THE BEGINNING

Disclaimer: 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are all product of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, actual events or locales are purely coincidental.

Any other copy of this story aside from this account is a copyright infringed material, beware. Please obtain permission. 

                                  *****

THE BEGINNING 

"How many IVs left in the storage room? Did you guys checked the expiry date? How about the syringe do we still have enough syringe?"

My eyes glued to the woman in front of me. 

"Yes Miss Danica, we already put all the details at the record book," I answered as my two acquaintances are busy handling and typing the details of the inventory that we just did on the computer. 

It's been three days of overtime and lack of sleep for everyone. We are just so lucky that our boss isn't as strict as the other department. 

"Shasta, will gonna still work here after our internship?" says Jana, one of my colleagues after the head of the department left the office. 

"Sure Jana, the hospital isn't bad at all and I want to maximize the benefits I can extract..." I quipped. 

"Why don't you just ask Doctor Cynthia, she might know someone who where to ask help for your mother. She might even be transferred to the main branch in the metro." 

I turned to her as I sharply inhaled and exhaled, "Even if Doctor Cynthia will be able to secure us a spot in the metro, I don't know if the salary will be enough to maintain the daily living expenses for me and my mom."

"If only I know someone where to ask help. I could have been recommended your name," Jana sigh in dismay.  

"It's okay Jana, at least here, I can able to breath freely because I know that mother is in good hands. The Doctors are hands on to her and I got discount." 

"Right! Let's go to the meeting room already. I heard that a VIP is coming tonight..." 

I look at her with a thin line lips and perfectly arch brows. 

Did this girl talk and asked around like a reporter again?

"Who told you that? there's no news from the above. Did you go to the ER again?"

"Nope, guess what!" Jana's smile is creeping my internal organs.

"I heard it from Doctor Cynthia..." she whispered.

"VIP? How can a VIP be accommodated in here? Why don't they transferred him or her in the metro?"

Our conversation was interrupted as one of the higher ups is approaching. We are currently heading to the upper floor of the hospital.

"Interns?" the director smiled and we gave her the same intensity of smile.

"Yes, Madame," - Jana.

"Yes, Doctor," - Me.

"Who can accompany me to the meeting room, be my assistant for today. I informed Corazon about this already, or maybe Shasta is here? Do you know her?"

Jana pointed me, "She's Shasta... I have to go now Doctor, I'm still on duty."

I silently accompanied the director at the meeting room. I am a bit nervous because all the directors and the owners are present but I just did my best to jot down the important topics during the meeting. 

I am currently on the door when the Director waves her hand for me to go near her so I did.

"Corazon..." the director smiled to a beautiful lady wearing a lab gown. 

She's already around her 50's but still elegant.

"I think she can do..." the Director uttered nonchalantly.

I don't know what are they talking about but I'm sure that it involves me. Maybe they want me to do something or maybe I'll be accepted in this hospital after the internship?

"Mylette, you know I don't wanna involved anyone. I already decided to talk with them. If they'll withdraw their shares then we can just find another one."

I like her. I like this lady. She is very humble.

"Just try, maybe she can convince the, you know... Besides, they never met. He doesn't know and they look a like..." 

I swallowed hard, this talk is getting serious.

"I'll think about it," Doctor Corazon smiled at me. "You're Shasta right? Intern from Billings department?" 

"Yes Ma'am," I quipped.

"Let's have a coffee one time, dear." 

Since that day, something unbelievable happened. A week later, I was approached by my mother's Doctor that they will transfer her in the metro in the main hospital for free. I will be here to finish my internship and can go in the metro after graduation. The hospital will absorb me.

Two months after the CEO tells me that she'll invite me for a coffee. Her secretary approach me while I am leaving the hospital after my usual internship time one friday. She drove to the city center in an exclusive resort.

"You should take this opportunity... I know what's she's thinking..." the secretary mused while opening the café's door. "I'll wait for the two of you here outside."

After I nodded. I settled in front where the Doctor is sitting. A crew approach us with their menu book and my meeting partner told me to order whatever I want but I just ordered the familiar coffee for me.

Few minutes later, "I'm not going around the bush, darling. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, Ma'am. School is my priority."

"That's good. I want to offer you a work. It's different from the course you took but with much higher compensation."

I looked at my coffee. If it will makes my mother's life better then I will grab it.

"What's about it?"

I got shy when I met her gaze.

"My daughter met an accident and she's still in therapy, her engagement is near and that's what I need you for. You just need to attend the engagement dinner and maybe go out with Ethan sometimes. Just for six months."

"What if someone will exposed me? This is a fraudulent activity, Madame." I pointed out.

It's risky thing to gamble on things like this. Is this what the secretary said earlier? 

No, no matter how tempting it is I will not pretend to be someone I am not. I will prove that my name is worth it. I will never put my name in shame. I will never be like my mother. 

"I know, but, I got no choice, dear. If Feinah will show up now, I think the Montgomerys will pull out their investments. My daughter's marriage is what's keeping this hospital alive. I'm not worried about me and my family but for those who are benefiting from the charities we do and if I'll lose the right over my own blood and tears I don't know if the new owner will keep the things as it is. I'm just asking for a little help," the Doctor held my hand and pressed it.

I looked away and tried to convince myself that this is a bad idea. I'm graduating soon. I will be able to work soon but what if what the new management will cut off the sponsorship for my mother's medication and the other beneficiaries too?

Gracious!

It's a matter of life and death.

"I'll teach you everything about Feinah.  If you can't do it for six months maybe around three months. At least she can be able to walk, I can just told them that she was on accident after you exit. I'll bring you and your mother to Australia for you to start a new life there. It's a win-win solution. Please," the Doctor caressed my hands, pleading me.

"W-When will I start?" I uttered with a trembling voice.

Damn! I did it. In the end money is what makes my mother alive. The amount I will get from the agreement will surely make me retire early. Even if I'll work from 9-5 job I will not be able to earn it but I will make sure to protect myself. I need to protect myself from the temptations. 

"Your internship will be over half a month from now right?"

I nodded in response.

"When is your graduation?"

"On the 30th next month, Madame."

It's already April so there's no much time left. She's right. I'm not that innocent to know that therapy will be atleast 6 months. 

"The engagement is on the 16th of July, it'll be the first time that Ethan and Feinah will see each other again after 8 years. My daughter can't talk right now but she can write everything you wanted to know. Maybe you two can meet this coming Sunday evening. I'll let the driver fetch you."

The Doctor was true to her words, she let their driver picked me up and brought me to their Mansion. I feel like I'm dreaming because I only see houses this big on the television.

I was guided by the housekeeper to the living room and there, I saw a girl who looks like me except that she's blonde.

Doctor Corazon is pushing the wheelchair of her daughter and when they're in front of me the girl look at her mother and the latter smiled.

"She's Xaliah Shasta. The one I'm talking about," the Doctor introduced me and instructed me to take a sit.

Feinah Hererra gave me a laptop where she wrote everything about herself from her birthday the things she did in the past,. her relationship with the Montgomerys and her hobbies. 

She's just like other children of the rich. She likes partying. A lot. She's got allergies to shrimp which is my favorite. She loves golf but thankfully she's not a pro.

My schedule was always packed up since the day I signed a contract after graduation. The Hererra family will provide my living expenses while I will live in the metro after graduation. Also, the contract indicates that I will receive $10,000 monthly allowance and when I exited after 4 months, I will receive a $500,000. I told them that they'll bring my mother first in Australia, and she was transferred last week which I am thankful for.

I never told anyone including my best friend about this but I shared with her that someone who is wealthy sponsored my mother's medication in Australia and that they offered a free ticket for someone as her guardian that's why I get the exit payment and arranged Jana's papers.

"Are you sure about this? Why don't you come with us? You know, they might be able to sponsor you if they afford for me and aunt's expenses."

I cupped her face, "I will come over after 3 months. Don't worry about me. Just take care of Mom. I promise, I will come over after I settle things, out."

"Why not just ask help from your father, I hate how he has the guts to let you bear all this..."

"I don't want to create anymore scene. His wife and family have the right to loathe me and Mom... Well, I'm the fruit, the accesory to the crime that's why I don't wanna push things. Forget about him. He has the image of a perfect father and I don't wanna be the reason for him to have a bad public image," I explained. 

"It's not your fault that he cheated on his wife!" 

"Jana," I called my best friend. "Someone will take care of you after you arrived at the airport... Take care of Mom, okay? I'll just finish all my papers here and will come over." 

I looked at myself in the mirror. It's been a week since Doctor Corazon Hererra dropped me off to the apartment I'll be living here in the metro. She made sure that during the past weeks we were seen in public hanging out.

I met Feinah's cousin. Rida Hererra and she never  doubted that I am not her cousin at all. Maybe because Feinah hates people when she was younger. She only hangs out with other the rich club members in her school and her cousins. Our physical appearances is almost the same but she's twenty while I'm just 18. I really couldn't believe it myself but we aren't related at all. 

"Let's go! I heard that Calibre is already in Xylo. If only aunt didn't tell us that you just came from La Cita we should have arranged a better home coming party for you."

Calibre? Montiel? 

I heard that he's Feinah's classmate in kindergarten.

I checked my dress for the third time. I was trained to wear almost naked dresses before coming in here in the metro which makes my old self cringe but now, I appreciate how the silk perfectly hugged my body.

I'm not that comfortable wearing heels though, that's why I chose a 3 inch one instead of the 6 inch. My hair was dyed red a week after Jana's flight to perfectly match Feinah's. I told Jana that I wanted to change my appearance a bit to lighten my skin tone and my best friend took the bait.

"You look regal in red hair!" 

"Thanks, Jana, I wanna manifest this year for Mom's recovery and a glow up." I added as a reason to my friend. 

Upon entering the club I reminded myself that I am Feinah Hererra, the daughter of Corazon Hererra and not Xaliah Shasta Zerilla. I am an heiress and not a bastard of a Governor.

"Feinah!!!" A Russian-looking woman about my age called me and hugged me as Rida and I settled on our seats.

I don't remember her face from the classmates or acquaintances of Feinah at all. I smiled.

"Sorry I almost haven't recognized you..." I beamed after realizing that she resembled Atasha Mondragon Feinah's elementary bestfriend.

"It's okay, I understand. Welcome back home!" she greeted and gave a tossed.

I did the same with the tequila in front of me. She left me and Rida after a man in suit entered. Rida told me that it's Atasha's boyfriend.

"I don't know if Ethan will be here tonight because he's in Dubai the last time he said." 

"You have communication with him?" I eyed Rida but she just laughed.

"Of course! Is your brain affected after eloping with, who is he again? Ethan's best friend? Cooper?" Rida shook her head.

I swallowed hard. I don't know about what she's talking about. Did something happen that Feinah didn't include in the diary? I thought she was in love with Ethan. Why did she elope with his best friend? Now I am being toasted by her snake cousin! 

"Rida, it might be someone else who has the same features as me," I confidently stated to tone down the heated moment. "It's nothing new that I was always involved into something controversial because someone is trying to be me, right cousin?" I concluded while giving her an intimidating look.

If my hunch is telling me the truth. Rida is not one of the good cousin Feinah is considering that's why her name was blank when I read the note. The girl seems taken a back by my words, this time, I chuckled that makes her even more intimidated. 

"Don't worry, I know someone is manipulating you. Tell me, did they promise you that you'll gonna get Ethan?" I mocked.

Rida took a sip of her tequila. "Ethan is just fulfilling her grandmother's wish. He doesn't like you."

"Are you certain about it? Is that the reason why you think that Ethan will be yours or the one behind you?" The music is getting louder that's why I moved towards Rida. "Are you one of the snakes around me, cousin?"

Rida's hands trembled and is so visible because the wine glass she's holding is shaking. 

"I don't blame you but I'm uncertain if Ethan doesn't want me, look," I showed her my inbox.

Luckily, Ethan Montgomery replied to my message this morning.

"So, is that why you arranged a welcome party for me? To tell me that I should go back to state?" I whispered as I roam my eyes around the club. "Didn't Mama told you?" I pursed my lips and stood up.

"Sent me the bill and enjoy your party, Rida. Bye! Bye!" I quickly left the club.

I looked up the neon lights within the tall building. 

Is this the right place?

Why would Ethan call me here in this place? I asked the bouncers how to go to the lower penthouse but they said I'll just ask the receptionist here in the higher floor which I did.

"You can't enter the lower penthouse or penthouse if you aren't a member of this club Madame..." the concierge explained.

"How much is your talent fee?"

My eyeballs almost popped up as I heard the concierge. The heck! I can put up a business for the amount of membership already. I gave the card of Feinah which she gave me. I'm sure she'll be happy to be part of this club.

"Sent the contract in the province. I don't wanna sign any documents during the night," I turned to the staff which accommodate me, "So, I can go upstairs already, right? I can stay here for free, too?"

"Yes Madame, noted for the document. Your phone however will be left here at the lobby when you go up."

I looked at the message from Ethan telling me that I will meet him here at room 1655. I quickly find the room where Ethan is but no one is responding. The door is ajar that's why I entered without prior notice.

"Who are you?!" I flinched when someone speaks from the door.

I looked at the man who entered. He's not Ethan. He locked the door and pulled a chair then put it at the center of the door blocking it. Making sure I can't escape in any case.

He pulled a phone. 

I thought phone isn't allowed in here?!

My knees weakened that's why I settled on a quench chair near the closet. 

"I was told to come here..."

He scratched his nose. "No, I'm asking who are you?!"

"Feinah. Feinah Hererra?" I affirmed.

He chuckled.

"Really?..." The man walked straight until he kneeled in front of me. He scanned my face for seconds before nodding. "So the report was true, Feinah's under therapy..." he whispered. "Seeing you this close is enough evidence for the Hererras contemplating our generosity."

My breathing hitched. How did this man knows about the Hererras? 

I darted my eyes to the calibre 45 that's on the vanity mirror. 

Oh my goddess!

He's a high calibre one. Although I was part of the Taekwondo team during highschool I didn't able to pursue to join the club during college because my mother suddenly felt ill but he's not on the level as me. He's way beyond. 

"You almost fooled me but Feinah doesn't have a mole on her left ear..." he half-whispered that makes me faltered.

The door swung and Ethan Montgomery entered while catching up his breathing. "Out of my room!" he shouted.

The man took the gun on top of the table and tapped Ethan's shoulder. "I meant no harm, I'm just worried that she might be lost that's why I accompanied her here..."

"As if! Get lost!" Ethan shouted.

The man silently exited the room.

Ethan is now calmed as I collected myself.

"I'm sorry about that Feinah. I know you won't believe me but I want you to stay away from my uncle. He's up for no good. I already told him that you didn't elope with Cooper but he's so ajax!" he embraced me. "I'm glad you're safe..."

Uncle?

Ethan and the intimidating man is related?

"I'll heed your advice..." I answered after Ethan's embrace loosen up.

"Let's go downstairs, perhaps you want to tried their mojito here?"

"Sure!" I beamed.

I didn't expect that Feinah Hererra's love life is this complicated. A cousin who likes her fiancé and uncle who doesn't like her to be part of his family. 

So complicated and I am entangled with this!