Chapter 02

I did not realize that my purse had fallen, and just as I was about to reach for it, another hand went first. I was still staring at his arm; the bulging veins on his arm were obvious. I was stunned and returned to my senses when I tasted it. I immediately reached for my purse in his hand and looked at him to thank him.

"Thank you." That's all he stuttered. He stuttered because of that. That's one reason, but I stuttered because of the way he was staring. It's not because I'm in awe of his cloud-like eyes; they stare at me intently like a storm coming in the dark.

As far as I remember, I just saw him, but the way he was staring at me would make you so nervous that you would think you had sinned against him. Yes, that's how it feels in his gaze! So, I bowed before I thanked him.

I immediately turned my back on him and sat down. That's why I could tell the nervousness in the flight attendant's voice earlier because the person behind me was very nervous. Even though I observed and stared at him for a while, he was the type of person you wouldn't want to bump into.

My family is one of the famous clans in Romblon, and sometimes I hear the words thrown at me.

Grumpy is a wise man.Yes, even in university, I hear that term. I can't blame them because I'm not that approachable; I'm grumpy, I don't deny that. But they're not the type to get angry for no reason; maybe they say they're not approachable because they didn't try to approach and talk to me.

Sometimes I just ignore it when that happens; maybe there is a chance that those things that other people look at you for will disappear. So, I don't know why I feel like a coward right now with the person I just met; that's normal, isn't it? It's normal to feel nervous about someone you just met.

I took a breath and calmed myself down. What I was more worried about was how to convince the pope. He knew that I would be going home to the hacienda this morning, so I was just as surprised when Mother Road, the butler here at the hacienda, said that Papa had indeed escaped.

"Huh? "What will the papa do in Manila, mom?" Mother Roda scratched her head as she was puzzled by Papa's release.

"It was the other trustees who told me that your father has indeed been released, and according to his order, I was informed." But it is said that it looks like anger.

"G-angry? "Couldn't this have something to do with the hacienda?"

"I'm not sure, dear, all I know is that it fixed the problem." I can see the confusion on the old man's face.

"Isn't there someone else he trusted?" He shook his head, so I immediately went to the phone. The phone is old, but it still works well, and it's our only way to contact Grandpa, who is currently in Sydney.

"Yes, my dear grandson," grandpa answered immediately.

"Did you talk to dad, grandpa?" He left Manila without saying anything to me. I think. I heard the laughter on the other line. I also heard the footsteps of his feet.

“Hmm, I was just told that this important person will make some money." "Don't worry, grandchild, maybe tomorrow your father will come home too." I snorted.

"I also had something important to say to him." I sighed. Just now, papa left the hacienda without getting any words from me. This is the first time. So, who is the important person who earned it?

"Is this about you working in Manila?"

"Yes, grandpa, will you allow me? I also want to experience living in Manila.”

"Is that the reason?" "Isn't that the reason you don't want to manage the hacienda?"

"Grandpa, you know how I love our ancestral home. And I don't see myself falling in love with the hacienda, and now that Papa is here, I believe he's up to the task."Because, grandpa, you can't count on your grandson." I saw from the side how Mother Roda shook her head at what I said.

"I've heard those lines." He spoke. So, I laughed because I knew what he was talking about—none other than Theo. The truth is that he first published the management of the hacienda, but he preferred the company that he now loves.

"If that's the case, the words I prepared are useless, and I know your father can't say no." "We have also discussed that Nashe will take part in the obligation that you refuse; your father also intends to live in Manila as well." I didn't expect what he said, so my mouth dropped. Could this not be the reason for his immediate release?

"I'll hang up on him, Azeria; we'll talk later."

"All right, grandpa, always be careful."

"I will." I immediately hung up and faced Roda's mother.

"What did Don say?" he said. Grandpa is known as Don; that is what people here call and recognize my grandfather as.

"It is said that the pope has a plan to live in Manila."

"It's very unlikely to happen, dear; your father's world revolves around the hacienda."

I knew that if he would allow me to stay in Manila, it didn't even enter my mind to follow him. Well, I'm a daddy's girl; maybe my dad isn't used to me being away from him. If that's the case, I'm sure I'll be working. That's what I shared with Lucas.

"Okay, I will contact my friend then." "You can send me your resume so I can give him your profile."

"If I can't get it from grandpa's company, I'll just work."

"It's fine; that's a good decision." "So that you have a reserve, if you want, you can go to my school."

"I made a promise to Theo; maybe it will be broken." I laugh, and I can already see Theo's look if I reject Lucas's offer. "Did you see my dad?"

“No. I was surprised as well when you said it was here because, according to Uncle Cessair, it only appears on the anniversary of an aunt's death.An important person, maybe an engineer or architect, can buy a house, and then he will surprise you. "Maybe that's the plan, right?"

"Sure, but he doesn't like surprises."

"Have you tried calling?"

"Yes, but your phone is off." "I don't want to be disturbed."

“That! "Manang Azeria is jealous; what makes you think that uncle is talking to a woman?"

"That would be possible." "This is the first time he left without saying a single word."

"You are enough of a headache for uncle Azeria; do you think he will look for someone else to give him a headache?" And, finally, do you believe he can succeed Aunt?"

“No.”

"Oh, you know that." Don't be negative about that and just wait for Uncle. Let me tell you to call if you happen to pass by here.

"Azeria." I looked at the door, and my cousin Dalea was on my doorstep. I asked him and pointed to my phone; he nodded and left.

"All right, that would be good for me. I will hang up now and talk to the trustees here at the hacienda."

"Now will they be informed that Nashe will be in charge?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I will update you later."

I went to the stable because the stewards were already there. I noticed my cousin sisters Nashe and Dalea talking and laughing with them right away.

"Lady!" they exclaimed, smiling warmly.I smiled back at them; "seniority" is what they used to call it. It is said that it is to find out who is superior to them, which I immediately disagreed with, but then they got used to being able to stop them.

So even if we don't agree with them, that's the right thing. Mother Roda has also prepared snacks, so the snacks on the table have been served. But I saw that it had not been moved.

"Let's have a snack first," I suggested. "Before we start the conversation,"

"Oh no more, senorita, I'd rather you start the agenda," said Uncle Ikko, who seems to be the leader of their group. The others agreed, so we looked at each other; I nodded and smiled.

"The news that I will be staying in Manila must have reached you," even though I haven't talked to the dad yet, but it's like what Grandpa said. It couldn't be otherwise, so I decided to let them know and say goodbye. "As you know, like my cousins who are now in Manila, I rejected the possibility of romance in the hacienda."My cousin Nashe" patted him on the shoulder. "The catch is that he will also replace the pope." What the grandfather wanted was to help him learn how to run the hacienda, so the stable assigned to me would go to Dalea. Whatever concerns you have about the animals you will bring to him, is everything clear to us?"

"Yes, senorita, you can count on us not to abandon the hacienda." His mother, Emanuella, was also the one Don Vicente entrusted with the hacienda, so I know her children can do the same. Ikko said.

"I thank you for your support. As I will be staying here at the hacienda for the last time, I prepared something for you to share." They immediately smiled and were happy. "Do you have anything to say?" I turned to my cousins next to me.

"You expect us to insist on the job that grandfather entrusted us with." Dalea.

"We can improve the beauty of the hacienda if we help each other."

"That's true, senorita!" second of these. Mother Roda also joined us in the meal that took place, and my father temporarily lost his mind. But when the night came, that's when I remembered it, and another thing that worried me was that my cousin Lucas hadn't called me yet. So I reasoned that it might not have passed through them, most likely at the hotel where the Pope stayed.

That's why I was so worried when I got a call from Lucas saying that the father was in the hospital. I suddenly went down the stairs, knowing that my companions could hear every thump. Mother Roda attended me immediately when the passport fell, if I had put it inside the bag I was carrying.

"Why are you worried, Azeria?" "Did something happen?"

"Mother and father are in the hospital. That's why I haven't been able to call since yesterday!" I promise to cry. My body is full of nervousness; he just came out on his own after being in the hospital!

“My God, you are young! "Wait and come here first; Dalea first calls your cousin in Manila, and we'll talk first," he ordered Dalea. "I will not allow you to leave without condition, Azeria! "Take a look and understand all your stuff!” It taught me things I had unknowingly let go of. Mom took me and sat on the couch, fanning me. I washed my face using the fan he always carries.

"Uncle has been transferred to the ward; it is said that he became dizzy and his forehead was bruised, so he ran to the hospital," he said as he looked at me."At least you should travel in the afternoon, Aze," said Lucas.

"Is the father all right?" "Was Lucas the one who brought him to the hospital?”

"That's not what the woman said."

“Woman?” With a frown, I said.Isn't it referring to its income? And why would Papa suddenly become dizzy when he is so strong, unless his alteration was exacerbated by anger?But why? Who is the woman he made money with, or is she the same woman who made the father run to the hospital? Are they the same or different?