go ahead. Just drive safe, okay?” But Teresa had already started the engine and sped away.

Still worried, Jonathan followed her car at a distance all the way to her company. Once Teresa went in, she didn’t come out again. Jonathan tried to see her, but the receptionist told him Teresa didn’t want to meet and asked him to leave.

When work was over, Teresa drove straight to Miriam’s place. As soon as Teresa walked in, Michael ran over and threw himself into her arms. “Mom, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever!” Teresa ruffled his hair, apologizing softly, “Sorry, kiddo, I’m late.”

Just as they were about to leave, Miriam’s phone rang. She cleared her throat and went into her room to answer it. When Miriam came back out, she pulled Teresa aside and whispered, “Jonathan’s looking for you.”

“I’m not seeing him,” Teresa said firmly.

“What’s going on with you two? He even tracked you down to my place,” Miriam asked, looking curious.

“Nothing. I just can’t be bothered to see him or talk to him,” Teresa replied, her face blank.

Miriam sighed. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but if you don’t want to see him, I’ll just tell him you’re not here.”

“Forget it, don’t make it so obvious. He already knows I’m here, or he wouldn’t have called you,” Teresa said.

“So what should I do then? Just do nothing?” Miriam asked.

“I’ll stay at your place tonight. I’ll leave after he’s gone,” Teresa said.

Miriam didn’t mind at all if Teresa stayed over. But early the next morning, Edward was coming over. They’d already made plans yesterday to spend the whole day at the water park together.

“I’m just worried Edward will show up and see you at my place. And Mike’s here too,” said Miriam.

“It’s fine. I’ll head out early and go to the office,” Teresa replied.

Miriam didn’t buy it. “How early can you even get up?”

“I swear, I’ll be up by five,” Teresa promised, but Miriam looked like she’d never believe that in a million years.

That night, Teresa stayed over at Miriam’s. Every time she pulled back the curtains, she’d spot that all-too-familiar car parked outside. Annoyed, she yanked the curtains shut again.

Miriam was a total gossip. Since Teresa wouldn’t spill what happened between her and Jonathan, Miriam figured Benny might know, so she called him up to ask. Benny was completely baffled. He had no idea what was going on. He thought, ‘Are they not speaking again? Or is it another fight?’

“I thought you’d know,” Miriam said. “I’ve never seen Teresa so fed up with Jonathan. She won’t even look at him.”

“Let me check with him. If there’s anything we can do to help, we’ll do it,” Benny said before hanging up.