Chapter 3

Newton's third law was right when I was in highschool. "In every action there is an equivalent and balance reaction." Things weren't doing great the past few days. My parents immediately packed up their things, others were already sold just to support their needs in the province. This house also had been sold. So even though I don't want to leave it, I can't do anything about it.

It would never be the same without them even if I stayed here longer, I would just be sad and overthink.

"Take care of yourself, my baby girl," daddy said with teary eyes. "When you have a problem, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"

I hugged him and rested my head on his chest. "Can I call when I can't cook, Daddy?"

He laughed, obviously holding back tears. "Of course, you can! I'll teach you how to cook Pancit Canton." He hugged me tightly. "I'll miss you so much."

I could not stop my tears from flowing. Since birth, Daddy has always supported me in everything I do. Anya and I grew up with so much love and support that's why Anya was really a spoiled brat. We never experience any hardship in life.

I sighed. It sucked to start from scratch again but I'd no choice, this was my reaiity now.

"I will send my first salary immediately to help you with your debt," I said.

"No, Iris. I can handle this. When I sell our business, I will be able to pay my debts."

Mom gently tapped Daddy on the shoulder. "Romy, she should. It will help us."

"It's not her responsibility, Joy," Daddy said.

"It is now," I replied before they fought again. "You are my responsibility. So that we can all be together sooner!"

Daddy took a deep breath. "Just eat on time, okay?"

I hugged them both for the last time. Life was so much easier having them around. Too bad, I became an adult. I need to make up for what they have done to me.

"Aren't we leaving?" Anya complained inside the car.

"Won't you miss me?" I asked her.

"No. Why should I miss you?"

I pulled her hair from the car window. Anya's shout was fightback, I just teased her while saying goodbye to our parents again. With a blinked of an eye, they were no longer in front of me. I was left alone infront of our house, watching our car moving far away from me. My knees seemed to be weakened and I didn't know how to start. How to survive living alone? No one even taught me. But it's part of life, isn't it? You had to figure out everything on your own, too bad I wasn't ready.

Monday came, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I really had a hard time sleeping because I was really sad when my parents left. I was also thinking about what my workplace and my future co-workers will look like.

Of course, Zach was there too... Thinking of him, made my stomach flutter. Has he forgiven me?

I leave home early, I also don't want to be late to avoid bad records. But I was shocked when I saw how long the queue was at the train station.

"Shit," I muttered to myself. "I don't want to be late on my first day!"

I ran out and thought of taking a taxi. Somehow the flow was moving but when we got to Guadalupe the car got stucked in traffic too! Shit. When I looked at the clock, it was only 30 minutes to eight o'clock! I paid the taxi driver and got off. I tried to book a motorcycle online but a few minutes later they were fully booked.

I was running out of hope when suddenly a big bike stopped in front of me. He was wearing his motorcycle's outfit. I was confused, grabbed my bag closer to me even though the person riding it look rich. The owner removed his helmet, exposing his foreign face to me. His cheeks were red.

He was smiling, showing his dimple on his left cheek. "Do you need help? You seem to have a hard time booking."

My defense mechanism was up. "I'm not a pick up girl," I said calmly.

He laughed. "I didn't say anything. I just wanted to help you because you're stuck in traffic."

I studied his face. He doesn't look like who would rob. God, his face was too handsome to be one. But I'm afraid he might take me somewhere.

"Did you see that?" He pointed something behind me. I looked back, it was a camera. "There's CCTV." He smiled. "You can definitely have someone check it out if something happen to you. But I'm too handsome to be a kidnapper."

I almost rolled my eyes. "So why do you want to help me?"

"Because I know how you feel now. I'll be late. If you don't get on, I'll get going."

He put on his helmet again and was about to start the motor when I stopped him.

"I'll pay you, okay?"

He laughed again. "I don't need money. Do I look like poor just looking at my face?"

"I won't ride with you for free," I insisted. Other people are starting to look in our direction or more on, to the man I'm talking to.

"You're too little for your pride, woman,"he commented.

"What ?! Me? Small?" I asked aloud.

He started his engine, avoiding my outrage. "All right, I'll go."

"Wait!" I stopped him, putting my hand on his biceps.

He stared at it while raising his eyebrow. "Yes, baby girl? Why are you touching me?"

"Stop with the baby girl," I threatened him.

"Oh okay, baby boy," he said laughing.

This was my first time riding a motorbike. I was really nervous that we would fall off and get hit by a truck or a car behind us! But it was a good thing he drove smoothly even I didn't trust him.

I pointed out which direction he would take and then stop at the huge building of Esqueza's Corporation. I breathed a sigh of relief, I survived this day! I came on time!

"So this is where you work..."

He looked up at the large building in front of us. I removed the helmet from my head and handed it to him.

"Yes, why? Do you have an acquaintance inside?"

He shrugged his shoulder. "Nothing." He took the helmet in my hand. "Do you need someone to pick you up later?"

"No. I don't know you," I refused.

He grinned. "You still have to pay me."

My eyebrows rose. "I won't pay you with my body."

"That's not what I'm saying. What are you thinking? You're so fast," he said while biting his lip.

We both jumped when someone blew the horn behind us. A black Mercedes Benz. I couldn't see who's inside because the sun was pointing in our direction.

I took a five hundred pesos from my wallet and handed it to the man.

"Are you serious?" he asked when he saw what it was. "I thought it was your number."

"You're blocking my way, people."

I straightened when I heard that voice. My body panicked when I saw him standing in front of us.

"Mr. Esqueza. Hello, Goodmorning," I greeted nervously.

He didn't bother to look at me. He just looked badly at the man with me as if he did him wrong.

"Move," he told him seriously. "Or I'll ban your motorcycle here."

Romeo was right. Our boss had an anger issue. Shit. He is scary when he's like this. I just wanted to hide and be invisible so he wouldn't have the time to notice me.

"Chill, dude. I'll just say goodbye ---"

He didn't let him finish talk. He walked into the building, everyone who saw him panicked too. Mr. Esqueza handed someone his car key. They weren't use to seeing him everyday. Just like them, I would panicked too everytime.

"Who is that?" Mr. Foreign guy asked confusingly. "Looks like he's on his period."

"Shh!" I cut him off because someone might hear him and tell our boss about it. I didn't want to leave bad impression anymore!

"Why are you pale?"

I was so restless that I was confused and adjusted myself. "Because if I haven't left yet. if I won't, I'll be late again. They might kick me out forever. Bye!"

 I forced the five hundred to his hand. "That's for you! Keep the change!"