Prologue

PROLOGUE

The sun's heat penetrated her tanned skin. Sweat trickled from her temple down to her neck. She wiped it using her hands only to pass the dirt from it to her forehead. She looked even more like a beggar.

She's been taking off the weeds from the plot of vegetables since 6am. It's already 10 in the morning and the sun is hurting her skin.

Finally, she finished her job. A stretch or two made her feel comfy after the long hours of stooping. She went to the water faucet and washed her hands. Suddenly, the phone inside her ragged pocket rang. She took it out and answered after seeing 'Risalinda' on the caller ID.

"Hello, Risa?" she answered.

(Hi, my kindest and most beautiful sister.) she said with a sweet tone.

Risa is her younger sister. A smart, pretty and diligent student. An achiever and a scholar at a prestigious university. She's very proud of her.

"I know you very well. Giving me compliments out of the blue. Alright, what do you need?" she asked her.

(I need money for my school project. It's very important for the finals. Do you have some?)

"If that's important, I'll give you the money. I still have to work at the Osorios, I'll just give it to you at home."

(Thanks, sis. You're the best!)

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. She didn't bother to change her clothes and went to town. Upon arriving at the Osorio's residence, she then went to the laundry area and washed their clothes.

"Oh, Rosell. You're early," she heard someone behind her. It's Mrs. Osorio, the owner of the house.

"Yes, madam. I need to finish this earlier. I have found another part-time job," she replied to the lady.

"Another part-time job? Don't you feel tired? You've been doing a lot of jobs already," a hint of concern can be heard in the lady's tone.

"Even if I feel tired, I still have to work. I need to save a lot of money for Risa. Even though she's a full scholar at the school, the expenses for her school projects aren't covered by it," she sighed after saying that and continued to brush the stain on the shirt.

"You know what, Rosell. I don't want to get involved in your family matters, but my daughter told me that she saw your sister dating at the mall," the lady told her.

She was shocked by what the lady had told her. Is it true? But the last time she asked her sister, she doesn't have an interest in boys.

"She told me that she's busy with her studies, but I will ask her about it at home," she sighed again.

"Alright. I'm just concerned with you two. I know how hard you work all day long just to provide her needs. I just don't want her to waste all your efforts. She's already in her last year in college."

That's true. Another school year has started and Risa is already in her fourth year. She dreams of becoming a teacher which she had always supported. She bears all the responsibility of being a parent to her sister. Their parents are of no help to them. They've been drowned to gambling and barely even go home. Although it's hard, she will still persevere.

After receiving her pay for the laundry, she went back to the farm. From afar, she can see men in black and the farmers arguing. What's going on?

"You don't have the right to stop us. The Tanaleons ordered us!" one of the men in black shouted.

"We have a right! We've been here even before the Tanaleons! Who are you to send us away?!" Pedring– one of the leaders of their community shouted back.

"The Huescas and the Tanaleons will join hands soon. A five star hotel will be constructed here," a guy wearing a hard hat butted in. Looks like he's an engineer.

"What?!" everyone gasps.

Did she hear it right? A five star hotel? What about their homes? Their jobs? Will they be really cast away?

She felt enraged at the news. That old master was really a traitor. He assured them before that they could stay in the land. This is where they have been born and raised. What will happen to them now?

A few minutes later, the conflict stopped and the men in black left. Her best friend, Maya, just arrived. She told her the problems they're facing now.

Maya feels very anxious while pacing back and forth. The meeting of the farmers was adjourned. She would talk with her uncle about his decisions. She wanted to convince them that violence is not the answer to their problem.

"Where are you going Maya?" she asked her.

"I'll go look for uncle Ernesto. He shouldn't fulfill their stupid and reckless plan."

 "You can't do anything about it, Maya. You saw how angry they were. No one could stop them."

 "But, Rosell. I just can't sit still here and do nothing. What power do they have to fight against the Tanaleons? Do you really think that this is the only solution to the problem when they are being reckless like this?"

 "You are right, but we can't do anything, Maya. Besides, you have a problem. Don't get involved in this kind of mess."

 "Therefore, Rosell, I need to get involved because this is also my problem. I don't want grandpa to worry about these things. He'll just get sad and it will affect his health."

"This is because of that five star hotel! They got the nerve to cast us away and they will also destroy our homes! How heartless!" she angrily said.

 Her friend heavily sighed.

 "What's your plan now?" she asked her

"I'll talk to old master Lorenzo," she said with conviction.

 "How, Maya? Their mansion is heavily-guarded. You just can't simply enter, and even if you can enter, do you really think that someone will listen to you? You already know how they treat us."

"But, I need to try. I don't believe that old master Lorenzo can betray us so easily," her friend still believes in the old master's promise.

“People change, Maya. Do you really think he's kind? Their class is very different from ours! They could just ignore us, because we're nothing to them. We aren't worth anything to them," she answered, feeling pessimistic.

She watched Maya sit on the chair. Maybe thinking of what she had said.

"Do you want to call Kael?" she asked after a while, referring to their lawyer friend.

"No need, Rosell. We're just interfering with his work. I don't want to get him involved in this mess."

"I don't like what you're saying, Rosell."

"Alright, alright. I'm just kidding. I knew very well that you're allergic to men and you have trust issues. But, why don't you try it with Kael? He is a kind person, has a decent job, handsome, and a gentleman. And the most important thing is that he likes you."

 "I don't want to, Rosell. How about you get married to him if you want."

"Eh? Why me? I have a boyfriend already. You know that," she exclaimed.

The fact is that Rosell liked Kael before. However, she knew that the guy likes Maya so she just backed out.

"That cheater boyfriend of yours. Why do you always forgive and accept him? How many times has he cheated on you?" her friend scoffed.

 "Don't worry about my lovelife. You can't even look at one for yourself."

After a while, she asked.

 "Maya, are you really sure of what you're about to do? When will you discuss this matter with the old master?"

"This evening."

She just hopes that Maya's plan will work well.

ROSELL went home with a heavy heart. She went straight to her room and sat on the bed. A lot of things have been running in her mind. Her problem with their bills, her sister, their home, and their lives. She heaved a deep sigh.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

She went back to her senses after hearing three loud knocks on her door.

"Rosell! Open the door!" she heard her mother shout.

She wanted to ignore it, but knowing her mother, she will knock until she opens the door.

"What is it?" She asked her after opening her door.

Her mother shoved her aside and started rummaging her bag.

"Stop that! What are you doing?!" she shouted, trying to stop her mother.

"Where's the d*mn money?! I need it!" her mother still continues searching inside her bag.

"Need it?! For gambling?! No way! Risa needs that money!" she shouted back.

Her mother stopped and went closer to her.

"Give me the money or else..." her mother trailed off.

"I'm not gonna give you the money," she said with conviction. "You're just wasting it for that f*cking gambling."

"I'm your mother! I'm superior to you!" the lady shouted again.

"Ha! Mother?! When did you become a mother to us?! You're useless! We don't need you—"

Pak!

A slap stopped her from spitting more facts. Her cheek stung and turned red.

"Ungrateful! I wish I had aborted you! I would have become a famous model if I was not pregnant!" she shouted then left the room.

Rosell's tears slowly fell off. The slap didn't hurt her at all. What's more painful is that her mother doesn't even care for them. Both of her parents are selfish and don't want to take responsibility.

EVENING came and she's now working as a delivery rider on the pizza house– her new part-time job. She's very worried about her friend. She's been calling her for a while now but she's not answering. Her sister didn't went home too so she haven't handed down the money. She just put it inside Risa's room.

Her guts are telling that something is wrong with Maya's plan. She should've just gone with her to know if her plan succeeded. Until now, Maya hasn't come home yet nor news about engagement have surfaced.

 "Rosell! What are you doing there? Why are you being lazy again?! You still have a lot to deliver!" her boss shouted.

She felt irritated at her boss because he always scolds and orders her around. If only she could just argue back, but she knows she shouldn't. It's hard for her to find jobs these days.

"Okay!”

For the last time, she tried to call her friend but to no avail. She's worried for her because the latter always do reckless things.

“Rosell!”

She rolled her eyes when her boss called for her again. She stopped herself from whining and went back to her work. She'll just observe for the meantime.

IT'S ALREADY MORNING, she was sitting on the chair drinking her coffee when she received a message from Maya. The coffee from her was spitted out upon reading the text.

Maya:

I'm pregnant.

What? Pregnant? What is her friend saying? She immediately called her and after a few rings, Maya answered.

"You're pregnant?! Why didn't I know?" she asked her.

(I don't know either.)

"Why are you not sure? You get pregnant for just one night? Can you make things clearer?" she demanded.

(Just come here at the hospital. I'll tell you everything.)

She felt her head ache after hearing those words from her friend. She knew it! Something is wrong with her plan. What did that reckless friend of hers do again?

She hung up the call and decided to go to the hospital that her friend texted.

ROSELL went straight to the front desk to ask for her friend's room number. When she was outside the hospital, she's very amazed at how big it was. How come her friend is admitted here?

 "Hello. Can I know which room is Mariyanna Aguilar in?" she asked the nurse at the front.

 "What's your relationship with the patient, miss?"

 "I'm her friend."

 "I'm sorry, miss. I can't tell you which room she is in. It's private."

 "Huh?"

 Private? Why is her friend inside this luxurious hospital? What happened?

 "They're in the VVIP section. I can't disclose their information to you."

 "Can you at least call her? Tell her that Rosellinda Dormitorio is here."

“Okay, miss. Hold on a second.”

 The nurse was about to call but someone stopped her.

“No need.”

 Rosell turned to look at who spoke. She saw a tall and handsome man.

“Okay, doc."

 Her forehead knotted. So this guy is a doctor? Why is he not wearing a white coat? He's just wearing casual clothes.

 "I know where Mariyanna Aguilar is. Follow me." he said in a baritone voice.

She thought first is she's gonna follow him or not. Just who is this guy?

 "Just follow Dr. Huesca. He knew the patient," the nurse said.

 She nodded at the nurse then followed the guy. He knows Maya? Why isn't she informed that her friend knew this doctor?

 She looked at him closely. He's not familiar to her.

“You’re a friend of Ms. Aguilar? Why are you here? You’ll pick her up?” the guy asked before the elevator closed.

 "Huh?"

 She saw the look of insult directed at her while the guy studied her appearance from head to toe.

 'Why does he look angry at me? It's the first time I saw him.' she thought.

“Is this your hobby?”

“What?”

"You, people from the mountains. Is lying and gold digging your hobby?"

 That question made her forehead knot.

 "I'm sorry. You must be mistaken."

 The guy laughed at her statement. What's so funny about it?

 Her mood soured after hearing what the guy was insinuating. The respect she has for him disappeared after realizing what he meant.

 "Who are you? What right do you have to insult us?"

“I know what kind of people you are. You and your friend like sucking off royal blood. You must be itching to bait a rich man."

 Now, she is very angry. It's okay if she's the only one he's insulting, but her friend is also included. It's just not right and she also doesn't know what this guy's problem is.

 "Be careful of your words! What do you know, insulting us like this?"

 The guy laughed again and the elevator opened. She still followed the guy even though her blood was already boiling with anger.

“Good morning, Doc.”

“How are you, Doc?”

 She nearly rolled her eyes at the nurses and doctors greeting the guy. Why are they even respecting him? Don't they know he's such a hypocrite?

 They finally reached a room. She looked around, but she didn't see anyone, not even Maya. It's just the table, sofa and desks.

On the table, there's a plate engraved with the name, Dr. Vester R. Huesca, Director.

 "Where is Maya?!" she angrily asked.

 The guy didn't answer her. Instead, he went straight to the table and took something out from the drawer.

After a while, he went to her with bundles of money in his hands.

“Take this money and go home. Take your friend too. Go tell her not to pester Enzo and Val."

 She looked at the money in his hands. Even though she couldn't understand the whole situation, she had some ideas on her mind.

“Is this not enough? This is fifty thousand already. You can buy clothes and clean yourself. You're not disappointed, right? Give half of this to your friend and leave."

 She couldn't react and didn't know what to say. She felt really insulted, making her clenched her fists tightly. This guy is looking down at her because of her status.

 She isn't wrong when she says that this world is cruel.

 "Are you sure?" she asked him.

“What?”

 "That's not enough. I have high maintenance."

 She tried so hard to calm herself just to say that.

“You’re this shameless?! I knew it. You, people from the mountains are thick-skinned. I didn’t expect you to be this wise. You have done this a lot, haven’t you?”

 She breathed out a sigh. She didn't expect that this guy had a sharp tongue. He could even surpass a woman. Very boastful and self-centered.

“Fine. I’ll give you a blank cheque. Tell me how much you need."

 He took out a small paper and showed it to her. She took it from him and noticed that he tried to avoid touching her hand like he's disgusted.

After taking the paper, she burst into laughter like a crazy person. She's very angry and she's just trying to laugh it off.

"Why are you laughing? You're crazy!" Vester shouted at her.

She continued to laugh while the guy seemed even more disgusted.

 "I'm sorry. I just thought that I don't understand a thing here so I don't need this," she said before tearing the paper into pieces and throwing it to the guy.

 "If you don't have anything meaningful to say aside from barking like a dog, I'll go now. I'm not like you. Every hour is too valuable for me to just waste."

 She didn't wait for him to reply and went out of the room. Does this guy think he could just trample her down? She won't allow anyone to just insult them always.

 The problem now is where she could find Maya. They should go home even without a f*cking money. She doesn't want her friend to get involved in this mess before everything becomes worse.