Life is like a rough road with too many bumps. And when you think you are at the dead end, that's where we are wrong. There is always free routes, and it's up to the taker which way they go and how they they take them. And take note, there will always be a bump no matter which way. Now it's the taker choice, he can take it with good intention or bad.

— MsDreamerGirl84

My legs felt like it had absorbed a boulder, it suddenly felt heavy to move around. I was rooted on the ground, my whole body stilled as my gaze fell on her.

My heart suddenly drummed furiously as I watched her looking lost and beaten.

"Tammy?"

She looked like she had been chased by a devil. Hair that used to be always kept was bedraggled. Puffy and red sunken eyes due to lack of sleep, black under her swollen eyelids, and was staring into an empty space.

No, she was staring into a dark abyss, seemingly was sucked into a deep, bottomless chasm.

She wasn't even aware we were standing a few feet away, watching her. To think she was facing our direction, she must have been so lost in her thought, she couldn't see us.

I noticed her face was bare with any beauty cream or powders, and she looked ten years older than her real age.

She was still wearing that white shirt with black pants she wore this morning at the court, but her shirt is now untucked.

Her shoulders are sagged, her face, a picture of awful sad of hopelessness. A sight where someone's world had collapsed.

She finally felt our presence.

She bristled up. "Clara Bell!" she cried out with a start as she briskly ran towards me.

"Don't come too close!" Alex barked and in an instant, he was blocking me from her using his body.

"What are you doing, Alex?" I hissed, coming out from his back so I could see Tammy.

Alex just let out a low growl, and I know it's meant for me to stop asking question.

Tammy was rooted a couple feet away. Her face filled with the evidences of her deep sorrows. Dried patches of tears scattered everywhere her cheeks, her face. And as soon as our eyes met, fresh ones came pouring, like little droplet of rain racing down to get to her shaking chin. She didn't even bother wiping them away or hiding her tears.

My heart clenched for her. Pity flowed through me, slowly consuming me.

A strong urge to close our gap, and engulf her into a hug, let her feel that she wasn't alone in this cruel world overwhelmed me.

I wanted to let her know that I am a friend.

And that she has a sister, in me.

I felt the lump that formed at the back of my throat as I tried to hold back the tears that's starting to well up under my eyelids.

Alex's hand was still across my belly trying to block me incase Tammy is going to hurt me. I appreciate him for protecting me but I thought he was exaggerating. I don't think Tammy would ever kill anyone, especially me.

She had all the chances before but she never did.

But Alex could be right. We can never be sure.

"Can we talk please?" she croaked, it's kind of muffled. It sounded like her mouth was stuffed with cotton balls. She tried to wipe those tears that rolled across her cheeks with the back of her hands, but then fresh tears came sliding down after another.

She darted her tear-filled eyes warily between me and Alex.

My gaze shifted to Alex.

"Alex," I called softly, and he relaxed as he met my gaze, nodding my head at him, a silent confirmation.

Alex levelled him with a cold, sinister look, a silent warning and Tammy silently nodded her head, yielding.

He looked at her with his evil eyes for a bit, then it softened when it rested on me, before he released his hand and stepped aside.

"Let's get inside, then we can talk," I said before Alex scare her away.

I meant to talk to her and I'm glad that she came, but seeing her like this it's actually hard to face her, let alone talking to her about the past. It's like opening a deep wound.

But I would never understand her.

I caught her pulling a handkerchief from the front pocket of her gray purse and dried her tears.

Alex signalled me to go on by cocking his head at the direction of my door, when he made sure that Tammy was not stupid enough to hurt anyone.

Tammy didn't moved as I passed her.

Alex stayed behind, letting Tammy followed me.

As soon as I got in, I invited Tammy inside.

She walked inside warily.

Alex got in, with his eyes following her like a hawk. I closed the door behind me and sighed, walking further the roomy foyer and was welcomed first with my kitchen.

Dropping my purse on the ivory island counter I let out a sigh. A sigh directed at Alex, who was trailing behind me quietly.

Tammy was looking around, but she wasn't really interested on the art deco of the place. She was just trying to busied herself trying to avoid Alex's cold stare.

She walked further into the room and looked up on the high ceiling floor.

Sculptures lined the walls to counterbalance the double heigh ceilings, while the other walls was covered with glass, overlooking all across the city and the water afar.

I turned around to face Alex.

His posture is rigid, a restrained fury is threatening to burst.

"It's okay, Alex," I muttered barely a whisper, reaching out to his chest, brushing my palm across his ripped chest. He visibly relaxed, though he let out a soft groan, but his eyes softened a bit.

I ignored the warm sensations that shot through me as my palm connected to his hard chest. It's not the right time to entertain such desires.

"Would you mind making us some tea?" I smiled at him too sweetly and he reluctantly nodded. I pulled my hand and dropped it on my side.

He acquiescently walked further into the kitchen, closer to where my tea maker was sitting next to my espresso machine. It's on the further side of the kitchen counter.

I turned around to face Tammy and her eyes was directed on the tiled floor. She was facing towards my spacious kitchen.

"Let's go and talk to the living room," I said, leading her at the very back to where my sitting room was, over by the glass wall.

"You need to sit, you look like you'll gonna collapse," I remarked and she nodded her head.

I watched her back as she slowly walked over to my living room and sat on one of the sectional sofas.

I couldn't look at her longer for my heart clenched tightly at the sight of her.

A face slipped into a hint of apocalypse.

I looked over to the kitchen and Alex was staring at us.

I let out a sigh and sat not too far from Tammy.

As soon as I sat, she spoke.

I just noticed that her hands are shaking, fingers tightly curled around her purse straps with her pink handkerchief.

I dragged my gaze back up to her blood shot eyes, ears fully attentive to whatever she's saying.

"I came to apologize," she croaked. She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief, looking at the handkerchief after as if it was the most enticing at the moment.

"It was wrong of me to let you suffer because my family was weak," she sniffled.

She bit her bottom lip as she tried to hold back her tears, but they came pouring as if she hasn't cried enough. She tried to dried them up again with her handkerchief, wringing it after as she cleared her throat.

She met my gaze, eyes filled with tears. She chewed on her bottom lips, hard that it looks like it's going to split the flesh into half.

"What happened?" I asked cautiously, gulping down that lump that seemed to block the air out of my throat.

She sniffled. Turning her gaze away, she looked obliviously through the transparent glass over, a tensed pause filled the air.

Meeting my gaze, she nodded her head slowly. "My father can't accept the truth that he lost his job. He forget to live and I don't remember a night he was sober since he got fired. And then he just didn't woke up one morning...He..." she paused, her voice quivering, and so her lips. "He..." she gulped hard, "he died on his sleep. Stroke," she forced out the words, struggling to keep her voice steady and normal.

Her eyes didn't waver, but I could tell with her face that she was trying to put up a strong facade.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know what to say," I sniffled softly, tears welling up under my eyelids. I felt another lump at the back of my throat and I swallowed it down.

I blinked it back the tears, but it only stung my eyes. I dried the tears before they rolled down my cheeks with the back of my index knuckles. I didn't bother to hide it from her.

"I didn't want to open up wounds, but I'd like to understand where your hatred is coming from?" I explained in a very tender and understanding tone.

She nodded her head.

Her lips quivered, her eyes moistened yet again. Tears slowly escaping her eyes. She swallowed hard.

"After my father's death, my brother shoot himself. But before that, he was arrested with drug dealing. He didn't want to go to jail so he shoot himself," she explained.

I felt her pain. Tears now flowed freely across my cheeks and I couldn't stop it. She cried again and I cried with her.

My chest was heavy, tight and I thought I couldn't breath. Just then I felt Alex sat next to me, handing me the box of tissue.

I pulled a few and dried my cheeks, dabbing the tears dry of my eyes.

"My sister died in front my eyes. And I blamed it on your father because I had no one to blame to. It was so wrong of me. Please forgive me." She sobbed.

Her shoulders shaking, her body rocked at the intensity of her cry.

"It was my fault. It was my family's fault," she wailed. "We are weak. I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Clara Bell!" Her palm cradled her face as she cried harder.

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks and I scooted closer to her. Alex was sitting quietly where I left him as he watched us.

I pulled Tammy into a hug. She cried even more when she felt my hands around her. Rubbing one palm across her back in a gentle circular motion.

"Shhh...." I murmured. "I'm sorry you have to endured all of it," I cooed. "You don't deserve that kind of life. No one deserve it."

"No, you don't deserve to suffer because of me. Of my weakness and wrong decisions in life, Clara Bell." She pulled out of my embrace and her brown eyes that lost it spirit is staring back at me.

"I was so proud, I can't take the blame for my sister's death. Instead, I threw them all to your father." She shook her head as she unconsciously blew her nose on her handkerchief.

She continued on in a very soft raspy tone. "I was too lost in trying to feed my sister, to pay her medicines and keep us floating. I forgot about her. I forgot that she's also mourning my family's death. I forgot that she's not as strong as me. She fell into depression. She lost herself, that's why she got ran over by that car, right in front of my eyes. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left her that day."

She was staring right through me as she ranted, enlightening me of why she had so much hatred that motivated her to do such things against me.

I stared into her soulless brown eyes. I just realized there was no sparks in them. There was no life in it.

She furiously wiped her eyes and swallowed back the fresh tears threatening to escape her eyes.

"When my sister died, I have no one left, it was a dead end for me. I have no purpose in life. I felt as good as dead, Clara Bell. And then I met you, that hatred for your father, it all came back and I thought I found a new way, a new purpose in life," she sniffed. "I made a wrong choice. I found a route but my intention was bad. I'm sorry."

"Life is never fair. It is like a rough road with too many bumps. And when you think you are at the dead end, that's where we are wrong. There is always free routes, and it's up to the taker which way they go and how they they take them. And take note, there will always be a bump no matter which way. Now it's the taker choice, he can take it with good intention or bad."

The words comes out of my mouth like a true preacher.

Tammy snapped her eyes shut, perhaps trying to stop the tears from pouring again as she nodded her head.

"I found a new way when I moved here, and my life was again running smoothly, but then I made a wrong decision when I met you. I let my hatred reign over right. I know it was wrong, but I felt like I own it to my father, my brother, my sister, especially to me."

"Did it make you happy if you won the case?" I asked, curiosity got the best in me.

I want to know if that's make her happy, that it would lessen the sadness, lonely she felt for being alone in this world.

She shook her head.

"As I was lying on my bed after I got home from the courthouse, I realized that your father hadn't done anything to my father. I just acknowledged the truth, which I should have done it before, that my father was weak. We all are weak."

Her voice softening as she explained further.

"I understand, Tammy. And I'm sorry. Truly, am sorry. I can't imagine how did you survive it all. It must be very tough." My voice was low and tender.

"You are a very kind, Clara Bell. I felt even more remorseful." Her lips cracked into a half genuine smile.

"I regretted it all. Please forgive me."

How can I not forgive her?

I know she meant to hurt my father and that through me, but it's just my reputation that was harmed.

How can I selfishly deny her my forgiveness?

She had been through a lot.

"Tammy, I will forgive you if you promise me to do the right thing beginning today."

She smiled but with tears in her brown eyes. "I came to beg for your forgiveness before I leave," she confessed causing me to frown at her. "And yes, I intend to leave it all behind."

"Leave?" I echoed softly.

"Yes. I will leave."

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To a place where I can live in peace," she replied.

I can tell she didn't wanna divulge more information with the place she had in mind to move into, so I didn't pursue any further. I just nodded my head.

"I have one question, Ms. Dominguez," Alex asked causing me to look at him with a frown.

I was looking at him, curious as to what he's gonna ask her.

"Did you put Tabitha's watch in Clara's purse?"

Tammy slowly nodded her head. My eyes widened in surprise. Then it wasn't Claire.

Suddenly, I don't know how to feel about it, about Claire.

"Yes, it was me," she admitted, turning her head to me and asked for forgiveness again after.

She looked thoroughly regretful.

"All is in the past now," I said.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness, Clara Bell. I've done so much against you. I should be punish severely, but thank you nonetheless," she choked out.

I just shook my head and smiled at her.

"I should go. Thank you." She grabbed her purse and rose to her feet.

She then turned her head to look at Alex but she said nothing, though her face was filled with remorseful.

Alex's face was unreadable. He just nodded his head at her.

Tammy faced me as she hoisted her purse on her shoulder. "Thank you, Clara Bell. Thank you very much."

I smiled and pulled her into my arms for the last time.

"Good luck! I hope you find happiness wherever you go," I murmured softly against her shoulder.

She pulled away and murmured 'Thank you' before turning to Alex. She gave him a nod before heading towards the door.

Tammy was gone and that's when i realized I never offered her any drinks.

"What happened to the tea?" I asked Alex.

We are now sitting on the sofa close to each other.

"How can I serve you teas when you are both in crying, and I couldn't break that tears spell going on with you two," he teased and I chuckled.

"I felt so bad, I couldn't help but cry for her." I muttered softy, looking at him briefly before dragging it back on the small bonsai tree that was sitting on my glass coffee table.

I sat upright and face Alex. He was staring at me, his back was leaning against the backrest of the sofa.

"I don't know how I feel about Claire knowing that she didn't put that watch in my purse," I opened up and Alex sat upright.

He shifted to face me. "I went to see her this morning hoping to get her retract her statement, but she refused. Even then she didn't put it, she confessed she was supposed to do that. Which meant that she still wanted to plot against you," Alex explained.

That anger rose back in my chest and it's in full gear.

I clenched my teeth.

"She doesn't care about you or anyone but herself, Clara. She wants you in that jail, knowing you're innocent. If she really did, she shouldn't have made that statement." Alex stated in repulsion.

I nodded my head.

"I want her apologize to me in public, I want the world to know that they plotted against me." I bit out.

"You father won't let them get away, babe. They will not get away from it." Alex promised.

My mouth snapped open, staring at Alex wide eyed. He furrowed at me.

"Tammy!" I exclaimed.

"Daddy won't forgive her." I gulped down. My heart suddenly dropped at the realization of her going to jail.

"Alex, what Am I gonna do?" I asked, grabbing his hand unconsciously and shook it.

"I'll talk to Uncle, but don't you think she still is responsible for the consequences of her action?" Alex cautiously asked and I swallowed hard.

"I don't know. I forgive her to be honest," I murmured, turning away and dropped my back against the sofa's backrest.

"Let's not think of it for now. I'll go and take the tea and we can have it while we talk about something else. Maybe about vacation."

I turned my head languidly to his direction and I was welcomed with a boyish grin.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips as the memory in the elevator, of him being interrupted twice as he excitedly shared the place he has in mind to spend vacation.

"What?" he chuckled, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, though they are filled with amusement.

"Now you can tell where would you take us. There is no distraction now," I chuckled.

He let out a deep, throaty chuckle. He looked so hot, his eyes crinkled slightly, his sparkling white sets of teeth caught my eyes. There seems nothing that is imperfect for this guy.

"My parents has a Villa in Mykonos Island. It's beautiful and secluded. We can cruise on the neighbouring island," he explained and I was just staring at him so hard.

I just noticed he had taken off his tweed coat and now with just his shirt with a few buttons undone, he looked rather ravishing.

"Don't look at me like that. You're turning me on," he said and then he gets up.

A burst of laughter erupt from me as he stood up and headed towards the kitchen.