Prologue

"Get out of my house, Casey! You are useless! You have nothing to do, but to bring misfortune to us! I don't want to see your face anymore! Get out of my house! We don't need you here! Get out!" Casey's aunt, Lora wanted her to leave their house when she caught her fighting against her daughter Camille.

Casey fought back as her cousin Camille pushed her on the stairs while she was sweeping the floor. Fortunately, nothing bad happened to her. She was completely tired living there with unfair treatment she got from them. Casey's mother died six years ago and she had no other family members except her aunt Lora and her cousin who were both cruel to her. Her aunt's husband who works in Dubai treated her well and as his own daughter.

"Starting today, you're no longer part of this family! Do you understand, Casey?!" Lora scolded her niece who's weeping in front of her. Casey lifts her head slowly and face her. She took a deep breath before she opened her mouth to speak.

"Fine, auntie. If that's what makes you happy, I will not hesitate to leave this place. How can I be part of your family even from the start you didn't treat me like that? You didn't treat me better! Are you kidding me, huh? You're the only family member I could have, but you never treated me like that. You treated me like an animal! How can you handle it?! My beloved mother is your sister and I'm your niece. Do you get my point, auntie?" Casey said, expressing her grievances to them. Her aunt gave her an evil look.

"How dare you to say that! You must leave now before I bring you to the police station!" Lora shouted at her. "Leave us now!"

"W-what?! What did you say, auntie? You will bring me to the police station? For what? For fighting your daughter who pushed me on the stairs, huh? Is that what you want? You're still tolerating your daughter who made mistakes!" Casey asked her aunt angrily. She can't argue with her aunt before, but now she needs to do it. It's too much. She needs to fight for herself and that's the best thing to do. Lora came closer to her and slapped her so hard on her left cheek. Her eyes were dripping with tears again.

Casey didn't speak to her again, instead she walked away from them and went to her room and begins to pack her clothes and other belongings. It's enough. She doesn't want to argue with her again. She needs to leave them before it's too late.

When she had finished packing her clothes and other belongings, she left their house immediately without turning back while her eyes still dripping with tears. Casey doesn't want to remember those painful memories she'd experienced with them. It's just a terrible nightmare for her.

Casey doesn't even know where she will go next. When she saw a bus going to Manila, she rode immediately. After how many hours, they arrived safely at the bus station. She felt nervous because she had no money to pay. She talked to the driver and asked him if it's okay not to pay.

"W-what? You have no money to pay?" The driver asked her unbelievably. She bit her lower lip. Casey nodded.

"Yes. I have no money..." she said.

"Why did you ride the bus if you don't have a money? Are you out of your mind, huh?"

"No, sir! I'm not out of my mind. I'm going through hard times. I'm begging you please. I left the house of my aunt because—"

"Because what?"

"Because they wanted me to leave them. They didn't treat me better. They'd treated me so bad like an animal," Casey explained with dismay.

"So that's the reason why you left?" Casey nodded again to the driver.

"Yes, sir," She said and gave him a sad look. The bus driver took a deep breath. He understands her situation and felt pity for her. "So what's your name?"

"My name, sir?'' He nodded.

"Yes. I'm asking your name. Can I have your name?" The driver repeated. Casey tells her name to the bus driver.

"My name is Casey Lopez," she said.

"What a pretty name! Where are you going, Casey?" Casey shut her mouth. She frowns.

"I don't know where I'm going, sir." The bus driver tapped his forehead as he heard the answer of Casey.

"Do you have a family member here in Manila, huh? Is this your first time to go here?" He asked. Casey nodded.

"Yes, this is my first time here in Manila. Unfortunately, I don't have a family member here. I'm alone in this world now. I'm only living for myself, for my own survival," Casey answered. She frowned.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Casey. You are not alone in this world and you should remember that, always. I made up my mind, I won't let you pay for it since you don't have a money. I understand your situation," he said. Casey felt relieved as she heard what the driver said.

"Oh really, sir? I won't pay for it, huh? Are you sure?" She asked the bus driver.

"Yes, Casey..." he said, smiling.

"Thank you so much, sir. I don't know how to pay for your kindness. I'm penniless and I can't even pay for your kindness. I'll be forever indebted to you, sir,'' Casey said with mixed emotions. The bus driver smiled at her.

"Casey, you don't have to pay for it. It's my own way to help you. I know you're a kind person and you deserve happiness in your life. Don't think about it. I'm helping you even if it's just a little," He explained. Casey can't control herself not to cry because of what the bus driver said. She hugged him.

"Thank you so much, sir. Thank you so much for your kindness. A kind person like you deserves a reward, but I can't give it to you. If only I could..." Casey said to the bus driver.

"I told you, Casey. You don't need to give a reward for me. I'm sure our almighty Father above would be the one who'll give a reward for me. You don't have to think about it. God knows everything. God knows what the best for us." Casey hugged the bus driver for the second time while she was in tears of joy.

"What's your name, sir?" She asked him.

"My name is Antonio," he said. Finally, she knew his name.

"I won't forget your name sir Antonio," she said, smiling.

"Thank you, Casey. But I want to ask you again. Where are you going, huh?" Casey became quiet after he was asked where he was going next. She frowned.

"I don't know Sir Antonio. I think I need to rely on my feet where it might bring me. My feet must bring me to the place where I can start again," Casey said, thinking where she could possibly go next after leaving the bus driver. Antonio gave her money and she can't believe what he gave to her. Her eyes widened.

"What is this for, Sir Antonio? Why do you want to give me some money? It should be yours. I don't want you to give it to me because your family needs it," Casey protested to the bus driver. He smiled.

"If my family needs it, you need it too. Please accept the money I gave to you, Casey. You need it, especially now that you're alone in this place which is new to you. You don't know the life here. It's too heavy for you to carry the reality here in the city. Accept it, please," Antonio explained.

Casey accepted the money given by the bus driver. Before she come out of the bus, she thanked him and hugged him so tight again. She's a bit nervous. She felt amazed to see the tall buildings and other establishment. The life in the city is different from the province.

"I hope my life starts again here," Casey mumbled while she's walking under the heat of the sun. There are some people who keep on staring at her, but she ignored them. She felt starving, so she decided to buy some food using the money given by the bus driver. Antonio told her to find a place where she can stay in the meantime, but she doesn't even know where she could find it. When evening came, she decided to sleep in the park. Some beggars were sleeping there. She never thought she would experience sleeping in the park. She knows the feeling of being homeless.