THE SASSY LADY & THE NOT SO GENTLEMAN

CHAPTER 2: True Blooded Montelibano

Keren confirmed such to her best friend - You heard it right, Tiff. Just please come here at my place. I have also discovered a lot of things just recently. I need someone to talk to.

Tiffany assured her best friend - I will be there. I am already on my way. Just sit back and relax, Anyway, have you already had lunch?

Keren's answer was - I will order some take out.

Tiffany had stopped her - No need for that Ker. Yaya Cely had given a package of food for you when I went to the mansion. She told me that you have not even eaten breakfast. She is very much worried about you.

Yaya Cely, the majordoma of the Montelibano household, was the former nanny of her Aunt Katherine who also became her nanny when she was born.

When Tiffany reached the ground floor condominium unit of Keren, her best friend immediately poured her heart out.

Keren divulged, "I am not Dad's biological daughter."

Tiffany was shocked again, "What?! You just told me over the phone that he has another family! And now you are telling me that he is not your biological father. But then your Certificate of Live Birth clearly states that he is your father."

Keren said, "I also do not know how it happened. But then the mother of his biological twin son and daughter told me that I was just adopted from a teenager r**e victim. Dad and Mom are not my biological parents even if my Certificate of Live Birth stated so."

Tiffany then thought for a while and then said, "Perhaps Dad and Mom know the truth about your true lineage. After all, Dad is Tita Kristina's cousin and Mom is her best friend. You should stay with us for a while. The start of the school year will still be in August. Anyway, we already agreed to be roommates here as the classes start. Have you already decided which degree to enroll at? We already decided to enroll next week."

Keren's response was, "At first want to take up Early Childhood Education. But with all the recent happenings with regards to Dad, I feel motivated to pursue a law degree in the future. So I will also like to ask Ninong Tom about the best possible pre-law course that I can enroll at."

Tiffany then suggested, "Well, let us have lunch first then we can go home at the ranch together." Then she reminded Keren, "And next time, message me or call me right away if you are having a a problem or if you are just having a bad day. You even forgot that I will visit you at the mansion this morning."

Keren apologized to her best friend and god sister, "I am sorry about that. I was not thinking clearly. I just want to be out of that place. I feel so bad for Mom for what Dad has been doing. We just buried her yesterday and he already brought home his other family."

Tiffany then pointed out, "Adopted or not, you will always be my best friend and my god sister. Our Moms are even the best of friend while my Dad and your Mom our cousins. We are also your family. Don't ever forget that."

Keren hugged her best friend. She felt very touched for her genuine concern, a feeling she had never experienced ever from the father that she had known all her life. And now, she was already quite aware as to the reason why - I am not his own flesh and blood that is why he had always been neutral when it comes to me. But Mom is also not my biological mother yet she loves me so much. It has always seemed to me that Dad is emotionally distant from me. Even his parents are like that to me as well. At first, I thought that he just preferred a son rather than a daughter. But that was not the case. I am just not his biological daughter so he has always been just civil.

After having lunch, as they reached the ranch of the Aquilianos, Paula Aquiliano, Keren's godmother and Kristina's best friend had immediately welcomed her with a warm hug. Keren could not help but shed tears as she felt so much loved by the Aquilianos. Tomas Aquiliano, Tiffany's father was also there.

Then they all went to the family room to have a serious talk.

Tomas had immediately asked Keren, "So what do you want to know, Keren?"

Keren had asked away, "Did Mom know that Dad had biological children, Ninong?"

Her godfather answered, "She did not know but your grandfather knew."

She asked, "How?"

Tomas narrated, "Your Lolo Claudio had him privately investigated before he allowed your Mom to marry him. So your grandparents as well as your Mom knew that Melchor had a former live in partner by the name of Cynthia Diaz. They were already separated when your Mom and your Dad had their relationship. But it was only your Lolo Claudio who had suspected the possibility that Melchor could be the father of the child Cynthia was carrying at that time even if she already had an American lover. Melchor's paternity over the twins were confirmed when they were born. Cynthia's lover left her and then she informed Melchor about the truth that the twins were his. Melchor was already married to your Mom at such time. Your Lolo Claudio talked to Melchor about his decision regarding the twins without your Mom's knowledge. Your Mom was struggling to get pregnant at such time and your grandfather did not want to put more salt to her wound. Your grandfather and Melchor then reached an agreement. Your grandfather had allowed him to financially support his son and his daughter thru his parents but he must not let your Mom know the truth."

Keren then asked, "Do you know who are my biological parents, Ninong? I heard Dad and that Cynthia Diaz talking on my way out of our home. I heard her say that I am just adopted from a teenager r**e victim. How true is that?"

Tomas said, "That teenager r**e victim was your Aunt Katherine, Keren. She was just seventeen back then when her then boyfriend Wilson Barrameda had drugged her so she would have s*x with him. Such happening had burned the bridges between the Barramedas and the Montelibanos. Katherine got pregnant from such and the baby was you. Her health had been badly affected by that drugging incident. But they could not find it in their hearts to terminate the pregnancy. Kristina agreed to raise you once you were born and have you as her own and Melchor had no other choice but to agree. Katherine had you prematurely and she died from the complications of that drugging incident when you were born To cover up for all those bad things that had happened. They made it appear that it was Kristina who actually got pregnant. There had been no adoption papers. Melchor and Kristina appeared as your biological parents your Certificate of Live Birth. The doctor who delivered you was my mother. You are a true blooded Montelibano, Keren. Nothing will change that. You even have the option to use Montelibano as your surname if you so preferred."

Keren was confused and so she asked, "How will it be possible, Ninong?"

Tomas explained, "Your grandfather and Melchor signed an agreement that in the event that Kristina passed away ahead of Melchor and he wished to publicly acknowledge his children and legitimize their birth then he should also give you the freedom to use the Montelibano surname if you so desired. Melchor will remain as your nominal father but he will have to give up all of his legal rights as your father. So in the event that you passed away ahead of him, he cannot inherit the fortune that the Montelibanos had left to you."

Paula then asked her husband, "How about the shares on the restaurants that Kristina left him?"

Tomas explained, "If Melchor passed away ahead of Keren, Keren and Melchor's two other offspring will have equal rights."

Tiffany then said the unthinkable, "So what if they have Keren killed without a trace?"

Tomas said, "I don't think that Melchor is capable of such. He might be an ambitious man but he will not do anything against the law," then he suggested, "If you want to sever your ties with Melchor, then you can choose to let him buy you out as far as the half ownership of the restaurants is concerned. The ancestral mansion is a life estate which can only be passed on to a person with a Montelibano blood. Melchor is just granted temporary residence there while he is alive. The ownership of than mansion is yours, Keren. But you just cannot kick him out of it. Once he passed away then you can do anything you want with that property."

Keren then decided, "I don't want him to have any legal rights over me, Ninong. I heard Dad said that he will marry that Cynthia Diaz before the end of the month so that he can facilitate legitimizing their children. Cynthia Diaz even pointed out that I am not a Santos so I want to use Montelibano as my surname. How soon can you process it?"

Tomas was surprised, "So Melchor did not want to waste anytime legitimizing his children. Therefore, we will not also waste anytime regarding your change of surname. I will process it the soonest possible time," and then he asked, "What about the restaurants? Do you want to sell your shares to Melchor?"

Keren's answer was, "I am still undecided with regards to it, Ninong? Mom had spent so many years making them a success."

Paula reminded her, "But your Mom did not want to burden you with it. She just wants you to pursue the career you want without minding about the possibility of managing them in the future. You still need to finish your collegiate education. You should focus on such first."

Tomas added, "I will legally represent you if you want to sell your shares to Melchor. I have already been paid in advance by your grandfather with regards to al the legal issues that you and your Mom might face once he was gone. So don't worry much about Melchor's other family. I will not let them touch even a strand of your hair. We are your family. You can always count on us."

Keren responded, "Thank you very much, Ninong. Ninang is right about Mom not wanting me to be burdened by the management aspects of the restaurants so I think that it will be to my best interest if I will sell my shares to Dad. That will be additional funds for my future because I want to pursue a law degree in the future. As for the mansion, I will just let them live there for the time being. As for the money I inherited, I want to put them in some investments. So I need experts' advice on such. But should I passed away ahead of Dad, I want it donated to one of the orphanages that Mom had helped as a permanent home to all those homeless children that needed roof above their heads. I will try to rebuild my life as a Montelibano. I want Mom, Lolo and Lola to be proud of me up there."

Paula assured her, "We will support you in every step of the way, Ker," and then asked, "So have you already decided what degree to pursue and where to study?"

Keren answered, "I will study at UF - Mellin as planned, Ninang. That way Tiff and I will still be at the same school. But I am still undecided which pre-law degree to take. I wish to consult Ninong regarding it."

Tomas then said, "Your Mom had already told us that you dreamed of establishing your own pre-school for the underprivileged children so I think that you may take psychology as a pre-law degree. It focuses more on human behavior. But then if you want something gearing towards business management and public administration, then you can choose to take economics."

Keren then asked, "Can I just take them both, Ninong?"

Tomas answered, ""Yeah that is possible but you have to consult the school officials regarding such. But with your excellent NCAT scores, I think that they will allow you to do such. They might just take much longer than the usual one four-year degree program."

Keren responded, "I don't mind for as long as I can achieve all of my dreams in the future. I have realized that I need to be equipped with the best possible knowledge and skills in order to achieve my goals. I can be of help to more underprivileged individuals if I will be a lawyer."

Tiffany then said, "Then count me in as well. I will take economics and pursue a law degree as well."

Tomas and Paula were both so happy regarding such.

Paula even said, "How about that, darling?! We have two pretty lawyers in the making here."

Tomas then happily responded, "Then those male law students must beware of them."

June 5, 2014. Thursday. Tomas Aquiliano paid Melchor Santos a visit at his law firm.

Melchor asked Tomas, "To what do I owe this visit from you, Tom?"

Tomas handed him all the necessary documents for the change of surname of Keren as well as the buy out for the ownership of the restaurants then said, "Keren asked us regarding the truth about her lineage and so I told her all the truth, Mel. She felt so hurt that you did not even wait longer to have your other family live with you on the property of the Montelibanos. You might have the privilege to live there until you die but we are both aware that the legal ownership of that property belongs to a living Montelibano. Keren is a true-blooded Montelibano but out of the goodness of her heart she will still allow you and your family to reside there for the time being. She wanted to sever of all her ties to you so she chose to go on with the plan of Uncle Claudio for her to use Montelibano as her surname. So just try to enjoy your new life with your biological son and daughter along with their mother."

Melchor pointed out, "I am still his father."

Tomas replied, "In name only. Cynthia already pointed out that she is not a Santos. Keren even heard straight from her foul mouth that you could have inherited all of Kristina's fortune if she does not exist. I do fear with the safety of my niece with Cynthia Diaz around. I promised Uncle Claudio and Aunt Thelma that I would look after their daughter and granddaughter when they are already gone. Kristina also left me legal guardianship of Keren in the event that you decide to get married again. She might not be aware about your son and daughter with Cynthia but she has invited the possibility of you getting married again once she passed away ahead of you. She was also very much aware with your lack of concern with regards to Keren. So let us just get over with all these documents. That way, you will have your freedom back."

Melchor agreed, "Okay, I will sign all these documents and I will also buy out all of Keren's shares at the restaurants. As for the mansion, tell her that we will vacate it as soon as I found a new place for me and my family. If she really wants to sever all her ties with me then I will respect her decision. You must understand that I cannot turn my back on my children anymore, Tom. They need me."

Tomas' answer was, "I am well aware of your predicament, Mel. But you should also understand that Keren feels so hurt with what you have done. Let us face it, you have always been emotionally distant from her even if you appeared as her biological father in her Certificate of Live Birth. She is even much closer with me than with you. She loves Kristina so much and what you did is an act of betrayal to her mother's memory in her vocabulary. So I do not even wonder anymore why she opted to use Montelibano as her surname. She has never felt any fatherly love for you even if you have been present in the 18 years of her life. She is even questioning if you have even loved Kristina. My cousin has ben a very much devoted wife to you, Mel. She even left you half of her fortune. You are the lawyer that you are today because of the affluence and influence of the Montelibanos. So I also believe that Kristina deserves every ounce of respect even if she is already dead. But setting those things aside, I do expect that you will do your part in protecting the family secrets of the Montelibanos. It just feels disappointing that Keren had to know that she is a daughter of a r**e victim straight from the big mouth of Cynthia Diaz. Keren might not be your biological daughter but you have benefited from all the fortunes of the Montelibanos for so long. So please zip the big mouth of the mother of your twins. Or else I will not very lenient. I will protect my niece at all costs, Mel. I don't care if we have to go against each other in the courtroom. I am ready to face you anytime in the courtroom if I feel that Keren is being taken advantage or bullied by you or any member of your family. She also has Aquiliano blood running through her veins and I always protect any member of my family. You will not want me as your enemy, Mel."