01

"... I used to believe that life is just like a fairytale. Just like a princess falling for the prince for the first time in her life. Or a damsel in distress who was saved by her knight in shining armor when she was In danger. However, those thoughts were nothing but straight-up fantasy. And I was awakened from this bitter-sweet dream of mine to the world of reality ...

"... Like a cold bucket of water being poured down on my body ... my feelings and beliefs soon turned numb. And everything that I could think about was the will to survive and support my poor family." 

Solenn Alva is a plain, sweet, and diligent 18-year-old lady who then set off on a journey from F City to S City. She has dark brown wavy hair, and perfect brownish-red pair of orbs adorning her eyes. Her long eyelashes make her look enigmatic whenever her eyes flutter open. 

Her figure is well maintained even though she came from a poor family that lives in the far southern part of the boonies in F City. The city was more surrounded by trees than tall buildings. Even the tallest one only consists of three floors. 

The houses were usually built in a chain if your family were a bit lucky in life. But the most family has their own houses settled informally on various private properties. Life was simple yet hard in the poorest city of the country of Razon. Every city was categorized and the families which have the right to live in a certain city should be among the fixed range of salary or monthly income.

Alva family was once among the top ten families that live on the S City. They had a big booming company that cultivates young artists and music talents. They focused on this business since the family had a high aptitude in the said talents. But their oozing company soon faced various controversies which leads to bankruptcy due to unknown reasons.

The family then suffered from huge debts which they do not have any idea where they came from. But one thing was for sure, the once strong business began to crumble like a castle made of sand. One day, the family just found themselves stripped of their position and ownership of the company.

The once renowned family, suddenly loses its light. Just like that ... they were thrown to the poorest city of the country. But they do not have the power nor the money to appeal to the authorities and change their status. 

A time came when Solenn decided to leave their run-down house to make a fortune to pay off their family's debt and for her family's supply. She once talked about her migrating to another city with her parents. Her parents, Rasol and Selena, thought that she was just talking about it lightheartedly. They did not give much thought to it and just disregard the passing thought altogether. Little did they know that their daughter, Sol, is actually serious about it. Her father's health continued to deteriorate due to excessive farming on their barren piece of land. It was the only job that his father had the opportunity to do on the outskirts of town. 

"I’ve just turned 18 this year. I am old enough to work for my own family and make decisions for myself. I just have to make sure that I would not regret my decisions after time passes by with me away from my family." Her heart was filled with strong resolution. 

When the night is deep, her sleeping figure soon woke up. Her eyes fluttered open and she immediately stood up from her bed and swiftly made her way in packing a few clothes. She also made sure that she had her necessities like identification cards and the money she saved for all these years of doing part-time jobs here and there. 

She left the bedroom that she was sharing together with her sisters. With quick stealthy steps, she made her way to the front door. She looked back once before turning the knob as she opened the door. She then took a step outside and gradually left her home.

"I'll make sure to earn lots of money to pay off our debts, and to make our lives better," she thought to herself as she looked back for the last time at the house she grew up to before finally taking a step forward and move on.

She hurried on her way to make sure not to miss the earliest scheduled train. She needed to get away from her family as early as possible to not give them any chance of catching up to her and taking her back home.

The destination on her mind was the wealthiest city of all in their country. S City – home of renowned families, with overwhelming power, fame, and wealth. The number of digits on their income was the one thing doing the talking for their authority. 

Despite the excitement and anxiety, Solenn feels at the moment, it was overwhelmed with her fatigued physical body, thus, making her fall into a deep slumber. She needs to regain her energy through sleep and it was right on time since the trip will be long enough. 

"Attention ...

"Attention ...

"Attention, passengers: the train number 9167 is arriving at the S Station platform 3 on time. We urge each passenger to check their personal belongings and get ready. To all the passengers who wish to get off the train, please use the door on the right."

The operator asked for the passengers who wished to get off the train to prepare their luggage before leaving the train. Solenn, who was awakened by the announcement, prepared herself as well for her departure. 

The train gradually decreases its speed before going into a full stop. The doors of the train then opened and the passengers then get off the train. Sol made sure that she have all of her things along with her before finally leaving the train, minutes before it closes its doors again.

Solenn found herself on a luxurious-looking platform of the train station in S City. She secretly wandered her gaze around as she scanned the interiors of the station to be of the highest class. This was leaps beyond the quality of the train station at F City.

Solenn felt a bit overwhelmed by the great difference between the platforms of the two cities. This was even her first time in another city so the shock that came after setting foot in here has greatly impacted her.

Without further ado, she then exited the station. Solenn plans to search for the cheapest type of lodging in the city. She even asked around to some patrol groups whenever she met one.

The sun was already high up in the sky and her stomach is already throwing tantrums at her. She was hungry from walking around the city as she hasn't eaten her breakfast yet. She spotted a bench in the park, so she grabbed the chance and took a rest first.

From the far distance, across the park where she is currently resting at, was a family restaurant. However, by the looks of it, she knew that it wasn't any ordinary family restaurant. From the lights and the exterior design of the building, she knew for herself that the food served there would be expensive for her. What's common for the people who live there, is the luxury for people from a smaller city such as F City.

"I'm not hungry," she tried to convince herself. Then a sandwich came into her view. When she lifted her gaze, she saw a pretty, normal-looking girl handing her the sandwich which looks newly bought somewhere.

"Go on~ Have some~" Solenn took a bite on the sandwich that was given to her out of the goodwill. "You seem to be new in here. I was the same 2 years ago. I came from E City and migrated to S City in order to find a great opportunity to earn money. Fortunately, I found a job that does not discriminate based on where you came from. Though the wage is smaller compared to other jobs in the city, it is plenty enough to save up."

The kind lady looked at Solenn with glimmering eyes with a tiny hint of sadness. It was as if she was seeing her former self to the latter. "I'm Raya ... Raya Gonzales, nice to meet you," she introduced. 

"I'm ... Solenn Alva, thank you for the sandwich, and nice to meet you too," the doubting girl said sincerely to the first person who helped her out in the city.

"Do you have anywhere to stay? If you don't have a job yet, I can introduce you to the place where I am currently working at," she said.

"Oh ... Actually I just arrived so I don't have any place to stay yet. The fees for a simple lodging are quite high for my budget. I would gladly take up your offer about the job."

Raya then guided Solenn to her apartment. The timing was great for her since the one person she's sharing her apartment with just left to another city. Now she is in need of another person to share the apartment with to cut back on the cost of it. 

They informed the benevolent landlady about the sharing of the apartment unit. With her generosity, she even gave Solenn some basic necessities to start her life with.

Raya then asked Solenn to change into something simpler yet professional clothing. Solenn wore a black pair of pants and a formal white polo shirt. She also tied her hair into a bun. After dressing up, she went to the living room where Raya is waiting for her before they left their unit.

They arrived at a simple coffee shop. "This must be the place that Raya was talking about earlier where she is working at," Solenn thought. They entered the shop with Raya leading the way. She guided Solenn to the staffs' area for her to meet their manager.

"Manager~ I have a new recruit; she wants to ask if there is any position she can take in the shop." The manager looks strict but at the same time warm to people. She scanned Solenn's appearance before giving her an apron. "Raya will teach you how to make and serve coffee to customers. From now on, you'll do the same."

Solenn was overjoyed by the job that she got. Because of the fateful encounter with Raya, she made a connection and effortlessly got a place to stay at and a job. Raya was like the fairy godmother on the fairytales she used to read and believe to when she was young.

She then wore the apron and was guided to the counter. She even jots down the basics on preparing the coffee accordingly. However, she is not allowed to practice yet when there are customers to be served. The only thing that she could do for her first day was to wipe the tables clean.

A man bumped into Solenn, who was working hard to make a great impression on the manager. He almost dropped the tablet he has in his hand while doing his work while walking. Good thing Solenn has great reflex and caught it before it dropped on the ground and break. And there, she met for the first time. A troubled-looking man with a cold but handsome front. And her little innocent heart skipped for a moment.

"Ba-dump ... Ba-dump"

"Thank you so much for the save! I am Sky, by the way, I'll make sure to treat you next time as thanks~" The man then dashed off out of the shop as if he were in a hurry.

Is this what they call affection at first sight?