Chapter 1

"Asthad! The passenger who will get off at the town of Asthad! We're already here!"

I was distracted when I heard the loud shout of the conductor of the bus I was riding. I sat up and looked outside. I rubbed my eyes. We are here.

I took my bulky luggages and walked out. My fellow passengers were looking at me. Who wouldn't? It's rare to see someone who visits the town of Asthad. I just ignored them.

As soon as I stepped on the ground, the bus I was riding immediately went off. I now faced the withered trees in front of me. In the middle of the trees was a small pathway. I picked up my loads of luggages and started walking.The sound of the dry leaves I stepped in lingered in my ear with my every steps.

How many years has it been? I think 10 years had passed since I ran away from home. My family owns the biggest land here in Asthad or maybe half of it. Having that kind of influence, my father became the mayor and was ruling Asthad for many years. I don't have any plans on returning home but due to some unexpected circumstances, here I am, walking on the same old road back home.

Our town was located in the middle of the forest. A remote town and that's the reason why I was being looked at earlier. It's far away from city but people were leaving in peace. Fortunately, the bus took me here even though I was alone. Others were too lazy to go in because it was said to be far and the road was bumpy.

As I passed through the woods, I saw the familiar signage that said I was about to enter the town of Asthad. I stopped when the cold wind blew. My long black hair swayed along with it. The cold breeze smells sweet. Oh, I felt nostalgic. I started walking again, this time, in the wide asphalt road. On both sides of the road were the vast rice paddies that gracefully dance to the gentle rhythm of the wind. The air here was really different compared to the city where I came from.

I was humming and enjoying the view when I saw a Jaguar rushing towards me in a high speed. I pulled the luggage and pulled over to the side of the road. The road was wide enough but the car intentionally pushed me to the edge. What the heck is wrong with the driver?

The car stopped in front of me. I frowned. A tall and fair man got out of the car. He looked at my face, then he looked all over me, from head to toe then smiled mischievously. Okay. Who was this monkey? He looks familiar though.

"Lauren, it's really you!" He was happy to speak. He was about to hug me but I backed away. Feeling close? The perfume he used was so strong I need to scratched my nose.

"Excuse me, do I know you?"

He held his chest and acted hurt. "You don't remember me anymore? Am I that handsome that you don't recognize me?"

I stopped and looked at him. Thick eyebrows, a pair of brown orbs and the small mole under his left eye. I gasped. He grinned when he saw the recognition on my face. "K-Koko? Kronus David? My childhood playmate?" I said in a disbelieving voice.

He laughed loudly. "Yes my lady," he said with a slight bow. I finally smiled. I pulled his arm and hugged him tight.

He laughed while patting my back. "Alright. That's enough. My girlfriend might get jealous."

"You have a girlfriend? It's good that someone took a liking of you?" I mumbled as we arranged my luggages in his car.

"Of course. I have a good genes," he grinned and winked at me. I just shook my head. He still hasn't changed. I simply watched him. He was serious now while driving. He really looks different now. He looks more mature than his real age. Adolescent must've hit him hard.

I cleared my throat. "How did you know I was going home today?" I asked to break the silence.

"Tita Divina. She told me to pick you up," he said, referring to my step mom.

"Really?" I looked outside the car. I don't know what to say aside from that.

"I didn't believe you would come home. But I'm glad that you really did."

"Yeah," I said reluctantly. "Do I have a choice?"

He glanced at me. "You've changed a lot."

"I didn't."

"No. I mean you're physical appearance." He clarified.

I burst out laughing all of a sudden. "You think that I'm still the old me? 10 years had passed, Koko. Just like you, I've changed a lot."

He didn't say a word. Why am I annoyed? I sighed as I remembered the days of my youth. I was fragile and weak. Maybe gullible too. That's the reason why I was bullied before. Not only my friends but also my half sister and my step mother. All of that was witnessed by Koko because apart from Dad, he was my only ally. So I was surprised when he said earlier that Tita Eliza was the one who said to picked me up.

"I heard from your father that you joined the military." Koko said. "Is the allowance that Tito gives you every month enough?"

"I didn't touch it," I answered simply.

"What?" His face was shocked. "Then how did you survive?" he added with voice full of disbelief.

"Why do you have so many questions?" I'm starting to get irritated now.

"Just answer it."

"Tsk." I opened the window next to me to breathe fresh air. More buildings and infrastructures were built and I know that father worked hard for it to happen. "I worked while studying. You know me, Koko. As much as possible, I don't want to ask anyone for help."

"Even help from your father?"

"I made a selfish decision back then. I left home so I don't have the rights to use his money anymore."

Being a working student was not easy. Study in the morning and then work in the evening. There wasn't enough time to rest and sleep. I graduated high school with flying colors that's why I got a scholarship from the academy. It covers everything, from my tuition fee, uniforms, field trips, seminars and allowances. My salary from working part time was what I used to pay for my rent, water bills, groceries and personal things. I also have sleepless nights especially when the exam, training, thesis, name it were all piled up. It was tough. I wanted to give up but I didn't because that's what I wanted. I'll be a laughingstock if I didn't accomplish anything. And that's better than staying here. I'm proud of myself that I was able to handle all of that alone. And it paid well. It really did.

Koko didn't say a word again until we reached Centro, the heart of Asthad. I closed the window. It's too crowded. I get dizzy when I see a lot of people. It's still early but there were already many people on the street. Different kinds of stores were perfectly aligned on every corner of the street. I can see new shops too. This place was built by the Spaniards. If there was a building to be built here in Centro, it must follow the old style and design.

But despite all the modernization and stuff, something hasn't changed, the eeriness of this town remains. Compared to some places where the sun shones brightly, Asthad was a little bit dreary. Maybe because it's located in the middle of the forest, surrounded by big trees and where the clouds stay.

"Is that the Capitol?" I asked pointing the 3 story building ahead of us.

"Yeah. That was just a small building before, remember? Your father worked hard for it," Koko said in a proud voice.

Indeed. My father was a dedicated person, to the town and to the towns people.

"Do you want to drop by somewhere or head straight to your house?" Koko asked.

"Just..drive straight h-home." I almost laughed when I stuttered. Home? What a joke. What was home by the way?