Chapter 48: Chapter 48

After a moment of tears, they sat down together in the room as Carlos looked at the picture in his hands.

"They were the best people in my in my life, but death took them from me and my sister." He sniffles.

"We were so happy, very happy." Triffany was listening to him, she could hear the sadness in his voice as he speaks. "They called us 15 years ago, this date, they were both coming back from work with present for me and my sister."

"I remember my mother's laughter and my dad's voice." Tears filled his eyes as those memories came rushing into his mind, like they were only yesterday.

"They were so excited, I remember my dad said "Carlos we'll be home in 30 minutes and we would all go out for a Joyride, just us as family." He tried to suppress his tears. "And my mother added, saying they got us our favourite present, if we wish to guess." Tears fell from his eyes no matter how hard he tried to hold it back, the tears won't stop.

"We expected them happily, as I and Gabby restlessly wait outside for them, but..." He pressed his lips together. "But it was the last day." He closed his eyes gently and exhaled sharply. "They came with news, they told us they had an accident."

Triffany placed her hands on his hand, with tears in her eyes. Just listening to him, made her feel sorry for him, he must be so young to had experience something like that. "My parents died. They both died."

He brought out a wrapped box. "I couldn't open this for 15 years." He told her, placing the box between the both of them.

"Is this the present they got you? Triffany looked down at the box .

Carlos lifts his eyes up to suppress the tears that were trying to flow down. "It was covered in blood, my parents blood spilled on it." He exhaled sharply.

"I couldn't open it since then, I wanted it to remain a mystery box." He looked at Triffany. "It's childish right? I'm childish."

Triffany shook her head. "No you're not, you're strong and a bold heir." She told him.

Carlos was not sure if she was right. "You thinks so?" He asked, raising the corner of his brow.

"I know so." She said seriously with her eyes on his.

Carlos lift the box up facing her. "Would you help me open it?" Triffany looked at him.

She nods and gently unwrapped the box and discover a yellow toy car and a little jewel box. "It's a toy car." She hands the toy car over to him.

Carlos smiled with tears in his eyes. "It was my favourite sports car. I cried to them to get me one." He held the car in his hand. "They bought it for me after all."

"And this." Triffany hands him the little jewel box."

Carlos took it from her, he opened it to see a necklace and it's pendant joined in twos and he couldn't hold back his tears anymore. "I'm sure this was my mother's idea, she never forgot."

Triffany looked at the necklace he was holding on his hand. "I'm sure they are memories in this necklace." She know that something like this could have a story.

Carlos looked at the necklace again. "I watched a movie with my parents and saw couples split one necklace in twos, each one having half the pendant and I wanted one too, because I loved it."

He looked at Triffany. "Mom said she would get it for me and I can give it to who ever I.please."

"She's a thoughtful woman." Triffany smile.

"The best, she was my treasure and I wanted to give her one side of it because I loved her dearly." Carlos smile. Triffany had expected him to say it was for Kelsey, but she felt relieved that he wants to give it to his mother.

"But she's gone." Tears rolled down his cheek.

Triffany put her hands on his cheek and made him face her, she used the tip of her finger to wipe off the tears in his eyes. "If your parents were here, they would tell you to stop crying and to move on, they will be so proud of you Carlos."

His eyes met hers as he held her gaze. "Thank you Triffany, for being here, next to me." She was surprise, he was grateful to her.

Carlos sniffles, his eyes still on hers. "I normally cry alone, so that my sister wouldn't hear me, but am glad to have someone close to.me, that would cry with.me and comfort me. Thank you."

Triffany smile, for once in her married life, she felt useful and helpful, she felt happy within herself, glad that she had finally discovered something about him, something that made them seem closer a bit. Like real married couples.

...

Ethan hugged Bailey who was with her son's photo, they quietly sat together the next morning on a sofa. "I still think of him all the time." Bailey said softly, still looking at the picture.

"So strong willed just like his son and you." Ethan held her hands softly. "Today would be a really sad day for my grandchildren." Bailey faced him. "They will cry and Carlos would act bold and try to hold back his tears which might even get him sick."

She sobs as her husband hugged her shoulder. "You should consider your health honey." Ethan told her. She was fragile and crying could also make her sick.

Bailey looked at him. "Don't act so strong with me Ethan. I know you're hurting in your heart."

"We have Carlos and Gabby now and even Triffany, soon they will have babies too. Life goes on." His eyes were so gentle, looking up at her face.

"That's true Ethan." Bailey pursed, tears flow down the corner of her cheek. "But Gabby...Gabby can she stop crying?"

Ethan thought for a while, he knew a solution could only stop.her from crying. "Want to invite them over?"

Bailey shook her head. "It's better we let them be alone today, it's their parents memorial."

"Our son and his wife memorial." His eyes became wet, but since he had to comfort his wife, he had to act strong.

Carlos cancelled all his schedule at work that day and went with Gabby to their parents grave. Triffany accompanied them, when they got there they drop the flowers they came with on the grave.

With tears in Gabby's eyes she began speaking. "Dad, mom your children are here today, it's been 15 years since you both died leaving i and Carlos alone to ourselves. We miss you so much mom and dad."

"I really miss you and to tell you the truth, I got nightmares every time it's your memorial day and I can't help it anymore." Tears was already rolling down her cheek as Carlos pat his sister's back.

He looked at grave, suppressing his own tears. "Mom, dad, we miss you both, but we will have to move on now." Carlos looked at Gabby and then back at the grave. "Gabby and i will take care of ourselves from now on.

"I'll protect Gabby and be here for her always." Gabby sniffles,

pressing her lips together as she looked at her brother and then back at the grave.

"I will stop having nightmares." She said swallowing her tears. "I'll make sure I take in every good memories and always think of the time we have amazing times together."

She smile and wipes her tears away. "Mom, dad, it's time I let go now. Rest in peace and watch us like stars from heaven." Carlos held her hand and they both smile.

Carlos look back at Triffany who stood far off at their back. "You shouldn't stand over there like a stranger, come pay your respects." He frowned at her.

She came close to him and whispered in his ears. "I don't really know what to say." She said honestly.

Carlos looked at her and then back at his parents grave. Holding her hands to her surprise. "Mom, dad, she's my wife." Triffany looked up at him and then bowed to the grave.

"I'm Triffany, it's so unlucky I didn't get a chance to meet you both, but Carlos told me how nice you were. Rest in perfect peace."

Carlis looked at Triffany as they all stood there silently for a while. "I will take care of them, so just like Gabby said please look after us." He closed his eyes gently, thinking back on all the fun he shared with his parents.

Triffany prepared dinner herself and set them on the dining table. She walked over to Gabby's room, she knocked on the door and there was no answer so she opened the door and saw Gabby looking at her parents picture.

"Gabby." She called out and moved close to her.

Gabby saw her and drop the picture by her side. "Yes, Triffany."

"Dinner is ready." Tiffany have already seen the picture but she looked up pretending not to see it, she knew it was not easy for them all today.

Gabby shook her head. "I'm not sure I have an appetite." Gabby told her honestly.

"You haven't eaten since morning." Tiffany was worried. "I won't let you get sick." She took Gabby's hand and pulled her up.

Gabby looked up to Triffany with a tender eyes. "Triffany...I love you." Triffany looked at her surprise as Gabby flashed her a smile. "I'm glad you are here today with us, at least today is different from other days of mom and dad's memorial."

Triffany smiled. "You're making my heart melt." She said jokingly as they both chuckled and came out for dinner.

Gabby sat on the dining chair. "I'll go let Carlos know it's dinner time." Triffany said and went upstairs.

She opened the door. "Carlos." She saw him with his laptop, perhaps going through some work files.

"Yes." he looked up from the laptop.

"Dinner is ready and please don't tell me you've got no appetite." She went close to him. She was not ready to talk him into having dinner just as she had done to Gabby.

Carlos scoffed. "I'm not a kid. Is Gabby there?"

Triffany nods. "I got to drag her out." She said smiling. "Let's go." she turned to go but Carlos held her hand, she looks at him with a big eyes.

"Thank you for today." He said seriously looking directly into her eyes.

Triffany averted her gaze, why are the two siblings thanking her like she was someone else. "Hey can you both stop thanking me as if I'm a stranger." She said.

"You are to me." Carlos told her as she turn her eyes back to see his face.

"What?" She couldn't believe he would say something like that.

"My sister needed someone and it happens to be that you were there, so.." He started saying something but Triffany pulled her hands away from his grip.

"Then yesterday....yesterday we were at that room." She pointed at the room door as she looked at him. All what happened yesterday make no sense to him? She think its absurd.

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Carlos put down his laptop. "You're still a stranger to me." He stood up and walked out of the room with a smile on his face.

Triffany stood there stunned. Then, him introducing her to his parents hours ago, saying they were not a stranger, was all a lie and an act.

So everything that happened yesterday last night meant nothing to him not a single thing. Damn it! He was right, she had gotten ahead of herself, what was she expecting.