Chapter 1-A

"Welcome to Philippines, Miss Al---I mean, Miss Agape. May you like staying here." The chauffeur greeted with so much respect as he bowed 90° to the woman in front of him after he waited for hours in NAIA Gate 3 airport.

Her stiletto made sounds with the fine tiles as the woman walks towards her chauffeur. She stopped right after him and removed her shades. She smiled widely and scanned the whole place. The airport was crowded and boisterous. This was the very first time she set foot in the world's second-largest archipelago, rich in natural resources, the country of paradise for her, the Philippines.

This may be her first time, but she knew many things already about the said country. The house cleaners who raised her are Filipinas. Their stories made her want to see it right before her eyes. She desperately wanted to be here, and it happened. She and her father had a deal before he allowed her. Being in the Philippines is one of her ways to distance from her father for a moment of time.

"Magandang buhay, Philippines!" She greeted and waved both hands in the air. Her insides were feverish as she looks after what will be her life in this new locality.

Her chauffeur took her luggage from her, "This way, Miss Agape." He escorted and she willingly followed her. Head turns over her as she walks pass by the strangers. They were starstruck at her goddess-like beauty. Some even mistook her as an actress or model or a celebrity. They even tried to have a picture with her, but the chauffeur did not let them.

"Shall we go? I heard Petherá bought a house here already." She said softly with a smile, full of sophistication and elegance. Indeed, she is the epitome of beauty and elegance.

[Translation: Stepmother.]

The way she walks, it was like she owns the path she is taking. Head held high, she was like ramping in a runway and everyone was the audience. Her posture is full of poise and they cannot help but stare. She is oozing in appeal and she has the looks that could attract anyone that will see her.

She was Medusa. The modern Medusa. Pretty face, long, wavy hair that is as soft as silk and cotton cloth. Everyone who will look at her stiffens but they did not turn into a rock but were captivated and mesmerized.

"U-Uh, yes, Miss Agape. It was a modern Greek mansion. Just like what you wanted." The chauffeur answered and walked fast because he is being left behind. Agape nodded.

"Send my thanks to her." She sweetly said and the chauffeur nodded.

He opened the door for her. And the moment the driver closed the door, the lady at once slouched and sighed loudly and deeply. She pouted and was about to throw a tantrum any longer.

"I'm so starving, Manong. Can we eat lunch first? My treat." She snorted while crossing her arms. She does not accept refusals. She is starving to death already.

(Manong - is used to address any older men unrelated to you and to show respect. Just like 'Uncle'.) 

"Yes, Agape. I knew a five-star restaurant nearby---"

"No, no, no. I want to eat in a carinderia like what Aling Jena introduced to me. She said the foods there are delicious. And mostly homemade. I would like to try that one!"

(Carinderia/Karinderya - is a food stall in the Philippines. It is a local eatery selling and serving affordable viands for the masses. Aling - is used to address any older women unrelated to you and to show respect. Just like 'Auntie'.)

"But, Miss Agape---"

"We'll eat to a carinderia and that's final!"

The driver sighed and nodded. He has no choice but to. It took him minutes before he found a better and decent-enough carinderia. The stall was clean and has a lot of customers. A mini restaurant. They sell home-made foods and it makes Agape drool.

"Wow! It looks like a mini restaurant!" She exclaimed and starts looking for a seat. Everyone inside turned their heads to see her. Mouths open.

"Boss, VIP please." Manong gestured to the crew and he instantly escorted them to the VIP room, the nipa hut.

"Wow! Is this the bahay-kubo!?” Amusement is written all over her face. She does really learn many thanks to her nannies. Plus, she conducted researches too to widen the range of her knowledge about the Philippines so she could familiarize herself with the places already.

She found out that the Philippines has three island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This country is so rich in natural resources and sceneries and even has a place in the 7 Wonders of the Earth.

She giggled.

The waiter gave them the menu finally. Excitement is obvious in Agape's face. She checks each food on the menu using her pointing finger. They all looked delicious. The serving in the pictures makes her want to eat them all.

"I want the adobo, sisig, and menudo please." She appealed with a sweet, innocent smile. The waiter jot it down, "What's yours, Manong?" Agape asked her driver.

"Uhm, sinampalukan and pork chops for the both of us. Thank you." He ordered and faced his master, "Thanks for the lunch treat, Miss Agape." He remarked with full respect. Agape chuckled.

"It's fine, Manong. Let's enjoy the food, hmmm?" She chirrups cheerfully and beamed a smile. After a few minutes of waiting, the foods they ordered were being served.

Everyone was surprised when Agape started eating using her hand. One of the common ways of the Filipinos to eat. They were wondering. She's obviously rich and only 'poor' ones only do that. Yet Agape was so happy. She was proud of her every action. She agapeors every bite and gulp. The foods are tasty. She never gives a damn to the people who are whispering things about her. Food is food. You know the rule.

Agape was stuffed because of her lunch. She gave a tip to them, she truly loved it! She even promised to come back to that carinderia. After minutes of resting, they went straight home. To her new home. The house she could truly call a 'home'.

"Wow. This is far more than I expected." She was flabbergasted. Her house was far from what she was expecting.

The house was painted in white and the exterior is truly simple. She feels like she, was still in Greece because the house was the modern type one. The Greek vibe lingers around the house. In front of it was a mini pool. The house is perfect for her since she will be living alone with her chauffeur and her maid, which is her chauffeur's wife. Their children are fresh graduates and they still need to gain incomes to support them since they were just starters.

They went inside. She was not surprised when the modern-luxury theme welcomed her. The living room welcomes them. There was a little chandelier hanging that lightens up the whole room. There were circular fluorescent lights making the whole room brighter. There's a flat-screen TV that lies in a costly tv stand. The sectional sofa and chaise lounge look comfortable to sit in. The carpet was soft to step on. The windows are being covered by thick curtains. And the vases and paintings, which was the main decorations were from Greece and it costs an arm and a leg.

In the left part was the grand kitchen and dinner table. There's a huge refrigerator there stuffed with foods, veggies, and fruits. And also, wines from Greece. The room of the couple was there too. The right part was the way to the pool area, it has a veranda. There can be found a few staircases that lead to Agape's room and another room if she'll ever have a guest. The house was simple but was screaming in luxury and modern Greece.

"Manong, I'll go upstairs to change first, okay? Let's rest then after that, accompany me to the school I'll be transferring. I'll be quick!"

"Yes, Miss Agape."

"Thanks." She briefly replied with a smile and went straight to her room. It was so spacious and so her bed, bathroom, and walk-in closet. Her room is also full of Greek paintings and murals. She smiled. She does really feel that she's still in Greece. She will truly miss her country.

She sat down to her bed and ejected out the air in her mouth. This is also her very first time to fly off from Greece alone. She was forbidden from departing from Greece alone, her father's order. But she managed to convince him. And her stepmother agreed too that's why she's here in the Philippines. She thinks it will be for the better.

She doesn't want to stay in their mansion any longer. She and her father have misunderstandings. Also, her stepmother is in her month of giving birth already. And she can't endure it. She's happy for the both of them. The baby that her stepmother was carrying wasn't his father's. Yet he still accepted her and so the responsibility.

"Wooh, don't mind it anymore, Agape." She cheered for herself and slap her cheeks gently.

She stood up and change her clothes into a simple one. Her mother isn't wicked like Disney princesses' stepmoms. But she could that she was faking it. So, she distanced herself from her to avoid fighting.

"Manong, can we go already?" She asked, walking down the stairs.

"Yes, Miss Agape." She smiled at him as a response.