Corrine was standing in the silent house, which felt strange and empty all of a sudden.
A painful silence had replaced the warmth and laughter she had once taken for granted.
Ricardo had been absent for weeks. No proper goodbye. No more Sunday sweets. Like a silent storm building inside, his absence tore her heart.
Every now and then, Lorna and Nena kept loitering around her. Each doing their best to console her. However, their efforts were such a cringe. The awkwardness was barely disguised by their nervous laughter as Lorna made a sardonic joke about how "men always run away when things get tough" and Nena said icily that Corrine should "just toughen up like a soldier."
Corrine shrank away as the words struck a deeper chord than they realized. Her bewilderment grew as she encountered humor that was so inappropriate and severe for a ten-year-old. Carmen sat quietly nearby, tinkering with her school uniform. Though she was too young to fully understand, she could feel the storm in the room.
Juana walked over to embrace the enraged Corrine. It's okay to be upset. "We'll get through this together," she assured her while giving her husband a meaningful glare. Ferrerro remained silent as the scene unfolded. His quiet presence providing a steady, if distant, sense of comfort.
"Come on, girls. Lolo will take you to school. Don't be late. Let's get going."
At school, Corrine's distress spilled over. During the lunchtime, a group of classmates whispered cruel taunts.
"Why doesn't your dad drop you off in the morning anymore? What's wrong with your family?" Melissa sneered with exaggerating tones.
"Ahaha, my mom said he left because your mom is too ugly," Tommy jabbed as well. Their words sharp as knives.
Corrine was assertive and proud. Numerous of her classmates were envious of her academic and athletic prowess. So they took every opportunity of poking a mockery of her.
"You don't know anything! Just give me some space!" Corrine retaliated by kicking Tommy in the shin. Her heart ached from loneliness and frustration as the others laughed fervently and made fun of her.
Then she fled. She couldn't take the sting of what they were saying. She also didn't want them to see her so meek and cry. Nauseating whispers and giggles filled the cafeteria, such painful scraps against her heart.
Desperate and overwhelmed, she hurried off the school grounds in the direction of the one location she thought might provide solace. It was Hotel Savoy, where her father worked.
She had only one thing in mind, to meet her father. Hotel Savoy was reachable by public transport from school. Corrine often visited there with Ricardo before, together in the old Volvo.
But this time... she didn't have much cash. She paid for the bus halfway and walked the rest of the way under the scorching afternoon sun. Her head throbbing but her resolve unshakable.
Corrine's steps were steady as she approached the hotel entrance, despite the fact that her slender figure was smudged with dirt and flushed with heat from the long trek. The dismay in her heart stood in contrast to the gleaming marble floors and brilliant lights.
Horatio, the sturdy security guy stationed at the front door recognized her promptly. His usual austere manner softened into an affectionate smile.
"Corrine! Look at you! You're all dusty and sweaty... what happened?" his concern sincere. He already knew what happened to her family.
Corrine smiled. A small, weary one.
"I just… want to see my dad."
Horatio pulled a bottle of mineral water from his counter and stepped forward. "Come, get some water. Here... you must be thirsty."
Corrine took the bottle gratefully. With slightly shaking fingers, she unscrewed the cap.
"So, Corrine... what can I do for you today?" With an empathetic gaze, Horatio inquired.
After putting down the bottle and dabbing at her sweats, Corrine nodded. "I have to see him. I... missed him."
Horatio hold his breath, opened the side door for her and said, "Well, let's get you inside then. Please, don't be sad like this again, ok? You made me worry, dear."
"Thank you, Uncle Tio. You're the best," she replied weakly.
Corrine's heart ached with hope as she walked into the employees' area. As she moved silently through the corridors, the sights, sounds, and smells brought back memories of the good old days. She was about to enter the common room when Ricardo's voice drifted out through a slightly open door. Casual. And cold.
".. (inaudible at first) well, I have to create some reasons. So I told them that I have to divorce Lucia because she could only give me two daughters, no son at all. And I said I realized I had to continue my lineage. With my own surname, free from the Padilla clutches."
Harsh, mocking laughter followed. Several voices of women and men chimed in, but Corrine was unable to hear anything anymore.
In the hallway, she frozed. Her father's affectionate image shattered in her mind. Despicable.