Chapter 2

TWO WEEKS AGO

"Sister!" a shout caught Eleanor's attention while she was arranging her goods. She looked towards the voice, her smile widening when she saw her four-year-old younger brother with their father.

"We're here to fetch you, Sister," her younger brother said. She smiled, approached them, and ruffled their hair.

"Oh, what you really mean is you want me to buy your favorite dish for dinner," Eleanor replied, chuckling.

"He's been crying since we got home from the farm, saying he wanted to fetch you, so we couldn't stop him," her father explained.

LIFE WAS DIFFICULT but happy for Eleanor, her father, and her younger brother. They managed to get by day by day. Eleanor didn't go to college and instead chose to work in the market after graduating from high school.

Her father was a farmer on Don Constantino's land, so at least they didn't have to worry about food.

The only thorn in their side was her youngest younger brother's frequent illnesses.

"Sister, buy me hotdog," her younger brother requested.

"Oh, you really should be eating nutritious food," she commented.

"You don't wuv me," he said, even turning his back as if sulking.

"Okay, okay! Fine, but you'll also eat vegetables, okay?" she ensured. The child nodded, now with a wide smile.

IT WAS NIGHT and the three of them had finished dinner. Eleanor was about to sleep when she noticed her younger brother seemed to be trembling. She immediately called her father and approached the youngest.

"Leon!" Leon was very hot, pale, and trembling.

"Leon! Leon!" she called her younger brother again because he was blinking and about to close his eyes.

Eleanor felt so much anxiety while Leon was being rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival, the child was immediately attended to and taken to the emergency room.

The father and daughter paced back and forth, restless, while waiting for the doctor to come out.

After a while, the doctor came out, so she immediately approached, as did her father.

"Doc, how is my child?" Mang Elias immediately asked.

"Doc, what happened?"

"Let's all calm down and be composed with what I'm about to say," the doctor said, first trying to calm the two down.

"For now, he's fine and resting, but we need to conduct tests such as blood tests (CBC), bone marrow biopsy, and other laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis," the doctor explained at length.

"Thank God he's okay," the father said gratefully, as if he only heard the first part of what the doctor said.

"Diagnosis for what, Doc?" Eleanor asked.

"I'll be direct, Miss. The child possibly has leukemia." The eyes of both father and daughter widened.

"And if that's the case, we'll need a significant amount for treatment," the two felt as if heaven and earth had fallen on them upon hearing this.

Leukemia, that was also what caused their mother's death.

Mang Elias couldn't stop sobbing. Eleanor immediately hugged her father. "We won't abandon Leon, Tay!" she said amidst sobs.

AFTER THE TESTS were done, it was confirmed that Leon had leukemia, so the father and daughter were filled with worry.

Eleanor worked double shifts to pay for her younger brother's treatment, but she also knew that no matter what she did, what she earned here in the province wouldn't be enough.

"Oh, El, the best thing to do is ask Don Constantino for help. I heard he helps, especially in situations like that," said a vendor who knew what she was going through.

THAT NIGHT, she immediately informed her father of the plan, but he answered with a scolding.

"Don't you ever go near that old man. I know how he thinks. You'll just be in danger."

"I'll also work double shifts, anak, we can get Leon treated," her father said consolingly, even though he knew it was unlikely that Leon could be treated if they only relied on their two salaries.

She thought of a way all night. She was very afraid that what happened to their mother might happen to her younger brother. So before she even closed her eyes, she knew what she would do.

THE NEXT MORNING, she woke up early to catch her father who was leaving early for the farm.

"I'm going to Manila, Tay!" she immediately announced.

The father didn't answer immediately, when she felt that he would object, she spoke again.

"I love Leon so much, Tay, we both know we can't afford the treatment in this kind of living situation. Please, Tay! I can't bear to lose Leon." There, her tears flowed.

The father had no choice but to agree. That day was also her supposed trip. She entrusted Leon to her father, telling him not to neglect him, as well as himself. Her father told her to be careful. And that he also loved her very much.

IT WAS THREE IN THE AFTERNOON when she was in front of Don Constantino's mansion. This was the way she could think of, and if she couldn't get help here, she would immediately go to Manila.

"Hija, come in!" the housekeeper opened the gate for her and let her in.

"You're lucky that the Don is here now," she said as they walked inside.

She looked around, the Don was really very rich. Hopefully he could help her.

"Oh? What does a beautiful woman need from me," the Don greeted when they finally faced each other. He was sitting in front of the table and smoking.

"G-good afternoon po, sir," she greeted.

"I came here, hoping if I could ask for a little help," the young woman said directly.

The Don stood up, looking at her from head to toe. He was not yet satisfied and even went around while carefully examining Eleanor.

Although uncomfortable, the young woman couldn't do anything. She just forced herself to be calm and wait for his answer.

"You're beautiful. With just a little fix, you're already worth millions..." the Don commented in a whisper that made her raise an eyebrow and she didn't understand, but she also ignored it.

"What help do you need?" the Don asked before sitting back in his seat.

"F-for my younger brother's treatment, po," she answered straight away.

The Don was inhaling tobacco and exhaled before answering again.

"Sure, no problem," he said that made Eleanor's eyes widen, in her mind, 'Don Constantino is really kind'.

"But, you'll work for me," he added.

In great joy, Eleanor held the Don's hand and thanked him so much, "I will do everything for my younger brother, thank you very much," she said that made the Don smile,

—a devilish smile.