She scanned the surroundings of the place. It had been a long year since she left her grandmother's house, taken away by her parents to her father's province.
During college, she chose to move to Manila and convinced her parents to buy a condo unit for her. They hesitated, being protective of their only daughter, but she stood firm.She promised her parents she wouldn't marry early, focusing on growing their business. Her mother, with Chinese heritage, wisely invested and expanded their wealth instead of merely letting it sleep.Her grandparents warmly welcomed them. They raised her while her parents worked abroad, establishing a home and business before bringing her back.Her grandparents were kind, and she obediently followed their wishes. Her uncle, her mother's younger brother, used to take her to school. He now had his own family, but his house was conveniently close to her grandmother's, so he often visited."Maine, my grandchild!" Her grandmother embraced her tearfully."How have you been? We've missed you so much," her grandfather said."There, maybe that child will behave better here!" her mother teased. "Bring the bags inside!" she ordered the household staff."Is it true what happened? That's why you look so thin," her grandmother remarked. "Come inside."They all entered the house. Nothing changed except for the gleaming new furniture illuminated by the light."I'll just rest for a bit," she bid them farewell. "The journey was tiring.""Oh, sure, your room is still the same as before. We just had it fixed up a bit, hoping that one day, you'll come back here." Her grandfather replied."Mommy, I'll go upstairs," she informed her mother and kissed her cheek. She hugged her father."Alright, dear, just rest," her father replied.She didn't wait for her mother's response, knowing she wasn't one for sentimentalities. Her mother disliked unnecessary drama, and she had never seen her cry. Sometimes, she thought her mother had a heart of stone.Upon opening the door, she noticed the fresh paint inside. The bed was bigger now, but her stuffed toys and belongings were still there.She remembered the day her parents took her away, crying because she wasn't used to being separated from her grandparents. Her mother only requested to have her with them, but that was the last time she saw her grandparents, communicating with them only through video calls.There was a picture of her with her grandmother on the wall. Another photo included her Uncle Sandro. There was one more person in the picture, someone she couldn't quite remember.Memories flooded her mind from the time she could recall in that place.*************"Sure, let me provide a translation:"Uncle, please take me," she requested to Sandro, "I might be late.""Just take a tricycle, Maine, you're already grown up. I still have work to do.""I'll tell grandma on you," she threatened."Maine!" he intervened, "stop it. Mommy will scold me because of you again."A car honked nearby."Oh, Sandro ,are you teasing Maine again?" he said to both of them."Uncle Demitri, uncle Sandro won't take me to school," she complained to him."Why won't he take you? You're so mean, Sandro. Pity the princess of uncle Demitri, come baby, I'll take you.""Really?" Maine, who was only ten years old, lit up."Of course, we're not getting along with Sandro," he said, opening the passenger seat."I don't understand you two. Demi, you don't have a job!" Sandro retorted."How's school?" he asked her."Okay, you know, Tito, there's a kid bullying me because they say I look Chinese.""What did you do?""I punched him. I wanted uncle to come with me so he'd know someone is defending me, but he won't take me.""Then let me be the one to accompany you!""Really?""Yes, after all, I'm also your uncle, right."**************"Ah, his name is Demitri," she said to herself." Where is he now?" then she put back the frame on the table."I'll take you home with your daddy," her mother suddenly appeared at her grandmother's house when she was just ten years old.Her parents' business was already thriving when she was brought back. According to her grandmother, her parents got married at a young age, and she was only allowed to be taken if they had something to be proud of. Her Chinese mother had established several successful businesses, while her Filipino father owned farms and plantations.Her mother's parents opposed the situation because, firstly, she was already engaged to someone else, secondly, they disapproved of her father, and thirdly, her parents were still studying.Against her maternal grandparents' wishes, they agreed to be together, but a condition was set that her mother would leave the house with her father after giving birth, leaving her behind.They accepted the agreement, fearing they would be disowned by her mother's family if they didn't.Her father worked hard to provide for the family and educate Madeline. He was treated as a worker, not a son-in-law. However, her grandmother emphasized that he should not neglect Madeline's mother.One morning, Madeline and I faced each other in the living room. She had just finished fourth grade."Madeline, please don't take away my grandchild. I'll be left alone." Her grandmother pleaded."Māmā, wǒmen lǚxíngle yǔ wǒ pèi'ǒu de xiéyì, xīwàng nín yě néng lǚxíng nín de chéngnuò." her mother said."Pèro háizǐ, pàigāi wǒ zěnme bàn ne?" her grandma cried out loud."Zhè shì wǒmen de xiéyì, māmā. Nín xūyào lǚxíng. Wǒmen yǐjīng rěnshòule hěn zhǎng shíjiān méiyǒu wǒmen de háizi.""Enough with the Chinese," her father intervened. "Mom, we need our child to be with her siblings.""You have other children, why don't you just leave Jermaine with me? I'll take care of her.""Mom, do you want us to take this to court? We have an agreement, remember?"Her grandmother couldn't hold back her tears. Her mother was indeed something else – unyielding, even to family, not sparing even a mother.She stepped out of the house to observe. Much has changed in their area over the more than ten years of her absence. The once abundant trees in the surroundings have diminished, replaced by buildings and houses. Several subdivisions have also sprung up in the area.It's a beautiful transformation. The muddy road they used to take to school when it rained is now paved.Many children there are unfamiliar to her. Some passersby glance at her, perhaps wondering who she is.A group of women passed by and stopped in front of her."Maine?" The one greeting her seemed hesitant."Yes? Do I know you?" She asked. The others laughed."Silly, it's me, Emilie."Her face lit up. She suddenly felt happy, seeing a familiar face."OMG, you look gorgeous," she hugged her old friend."I've been looking for you on social media, couldn't find you.""I'm not active, my profile is hidden," she replied."Monique and Elise, they're our friends too.""You all look beautiful," she smiled at them. They've all blo
As Maine lay on her bed, a wave of emptiness washed over her. The room felt suffocating, and her thoughts were consumed by memories of her cheated boyfriend. She couldn't help but replay the promises he had made, the words that had once held so much meaning.She remembered the way he had looked into her eyes, his voice filled with sincerity as he vowed to always be faithful. She had believed him, trusted him with her heart. But now, those promises felt like distant echoes, shattered by his betrayal.Tears welled up in Maine's eyes as she thought about the moments they had shared, the dreams they had built together. It was painful to realize that it had all been a lie, that the love she had invested so deeply in had been taken for granted.She felt a mix of anger and sadness, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. How could he have done this to her? How could he have thrown away everything they had for a fleeting moment of pleasure?Maine knew that she deserved better. She deserv
Maine and her friends went to the mall to buy clothes for graduation. Suddenly, a wave of sadness enveloped her. If only Dylan hadn't deceived her, she might have been graduating now too."Hey Maine, look at this beautiful dress! It would look amazing on you for graduation!" Emelie happily got the dress.She forces a smile "Yeah, it's really nice.""Are you okay, Maine? You seem a bit down. Is something bothering you?" Elise asked.She sighs "I... I had to stop schooling because of my cheating boyfriend. It's been really tough for me.""Oh, Maine, I'm so sorry to hear that. That must have been really difficult for you." Monique gives sympathy to her."We're here for you, Maine. You don't have to go through this alone. We'll support you no matter what." Emelie cheers her up."Thank you, guys. It means a lot to me to have your support. It's just hard to see everyone excited about graduation when I won't be a part of it." she was about to cry. The tears started to mold on her eyes."Main
She was in her room when a man suddenly entered carrying a sack. She grabbed her pillow to defend herself.The man took out his weapon from the sack."You shouldn't have made it until tomorrow!" he declared."We'll see who falls first!""I'm here to take your head, as I promised my wife!""Before you can do that, I'll make sure to slit your throat!"They circled the room, and she initiated the attack. He fought back, wielding his weapon. Due to his size, he managed to knock her down first.He was about to strike her again, but her grandmother intervened, hitting him with a cane."You're such a nuisance! Your niece just arrived, and look at what you're doing!" She aimed for his legs, and the cane struck hard."Ouch, Mommy!" he cried out. "Maine, defend me!"She blocked her uncle and held him by the arms."Go, Grandma! Avenge me!""Traitor!" Her uncle tried to break free, unintentionally hitting her with the cane."Ouch, Grandma!" She winced in pain. The cane struck her leg, leaving a v
She walked alone, passing through an orchard laden with mango fruit. Her stomach grumbled, so she entered a gap in the barbed wire. She wasn't familiar with the place. It had been ten years since she left.She enjoyed walking among the tall trees with intertwining branches. The fruits seemed like hearts kissing the earth. It felt like she was in an enchanted garden. As she walked, she reached the center of the farm.The trees looked similar, and she didn't know how to find her way out. She hesitated to shout, not wanting to disturb the owner.She continued walking until she came across a beautiful house."Oh my God, a beautiful house in the middle of the woods? Could it be, am I in a haunted place?" She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.She walked around the house, admiring its beauty from every angle. It had a modern touch despite the house's age."Oh, there's a gate," she remarked upon seeing it.But before she could reach it, she heard a growling animal. A shiver ran down her spine. Sh
"Bam! Bam!" Sandro shouted at Demitri."Aaaah, farewell world, farewell," as he knelt down."Hahaha, how's it going, Demi?" his uncle approached and shook his hand."I'm good, how about you? You've been gone for so long. Is this- really Maine?," he said with a smile.Maine raised an eyebrow, then shouted at them, "You guys are animals! You scared me!""Sorry... as soon as you called me, I messaged Demi to let him know it was you.""That arrogant guy over there," she pointed at Sandro."I'm just being cautious.""Because the last girl who got lost here brought him tears," Sandro chuckled."Shut up Sandy..""Stop calling me that way, I got goose bumps!""Take your niece with you, I think she's so annoyed with me.""I'm glad you noticed that, idiot." she murmured in frustration and mimicking his reaction."Wow, what a sharp tongue! I guess, you inheret that to your uncle Sandy.""Shhhoooo! shut up Demi. We're going. Thank you for not shooting Maine," her uncle jokingly wink at Demi."Let
She woke up with a growling stomach in the early morning. Peeking outside, she made sure the guys she annoyed were gone. Once assured there is no one else there, she headed to the kitchen, finding leftover food on the table inside the food keeper. No need for lights; the light outside their garage sufficed.Seated on the chair, she opened the food containers, the worms inside her intestine dancing wildly. She first tasted the pasta her uncle praised – delicious, undoubtedly he didn't cook it but from a town restaurant.Grabbing a canned soft drink from the fridge, she savored the meal alone until the light suddenly turned on. Her uncle Sandro stood there, smirking."I've been watching you for hours; I was going to put that in the fridge," he approached, taking a seat in front of her, "tantrums gone?""I'm annoyed with you and your old friend. You act like you're fresh catches, but you're just left over," she retorted, visibly irritated."You tease me but you're so sensitive.""I know!
"We're here, Miss Maine," Luna eagerly ushered her into the elevator."It's beautiful here. How long have you been with the company, Luna?" she asked."Just a year, ma'am. It's tough to get in, so I seized the opportunity when I was accepted. The compensation is good, and stay-in staff even get quarters.""What's your salary here?" she asked."10 thousand, but there are deductions like Pag-IBIG, SSS, and PhilHealth. With the health card, it comes out as eight thousand, plus free lodging and food.""Your boss seems stingy. Only eight thousand every half of the month?.""Oh, sorry, It was weekly!"She was surprised. It was substantial, especially considering everything was provided for free. It felt even better than working abroad."Wow, that's a decent amount.""We also have a centralized tip used for team building, Christmas parties, and various events.""This place seems good. How's Demi as a boss?""He's fine, but not as kind as Mr. Sandro.""Mr. Sandro?""Yes, Mr. Sandro. He's a lo