3

We arrived at San Agustin, I slowly tapped Melanie's shoulder to wake her up as well as Kris who was sleeping in front of us, her head's docks on the table. "Melanie, wake up," I whispered, stroking her hair. She opened her eyes, blinking it adjusting from the light, I gripped the bag tightly as I guided her to stand up, I then held her hand tightly as I called Kris who was still sitting on the seat. 

"Kris, let's go hurry," I said to her, she nodded her head and followed us. I reached for her hand as I walk with my other hand are wrapped on Melanie's shoulder. "We have to find a place to stay, away from the crowd," I said, she looks at me with her perfect chinky eyes deep set of blue eyes.

"Where to?" She asked, I shrug my shoulder. "I don't know for now we have to hurry, let's grab something to eat," I said. 

They nodded their head and followed me, I found a cafe nearby, we just stop a little so I can grab a coffee, I need one and I need to think. I sighed when I finished ordering, Kris did grab one too a piece of sandwich and bread, I paid for the bills and we headed out then Melanie requested something to eat, we found a local restaurant and walk straight there, I let them ordered something for us and paid the food immediately.

When the food was served, I told them to eat because we will be busy, they obeyed me and we ate silently, Melanie and Kris requested a snack I grab some and drinks so we can have a continuous day, they choose to buy a packed burger and drinks, we then continue to a local store to buy something to wear, I choose a jean and a piece of shirt and a jacket, we then paid for our clothes and piece of undergarments too before looking for a place to rent. 

"Kris, what do you think?" I ask her as we found a place for rent, it was enough for the three of us, a studio-type wooden floor house just around the corner of the city, accessible to anything but not crowded. She nodded her head I gripped my bag tightly. 

"Melanie?" I turn my head to ask her, she was sitting there silently and her stare are far away, I sighed and walk near her the landlady look at us with pity on her face. I sat beside Melanie at slowly pat her head smiling a little. "Hey, are you okay?" I ask her, she turned her head to me and nodded.

I hope that it was all just a nightmare, losing both of our parents are not good even to others and I don't know how we will take this and handle the situation, even my father was a drunkard he never lay us even a finger he may blame us and we fought a little but that's just it, my mother left us to be with another man and I guess that was a slap on Papa's face, we're not rich he may have work but we are just middle-status family who was able to eat at least three times a day and it's one of I'm thankful about. 

I sighed heavily as I kiss Melanie's forehead. "I'm here, always," I whispered, I glance at Kris her eyes glittered in tears, sniffing I smiled at her stretched my hand motioning her to come closer. She slowly walks near me and smiled. 

"We will make this possible right?" Kris said, I slowly nodded my head and turn to face Melanie. "We will, now! cheer up a'right?" I cheerfully said and smiled. I glance at the apartment owner and nodded. "We will make an advance payment for four months, I'll just follow outside Miss. Marina," I said, she nodded and smiled and slowly walk outside the door slowly closing the door as soon as she walks outside. I slowly stand up and look at the bag, bundles of money is here I guess I need to deposit this into my account so that I can budget it just fine and find a place to work.

"Hold the bag, I'll explain everything as soon as we fix our stay here, Melanie stay with Kris I'll just talk to Miss Mariana," I said, after I got the amount I needed, I calmed myself before going out of the apartment and walk to Miss Mariana's office, I put the money on the pocket of my hoody and sighed heavily before knocking on her door. 

"Miss Mariana," I called her name. "Come in," She said, I slowly twisted the door handle open and walk inside her office, I look around and saw some picture frames with her pictures and a picture of a man, he looks familiar I thought.

"Come, sit Miss. Suarez," She said and smiled as she motioned the chair in front of me, I turn my head to see her and smiled back as I slowly walk near the chair on the front of her table. I sat there and rob my legs creating a comfortable heat as I try to think of words.

I cleared my throat before speaking. "Uhm, Miss Santiago I would like to advance a four months deposit," I said, she fixed her eyeglasses as she looks at me clasped her hands together. I look at her, her almond eyes and upturn nose and thin but pouty lips were making her features more of a beauty, to add her brows that were perfectly carved making her strict aura lies a gentle lady, her comforting and calm voice was soothing to listen to. 

"Okay, are you new in this little city of Agustin? I've never seen you before," She said I nodded my head and smiled. "Yes, trying to have a new start," I almost whispered, she was looking intently at me for few seconds and nodded her head as a sign of understanding, I sigh and later then we talk about the rules and how we could have the best experience of our fresh start of life here in San Agustin.

After paying the amount, I bid my goodbye and return to our apartment I saw Kris and Melanie talking I cleared my throat as I close the door behind me slowly. "Is the place okay?" I ask them, they nodded their head. I guess two rooms were fine, Melanie can sleep in my room while Kris sleeps in the other room but first we need to buy stuff for our stay here.

"Are you two hungry? Kris? Melanie?" I asked them, as I put my hand in my hips looking at them. "A little, there's a bed in here we already checked the room, and Melanie wants to sleep beside you," Kris said, I look at Melanie who's now nodding repeatedly while her eyes looking at me, the chinky almost the same from me and Melanie but her was more detailed, and the light green eyes she got from our Mother. 

"Alright, that's settled then," I said and reached for my phone inside my pocket I then opened it and saw the text messages of my co-workers asking why I didn't go to work, I was about to turn my phone off when I saw a text message again pop out the screen from an unknown number.

From: Unknown Number

I have the bargain to make for you, it's either we will go easy or you want to go for a hard way. 

I swallowed hard, almost pale. I blink twice as I stare at the message that I read. 

This is bad.