Since that day happened Isabella tried her best to make things mostly in favor with Nerissa, so she can't think to leave again. She mostly the one to do the house work, while Nerissa would rest inside her room doing what makes her happy. Isabella did everything that might not let Nerissa feel too neglected and unhappy, because she doesn't want her parents' also to worried more for Nerissa. She can't just afford to see her parents hurting when Nerissa leave them, and she herself also get attached to Nerissa, so she wants to avoid that from happening.
"Nerissa?" She put the plastic bags of freshly cooked spaghetti in the kitchen cupboard and walked upstairs. She just came at the store to buy it."I'm at our room, Isabella!" She heard Nerissa answered in the distance. She peeked through the gap at her sister, who is lying comfortably on the bed, taking some selfie."Here, I bought it. Let's eat!" Nerissa immediately put down her phone and sat upright."Wow! It's that spaghetti? Oh, I like it, Isabella. Yeah, come on, sit. Let's eat your spaghetti together." With a big grin on her face Nerissa offered the fork to Isabella also.Isabella can't help but to feel her cheeks warming up and smiled brightly. She's happy that their relationship as a sister is going well."Nerissa?" she said softly. Nerissa raised her head up to look Isabella in the eye."I hope that we stay like this. I mean, I can't ask anymore, because our family already looks perfect." Nerissa fake her smile, as they continued eating and talking about their dreams in life."What do you want in life?" Isabella asked after some other time, when they already done eating all the spaghetti."Well, I just have a simple dream, Isabella. I want to marry a rich man, to be spoiled by wealth, so I can do everything I want!" She replied happily. Her eyes were shining with happiness. It's the opposite of Isabella's shocked reaction. She didn't expect to hear that from Nerissa."Why you look surprised with my answer, Isabella? Oh! I get it. You are the type of girl who wants to put too much hard work and effort first before you get what you desired. And you know, that's so typical of girls nowadays. They don't care if they don't get anything in return.""If I were you, Isabella. I will choose thr easiest way in every decision that you'll make. It's up to you, I just hope that your kindness won't hurt yourself someday." Nerissa smiled weakly, while their conversation made Isabella remained silent."By the way, don't you still need to clean the backyard, Isabella?""Oh. Yeah, right..." Isabella got up from her seat."How about you? Don't you want to go outside? You can watched me cut some plant's leaves." Nerissa shake her head and grabbed her phone again."No, I am fine here," she said, as she lay down on their bed again and turned her back at Isabella who just nod in reply, and walked outside the room to do what she needs to finish before their parents get home.When she can't already feel Isabella's presence she got up from lying again and rolled her eyes. Then she stood from seating and walked towards the window of their room and see Isabella there digging soil and putting some new cut plants there."Arghh! I didn't know until when should I pretend being a good sister to you, Isabella. I just wished to find a very rich man soon, so I can leave in this disgusting life of your family," she said bitterly, while crossing her arms.Meanwhile, the backyard has always been Isabella's favorite place to relax. There's nothing else in that small backyard except her favorite flower beds, that are growing beautifully now. She plucked a rose, which she likes very much and cut a part of it to put it into a new vase. While doing this, she remembered Nerissa's words.She can't deny that it saddened her to hear those kind of words to her sister, but she can't blame her also for having opposite perspective in life, like she does. That is why she decided to not say anything and just keep quiet about everything that Nerissa says, although she can't do anything to hide how sad it had left her, after hearing it from her sister.Weeks passed, their parents both called them and now they're all sitting at the round table with chairs in their living room. It's their Dad who spoke first."We have something to tell you," he started, but it's only Isabella who's paying attention because Nerissa's busy typing something in her phone. So, their mother just continue."We already have enough savings, Isabella. And me and your Dad decided now that you can continue on your study." Isabella was stunned, while it already made Nerissa looked up, her brows started to frown and her jaw clench slightly, making her look like a little lioness ready to pounce."Really, Mom? Dad?" Isabella feels so happy. She really wants to continue her study, to achieve her dreams. And she didn't even expect today that her parents' will tell this surprised."Yes, Isabella. You deserve it, darling. You've been sacrificing a lot lately." Isabella quickly stood up from seating, and hugged her parents. Her smile reached her eyes because of too much happiness, but their laughter were interrupted by Nerissa's sudden outburst from the table, making everyone turn their heads towards her."It's only Isabella who'll go to school?" she yelled angrily from the chair."You don't even consider if I want to study too? I thought we are family here? But look, you are also deciding in favor of your real daughter!" Isabella's Dad stood up."Nerissa, why are you shouting like that at us? We didn't adopt you to spoiled that kind of character." Jio, stated, causing her wife to calm him. Nerissa tried her best to calm herself also, despite the fact that her life is at peace and happier when she's at the orphanage, she just don't want to stay there forever. She needs to be free and do her best to get all she wants, so she needs to pretend more as a good person in this family, because it's a part of her plans."I-I'm sorry, D-Dad..." she wiped her tears. And it even made Isabella pity her. She didn't expect that Nerissa will make it a big deal again, because the last time they talked about this topic, she remembered that she said that she's not interested to study anymore."I... I just also want to study. I want to pursue my dreams of becoming a flight attendant someday. But, I'm wrong, I shouldn't demand it, because you are right, you just adopted me. I am not your real daughter." The room suddenly became so quiet, until Isabella stepped beside Nerissa, as couple of tears also fell down her cheek."Mom, Dad, I will not going to study anymore. Let Nerissa, instead." Her Mom and Dad look at each other for few seconds with a surprised expression.The aroma of Isabella's mother freshly cooked rice hung in the table, with the savory scent of of their favorite dish, as Isabella decided to finally tell what's in her mind this past few days. "Mom, Dad... I just thought, what if I help you with your work?" Isabella said."After all, I believe that I am old enough already, so I can do a lot of things instead of just staying at home. And besides, it would also help with Nerissa's education". Her mother's hand, previously moving rhythmically as she chewed her rice, paused mid-air. It was already evening, and now they were facing each other at the dining table."You better to that," Nerissa whispered but not too loud to made that audible. Her mother looked up from her plate, surprise. Across the table, her father had also stopped eating, his gaze now locked on Isabella. "Help us with our work?" Her father said, and Isabella quickly nodded."Yes, Dad! I've been thinking about this for the past few days. I hope that you will consider my
It's been a month since the accident happened. Flores' home suddenly feels an empty place now. Isabella can't still totally move on from the fact that her parents died, yet another big problem added to her pile. After the burial of her parents', she needs to set aside her grieving so she can find a way to find a solution to their problem. There's no even a little money that's left over by her parents' except the savings that she managed to keep, but it's not even enough to sustain someone's life in a year. Beside that she tried her best to find a job, she even begged to some business persons to accept her no matter how small the salary is, to support Nerissa's education and also for them to survive on their own, since they doesn't have any relatives to help them at all. But there are none that will take a person without any qualifications."Oh my gosh, Isabella! We don't have anything to eat again?" "What should we do now? Look, I am studying. I am walking kilometres away here beca
Isabella slowly opened her eyes, her sight blurry. She looked around to try to clear her vision, but it's unfamiliar, until she heard Nerissa's voice. "N-Nerissa, where are we?" Isabella slowly blinked her eyes a few times to regain her focus. "We are at the hospital, you passed out a while ago. According to doctors it's because of dehydration and starvation," Nerissa explained. Isabella quickly sat up despite feeling weak. "We should go now, we doesn't have anything to pay here!" she stated urgently. "But Isabella —""Listen to me, Nerissa. If we stay here more, we can't afford the bills and for sure if we failed to pay this hospital we will put in jail!" "Isabella, we don't need to—" Isabella still ignored Nerissa's words and started to remove the IV needle from her arm, but before she could get out from bed totally a woman appeared in front of her."Dear, you shouldn't move! Your body needs proper rest," the woman spoke softly. "Madam, I told her that, but Isabella's really s
"Welcome to Villanueva's mansion, Isabella and Nerissa," Ms. Cynthia said, smiling sweetly. "Come in," Mateo gestured towards the mansion. Isabella nodded. She's actually really hesitated to accept the suggestion of Mateo. She's really ashamed, but she knows that they will need every kind of help now. "Isabella? Why are you still standing there? Come on! It's the start of our new life, I am so excited!" Nerissa grabbed Isabella's hand. "Nerissa, we are going to work here as maid. We shouldn't take advantage of their kindness." But Nerissa wasn't listening at all, instead she also followed inside without even helping Isabella to carry their luggage."Wow! That's really huge!" The mansion was enormous; it looked like a palace. The floors were shiny white marble, the stairs curved up with intricate designs carved into them, and the chandeliers seemed endless. Before the grand staircase, there are two people wearing maid's uniform."Good morning, Ma'am and Sir!" They greeted politely.
"It's all you fault, Isabella. I shouldn't cleaning here now if only you didn't push your idea to Mateo's mother to be one of their maids," Nerissa sighed as she swept the floor in the kitchen, while Isabella is preparing herself to do some of the work at the mansion's garden. "I can't avoid thinking now, if you really want me to suffer from the life that we have." Isabella feel guilty. "Nerissa, I am sorry. But we can't just live here like a princess. We owe Villanueva family big time. Besides, I still want to continue finding a job, so soon enough we can also stand by our own feet.""And until when before someone hire you, knowing that you didn't even graduate at any degree?" No matter what Isabella said, it was impossible for her sister not to think that way. "If you already feel tired you can just leave that work there and I will just do it later, okay?" "Really?!" A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, as you wish! Then, I'll just familiarize myself more in this m
"Hey, Isabella…" His soft and husky voice made her blush even harder. She could only stare at him, as she tried to control her heartbeat and breathing."Sorry, Mateo." She turned her gazed at something. She really doesn't expect that as the door he will see him still not putting any clothes on the top of his body. She feel so embarrassed now, that it feels like she wants to be swallowed by the ground. "But Aunt Cynthia just asked me to check on you. She says that I should also remind you about the meetings in your company. She also goes first. She thinks that you might be sleeping until now because you seems exhausted the other night." Isabella's heart skipped a beat."Oh, yeah. Well I'm sorry for taking up all your time, Isabella. But thanks for informing me." Isabella's now at the kitchen, helping Rose and Dalia to fix some things there, while Nerissa's watching a television at the living room, while her hand's lazily wiping the top of the table in front of her. "You seems quite,
"Really? Then, grab it already, Isabella," Rose exclaimed cheerfully behind her, while she's putting the groceries inside the fridge and freezer. Nerissa's who's just got from her room after changing her clothes heard all what they're talking about. "What? Mateo's asking you do be his secretary, Isabella?" She walked towards them, with Dalia close behind her. "Yes, Nerissa. Sir. Mateo offered that to your sister. I think, he doesn't want Isabella to get tired finding a job," Dalia replied and then turned to look at Nerissa who's controlling her brows not to draw together. "But who knows, Sir. Mateo's still have more reasons than that," Rose said meaningfully. "What do you mean?" Nerissa asked. Rose, smirked. She can sense from Nerissa's tone that she doesn't like what she's hearing. She can't even forget how many tantrums did Nerissa said while they're at the market a while ago. "Nerissa, we've been living here with Sir. Mateo for so long. We knew him very much. He really seems i
"Are you alright?" Mateo asked Isabella, she's just done dressing herself up after what happened at the pool. Nerissa is still inside their room who's still furious because of her ruined plan to get Mateo's attention, but it's of course unbeknownst to Isabella."Yes, I'm fine now, Mateo." After sometime, Mateo's mother rushed towards them. "My gosh, Isabella dear, Mateo told me what happened. Are you and Nerissa's fine? Mateo also told me that you doesn't want to go at the hospital too to ensure that everything's well." Isabella nodded in agreement. "Thank you for your concerned Aunt Cynthia. But me and Nerissa is really fine. We are thankful that Mateo came in time and save us." Ms. Cynthia nodded in understanding, then she looked around seems finding someone. "Where's Nerissa?" she asked. "She's still in our ro fixing herself, Aunt." Mateo's mother sighed, her brows wrinkled slightly."Why did she even go near the pool if she doesn't know how to swim? Look what happened, you almo