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B ack in the room, Sandra grabbed Ismena's hand immediately she opened the door and walked through it.

She led them to the opposite side of the room, towards the window—away from Alphose—and whispered, "You don't have to feel so bad about this, Mena. I'm sorry for talking about him all the time, I didn't know you both were dating."

Alphose cleared his throat uncomfortably.

The two women looked at him.

"I'll just...uhm...wait outside." He revealed before he turned and walked out of the door.

When the door closed behind him, the two women looked at themselves. Sandra continued, "What I mean is..."

"No, Sandy, don't." Ismena interjected, "This is all a misunderstanding. There's nothing going on between Alphose and I."

Sandra shook her head, "You don't have to lie to me, Mena, it's okay I understand—"

"No, I'm not lying. I mean it. Sincerely."

Sandra looked at her friend carefully and realized that she was serious.

It made her confused, "But, when he came in here, he said the both of you have to start going back.

I figured it to be back to his place. It makes sense because you haven't been at your place for almost a month now.

Your house was completely destroyed and—"

"Wait, wait, wait. You knew?" Ismena cut in, completely taken aback.

"That your house was destroyed completely? Yes, I do. I went looking for you one day but your landlord told me everything. I was waiting for you to tell me yourself... but you didn't." Sadness laced those last words.

Guilt flashed in Ismena's eyes and she lowered it. "I'm so sorry, Sandy. I have had a lot going on for me these past few months... I'm so sorry."

Silence descended.

"I don't know what is going on, but you know I'm always here for you, right?" Sandra said softly, at last.

Ismena almost teared up. She blinked back rapidly and gave her best friend a watery smile. "Yes, I do. Thank you so much, Sandy."

They hugged each other then.

"And, it's truly not what you're thinking." Ismena continued, "The truth is... Yes, I know Alphose but there's nothing going on between us. The person I'm dating—No, the person I'm sleeping with—" She corrected, "...is his friend. Not him."

That pulled Sandra away from her so fast. Her friend's gray eyes popped out, "Really? You're BANGING his friend!? Does he know?"

"Yes, he does." Ismena blushed, "Alphose and I are just...uhm...friends. Anyway, the bottom-line is that you have nothing to worry about because Alphose likes you too and— "

"Wait. Really?" A smile so bright lightened up Sandra's face, "Really?"

Ismena returned her smile. "Yes, really. But, that's not the point now. The point is..." she took her friend's hands then, "... Sandy?"

"Mmh?" Came the enthusiastic response.

She squeezed Sandy's hands, "Would you like to go with me where I've been all these while?"

"Yes. Oh, yes. Yes, I'll go." No hesitation. Nothing. Her eyes were just filled with trust.

It made Ismena emotional and she shook her head, "But, Sandy, you don't even know where it is."

"Don't care. What matters is that you're there—wherever 'there' is—and you're going there with me, and we're going to spend more time together."

"But Sandy, what about your work?"

"I can always take a break. Remy, that dog, knows I'm long overdue for now." She smirked then.

Ismena smiled too, at the reference to her boss. "Well, that's true. Oh, Sandy, I'm so happy you're going with me—"

The door opened and Alphose entered again. "We don't have much time left, Ismena. We have to go now."

Ismena nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay."

Alphose allowed himself to look at Kassandra then, "What about her?"

"She's—" Ismena began.

But Sandra cut her off, raising her hand up, "Her, is also coming too."

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, Sandra would have sworn that the world around them stilled.

Alphose's face might be without expression, but he did not break their eyes' connection.

Ismena cleared her throat, which forced them to look away from each other, finally.

Just then, the door opened and her father walked in. He stopped suddenly when he saw Alphose.

"Oh, w-we have company?" Alfred faltered when he came face to face with the Changeling male.

"Yes, we do, daddy. This is my friend, Alphose." Ismena came forward and was introduced with a smile. "We...uhm...he's my colleague at work too."

Alphose bowed his head respectfully. "Good day, sir."

"Good d-day, my son. How are you—" He began but Ismena suddenly took his arms and pulled him aside.

"Daddy, I have to get going now. Alphose came to tell me that...uhm...I'm needed at work. My boss is requesting for me, so I'm afraid that I can't stay any lo—"

"It's okay, my daughter." Alfred responded, trying to hide the relief in his voice. He knows fully well how unsafe this place is for his daughter now. "I understand. "

"Oh?" Ismena blinked in surprise. She'd expected him to refuse, she'd prepared herself to convince him a little bit more but he is agreeing with her. "I'm glad you understand, daddy."

He pulled her into a hug then. She hugged him too, allowing herself to feel the warmth of his body. Ever since she was a child, she'd never forgotten—not even for one day—to thank God for giving her a father like him, after she lost her own father.

"I love you so much, dad." She whispered.

Alfred teared up instantly.

After his confrontation with that bastard, Simon, and the raw wounds of the past opened again, it was soothing to hear such lovely words from Ismena's mouth.

"I love you too, my child." He replied, blinking back tears. "I love you so much. Very much. I will do everything I can to protect you, your mother, and your sister."

"I know, dad. I know." She pulled back from him, smiling warmly.

He kissed her forehead, "Take care of yourself."

"I will." She replied before she pulled away from him. She walked towards a sleeping Valentina, bent down, and kissed her forehead.

"Love you so much, Tina. Please, be well." She whispered, softly. She lingered over her.

"If you're going to leave, I suggest you do so now, sweetie.", Her father injected from behind her. "Before your mother comes back. It'll be harder to leave then."

Ismena knows how right her father is, so she nodded and pulled away from her little sister.

Together, she, Sandra, and Alphose left the hospital room.