TOM POV
The next morning, around 10 a.m., Tom received a call from his father. Without hesitation, he headed to their usual meeting place—a quiet coffee shop near their company, owned by his mother.
The ambiance was calm and serene. Soft jazz music played in the background while the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, almost intoxicating.
Tom sat alone at a corner table. A few minutes later, his mother arrived, placing a tray in front of him—a slice of cake and a cup of black coffee.
He took a slow sip, then checked his phone. That was when he noticed something.
Anna had started following him. Her Instagram account was public.
He tapped on her profile, silently scrolling through her photos.
"Is that Anna?" his father asked as he sat down beside him.
"Yeah," Tom answered, quickly turning off his phone.
"What can you say about her?" his father continued, watching him carefully.
Tom frowned slightly. "What do you mean by that?"
His father shrugged casually. "Nothing. Just a random question."
Tom narrowed his eyes, clearly intrigued.
From a distance, Janeth watched them, while Marvin widened his eyes in silence.
"Your father wants you to come back," Marvin finally said.
"For what?" Tom's voice hardened. He frowned. "He said I am no longer his grandson."
"Could you please put aside your ego?" Marvin pleaded, while Janeth gently held Tom's wrist.
"That was a long time ago, Tom," his mother said softly. "Your grandfather said that in a moment of anger and sorrow. He didn't mean it forever."
Tom looked down, his fingers curling tightly as he rested his chin on his hand. He leaned forward and took a deep breath.
Janeth noticed his struggle. She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"It's alright," she whispered, pulling him into a hug.
But Tom couldn't forget.
He could never forget what happened two years ago—when he and Mildred were supposed to leave everything behind and start a new life in Paris.
They were already at the airport, standing together, waiting for their flight…
TWO YEARS AGO
"Are you sure that Lolo will be okay if we do this?"
Tom hissed sharply. "Of course!"
He tossed his baseball cap onto a nearby metal chair. "What time is it now?" he asked, glancing at his wristwatch. They still had one hour before their flight.
He sat down, crossed his arms over his chest, and casually crossed one leg over the other, pretending to be calm—but his impatience was obvious.
Mildred rolled her eyes and adjusted her bag.
An hour later, their flight number flashed on the airport screen.
They lined up at the boarding gate, standing side by side—ready to leave everything behind.
But then, airport police appeared.
"Thomas Yang!" one of them called out.
Both of them turned back immediately.
"Could you please come with us?" the officer asked politely.
A strange tension filled the air. The couple exchanged nervous glances.
"Please don't cause any trouble here," another officer said firmly as Tom instinctively reached for Mildred's hand.
"Ma'am, you may proceed," the officer continued, addressing Mildred. "We only need Mr. Yang for clarification and verification regarding his visa."
"But we're—" Mildred tried to interrupt.
Before she could finish, the officer handcuffed Tom's wrists.
Mildred stepped forward in panic. "Stop! What are you doing?!"
"Ma'am, this doesn't concern you," the officer said sharply. "Unless you want to cancel your flight too."
"Don't touch her," Tom warned coldly, his voice low and dangerous.
"If you cooperate quietly, we won't make this worse," the officer replied.
Tom took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
"It's okay, babe," he said softly to Mildred, forcing a smile. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Go ahead. I'll come back. Just go first."
The passengers around them watched in silence, some whispering, as if he had already committed a crime.
Mildred stood frozen for a moment… then slowly let go of his hand.
And she boarded the plane alone.
Tom was taken to an interrogation room.
The handcuffs were removed, but he was left alone inside a cold enclosed glass room, treated like a suspect.
An hour later, the plane took off.
Mildred was already in the sky… heading to Paris alone.
Tom's fury boiled over.
He slammed his fist against the glass, desperate to break it—until the door opened.
Chairman Yang's lawyer stepped in.
"Let's go, sir," he said calmly.
Tom stood up immediately, clenching his jaw. He walked past him with restrained anger, wanting to punch someone—but forcing himself to stay in control.
"Where's the key?" he demanded furiously.
"You can go home, sir," the lawyer replied.
Tom grabbed his suit collar. "Give me the key!"
At that moment, Chairman Yang's driver arrived and handed him the car keys.
Tom snatched them without another word.
Tom brushed past him, hitting his shoulder as he walked by without another word. He stormed out, got into his car, and drove off—completely ignoring how much he was spending or where the road would take him.
All he knew was anger.
When he arrived at the Chairman Yang residence, he didn't hesitate. He went straight to the study room, opened the door, and slammed it shut behind him.
Chairman Yang was already seated, waiting for him.
"What are you doing?" Tom shouted.
The old man didn't flinch.
"I told you… you will never win," he said calmly. "Try anything, and you will regret it for the rest of your life, boy."
Tom exhaled sharply and slammed his fist onto the table.
Still, Chairman Yang didn't move. He simply stared at him—cold, unbothered.
At that moment, Janeth and Marvin rushed in, followed by several maids who had heard the noise.
"Tom!" Marvin shouted. "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? He is your grandfather!"
"He is not my grandfather!" Tom snapped.
Marvin, furious, slapped him.
"Enough!" Janeth shouted as she rushed between them. "Stop it, both of you!"
Tom's wrist was injured from the impact on the table, but he didn't feel it. He turned away and walked toward the door.
Janeth followed him quickly.
"Tom, please stay. Where are you going?" she asked anxiously.
"Paris," he replied coldly.
Chairman Yang's voice followed him like a warning.
"Try to do that… and you will no longer be connected to this family."
Tom stopped for a brief second—but didn't turn around.
He kept walking.
After that day, everything was taken from him.
Chairman Yang froze his bank accounts, confiscated his cards, and even had his passport restricted. He called immigration to ensure Tom could not leave the country.
Tom disappeared from the family home that day—and never returned.
He worked relentlessly to survive. His mother secretly helped him whenever she could, but the distance between him and his grandfather only grew colder.
And deeper.
Janeth once held his hand and whispered, "You don't know how much he loves you."
Tom's eyes filled with tears, but he quickly looked away.
"Try to reconcile with him… and you will understand," Marvin added softly.
Tom shook his head, swallowed his emotions, and took a sip of his coffee.
Then he walked away.
Later that day, trying to clear his mind, he drove to Anna's place.
But on the way, he stopped near a mall to breathe.
Inside, he took the escalator up—only to suddenly notice Anna downstairs.
His steps faltered.
He quickly tried to turn back, but it was too late—he was already in the middle of the moving escalator.
He stopped, then slowly turned.
Anna had already seen him.
"What are you doing?" she called out, raising her voice. "That escalator is going down! Didn't your mother teach you that?"
Her sarcasm cut through the tension like a blade.
Tom stepped off at the lower floor, staring at her as the moment hung between them.
"Blah blah blah!" Tom said. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"My house is nearby… and yours is too far away," Anna replied casually.
Tom raised a brow. "So?"
"I was window shopping," she added as an excuse.
Anna raised her eyebrows, clearly unconvinced.
"I like it here… there are only a few people," he continued.
"Okay… enjoy," Anna said, turning to leave.
Tom suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Whoa, whoa!" she protested, trying to pull away. "What now?"
"Can I come with you?" he asked.
"And why?" she shot back. "Aren't you supposed to be window shopping?" she mocked his words.
Tom smiled faintly. "It's my second time here. I might get lost."
Anna laughed. "Lost? Really?"
He nodded, dead serious.
"This mall has only two floors! How are you going to get lost?" she teased.
Tom clicked his tongue. "Fine. If you don't want me to come, I thought we were friends."
Anna chuckled and studied him for a moment.
"I'm going to the bookstore," she finally said.
Tom immediately followed. "What are you buying there?" he asked innocently.
"Fish," she answered sarcastically.
Tom gave her a sharp look.
The moment she saw his expression, Anna quickly bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.
"HA… HA… HA," Tom laughed flatly. "Very funny."
"Are you mad?" she asked. "Fine, I'm buying ballpens. Black, red, and blue."
Tom went quiet.
Anna glanced at him. "Oh dear… you are mad."
"No, I'm not," he said quickly and walked toward the magazine section.
At the magazine rack, Tom froze.
Mildred's face was on the cover.
He picked it up without hesitation and walked to the counter where Anna was paying for her items.
"Include this," Tom said to the cashier, placing the magazine on the counter.
"Hey!" Anna protested.
"Ma'am, will you be paying for this too?" the cashier asked.
Anna sighed… then nodded.
After they left the bookstore, Anna handed him the magazine.
"Thank you," Tom said softly. "Come."
"Where?" she asked.
Instead of answering, Tom walked behind her, placed his hand on her back, and gently pushed her toward the Starbucks beside the bookstore.
"Hey! Hey!" Anna complained.
"Come on," he said.
Inside the café, they sat on a couch. Anna placed her paper bag on the table while Tom went to order.
When he returned, he set the tray down carefully.
"Thank you for this," he said, holding the magazine.
Anna nodded.
"You don't have class today?" he asked. "Don't tell me… that's why I'm here!"
Anna laughed. "Ohhh, you're learning, huh?"
Tom tapped his chin proudly.
They both laughed.
A barista called Tom's order. He stood up and returned moments later with their drinks.
He opened the magazine immediately.
"Look at her," he said proudly. "This is my girl."
Anna smiled gently. "She's adorable."
"I know," he replied without hesitation.
He set the magazine aside and took a sip of his frappe.
"You two look like a lovely couple," Anna said suddenly. "When are you getting married?"
Tom paused.
"Did you propose to her already?" she added, curious.
"Slow down," Tom said. "Soon… I will."
"I want you to be there at our wedding," he continued. "Mildred would love that."
Anna nodded with a soft smile. "I was hoping it would happen soon."
"Of course," he said, though his voice softened.
Then silence fell.
"My grandfather really likes you," Tom said suddenly.
"Really?" Anna sipped her drink.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
"I don't know," she smiled. "He just… listens."
She hesitated. "Can I ask you something?"
Tom looked at her.
"You two don't seem… okay," she said carefully.
"Yeah," Tom answered immediately. "We're not."
Anna nodded slowly.
"I can give you friendly advice—"
"No, you're not," Tom cut her off.
Anna blinked. "Okay."
Then he sighed. "I'm kidding. Go ahead."
"I forgot it," she said.
"What?!" he snapped. "You're crazy."
She smiled faintly. "Just be grateful he's still alive… even if he's strict. One day, you won't be able to talk to him anymore. And I'm sure you'll miss it."
Her voice lowered.
"My grandfather died eight years ago," she added softly.
Tom looked at her quietly.
Anna gently covered his eyes with her hand. "Tsk…"
She stood up.
"I'll think about it," Tom said.
"Don't think. Just do it," she replied. "Because one day, when you have your own children, you'll tell them stories about him."
Then she turned away. "I should go."
"I'll send you home," he offered.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for today," she said.
"No… I should be the one thanking you," he replied. "You made me happy."
Anna raised her eyebrows and bowed slightly.
"You're welcome, Majesty."
Tom smiled.
He stood up and opened the door for her.
"Please call me Kuya," he said softly. "I want you to be like my younger sister."
Anna felt something strange in her chest—like a sudden spark she couldn't explain.
She smiled anyway.
"Yeah… sure. I'll always be your younger sister," she said.
"Goodbye."
She lifted her hand and waved.
And then she left—without looking back.
Tom stayed where he was, watching her disappear into the distance.
To be continued…Chapter 8: Outreach Program