1

"This is all of it." Hilda, Kelsey's mother, said softly. Kelsey and Hilda both stared at the money they had on the counter by the kitchen. They regarded the small amount of money that they had saved in case of emergency. "Maybe, I should just find another job."

"No, mom, you are not getting another job. It's bad enough that you're working already, I don't want you to tire yourself out. Besides, if you get another job, who would take care of Ace and Kyle? They need you here, mom." Kelsey said as she counted the money on the counter. There was around five hundred dollars and it was just enough to pay for their ramshackle apartment.

"But what are we going to do? sweetheart, Kyle is getting another chemotherapy by the end of the month. I don't know if we are able to pay the fees. And what about his medicines. Then there's the groceries, and the apartment and the electricity and the-"

"Mom, mom, mom!" Kelsey interrupted her mother. "Relax." She said as Hilda took three deep breaths. "Just relax, okay? I'll handle it, everything will be fine. I'm sure I can find another job that pays well. Just let me handle everything, okay? Trust me on this one. I'll take care of it." Kelsey told her mother although she had no idea what she was going to do or where she was going to find a job since she didn't even graduate from college.

Kelsey always wanted to be a chef. Ever since she was five, her passion for cooking was noticeable. She would always help her mother out in the kitchen and cook the best meals. When she finished high school, she was very determined to go to a culinary school. She was doing great and she loved her classes. But she didn't get to finish her schooling. She was supposed to graduate last year but her ten-year-old brother, Kyle, got diagnosed with leukemia cancer. Kelsey wanted to be a chef but unfortunately, they didn't have the money to pay for her tuition fees and she had to find a job to help her mother to pay the bills. Hilda was against the idea of her daughter stopping her studies but she had no other choice.

Hilda was a very kind mother. She was loving, caring and patient. Her children were always her first priority. She would buy them the necessities that they need before she buys stuff for herself. Her children always get what they needed and what they must have. Although it was hard for her to give it to them, she was a very strong and determined mother.

Kyle was Kelsey's ten year old brother. Just a year ago, the poor boy was diagnosed with a deadly cancer called leukaemia. The whole family was devastated knowing that his life was in danger. But Kyle had never showed his family any fear. He was a fighter and everybody knew it. Kelsey was rather proud of her brother because he would always be smiling and making jokes around even through the worst scenarios. He would never fail to make his family laugh through hardship.

Ace was Kelsey's five year old little brother. Hilda adopted him when he was only three. She was surprised to see a little boy walking around the market place at ten o'clock at night. He was crying and sobbing when Hilda had found him drenched by the sidewalk. Her heart melted from the sight of a little boy who desperately needed her help. She immediately took him in and adopted him when she found out that his real mother left him in an orphanage but Ace didn't want to be prisoned inside the orphanage and left without permission. Hilda, being the considerate woman that she was, decided that she would adopt the kid.

Their family was a little more unusual and chaotic but nothing that the Parker's couldn't handle. Especially from all the past events that they've been through.

Kelsey and Kyle's real father, Lucas Montenegro, was a very wealthy man. He grew up with silver spoon shoved in his mouth. He got whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. His family owning the largest and most successful business in the whole country gave him a good reputation. Lucas was supposed to inherit the business when his father stepped down but everything changed.

He suddenly met the most beautiful and most caring woman in the planet, and her name was Hilda. He knew that he loved her that moment he set eyes on her. He was in loved with her and he wanted to marry her. However, the problem was that she grew up in a low income family. Her family didn't have the cash and the bling that Lucas' family owned. She was simple but extraordinary at the same time.

Lucas' parents didn't approved of their relationship, of course. But Lucas fought for her. He turned down the position of becoming the heir and the owner of their business for Hilda. Soon enough, they got married without the blessings of his family. His father practically disowned him.

For fourteen years, they were happy with Kelsey being around. She was thirteen during the time and she was absolutely a daddy's girl. Lucas would spoil her whenever possible. Everything was going well until Lucas' grandfather got a heart attack. Before his grandfather's death, he begged his grandson to take over the company again. It wasn't something forced, but definitely a promise to fulfill. Lucas had the hardest times and decisions on whether he should go or not.

Unfortunately, he chose the wrong path. He chose to inherit his family's business again. However, his decision had some sacrifices that he had to make. He knew that his parents wouldn't just let him back in his life. He was asked by his parents to leave Hilda in exchange for the company. It was a tough decision but he had to leave. He wasn't only doing it for his grandfather, he was also doing it for his family.

He tried to make Hilda understand why he was leaving, but it seemed like she couldn't really wrap the situation around her head. When he left, it was absolutely devastating not only for Hilda, but to Kelsey as well. She would always see her mother sobbing during day times and hear her cry to her sleep at night. Kelsey was like stabbed repeated in the chest every time she heard her mother cry. And the only person she blamed was her so called father. She couldn't believe that he would leave her in her condition. What Lucas didn't know was that Hilda was pregnant with Kyle during those times. She was going to tell him but was distracted when she found out that he was leaving them and never got the chance to tell him about her condition.

Since Kelsey had to go to school, Ian Parker, their next door neighbour, insisted to look after her mother. She knew that Hilda was in good hands because Ian was a very kind man. He was married but got a divorced with his wife. They never had children so he wasn't really obliged to be in contact with her.

Ian and Hilda got closer to each other and Kelsey noticed it. Her old mother was beginning to unleash once again. The mother that she knew and loved who was always happy and smiling. And it was all because of Ian. Not very long, after Hilda gave birth to Kyle, Ian and Hilda got married. Ian had asked Hilda and the kids if it was okay if he gave his last name to them. They agreed with this and from then on, Kelsey and Kyle Montenegro changed to Kelsey and Kyle Parker. Ian and Hilda been married for about seven years when the tragedy happened.

Ian was on his way to England for the murder case he was working on when his plane crashed on the way there. Hilda completely panicked when she heard the news and it tore her heart apart. It was also upsetting for Kelsey and Kyle but they tried their very best to comfort their mother and keep her happy.

When the incident happened, the Parker's financial problems grew more. So Hilda and the children decided to move to an apartment, ending them to their now ramshackle home. Hilda didn't like the fact that Kelsey and Kyle were not comfortable with the sudden change of houses from a homey house to a falling apart apartment, but the siblings never complained to their mother. They understood their situation and tried to keep the family going.

Kelsey, once again, regarded the money and put it back on the jar. She gave her mom a reassuring smile and Hilda returned it. She knew how determined her daughter was and she didn't give up too easily. Hilda was always a proud mother because she knew she raised her children the right way with proper treatment. They grew up with integrity, dignity and could handle to be completely independent.

"Don't worry, mom. I'll figure something out." She told her mother and took the jar to put it back in the secret place in their closet.