Chapter 2

It's getting late so I arranged my things for work, I've fed Mia a lot and now she's sound asleep. It's only been an hour since the two of them arrived so I cooked their dinner as well. I always do it every night during my work shift. I also didn't have time to eat with them every dinner, so I just prepared something for them. So that after they eat they can immediately do what they should do as students.

I stood up when I heard the sound of the door, a sign that someone entered. Marla came in first frowning. "What's your problem?" I asked, I looked behind her when I saw that Mariz did not follow. "Where is Mariz?" my additional question, she looked at me obviously mad.

"Earlier while we were going out we saw Mom, she was waiting for us and took Mariz. Mariz really didn't want to come but Mom was completely embarrassed in front of many people." I closed my eyes firmly, holding back again. That came from here before, I will follow her to tell Mariz to go to their house. Why does she even have to take Mariz to her school voluntarily? What does she really plan?

"I'll take Mariz now, you stay here." I would have turned my back when she stopped me.

"Don't worry, sister. Mariz will be back tomorrow. Just go to your work," she said. No, maybe they'll do something to Mariz. After knowing who they are, I don't trust them.  "Go ahead. I'll just let you know if she's home here today or tomorrow."

I took a deep breath and calmed down, I had to go to work as well. I can't be absent today because there are big guests and we have to be good at work. "Text me right away when she comes home, okay?" Marla nodded in response.

Even though I'm not comfortable with what's happening and what Mom was up to before, I can't do anything right now. I have to work hard because the examination day of the two and Mia's birthday are also near.

"All right, I'll go first. Be careful here and then the windows and doors, lock them. Make sure, Mariz will come home tomorrow," I reminded her.

"Yes, I will surely do. Please be careful." I smiled at her and then left.

Exactly, a jeepney arrived so I got on right away. I hope I can always get on this fast so that I won't be late for work. There is a pay cut every time we are late and every one of those deductions is wasted on me.

When I got off, I immediately ran towards the restaurant I was attending. My job is as a waitress, the trip is two hours and my shift is sometimes night until seven in the morning and sometimes, morning to night. Depends on the events that happen at the restaurant.

"Stop running, we're not late." My friend Jenny stared at me, she was a cashier.

"So as not to miss," I replied to her and then pinched her on the side when I saw Marvin pass by, the only bodyguard our age in the restaurant. He was with Daniel, the man who had been courting me since I started here.

"Daniel has been waiting for you for a while, when will you answer him?" I ignored Jenny but I just looked at Daniel who was smiling at me. I'll admit that I also like him but I don't have time to have a boyfriend yet, my priority is for my siblings to graduate first.

"You, when are you going to answer Marvin? The stickiness of your look." I pointed at Marvin with my snout, Jenny's cheek showed that it was red.

The preparation has now started. Daniel came to my side and offered help but I refused since he had a lot to do also on his side.

"Do you know the guests?" I stopped when my colleague Joanah suddenly approached. Why is it asking me, I also don't know.

"I know, maybe super rich people." I didn't talk to her anymore after I answered her question, I went straight to my job of arranging tables.

"Do you need help?"

"Three — D-daniel? You again, I told you I can handle this." I averted my eyes from him when I saw his eyes smiling at me, one of the reasons I liked him too. His beautiful eyes.

"I'm sorry, if you need help I'll help you." I frowned and looked around, he had more to do than me but he was here to help.

"I can do it and then I'll be done soon, you have a lot more to do." I smiled at him. "Maybe later we'll be reprimanded here because we're talking, go ahead." I pushed him slightly and I immediately removed my grip on his chest when I felt a tremor. What was that?

"After that, can I invite you even if it's just for a walk in the plaza?" I'm not surprised every time he treats me because it's just repeated and I also repeatedly refuse it.

"Maybe on our day-off," I said and forced a smile. Honestly, I'm ashamed of him because I've always rejected him but I also know in myself that I have a plan to answer him, I just don't really know when.

"Tomorrow is our day-off, I'll pick you up. Don't say no, you just agreed." I flinched as it pinched my cheek, "you're cute." I bit my lip to avoid looking at him and just went back to what I was doing.

"I'll just finish this." I stuttered without looking at him, I also felt that he had left. I took a deep breath and calmed myself, as if I were a child when thrilled. But I still can't really answer Daniel even though I'm twenty-seven years old, I still have a lot to do on my own.

When everything was done with the preparation and the guest had already started arriving, we waitresses were also just on the side lined up. "A lot of handsome," whispered the one next to me. I ignored one of my colleagues because I didn't really care what the visitor's faces looks like or who are they were. I am here for my job not being fangirling. 

"Amanda." I was immediately alerted when our Manager called me, she motioned for me to come closer.

"Yes ma'am?" My polite question. I looked at the man next to her in a tuxedo and obviously stuck, just face. "Good evening, sir." I bowed as a greeting and I also immediately stood up as I received no return greeting from the man. I went back to Ms. Lucy.

"This is Mr. Byron De Mevius, please guide him to their VIP table." I bowed.

I smiled at Mr. Byron, "This way, Sir." I stepped to the side and pointed the way, I thought he was going to speak or say thank you but he didn't even open his mouth, he just walked straight. Stuck, he doesn't even want to smile.

I was about to follow him when Ms. touched me. Lucy, "I heard he doesn't want women to approach him so be careful. I should order John but they also take care of a lot." I smiled at her to let her know that I could handle it. Many times I have experienced this situation where the customer is stuck but just really trained.

"It's okay Ma'am."

When I got to their table, I heard the laughter of some of his companions but he did not join.

"Bryan, when will your youngest get married?" I heard the old man ask. I just put their food on the table.

"We've found someone to marry her or even a surrogate mother so she can have a child," replied the rich man next to Byron. I didn’t really know why I was listening to them talking, someone in myself said that I should listen. I do not know.

"Who's the lucky one to marry our youngest, Dad?" One of the young men asked.

"You know son, many owe us and even only one child of them can pay." I was suddenly stopped by their Dad's answer.

"Whose family is that, Dad? Maybe they have a lot of daughters."

"The family of Amando Armani."

"Damn!"

"What the hell ?!"

Whose family? He mentioned my Dad's name.

"Miss, be careful."

I heard it clearly, right? Our family? Oh shit!

"Amanda, what happened?" I was shocked to see Ms. Lucy's angry face. I turned to the people standing and they were looking at me, I also bent down to look at the broken plate. I swallowed twice and went down to pick it up.

"Damn it, stupid girl!" I know, it's Byron's voice but I don't know, I'm thinking about what his Dad said earlier. What else did my parents enter? Is this another problem and what is marriage?

"Stupid, take this woman away from me."