Chapter 157 - Shift Your Focus

"Do you know that we were neighbors in Molave?"

Joanna smiled and nodded. "I know many things about you even before we met. Andrew tells me everything about your childhood, your college days and the day she talked to Allyza."

"So it is clear that he wants revenge. I just don't understand why he always looks at me as his competitor."

"Because you are," replied Joanna while a faint smile broke out in her lips.

Ajie narrowed his gaze towards her. He could not remember that he interfered in his plans and activities before. In fact, he gave up so many things just to give way to him.

"What do you mean?" 

Joanna sighed. How she wished she could tell him the whole truth. "Adrian, our sense of self-worth starts at home. If a child grows up in a home where love is overflowing, where he is given lavish attention and care, then we can expect that this child will grow up with self- confidence. Sadly, Andrew did not have this."

Ajie looked at her with gathered brows. "Is it because of his parent's demise?"

"Sadly, there's more to that, he did not grow up in a happy home. His parents are always quarreling and he was always the subject of their fightings."

Ajie stared at him for a moment while piecing up those events in the past together. He then remembered that his father would always accompany and fetched him in school while Andrew walked back and forth alone. He had a lot of money for his snacks and lunch while Andrew didn't have. He was trained in singing while Andrew had his piano lessons but he gained more popularity in school. The girl's shrieks and squeals would last long after his rendition but they only gave Andrew a loud round of applause.

"I always understood his insecurities before but he has already gone overboard. He manipulated the decisions of Allie and now he is involving my daughter."

"I agree with everything you say except involving your daughter."

"You may not know this. He sent someone to abduct my daughter when we were in Chinatown. Can you relate to our fear and anxiety as parents?"

Joanna shook her head as she looked at Ajie. "I may not be a parent yet but I can understand how you feel. But if I may suggest, try to expand your investigation and consider another person's motive whom you may have set free just because your focus is on Andrew."

When Adrian did not say anything and remained staring at her, she continued. "Adrian, ever since I knew Andrew, our lives rotated in each other, in his treatment and healing process and in our schedules. I'm afraid that you may have overlooked the situation and set the real culprit free."

Allie saw Joanna's sincerity and no matter how she tried to weigh the pros and cons, Joanna was right. "Joanna, what can you suggest for the healing of Andrew?"

Joanna's lips lifted into a warm smile. "I studied Psychology for years and I believe in medications and support group. Yet, I have my own convictions. I still believe that reconciliation and forgiveness is the key." 

"What do you mean?" Allie asked, surprised and amazed at her personal conviction. She knew that religion and faith in the Almighty are discouraged in the therapeutic management of people who have anxiety disorders. However, there are few institutions that defied this belief. For these few, they believed that accepting God in their lives is the most important factor in the change that these people long for.

"If you can ask Cherry to forgive him, then maybe he'll improve. As for Adrian, let him talk to someone he knew in Molave. Ajie's father, perhaps."

Allie and Ajie returned to their suite with disturbed thoughts. They were fully convinced that it was not Andrew. If not him, then who? The only enemy they knew before was Hayri but he's already out of this. And besides, Hayri had such a good heart. Even if he was hurt and frustrated, he could never do it to an innocent child.

The following morning, Allie and Ajie decided to spend breakfast with Joanna and Andrew. They invited Cherry along. They had already explained everything to her the night before and Cherry agreed. It was also about time for her to let go of the past and move on completely.

Ajie booked a private dining room at a regular restaurant that didn't serve buffet meals since it was expected to be less crowded. There they could have complete privacy. The three arrived ahead but it took them several minutes before they saw them coming over.

Allie felt happy to see Andrew cooperating. Though his expression was still grim, he looked neat and handsome in his white polo shirt and a pair of checkered pair of shorts and leather shoes. Joanna saw her looking at them so she waved a hand and smiled. She stood up to greet Andrew with a tap at his shoulder and a hug and kiss for Joanna. To her surprise, Ajie also did the same. 

Her eyes fell subconsciously at Cherry and she remembered that the scene may be awkward for her. She wore a constant warm smile but her eyes spoke of the uneasiness she felt inside.

"Hi, Che! Thanks for joining us," Joanna greeted her with a smile while extending a hand to shake with her.

"Hi!" Cherry replied awkwardly but nevertheless, she stood up and shook a hand with her. To her shock, Joanna came forward to hug her tight. Somehow, she felt that it was how Joanna expressed her gratitude for agreeing to her suggestion. 

Before Joanna and Andrew arrived, Cherry felt her most dreaded moment had come. How could she face Andrew without showing him her anger? Without speaking hurtful words and without showing him a cold facade? He destroyed her life and how could she forgive him that easily? She began regretting her decision to join them. Forgiving him was such a strange thing in her heart. She hated him as much as her own mother.

After Joanna released her, her eyes unintentionally fell at Andrew who was already hovering over them. Their gazes locked for a while until she saw him stepped forward. She froze at the thought that Joanna was there watching them. She got lost in her thoughts for a while and before she knew it, Andrew had already pulled her close and hugged her tight.