CHAPTER 3

“You should be grateful to Mr. Good Samaritan, then.”

“Shut up Best!... you’re not helping!”

“Hahaha… just look on the bright side, girl… You’re 25 years old, your virginity should have been lost long ago. What are you planning to do, preserve it forever? If I were a woman, my virginity would have been gone long ago. Hahaha.”

“You’re so annoying!” She's mad because Patrick's not taking her problem seriously! 

Her mother knocked on her door. “Clarissa, come down now. It’s time to eat.”

“Okay, Mom!” She said goodbye to Patrick and left her room.

Their lifestyle was simple. Her parents were caretakers of the Villaruel family’s estate. If it weren’t for Don Miguel Villaruel, she might not have been able to study nursing and go to New York.

Don Miguel had asked her to return because he needed her, saying he was sick and wanted her to care for him. She didn’t mind, as she loved the old man like her own grandfather. She would take care of him as much as she could.

She owed Don Miguel a lot and couldn’t abandon him. She would take care of him, to repay him for all the help he had given her family.

“After you eat, dear, go visit Don Miguel... he’s waiting for you,” her mother said. She missed the old man too. She would go see him right away.

After breakfast, she prepared the gifts she brought from New York for Don Miguel. Then she got ready and went to the mansion. Don Miguel was widowed and lived alone in the mansion with the household staff. His only child lived in Manila with his only grandson whom she hadn’t met yet since he was studying in the UK.

Despite his age, Don Miguel still looked strong and handsome. It was clear that he had been very good-looking in his youth. Don Miguel owned the largest mango plantation in all of San Sebastian, and her parents were trusted to manage it.

“Aunt Klaring, how are you?” she greeted the elderly housekeeper when she arrived at the mansion.

“You’re back from America, Clarissa? You’ve become even more beautiful!” the housekeeper said joyfully.

She was 5’11” tall and had fair skin, even though she had grown up on the estate. She had inherited her spanish mestiza features from her grandfather, so people often mistook her for a wealthy daughter. Though she was mestiza, she had chinky eyes, making it hard to believe that she was just the daughter of the estate caretakers.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Aunt Klaring asked.

“I’m not thinking about that yet, Aunt Klaring!”

“Good for you, being such a good girl.”

“How is Zenie doing?” she asked, referring to the housekeeper’s daughter, who had been her childhood friend.

“Oh, Clarissa, she’s a pain in the ass!... Always coming home late, and she keeps collecting boyfriends! I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets pregnant early one of these days!” The elderly woman added with a heavy heart.

Aunt Klaring had been working at the mansion for a long time, and her husband and daughter also worked there. Zenie had been her classmate, also sponsored in school by Don Miguel, but she wasn’t very bright and was always out partying. Eventually, Zenie gave up on school, disappointing Aunt Klaring, who felt that the opportunity Don Miguel had given her daughter was wasted.

Zenie seemed to harbor some envy toward Clarissa, as people often compared them, calling Clarissa a show-off and a suck-up. Clarissa just didn’t want to lose Don Miguel’s trust, so she always did her best. She used to go straight from school to the mansion to spend time with Don Miguel, serving him because that’s what he liked. He enjoyed her company, especially when she wasn’t busy with school.

She wasn’t into socializing, despite Zenie’s frequent invitations. Her life was deemed boring as she focused her time on the mansion when she wasn’t at school. It was as if Don Miguel had become her companion.

“Where’s Don Miguel?” She politely ask the housekeeper.

“He’s in the library, dear. He’s been expecting your visit today. Go on and see him.”

“Thanks Aunt... Oh by the way, here’s a gift for you.” The old woman was thrilled with the floral dress she gave her.... her eyes sparkled with joy!

“Thank you, Clarissa. I’ve never owned such a beautiful, expensive dress. I’ll wear it to church on Sunday. My friends will be so jealous!” the old woman said smiling.

“You’re welcome, Aunt Klaring. I’ll go see Don Miguel now.” After saying goodbye, she headed to the library where Don Miguel was. She entered the library and saw the old man reading.

“Don Miguel!” she called out, running to hug him.

“Clarissa, I’m so glad you’re here! I missed you so much, dear!”

“What happened to you? Are you feeling sick? Mom said you weren’t well?” Clarissa examined Don Miguel, checking him for any signs of illness. Don Miguel laughed at her concern.

“Stop it, dear, that tickles.”

“Where does it hurt? Let me check.”

Clarissa stopped abruptly when she heard a noise behind them. She hadn’t noticed that Don Miguel had company in the library... she thought they were alone.

She turned to see who had spoken. To her surprise, it was the man who had taken her virginity! Mr. Good Samaritan!!! What was he doing here?

“Hello there… again,” Reed said. He was leaning against the table, looking at her and Don Miguel.

“Do you two know each other already, grandson?” Don Miguel asked.

“GRANDSON?”