Chapter 3

I silently followed Tita Elizabeth. Only the sound of her shoes could be heard between the two of us. Her posture was still good as before. Still beautiful despite her age. The jewelry attached to her body screams luxury.

"Come in," she said in a formal voice. I quickly looked inside. I think this is her office. He pointed to the long sofa. "Sit down." I can do nothing but to obey her orders.

She took some papers and started reading it. Her brows were perfectly shaped while her lips were on red shade, her typical self. I just let her do what she was doing. I didn't dare to break the silence. After what I felt like a decade, she put aside what she was reading. She leaned back on the chair and looked at me. "So, how are you?" she asked to my surprise. She raised her eyebrows when I didn't answer right away.

"A-Ahm. I-I'm fine, Tita." Shit.

"I heard that you graduated college by yourself. Tell me, why didn't you touch the money that Anton was giving?"

Really? Why was she asking that now? Dad didn't even mention it earlier.

"I'm not worthy of it," I shortly answered.

I saw her grin. "It's good that you know. You left home on your own so you don't have to expect any more help from us. But your father loves you so much. I'm against it but there's nothing I can do."

I know that thing. One of the reasons why I didn't touch the money that Dad gave because there were two people who doesn't like that idea. "Don't worry Tita. I didn't take even a penny. You can take it if you want." I tried my best to control my tone but the bitterness still didn't go beyond her hearing. I felt grateful though that she didn't pay attention to it.

"I don't need it. Besides that's just a small sum of money." Of course it's just a small amount to her compared to the money stored in her bank accounts. "Anyway, I didn't invite you here to talk about the past." She stood up and walked to the glass window, looking at the view of the hacienda.

"Though you're degree isn't connected to any of the family's affairs, I want you to help me in the Capitol. You know I have my own business so I can't focus too much on running the town. Don't worry, Koko will assist you until you learn."

"How about the hacienda?"

"It's up to Samantha to run the hacienda. She's more devoted than anyone."

I nodded softly even though she couldn't see me. I agree with everything she had said. Now that Dad was in this condition, we have to help each other to take care of the things he left behind for the time being.

"Do you have a question?" She turned to me.

"No, Tita."

"Then you can leave. Get some rest for now."

I nodded before finally leaving her office. I was about to close the door when she called me again. I turned and saw her staring at me. "Tita?" I woke her up.

She heaved a deep sigh. "Welcome home."

It's late at night but I still couldn't sleep. I was just rolling around in my bed. I got up and got a cold water from my mini fridge. I was stunned earlier when I entered my room. It's renovated and fully furnished. It also expanded because the adjacent guest room was included. Fully equipped and very clean. When I asked a maid earlier who fixed my room, she said that it was Tita Eliza.

Carrying the glass of water, I headed to the terrace of my room. The evening wind blew. From here, you can see the lights that are on in every hut in the hacienda. I sat on the edge of the terrace while I'm in deep thought. I never expected this kind of treatment especially from Tita Eliza. She isn't kind to me but she's not rude either. Far different from how she treated me before. She was not the typical step mom who wastes money here and there. She does not interfere with Dad's money because she has her own. And above all, she loves my father so much. That's all I was holding on to when I left. That even though I'm no longer here to take care of my father, I know that he's still in good hands.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the giant stars. Somehow, everything's running smoothly. My only problem was Samantha. She's ahead of me for 2 years.I didn't see her all day because she was doing a lot of work in the hacienda. I wonder if she was still the same as before.

In the middle of my thoughts, a cold and shivering electricity runs down my spine, causing the tiny hair on my nape and arms perked up.

Ever since I was young, I have these high senses. And it was sharpened even more with the trainings I went through. I looked around in the dark. Someone's watching me. I stood up and walked to the other side of the terrace. A strong wind blew in the direction I was facing. I kept looking at the darkness in front of me. I know that someone's hiding in the darkness.

I remembered when I was a child, I often hang out here. The stars and the moon were the witnessed to the pains I went through before. I always cry and vent out my anger here. And there was always, always watching me from afar. And now that I'm back, things were still the same. The only difference was that the stares I get now felt heavier and intense.

I shrugged. I don't care who this person is anymore. I have no intention of finding out. I turned to go inside but I immediately stopped when I heard a low growl. I was stunned for a few seconds before turning in the direction I was looking at earlier. I don't know if I was just hallucinating but I saw a pair of sharp eyes shone from the dark. I stepped back. The piercing golden eyes were looking at me, intently.

What the...

I even heard a hissed before those eyes gradually disappeared into the darkness. I was left speechless as I listened to the fast and heavy footsteps running away in the woods. I took the glass and quickly entered the room. I locked the door and sat on the bed. Are there somehow wild animals here in the hacienda?

I woke up early the next day. Manang Rosing was currently cooking breakfast when I went to the kitchen. "You woke up early, hija." She commented. "We haven't finished cooking yet."

"It's okay. I'm really used to waking up early." I explained. "I'll help you."

"Oh, sure please," she said half laughing. Manang Rosing's three companions were looking at me. I smiled at them while they shyly smiled back. I was frying some bacon when Manang spoke. "I still can't believe you're here again. You've grown into a beautiful lady," she said while looking at my whole appearance. I was only wearing a short and loose shirt and thin slippers on my feet. It's simple because I'm just at home. "You're so beautiful now, Lauren. Gone the thin and cry baby I know before," she laughed. I can still hear the hidden laughter of our companions here in the kitchen. Was I that pitiful back then? I just laughed.

"Where's Samantha? What time did she come home last night?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Samantha comes home every morning. I don't know about that kid. She tires herself too much. Lately, she hardly even comes home anymore."

"She's sleeping in the hacienda?" I asked with a frown.

Manang Rosing nodded. "Your father had a cabin built on the other side of the hacienda for her. That way, it will not be difficult for your sister to come here to the house and back to her work."

So Samantha really took over the lead on handling the hacienda. Tita Eliza was the only one I had breakfast with. While we were eating, she said that Koko was coming over to show me around the Capitol and train me in the jobs there. I went back to the room and got dressed. After that, I went to Dad's room. I caught up with Sherly who was coming out of the door.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Sir Anton is sleeping," she said when she saw me.

I frowned. "Has he eaten yet?"

"He said he didn't feel like it."

I peeked into Dad's room when Shirley left. He was facing the door. I just saw him yesterday and I think he has lost more weight. The area around his eyes were also darkening. I closed the door softly. It can't be like this. I need to find a doctor who can cure him. I don't want to think about the possibilities but I don't want to be left alone. I shook my head to get rid of the negative thoughts that's running through my head.

When I went down to the living room, I found Koko sitting on the sofa while poking at his cellphone. He was even grinning like crazy. He was wearing jeans and a polo shirt which he just roll up the sleeves.

"It's still early but you're already flirting." I said, getting his attention.

Hey," he said laughing.

"And who are you flirting with again?"

He chuckled. "Nothing. Just my girlfriend."

I rolled my eyes.

"How's yesterday? Didn't get into trouble?" He asked when we were in the car.

"Well, everything went fine." Somehow.

"That's good," he said nodding. Koko introduced me to the Capitol employees. There were others who know me and are happy that I am back but they were saddened by what happened to my Dad. Throughout the day, Koko guided me to the various activities of the Capitol. Meetings, business decisions, reviewing the monthly and annual budget, the capital expenditures, so on and so forth. Most of my time was spent reviewing business proposals and signing documents.

I sighed. My father's job was too tough.