But before I could let out this tirade, Ninang June stepped in and made everything worse. “Ay, Bernie, she can’t help it. She’s just like her mother. Cecilia was always papansin, diba? These Macapagal women, always wanting more and more attention, and then complaining when they get it. Like with the judging. It should’ve been you. And instead—”
“Tama na!” My grandmother slammed her hand on the table, making everything on it rattle. “You insult my family? In my home? Get out.”
Ninang June and Bernadette exchanged glances, as if just now realizing we had been privy to what would usually be their private, petty conversation. Ninang June tried to apologize, at a loss for words for the first time since I’d known her. “Ay, Tita Flor, no. You misunderstand me. I didn’t mean to—”
“So on top of insulting my family, you now insult my intelligence?” Lola Flor stood up. “Get out. Don’t you dare come by the restaurant. Your daughter’s so smart, so good? She can get herself out of trouble.”
Bernadette went over to her. “I’m so sorry, Lola. I—”
Lola Flor brushed her aside and pointed toward the door. “Lila, you want to stay with that pageant, that’s your business. But you’re done with this investigation. I won’t have you putting yourself at risk for these ungrateful . . .” And here she let out a string of Tagalog curse words. Several of the people around the table had no idea what she was saying, but we all winced at the vehemence in her voice—her feelings were clear, no translation necessary.
Ninang June and Bernadette left without another word, and the dinner party broke up soon after that. Detective Park took me aside before he and Jae left together.
“Lila, I think your grandmother’s right. I was foolish to get you involved, especially so soon after your previous trauma. The SPPD can handle this. You just focus on your new business, OK?”
I bristled, not just at the notion that I should follow my grandmother’s command, but at the way he referred to that past event as a trauma. I was doing just fine, thank you very much.
“Sure, Detective. Whatever you say.”
He knew not to believe me, but let it go for now. There’d been enough drama for one night. Or so I thought.
Joy lingered near the table, wringing her hands. “Um, Ate Lila? Could you give me a ride home? I was supposed to ride with Ate Bernie, but . . .”
I’d completely forgotten she was there. She was so good at making herself small and fading into the background. The whole thing must’ve been so awkward for her, poor girl. Torn between her mentor and her employer. “Of course, Joy. Let’s get you home before your parents start to worry.”
Joy smiled sadly. “That won’t be a problem.”
My heart twinged at those words, a feeling that was becoming more familiar the more time I spent around Joy and the other pageant girls. I decided to let Longganisa ride with us, both to cheer us up and to make up for having her shut in my room all night. We completed the short drive in silence, Joy stroking Longganisa’s short fur and hugging the little chonk against herself.
Before she got out of the car, Joy turned to face me, eyes glistening with tears. “It’s my fault Ate Bernie is in trouble. I never should’ve said anything.”
I turned off the car and faced her. “How is it your fault? You did nothing wrong.”
“I told her what Rob was saying to me. About how uncomfortable he made me. If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have confronted him and this whole mess might never have happened.”
I pulled Joy into a swift hug, crushing Longganisa between us, who was licking away Joy’s tears. “You did nothing wrong, do you hear me? Rob was the one at fault in that situation. Never ever blame yourself for how someone mistreats you. Especially when it’s an adult in a position of power. He knew what he was doing. And we know Ate Bernie would never kill anyone, so let’s just trust Detective Park to do his job.”
Joy pulled away and the look in her eyes broke my heart. “You can’t give up on her, Ate Lila. Please. Please help her.”
I sighed. For better or worse, Bernadette was family. And the Macapagals didn’t give up on family, even when they were being jerks. “I’ll do what I can, Joy. I promise.”
But Ninang June and Bernadette owed me and my mother an apology. And once I solved this case, they’d better believe I’d come collecting.
Chapter Twelve
I swung by the Brew-ha Cafe early the next day—I not only needed a huge amount of caffeine to get through everything, I’d promised Adeena and Elena I’d stop by to do my baking for the day before my pageant duties. Considering how precarious our relationship had been lately, I didn’t want to do anything that made it seem like I was shirking responsibility to the cafe. Though I would’ve loved to have slept in a bit after the night I’d had.