One night with the Prince 100 Forgive and Forge

Lady Lucy had made a big mistake in blurting everything out without first finding out the reason she was summoned. She had no idea that President Grant had checked Ramon's background since he seemed to be very close to Alexa and had voiced his intentions to Daniel.

That was the report the President was reading, and it was in regards to Ramon's parentage. He called Lady Lucy to verify some matters, but it seemed they found something else out instead. Since she had fried herself in her own oil, the President decided to forgo questioning her about Ramon. He chose to continue with the issue at hand. First Lady Dianne's involvement with Alexa's mother's death. If any...

Lady Lucy was spilling the beans about everything she knew to the President, Alexa, and Daniel in regards to First Lady Dianne and Grandmother Santos.

The President wasn't planning on telling Alexa about Grandmother Santos and the part she played in her mother's demise, but it was already too late as Lady Lucy kept on going like the little Bunny with Everyready Battery. 'Going and going and going.'

By the time she was done telling them everything she knew, Alexa was already sitting quietly with a pale face and tears flowing down her beautiful young face. Daniel was unsure of how to console his grieving sister. The only thing he could do was give her a tight embrace and caress her hair while he continued saying, "Everything is going to be alright now! Dad and I are here, no matter what happens. We would never let anything or anyone hurt you again."

With that brotherly love that he was showing to Alexa, it just made her feel more pitiful; hence, she began sobbing harder.

"You may leave now. But before you go, I am giving you a warning: everything you have just informed us about better not be known outside this room. If I find out that you spread any rumors about my family, I will do everything in my power to ruin you and your future generations. Did I make myself clear?"

President Grant sternly warned Lady Lucy, and then he told his assistant to escort her out of the White House and not to let First Lady speak with her on the way out, no matter what.

Once Lady Lucy was out of sight, President Grant gave his full attention to his daughter that was crying and looking inconsolable. "Now that you know the whole story, you understand why we don't want you to associate yourself with those people any longer. Don't worry. I will not let the years that she took care of you and raised you to go to waste. I will make sure they are compensated properly. But that's the limit. You are not to communicate with them ever again."

Alexa might be young, but she was not stupid. For many years she had been supporting Grandmother Santos' bad habits, but this was the last straw. She was grateful that Grandmother Santos raised her instead of turning her over to the orphanage or worst yet, to leave her in the streets to suffer.

However, she had lived a tough life since young. The only reason she was able to graduate High School [barely] was due to her hard work and intelligence. Therefore, she did not feel remorse for losing the person that had raised her. The only thing that bothered her was losing Andrea as well.

Andrea had always been there for her whenever she was sick... Andrea was the one who came running and making sure she had something to eat or medicine to take. Even at grade school, she would beat the other children that tried to bully her for being an orphan.

During the first year of High School, when she had no money to purchase her uniforms, Andrea made an excuse to her parents that she needed an extra one only to give to her and she even got scolded for that. Alexa was reminiscing about her time with Andrea without realizing that the Father and Son were staring at her intensely.

President Grant broke the silence. "Alexa, we need to talk about your future, this is a good time as any. I had made an arrangement for you to move in with Ms. Garcia today. The sooner you leave, the better. A car is ready to take you to her hotel, and from there she would take care of you. Is that alright with you?"

Alexa wasn't listening to what was being said. She was still in deep thought about her friend Andrea.

"Alexa! Alexa!! Dear, did you hear me?" President Grant was anxiously trying his best to get Alexa's attention.

Alexa came back to earth after being shaken by Daniel vigorously.

"Huh? What happened? I'm sorry, I was thinking of Andrea and did not hear a word that you said." She apologetically said to the President and Daniel.

"What about this, Andrea?" Daniel was curious.

"She has nothing to do with Grandmother Santos. She had always been there for me back then in the Philippines. I was hoping that she could stay with me, just her... Is this possible?" She asked pleadingly with the saddest looking eyes.

"How about this, we would discuss this later, and if it's possible, we will arrange for her to live with you and Ms. Garcia. Is that to your satisfaction?" President Grant happily informed Alexa, whose face suddenly changed for the better hearing that Andrea can be with her.

"Thank you, Daddy, I would not ask for anything else, only this one." She then got up and gave her Father a big tight embrace.

"Father, if she's moving out today, does that mean she would not attending mother's birthday party?" Daniel curiously asked.

"Son, If I could help it, I would not attend either. But since Alexa was not required, I rather she not attend than be ridiculed by your mother in return. Alexa's time will come when she would have her coming out party. That's when she would attend, not until then."

"Alright, I get it now. I am going to escort and turn her over to Ms. Garcia today."

Daniel then turned to Alexa, "Are you ready to start a new life?"

"Yes, I'm ready... I guess." She hesitantly replied.

"What kind of answer was that? Alexa Grant! Are you ready to start a new life?!" Daniel repeated.

"Yes, I am!" A little louder this time.

"Are you?!!!" Daniel shouted.

"YES!!!! I AM READY!!!!" Alexa shouted as loud as she could in return...

They both looked like soldiers heading to the battlefield.

President Grant looked at both his children and felt so proud of them that he smiled from ear to ear with tears in his eyes. Then he said to himself, 'I would never allow any of you suffer as long as I live. I will protect you both even if it costs me my life.'

===

Meanwhile, back at the Memorial Hospital where Grandmother Santos was hospitalized, Andrea was anxiously asking her Grandmother what had happened. She couldn't understand why on earth, she could not get through to Alexa ever since they were taken to the Hospital.

"Don't tell me that it's nothing, because, from the way you look, you look like you have seen a ghost. I know there's something you do not tell me. So, please, Grandma, be kind to me and tell me the truth." Andrea pleaded with tears flowing down her face.

"Hush child! This is not something I should be discussing with you, and I need to speak with Alexa first. If she decides to tell you, then you would know. Now, try and get a hold of her. Tell her to come over as soon as possible before that wicked lady gets to me first." Grandmother Santos said to Andrea sadly.

Unfortunately, no matter how much Andrea tried, she was not able to get through. Unbeknownst to Andrea, her phone number had been blocked by the President's order. The only thing she could do was to sit and wait to see if she would come. Deep in her heart, she knew that Alexa would not intentionally abandon them. Andrea had no idea that their paperwork was being processed for their journey back home to the Philippines without laying their eyes on Alexa...

Chapter end