After the Lucas rebel group was dismantled, another group took over the income of our landholdings. We just gave up on that land. We worked hard to support our growing family.
When our son was 1 year old, our maid found a basket with a frail baby on it. I thought the baby was dead. I brought her to the hospital. The baby was 6 months old but looks 3 months, malnourished and pale. I tried so hard to revive the baby, then after 15 days in the hospital, I brought her home. I hired a nanny to take care of her. My ex-husband doesn't like the idea of adopting the baby, he brought the baby himself to the orphanage. Another huge fight for several days. He tried to convince me that I am endangering our family. He suspected that the baby was from the rebel group specifically from Jovy.
I don't have the heart to put her in an orphanage so I talked to my cousin in another city. I will pay her to take care of the baby. She agreed. I adopted the baby and named her Shiela Gonzales, s
It was a long day indeed. Savannah felt that her energy was sucked up during the questioning. On the other hand, Ari was exhausted since he was worrying about Savannah, so helpless because he cannot do anything about the whole situation. However, when they got home, they had light dinner, cleaned themselves, and made love the entire night. Ari woke up early, make two mugs of cafe mocha and wake up Savannah with the aroma of her favorite morning hot drink. Then he changed his mind about going to work early, he called his assistant instead and gave instructions. He went back to bed and started touching the still sleepy Savannah. They made love again until Savannah cant gets up from the bed. Ari was so naughty and kept on laughing. Stay in bed and wait for me when I get home. I am not done with you yet. Ari wink at Sav. You're a monster, Ari! Yes, I know, I am so addicted to you, you have to make it up to me, wifey! You will leave soon. I will be so sad
It's all over the news...General Ari did it again, a headline from the FNN news.Another hitmaker news: "General Ari - great negotiator"UPN headline: "General Ari will be retiring soon"Meet the General newsflash: General Ari's inspiration...a woman behind his recent success!And so on...Savannah: Ari, please don't let the media influenced you about exposing me. You deserved this accolade, you work 2 years to make this happen. We've been married for only 10 days.Media people were always playing with me Sav...it's a trick and I am aware of that. Don't worry, that will never happen. After the taping, we will leave right away. By the way, Luke would like to speak to you.Savannah: Do we have time?Ari: Yes, tonight. We are going to see them at the resettlement.At the resettlement.Luke: It's been a while Sav...Savannah: Yes, it was, how are you and Jovy?Luke: It was many many years of nightmare, I
The entrepreneur group headed by Allan Cruz drafted a letter to the general humbly requesting Savannah de la Lucca to attend the emergency meeting with the Task Force New Hope New Life. This project was spearheaded by General Ari de la Lucca, to help the rebel returnees to cope and adapt to their new environment. The primary goal was for them to be self-sufficient, so the task force will develop projects and programs in which they can participate. Adela, his assistant, said that the general has an afternoon taping, so the only time he will be available to see the group is 11 noon. He will have lunch with his wife by 12 noon. At exactly 11:00 am, the group headed by Allan Cruz and Mercy Ong were in the office of the general to hand in the letter. After reading the letter request, the general heart sank. He would like to avoid involving his wife in this project. However, he knew that his team was not yet prepared. The planning stage was 3 years, the blood pact
Everyone was scrambling to take their seat in the conference room. The meeting will start in 5 minutes. It's either they are curious how Savannah de la Lucca will respond to their request or is she worthy to be called Mrs de la Lucca.All the teams are now seated, including Ari and Savannah in the front seat. The moderator started the meeting by thanking Gen Ari for allowing Savannah to attend the meeting.Good Morning everyone...thank you all for the complete attendance. We need to keep this meeting going as fast as we can because our guest will leave this morning. I would like to introduce and say thank you for granting us your time this morning...Mrs Savannah de la Lucca.Savannah: Good Morning and thank you for having me. I would like to start by thanking all of you for a job well done. Yes, we have to leave before lunch, so I need to know what you have so far for the phase 2 plan.Everyone was silent.Savannah took a white board marker and dre
Ari's POVI was so proud of you Sav, you're a closer. I am sure that my team will accept and admire you more. When the news about our marriage surfaced in the office, there's a lot of questions on their minds, even my fellow colleagues if you can live up to their expectations. I don't care if you can't, what matters most to me is that I loved you. But I guess it was normal in the office setting that kind of opinion. They have been very protective of me ever since. When they realized that I don't care about their opinion about you, they kept quiet but I know that they are looking for some negative feedback on you. That is why I would like to protect you but now, you quiet them. I was laughing out loud. Yes, we can do this project together, meaning you have to come home to me very often.Back to the meeting...Elise: It's personal, I will call when you're in SF. Sav, going back to Brahma...congratulations on a job well done. Dr. Wang was so pleased and he wants yo
Adam, you've been drinking a lot lately. You need to move on for the sake of Uncle Ari. Susan said. I am moving on Susan, but sometimes I felt so sad, that's why I drink. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for both of them. I have seen how happy Uncle Ari with Sav. He showered her his love and care. Sav was so happy too. Seen her eyes sparkle especially when Uncle Ari proposed at the Butterfly Farm. He knew how to get to her heart and pleased her. I admired them, the love they shared especially Uncle Ari who waited for decades. I wish I can find another Savannah to love Susan. I will help you find one but no rush, Okay! Susan responded. By the way, we have to prepare for the upcoming festival. I need your help in finding photographers and videographers. We have at least 20 films to screen in 2 days. Can you do the Q and A after the screening? Susan asks. Adam: Yes, I can handle the Q and A portion, I need the synopsis or treatment of each film so I can cr
Ari's POVIt was hard to get up in the morning, not seeing my wife beside me, not embracing her the whole night. My heart aches; I miss her so badly. I am not content with facetiming and phonecalls every day. I couldn't even eat, not thinking if she had her meal already. I have to plan. I can not live like this anymore. I have to join her in California. I can retire at anytime, and I was due to retire five years ago anyway. I requested an extension because I need to contribute to this country using my community-building expertise and keeping peace and order. This time, I have to prioritize my wife and my relationship. I can not afford to lose her. She is my life now.In the office...Is the general comi
Gen Ari was so cranky the whole day in the office. At around 3 pm, he summons Gen Cruz, Gen Torres, Allan, and Ben to his office.Let's go to the Red and Light bar and get drunk. I wanted to get very, very drunk tonight.Let me remind you, Gen Ari, that the Red and Light bar owner was infatuated with you, and she will be happyto see you at your current stage, lonely and sad. Allan reminded Ari.That's okay.... I wanted to get drunk only.Well, if that is what you want, then let's go. Gen Cruz said with a naughty smile on his face.Ben, Allan,
One Saturday early morning, around 5 am, 8 vans with 10 sitters each were already parked at the gate. It seems that they are waiting for the gate to open. It's too early. Why are they here? As Arnel was monitoring the security screen, he was alarmed. He instructed Ben, Edwin, and other guards to check the park vans while Arnel allerted Adam and Sam. Sam decided to buzz Ari. They were all surprised when Ben, Edwin, and the other guards went back with smiles from ear to ear. Adam radio Ben... who are those people? Nothing to worry about! It was a surprise visit from Ms Sav's family, including the doctors and other medical staff. We have 75 people waiting for the gate to open. The children were quite upset because they wanted to see their grandmother and they were hungry too. It was too late for the surprise because Ari was in the monitoring room already. Ari instructed Jessica to prepare breakfast right away. Then, he went to greet Sav's family and others, and instructed Sam t
Sir Alfred, you're back from your vacation! Naomi greeted him. I have to end our European tour to come back and see you guys and, of course, the farm. Where's everybody? Sir Ari is at camp and Mam Savannah is at work. Who's incharge? Our operations manager, Sam. Let me call him and I will introduce you to everyone Sir Alfred. Naomi texted Sam to please come to the gate. In 15 minutes, Sam was walking fast. He thought someone was harassing Naomi. Ben and Arnel followed. Then, they saw Alfred... Hi Sir Alfred... you're back! Ben said. Hi Ben...I had to rush over when Ari sent me an email about the opening day. I was still in London at that time. I felt so bad that I missed it. Well... I can show you around. Guys, this is Sir Alfred. He is the one responsible for the acquisition of this farm. Meet Sam, our operations manager, Arnel, our engineer, and Adam. He is Sir Ari's nephew, our creative and social media director. Guys, thank you for everything you've done
Everyone is excited about the opening day. The staff completed the signs early in the morning. At 6am, Ari, Sam, Arnel, and Ben inspected the whole farm. Security is Ben and Edwin's priority. Savannah went to check Jessica who was so busy the whole night baking and braising in the kitchen with the help of her staff, Mariel and Lani. She check the shop headed by Jeanne and her staff, they are still busy arranging the souvenirs, stuffing the displays and other items in their department. Chito was busy the day before, checking the shop, the kitchen, bed and breakfast facility, dining room, and the power lines.At 8 am, the entrance gate opened as people were waiting in line already. Lani and Mariel are checking their tickets. By 10 am, a lot of visitors were roaming around, taking pictures, enjoying the Ja
As soon as Arnel, Sam, and Adam arrived to help with the farm, Ari was called to report to Camp Robert's Army base in Monterey. He will work for three days a week as a consultant.He appoints Arnel as the officer in charge of the construction, since he is an engineer. He has 2 assistants. Adam was appointed as creative design consultant. Ari gave him a graphic design assistant and 2 buyers. Sam was the operations manager with three assistants. Jessica was in charge of the food preparations and manager of the bed and breakfast canteen. She was given two assistants, a baker and a kitchen worker. Jeanne was in charge of the butterfly farm souvenir shop. Ari assigned a bookkeeper and customer service personnel to Jeanne. Chito, Jeanne's husband, was in charge of the over all maintenance of the whole farm. He was given four maintenance workers. With all these employees on payroll, Savannah was too busy doing the budgeting.Thank God, we are still on the budget as I see it f
Ari and I enjoy working together on a project. He always tells me that he treasured our time together, whether for fun or working on a project that we both loved. The grant money changed the landscape of our plan. Ari and I decided to add more facilities for children, like a small playground between the Japanese garden and the lanai. He ordered freshwater colorful fishes like the peacock cichlid, jack dempsey, electric blue acara, and paradise fishes to be added to the manmade lake that is flowing under the lanai. We are creating a paradise for children and adults. I admired Ari's planning and creativity. He always teases me about filing for an early retirement so I can work on the farm. I miss you honey when you're at work... Please reconsider filing for an early retirement. Ari said. I did not respond. How can I tell him that he is suffocating me? Going to work everyday is getting away from his claws, his over protectiveness and public displays of affection. I need time to adjust
Ari and I fell, we rose, we made mistakes, we learned. We are both human, and neither of us is perfect. When we got married, I was constantly hurt, both mentally and physically, but I survived. We saw being alive as a precious privilege, and despite the challenges we faced, we learned to breathe, enjoy it, and pursue our dreams. Sometimes there is sadness, but there are also a lot of happy times. We always put our foot in front of the other. We focus on our goal. We are both grateful for our struggle because it has made us stronger as one.Someday, everything will be perfect. So, for now, we laugh while we are finalizing the plan for our farm, our project. As I continue to work full time, he will start to work part time while working on our farm. It may take six months or three months to begin construction, but I am confident that we are on the right track.This project will end up being the biggest step in our lives. "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to
As Ben was parking the van in the garage, Ari's eyes squinted and her face darkened. He saw Savannah's car parked beside the van. Naomi, I instructed you to burn that car. Havent I? Ari said. Yes, Sir, but Sir Alfred will explain everything to you. Naomi responded. Upon entering the townhouse, Alfred greeted the couple, including Ben and Edwin. Welcome back! Alfred said. Thank you, Alfred... nice to see you! Savannah said. Ari greeted Alfred... Naomi said you decided to fix Savannah's car? Yes, Ari... hear me out first before you get upset. Alfred retorted. First of all, the car is in good shape. It has very low mileage, only 165. The engine is great. Imperfection is in the body only. Ben and Edwin could use it for errands. Alfred said. Ari then turned to face Savannah, saying, "Promise me, honey, you will not drive that car and you will not drive anymore. " Whoa... what? I will not be driving anymore? Why? Savannah ask
Captain Enriquez made the following announcement: Hello and welcome to flight 101 to San Francisco, California. This is your captain speaking... If you're going to San Francisco, you're in the right place. If you don't, you're in for a very long evening.The weather looks good, and with the tailwind on our side, we should arrive in San Francisco about thirty minutes ahead of schedule.The weather in San Francisco is clear and sunny. We should get a great view of the city as we descend. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cellphones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Meanwhile, sit back and relax. Enjoy our hospitality as the crew will serve dinner and beverages in thirty minutes. Or you can sit up and be tense. It's your choice... Everyone laughs! We are going to dim the lights and take off. Enjoy your flight! As the big bird is cruising the Pacific ocean, passengers are relaxing, some are reading, some are drinking spirit
Everyone helped pack the luggages for Ari and Savannah. Some nieces and nephews are in the house to bid them goodbye and wish them a happy and safe journey! Edwin and Ben are traveling with them as Ari's security details. Arnel and Sam came to wish them the best! They will help to design, construct and create the butterfly farm in Gilroy. They are both retired, so they have all the time to help them. So are Adam and Jessica. They will be there to help out too. Since Susan is busy on the plantation, she will visit us soon. Ari and Savannah are in awe of the support of their friends and relatives for their project in Gilroy. Sav and I are honored to have family and friends who believe in us. We thank you all from our hearts. It is a sad day because we have to leave, but at the same time, it is a joyous day for all of us. We all found one another again after many, many years of absence. I was busy with my career and I apologized for not connecting with all of you. I was focused on my g