Chapter 5: The Difference

Samantha would like to spend a wonderful weekend in their place. During these two no-classes days, her Aunt Maria was with her. She was her father's younger sister and a street-smart woman.

That Saturday, Maria wanted her niece to learn how to drive a scooter. They were in front of their simple single-story wood house.

"Sam, you should learn at least one or two rides. Either a two-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled car. So that when the time comes that emergency rises and your only option are to take the wheel, at least you know how to maneuver the controls!" Maria smiled while putting her hands on the handrails.

With Maria's lengthy message, she thought she had grasped more than learning how to drive.

"Aunt Maria, can I ask you something?" Samantha's ten-year-old inquisitive mind and curious almond eyes squinted at her.

"What is it?" Maria asked back without exactly glancing at her. She was staring at the scooter instead.

"Why didn't you continue to go to school?"

Maria halted upon hearing the question she had been avoiding answering since their parents passed away for it would just give her a passage to go back to the dark tunnel she and her brother had gone through.

She squatted in front of her niece who was sitting on the scooter. With a stern look, she explained vividly the reason.

"As you can see, we are poor. Brother Sebastian didn't finish his studies either. Mom and dad had a vehicular accident when I was your age. Brother Sebastian was just fifteen. He needed to support me and our daily needs so he had to stop schooling and worked early. I wanted to help him so I told him I would just finish high school. That's why here I am. To be honest, I learned a lot more about everything outside of the school!" she was so proud that she even raised her chin giving Samantha the expression of haughtiness. She couldn't help but giggle. She loved and admired her aunt a lot.

"But I am not telling you not to study well, okay? You must so you can graduate and have a decent and stable job. So that your parents won't be some rich family's servants anymore!" she also reminded her while rubbing her long silky black hair.

"Don't worry, Aunt. For all of you, I will study hard!" Samantha smilingly uttered as she gave her aunt a hand salute like a soldier.

Maria couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hey, Maria! Your debt, when are you paying me?" a haughty voice of a man startled them both as Samantha turned around.

"D*mn it, Damian! I'm with my niece now. Are you trying to embarrass me?" Maria glared giving Damian a warning sign.

"Aw! My bad! Hello, Sam! How's life in the mansion?"

"Not bad. I like our home better!" she just shrugged her shoulders off.

"Well, kid! You're really just still a kid. The life of a rich family is already awesome. How much more if they are billionaires like the Michaels?" Damian smiled sheepishly giving Samantha a confused look.

"Quit contaminating my niece's mind, Damian. Get out of here if not, hmm!" she glazed over in anger as she pursed her lips tight.

Damian just gave Maria a wink and stroked Samantha's head before he left.

"You have to go back to the mansion this afternoon. I will drive you there later. Let's eat first!" Maria revved the engine while Samantha was sitting behind her.

"But Aunt Maria, I should stay at home till tomorrow afternoon, right? I don't want to go back to the mansion, yet!" Samantha was unwilling to go back to the big house yet. She was enjoying her stay in their simple abode.

"Sam, I have to work tonight so you must go back to the Michaels' household early. I am sorry, our baby. Aunt has to earn money, too!" Maria felt apologetic as she looked over her shoulder.

"I will just come with you to your work. Promise, I will behave!" she still insisted as she wrapped her hands around her aunt's waist tight.

"Oh, kids aren't allowed there. You hear me?" she was already driving when they were still talking.

"I don't get it!" Samantha shook her head as she lifted it to see her aunt's face.

"Someday Sam, I will show you my job. When the right time comes!" Maria uttered in a sullen voice.

Although Samantha couldn't still get what Maria meant, she just quieted down. When they stopped in a 'Carinderia', Maria parked her scooter beside the stall.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Shane! What's the menu today?" Maria greeted the owner wearing an apron with a cheerful smile while she placed her hand on Samantha's shoulder.

"Maria! I know you would come. Sam is here, too. How's life in the mansion kiddo?" she also asked.

Samantha understood why their neighbors were so eager to know about the life of wealthy people. The way of living in their village was simple.

However, every time she thought more about it, her ken about the huge difference between sleeping in a comfy bed and sleeping in a hardwood covered with mat was not that different at all.

The stuff that made them like chalk and cheese was the lifestyle.

While their masters went the extra mile with their dashing cars and in uniform drivers, they also buckled down with their own efforts for survival.

They had a sumptuous meal on a long grand table for three people while they, two to three kinds of a simple recipe on a four-seated wood table good for five to ten salivating mouths was already considered a blessing. They only had splendid cuisines during special occasions like weddings and birthdays. Sometimes the latter was even taken for granted for they had credence that given the chance to see the sunlight in the morning was already called their rebirth.

The rich had lanterns and grand chandeliers on their ceilings, they had stars that served as their lights at night. They bought their herbs in the supermarket, they grew theirs. The wealthy had tall sturdy walls to protect their assets, they had friends and neighbors to protect their lives.

Upon pondering everything she observed in the life of billionaires, Samantha gave Mrs. Shane her sweetest smile.

"Not bad!"

Mrs. Shane rubbed her hair and smiled back. That day three people stroked her long silky hair and now she was asking herself, what's with the stroke? Was that a way of saying 'You did well!' or 'Life will get better!'?

"I cooked your favorite. Eat your heart out. I know you just eat leftovers in the mansion!" Mrs. Shane whispered.

Maria was just listening as she held her hand and took her to one of the monobloc chairs at the table.

"Even if leftovers of the wealthy are clean and untouched, it is still inhuman to feed a servant that way!" Mrs. Shane added as she gave them her favorite marinated pork with carrots and pineapple chunks.

Just by the smell, Samantha's tummy rumbled. She immediately took the spoon and fork and stuffed some amount on her plate.

"Slow down, Sam. No one's stealing your food okay?" Mark chuckled.

"Hmm, yummy. Thank you, Mrs. Shane!" Samantha smiled at the big belly owner.

She just smiled back and patted her shoulder.

That lunch was indeed amazing. This was the thing she missed every time she was in the mansion. Her Aunt Maria and their neighbors. Although Damian looked like a thug, he had a kind heart. Mrs. Shane was always lively and cheerful and she gave free meals. Sometimes she wondered how much did she earn every day when almost all of her customers lunched for free.

"Sam, you're going back to the mansion this afternoon, right?" it was Mrs. Shane. She sat at their table.

"Yes, Mrs. Shane!" Samantha replied.

"Kindly give these side dishes I made to your mom. Share them with everyone, okay?"

"I will, thank you. They look yummy!" Samantha uttered.

Maria and Mrs. Shane glanced at each other in secret.

Maria would suddenly go to work that night which meant something unusual happened.

When Samantha arrived at the mansion, she felt a sudden emptiness. She was just staring blankly in the living room. The house was big but it was always empty.

She even thought the expensive pots and vases were just displayed but in their place, her Aunt Maria would definitely give these pots some work to do like sell them in the market.

"What are you doing standing like a statue?" a cold domineering voice startled her wandering mind.

Albert had been standing and watching her at the foot of the grand staircase for quite a while.

"Good afternoon, Young Master!" she bowed as she greeted the approaching haughty prince. She held the strap of her backpack tight.

"What's that putrid smell? Didn't you take a bath before you came here?" he uttered with a grimaced face instead while sniffing.

"Ahm, our neighbor made some side dishes!" She opened her backpack and took out the three small boxes of side dishes Mrs. Shane gave.

"Put them back inside and go to your quarter right away. Don't stink the living room!" Albert commanded while giving her a sharp stare.

Samantha just followed. Deep inside she wanted to spank Albert's face.

"You are the one that stinks!" Samantha murmured while walking out. Good enough for Albert to hear it.

"What did you say?" he exclaimed in annoyance.

Samantha turned around and plastered a forced smile.

"Nothing, Young Master!" then she left.

She didn't know, Albert had been waiting for her. Now that you are here, my weekend will be interesting he thought.