Chapter 2

I am currently in Ma'am Santos' office to review our MTAP. It's a bit of a hassle because after this week the competition will take place. It's scary sometimes but if there are lessons that we review come out, maybe we have a chance to get into the Division Level.

I am with Chelsea and Clifford. Our seats are far away but the two seem to never stop teasing each other. If I hadn't been here maybe they would have shouted all day long.

Shut up, Cliff," Chelsea said, annoyed. Her forehead was already furrowed because Clifford had been annoying her.

"Ms. Pretty Nerd," he teased with a smirk.

"Atleast, my crush praised me," Chelsea replied that make Clifford's silent.

The door of the office opened so I looked there. A woman suddenly peeked out who I think was the same age as ours.

"Cheska." Chelsea approached the woman named Cheska. She's my classmate.

"Hello, did I disturb you?" She asked, smiling. She diverted her gaze and looked at me. "Hi, Jane."

"Hi."

"Come on, Cheska." Clifford invited her but Cheska just shook her head and declined. I just packed my things to go home. Ma'am doesn't let us in our classes this morning until this afternoon because of the review.

"No thanks. I'll just pass something to Ma'am Santos."

I notice that someone stopped infront of me. I looked at it and saw Cheska smiling at me.

"Jane, we're group mates in our English subject reporting," she said. 

" Ah, I thought, we're excuse?"

" The other members don't want to report tomorrow, and I'm afraid that I can't make it just by myself. So... I ahm, need a help."

"They're also the one who bought the materials so, I cant no to them." she smiled with hope as she looked at me.

I just nodded and smile back at her. She smiled widely to my response.

"Thank you," she mumbled. "I will send to you the details for our report." 

"Okay, no prob," I slightly smiled to eased the awkwardness.

She's grade-concious, I must say. She can balance her studies and social life. She's one of the popular students here. She left while a smile plastered on her face.

"Cheska's really beautiful," Clifford commented thst made us looked at him.

" And we're lucky to have a friend like her," Chelsea seconded. " I can't understand why Zaine won't confess. We knew what's he's feelings for Cheska."

" Zaine has his tactics."

" Yeah?" 

" Wait and see." Clifford glanced at Chelsea while smirking.

" Jane." I looked at them when they called me.

"Do you want to come?" Chelsea asked whileClifford's waiting for my answer.

" No, thanks. I'm full."

" Sure?" 

" Yes," I smiled to her. They both go outside to eat while I'm roaming here on my own. Paintings were surrounding this place. It's pleasing to the eyes and one of those painting las a mosaic design thats one of my favorite.

It gives chills to me as I looked at these.

I stopped when I notice something caught my attention. It's a picture of a man on his early-50's. It was aligned with the other school officials. He's wearing a tux and no emotions can be seen on his face.

The door swang open and Ms. Santos entered the room.

"Jane, where's your other partners?" She asked as she takes her seat.

" They're in the canteen ma'am."

"Okay." 

She's been busy finding some things on her drawer. I want to asked her to what's the man in the picture, being in one of the school officials.

"Ah, ma'am. Can I asked a question?" She looked at my direction when she heard me.

"Go ahead," she muttered.

"Is that man, one of the officials of this school?" I pointed the picture with the man I'm talking about.

"That's Mr. Joaquin Valdez. He's one of the shareholders of this school." I was stunned as what my teacher said. 

One of the shareholders? 

" I thought you knew him because you have both the same surname." 

I know him. He's my dad.

" No, I d-don't know him." I just went silent the whole time as my teacher told me about that information.

Does he know that I'm studying here?

I bet, he knew.  I'm in Davao right now and they're in Manila. 

Our teacher dismissed us early. She knows that we need to refresh our minds for the upcoming competition. It's perfectly fine for me because I didn't finish yet my reviewers and answer sheets.

I passed Aling Dahlia stall again but did not approach her. I even saw the guy who bumped me and ask for my number yesterday.

I just shook my head. Why am I thinking of that man? Obviously he did not grow up here. I walk my way to school and when I get home. It's not far though. Just about 7 minutes walk. And one more thing, I can still exercise.

I bought slice bread and peanut butter at a bakery I passed by. This is Grandma's favorite and it is always our snack. Maybe Aunt Gisselle hasn't come home yet. No one is with grandma now.

When I arrived at our small house, I saw a fancy car parked opposite the house. Who's car is this? Is this Tita's boss?

I entered and saw a man sitting behind me while he's talking with grandma. I don't know but my heartbeat rapidly beat that it's normal.

"Jane, you're already here," said grandma. Only then did the man in the suit look at me seriously.

"Dad..."

"My daughter, I've been looking for you." he said in a serious voice. "I think, you have enough time to enjoy your simple life now."

How did he find me?

"I want to stay with grandma, dad. Please, don't do this to me." I was nervous about what he might do if I didn't agree to go home with him. My hands are trembling and my lips as well. I saw that checking me out.

"Your mother wants to see you, Jane." I was stunned by what it said. It's really impossible for her to care fo me. They never need me. 

"I don't want to go, Dad." I answer seriously. "I don't want to be a daughter you want me to be. I want to pursue my dream."

"You can't do that, Jane. You're a Valdez and a heiress." tumayo si Dad kaya unti-unti akong napalayo.

"You can't do that, Jane. You're a Valdez and a heiress." Dad stood up so I slowly moved away.

"Come with me."

"No, dad." I refuse. "Please, give me some time."

Dad stared at me. The seriousness in his eyes was evident, as if he was deep in thought and eventually he sighed while staring at me as if I am a prey.

"Fine. After you graduate, I will come back here and take you."

" Bu—"

"No buts, my daughter." Je approached me and gave me a kiss on the forehead. Now he just did it to me. Since our business grew, they have been busy and there is no time for me and my siblings to be with us.

"I'm sorry, my baby." I suddenly hugged him. For a moment I hugged my daddy again.

"Thank you dad." I released from the hug. He looked at me and smiled slightly.

"Okay, I'll go. Take care of her, Flores." Grandma just nodded, this signaled that dad would leave.

I just sat down because of what happened. Dad already knows where I am. He gave me time to stay in my simple life. I don’t know what will happen next. Is it good for me or bad?

I felt Grandma Flores approach me. She just gave me a smile and hugged me. I hugged hee back while there was a heavy burden on my heart.

"Your father just wants you to be safe, Jane. I'm sorry if I told him that."

"You were the one to tell him?" I let go of her embrace. I don't know how I will feel because of what I found out. At an early age, I was separated from my family because I wanted to be free from them. I want to get out of their control over me. I feel like I was just a puppet to them, so I was so scared when I saw Dad.

"He knew your situation from the first day you lost. He knew where you are. No parent can let their child, hija. Even if they are far from you and do not show that they are worried, I know they are. "

"Why is that, grandma? They weren't like that to us before. They don't control their own child in what they want to do."

"Parents are different when it comes to love, Jane. Maybe your parents show different things, but inwardly, always remember they love you." She explained. "So, after the time you Dad gave to you, come back jome. I know they missed you." I just nodded at what she said.

Maybe, I need my parents too. This simple life is short-lived and I have to face my real life.

*** 

I was in a park near where I lived. It is a bit hidden because it is surrounded by trees. There are street lights installed to be bright enough as well. There are also benches on the side and in the middle of it is a wide lawn that can be trodden.

The stars are beautiful today. They don't lose their luster. Plus the moon is also bright. There are also people hanging out here. Some are friends, some are couple and some are with their family.

I thought of coming here to think. I didn't know my plans after I graduated. Am I really going back to my family? Can I live with them again? Will I be able to face the life that really belongs to me?

Many questions form in my mind. It was so confusing that I no longer knew what to do. It's also hard to keep it to myself, but I have nothing to blame.

Alone in everything. But... I chose this. I choose to be alone, because I know. No one wants to be with me.

Is life that hard? Do I need to struggles to this kind of life? Can't we just have fun? Those with have no problems?

I just sighed with that thought.

I heard shouting. I looked at the side, there were bunch of students who were just laughing while eating some street foods. They're fun to look at. They seem to be no problem as they enjoy the moment they're with each other. 

One of them looked at me, and it was Cheska. The girl who went to Ms. Santos' office earlier. She even looked surprised to see me.

She smiled at me and immediately approached me. I couldn't move as I saw her other friends also followed her towards my direction. I don't know what to do.

"Hi, Jane!" She greeted as she sat down next to me and all I could do was look at what he was doing.

"Why are you alone?"

"A-ah, just ventilating." I was suddenly taken aback by their approach. I do not know them all.

"Hi, Jane!" I also saw Chelsea and Clifford and behind it were two other men who were just smiling at me.

"So, do you want to join us?"

"Ah, no," I answered with a no gestures. I really can't afford to be with them.

"Don't be shy anymore," I stood up when Cheska dragged me and put her arm around my arms.

"Nathan, where's Zaine?" Cheska asked. This is the man behind Chelsea. He's a moreno and his hair is well organized. He seems like a kpop artist with that style. He has pointed nose in real especially since I could clearly see him up close. 

"I don't know." he replied. I turned to the man when he spoke.

"There, he's with a woman, talking." the man next to him pointed.

Cheska looked at it so I turned to that direction. There was a man behind us and he was talking to a woman. Maybe this is the Zaine they are talking about.

"Luke, let's just eat." Cheska's arm loose on me ine as she approached the man next to Nathan.

"You're just jealous," he replied mischievously to Cheska. Cheska just shrugged by what the friend said.

"Why should I be jealous?" I laughed softly at what Cheska said. Maybe he likes her friend named Zaine based on her answer.

"Jane," I turned to the man named Nathan. I smiled at him as he held out his hand. "Nathaniel Wayne Salazar." I accepted its hand.

"Jane Valdez."

I instantly let go of his hand. He just laughed.

"Nice to meet you, Jane. Don't be shy." Someone suddenly walked over to Nathan. He was Luke whom Cheska called earlier.

"Hey there, Jane. I'm Luke." He also reached out so I accepted. I also introduced myself to him. Luke is also a moreno just like Nathan. He has narrow eyes and long hair similar to other Japanese.

"How are you related to Mr. Valdez?" It's a question that made me stunned.

"W-who is that?"

"Ah, my dad's friend. I thought you knew him. You have the same last name." I just nodded at what he said. I'm not sure if he refers to my dad but I just didn't ask.

"Guys, there's still a fishball here." Someone suddenly shouted at our behavior.

"Zaine's really noisy." shook Nathan said. I looked at the side he was looking at and was immediately taken aback.

There was a sudden thud inside me. It's so fast that I think I can have trouble breathing. The way he walks was like in a slow motion. The wind is blowing his dishevealed hair but the looks his giving me felt surreal. Only now have I felt this way.

He came close to us and my were just for him. I could not take my eyes off it as he approached us.

"Hey." I was only taken back when our eyes met. "Nice to meet you. I'm Zaine."

"Jane V-valdez. Nice to meet you too." I said with a slight smile.

Cheska approached me and clung to my arm again. I notice she's very clingy, but not too much.

"She's our new friend, guys." She said smiling. He just smiled at me as he give me a bottle of fishball. My hands are trembling as I reach for it. I don't what's really into me. And that smile, melted something in me.