Chapter 1

Elizabeth Lemonine's Point Of View

"You're going back to Tierra Veloz, Elizabeth"

I stilled on my spot when I heard what he said. I was taken aback that I couldn't utter yes instantly. My mind went blank for a couple of seconds wandering on its own not until I heard his strict tone of voice again.

"Narinig mo ba ang sinabi ko Elizabeth?"

I bit the inside of my mouth upon hearing his menacing tone and nervously nod my head although he can't see me.

"Yes father, I did hear you," I said softly and shook my head.

"Good" he murmured on the other line "Tomorrow is your flight, your Yaya Rita will accompany you so don't worry" he added.

I bit my lower lip "Okay Dad" I paused "By the way, I already take an entrance examination for fine arts-"

"You will stay here in the Philippines for good Elizabeth" he cut me off "And who says you will take fine arts program? Business administration Elizabeth Lemonine, that is the perfect program for you," he said strictly that still echo in my head up until now.

Our conversation keeps on ringing inside my head. I just regret that I wasn't able to explain to him that I love arts that's why I wanted to pursue fine arts.

I sigh heavily while staring out of the window. The 17 hours travel from Las Vegas to the Philippines is so tiring. The travel duration is 7 hours longer than Spain to Las Vegas. I regret it now, I should convince Dad to visit Abuela and Abuelo in Spain first before finally returning to the Philippines, maybe I wouldn't be this tired.

"Eline hija" Nana Rita called me that drags me back to my reverie.

I glance in her direction and I saw her offering me a sandwich and bottled water.

"Kumain ka muna, mahaba pa ang byahe natin papuntang hacienda," she said when I just stare at the sandwich.

I stretch my lips into a smile "I don't have an appetite to eat po" I said trying to make my single tagalog word sound pleasing that made her smile and nod her head.

Well, I am not good at speaking tagalog. I know a little and I can understand a little too because my Nana Rita is using tagalog whenever she talked to me. And I guess it's helpful now that Dad wants me home, finally.

I grew up in Spain with my grandparents, and when I turn 10 I was sent to Las Vegas and stay with my Tito Javier to continue my study. My father visits me once a month together with my brothers. He also calls me from time to time to make sure I was doing good.

Honestly, I can't even remember when was the last time I came here to the Philippines. Nana Rita said, Dad sent me to Spain since I was one year old. So I don't remember anything. Everything is all new to me. The people, the surroundings, the weather but maybe not the language.

I am sad and at the same time happy. I'm sad because I wasn't able to bid proper goodbyes to my friends in Las Vegas and I wasn't able to continue my application to study fine arts. But of course, I was not complaining. I'm finally home after 17 years of living away from my father and brothers. It would be a lot of adjustment but surely, I will be happy.

I took a deep breath and lean the back of my head on the headrest of the car seat. I close my eyes feeling restless and worn out for 17 hours straight travel from Las Vegas Nevada to the Philippines added this long ride from Manila to Tierra Veloz. I need to take a nap to ease this headache that ruining my mood.

I DON'T know how long I was sleeping, I just woke up dahil sa marahang pag alog ng sasakyan. I yawned softly and adjust my eyes to the light that coming from the light of the sunset. Wait- sunset?

I automatically look out of the window and my mouth gape when I saw how the horizon emphasizes as the sun slowly setting down from the sky. The sunset rays complement the wide green rice field as the color of it reflects on the fresh green leaves of the rice crops. The scene was so fascinating that my hand moves on its own to roll down the car window beside me.

The late afternoon breeze welcomes me and touches the bare skin of my face. I shiver a little not prepared with the cold wind far from the sunny weather that welcomes us when we arrive at the Manila airport. A smile forms on my lips pleased with how the coldness soothes me that gives me a calm feeling.

"Where are we now?" I mumble and glance at Nana Rita.

"Nasa Tierra Veloz na tayo hija, malapit na tayo sa hacienda ng ama mo" she replied smiling.

I replied to her with a smile too. So this is Tierra Veloz? Hindi ko napigilang ilabas ang kamay ko to feel the cold fresh wind far from the polluted air in the city. My natural long hair stirred by the wind causing my smile to widen.

The place is like breathing fresh air, literally and figuratively speaking. I guess it would be more beautiful if I had childhood memories in this place. Abuela keeps on telling me that living in the countryside is much wonderful than living in the city.

I can't help but observe everything that I saw. The window beside me is open and I can clearly saw the two-line bumpy road in the middle of these two wide rice fields. Three women are standing on the roadside and they are laughing while talking to each other. Also, farmers in the middle of the rice field are amazing to watch because of their synchronize movement. They were all wearing a straw hat and that is really cute.

"Who owns this land?" I ask Nana Rita entertain with the scene I saw with my bare eyes.

"Sa mga Alvare ang malawak na lupain na yan hija. Pero hinayaan nilang gamitin ng mga tao dito sa Tierra Veloz para sa isang agricultural cooperative, tulong na rin sa mga taong nangangailangan. Malayo kasi ang lupain na ito sa hacienda ng mga Alvare, dahilan rin yun kung bakit sila pumayag" she explains.

I tilt my head "They were nice huh" I commented.

I mean, I don't know Alvare but I guess they were good enough to let those people here in Tierra Veloz to use their land for agriculture cooperative. I am quite familiar with that term so I know how beneficial it is to the members of the said cooperative.

"Mababait talaga ang mga Alvare hija, kilala silang matulungin dito sa Tierra Veloz maging ang mga-" she paused that made me look at her.

I curiously eye her wanting her to finish her sentence but she just smiles at me and hinaplos ang mahaba kong buhok.

"Ang mga Dela Huerta hija. Napaka matulungin ng pamilya mo" she finishes looking at me gently.

I let out a giggle "Abuela said the same thing. Dela Huerta are kindhearted ever since and I am proud being a Dela Huerta" I said smilingly.

Matipid na ngiti ang sinagot nito sa akin kaya masayang binalik ko ang tingin sa labas ng bintana nang sasakyan. It took a couple of seconds when the car halted in front of the huge silver gate with a written letters 'Hacienda Dela Huerta' on the top of the gate.

The two guards open the gate for us and the car start moving again. I roamed my eyes around and I saw those bonsai sunflowers that were planted in every corner of the way while red roses are planted on every corner of the mansion.

"It so beautiful here" I gasp and lift my head to look intently at the huge mansion of my father.

The car halted and I glance at my Nana Rita.

"Bumababa ka na Eline, sigurado akong kanina pa nag aantay ang Daddy mo" she said.

I nod my head and excitedly unfasten my seatbelt and open the door beside me. My lips parted as I look around, huge fences are surrounding this grand mansion. And the fountain with a mermaid statue is giving the front yard a grand entrance.

"Pumasok ka na sa loob hija," Nana Rita said na kakalabas lang ng sasakyan.

"Yes, Nana!" I happily replied and walk towards the main door.

I was about to step inside when I suddenly heard shouting voices that made me stop.

"Lemonine is already fine in Vegas! Pinag usapan na natin ito Dad, pinangako mong babalik siya sa Madrid once she finishes her study in Vegas. Hindi na niya kailangan pa na umuwi dito at masama sa gulo" a familiar voice of my brother Red said in a controlled tone of voice.

My forehead creased and my heart suddenly beat faster than its normal heart rate.

Are they fighting?

"You don't have the rights to dictate to me what to do young man! Ako parin ang Ama mo at ako ang masusunod sa lahat" Dad replied in an angry tone.

I bit my bottom lip trying to understand what is happening. Kuya Red is obviously mad at my father. And by the tone of my father's voice, it's obvious that he's not pleased with what my brother did.

Why are they fighting? Is it because of me? I grip the fabric of my floral print mess dress hearing their heated conversation. I hate to see someone fighting.

"But at least let Lemonine live peacefully away from this life! Sa tingin mo ba matatago mo sa kanya lahat?!"

"Do not raise your voice to me Redniz! I am your father!" Dad exclaimed loudly.

"Sana alam mo din kung anong gagawin mo ngayong andito na si Lemonine dahil anak mo rin siya" mabilis na sagot ni Kuya

"Elizabeth agreed with my decision. Stop making issues with this and let's drop this topic" mahina ngunit nag babantang sabi ni Dad.

"Because you force Lemonine Dad. Kaya lang naman siya pumayag umuwi dito dahil tinatakot mo" My brother supposes certain with what he believes.

I creased my forehead with what he says and can't help but to step inside. And there I saw them both standing in the living room facing each other with their furrowed brows.

"Why Kuya? May mali ba sa pag uwi ko?" I interject that made them both look at me.