Many decades quickly passes by... "Good morning, everyone! Are you ready for high school, Darlene?"Darlene cringed in return while looking at her father. Her Dad, Dorian Esquivel is so excited about her going to high school, and he's overreacting."Dad, going to school is no big deal. However, it's your basic human rights to be excited, but can you tone it down a notch?" Darlene said, while shaking her head in a helpless manner."I'm just really excited, honey! I mean, you're a big girl now, and this is the next chapter of your life!" Dorian told his daughter, his face beaming with excitement."Guys, please... It's too early for you to have this kind of debate. Please be a darling, just sit down at the dining room, and we're going to have a peaceful breakfast, okay?" Lily Rose tried to mediate between her husband and her daughter."Yes, Ma'am..." Dorian and Darlene said in unison.Mrs. Lily Rose is still the lady boss of their house, and they don't have a choice but to follow her or
An hour later.Dorian lets out a big sigh as soon as he stops the car infront of of the entrance gate of Alta Tierra Highschool.He then glances back to his daughter, who's sitting at the back."Look at you, princess. If feels like it's only yesterday when I used to change your diapers, heard you say the word "Dada" and saw your first walk. I can't believe you're already a highschool student!" Dorian pronounced, while looking nostalgic."Eeww, Dad! You don't have to remember all those things... And you're not gonna cry, aren't you?" Darlene wanted to suddenly disappear because her Dad is being overdramatic again..."Love, you have to control yourself. Darlene's not a baby anymore..." Lily Rose reminded her husband."Yeah, you're definitely right, hon. I'm so sorry for making you feel embarrassed, Darlene. Anyway, let's do one final check. Is your school ID with you? Do you have enough pocket money? And did you bring all your notes, books and pens on your bag?" Dorian bombarded her wi
"Well, you need to say that to your daughter, not me." Lily Rose replied."---Well, if you can't have the same interest with Aston when it comes to music, maybe you can find something else, like playing basketball, perhaps?" Francine told her husband."Teenagers are really so different nowadays. They look and behave like they came from another planet." Astley relayed."It's hard to let them go and give them independence during their tender age of fifteen years old, but we still have to do it. Aston and Darlene will be University students soon and they'll be moving away once they can become official adults." Lily said what was on her mind."I know it's too early to say, but I hope that Aston and Darlene could get married with each other in a faraway future." Dorian wondered aloud, much to everyone's surprise.Lily Rose, Francine and Astley became so quiet, while staring at Dorian. "What? Why are you all looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?" Dorian inquired.Astley and F
As months quickly passes by. Darlene checked her reflection infront of the mirror for almost a hundredth time. She suddenly frowned when she noticed that something seems to be missing..."Aha! I forgot to put on my lipstick!" she said.She quickly opened her make up pouch and she pulled out her light pink lipstick. It's a kind of lipstick that has a natural color, and you can barely see that you're wearing a lipstick. That's why it's her ultimate favorite.She let out a sigh after applying lipstick to her lips. She puckered up, wanting to see the effect of it on her face. And she’s ready to face the world..."Darlene, honey, what's taking you so long? Come down and eat your breakfast or else you'll be late for school!" Lily Rose, her mother suddenly calls for her."Alright Mommy, I'm coming down!" she answered in return.Darlene hurriedly went downstairs. She caught up with her father who's waiting for her at the dining table so that they can have breakfast together."What's taking y
Darlene snaps out from her reverie when she realized that they are already at the entrance gate of Tierra Alta High School. She quickly steps out from the car. "See you later, Darlene." Aston told her, as he walks from a different direction, since they are from different sections.Anyway, Darlene is really excited for today because she will have another exciting English with Mr. Oliver Burton, her secret crush.She can't wait to see him again and look at his handsome face and his wonderful smile.Darlene excitedly made her way inside their school building."This is going to be a good day." she smilingly whispers.=================================Darlene has been staring at the wallclock, as she's getting impatient. She's feeling more and more anxious as minutes go by...Five minutes more, and she will be able to see Mr. Oliver Burton again. She has been glancing at her English book and at the wall clock every now and then.They are currently having a Math class, but her mind is fly
Later that night.After dinner and once she made sure that their parents are already in their room, Darlene immediately went to her room. She doesn't have much appetite to eat because she is feeling so sad about the sudden announcement made by Mr. Oliver Burton awhile ago.Her mind instantly remembered his surprising announcement... "This is going to be my last lesson with you because I need to concentrate on our exams, right after my graduation ceremony. I need to go to the Metropolis because I will be busy reviewing for the National Teacher's Exam." Mr. Burton formally made his announcement.Darlene was caught by surprise, and she feels extremely sad by it.Her mind stops going back the past when she heard a message notification on her phone. She opened the message, and it was from Aston."I heard about Mr. Burton's surprising announcement... Are you okay?" Darlene bit her lip to suppress herself from crying."I'm not really okay, but thank you for checking up on me." she texted b
After 8 years"How's the storyboard coming along, Darlene?"Darlene looked up and she lets out a relieved sigh when she saw Aston standing infront of her."Aston! You scared me! I thought it was our Manager. You're good at mimicking his voice!" she exclaimed, as she heaved a sigh of relief.She also smiled at her boyfriend, who's always in a positive mood, and that's one of the things that she likes about him."I just wanted to surprise you, but I think it was too much. Sorry, babe. By the way, here's your coffee." Aston apologized, as he puts down a Grande-sized coffee from her favorite coffee shop.Darlene's smile grew wider and smelled the aroma of her favorite cafe latte."Hmm... This smells good. Thanks, babe!" she thanked him, as she took a sip from her cup.Darlene leaned on her swivel chair, and closed her eyes for a moment for a quick relaxation.Meanwhile, Aston looked at her storyboard that was on her working desk."This looks great! Are you close on finishing it?" he sudde
Darlene is busy having an enjoyable chat with the younger generation, who are the scholars of Le Coup de Foudre Foundation.Their family's company has been supporting young students with their education by giving them 100% full scholarship. At the same time, the company also invited some media people to do a coverage of the said charitable activity."What made you want to pursue your studies, Anna? Who is your big influencer?" Darlene curiously asked one of the students."To tell you the truth Miss Darlene, I wasn't really interested in studying. My original plan was to find any source of income by looking for a job. I thought that studying is just a waste of time, and I really want to work to help my family. But I had a change of heart when someone influenced me to continue with my studies for a much better future." Anna gave out a lengthy explanation."Wow, we should thank that person who changed your mind. May I know who is that person?" Darlene smilingly asks the girl."He is con
A month later. Madeline watches from afar as the children at the Heaven's Door Orphanage who are busy picking fruits and vegetables from their garden. Her mind also went back to the time when she finally found out her true identity and her biological father, which is Shun Saito, the owner and the founder of Heaven's Door Orphanage. She can still gave feelings of regret, even though it has been a month since her father passed away. It was too late for her to know about her real identity but they also thought that it was her father's time to be with their Almighty Creator. She is moving on slowly but surely with the help of Aunt Yumi, her best friends Peppy and Rachel, also the children at the orphanage. However, he hasn't seen much of Oliver after the funeral service of her father. She misses him so much, but she also doesn't have the right to feel that way because they don't have a romantic relationship... "Don't you want to join them picking vegetables and fruits? It looks fu
Oliver ran like a madman as he is dashing through the hospital's hallway where Uncle Shun is confined.He received an emergency call from Aunt Yumi, and she told him that the old man's condition has worsened due to the complications on his heart.He is now transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for observation. Uncle Shun needs to have an open heart surgery as soon as possible, but he's still on a waiting list for heart donor recipients...Oliver saw Uncle Shun sleeping, with all of the tubes in every parts of his body. Aunt Yumi is at the bedside, holding his hand while watching over him."Auntie Yumi." he said, in a whisper.The old woman looks up, and she tries her best not to cry out loud."Oliver... You're Uncle is in a very critical condition. The doctor said he needs to undergo open heart surgery or else... I am not yet ready to lose him!" Aunt Yumi tearfully stated."Everything will be fine, Auntie. I'm sure we'll find a donor soon." Oliver tries to comfort the old woman."I h
At Heaven's Door Orphanage...Madeline is happily playing with the children at the spacious garden. They are playing hide and seek, and she can say that she's enjoying every minute of it.Madeline thoughtfully frowned when she saw a car driving its way to the orphanage's garage. She lets out an audible gasp when she found out that it was the man who saved her on the streets few weeks ago...The children quickly ran towards the man, and they all greeted them warmly. After talking with the children, the man is now walking towards her direction."It's nice to see you again after that incident. Introductions are in order. My name is Oliver Burton. How about you? What's your name?" Oliver introduces himself to her."I'm Madeline Falcon, and thank you once again for saving my life." Madeline smilingly responded."You're welcome----!" Oliver stops at mid-sentence when Peppy suddenly came out to the garden."I'm glad to see you dropping by here, Oliver! You aren't busy today?" Peppy happily g
Madeline stops daydreaming, and turned her attention back to her friends...================================It's already late at night, and Madeline is watching over the sleeping children. She's doing her rounds tonight, the check each of the children's room at the orphanage.After she checked all of the rooms, she's now walking at the hallway, and she's about to walk past Auntie Yumi's office, but she suddenly stops when she heard the phone ringing inside.The ringing phone was so loud, that she's afraid the children who's sleeping nearby the room might wake up because of the noisy sound.She doesn't have any choice but to enter the office to answer the call."Hello, this is Heaven's Door Orphanage, how may I help you?" Madeline answers the call."I'm sorry, may I know who's this?" she can hear an old man's voice from the other line."I'm Madeline, and I'm a new staff here at Heaven's Door Orphanage. Is there anything I can help you with?" Madeline politely inquired.She was taken b
The three of them decided to hit the sack and call it a day because they have an early start tomorrow.Before Madeline could finally drift off to sleep, she remembers Mother Superior, the nuns, and the children back at the Sunshine Orphanage.And after a few minutes, she finally fell into a deep sleep...=============================The next day.Madeline is currently carrying two brown paper bags full of groceries while walking with Auntie Yumi. She was asked by her to accompany her to the grocery store, to buy a two-week stocks for Heaven's Door Orphanage. "So, what do you think about Japan, Madeline?" the old woman suddenly asks her."So far so good, Auntie." Madeline smilingly answers."I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure you'll get used to living here in Japan in no time." enunciated Aunt Yumi. "I think so, too." Madeline said in return."Oh, I almost forgot! I made a promise to the children that I'll buy them donuts for their snack later. I'll just drop by the donut store real q
Two weeks later.Madeline is overwhelmed with emotions while she's walking side-by-side with the Mother Superior, while the nuns and the children are watching them with sad expression on their faces.She tries her best not to cry, but she knows that she's going to miss everyone and everything at Sunflower Orphanage. This is the place where she felt the true love of a true family."Don't be sad, dear. You can come back here whenever you want. We'll be waiting for you." the old nun gives her a reassurance."I'm really going to miss everyone here, Mother." Madeline sniffles in return."It's normal for you to feel that way. But this is not the end if everything. You will start a new journey of searching for your father." the Mother Superior gently stated."We wish you all the best, Madeline." Sister Assuntta joins in their conversation."Thank you very much, Mother Superior and Sister Assuntta. I'm sorry if I gave you lots of trouble and headache while I was growing up." Madeline is gett
Later that evening.It was already late at night but Madeline still couldn't sleep. Her previous conversation with the Mother Supervisor keeps on replaying on her mind."This is a once in a lifetime chance for you to find your father again..." the old nun told her earlier.Madeline carefully got up from her bed. Since she's having a hard time sleeping, she decided to take an evening walk to breathe in some fresh air and to clear her head...After a few minutes, Madeline is now at the orphanage's playground, and she's currently sitting on a swing while admiring the round, bright moon..."What do you think I should do, Mama? Would you like me to look for my father, or just forget about him and move on with my life." she wondered aloud, while looking at the moon.Madeline tried to listen to her head and her heart. Deep inside her heart, she still wishes to see her father face-to-face. She also wanted to ask why did he leave them and why he didn't try to find her after so many years...Sh
Darlene is currently at her favorite coffee shop, while waiting for a certain person who has been a part of her life.She decided to meet-up with her former high school English teacher at Alta Tierra High and her first love, Mr. Oliver Burton. She needs to talk to him for the very last time as a former teacher and student.She will be working with him on a charity project for a short time, so she needs to clear the air between them.And last but not the least, she needs to have one final talk to him and move on with her life with Aston..."Hello, Darlene. I'm so sorry if you have to wait for too long." She snaps out from reverie when Darlene heard Mr. Oliver Burton's voice.She lets out a small, polite smile while looking at him."Hi, Sir Oliver. It's alright, I almost just got here anyway. Please have a seat." she said in return.One waiter came, and they both said their orders. They waited for a few minutes, their orders came, and then they started talking."In was surprised to see
Darlene is busy having an enjoyable chat with the younger generation, who are the scholars of Le Coup de Foudre Foundation.Their family's company has been supporting young students with their education by giving them 100% full scholarship. At the same time, the company also invited some media people to do a coverage of the said charitable activity."What made you want to pursue your studies, Anna? Who is your big influencer?" Darlene curiously asked one of the students."To tell you the truth Miss Darlene, I wasn't really interested in studying. My original plan was to find any source of income by looking for a job. I thought that studying is just a waste of time, and I really want to work to help my family. But I had a change of heart when someone influenced me to continue with my studies for a much better future." Anna gave out a lengthy explanation."Wow, we should thank that person who changed your mind. May I know who is that person?" Darlene smilingly asks the girl."He is con