Chapter 2

2

Lana’s POV

Winter has been welcomed and all of the aurae is jammed with snowflakes. As I walked back to my home from work, I inhaled deeply. I was tired yet motivated but don’t know for how long. Right now, passing by beautiful houses dressed with lights and decors made me purse my lips where my inner self accosted me about my poverty but I blurred out before it gave me a fit.

Today, I was late home because of workload. It’s been so long I haven’t slept peacefully. I just wish to sleep a whole day without worrying about our financial crisis. It’s depressing to wake up with the thought of no longer supplies left. I’m no longer born yesterday kiddo, Our hurdles made me older than my age. I have a school in the morning and work in the evening. My routine left me no fun. I’m working hard to meet our expenses with my parents. I can’t buy whatever I like, I lame excuse to myself; I lie, I avoid buying unnecessary stuff and save it for my future because only if I’m working passionately it’s for my dream to change into reality.

I reached my home with a war of words in mind, I ignorantly unlocked the door and stepped in. It was pin-drop silence in here like every time, everyone must be asleep by now. I carefully removed my shoes and pitapatted towards my bedroom. I don’t wanna wake them up at 1.

Closing my room’s door; I rested behind it for a while and sighed loudly. I placed my bag on the study table. My eyes catch a glance of itself in the desk mirror.

Oh hell! What the heck is this!? dark circles around my eyes like they own land, skin looked so paled and… and I look at a bag of bones. My brows tightened with vexation. Why am I being so hard on myself?

“I better need a break.” Heard a voice in me

I sighed loudly with my head tilted back and went to the bathroom. I splashed water on my face for continuous 10 seconds but it didn’t help my frustration, “ahh” I groaned and faced the mirror but my anxiety was still the same

  I did my business and jumped into my PJs. I strolled out and fall back to my bed. I was facing the ceiling and staring at it for a long time. I was again lost in my deep mind, I kept myself locked in my brain-cage till It started shouting my failures on me. I didn’t notice that a tear left my eye without my permission. I wiped it off, took a deep breath where I defeated it back and tamed my devils down. My eyes were closed. Overthinking was giving me a hard time. I shook my head and forced myself to fall into darkness of eternity.

It took me a few minutes but I managed to dive in

_______________________________

Next Morning

6:15 AM 

*alarm buzzing*

My visions blurred out and a screechy voice took over, it was wake up dead call,

“Ahh!” I whined under my pillow “not now!,” my voice came out as groggy as I soliloquy in frustration. Grant me a break! Why can’t I have a day off from everything and live like normal kids? My life is so boring, I never had picnic day with my family or… or night-overs with my friends. All of them are so lucky, They have nothing to worry about, so why not me? All they worry about is what to wear, what to eat and I, getting ready for my school then billing people’s groceries.

I grumbled in a low voice. My head was still spinning, I wanna sleep more. I closed my eyes and let my slumber destroy 10 mins of my future but as I said, I’m not allowed to live like normals; my alarm buzzed again and I knee-jerked my hand to it.

With an immense amount of courage, I gingerly opened my eyes; to avoid headache but not a chance, that pinching sunlight caught my eyes and made me squint, It will blind me off someday.

I got up with a puff out and sat on my bed for a minute. I rubbed my eyes then cupped my face with my hands. I stood up like a dead-zombie and poodled to the bathroom, attended my nature call and did my morning routine, “Morning again” I parroted to myself,

Just in my same dead-zombie style, I went to the closet, quickly scanned it whole, and took a simple black tee with blue skinny jeans and white sneakers. Even these simple clothes look classy on me I thought to myself while eyeing in the mirror. I observed some requirements on my face need to be done. I unzipped my mini-makeup box and put some balm on my lips, cream on my face and here I’m ready to go.

I went downstairs and saw my parents in the kitchen, laughing and helping each other. This is so sweet, I always dream to have the love of my life like my dad, he’s so caring and loving to his wife; my mum. Watching them together always optimizes me to keep my standards high, I'm surely not a person who'd settle for less. Even if my house faced poverty didn't mean that we were poor in everything, we had love as our strength and hope. And to change my family's circumstances, I decided to work in such a small age, despite repeatedly I debated with my dad regarding this but he never wanted me to work and extremely objected it though, but I being the other side of the coin was stubborn enough to work hard and save money for the future. Also, to be responsible in the terms of finances for any tomorrow. How long will I remain dependant on my parents?

“Sweetheart, I see you’re awake!” My dad exclaimed happily.

“Yes dad, just leaving soon, I have an important class” I politely replied him with a fake smile and hands rubbing each other to counterbalance with the cold temperature

“Hey hey hey, slow down my little munchkin. Actually mommy and I have something to share with you, can we?” he asked unnecessarily asked my permission which he already knew the answer. The suspense only heightened my nervousness

“um yeah sure,” I gulped

“We know baby how tired you’re and you have been for a quite long time actually, trust us, mommy and I see it all and we deeply care for you as you're our first daughter, you are my ray of hope" He assured me their love with his motivational pitch including his hand reaching to my opposing shoulder and lightly pushing me to interlock in his embrace. When I to completely got into his reach, he continued, "My little darling, We understand your craze for Spain and truly respect it. Even your mommy pleaded me to fulfil your wish. So, we decided to give you guys a trip of Spain on your birthday which is happening this coming winter vacations. I absolutely believe you will love it. ” He delivered those doubtful words to my ears which could certainly give me a critical heart attack, this shouldn't be a prank or a joke because I can't keep up if this is, they know how serious I'm about it. I arched my brows on their statement, knowing that I couldn't believe; they both smiled widely, slightly opposing a grin equally.

Dad tightened his hand around my shoulders and lightly chuckled, I gasped in suspicion “I'm not joking darling, don't give me that look." he kept assuring me but I needed proof to stable my rapid beater, "Since it’s almost a month away, I want you to know to keep focusing on your exams because this is your last year and you have to perform well in order to get the treat,” he informed me, slightly giving me a chance to doubt his previous words. 

This time when he saw my horrific face which was out of colours, he laughed wholeheartedly making mum shook her head in disbelief or was she equally participated in teasing me. I frowned on their behaviours - taking an audible breath frequently. "I'm kidding girl, we will go there no matter what, don't take it on your weak heart!" my mum cleared my confusion and I sighed in relief. 

When I gave mind a time to process, it jumped in happiness, my body acted the same as my feelings. “wait wait wait! Let me process this all, whoa (chuckle), this all is too much to disgust at once, I mean are you serious? Are we going? REALLY!?” I cluttered,

“Yes, we are, silly head?” Mum made sure that I heard it and when I did, I threw my hands in the air like a maniac getting freedom from an asylum,

“Thank you so much mom, dad, I mean… I don’t have words to say how happy and excited I’m already! it’s gonna be the best for sure. You guys are the best thing that happened to me” I screamed,

I embraced both of them once and kissed on their cheeks, making them giggle “YES YES YES, the best day of my life, we are going, we are coming, I’m coming Spain, woohoo,” I chanted and jumped, I saw dad shook him head with a chuckle where I gave mom a wink. I bounded; making my way to the door because I don’t wanna be late, “Goodbye fellas, see you tonight!” I waved at them with bright teeth, they replied back. With that, I walked to school.

All-day, I was smiling to myself, my thoughts were unstoppable. I was too happy that finally, FINALLY. my dream is coming true. I being in Spain, I can’t wait for next weekend. IT’S ALL IS SO GOOD TO BE TRUEEEE!

My 18th birthday in the middle week of June. how am I gonna spend these weeks when I know how badass my coming Mondays are but wait! I need to apply an application for leave. Alright, I’ll do it today so they don’t refuse me later, or I still don’t care if they refuse me, it won't stop me going there. Naah, nothing is precious to me in front of my thing. 

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A month passed

Time was my greatest enemy during this whole month which clearly felt like a century to live. I remember how I had spent every second of it in impatience; studied hard to win dad's assurance that I'm actually way much concerned in going Spain, I had counted days for this day, and finally, the arrived! 

Today’s gonna be the best and most beautiful day of my life, the most awaited moment has arrived and I wish it never goes away, stays like this forever but even the quality time has to fade away, time stops for no one. *sigh* a sad reality of it,

Just packed all of my stuff, some sexy bikinis (it’s gonna be hot, right), some amazing dresses I bought for this trip and my necessaries. My entire family was going and there’s nothing better than this. I stepped towards the lounge where my sight met my kinsfolks. My kiddos fighting over uno and I know as always, Ethan might be cheating again just the way he does every time.

“Mom! It’s not fair, he always cheats and now, he won’t let me touch the cards,” Miley crying her eyes out

“Ethan, again you made your sister cry, apologize to her now! why do you do this to your little sister, my wise one? You know, bad boys misbehave and you are not a bad boy, right?” Mom rebuked him

“But mom, she always makes a fuss, why can’t she be decent,” he counter-questioned,

“What you’ll do is what she will learn. So, it’s up to you whether you mend it or end it. No questioning now. say sorry,” she said authoritatively,

“I’m sorry Mil, but you make a fuss and it’s clear,” mum shushed,

“Hey hey guys, take a chill pill, you both know, how important this day is for me,” I looked down inquiring their eyes,

“Yes Ana, we know, sorry for spoiling,” they both said in unison which made me laugh,

“Oh, cuties it’s alright. Now, we better start putting luggage in the car, guess who doesn’t wanna miss flight?” I made sure, and they both answered.

Our uncle agreed on dropping us to the airport. We inquired about the lock system of our house. Making sure the safety was safe, we headed to the airport. My inner self was on cloud nine. I left my worries behind and took a deep breath on my journey of pursuit of passion.   

We reached the airport in 30 mins. We finally stepped. We headed towards the boarding gates, yay! We got checked-in and guided towards our plane. We arranged our bag-packs in the space bins and settling in our seats before the flight start,

Oh, I’m so excited, I can’t believe I’m already living my dream. Is it true? Am I being in this plane for real? Going to the dream place, why can’t my mind process it, maybe it is so good to be true.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight AA3421 with service from Houston to Madrid. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes’ time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Mountain Airlines. Enjoy your flight.”

The plane took off. This entire flight is going to 12 hrs and 45 mins. I took the window seat; I wanted to see how a beautiful world looks from above. It was all cloudy and several times I saw water downland. We are leaving the water behind and nearing paradise; I checked the time; it was 9:18 AM. 12 Hours is a hell of a time, I mental-pictured

I better take a nap. I closed my eyes and let dreams of sugar overtake me.

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. Local time is 4:42 AM. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign...

On behalf of American Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again in the near future. Have a marvelous day!"

The announcement brought me back to life. My sight was still blurry but I processed our arrival. I peeped down, Spain welcomed me with luminosity.

“Whoaaa…” I felt drugged for a second,

“And FINALLY! WE ARE HERE IN THE GREAT MADRID!” My mind is out of control.

I can’t wait to jump out of the seat and inhale the fresh air of Spain. It must be different here. We collected our bags and exited out. It took a few while to get out. As first as my nose inhales the scent of Spain; my whole body responds to the sensation. My hand turned into fists like I want to hold this right here. My parents saw me living in it. I turned back to see where faces were radiating my intensity.

“Let’s go munchkins, I’m already jet-lagged” dad announced,

We need a taxi for the hotel. We ordered an Uber and it arrived in minutes.  Our destination was the NYX Hotel Madrid. My eyes were glued to the window all the ride. The beauty of Spain was emitting from people till nature, it was just breathtakingly satisfying. no such words that can define my feelings.

As we reached, my eyes were dumbfounded at the sight of a luxurious tall grey-textured building embedded in glass, whoah!It must be lush from within, I told myself as the exterior was portraying the feel. I can sense chills going down on my body. My gosh, this hotel is exquisite, every single detail was worth-noting,; just like heaven to eyes.

The sliding doors opened and we entered the lobby. We booked 2 rooms one for dad/mom and the other one for us. I slept enough in the plane so I wasn’t very sleepy at all. I wanted to explore more but I know it won't. I could get lost in here, so I decided to wander in this enormous building.

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Unkown’s POV

“Jefe, hay una chica en mi ojo, quedándose en una de nuestras habitaciones, se ve sexy. mejor la conseguimos (Boss, there 's a chick piece in my eye, staying in one of our rooms, she looks sexy. we better get her)” I said to Jackson, the asshole.

“¿Tienes alguna foto de comida?? (Do you have any pictures of the meal)?” He asked me,

“Por qué no, mira su escote, me las arreglé para tomarlo mientras ella estaba ocupada (Why not, take a look at her cleavage, I took it while she was busy)” I excitedly handed him the phone,

“Umm se ve sabroso, bueno, mírala y el trato está hecho, ella tiene que estar aquí en 2 semanas (Umm looks tasty, well, eye her and the deal is done, she has to be here in 2 weeks)” he said demandingly

“Considera tu trabajo hecho jefe (consider your work done, boss)”