CHAPTER 4: Words

ELINOR’S POINT OF VIEW

I quietly sat inside Fenton’s owner-type Jeep as we made our way to the tea plantation. He drove with a serious expression on his face while I gazed out the window.

My grip on the seatbelt tightened as we traversed the bumpy road.

“Couldn’t there be a smoother route?” I couldn’t help but complain.

He glanced at me. “Why don’t you take charge and fix it yourself? Besides it’s your property,” he sarcastically replied.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m asking you nicely. Can you please give a proper answer?”

He tsked. “Do you really think I would choose this road if there was a better one?”

“I don’t know. How would I know that you really enjoy ruining my day,” I said.

“I’m not doing anything to you.”

“You have!”

“What is it, then?” he asked calmly. I paused. What did he do to me this morning to make me so annoyed with him? “See? You can’t answer because I really didn’t do anything to you. You’re just the one who’s snappy and a spoiled brat.”

“I’m not a spoiled brat!” That might have been true before, but I’ve changed. It was only with him that my old behavior came out!

“Sure, I’ll believe that when you can squeeze blood from a stone,” he playfully said and smirked.

This guy is really getting on my fucking nerves!

I just met him this morning, but it feels like he already gave me a ton of white hair!

Instead of arguing with him, I took out my phone to entertain myself. I snapped photos of the trees and vast land we passed by for my first I*******m post that I just made last night.

I didn’t expect that all the places we passed by were owned by the de Montalvos. I wonder what I should do with these properties.

Fenton’s car slowed down as we approached a gate that looked just like the one at the coffee plantation. I think this must be the tea plantation.

“We’re here,” he announced before turning off the car’s engine.

“Yeah, I know.”

I returned my cellphone to my pocket before getting off. I couldn’t help but smile as the fresh air from the surrounding trees touched my skin.

It wasn’t too remote since there were houses standing around. Perhaps some farmers live there.

Similar to what happened in the coffee plantation, we were once again welcomed by the farmers there, but this time they were aware that we were coming.

“You look beautiful, Ma’am Elinor. If only my son were your age, I would definitely set him up with you. He's handsome and kind. You can rely on him!” A lady said to me with a smile while looking at my face.

“Oh, come on, Glenda! Have some shame. She’s our employer,” an elderly woman scolded Aling Glenda.

I chuckled. “It’s okay, ma’am,” I said.

I took a sip of the tea they gave me earlier. It is a green tea with a delightfully floral taste that dances on my taste buds. The subtle notes of flowers add a delicate and aromatic touch to the overall flavor profile, enhancing the refreshing nature of the green tea.

“What can you say about the tea, ma’am? Is it delicious?” asked the young girl excitedly, as if she couldn’t wait for my reaction.

I nodded. “You made this?” I asked.

“Yes! I made it!”

“It’s good. It’s even tastier than the ones I’ve tasted in coffee shops,” I said truthfully.

I think she is only fifteen or sixteen years old. She is wearing clothes similar to those worn by elder farmers.

“Really, ma’am?” Her eyes sparkled. Once again, I nod my head.

“Oh, please. I’m sorry about Ligaya, Ma’am Elinor. She just gets too happy when her tea is being praised. Her dream is to open a coffee shop in the future, but she’s just too lazy to do her assignments.”

“I’m not lazy, Mom! It’s just that my assignments are really difficult, so I don’t do them!” Ligaya defended herself.

Some people there found the conversation between the mother and Ligaya funny.

I smiled sadly. I can’t remember any happy memories with my mom because, before I could even fully comprehend, both my mom and dad left me. If it weren’t for the pictures at home, I wouldn’t even know what they looked like.

My grandma taught me not to hold grudges against my parents, but I can’t help it, especially since they’re not here when I need them the most.

I remember when I was in grade school, it was family day. I told my grandma that my parents needed to come to school. I kept bugging her and asking when we would call my parents. Grandma always said they were busy and couldn’t attend, so it was just her and Grandpa who went with me. It was fun because we won all the games.

As I grew older, that’s what stuck in my mind—that they left me. That’s what I heard from the household staff—that they felt sorry for me because I was too young to not have parents. And honestly, it sucks.

Maybe that’s why I am like this. I am stubborn and make impulsive decisions because I lack the love of real parents. That’s why I am grateful for my grandparents, because they never neglected me. They loved me and gave me everything, but what did I do?

“Hey, are you okay?” Fenton grabbed my attention.

“Pardon?” I asked absentmindedly.

“I’m asking if you’re okay. You seem lost in thought. They left a while ago to go back to work,” he said, referring to the farmers that we were talking about a while ago.

That’s when I noticed that our companions were indeed gone. I looked over at the tea plantation and saw them happily tending to the crops.

I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” Why does he care anyway?

“You don’t seem fine,” he insisted.

I glared at him. “Why did you ask if you weren’t going to believe me?” I rolled my eyes. “Come on! Let’s go to the sugarcane plantation.”

We said goodbye to the farmers there and left to go to the palm oil and rubber factory.

It turns out that my refusal earlier to Nanny Filina to go with Fenton was pointless because I’m still stuck with Fenton for the whole day. Ugh.

It was already five o’clock in the afternoon when we finally got home. Fenton gave me a ride in his owner-type Jeep because I didn’t have a car to use. The whole day was tiring, but I really enjoyed exploring our plantation. The sweat and heat were worth it because I learned a lot from the visit I made.

“I’ll just get your car tomorrow,” said Fenton.

I simply nodded. “Thanks.”

I was about to get off his car when he spoke again, so I turned to look at him.

“Did you enjoyed?” he asked, his voice devoid of teasing or anything. He was far from the arrogant Fenton this morning.

I nodded again. “Yes, I did. It felt so good to be welcomed by the people at the plantation.”

“They’re not as bad as you think. Whatever issue you have with your family, we’re not part of it. You’re already grown. You know what’s right and wrong. And I hope you won’t hastily make decisions because many people are relying on you now. Many people are counting on you. Every decision you make can have an impact on those individuals. It can be beneficial or it can have negative consequences.”

Even though Fenton has left, his words still linger in my mind. I may not want to admit it, but he’s right. Ever since I accepted the inheritance given to me by Grandma, I have had a huge responsibility to fulfill.

I can no longer just think about myself. I can’t always have things go the way I want them to. I need to seek help and opinions from others, especially if it will benefit the hacienda.

I took a deep breath. Can I really do this?